Ariel Quality and Service - Read before you buy

[Mkaiju]

One of the reasons I felt ok ordering a Grizzly is because they answered any questions I had promptly, there's a phone number on the website, and I've read dozens and dozens of reviews all saying the bikes are high quality and the company is good. And even the couple reviews that were negative were eventually resolved. The company has been in business over 10 years and seems to even help customers that bought bikes 5+ years ago.

They don't seem like some anonymous company with a sketchy website and no phone number or contact info, and they don't seem to ignore emails.

As for any issue with the bike, I'd want them to try and let me know how I can fix the problem. I don't want to ship the bike back to them, I want to fix whatever the issue may be and get to riding.

The Grizzly will be my first Ariel Rider and I'm really excited to get it.

 

[Captain Slow]

I agree the three posts in a row seem suspicious.

I never would have been a potential customer for this brand in any event because they don't sell the type of bike I want. But after reading this thread I would recommend my friends to avoid this brand. I'm a "bike guy" to my friends and in the past year have provided advice on the purchase of about a half dozen ebikes.

This company seems particularly bad to deal with.

 

[soyabean]

But after reading this thread I would recommend my friends to avoid this brand.

I don't need this thread to tell me not to buy from them. If they look tiny, if they look like they can hide from me, if they look like they can disappear tomorrow, forget it.

These one-man aliexpress importers are simply one step up from a work at home bike flipper. Their already slim profit margins do not really allow them to give proper follow up and post-sales support.

They can start out as a LBS in their home town, but when there is too much local competition they open up to nationwide mail orders for "more sales".

 

[Captain Slow]

and add to the three suspicious posts is another one from a member who joined less than two weeks ago ....................

This company seems like they're making lots of fake accounts to try to make it seem like some have a positive impression of them. There can't be a bigger red flag than that.

 

[Mkaiju]

ya'll are nuts. Looking for conspiracies or something. I joined recently because I ordered two bikes recently.

Hello, hope to be a new rider soon

Hello. I got my kids bikes recently and after setting them up rode one around the parking lot and (remembered?) how much fun it is to ride a bike. Haven't really been on one in 20+ years since I was a kid. Started looking at bikes online and discovered ebikes and that really made me sit up and...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Talon]

and add to the three suspicious posts is another one from a member who joined less than two weeks ago ....................

This company seems like they're making lots of fake accounts to try to make it seem like some have a positive impression of them. There can't be a bigger red flag than that.

Hey Captain Slow, I am not the owner of Ariel Rider or just a troll. You are completely clue-less in your opinion about Ariel Rider. Here is a review from one of the X-52 member's that you might trust more from Electric

ya'll are nuts. Looking for conspiracies or something. I joined recently because I ordered two bikes recently.

Hello, hope to be a new rider soon

Hello. I got my kids bikes recently and after setting them up rode one around the parking lot and (remembered?) how much fun it is to ride a bike. Haven't really been on one in 20+ years since I was a kid. Started looking at bikes online and discovered ebikes and that really made me sit up and...

electricbikereview.com

Here..... Trust one of your own well known members from this site with his latest review on an Ariel Rider X-52 ..... https://electrek.co/guides/ebikes/

 

[Mkaiju]

Hey Captain Slow, I am not the owner of Ariel Rider or just a troll. You are completely clue-less in your opinion about Ariel Rider. Here is a review from one of the X-52 member's that you might trust more from Electric

Here..... Trust one of your own well known members from this site with his latest review on an Ariel Rider X-52 ..... https://electrek.co/guides/ebikes/

Rusty lives right up the road from me and he has like 3 Ariel Riders. No complaints.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgMEKwp7OVz0E3LqS6NTIA

edit: The review you posted was very good, thank you. And it mirrors what Rusty Roads, Shreddie Mcskate, Adobo Moto, InGear, and a bunch of reviewers on YouTube have said. Ariel Rider makes very good high quality bikes. They've been in business over 10 years and they care about their bikes and customers. These aren't rebadged generic bikes like a ton of other bike companies. They are Ariel Riders bikes and designs.

There will always be a bad bike in a batch. There will always be an unhappy customer. But I see tons and tons of very happy customers. Rusty Roads wouldn't have spent thousands of dollars buying one after another if he weren't happy with them.

 

[Oendaril]

Agreed. Gotta love fake accounts to troll a forum thread.

Have you seen their website?

No physical address. This is a red flag.

No 1-800 toll free number. Another red flag.

Looks like a one man show that resells aliexpress bikes as their own brand.

Every one of those posts was from members who seem to have been on this forum for 1-3 years. In fact, all of their accounts are older than yours! That must be some dedication to fake troll acounts.

I agree the three posts in a row seem suspicious.

I never would have been a potential customer for this brand in any event because they don't sell the type of bike I want. But after reading this thread I would recommend my friends to avoid this brand. I'm a "bike guy" to my friends and in the past year have provided advice on the purchase of about a half dozen ebikes.

This company seems particularly bad to deal with.

Why come in here and throw out conspiracies when it's entirely likely they just have this subforum tagged as a watched forum and got alerts about this thread when the first person replied?

NurseNicole's problem was valid because she clearly had some breakdown in support with the company but you guys are just feeding off each other's unfounded claims instead of talking about her actual concerns.

and add to the three suspicious posts is another one from a member who joined less than two weeks ago ....................

This company seems like they're making lots of fake accounts to try to make it seem like some have a positive impression of them. There can't be a bigger red flag than that.

See, this is poisonous. How are people going to want to post here when you're going to flog new members if they disagree with you? I had joined here because I was interested in a new model they had coming out and normally only used reddit. But the behavior in here sure makes me think it's not really worth it.

 

[Vewlix]

I wouldn’t be worried at all purchasing from them, I’ve seen numerous videos about their bikes and everyone seems very happy with them. There is also a video online of some riders visiting the owners and trying out their new bikes.

They essentially the same as the larger companies like specialised, scott, cube, GT etc who just purchase from Fuji-ta and don’t make anything themselves.

If you are buying the model without rear suspension it’s worth looking on alibaba as there are numerous models on there at cheaper prices, the rear suspension model looks harder to find.

 

[Mr Bananagrabber]

I had an M-Class which was stolen last year, and I just bought a Rideal for my husband (it arrived today). I've been happy with the bikes and very happy with customer service. I've had to contact them 3 times. The first with a question about the handlebars (needed a slight adjustment on my end, answered quickly), the second when part of my kickstand fell off (they sent a new one for free right away), and today when a nut was missing from the Rideal box (they responded to my email within minutes and I had a tracking number for the part in less than an hour). Overall my experience with Ariel Rider's customer service has been excellent. If someone is wavering on a purchase, I don't think customer service should negatively influence anyone's opinion.

 

[Young Terry]

It's about 9 months following the purchase of the Reef Predator. Yes from paying the full price online and then waiting over 3 months for delivery.
The suspension pivoting arm needed to be constantly retightened because of wear. The high power pulls the bike frame to the right and out of alignment, whereupon then makes a click. I did a redesign and made some parts while including a powerful spring to even out compression. This helped but the end game will be to have a bush turned up and a shaft going through the same. It's this or purchase another frame and refit everything else back onto the same. The total cost in doing about $800. The bike has not done any serious off-road work, and doing so would shortly destroy the pivoting arm internals. The bike is not up to off-road downhill rough riding. The tubes and tires as with tire linings had to be replaced, thanks to the 8 flat tyers in 4 months. Bolts constantly become loose and need lots of locks tight. The headlights don't light up much.
I don't like selling my troubles, and the next step is finding someone to do some laithe work, and I will do the fitting. I've done 2,300 k's and if it stays good after my planned rework, I will keep it for a street bike, and out of the serious stuff. By the way, they advertise the bike as an 8 speed and in fact, it's a 9. I purchased a replacement chain for an 8 speed and had even more problems. George does not know how many gears the predator has, and has been selling the same for years. He claims to have a factory, for producing them. I trust if he drives his personal car, he would know how many gears it has? Placing the wrong chain on the bike caused me to have to purchase another with a then replacement back drive cogs on the wheel. I wish that found this website before parting with the cash. Predator, yep, well named, George has a great sense of humor.

 

[Mkaiju]

Weird I can't find any Ariel Rider bike called 'Reef Predator'.

I did find a company called Reef that sells ebikes however.. https://electricbikereview.com/foru...-refund-for-a-bike-they-can-not-supply.36037/

 

[seethatdotca]

I just joined the forum and I will be posting a review of the Grizzly as soon as I have the chance to ride it outside. It's cold and full of snow here in Ottawa. The bike is too clean to start riding in salty slush and snow. I waited a long time to get my Grizzly (understandably with covid and being in Canada) but the company answered all my questions before the sale and after receiving the bike. I was able to put a couple kms of riding in my hallway, and it looks to be built strong, very rugged... and powerful. I'm impressed so far and I'm happy with the customer service I've received. For now, I would have no issues recommending Ariel Rider.

 

[Deacon Blues]

How long is your hallway?
I thinking of getting something similar to the Grizzly (Watt Wagons X-Tour) for my wife and I'm interested in what you think of your new ride.

 

[seethatdotca]

How long is your hallway?
I thinking of getting something similar to the Grizzly (Watt Wagons X-Tour) for my wife and I'm interested in what you think of your new ride.

lol My hallway is probably like 30 feet. I brought it up to about 10 km/h. I don't use the front motor, it's got too much power, it spins the front wheel too easily on my ceramic floor. The rear one spins as well, but it's a lot easier to control with the throttle. I've had to clean several spin marks from the floor. I can't wait to ride it outside. In the meantime, I'm building a second passenger seat that incorporates a rear camera. I'm also modifying a motorcycle carrier to attach to my hitch (on my electric car), it'll be customized to fit the Grizzly perfectly (well that's the plan anyways). I'll take pictures when it's all done.