When I first started shopping around for an electric bike, I was immediately turned off by the price — with some costing thousands of dollars. So, I looked for an e-bike that would meet all my needs and stay on a budget of under $1000. I eventually found that bike: the Ecotric fat tire folding e-bike. At a $780 price tag, it was significantly under budget.

A nice bike would be a great way to run errands or explore surrounding areas after the RV is set up. But I knew I would be limited to how far I could go and how long I could ride. This is really where the e-bike appealed to me. I knew that with an electric-assist bike, I could ride out faster and farther than I ever could on a standard bike. The simple one-push button to toggle from low, medium, and high power made it easy to always have the proper amount of power for any riding situation. And a twist of throttle located on the right side of the handlebar makes it a breeze to kick in a quick burst of power when needed to pass, climb a hill, or when we want to zip around.

The bike has a 500-watt motor, 36-volt lithium battery, three power modes, and a full-throttle function that turns the bike into a scooter with a range of over 40 miles. It also features front and rear disc brakes, weighs under 60 pounds, and can reach 20 miles per hour. Unfortunately, this bike today is priced at $900 on the company’s website, but I bet you could still find it for less with some shopping around.

The only cons this bike has is the same as all other E-bikes. It is heavy. It weighs just under 60 lbs, so if you plan to lift this bike in and out of a tall SUV, this might not be the right choice unless you plan to carry it on a bike rack attached to a hitch. At that point, you may want to look for a non-folding E-bike.

I have owned the bike for over three years and have gone over 3,000 miles with it. Unfortunately, I am just now seeing a slight degradation in the battery life. I don’t believe I would still get the 40 miles range I once did with the pedal assist. However, that is fine as I usually do not go out that far in a single ride. Also, a replacement battery is priced reasonably at $260. However, everything else has held up very well. I’m still even on the original tires, although the rear one is starting to wear down.

If you want more details about E-bikes, including campground etiquette, check out our podcast episode 20. I hope you enjoy this episode and wish you all safe travels!

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