Joe- Sounds like you're on the right track....bike first, motorize it, maybe a Whizzer after. I will tell you the motorized bike is pretty light and easy to ride, very nearly like a regular un-motorized bike.

I think you have to licence a Whizzer, but there also may be requirements in your state for the motor assisted bike or motorized bicycle. Motorizing a bike you already bought to see how riding goes makes huge finacial sense.

12 gauge spokes I can't really help you with other than to say "yeah, you probably should".

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If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.