Jason27 wrote:In my opinion all of these ebikes are rip offs. Look at the specs. You could build one with better specs for less price. You guys should really build your own ebike that way if something breaks you know how to fix it. Would you buy a car with no place to take it for repairs?
ask anyone here that have been ebiking for years they will tell you all ebikes break down at some point. I hope those ebikes come with a warranty or return policy.
I had a hard time finding an ebike that wasn't broken from the start...
With Curry/iZip they at least can send parts. I've gone the diy route on everything bicycle related at one point or another, I do have an e-bike kit too. I started with BionX 24V 250w motor, which was a little underwhelming.
Which bike is likely to be more re sell-able? Name brand that everyone has an idea what it is, or my own concoction in all its raw beauty with who knows what bolted and strapped who knows where? I personally like cleaner lines and things that look like they belong, and I'm not a super genius artistically gifted product designer that can pull that off myself, like some of you folks here.
That bring me to my next observance.
I have noticed that some e-bike companies and kit producers, don't know what they are even selling enough to retranslated the ad copy from Chinese to English. And that is bothersome. It bugs me when a company like Pedego can't even put a seat on right. Other companies like Prodeco who tout their Free Body Hub (its always been and will always be a freehub). Kit MFG's like E-Bike Kit who wants to sell you a 28" wheel kit (you won't find a production 28" bicycle rim in America, it's 700c). Others with extremely exorbitant prices. Or my favorite... "it only cost 2 cents to charge the battery".
The fact remains that while this infant industry is entering the growth phase, you are seeing the Law catching on and prosecutions will soon follow. We live in a cycling "friendly" town that the police are starting to ticketi those who ride on sidewalks, ride against traffic, don't stop at signs and lights, and are cracking down on e-bikes. "If it has a motor, it's a motor vehicle".
http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/26354571-41/mcclain-bicycle-license-electric-court.html.cspMaybe I have a guilty conscience but I wanted to keep it legal, and I wanted support form a company that had been around and proven themselves to be in this for the long haul, not Mr. Quick Cash... still working out the bugs. who may or may not be here tomorrow. I didn't want another unsupported electronic device. I wanted an "Apple iBike" but they don't make one.
The weird thing is, that even a 24V 250W geared motor iZip Via Rapido felt better to me than my E-Bike Kit 36V 500W Direct Drive. I wasn't even considering another 24V anything after my BionX but either my E-Bike Kit has something wrong, or these latest geared motors are just that much better. The 48V Pedego I rode, was an older and used DirectDrive model, so it is also possible that it was just tired, and that is why it's performance was less than I expected for 48V. Don't get me wrong the Pedego is a nice and fun bike too, but the "balloon tire package" is the deal setter for me, and that boosts the price and additional $180. I actually found a coupon for my Zuma and it lowered the price by about the same amount, making the total difference $500 less.
