Should You Get a Factory E-bike or Convert Your Trusty Steed?
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A bit of a disclaimer: The only reason I got in to e-bikes was because of the poor quality and high prices being offered. I am a convert, but I am a bit prejudiced.
Major mfg.’s are selling 1950’s balloon tired, heavy framed bikes that have second rate suspensions and components. It’s not that these are bad, but no one should be paying premium prices for entry level components (there’s a reason premium bike shops keep their e-bikes shunted off to the side…they’re embarrassed!).
People are buying these, then wondering why they get such poor range. They don’t understand why they aren’t comfortable on long rides. Once you have one, you ride a lot more than you would have suspected.
I love our Reid Blacktop e-bikes. Nothing is lighter and they are a great value. Rocky Mountain makes the most cutting edge EMTB’s and Felt makes a great gravel bike. You can spend $2K-$8K for any one of them, but what if that bike you already love could perform as well or better for $1K installed?
We sell Bafang, Ananda and Tongsheng. Those are the 1,2 & 3 manufacturers of e-bike components in the world. We have dozens of them on the road. They are reliable and The Tongsheng has the latest in battery sipping torque and cadence sensing technology. Even a small battery can give you up to eighty miles on a charge (if your donor bike is efficient enough). That’s a real eighty miles that I have personally exceeded on a heavy steel Dutch bike with a seven speed internal hub and roller brake!
Have you seen a new e-bike that weighs less than adding 25 pounds to the bike you have? Do they handle as well? Are they going to be as comfortable on a long ride? Is there any reason to believe you’ll get the kind of range you may need?
Now, if you are looking to add another bike to your stable, maybe a different style, new is the only way to go. If you are going to be replacing an existing bike, why not save a thousand dollars and upgrade with a kit?