Update went with REI Co-Op. who knows electric bikes? Quiet Cat,trek?

[Westside88]

I've started looking at options for electric bikes. My wife has one now and I still ride my regular mountain bike with her, but at 54 years old I'm seeing that having both may be nice. My Dad also still hunts with me and we sometimes use the bikes. I wouldn't mind letting him use the electric where appropriate. Anyway there are a lot of choices out there. I'm not looking to spend $10k like some cost. The Quietkat bikes interest me. The Ranger AWD and the Apex HD both look like solid choices. If anyone has any insight I'd love some feedback. The Ranger AWD is a one speed, but still says 28mph top speed. The Apex is a five speed, but not AWD. They both seem to be in the "reasonable" range for pricing. I'm 6'4" so that's a consideration as well. I see that the Ranger has a medium or large frame option. I appreciate any feedback on these or others

[Turner89]

Bakcou mules are very durable. I've been using mine for 3 years strait. No issues at all.
I dont know anything about the quitecats.

[Westside88]

Thanks I'll check those out too

[CP]

Ranger AWD, two motors, one rather small battery.  That would concern me, but I’ve only looked at them at Cabela’s.

Don't overlook the brakes, that's a weak spot in most ebikes.

 

[Westside88]

Ranger AWD, two motors, one rather small battery.  That would concern me, but I’ve only looked at them at Cabela’s.

Don't overlook the brakes, that's a weak spot in most ebikes.

 

That’s a good point. I was also thinking about whether the AWD would even be necessary for the intended use

[trophyhunt]

Research the crap out of them, lots of brands.  Bakcou has a good reputation, stay away from the Rambo bikes, they are junk.  Google highest rated e-bikes and go from there.  One prob, make sure it’s well built and heavy duty brakes, I had trouble finding a local bike shop to work on my Rambo before I sold it. 

[Crunchy]

We have been using RAD bikes from Seattle for the last 10 years. For the most part they have been pretty darn good.  Battery life on whatever bike you get is at the top of the list for importance.  We bought an extra battery for each of our bikes.  Also upgraded the controllers which gave them more power but then of course used more battery life, so it is a trade off. 

[bustedoldman]

I have had 2 QK Ranger 1000's for a few years, no issues yet, 300 miles on each majority of that hunting and packing loads. Found them on FB 1/2 price.

[highside74]

I have a 2020 Apex 10 with the mid drive and 17.5ah battery. Bought it used on marketpthid summer for $2k. It is a great bike and the new models are even better and have more torque. I wouldn't buy anything that wasn't mid drive and I haven't felt i needed awd. 2 motors just seems to me like twice the chance of problems down the line. I can ride up ptetty decent long hills on the logging roads with little effort at 6-9mph. Cruising along i can go 20 plus but honestly i don't like going faster than 12mph or so. Quietkat just sent me emails over Black Friday for considerable discounts on the Apex.

[trophyhunt]

We have been using RAD bikes from Seattle for the last 10 years. For the most part they have been pretty darn good.  Battery life on whatever bike you get is at the top of the list for importance.  We bought an extra battery for each of our bikes.  Also upgraded the controllers which gave them more power but then of course used more battery life, so it is a trade off.

I heard Rad was going out of business? I find that hard to believe, they have been rated very well and great customer service, have you heard anything?

[trophyhunt]

Answered my own question, what a shame.

[Crunchy]

Answered my own question, what a shame.

wow an e-bike company in Seattle is having a tough time making ends meet. 

[CP]

Rad hasn’t exactly been on the cutting edge of new innovation, not surprised to see them go under.

[wafisherman]

Quietkat is solid. Still ultimately a Chinese bike, but at least an american based company. If you have a service center a reasonable distance away, it would be a no-brainer.

Their top end models will have all the breaking power you'll need. Size large will be perfect for you.

If it doesn't come with them, get tire protectors, spare battery, mud flaps, headlight...

[3dvapor]

I would look at a Rydon bike.  Almost the same as bakou.  Lower price

[highside74]

I would look at a Rydon bike.  Almost the same as bakou.  Lower price

Whoa, those are some great bikes for that price. There is nothing that really separates quietkat and Bakcou from the these except maybe the frame. The motors, gear sets, tires, batteries are all basically the same. That hardtail ultra with the 25ah battery is a great buy at $2,699

[hookr88]

I purchased a Dirwin bike. Their Pioneer line is a nice hunting frame. They might still be having a huge sale on their bikes. I haven’t used mine a ton but it seems to be well built, sturdy and does just fine in the woods. It’s so quiet I’ve been able to ride up on turkeys and moose.

[JakeLand]

I’ve got 2,130 miles on my backou and still good as new

[MR5x5]

UBCO

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2169778370224852/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_general&referral_story_type=general&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-7826973429879114578%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%227740365969599744877%22%2C%22top_level_post_id%22%3A%227740365969599744877%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A7740365969599744877%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A53%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A2203242158672936557%2C%5C%22ranking_request_id%5C%22%3A7033596021551208865%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.00011506277730772%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A129%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%2233458635440402063%5C%22%3A626%2C%5C%2225229978749966351%5C%22%3A3122%7D%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%2C%22lightning_feed_qid%22%3A%22-7826998650011090399%22%2C%22lightning_feed_ranking_signature%22%3A%222203242158672936557%22%7D

[highside74]

No pedals leaves that unit illegal in a lot of spots.

[Broomd]

I bought two of the QK bikes with the sale in '23, I got the Ibex, wife got the Pioneer 750. So far the bikes have been a total hoot.  I hunted elk off mine last year, deer this year. The Ibex is full suspension, the pioneer is not.

My Ibex is starting to show some wear on the rear gear set, and the front sprocket. Why? The bike packs a ton of torque on "boost / unlimited" mode that I often use it and it can jump the teeth. I need to start out on eco mode from the start. That, or I need a chain with some stretch in it, that is what i've heard fixes the torque issue in lower gears.

All in all, great bikes and a blast to own. We have spare batteries for both, but really never use them. 

[Westside88]

Lots of great info. Thanks everyone

[EnglishSetter]

I bought two of the QK bikes with the sale in '23, I got the Ibex, wife got the Pioneer 750. So far the bikes have been a total hoot.  I hunted elk off mine last year, deer this year. The Ibex is full suspension, the pioneer is not.

My Ibex is starting to show some wear on the rear gear set, and the front sprocket. Why? The bike packs a ton of torque on "boost / unlimited" mode that I often use it and it can jump the teeth. I need to start out on eco mode from the start. That, or I need a chain with some stretch in it, that is what i've heard fixes the torque issue in lower gears.

All in all, great bikes and a blast to own. We have spare batteries for both, but really never use them.

This vid is for pedal bikes, but may help with diagnosis. 

While far from my forte', I'm unaware of chains designed to stretch (and recover).

Chain maintenance (clean, lube so all links are freely/equally moving) is good practice as well.  Tight spots can cause grief.

[milldozer]

This bike has long been on my wish-list but I have never been able to justify the purchase.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/turbo-tero-30/p/275157?color=444294-275157

I would personally buy from a reputable bike brand vs a "hunting" bike brand.

[lazydrifter]

This bike has long been on my wish-list but I have never been able to justify the purchase.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/turbo-tero-30/p/275157?color=444294-275157

I would personally buy from a reputable bike brand vs a "hunting" bike brand.

That bike looks like it would be way underpowered to use for hunting.  250 watt motor with only 50 Nm's of torque. 

[Broomd]

I bought two of the QK bikes with the sale in '23, I got the Ibex, wife got the Pioneer 750. So far the bikes have been a total hoot.  I hunted elk off mine last year, deer this year. The Ibex is full suspension, the pioneer is not.

My Ibex is starting to show some wear on the rear gear set, and the front sprocket. Why? The bike packs a ton of torque on "boost / unlimited" mode that I often use it and it can jump the teeth. I need to start out on eco mode from the start. That, or I need a chain with some stretch in it, that is what i've heard fixes the torque issue in lower gears.

All in all, great bikes and a blast to own. We have spare batteries for both, but really never use them.

This vid is for pedal bikes, but may help with diagnosis. 

While far from my forte', I'm unaware of chains designed to stretch (and recover).

Chain maintenance (clean, lube so all links are freely/equally moving) is good practice as well.  Tight spots can cause grief.

Thanks for the video, I watched and that looks to be the chain jumping between gears, mine is *over the teeth. It only happens on 'boost' and in the smaller sprockets. 

[actionshooter]

 Someone mentioned the brakes and this is 100% correct, make sure not only the brakes but the rest of the drive train is available. I bought a Rambo and it was OK, except the brakes kept blowing seals and it was some Chinese junk that you couldn't get parts for and Rambo told me too bad... it was a VERY expensive lesson and dumped that POS cheap....

[Westside88]

Someone mentioned the brakes and this is 100% correct, make sure not only the brakes but the rest of the drive train is available. I bought a Rambo and it was OK, except the brakes kept blowing seals and it was some Chinese junk that you couldn't get parts for and Rambo told me too bad... it was a VERY expensive lesson and dumped that POS cheap....

That’s some good advice. I imagine there are a variety of component sets

[highside74]

Everything on a quietkat from chains to brakes and gear sets can be bought local or on Amazon.

[Westside88]

The more I look at e-bikes online the more confused I get. I’m really not interested in Chinese bikes with parts I may not be able to find and unknown service support.
That being said they all seem quite similar until you step up to more known brands $$$$.  Weight of the bike seems to be pretty variable to, some up near 100 pounds. Does anyone have experience with the lower end Trek models? They seem like they are built more like a traditional bike and therefore not as heavy. The search continues

[Westside88]

After looking at many options and reading reviews I decided to go with a class 1 in REI’s Co-op brand. It’s on the lighter end for e-bikes and will work well for how I plan to use it. I also factored that many areas and trails are starting to exclude class 2 and 3. They had a model year close out 40% off and I like the components, especially the Bosch drive system not to mention REI support pretty much anywhere. I rode it yesterday and the pedal assist is going to be just fine

[wafisherman]

After looking at many options and reading reviews I decided to go with a class 1 in REI’s Co-op brand. It’s on the lighter end for e-bikes and will work well for how I plan to use it. I also factored that many areas and trails are starting to exclude class 2 and 3. They had a model year close out 40% off and I like the components, especially the Bosch drive system not to mention REI support pretty much anywhere. I rode it yesterday and the pedal assist is going to be just fine

Looks like a good deal. Will be interesting to see how it does on a long climb and what the battery life is.

Do you know what the warranty is?

[Westside88]

After looking at many options and reading reviews I decided to go with a class 1 in REI’s Co-op brand. It’s on the lighter end for e-bikes and will work well for how I plan to use it. I also factored that many areas and trails are starting to exclude class 2 and 3. They had a model year close out 40% off and I like the components, especially the Bosch drive system not to mention REI support pretty much anywhere. I rode it yesterday and the pedal assist is going to be just fine

Looks like a good deal. Will be interesting to see how it does on a long climb and what the battery life is.

Do you know what the warranty is?

You can return it for any reason within a year. Members get two years free adjustments and non-members one. They state that defects it can be returned at any time, which I'm sure has some limitations. One of the reasons I went with REI brand though


100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
We stand behind everything we sell. If you are not satisfied with your REI purchase, you can
return it for a replacement or refund. Items must be returned within a year of purchase, except
items purchased from REI-OUTLET.com, which must be returned within 30 days of purchase.
LIMITED WARRANTY
If your item has a manufacturing defect in its materials or workmanship, you can return it
at any time.
 

[lazydrifter]

So is this the 36V 14ah model with a 500 watt mid drive motor?

[Westside88]

Here are some specs

[actionshooter]

Would appreciate a review after you get some miles on it... curious how well it does under a load.   Don't always like the politics of REI (employees) but can't beat their store policies!

[Westside88]

Will do, hoping to start putting some miles on it and see how it works