Best e-bike for smallish woman exploring hilly countryside? Leaning towards Boardman HYB 8.9E

[Jiktten]

Hi everyone,

I've recently moved to the countryside (comparatively speaking - Sussex) after having lived in very urban areas all my life. I'm a 33 year old woman, 5"4'-5"5'. My fitness level is extremely average and I haven't really cycled since I was about 20, but it seems like it would be a great way to see the countryside around me without a car (which I currently don't have). I'd be going on tarmac'ed roads as well as gravel paths and the like. I don't have any need to go super fast, and would like the option to turn the motor off. I'm having a hard time finding info on 'middle ground' bikes, though. Most of them either seem to be exclusively for city-riding/commuting or full on mountain bikes. Someone recommended the Boardman HYB 8.9E which looks like it would suit, although Specialised Turbo Vado 3.0 seems like a good option too?

Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated, and happy 2020 all!

 

[RobF]

You certainly don't want a full-on mountain bike.

The bikes you are considering would be just the job for roads, cycle paths, and well-made tracks.

They are, however, different.

The Boardman is a light assist ebike which may well be sufficient for a relatively light rider, and will certainly be better at cycling unassisted.

It is also a naked bike, which will help its lightness.

Mudguards are probably not needed - I'm guessing you would take shelter in heavy rain on a day ride or just not go out.

You may want to consider what stuff you want to carry, although as the old saying goes, you can cycle a long way on a Mars bar and a banana.

Lots of roadies go out with nothing more than a bidon and what they can stuff into a jersey pocket.

The Spesh is a full assist bike, you may like the extra power, but it's also much heavier and probably wouldn't be much good unassisted.

It does have mudguards, a carrier, and lights.

The last two are handy, most of us will have found ourselves battling failing daylight on the way home when a ride takes longer than anticipated.

One good thing about buying a bike in this price range is you get a choice of sizes - important for the shorter rider.

The majority of cheaper ebikes are 'one size fits all', which of course, it doesn't.

You will probably want a small in the Spesh.

The Boardman comes in medium and large, medium would probably be small enough for you.

 

[Jiktten]

Many thanks for the very detailed response, much appreciated!

What counts as a 'light' rider? I'm somewhere around the 11.5 stone mark, so not light compared to other women of my height, but would be light in relation to (most) 6" men.

As far as mudguards are concerned, I wouldn't be deliberately going out in the rain, but I've found the tracks around here are often puddled even when the current weather is dry, so being able to fit mudguards might be useful?

I wouldn't be carrying much beyond water and one or two small snacks, as you say. I don't envision spending more than half a day out anywhere, and there are plenty of country pubs around should the need arise.

On balance it seems like the Broadman would suit my needs best, but the lack of mudguards does seem like it could be a worry?

 

[RobF]

I agree about your weight, if I weighed so little I would err towards the Boardman.

Any bike can be retrofitted with mudguards, although it is a fiddly job to do well.

Some riders only fit them in the poorer weather, typically when the clocks go back, then take them off when the clocks go forward.

You are also spot on about luggage.

It's really not needed for a half day ride, no one ever died of thirst or hunger while riding in the UK.

Whatever you can fit into a jersey pocket - and your debit card - is all you need.

One neat option would be a small saddle bag, enough space for a snack and spare inner tube.

Only remaining concern is if a medium Boardman will be small enough for you.

The website suggests you are in the height range, but the only sure way to know will be to throw your leg over one.

 

[Kwozzymodo]

The Hyb is a great bike and the Specialized looks good as well. I would say that if you start by selecting a bike you would like to ride even without a motor, then the only way is up! Go try the bikes you mention, that may give you a better idea as to what you want/need.