I've wanted an ebike for the past 2 years for local errands and pleasure but I'm very indecisive.
I first wanted a Juiced Ripracer, but it's out of stock each time I visit the site. Maybe it's bad luck, but I liked it's style, compactness, its (supposed) performance.
Then I fell down the rabbit hole of youtube reviews, which are sponsored and skewed, so they're hard to take at face value.
Then I considered Lectric since they're very common where I live. I didn't immediately see any problems with it and I almost bought one a few days ago, until I saw another very similar but different brand bike. I did some reading and I learned that most ebike companies selling cheap ebikes are ordering and customizing ebikes from China. Most companies in the US order from the same manufacturer, that is why they look almost identical. I didn't want something like that. This is my understanding, so correct me if I'm mistaken.
I started reading about diy ebikes. Repairability and customization are a big win for me. I like to have tools that I have 100% control over. Now my hesitation is choosing a bike as a "base" to work with since I don't own a bike now. Do I just go to a big box store and get something if I don't have a bike shop in my neighborhood?
Considering all of this, what do you think I should do?
I first wanted a Juiced Ripracer, but it's out of stock each time I visit the site. Maybe it's bad luck, but I liked it's style, compactness, its (supposed) performance.
Then I fell down the rabbit hole of youtube reviews, which are sponsored and skewed, so they're hard to take at face value.
Then I considered Lectric since they're very common where I live. I didn't immediately see any problems with it and I almost bought one a few days ago, until I saw another very similar but different brand bike. I did some reading and I learned that most ebike companies selling cheap ebikes are ordering and customizing ebikes from China. Most companies in the US order from the same manufacturer, that is why they look almost identical. I didn't want something like that. This is my understanding, so correct me if I'm mistaken.
I started reading about diy ebikes. Repairability and customization are a big win for me. I like to have tools that I have 100% control over. Now my hesitation is choosing a bike as a "base" to work with since I don't own a bike now. Do I just go to a big box store and get something if I don't have a bike shop in my neighborhood?
Considering all of this, what do you think I should do?