I 'm considering this 48v sold by SafeCastle. $1188 on Amazon. However, in the Safe Castle description on their website sometimes it's referred to as the "Breeze" and sometimes as a "Radrover" ! I emailed them a couple of days ago for clarification and have yet to receive a response. With all the hype and a plethora of E-BIKES, just on this website and not, I believe there are some, shall I say, unscrupulous people who have jumped on the E-bike wagon just to make a fast buck and have next to no customer support. Comments appreciated.
Breeze on Amazon
- Thread starter Randroid
- Start date
SirJonathan
Active Member
There are enough flags in your post alone to make me never consider this vendor. I have not looked at the site.
Thank you. My thoughts too.
harryS
Well-Known Member
Three out of three happy reviews here.
https://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Elect...0J6KA67PNPHE8HDQM&refRID=4RG0J6KA67PNPHE8HDQM
Four out of six happy folks here. One guy has a dead battery. One guy too short.
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-SAF...d=1549661942&sr=8-1&keywords=safecastle+ebike
How lucky do you feel? Safecastle really isn't an ebike seller. You won't get tech support or parts, if something breaks. The bike is advertised as having a Bafang motor and Samsung cells. which is good. It's just one of dozens if not hundreds of generic ebike brands sold out of China. If you need the support, far better to buy from an established ebike vendor,
https://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Elect...0J6KA67PNPHE8HDQM&refRID=4RG0J6KA67PNPHE8HDQM
Four out of six happy folks here. One guy has a dead battery. One guy too short.
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-SAF...d=1549661942&sr=8-1&keywords=safecastle+ebike
How lucky do you feel? Safecastle really isn't an ebike seller. You won't get tech support or parts, if something breaks. The bike is advertised as having a Bafang motor and Samsung cells. which is good. It's just one of dozens if not hundreds of generic ebike brands sold out of China. If you need the support, far better to buy from an established ebike vendor,
Well, since I'm 73 and my only income is social security I'm not willing to count on luck. I won't buy any E-bike with substandard or non existent support. Been down that road with other products. Thanks for your reply.
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
Safecastle seller rating on Amazon.
99% positive in the last 12 months (438 ratings)
https://www.amazon.com/sp?_encoding...D=&seller=A1SXU826EURD3R&tab=home&vasStoreID=
I do agree with the other comments. Checkout Lenny's in Wisconsin. Demo deals and closeouts on brand name bikes if you are on a tight budget. Some cheaper than that Amazon deal. I'm a customer and have no business affiliation.
99% positive in the last 12 months (438 ratings)
https://www.amazon.com/sp?_encoding...D=&seller=A1SXU826EURD3R&tab=home&vasStoreID=
I do agree with the other comments. Checkout Lenny's in Wisconsin. Demo deals and closeouts on brand name bikes if you are on a tight budget. Some cheaper than that Amazon deal. I'm a customer and have no business affiliation.
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I realize being on a tight budget is a hindrance to buying a "quality" E-bike. No doubt Lenny's is a legitimate E-bike dealer. I live in Arizona so Wisconsin is a little far for a test ride. The only dealers in my town sell Fuji ( grossly overpriced and relying on their bicycle reputation), and Emojo, which I test rode one of their 48v folding bikes and was impressed. I'm waiting to hear from Wells Fargo if they will increase my credit limit. If ordered by phone, one can get a 10% discount and free shipping. They are located in California which means the bike won't be handled as much which should reduce any shipping damage.
Ravi Kempaiah
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Halifax
@vincent lives in Arizona and has a bunch of E-bikes. She is also trying to sell few. Talk to her. I am sure she will be able to bring couple of bikes to you or send some pics of her bikes.
I think she has like 6 bikes and she is willing to sell one or two of them.
ebikemom
Well-Known Member
It's also worth being aware that some local bike shops won't service bikes they didn't sell without charging for labor, whereas they may provide gratis labor on a bike that they sold. This is something to ask about at your local bike shop. I don't know what normal business practices are in the ebike industry, but I've seen reviews of a bike shop in my area where customers complained that they were charged labor fees for warranty service on bikes that the store carries and sells, but that the buyer bought online. Maybe someone who is in the ebike industry can comment?
That's certainly not surprising these days. Fortunately, I have done all the work on my two Treks except for wheel truing and frame straightening and have accumulated most needed tools over the years. I have also worked as an electronic technician.
SirJonathan
Active Member
If you can do everything other than wheel truing and frame straightening then you could make almost any eBike from a reputable site work for you. You'll still need their support, however. Spare parts, batteries, motor replacements under warranty, and a host of other components.
The fact that the company didn't get back to you BEFORE the sale speaks volumes to me about what they'll do for you AFTER the sale.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
How about a great Trek frame that suits you and your comfy on... with tools and electrical skills you're a natural for a build. Home builds can be done with a bike that best FITS. Fit is something eBikes haven't been good at meeting. I like low drag motors and the ability to pedal a properly fitted bike! Not to mention having the skills tools and knowledge to be self-sufficient for care and maintenance. Actually, building batteries have become quite popular with easy access to decent hobby spot welders.
I've often thought the same thing.
Good idea, unfortunately I need a fat tire bike for excursions into the desert.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
Really? You mean want? I road the desert SW for 20 years on a 26”x2.25 inch tire. I guess if it’s a no cactus and not so rocky surface a fatty will be OK. Desert tough tires won’t be inexpensive. I smiled, wondering how ever did we survive nearly 6 decades on 2” tires. <wink> Mind... all in jest. A fatty will be fun.
BikesDirect has some safer builds over Mongoose and other goofy cheap brands. Some smart fellows use the frame but essentially a brow everything else away and completely refit the frame with brakes that work for one. Powerful motors and inadequate brakes... were free to do as we will, but sadly there are consequences, the least of which is more regulation. Being beat up so badly a dirt nap seems a relief isn’t my idea of a good time. As always, YMMV.
Ok. I WANT a fat tire. Having no experience with E-BIKES, I have to read, sometimes between the lines, what others say. I recently read (somewhere) about a guy who did a front wheel drive on the same bike I have, a 14 year old Trek 7300 hybrid. The new wheel wouldn't fit and he had to buy something extra, I can't remember the exact name, " torque washers" maybe ? Then there's the matter of brakes. As in I wouldn't trust the stock ones, so would have to install discs. I've read mid drives are hard on the chain and cassette. I'm 73 and have been down the " modification road"with air rifles and handguns. I don't need, excuse me, WANT the pia of conversion. I am willing to fork out the dough for better tires. $87 each on Amazon if I remember correctly.
ez3putt
Active Member
Great response! We are about the same age and it does seem a bit pompous for someone to infer we do not know the difference between our needs and wants. In reality, hardly anyone actually NEEDS an ebike. Unless you lost your license for a DUI conviction, there are usually alternatives for personal transportation. Until a few years ago, we called all motorized (gas or electric) bikes DUI Mobiles. Good luck with your search and have fun.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
Torque arms are always needed for hub motors. The wheel if sized right (26") would fit. Apparently, he had a not so helpful seller. I see these problems with China direct orders all the time. No big deal really. We're about the same age. I bought a Fat Bike and it sits in a corner in the basement while I decide whether to donate or sell. I had a minor power problem and had to pedal home under my own power. ARGH! It felt like riding a tank without a cannon mount. HARD work. The riding position is also something I didn't enjoy. If you haven't I HIGHLY recommend riding any FB without the assist. As a retired horticulturalist, I'd traveled deserts from N America to The Cape of Africa. A fatty would have been great in the sands of the Namib Desert, but NV and AZ in my experience are perfect for a full suspension bike. Alas, the crazy fellow that I am I've taken my Townie style frames on all sorts of MTB trails. For me riding comfort is everything. Chains are cheap, and cassettes can be had pretty reasonably as well. Often as you wrote we need to read between the lines. Hard on chains might mean 5000 miles of abuse. At my age I don't beat my rides as I would have 20 years ago.
Good luck! Sounds like you're gonna have a nice ride. I wish I'd have not been so anxious and made my first build the best. I made ALL the mistakes. Dozens of builds later I can at last sort most issues, but have definitely developed my own opinions.
That said, I'd help any builder and share.
Amazon had the Ecotric fat bike marked down from $969 to $699 this morning. I bought it. Only 36v, but if possible, down the road, I'll convert it to 48v. I have a lot of soldering experience from working in the electronic industry. Also bought a set of Mr Tuffy s. I'm in good physical shape for my age from riding an old Trek 420 25-30 miles a week and light weight routine 3 times a week. Thanks ?
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