My Perfect Bike
I found the perfect e-bike for a short female.
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Back To Cycling
I had not been on a bicycle in years when friends started insisting that my husband and I go riding with them. They loaned us a couple bikes and we all headed for a gorgeous trail that skirts the south end of Puget Sound. We rode several miles, then enjoyed lunch at a waterfront restaurant. My husband and I were both immediately hooked. We started researching bikes.
There were so many things to consider. We love to hike, but didn’t feel the need for a bike in the woods. Though I know that mountain biking provides fun adventure, it would require a totally different skill set than regular cycling. We are happy hiking while in the forest. On a paved walking/biking trail, however, we knew that being able to cover more distance would add to our adventures.
A couple months later, on a very stormy October day, we purchased two bikes that we immediately loved.
Trouble On The Horizon
We are lucky in that we have many biking paths around the Pacific Northwest, including a trail near us that connects a few towns as part of the “rails to trails” biking/walking system. What fun to be able to ride between towns, stop and have a coffee or lunch, then pedal on to the next town.
Although I loved riding the trails, I quickly found that I got a bit nervous on longer rides. Could I get back OK? What if I come to a hill that is too hard for me? I am an active person, spending my retirement years hiking and enjoying the outdoors. I walk every day, with rare exception. Still… Years change us.
The following summer, we went with our friends to Crescent Lake, in the Olympic National Park in Washington. I had looked forward to this trip because of the beautiful lake, and the fabulous walking/biking path that runs alongside the lake. It begins with a bit of a hill, then the grade levels off before climbing again. I started up the first hill, then started coughing. Uh-oh. Asthma. My inhaler was back home, where it did me NO good. I was saddened, but knew I could not continue. I sent my husband and friends on ahead - no reason for them to turn down a good ride. I decided then that perhaps I should look into an e-bike. Yes, I’d only been riding my new bike one season, but I wanted to be able to ride without concerns.
Photo: Lake Crescent Trail
Choosing The Right E-Bike
I read an excellent article that inspired me to try an e-bike. My friend from the Lake Crescent trip already had a new e-bike and loved it. In fact, she had used it at the lake. I read that people actually exercise MORE, not less, with an e-bike. They are no longer afraid of getting out on a trail and not being able to pedal back. They are no longer afraid of hills. For seniors, an e-bike means we can keep doing the activity that we love - cycling.
Research, research, research! I watched YouTube videos on e-bikes and read many articles. I made a list of things that were important to me regarding an e-bike.
Questions To Consider - just a few to get you started
Where do you plan to ride (mountain, paved bike trail, street commute)?
How much power do you need?
What is your size (weight and height)?
Do you need long distance on your battery?
What is your price range?
Do you have nearby stores to try out bikes?
Do you want pedal assist only - or throttle? (pedal assist means you must be pedaling for the motor to work, throttle means you can stop pedaling and still have power)
Is a step through or step over bike more appropriate for you? Step through provides easier accessibility. A step over requires the rider to swing their leg up and over the top bar (what previous generations called a “boy’s bike”)
What attachments will you need? Side mirrors and lights are essential for safety. A hanging carrying case for the front, water bottle holder, rear bike rack, and other storage equipment are nice to have. I got everything I needed on Amazon, except the water bottle holder - that was installed at the bike shop when I purchased my bike. I have a left side mirror that installs into the handle bar (doesn’t show in photo against the black bag).
Even with my seat fully down, I was able to get a rear storage rack that fit my Electra Townie Go e-bike. Yes, there is clearance between the rack and the rear tire. Most racks are too far forward for a low seat; I was SO happy my husband found the right rack on Amazon. If you click any of the following links, you help support this site - no extra cost to you.
My Personal Want List: for my E-Bike
I am a petite female. I wanted my bike to be very easy to maneuver, and light-weight enough to pedal as a regular bike. Many e-bikes are SO heavy that they need the power turned on to ride at all.
I wanted to be able to take my e-bike on a regular hiking / biking trail. Laws are changing regarding e-bikes. Some trails only allow class 1 e-bikes. Class 1 is pedal assist - no throttle. The maximum speed is 20 mph (the power turns off when 20 mph is reached). Class 1 was what I wanted.
For safety and comfort, I also wanted to be able to sit on the bike and have my feet touch the ground. I had watched some videos from people who rode e-bikes that were much too large for them. One man actually said that riders should “expect to fall.” Others stated that the main times when people (especially seniors) fall from an e-bike are when starting or stopping. This was due to difficulty in balancing a heavy e-bike while starting or stopping, or having to jump on or off a seat when starting or stopping. Others stated that riding slowly created a fall hazard due to a heavy bike being more prone to tipping, and reinforcing the idea that e-bikes are heavy. I planned to avoid all of those issues by getting a properly fitted bike.
I also wanted a step-through, rather than a step-over frame. Step through allowed much easier mounting and dismounting of the bike. Being short, I didn’t want to have to swing my leg up and over a bar.
“Test riding before buying is necessary for many of us.”
If a person is of average height and size, perhaps buying off the internet without first test riding would be ok. I tried out my friend’s bike and discovered that my feet did not touch the ground when I was seated, even with the seat all the way down. This would be a safety hazard for me. I knew that I was probably going to be a bit limited on choices due to my short legs (I am 5’1”).
My Perfect Bike - The Electra Townie
I looked at a local sports shop that had a wide variety of recreational gear, along with some bicycles. The bikes were of excellent quality, but too large for me. It was end of season as well, so there was not much selection. I decided to go to a local bicycle shop. All they sold were bicycles and biking equipment, so I knew I would have knowledgeable people to assist me.
I went through my list of needs with the salesman. He patiently listed to my various fears and wants and then said, “I think I have just the bike for you.”
He pulled out a Townie Go 7D. He put the seat all the way down, and I got on. I loved it! My feet touched the ground. Hallelujah! It has a forward pedal position (rather than the pedals being directly under and down from the seat). This allows for the legs to extend when pedaling, even though the seat is closer to the ground. Perfect for us short folks! It didn’t weight much more than my regular Trek bike. I loved that! I took it on a test ride and knew it was the right bike for me. I rode it through several streets before turning on the power. It was easy to ride, and shifted easily. Power level 1 provided a gentle “push” that was not jerky when kicking in. I can easily start and stop; I can also ride verrry slowly without fear of tipping over. That can be important when in a crowded area. You may have to hang back a bit before passing a walker or other bike. In my opinion, it handles just like a regular bike.
I have been on several rides now, and could not be happier. I use power rarely. I shift as necessary rather than turning on the power. When first starting up a hill, I turn on the power for a moment. It provides a good starting push that gives me confidence to get up the hill. With my first 60 miles, I was only down one bar. I am getting exercise, enjoying nature, and having fun.
On my last ride, the day was beautiful, but the temperature was quite cold. My fingers were freezing! We rode past some fishermen who had a campfire to keep warm by. I was about to join them! Cycle gloves were definitely needed. I purchased a pair of warm gloves at Costco. They offer dexterity; I will try them on my next ride.
Stay Warm When Hiking & Biking
Browse through the following links for projects that will make riding on cold days more enjoyable.
Crochet Cross-Over Scarf super easy crochet pattern - tuck into your coat when biking or hiking
Boot or Shoe Insulated Inserts add comfort and insulation for hiking and biking on cold days