Sales of electric bicycles lose momentum - LA Times

[dogman dan]

Yeah, most ordinary folks do think I'm going to get smacked by a car for sure someday. They think I'm crazy to go out in that traffic. They think the same about a motorcycle of any kind as well.

 

[John in CR]

I'd say the 20 million ebikes that China produces a year, which includes the A2B btw, means the economies of scale are already there. That's also where almost all of those ridiculously priced pedal bikes and their parts are made too. I'm not saying there's not a difference in quality, but I assure you the difference in retail price is not commensurate with the difference in factory price. Prices will come down soon enough, and quality will go up, which will be good for everyone.

 

[auraslip]

I'd say the 20 million ebikes that China produces a year, which includes the A2B btw, means the economies of scale are already there. That's also where almost all of those ridiculously priced pedal bikes and their parts are made too. I'm not saying there's not a difference in quality, but I assure you the difference in retail price is not commensurate with the difference in factory price. Prices will come down soon enough, and quality will go up, which will be good for everyone.

The problem is the American bicycle industry is gear towards hobbyists, and people living the lifestyle. I see Mexicans, and poor people riding wal-mart mountain bikes and bmx bikes 7 miles out in the country to my house. Everyday. I see them. I want to yell, "PUT SOME SLICKS ON THAT, LUBE YOUR CHAIN, AND RAISE YOUR DAMN SEAT!!" I'd send them to the LBS, but they'd laugh at the thought of putting even $500 on a decent "commuter" bike. That's a first car payment!

I guess the LBS make more money selling $100 tires to lyrca dudes, but come on! The owner of the local bike told me, "You just can't make a decent wheel for less than $100." And I thought to myself, "Dude you are out of your mind. Before shipping a hub motor cost less than that!" And the copper in it alone is worth more than....but I digress.

Perhaps it's this countries focus on the car. The endless oil and infrastructure subsidies and ostracization of those who don't abide by the auto. It's definitely skewed the cost of transportation. Cars seem cheap therefore a $500 bike seems expensive.

Anyways my point is that there is a middle ground, and electric bikes are it. $500 for an electric bike. That'd probably get you a pretty decent pre-built lithium bike in china right? $400 gets you a lead IZip. When you look at them in wal-mart, you can tell they are of better quality then the bikes they're sitting next too. Yet they are electric, and only cost $200 more! It's funny though, while I still had my car I remember thinking, "God! $400 is a lot of money for a bicycle even if it is electric!" Sigh. I can't wait for $10 a gallon gas just so I can buy a god damn decent 24" wheelset for less than the cost of wal-mart bike.

 

[neptronix]

Oh dude, you totally said it.
Cycling in America seems to be either for hardcore fitness fanatics or poor people. I am the guy who likes the $500 bikes but wishes parts were priced proportionally to the value of the bike, because i know the individual parts are damn cheap... yet, a part here, a part there, some service there, and i've paid half the cost of my bike already, because i can't find mid-grade parts... only high end!

I work on cars and know the cost of mass produced items. I put shocks and springs on my Nissan 200sx recently and it cost me about $500 in total, including mounting hardware and bushings! That's $125 per side, and those components should last me another 5 years, maybe longer. Yet, that's what a suspension fork with a disc brake mount costs!

Another example, i can buy a cheapo disc rotor for my car for the same price i can buy a cheapo disc rotor for my bike.. LOL

I think mass production really counts... we need more people on pedal/ebikes! things can only get cheaper. I will continue to advocate eBikes and hope things improve myself. Bicyclists are gouged for things just like audiophiles are, it seems.

 

[coolchinateacher]

Anyways my point is that there is a middle ground, and electric bikes are it. $500 for an electric bike. That'd probably get you a pretty decent pre-built lithium bike in china right? $400 gets you a lead IZip. When you look at them in wal-mart, you can tell they are of better quality then the bikes they're sitting next too. Yet they are electric, and only cost $200 more! It's funny though, while I still had my car I remember thinking, "God! $400 is a lot of money for a bicycle even if it is electric!" Sigh. I can't wait for $10 a gallon gas just so I can buy a god damn decent 24" wheelset for less than the cost of wal-mart bike.

$500 here buys a lot of bike! In fact, that's about all I will have into mine after upgrading the controller to a 12 fet, upgrading the motor to a custom wound 1000w and adding 10ah of Headways...

The bike was totally comfortable and reliable with a legal top speed and pretty good range considering the SLA's. I just wanted a bit more

For about $350 retail you can buy a pretty nice beach cruiser with lipo and 500w direct drive. They are also a ton of awesome little folders with lipo and 350-500w that would rock on a college campus.