dannyboyohyeah
100 W
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2009
- Messages
- 157
Alot've us here are probably very regular Craigslist cruisers, looking for the deal(s). My eye goes first to the headset, to see if the bike has the inherent capability of upgraded front suspension. A 1 1/8" steerer is essential for this, since there is no really decent front susp fork in the older 1". Next, look to see if the frame has rear disc-brake mount. As things progress, you'll probably want more and more power and in keeping with that, you'de be wise to plan on dual disc-brakes. Depending upon how tall you are, go for the larger frame triangle for battery storage space. In lieu of susp, you can use a thudbuster seatpost, but that puts you onto a smaller frame, because they require alot've space above seatpost tube. Mtb frames in general offer a more stable riding stance than a roadbike (which will also not be capable of front susp). Mongoose cheapie frames with the non-dampened rear susp spring is still more comfortable than a hardtail, plus those rear triangles are of steel rather than aluminum, but again, most of these have the 1" steerer....but you can find 1 1/8" if you are patient. You can buy these often for less than $100. The trick is where you put the batteries on those. (these almost never have rear disc mounts, but a V-brake rear and disc front is ok for med power.) Cheap susp forks are not very plush. Another item to search for used on ebay or craigslist....something like a Manitou "Black" is a very nice fork for not much, used).
Best of luck with the ebike obsession~!
Best of luck with the ebike obsession~!