I've worked at bike shops, and have a few insights about the different types of cyclists out there, and which are currently attracted to E-bikes, and which types have the potential to be interested in E-bikes.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/24/bike-snobs-guide-cycling-tribes
Most bike shops are owned and operated by "serious cyclists", usually from the road racing or MTB background. Typically, they want their bikes as light, simple and efficient as possible. "Contraption captain" cyclists, the types that ride recumbents, MTB's with gigantic seats and two sets of handlebars with all sorts of barends sticking out everywhere, are inherently at odds with "serious" racing types. When you add motors, rat's nest of wires, gigantor batteries bungied all over, it just offends their delicate sensibilities of what the simplest machine, the light, efficient bicycle should look like. Also, fit roadies who have invested years into developing their speed and endurance, get butt hurt when some 300lb dooder in sweatpants on a walmart mtb with 1000wt hub motor and huge battery zip-tied to their wonky rack blows by them like they are standing still.
So, acceptance by bike shops is one factor.
The problem with working on E-bikes for most bikes shops is several:
-most shops see a broken E-bike every few months. Not dozens a week, like traditional bikes. Replacement parts, batteries, controllers, motors are not currently available through normal bike shop distributors. Is there some U.S. based E-bike part distributor that I am not aware of? Without a relatively easy means to get replacement parts, that the shops ccan mark up for profit, there is NO incentive for bike shops to learn to fix e bikes.
-Most bike mechanics don't have any experience with electric stuff. Multimeter and soldering iron not typically found in shop tool inventory. I don't think E-bikes are really much more involved that troubleshooting car battery/alternator issues, but regardless.
-Many of the existing popular E-bikes and kits distributed through shops, are not easy to deal with as a shop for troubleshooting. I.E. Bionix is based in Quebec, most of their techs speak french, hours and shipping are hassle, they want you to send parts back for repair, instead of selling shops tools or replacement parts.
The main types of E-bike customers I would deal with:
-contraption captain types: these customers like to do things their own way. Their bike is "perfect" for them, but you could NEVER sell that bike to another person... They tend to have their own ideas, be pretty stubborn, not too open to suggestion and advice for experienced mechanics. This is frustrating for the mech. Also, the contraption captain bike tends to be 60-80-100lbs, and not have any good place to clamp in a bike work stand. Usually there is a bunch of crap bolted/ziptied/duct taped all over it, that makes it tough to access/work on gears, brakes, etc. These bikes are more annoying to work on for a mech than normal bikes. They also take up a ton of room in the back, difficult to hang up.
-People that can't get a driver's license for whatever reason; dui, seizures, learning disability, etc. They will use bike as main form of transportation.
-Old people that have a beach crusier or trike with basic kit for put-putting them around.
I have seen growing interest among the "Righteous Cyclist", "urban cyclist" and "Beautiful godzilla" tribes...
I feel like most of these customers:
-are not neccessarily terribly mechanical or DIY. For instance, most bike riders, buy a complete bike. The hardcores build up from frame, but 98% buy a whole working bike. Many, many people bring their bikes in for simple fixes, like fixing flat tires, adjusting brakes, etc. Most customers don't care HOW it works, they just want it to work, and want there to be someone nearby who can fix it if it breaks down. Think how many people use computers and cars, with no idea how to change the oil, or what goes on inside the box. SOOOO many people ask about the Copenhagen wheel. That's e-bike kit #1 that urban cyclist/beautiful godzilla/righteous cyclists ask about. Bionix would be #2...
-Many of these people want a bike that is light, easy to carry up/down stairs, efficient to pedal, works well as normal bike, has clean lines and looks good.
-Cost. Many people who use bikes to get to work or school spend <$1000 on their bike. $200-300 into decent used bike. $400 new hybrid, $600 hybrid with discs. $1200 for a surly or soma or something "serious".
I think an E-bike shop that stocked commercial complete E-bikes, as well as conversion kits, set up on a couple of different bikes, and had a repair shop with replacement batteries/parts etc would do well, and be vital for E-bikes reaching larger amount of customers.
For example,
-hybrid/townie bikes set up with 36v gear hub motor kit with 10ah li-ion water bottle battery. Under 40 lbs, under $1000, rides like normal bike, gives you a boost to 18mph, about 10-15 mile range, not that awesome for hills. But pretty ideal for old lady to cruise around the lake or her retirement home. Or for commuter that has shorter trips, not trying to go 30mph, but wants to get to work less sweaty, a boost when there's a headwind or they have groceries in the panniers
-MTB with discs, 1000wt dd hub motor kit with 48v 15-20ah li-ion. More like 60 lbs, fair amount of drag when you pedal, more like $1200-1400, gets you up to 25-30mph, 20-25 mile range, still not awesome for hills. For the customer that wants electric moped type experience, or has 10-15 mile commute and they want to get there quick.
-Hybrid with discs, bafang middrive kit, 48v 15-20ah. More like 50 lbs, no drag when you pedal, climbs hills and goes fast, more like $1500.
And then some complete Bosch, Currie middrives for $3000+
I feel like if you had 10 e-bikes on the floor, of a few types and price ranges, that people could try, they'd sell.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/24/bike-snobs-guide-cycling-tribes
Most bike shops are owned and operated by "serious cyclists", usually from the road racing or MTB background. Typically, they want their bikes as light, simple and efficient as possible. "Contraption captain" cyclists, the types that ride recumbents, MTB's with gigantic seats and two sets of handlebars with all sorts of barends sticking out everywhere, are inherently at odds with "serious" racing types. When you add motors, rat's nest of wires, gigantor batteries bungied all over, it just offends their delicate sensibilities of what the simplest machine, the light, efficient bicycle should look like. Also, fit roadies who have invested years into developing their speed and endurance, get butt hurt when some 300lb dooder in sweatpants on a walmart mtb with 1000wt hub motor and huge battery zip-tied to their wonky rack blows by them like they are standing still.
So, acceptance by bike shops is one factor.
The problem with working on E-bikes for most bikes shops is several:
-most shops see a broken E-bike every few months. Not dozens a week, like traditional bikes. Replacement parts, batteries, controllers, motors are not currently available through normal bike shop distributors. Is there some U.S. based E-bike part distributor that I am not aware of? Without a relatively easy means to get replacement parts, that the shops ccan mark up for profit, there is NO incentive for bike shops to learn to fix e bikes.
-Most bike mechanics don't have any experience with electric stuff. Multimeter and soldering iron not typically found in shop tool inventory. I don't think E-bikes are really much more involved that troubleshooting car battery/alternator issues, but regardless.
-Many of the existing popular E-bikes and kits distributed through shops, are not easy to deal with as a shop for troubleshooting. I.E. Bionix is based in Quebec, most of their techs speak french, hours and shipping are hassle, they want you to send parts back for repair, instead of selling shops tools or replacement parts.
The main types of E-bike customers I would deal with:
-contraption captain types: these customers like to do things their own way. Their bike is "perfect" for them, but you could NEVER sell that bike to another person... They tend to have their own ideas, be pretty stubborn, not too open to suggestion and advice for experienced mechanics. This is frustrating for the mech. Also, the contraption captain bike tends to be 60-80-100lbs, and not have any good place to clamp in a bike work stand. Usually there is a bunch of crap bolted/ziptied/duct taped all over it, that makes it tough to access/work on gears, brakes, etc. These bikes are more annoying to work on for a mech than normal bikes. They also take up a ton of room in the back, difficult to hang up.
-People that can't get a driver's license for whatever reason; dui, seizures, learning disability, etc. They will use bike as main form of transportation.
-Old people that have a beach crusier or trike with basic kit for put-putting them around.
I have seen growing interest among the "Righteous Cyclist", "urban cyclist" and "Beautiful godzilla" tribes...
I feel like most of these customers:
-are not neccessarily terribly mechanical or DIY. For instance, most bike riders, buy a complete bike. The hardcores build up from frame, but 98% buy a whole working bike. Many, many people bring their bikes in for simple fixes, like fixing flat tires, adjusting brakes, etc. Most customers don't care HOW it works, they just want it to work, and want there to be someone nearby who can fix it if it breaks down. Think how many people use computers and cars, with no idea how to change the oil, or what goes on inside the box. SOOOO many people ask about the Copenhagen wheel. That's e-bike kit #1 that urban cyclist/beautiful godzilla/righteous cyclists ask about. Bionix would be #2...
-Many of these people want a bike that is light, easy to carry up/down stairs, efficient to pedal, works well as normal bike, has clean lines and looks good.
-Cost. Many people who use bikes to get to work or school spend <$1000 on their bike. $200-300 into decent used bike. $400 new hybrid, $600 hybrid with discs. $1200 for a surly or soma or something "serious".
I think an E-bike shop that stocked commercial complete E-bikes, as well as conversion kits, set up on a couple of different bikes, and had a repair shop with replacement batteries/parts etc would do well, and be vital for E-bikes reaching larger amount of customers.
For example,
-hybrid/townie bikes set up with 36v gear hub motor kit with 10ah li-ion water bottle battery. Under 40 lbs, under $1000, rides like normal bike, gives you a boost to 18mph, about 10-15 mile range, not that awesome for hills. But pretty ideal for old lady to cruise around the lake or her retirement home. Or for commuter that has shorter trips, not trying to go 30mph, but wants to get to work less sweaty, a boost when there's a headwind or they have groceries in the panniers
-MTB with discs, 1000wt dd hub motor kit with 48v 15-20ah li-ion. More like 60 lbs, fair amount of drag when you pedal, more like $1200-1400, gets you up to 25-30mph, 20-25 mile range, still not awesome for hills. For the customer that wants electric moped type experience, or has 10-15 mile commute and they want to get there quick.
-Hybrid with discs, bafang middrive kit, 48v 15-20ah. More like 50 lbs, no drag when you pedal, climbs hills and goes fast, more like $1500.
And then some complete Bosch, Currie middrives for $3000+
I feel like if you had 10 e-bikes on the floor, of a few types and price ranges, that people could try, they'd sell.
