How Budget Is Too Budget?
This excellent video is by two internationally recognized bike experts. Both are known for things like Party Paced riding, touring and practical cycling. They are hardly, “Win At All Cost” racers, lycra lads or bike snobs. What they have to say, starting at the 24:45 mark, says an awful lot about how little you can really expect out of a sub-$2000 e-bike.(the early part of the video is more for those that follow their lives).
Quality traditional bikes start at around $900. Even then we are talking some pretty serious compromises. Obviously, some significant corners are being cut if the mfg is adding a motor, battery, fenders and a rack for under $2k! What’s worse, is that even most $3k e-bikes have sub-$900 traditional bikes for a base (this before fake suspensions, fenders, racks and tiny batteries).
This week a really nice couple called wanting advice on purchasing an e-bike. They have a good Giant bike, but don’t want to convert it. Unfortunately, with their budget, they just aren’t going to get the quality to which they are accustomed.
You can’t expect a $900 Amazon e-bike to be a reliable daily commuter. Forget about it as a car replacement. You’ll need constant adjustments. Chains, cassettes and deraileurs are going to wear awful fast. Brakes are going to fail and squeal a lot more. I want to be honest. They make fine toys for getting around the neighborhood or just hanging around.
Yes, of course you can get by. You may even convince yourself that, with constant repairs and upgrades, your e-bike is still a good deal. The sting of lost rides and hauling it in for repairs and the greater expense of quality replacement parts, wears off after a while. Unfortunately, you’ll be back.
Right now, I have e-bikes I can sell for $600. These have 500 watt motors, would be fully and properly assembled. 100% have major name brand components. They’d be fitted to you and you would have adjustments for a year. I don’t sell them. You would be bringing them back to me for constant warrenty repairs and adjustments. Online retailers don’t have to worry about any of that.
100% of online retailers have your contact information. They have no problem reaching you with all the latest updates, options or replacements. Ask your friends, did any of them hear from their e-bike mfg about bringing their battery inside for the Winter? I contacted all my customers. Would you know how best to charge your batteries, if dependent upon them?
Think about it. I am buying from a wholesaler. They’re buying direct from China. We have a shop. They have a link to an online retailer. Still, I can make money selling at their prices! Shouldn’t you be getting more for your money?