Hunting Ebikes

[deckhandmike]

Maybe a dumb question but a really quiet 250 Yamaha enduro is right around the same price and seems to be overall more of a value especially if you get stuck somewhere with no charging possibilities.

[Bull Elk]

Too much money. Too limited. Likely someone will try and steal it.

[yakdout]

I ride e-bikes a lot - around 3000 miles last year. There are three guys in my group that had the Bikesdirect Motobecane with the Shimano E7000 motor. The bikes have been great, especially for the price, and I don't think I would hesitate in buying one if that were my price point.

Also, we have a good mix of bikes in our group - Shimano, Bosch, Bafang, and Specialized (Brose). The worst one, by far, is Specialized (Brose). Those motors are fine when they work, but nothing special. But they break like crazy. One person in our group is on her fourth motor. She's a competition level rider that 90 percent of men on the trail cannot keep up with, but still. Others on the internet have had similar experiences. In fact, for those that have over 1000-1500 miles, I think it's pretty rare to have never experienced a broken motor. The upside is that apparently Specialized is awesome about warranty coverage. But still.

The Shimano is more reliable and I would say over/under on problems is around 1500-2000 miles. The Bafang is similar to the Shimano in reliability, possibly a little better. But if the Bafang breaks, nearly every part is readily available for the consumer to fix on their own -- same cannot be said for the other brands. The Bafang, however, is the most "unnatural" feeling. When you peddle, it just starts to hammer on, whereas the others, ease the power in more so it doesn't feel as abrupt. Bosch is probably the best all around.

I have had all of them except for the Brose, and for OP's use, I would suggest a Bafang or Shimano. One thing that Bafang has that the others won't, is a throttle on many of their models. That can be nice if you're looking for a utilitarian bike.

BTW-torque, power ratings, etc., are pretty useless numbers. All of the big brands except for Bafang, will be at 250watts. I have a Bafang 1500watt and 750 watts, as well as Shimano E8000 and Bosch CX gen 4, and although the Shimano and Bosch are rated at only 250 watts, they are only slightly less powerful than the Bafang 1500watt. In fact, I would say my Bosch is probably comparable, if not more powerful, than my Bafang 750w.

I installed a bafang 750w with a giant battery on my beach cruiser. Way cheaper to build yourself and you get better quality stuff then an e bike you can buy. As far as the unnatural acceleration, they sell a cable you can plug into your computer and alter the tuning fairly easily.


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[NATEWA]

I installed a bafang 750w with a giant battery on my beach cruiser. Way cheaper to build yourself and you get better quality stuff then an e bike you can buy. As far as the unnatural acceleration, they sell a cable you can plug into your computer and alter the tuning fairly easily.


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BAFANG BBS03 52V 1000W Mid Drive Motor Kit with 52V Lithium Ebike Battery BBS03 Electric Bike DIY Conversion Kits with Optional Ebike Display https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GPG92KP...CWEHA9ANA46S83

1,000 watt model.

My friend bought a speacialized ebike. Thing was crazy expensive - think around $6-7k so these bolt on kits for $1k are attractive.

[Bainter1212]

I am curious about these, specifically on how the law applies to them while hunting.

Can you legally get into places where motorized vehicles are otherwise not allowed? Are these considered motorized vehicles in some places (electric trolling motors on boats turn a boat into a motorized boat - does the same apply to bikes?)

The use I would find with one of these is in making it a lot easier to haul out game quarters. Make your kill, hike the first quarter out to wherever you stashed your bike, get it to the truck, rinse and repeat.

[Irishfisher]

Have you ordered from them? My dad is in the market.

Yes. I have a bike from them and several of my son's friends have ordered bikes from them. They are a good company that basicly has a factory build bikes to their specs from components. You usually save 40-50% over brand name bikes with similar components. Only two complaints. Their website sucks and there can be a long wait if you pre-order a bike that isn't in stock yet. As far as quality goes, I am happy with my bike. I only need it for closed forest roads. So, a $2000 hybrid mountain bike worked for me.

I am curious about these, specifically on how the law applies to them while hunting.

Can you legally get into places where motorized vehicles are otherwise not allowed? Are these considered motorized vehicles in some places (electric trolling motors on boats turn a boat into a motorized boat - does the same apply to bikes?)

Not sure about out of state, but California considers them bicyles as long as they are only pedal assist. If you have a motor that propels you when you are not pedaling, you are considered a "motorized bicycle". Motorized bicycles are not allowed where other motor vehicles are prohibited. Most bike paths and hiking trails are closed to motor vehicles but open to ebikes.

[plinker202020]

^ How are “bikes” like the Sur-ron categorized? My son’s been begging us for one all year but I’m concerned about two things:

1. Real life range considering there are no pedals once the juice runs out.

2. Where he could actually ride it without breaking rules.

Seems like this thread has people who would know better than me.

[DaveInOroValley]

Got it, makes sense.

[Fjold]

I have a ARCHON - 48V 26" Fat Tire Electric Mountain Bike (1000W, 48 V, 13 Amp Hr). For hunting/mountain bike riding I would probably go with a narrower tire than the 4" that I have.

[Irishfisher]

I believe the Sur-ron is a motorcycle, not a bicycle. Therefore, all laws which apply to motorcycle would apply. Street legal or off-road registration, equipment, etc. Not allowed where motor vehicles are prohibited. Must have pedal operation to be a bicycle.

[180ls1]

I ride e-bikes a lot - around 3000 miles last year. There are three guys in my group that had the Bikesdirect Motobecane with the Shimano E7000 motor. The bikes have been great, especially for the price, and I don't think I would hesitate in buying one if that were my price point.

Also, we have a good mix of bikes in our group - Shimano, Bosch, Bafang, and Specialized (Brose). The worst one, by far, is Specialized (Brose). Those motors are fine when they work, but nothing special. But they break like crazy. One person in our group is on her fourth motor. She's a competition level rider that 90 percent of men on the trail cannot keep up with, but still. Others on the internet have had similar experiences. In fact, for those that have over 1000-1500 miles, I think it's pretty rare to have never experienced a broken motor. The upside is that apparently Specialized is awesome about warranty coverage. But still.

The Shimano is more reliable and I would say over/under on problems is around 1500-2000 miles. The Bafang is similar to the Shimano in reliability, possibly a little better. But if the Bafang breaks, nearly every part is readily available for the consumer to fix on their own -- same cannot be said for the other brands. The Bafang, however, is the most "unnatural" feeling. When you peddle, it just starts to hammer on, whereas the others, ease the power in more so it doesn't feel as abrupt. Bosch is probably the best all around.

I have had all of them except for the Brose, and for OP's use, I would suggest a Bafang or Shimano. One thing that Bafang has that the others won't, is a throttle on many of their models. That can be nice if you're looking for a utilitarian bike.

BTW-torque, power ratings, etc., are pretty useless numbers. All of the big brands except for Bafang, will be at 250watts. I have a Bafang 1500watt and 750 watts, as well as Shimano E8000 and Bosch CX gen 4, and although the Shimano and Bosch are rated at only 250 watts, they are only slightly less powerful than the Bafang 1500watt. In fact, I would say my Bosch is probably comparable, if not more powerful, than my Bafang 750w.

Got it. Thanks for the informative reply. My Yamaha (80nm of torque, which is more than enough) has 2600 miles on it. I am not sweating because I got a great deal on the bike so I can replace it at any time and still be ahead. I have heard they are the "toyota" of ebikes.

Probably going to get the Bafang for my dad, at 71 it would be a little tricky for him to handle the cadence needed to go through a rocky section up hill and being able to have continuous power from a motor in those types of scenarios would benefit him substantially.

Yes. I have a bike from them and several of my son's friends have ordered bikes from them. They are a good company that basicly has a factory build bikes to their specs from components. You usually save 40-50% over brand name bikes with similar components. Only two complaints. Their website sucks and there can be a long wait if you pre-order a bike that isn't in stock yet. As far as quality goes, I am happy with my bike. I only need it for closed forest roads. So, a $2000 hybrid mountain bike worked for me.

Awesome, thanks for the response. That is pretty much where we are at, ride in a few miles and then him from there. Saving an hour of hiking each direction is substantial.