Is that one just the U-clamp? It looks good for that purpose, but I’d like something to secure the wheels as well so that I don’t come back to a wheelless frame. Of course, if watching Lock Picking Lawyer on Youtube has taught me anything, it’s that no bike lock can stop a truly determined, equipped, and skilled thief, but I’d like to cover my bases.
I just have the u-clamp. But, I thankfully live where I don’t have to worry about theft too much, and my bike is almost always in a relatively safe place. They do make longer chain versions. Also, my e-bike doesn’t have the quick release wheel axles like most of my bikes. Doesn’t mean they are that hard to get off. LPL was able to pick this model, but most bike thieves are taking more brute force attacks.
And as always, have a nice day. 
I am fairly competent at bike repair (have a bike stand and most of the tools I need), but e-bikes have a whole new set of issues that I never want to tackle so I agree with @pork_rind. I got mine from a local shop. I know you have a more limited budget, but I would definitely see what you might get locally.
I bought an earlier generation ebike and it was just ok. I forget the brand and that is not important. A couple of key learnings:
- can you easily remove the rear tire if there is a flat? Mine basically needed a shop
- could you actually pedal without power for say 1/2 a mile? Mine was a complete boat anchor that you could not pedal more than a hundred yards
- If you live in W Washington like Olympia like the OP. Make sure it works in wet weather. I am in Seattle, so similar weather but my bike was from a company in Florida. Had several mechanical problems because it simply wasn’t designed for all the rain we get
- opt for higher range battery than you need. It really sucks to be out of juice. In the winter, it won’t be as efficient. How many hills do you need to climb?
- I liked it a lot
- Real bikers were split into two camps. 1) Totally awesome you can still ride (even though your knees are shot) and 2) poser. I’d say it was 90% totally awesome.
- I would pay the extra for a shop, warranty, service and a working bike. I don’t know about now, but I could have saved $100-200 bucks if I had put together the bike I got. Would probably have never run.
That’s one thing - I’ve gotten lots of questions and complements about my ebike, which literally never happened with my regular bike. They do attract attention, the vast majority of which is positive. I really think they’ve re-opened the possibility for getting back into biking for a whole lot of people, particularly older folks.
I’m taking my bike out to my sister’s place tomorrow, because she wants to give it a try. And she was always way more athletic than me!
UPDATE: I went ahead and bought the model from Amazon I posted upthread. It arrived a few days ago and today I assembled it, charged it up, and took it on a 5-mile test ride.
So far, I’m pleased. Aside from being 20 years out of practice riding a bike and falling over once while trying to mount and giving myself a scrape on my belly, it worked well. I was able to get a little over 15 MPH just using the throttle and was able to get a little over 20 with the pedal assist, and it didn’t slow 34down too much while going uphill. At some point in the next week I’m going to take it to REI to have everything tightened and fine-tuned to make sure it’s as safe and functional as possible, then I’m going to start trying my commute.
I found a lock that was a little less expensive than the one above, which includes both a U-clamp and cables, and which Lock Picking Lawyer seemed to think was a reasonably good one - he was able to pick it, but he had to use one of his custom-made devices that your average thief isn’t going to have on hand. I was also able to get it insured for about $25 a month through a company that offers policies specifically for e-bikes.
I will continue to update as I get some more practice on the thing.
Congrats on your new bike! I got to this thread late, but I got mine almost 4 years ago now and it was honestly life-changing. I bike 10x more with the e-bike than I did with the regular bike. It was a big investment, but I’m still going strong on that same bike 4 years on and still love it just as much.
This is my bike, which I highly recommend to anyone who wants to use their bike to commute and bring it inside with you. It folds up and I can store it in my office - no chance of getting stolen! (This is actually a slightly newer, updated model of mine, but closest I could link to).
One other accessory that I don’t see on the picture of the bike you got is a back rack. Since you’re commuting with it, you might want to get one installed. The rack is great because I don’t need to wear a backpack anymore and can avoid “sweaty back syndrome.”
Can you post the lock you bought, please? Also curious where you got insurance. Thanks.
Not Smapti, but I got my e-bike insurance through Velosurance.
Yes, congrats! I’ve commuted to work via bike full time for 13 years now. Before I got my e-bike, there were days when I dreaded that commute, typically related to the weather, or the day after a strenuous hike or long bike ride. Now, I always look forward to that ride 
I ride pretty year round: Hot, cold, rain, snow (I put on studded tires), wind. There are a few days a year where I might walk if the roads are really deep with snow or slush, but they are rare.
Obviously e-bikes are getting more and more popular, but I am not a fan. People on e-bikes are a hazard on dedicated trails, going far too fast. In traffic, they are fast enough to get into trouble, but not fast enough to get out.
6 miles - just buy a regular bike.
I do not have an ebike (yet), but we may be getting one for my wife in the next few years. I just wanted to add to what has already been said here - if you carry a pump, patch kit, extra tube, etc., be sure you know how to use it when needed. I am not sure if ebikes run tubeless these days, but I would imagine a tubeless set-up would reduce the risk of flats (but presents it’s own ongoing maintenance task). I would think removing/re-installing an ebike rear wheel is different from that of a regular bike. If you go without a flat repair kit, just make sure you have someone you can call, even at midnight, to pick you up in case of a breakdown.
The other thing I would add is to make sure your helmet is properly fit, if you choose to wear one. Maybe when you take the new ebike in for a quick tune you can as the shop to check your helmet fit as well as the overall bike fit at the same time.
Also, I second adding a rear cargo rack - there are a multitude of panniers, rack-top bags, grocery bags, and other bags you can get that mount easily to the rack. This makes running errands easy, safe, and enjoyable (not having to use a backpack, or carry bags in your hands/handlebars).
Too late. There are plenty of “pro” reasons for an e-bike in this very thread.
Yes. I love my Ortliebs and they are still in great shape after near daily use for 10 years. I even bought a large set for my dual sport motorcycle.
I agree with this, but not necessarily your conclusion. My favorite local trail is relatively narrow and hilly with a number of blind turns in the middle of elevation changes. It’s absolutely possible to be a danger to yourself and others with or without electric assist.
The problem (and it’s been a problem for decades, long before e-bikes) is a lack of education in a wholly unregulated market. Nobody is making sure that you understand bicycle etiquette and safe practices before you hit the roads or trails. E-bikes exacerbate the issue, but they haven’t created it.
Good point. Without wind, I can go 20MPH on several of our rail-to-trails on my road bike. With a tailwind, 25+. I don’t need an e-bike to go too fast (well, going into a headwind it helps). I’m talking about trails like the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and the Centennial Trail. Or, the very busy Burke Gilman in Seattle.
As someone who generally cruises around 15 MPH on 25-35 mile rides, IMO if you are bombing along at 20-25, you should be on the road, rather than on a shared use trail with walkers, dogs, kids… Fancy pants bikers barreling along a shared use trail are just as hazardous as some out-of-shape idiot who thinks it is fun to sit still and zip along at 20 MPH.
I didn’t say I do, I said I can. And there are some stretches of those trails where you can see a mile ahead and they are often very sparsely used (not the Burke obviously).
You may not, but there are idiots who do. (And, presumably you have on occasion, to know your max speeds.) At least the ones around here are usually loners. Whereas I have encountered huge crowds of 20+ e-bikers making the trail their own.
I went to Veloinsurance for a quote and found that my regular State Farm agent was able to beat their price by adding a personal articles policy to my accounts with them. Worth checking with your auto, homeowners, or renter’s insurance agent as I would guess any of the major players could easily add a bike.
Yeah, I came upon a rider with a flat and realized after a whole bunch of futile pumping that I didn’t know how my hand pump worked. We figured it out pretty quickly, but a moment’s practice at home would have been better. Similarly, I’ve always worked under the principle that when you’re doing standard maintenance and adjustment on your bike, you should try using the multitool you carry and find out at home if it’s missing some tools or is too hard to use for some work.
Regarding removing the rear wheel, it depends on the drive type. For a mid-drive motor like my bike, the rear wheel comes off just like a traditional (acoustic) bike. If you have a rear-hub motor, all bets are off. Same for belt drive bikes. You need to learn the procedure at home so you’re not caught out.
By the way, tubeless is awesome, IMO. Putting the sealant in the tire at home waaay beats out wrestling with a tube by the side of the road. Additionally, I wax my chain now, so when I do have to remove the rear wheel, there’s zero oily grime on the chain. Completely recommended!