Bike Tariffs

Chopperbill

Active Member
Rad Power just lowered their bikes by taking off the $200 tariff. Bought my 2018 because I got a $300 clearance discount. I used it to buy fenders and a 11T freewheel. Oh well I’ve had $200 worth of fun the last 1 1/2 months. ;)
 
There is no mention on the Canadian Rad site of a $200 tariff reduction. So not only to we get to pay more but we get a 500W motor instead of the 750W in the US
 
From the FAQ section on your link...

Are prices changing in Canada or Europe?

No, the tariff on electric bikes and the price change only impacts our U.S. ebike models.
 
The tariff increase must have impacted Sales significantly for them to do this.
 
I wonder if the other mfgs will follow suit.
Most have been forced to raise their prices, and not too many of them were attempting to build and sell their ebikes at this $1500 price point. A consumer that is only willing or able to spend $1500 on an ebike is going to be much more price sensitive than someone who is willing and able to spend $3000 to $5000 on an ebike. The retail industry understands this quite well, so it was a rookie mistake to have raised the price to begin with, if they could not stick with it long term, as it's obvious now, they didn't understand the profile of their buyer. It won't be easy to recover from something like this. Also if they value engineered an already low priced ebike, to get back to this lower price, what were the comprises that were made ? A Chinese factory isn't exactly known as the epitome of R&D excellence.
 
Most have been forced to raise their prices, and not too many of them were attempting to build and sell their ebikes at this $1500 price point. A consumer that is only willing or able to spend $1500 on an ebike is going to be much more price sensitive than someone who is willing and able to spend $3000 to $5000 on an ebike. The retail industry understands this quite well, so it was a rookie mistake to have raised the price to begin with, if they could not stick with it long term, as it's obvious now, they didn't understand the profile of their buyer. It won't be easy to recover from something like this. Also if they value engineered an already low priced ebike, to get back to this lower price, what were the comprises that were made ? A Chinese factory isn't exactly known as the epitome of R&D excellence.

Just as Rad has a pretty good (well earned) reputation for not selling junk bikes. This in mind, and speaking for myself, I plan on giving them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to what, or IF compromises in the quality of their product were made when bringing back their original pricing, especially with no evidence to support the idea compromises have been made. Until such evidence is available, I think they are to be congratulated on bringing a bike like this to market. There is little doubt a LOT of people will be introduced to e-bikes because of the value at this price point. -Al
 
Good for you Al. The $200 increase must have not been needed, and $200 tariff easy to absorb. Free lunch for all!
 
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