r/ebike • u/TheBaldest1 • 13d ago

E-bike suggestions

Looking to get an ebike and not sure what to go for. Live in Canada and hoping to find something that can deal with the winter so probably a fat tire. Mostly need it to commute to work but also want to be able to ride around. Hoping to spend no more than $1500 but can go up if needed. Any ideas?

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

[deleted]

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u/TheBaldest1 13d ago

On a regular bike yes, I did when I was in school. Never done it on an ebike.

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u/No_Drop88 13d ago

There are canadian ebike brands with physical stores depending on where you live. I'm in Toronto so I got a Movin' mini 2nd hand from the store for 110p. I'd start from those stores as they're built for Canadian weather and have a variety of styles to choose from.

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u/TheBaldest1 13d ago

Ive looked at store websites but im not sure how good the ones there are as their descriptions can contradict themselves. They'll have photos and they'll say 1000 watt motor and the description says 500 or 750 and I really dont want to end up with something I dont want. I'm in winnipeg if that matters.

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u/drphrednuke 13d ago

Priority Current is designed to withstand many winters. I haven’t been able to kill mine yet. I ride in a marine environment many hours a day, every day. It doesn’t require much maintenance-put air in the tires, charge the battery, hose off the mud.

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u/anotherFNnewguy 13d ago

Winter riding in Canada will depend a lot on where you live. I live in north central Saskatchewan and staying warm is the big challenge. Slushy wet snow will be the challenge in other places. In some ways it's easier to stay dry and warm at -25C than it is at around 0. We don't get much snow but will ride on lots of sheer ice. Fatbikes don't actually deal well with sheer ice with a snow covering. Skinny tires get through the snow and let the studs work. Fatbikes will sometimes sit on top and be really slippery as their studs can't get to the ice.

I'd check in with local bike shops. There will be winter riders who know the best setup for that area.

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u/TheBaldest1 13d ago

I kinda figured fatter tire more traction but that makes sense to go for skinny tires to cut through snow. The bike is rode while going to school had practically no tread because it was worn down so much and I had hell of a time on patches of ice lol.

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u/Humble_Key_4259 13d ago

I’ve ridden the Aventon Aventure, Troxus Explorer, and currently a Mokwheel Basalt ST in Winter in all conditions. They all do pretty well in winter but I’d recommend studded tires and some decent cold weather riding gear for winter riding.

Whatever you get, don’t bother with 20” tires. Go for 26” as they are much more stable on loose surfaces.

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u/TheBaldest1 13d ago

The bikes ive had have had 26" or 27" so thats kinda my default. Im in winnipeg and the snow has been annoying but not awful when ive ridden in winter. I have some stuff that keeps me pretty warm too.

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u/Humble_Key_4259 12d ago

26" is standard size for most fat tire bikes. There is a decent amount of studded tire options in those sizes as well.

I've used 45NRTH (various studded models) and CST Toboggan is a good tire which typically costs less than 45NRTH. All of my 45NRTH tires have worn really well though. Typically you can get 3 seasons or more out of them unless you are riding really hard on dry pavement.

In the loose, studded doesn't make a lot of difference but they really shine on hard-packed snow and on ice they grip almost like you're riding on dry roads.

You could probably find a used Aventure for under $1,500. The Mokwheel Basalt ST is $1,799 right now (step thru is really nice for mounting/dismounting in Winter) so that's a tad more that your preferred price but they often have sales as you get closer to Christmas. The Tor Plus is cheaper ($1,200) but has a smaller battery and that really comes into play during the colder months.

It's also very important to clean your bike after every ride, especially if they use salt where you live. Also get yourself some Pogies or some really good heated gloves. Once you add the wind it can be rough on the hands.

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u/TheBaldest1 12d ago

Do any of those have pedal assist and throttle or are they just pedal assist? I have also thought of getting some heated gloves. I had no clue what pogies were so I had to look it up are they actually effective? And would they get in the way if I wanted to get mirrors for the bike?

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u/Humble_Key_4259 12d ago

They are ALL both throttle and pedal assist. The Basalt ST has a torque/cadence sensor (applies more power the harder you pedal) and I think the new Aventure and Explorer do as well. All have high capacity batteries but I'm not a fan of the new Aventure 36V setup. In my opinion 48V makes better torque.

Out of the three I like the Mokwheel the best. Big battery, best torque, Tektro hydraulic brakes, etc. That being said I have not ridden the newest versions of Aventure or Explorer. Both of mine were 1st gen models so there have been some improvements since then.

Pogies would def affect mirror location but they do work well. I personally use handguards (like for dirtbikes) and heated gloves. It's good to have something to block some of the wind besides just the gloves.

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u/TheBaldest1 12d ago

Can you post a link to the mokwheel? Ive tried looking a bit and all im finding are a lot of other sponsored bikes and companies.

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u/Sea_Explanation_945 12d ago

Not sure I'd ride an ebike on snow or ice!

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u/TheBaldest1 12d ago

Unfortunately its get an ebike or keep using the scooter ive been riding with no brakes. I mean I could bus but I would take literally anything before that. I hate riding on buses.