You’ll never convince me I don’t have the world’s sexist eBike! The bulky motorcycle design and rugged fat tires caught my eye the first time I laid eyes on the Rize Blade 2. It cost me a pretty penny, but it was one of the best investments I made during my time on the road.
During my master’s degree, this was my escape from the books and work. I would clock out for the day from Google, throw on the helmet, and hit the sand dunes. The great thing about riding something like this on sand is that you can take a few falls without serious injury. Needless to say, it did—more than once—cause my Garmin smartwatch to notify my mother that I had had an accident.
As a side note, this is a pretty cool feature to have on a watch by the way! Never mind my mom yelling at me to be careful. Sometimes one needs to hear these warnings.
Why did I get an eBike?
I’ve wanted an eBike ever since they hit the market. I couldn’t believe how much they cost though, so it was a long time before I got one. I even tried convincing brands to give me one—even at a reduced cost—in exchange for promotions. At the time, I was a Keystone brand ambassador and footage of my travel setup were in magazines and on TV.
But by the time someone said yes—and it was my top choice too—I had already bought my bike. Theirs would have likely been a better choice for traveling. But I told myself that if I was going to pay for this thing myself, I was getting exactly what I wanted.
Not some cute little beach cruiser that folded nicely into a car. But a rugged little daredevil-looking bike that could take a beating. And my, it took the beating quite well.
What are the pros of having an eBike?
Whether you should get an eBike will depend on how well the pros match your needs. Here are some of the many I have personally experienced and heard from other travelers:
It’s great for saving gas. I bought my eBike when gas prices had hit an all-time high in the United States. FJ Cruisers are thirsty and driving to and from the laundromat, gym, etc. could add up. It was much better to hop on the eBike instead. I got a backpack laundry bag to take my clothes to and from the laundromat.
You can haul things with it. Wearing my laundry on my back wasn’t the only option. You can find trailers to attach to eBikes that can let you haul anything from groceries to kids.
It gives motorhome travelers more flexibility. Most people who have motorhomes don’t want to take the entire home everywhere they go. This can cause people to either settle for a smaller motorhome than they want or tow a whole second vehicle behind them. An eBike is a much more cost-effective option for replacing a car or even a motorbike.
It’s great for exercise and adventures with views. You might not think of something that “pedals” for you as great for exercise, but that depends on which one you get. Pedal assist models allow you to go further for longer. I explored some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain on my eBike.
They are great conversation pieces. People constantly approached me about my fat-tire bikes. And I always asked people about their eBikes when I was trying to choose one. Bikes are a great way to make friends at camp, especially if you’re traveling solo.
What are the cons of having an eBike?
I didn’t buy my eBike with the intention of adding it to my travel setup. It was supposed to remain in a fixed location on the lot I had in New Mexico. Unfortunately, when that didn’t go as planned, I had to make it work for life on the road. Here are some cons I found that will also affect other eBike owners:
They are heavy. Most models weigh a lot. The fatter the tire, the bigger the battery, and the more it resembles a motorcycle, the heavier it is. Mine weighs 75 lbs.
They take up a lot of space. Even when they fold, eBikes take up a lot of space. It might not seem like much in a sticks-and-bricks home, but it will certainly feel like a lot if you’re in a tiny home on wheels. I kept mine in the back of my FJ when traveling.
They are not disability friendly. If you have a disability that affects your hands, arms, or legs, bikes are likely out of the picture. Some can be adapted for paraplegics, but these are even heavier and bulkier.
They are thief magnets. No one ever stole or tried to steal my bike, but I’ve heard a lot of stories. The brighter the color, the higher the risk. I initially wanted the red version of my bike, but I opted for black to avoid attracting thieves.
What should you consider when buying an eBike?
If I had known my eBike would be stuck on the road with me for two years instead of safely in a shed on my lot, I would not have bought that one. Don’t get me wrong! I love that little demon chariot to death, but it’s not ideal for the travel setup I had. It would have been ideal for other setups, though.
Next week, I’ll advise paid subscribers on how to avoid the mistakes I made. I’ll help you match the right type of eBike to your travel setup. We’ll also discuss the other “micro-travel” options to consider if size, weight, cost, or disability is a concern for you.
See you next time!