[Puntoo]

Seeking Advice on E-Bicycle for Bengaluru Commute & Leisure Rides

Hello Team-BHPians,

I'm looking to buy an e-bike for my daily commute in Bengaluru and occasional leisure rides. Here are my details:

Age: 38
Height: 6'1"
Weight: ~94 kg
Usage: Primarily for city commuting (Bengaluru traffic!) and occasional leisure rides.
Requirements:
Comfortable for a taller rider
Good battery range and to removable battery
Reliable and low maintenance
Decent suspension (given Bengaluru roads)
Budget: Open to suggestions, but value for money is key
I've been considering models from Hero Lectro, EMotorad, and even some premium e-bikes. Would love recommendations on which e-bike would suit my needs best.

Also, any insights on battery performance in real-world Bengaluru conditions, service network, and overall reliability would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

Thanks!

Thiru

[qaqa]

Originally Posted by Puntoo

Seeking Advice on E-Bicycle for Bengaluru Commute & Leisure Rides

Age: 38
Height: 6'1"
Weight: ~94 kg
Usage: Primarily for city commuting

Hi Thiru,

I was in the same situation and I picked up an E-Motorad T-Rex+. I'm similarly built and I find the bike comfortable for my frame.

Felt this model is a good balance of weight (alloy frame) balanced with a practical set of features (8 speed drivetrain and removable battery).

Have also sent you a DM on this note.

[Doge]

Originally Posted by superbad

Superb thread, very informative. This has definitely got me interested in dabbling with e-bikes. Do you think this can work with our desi brands - Hero, BSA etc? Also what about charging the battery? Pedal power or electrical outlet?
The only thing you missed is the one thing which is most prevalent in India & the main reason people still don't prefer bicycles/e-bikes - theft. Parking this bike on the roads mean that the owner will constantly fret about its safety. As is well known, locks/chains are no big deals for the inventive thieves. Plus a few hundred watt motor, a juicy battery & all that metal is prime target for the unscrupulous elements in the black market. So unless one has a safe & secured private parking space in home/office/gym/wherever you go, this bike is really not recommended.

Theft is actually much worse in the western cities in Europe and North America. Usually, the bigger the city, the worst the theft is. Forget bicycles, even motorcycles are stolen in a few minutes. I was once waiting for my coffee at a cafe and saw a couple of kids messing with a z800 or similar looking bike parked opposite to the cafe. By the time I got my coffee and sat on the table, they had already managed to start it and were on their way.
I feel the biggest problem for cyclists, e bikes or not has and will always be the horrible infrastructure and a total lack of awareness from the government and the public about the benefits of cycling for the society. I had commuted mostly on my MTB for 4 years when abroad and it was pure bliss, mostly because of proper pedestrian and bike paths. In India riding a two wheeler slowly feels unsafe, nevermind a bicycle!
EV cars are never a real solution, real sustainability is public transport and bicycles.