Maui needs a DIY expert to "turn pro"

[RoadWrinkle]

I have never seen so much concentrated knowledge re ebikes than on this forum. Here is my "call out" to the true DIY experts here: If one of you ever wanted to move to Maui and get serious about starting a full service ebike shop, for sales, service and rentals... you could make a good living here.

Maui has no real ebike dealers or shops. There is one really nice guy in south Maui doing golden motors conversions out of a tiny location, but he has no new inventory and offers no pre-built conversions. There is a Specialized dealer, a Trek dealer, and a Scott dealer, that's it (other than walmart). If you go into any of these shops talking ebikes you get a funny look before they politely steer you towards the door (definite lycra-bias on this island).

Maui is a world class cycling, tourist destination. The potential for selling a pre-built conversion you produce, as well as custom builds, and offering regular bike-owner's conversion services is HUGE.

Think of all the tourists that come here to eat, relax and enjoy the scenery, as opposed to the hardcore lycra's that come here to ride the volcano climb. I am thinking the majority of tourists here would like a nice ebike to tool around on in Maui without getting a huge workout.

Maui resident's would love electric assistance to handle the hilly, windy, variable terrain here, both on and off-road.

Business plan is simple: Produce a good eCruiser from good sourced parts, sell it, rent it, service it, done deal.

The key would be parts sourcing and the building ability. 8) 8) 8)

 

[footloose]

Just visiting -- and leaving soon dang it -- but I think you are right.
Much of this island seems ideal for electric bikes.
I've seen a bunch of lycras knocking themselves out in the sun, wind, and hills. Doesn't look like much fun.
And a bunch of people on cruisers, or using mtn bikes essentially as cruisers. Looks much better.
But so far, nobody with that tell-tale e-bike grin.

 

[DAND214]

That's real tempting.

Wish I had the backing to do it.

Dan

 

[teklektik]

Here is my "call out" to the true DIY experts here: If one of you ever wanted to move to Maui and get serious about starting a full service ebike shop, for sales, service and rentals... you could make a good living here.

Business plan is simple: Produce a good eCruiser from good sourced parts, sell it, rent it, service it, done deal.

Except that ebikes seem to be illegal in Hawaii...

 

[Lebowski]

this is a job for Superman ! .... oh wait... MauiMart !

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=14552

Else, I would have no problem moving to Hawaii

 

[dogman dan]

Illegal in New York City too, but lots of ebike shops there. The key thing here is riding them is illegal in NYC, but selling em is not. :wink:

 

[Ykick]

Almost took a long gig in Maui circa 2004 and still wonder what if? Surely somebody's eBiked 68 mile road to Hana by now? Most of us know about RD's Volcano assault but a ride around the island seems fairly doable. Not particularly easy but doable. That if, 'don't get killed by car/truck traffic in the process....

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Illegal in New York City too, but lots of ebike shops there. The key thing here is riding them is illegal in NYC, but selling em is not. :wink:

As with most "illegal" jurisdictions, the police and courts here in Hawaii pretty much have the 500w, 20mph max bikes on their "pay no mind" list. The 1500w 2WD speedsters with riders that actually take them to speeds over 50mph still draw the attention of the police though. And if you are considering selling and renting these to people, Federal limitations-bike sounds like a better business idea.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Almost took a long gig in Maui circa 2004 and still wonder what if? Surely somebody's eBiked 68 mile road to Hana by now? Most of us know about RD's Volcano assault but a ride around the island seems fairly doable. Not particularly easy but doable. That if, 'don't get killed by car/truck traffic in the process....

Man, you have that right! Many people driving around here in rental cars naturally pay more attention to the scenery than the rode..and don't get me started on the tour buses...LOL. I ride in neon colors and use a small front and rear strobe, short of mounting dual flag poles on the rear dropouts, not much more we can do. I will say this, if you are going faster than 30mph on your bicycle, most drivers are not expecting that and you can surprise people (in ways that are not fun at all). BTW, I have seen ebikes crawling up that grade (Healakala), but it must be a battery and engine burner, I would think.

 

[Chalo]

Would you rent the battery from your e-bike to a stranger?

What could possibly deter tourists from trying to climb steep grades until something goes poof?

 

[RoadWrinkle]

Would you rent the battery from your e-bike to a stranger?

What could possibly deter tourists from trying to climb steep grades until something goes poof?

Good Point, I think a "Federal Limitations" bike would be key for rentals, something not capable of taking on larger hills. Plus the only viable areas to rent e-bikes on Maui are Lahaina and Kehei (where most of the hotels are), these are relatively flat areas near the shoreline. There are bike shops all over southern Cal that do eBike rentals, apparently if there is a will there is a way. :lol:

 

[cal3thousand]

I've thought about this before since my mother-in-law lives on Kauai. But I've also thought about the weather and the fact that you can really only expect rental business and hope for sales.

How much is gas running over there right now?

It's 4 bucks here in California and looking to go up after this Syria mess begins.

 

[RoadWrinkle]

I've thought about this before since my mother-in-law lives on Kauai. But I've also thought about the weather and the fact that you can really only expect rental business and hope for sales.

How much is gas running over there right now?

Gas prices are a huge problem on Maui, not only do we typically run about a buck a gallon higher than whatever the average is in California, but the entire island's electricity is pretty much run on three massive diesel generators from the 1960's. Maui Electric Company buys all of its fuel from China. So when fuel prices go up, so does everybody's electric bill. This is why wind, solar and electric vehicles are taking off here. Add to it that we have great weather most of the year and awesome scenery, the conditions are right for an explosion in e-vehicle here. Hell, Maui County even has free e-vehicle fueling stations around the island. So I actually think sales would be a strong side of business.