Hub gears/belt drive/mid motor - Canyon Precede on 7 AL vs Trek District 9+ vs Specialised Turbo Vado 3.0 IGH

[Volvos60s60]

Hi All

I am looking to a reliable low maintenance commuter for my 25 mile round trip to work consisting of 95% tarmac/5% towpath & am looking at a hub gearing/gates drive/mid motor purpose made bike rather than a conversion.

I am thinking of manual cable change hub gears/CVT rather than automatic gear changing, my rationale is that if your battery dies you can't change gear on the auto version which would make getting home very difficult on a heavy bike.

I have narrowed it down to Canyon Precede on 7 AL vs Trek District 9+ vs specialised Turbo Vado 3.0 IGH. Some are being offered at discount at the moment, and all three are within £100 of each other.

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts please , links below:

Best Step Through Electric Bike

The Precede:ON is the city e-bike that can do it all. With a step through design, it's easy and comfortable to ride for everyone.

www.canyon.com

District+ 9 - Trek Bikes (GB)

Discover your next great ride with District+ 9. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 IGH

Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 IGH Red Tint / Silver Reflective £2400.00

www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk

Thanks

 

[Waspy]

No experience, but thoughts:

I like your thinking, mid-drive, hub gears, belt drive. These are very logical choices.

Precede: Low handlebars, uncomfortable

Trek: Skinny wheels, not great for paths

Spesh: Perfect

 

[Bikes4two]

I've no direct knowledge of any of those models but one thing that is common with all three is the rear rack upper fixing point which appear to be via the rear mudguard.

With anything like a load on the rack, forward momentum stresses this connecting point and my friend's broke after just modest use.

Racks like this just cannot be attached to the bike firmly enough for supposed shopping etc.

The first bike listed doesn't have front suspension, a plus point in my view.

 

[guerney]

I've no direct knowledge of any of those models but one thing that is common with all three is the rear rack upper fixing point which appear to be via the rear mudguard.

Lightweight cake (or biscuit) carriage only then, and without icing.

With anything like a load on the rack, forward momentum stresses this connecting point and my friend's broke after just modest use.

Im guessing 5kg shortbread tin?

 

[soundwave]

problem is with these bikes is they give you the cheapest rubbish they can get away with like wheels group sets ect so id make sure a decent strong rack will fit the bike you want to carry.

if you want to ride it in the rain forget the brose motor.

 

[Ocsid]

Trek: Skinny wheels, not great for paths

2" tyres are hardly "skinny", and going narrow is potentially better for the 95% road part, without being too challenging on any off-road section that one is likely to use for a regular long-distance commute; or at least any state of off-road section I would integrate into such a commute.

I don't see the link with involving taking on difficult conditions off-road use, and achieving low maintenance, feastures that the high investment intended to be made in a belt drive and most hub gears support.

 

[AndyBike]

As above, nice idea- mid drive, hub geared. a good town and country bike.

Not keen on the Specialized. Too samey like many others. pants fork, basic brakes, poor wheels.
The trek. a bit better, but rubbish styling and given its weight, and the fact its going to be carrying stuff, those disc rotors are way way too small, especially as its only got 2 pot brakes.

The canyon is not bad. Styling is a touch better than the Trek, though very similar. Slightly better brakes than the other 2. And a carbon fork, which is better, as the basic tat sunpoor is just a 6lb lump on the front that doesnt really work, and is prone to issues(lockout has a habit of breaking within weeks)

Have you looked on you tube. Usually a better idea if you see someone actually riding them. But try to look for actual people, rather than newish Ebike review accounts claiming they know all about it. Many of those people i suspect only started riding a couple of years ago and are jumping on the bandwagon.
Anyone who claims something like a shimano m200 brake on a 55lbs bike is ideal, is talking pish.


I think if it were my choice out of the 3 i'd go for the Canyon

 

[Volvos60s60]

Thanks for the comments so far.

I test rode a similar geometry Trek (they only had a derailleur mid motor model in the shop), but did not like the riding position, 'W' handlebars & short wheelbase, I felt a bit like a district nurse doing the rounds on it.

I believe that the Specialised is only 50NM torque (Brose), whereas Trek & Canyon are both 65NM (Bosch). The Turbo Vado I test rode did not have the CVT hub I'm after, but it felt a lot better than the Trek for riding position (I'm 6' tall)

Unfortunately the Canyon is mail order only & their only demo centre in Dorking only has an XS size available. Canyon say you can buy & assemble it & have a good look & return if you are not happy

I am leaning towards the Canyon at the moment.

Regarding the racks comments, are they mounted off the mudgaurds, or are the mudguards mounted off the racks.....just asking

 

[Ocsid]

Regarding the racks comments, are they mounted off the mudgaurds, or are the mudguards mounted off the racks.....just asking

Makes no material difference really, what is lacking is any significant longitudinal structural member. Probably an easy DIY addition?

 

[flecc]

Just a thought, the Trek's front mudguard is uselessly short, the motor will get sprayed with road muck and rain.

The Precede's one is better but the Specialised one by far the most sensible for keeping the BB area clean.

However, Soundwave says the Brose motor is vulnerable to rain, so maybe why the protective mudguard.
.

 

[Volvos60s60]

Here is an update. I went for the Canyon precede ON 7 AL in the end as more powerful motor and more sporty riding position. Am waiting for a replacement bike as UPS managed to drop and damage the original bike during transport. Will update once it arrives and I have a few miles on it

 

[Volvos60s60]

A little update for anyone interested.
The replacement Canyon Precede:ON 7 has arrived. It has a Bosch 75nm Performance line motor/Bosch Smart System controller/Enviolo manual hub gears, gates belt drive & a 625w battery. First long ride today with mainly Eco assistance (about 85% of the journey), then with Tour+ on a couple of steep hills & no assistance on some long flat sections. Range looking like about 80 miles. That's with me at 82kg & a pannier at 10kg. Can cycle on the flat unassisted at 17-18 mph, no noticeable drag from motor assistance cutting out at 15.5pmh.
In eco It fells like this simply compensates for the additional bike weight compared to a non ebike, so I still feel like I am getting some exercise.
Bike feels well made, however has to go to a dealer as the integrated lights don't work. Otherwise, I am very please with it

 

[Bikes4two]

A little update for anyone interested.

• Enjoy your new bike and maybe feed back in a few months time when you've clocked up a few miles.
• Given your style of riding I'd hazard a guess that the battery will give you 80-100 miles if sticking mainly to ECO.
• When you are back at the dealers to get the lighting issue resolved (was this missed at their pre-delivery inspection or has it failed subsequently?), question them about the rear rack loading which according to the on-site blurb is good for Big Grocery Hauls - to me and to repeat what I said previously, to have the rack only support against forward/backward momentum/inertia through the mudguard, is a weak point I'd have thought.
• Question the dealer as to replacing the mudguard if it breaks within warranty - a friend of mine had his break (not a Canyon tho) and although under warranty the dealer/supplier wouldn't replace it

[/QUOTE]