Looking for a toy to ride around and explore all the forest service roads around here when I retire next month and here's my thought process...

1. I don't want to spend crazy money on my first E-Bike.
2. Most of my riding will be on improved gravel and dirt forest service roads, so the bike needs to be somewhat off-road capable.
3. I'm doing this for fun and some exercise, even though I Ruck (walking with a weighted vest) every morning and also lift weights.
4. I will probably buy Mrs. Irish one too and we will take them with us on our travels when we decide on what camper we are going to by for our retirement travels.
5. May use it for hunting and fishing too.

Here is the one of the more promising bikes that I have narrowed it down to:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTGZSD7...;ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I like this bike for these reasons:

26" tires
Large frame
Nice battery and range
Good reviews on Youtube
Looks to be comfortable
Relatively fast
It looks like a traditional Mountain Bike
Hydraulic brakes
Good price for the features it has

What am I missing in my thinking?

Rad runner and get the power booster for it.

That’s really cool and not a bad price. Some of the ones “for hunting” I’ve seen are like $4k.

Never heard of that one but it does look nice..and I like the price.

I have the Rad Rover with the upgraded controller. The upgraded controller will climb hills better but it will cut your range. Unless you are tall get the step-thru because these bikes are much bigger than a mountain bikes.

Look at the one Bustinbeards has. He paid $1200 for his.
Electric Bikes

Nice!

I don’t know anything about that brand, but I don’t believe you will get 87 miles on a charge. Also, if you scroll to the right to look at the other pictures, it says 750 watt, not 1000 watt. Then the third picture says 250 watt and 25 mph top speed. Those inconsistent advertisements would make me pause on that. You’re retired, you don’t need exercise, just buy a surron and have fun

You can go one of two routes for the sub $2000 bikes.

1. You can buy you one of the many < $2000 bikes that are made in China and most if not all of them will feature a 750 watt rear hub drive motor.


or

2. You can buy a really good fat tire bike and buy a 1000w mid drive motor kit and install it yourself. You will have twice the quality of bike for the same money. More power, better drivetrain, less mechanical failure.


If I was building one today I’d buy a Northrock from Costco and measure the bottom bracket width.

https://www.costco.com/northrock-xc00-fat-tire-bike.product.100467336.html

Then I’d go to Luna Cycle and order a Bafang BBHSD motor kit.

https://lunacycle.com/bafang-bbshd-1000w-middrive-kit/?gad_source=1

Then I’d take about 3 hours in the basement and build it. I would replace the Bafang chain ring with a Lekkie 36 tooth chain ring, and I’d put Tannus no flat inserts in both tires.


You would have you a machine then for < $2000

Mine will run 40+ miles per hour in high gear and climb any hill in Alabama geared low.

Well that is great but can you tell us just a bit more about what you have?

X2 on the Tannus tire inserts. I’ve had 3 flats from honey locust thorns. A 60 lb bike doesn’t push easy with a flat tire

If I'm going to spend Surron money I'm just going to get a used Suzuki DR650 tag it and insure it and ride it on road and the trails too. And I can take it motorcycle camping or across the United States if I want to.

The problem with the Surron and riding the fire roads around here is that it either needs to technically be a "Bike" or it has to be a motorcycle or vehicle that is licensed, tagged and insured, just like on the road. So with the Surron I would get a federal ticket from the National park Service.

From BC post, makes a great point about building one better than factory, but I would use a bike with at least front suspension. Those things will beat you to death

Now you really have me thinking...

Here’s what we take camping

Irish, I"d do exactly what BC is saying & build one. If you don't want to go that route, keep your eye on facebook marketplace & buy a used mid drive bike.

I've got a quietkat warrior. It does pretty well. 1000w mid drive bike. I bought it used w/ like 40 miles on it for $2,500.

If i had it to do over again, I would probably build one. Might even build one on a narrower tire setup. Fat tires are good for traction and stability, but you might as well push it, if your battery dies. Plus a narrower tire will draw the motor down less.

If I was to buy one, I would get either a stealth single speed or a hardcore mountain tamer. There is no such thing as too much torque. I really think you will be sorely disappointed in any hub drive bike. Especially considering the type of hills you have.

I have a Trek Marlin 7. 9 gear with 29 inch mid fat tires with hydraulic disk brakes and front shocks. I went with a little higher end bike and it was overall close to $1100.

Then I put a 1000w BBHSD mid drive motor with shifter and brake sensors that kill power while shifting gears and braking.

If I had it to do all over again I’d have bought the Northrock instead of the Trek.

I did the assembly/build myself.

This video is the sole reason I decided to build my own.

Build it Irish, I know you can and I would think you would get more enjoyment out of something you built.