The Velotric Discovery 1 isn't about looks or performance, but it's a fine e-bike.
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No gimmicks, no problems: The low-fuss, reasonably priced e-bike
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I'm not on the market for yet another bike, electronic or otherwise. This review almost makes me think I oughta be tho
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I just want to find one of these ebikes that's actually built for extremely fat people like me so I can have a low-impact way to exercise that isn't a gym experience.
ebikes should be PERFECT for me to start trying to get some fitness into my life, but I'm over the weight limit on like all of them.
I've found regular bicycles that can support my fat ass, but the worry of being stranded if I get tired on a ride makes them kind of a non-starter. And my house is tiny so I don't have space for an indoor bike (not that one would help - that's boring AF and the whole reason I got so fat to begin with is that exercise is boring to me).
Please, someone, anyone, make an ebike that can support megafat americans. I promise I'll buy one.
ebikes should be PERFECT for me to start trying to get some fitness into my life, but I'm over the weight limit on like all of them.
I've found regular bicycles that can support my fat ass, but the worry of being stranded if I get tired on a ride makes them kind of a non-starter. And my house is tiny so I don't have space for an indoor bike (not that one would help - that's boring AF and the whole reason I got so fat to begin with is that exercise is boring to me).
Please, someone, anyone, make an ebike that can support megafat americans. I promise I'll buy one.
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Where’s the specs table? On a Ars article like this I would expect to see a table with specs (as reviewed): battery capacity, price, range, weight, top speed.
Some or all of those may be embedded in the article, but it has been Ars’ standard practice to include them in a breakout table.
Some or all of those may be embedded in the article, but it has been Ars’ standard practice to include them in a breakout table.
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They are probably out there, but it depends on how fat is fat. I'm easily 60 lbs over my ideal weight and e-bikes struggle without me pedaling them a lot. If you're more than that, they probably aren't for you until you lose some weight via diet.
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Very, very fat. This bike has a maximum weight limit of 200kg according to their website. I am over that.
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Have you not done any bike shopping in the last decade?
I currently own a Trek X-Caliber 7 29" mountain bike. When I bought it, it was ~$750. Back in 2020, I bent the front wheel in half while trail riding and had to get it repaired. Total repairs (which included multiple damaged parts) ran me about $500 and prompted me to ask about just straight-up replacing the bike, only to find out that Trek no longer makes that model, and the next closest one ran about $1300. And that's without electrifying it. For comparison, the cheapest e-bike Trek offers is $1600 for a zero-frills cruiser with a top bar. And while I will concede that Trek isn't exactly a cheap brand, it is a fairly common one known for making solid bikes.
Bikes simply aren't cheap anymore.
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If you want a cheaper bike, good quality brand-name, check out the local pawnshops. All of the ones around here are full of Cannondales, Treks, etc. generally barely used, pretty recent, and half or more off retail
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I don't think its strictly necessary. However, an e-bike will benefit from a display to show power level, and will need speed sensors for legal restrictions (i.e. it needs to cut out at 20 or 28 mph), so if you have a display and sensors, might as well display it. Maybe you could get away with a simple display with (e.g.) 5 lights for 5 power levels, but LCDs are cheap. They also typically have a clock, odometer, and phone charging, since at that point they're easy to add.
However, I've had a front-mounted kids seat on my bike for a couple of years now, so I can't see the display while riding, and I don't miss it particularly. I really just use it to check that the power level is where I want it, which I stop to check anyway.
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Just wanted to throw this out there but good for you. wanting to get into better shape! Good luck to you and I hope you're able to meet your expectations and goals.
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Yeah well, while exercise is good for you but it alone will not make you lose weight.
See easy to read books (or read their authors scientific articles) The Hungry Brain: Outsmarting the Instincts That Make Us Overeat by
Stephan J. Guyenet
And Burn: New Research Blows the Lid Off How We Really Burn Calories, Lose Weight, and Stay Healthy by Herman Pontzer
Also you will use little energy (unless you become really active) because normal cycling is one of the lowest energy activities (highlighted in Pontzer's book) and ecycling will be even worse. Better to get into the habit of regular walking while doing your best to minimize the eating temptation (as addressed in both books).
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Going to quibble with the statement that a step-through bike must either be heavy, or be made of carbon fiber. In fact, I can't think of any step-through carbon frames. Do they even exist?
The Specialized Turbo Como 3 is a step-through aluminum e-bike that weighs under 48 pounds (i.e. more than 15 pounds lighter than the bike in the review). 50 pounds is a magic threshold in many places because that is the weight limit for bike racks on the fronts of buses or the hooks inside trains.
The Specialized Turbo Como 3 is a step-through aluminum e-bike that weighs under 48 pounds (i.e. more than 15 pounds lighter than the bike in the review). 50 pounds is a magic threshold in many places because that is the weight limit for bike racks on the fronts of buses or the hooks inside trains.
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If it's just for exercise and not for transport, maybe look into one of those under-desk cyclers? I have a Cubii and I'm trying to use it like a walking desk treadmill at home. It takes some discipline and practice to keep it going for extended periods and not just use it as a foot rest. But on the other hand I sit on a IKEA POANG chair and it's super comfortable to relax and cycle in.
This is supplementary for me, but I think it would also be great for getting started.
ETA: the cubii is also nearly silent which is also important to me since I use it watching TV. my other favorite exercise device is a mini trampoline which is sprung with bungee cords, also silent.
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I agree that exercise bikes are boring, but I've had fantastic workouts on smart trainers. They let you ride a regular bike indoors by mounting it to a controllable flywheel that wirelessly connects to various devices. I've used it as an input to control games on my iPad, Apple TV, and computer. There are also apps that let you do virtual social rides where everyone gets a speed adjustment so different ability levels stay to gather at similar levels of effort, and lots of structured workout programs with real-time feedback.
The weight limits tend to top out around 300lbs, but I'd feel safe going significantly higher as a novice. Those weight ratings take into account the extreme force of a highly-trained cyclist's kicks. A new rider who is concerned about getting worn out on a casual ride won't be approaching that kind of power for months or years.
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I'd advice a stationary bike for starters for two reasons: They typically have higher weight limits; In your case, fall from a regular bike may cause serious injury. In your situation, I'd definitely get advice from a doctor or physiotherapist (or both) before. Really hope you can find something that works.
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Constructive feedback for Mr. Timmer - this review feels surprisingly pessimistic in tone for a product that seems to have exceeded your expectations and is a good value for most consumers.
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Appreciated, but I'd just wind up using it as a footrest. I can't even get myself to play Beat Saber regularly, and that's a damn videogame, my favorite hobby. My wife is much more active than I am, and wants me to be able to go with her on bike rides, but I'm just not physically able to do what she wants to do. an Ebike would allow me to participate with her and get some exercise, and joining her on her outings is a good motivator to get me to actually *do* it - motivation is by far my biggest barrier.
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We're getting so close. Get a bike at this level of solidity under $1k and a lot of people will consider it who haven't up to this point. This is a great package, with everything a commuter needs, and no LOOK AT ME I'M A FAST RACER distractions or compromises.
I have a much more expensive and fancier ebike that I'm afraid to take a lot of places because of the risk of theft. I should get something like this that I can feel OK about taking anywhere with a decent lock.
I have a much more expensive and fancier ebike that I'm afraid to take a lot of places because of the risk of theft. I should get something like this that I can feel OK about taking anywhere with a decent lock.
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I personally view bikes including e-bikes as transportation, not exercise, but I will point out that at least one brand (Specialized) has a boost mode on their controller that interacts with the rider's heart rate monitor to maintain a given level of effort. It's really slick. You can get as much of a workout as you want. You just go faster and farther.
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You might look at cargo versions of ebikes, Ars has reviewed some. They are built to be quite sturdy.
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Depending on the product, yes. Depending on the use and value it provides you, yes.
See also: PC’s, monitors, and the chair you sit in all day while you work.
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Riding indoors does suck but sites like Zwift and Rouvy gamify the experience to make it suck... less. But having to buy a bike + smart trainer + monthly service can be a tough pill to swallow. As a mountain biker and occasional hairy-legged roadie, having the bike was the easy part.
And for those who think $1300 is expensive... I think you need to price out a proper (non-Wal-mart) bike these days.
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Thanks for posting this. I’m going to do some research; I think I want to learn more about these.
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200kg is still on the frontier of cargo bike capacity. An Urban Arrow is rated for more than that, but Xtracycle or Surly cargo bikes are rated for less.
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Came here to say the same. Saying it's heavy but not including the weight? This doesn't read like an article at Ars.
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Is the pedal assist cadence or torque sensing, or a flat "pedals moving = X amount of assist"?
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A recumbent e trike may be worth looking into also. I have no clue what the prices are like but I've seen people of all shapes and sizes out on them.
ed. I should add that often the weak point is actually the wheels, which can easily be replaced with something sturdier. A good local bike shop should be able to hook you up with that no problem.
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How fast you're going is the least important piece of information on a machine that's internally limited to 18 mph. Yes, you need the sensors to limit your top speed, but having the sensor doesn't necessarily mean the data it's collected needs to be 50 percent of the display space. Instantaneous discharge rate and a more granular state-of-charge display come to mind as a better use of the space.
The space could have been put to better use, is all I'm saying. This is not a criticism of the bike as a whole, it seems like a fine machine, but dragging an automotive UI element into a design where it's not needed stands out to me as an odd choice.
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Love the review and personally timely for me as I'm shopping for my first e-bike (and first bike since owning a 70's Schwinn road bike for 15 years).
If you think this is expensive, just search for a "best electric bike" list and you will see the upper tiers range from $4k all the way north of $10k.
As someone with a sub 2 mile commute to work and most of my bike errands in the 1 - 2 mile range, I am definitely shopping in the lower budget range even though the top end features are quite tempting.
If you think this is expensive, just search for a "best electric bike" list and you will see the upper tiers range from $4k all the way north of $10k.
As someone with a sub 2 mile commute to work and most of my bike errands in the 1 - 2 mile range, I am definitely shopping in the lower budget range even though the top end features are quite tempting.
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It's probably hard to do with the battery but I feel like electric bikes have the same issue electric cars seem to where it's immediately clear it's not an electric because they like to design them to look way more sleek and pseudo-futuristic than necessary. I think we're getting out of that with cars but bikes I still feel like are in that area. I get that they need to fit the battery and a stronger frame but I'd just like a more inconspicuous bike for commuting. My work is only 6 miles away and I'd like to be able to bike eventually rather than get a second car just for commuting. 6 miles isn't far for a normal bike but if I were to be able to go to work then some errand after I think an electric would be a bit more reasonable.
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They probably cribbed automotive UIs without putting much thought into it*. Which maybe isn't a bad decision since the people who buy an e-bike probably have a lot more experience with cars than with bikes.
* Although everyone knows, a true driver's car has the tachometer as the largest gauge
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If all you want to do is join your wife for bike rides, then as suggested before, the cargo version of an e-bike is a great idea.
If you want to lose weight, something like the Cubii, or an indoor stationary trainer would be the way to go. Bicycling is way easier on the knees and joints than any other exercise! BTW, I believe a lot of bike weight limits are based on the strength of the frame materials, as well as the strength of the spokes/rims and what support the tires can provide. However, if you just ride indoors, you aren't going to stress the frame & tires anywhere near what you would riding outside on real roads (and if something does break indoors, you won't be flying downhill at 40 mph...just hop off and buy a new part).
I'm an avid video game lover myself...I'm also an avid road cyclist who never thought he would ride an indoor trainer. I ride one now due to ease and convenience. I used to do virtual road rides, but honestly, they suck! Now, I turn on one of my favorite Twitch streams and I'll ride for an hour at a nice pace.
Just throwing it out there, you have to find out what works for you. Good luck!
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Lots of cargo e-bikes also have a 200kg listed max weight, but a quick scan of the higher end ones (Tern and Yuba) don't show any with a limit over 200kg. That's the listed limit, what's the real limit? I don't know. Still, you're probably better off looking at the nicer (which means $4000 and up, often quite a bit up) cargo bikes and just not carrying much in the way of cargo. You could try contacting Tern and Yuba and see what they have to say, maybe they can recommend the strongest of their 200kg bikes.
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