reed scott
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking of cancelling with Bolton and going with this. Thoughts? It's a hard tail ... But .... I just want it now
I don't have a lot of faith in Luna. They seem to be 'mailing it in' these days.
Early Stages But Kyle Chittock of Bolton Ebikes is Alright With Me
- Thread starter reed scott
- Start date
I don't have a lot of faith in Luna. They seem to be 'mailing it in' these days.
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Emailed Kyle yesterday about availability of extra batteries for the Raptor. Kyle answered today that he will have plenty of them.
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Here is Kyle Chittock's email from Bolton Ebikes today
Hey it's Kyle here.
2020 has been an INSANE year for electric bikes!
At Bolton Ebikes we've released 42+ Youtube videos, 39 podcast episodes, introduced "Bolton Labs" for new developments, setup a new semi-automated packing and shipping line, added exponentially to our team, and answered tens of thousands of questions via email, Youtube comments, and more.
Likely the biggest hit of the year is the new Blackbird! When initially launched, I forecasted the 1st production batch would be enough bikes to last for several months.
I WAS WRONG. BIG TIME.
The solution seemed simple enough - make more bikes. In reality, covid had other dastardly plans. We released a 2nd batch, twice the size to accommodate demand, which sold out in a days. We released a 3rd batch, three times the original size. When you're working with hundreds of individual parts and pieces, bringing them together from around the world to be assembled in one place, then shipped to customers, delays are expected. We've ALWAYS planned for delays. Blackbird batch #1 was listed for sale in May of 2020, with an estimated delivery date of August 2020. Why August? Because based on previous production schedules, we KNEW they would arrive well before then, likely in late June or July. That would give us a month+ buffer for any delays, or so we thought. With each subsequent batch we forecasted dates further and further ahead, but....
IT WASN'T ENOUGH.
No one could have predicted what would happen next. Our tires were delayed. Our forks were delayed. Our forks arrived.... but rushed and in poor quality. We rejected them and upgraded the bikes to a better fork. One piece at a time things came together, but on a timeline that was unpredictable and erratic. It only takes ONE part to delay an entire production run of bikes! Quality always came first, without exception.
I DON'T LIKE IT
Bolton Ebikes has been built on 5 years of trust and honesty. That's honesty between ME, the sole owner of Bolton Ebikes and YOU, the customer. Some of you are "new" and haven't known us for that long. You only know what you've seen the last few months, which is not typical. We're working hard day and night (literally) to get things back on track. That being said, there are things out of our control. If I could fly to China and assist on the manufacturing floor right now I would! But due to current global conditions and restrictions, it simply isn't possible. It's frustrating to wait months longer for your bike than expected. I know, I'm waiting too!
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
1. Keep you informed. Each week as our emails go out we're updating you with the latest information we have. As stated above it can be unpredictable and erratic, but we'll do our best to give you real-time information. (Details at the bottom of this email)
2. We're continuing to ramp up production to meet demand. The Blackbird for example has it's own dedicated manufacturing line. We're diligently working with our manufacturers, component suppliers, shippers, and everyone in between to make things go smoothly. We're forecasting nearly 12 months ahead.
3. Holding off on orders. For everyone that is already waiting on a now "sold out" bike, there are several more people begging to order one! But we're not taking new orders for certain models. Raptors, Blackbirds, Bikonit Warthogs, etc are SOLD OUTuntil further notice. That doesn't mean we're stopping production. We have a 4th batch of Blackbird bikes already in the works, along with more warthog bikes, and MUCH more that we haven't told you about... But until we get closer to ACTUAL shipping dates we're keeping the details under wraps. We want the time from YOUR order, to the time it's at YOUR door to be shorter.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?
I firmly believe it will take some time for everyone to "recover" from this. The demand for Bolton Ebikes is high and we expect certain products to sell out on a regular basis well into 2021 and possibly beyond. Current customers and orders however are our first priority. I am personally pushing our suppliers to get all bikes completed and shipped as soon as humanly possible. I guarantee you will get your bike, and you'll get a higher quality bike than advertised. As always, it will be well worth the wait!
Where do I go from here?
Now that I've written (and you've surprisingly read) the longest email of my life, you have two options! One, click this link or the photo below if you want to take a break from ebike production madness and learn a few tips and tricks about ebikes!
Two, scroll to the bottom of this email for current production status. These are delays only. If the product or bike you ordered is NOT listed, then it is either in stock, or expected to be on schedule. If items are "out of stock" with no other information, then they are out of stock until further notice.
Production Status
BlackBird August Batch 1 - Your upgraded DNM forks have arrived and are installed on your bikes! This was the last piece causing delays. The Bikes are scheduled to be loaded into shipping containers October 21st.
Raptor - Bikes are 100% complete. Also expected to be loaded into shipping containers October 21st.
Electric Bike Pump - Expected to loaded into container October 21st.
Bikonit Warthog Bikes - Awaiting Container Loading Date. I hope to have confirmation in next week's update. As we're already into the middle of October, arrival is expected in November.
BlackBird September and November Batch 2 & 3 - Bikes assembled but waiting for upgraded fork install. Will ship as soon as possible.
Foxbat November Delivery - Slight delay possible, bikes may be shipped from China in November, putting delivery into your hands into December.
Sabre November Delivery - Slight delay possible, bikes may be shipped from China in November, putting delivery into your hands into December.
RadPower Upgrade Kits - All remaining backorders are enroute to the US now and are expected to ship this month.
Thank you again for your extreme patience!
Kyle
Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 13120 John Bauer Ave, Grass Valley, California 95945
Hey it's Kyle here.
2020 has been an INSANE year for electric bikes!
At Bolton Ebikes we've released 42+ Youtube videos, 39 podcast episodes, introduced "Bolton Labs" for new developments, setup a new semi-automated packing and shipping line, added exponentially to our team, and answered tens of thousands of questions via email, Youtube comments, and more.
Likely the biggest hit of the year is the new Blackbird! When initially launched, I forecasted the 1st production batch would be enough bikes to last for several months.
I WAS WRONG. BIG TIME.
The solution seemed simple enough - make more bikes. In reality, covid had other dastardly plans. We released a 2nd batch, twice the size to accommodate demand, which sold out in a days. We released a 3rd batch, three times the original size. When you're working with hundreds of individual parts and pieces, bringing them together from around the world to be assembled in one place, then shipped to customers, delays are expected. We've ALWAYS planned for delays. Blackbird batch #1 was listed for sale in May of 2020, with an estimated delivery date of August 2020. Why August? Because based on previous production schedules, we KNEW they would arrive well before then, likely in late June or July. That would give us a month+ buffer for any delays, or so we thought. With each subsequent batch we forecasted dates further and further ahead, but....
IT WASN'T ENOUGH.
No one could have predicted what would happen next. Our tires were delayed. Our forks were delayed. Our forks arrived.... but rushed and in poor quality. We rejected them and upgraded the bikes to a better fork. One piece at a time things came together, but on a timeline that was unpredictable and erratic. It only takes ONE part to delay an entire production run of bikes! Quality always came first, without exception.
I DON'T LIKE IT
Bolton Ebikes has been built on 5 years of trust and honesty. That's honesty between ME, the sole owner of Bolton Ebikes and YOU, the customer. Some of you are "new" and haven't known us for that long. You only know what you've seen the last few months, which is not typical. We're working hard day and night (literally) to get things back on track. That being said, there are things out of our control. If I could fly to China and assist on the manufacturing floor right now I would! But due to current global conditions and restrictions, it simply isn't possible. It's frustrating to wait months longer for your bike than expected. I know, I'm waiting too!
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
1. Keep you informed. Each week as our emails go out we're updating you with the latest information we have. As stated above it can be unpredictable and erratic, but we'll do our best to give you real-time information. (Details at the bottom of this email)
2. We're continuing to ramp up production to meet demand. The Blackbird for example has it's own dedicated manufacturing line. We're diligently working with our manufacturers, component suppliers, shippers, and everyone in between to make things go smoothly. We're forecasting nearly 12 months ahead.
3. Holding off on orders. For everyone that is already waiting on a now "sold out" bike, there are several more people begging to order one! But we're not taking new orders for certain models. Raptors, Blackbirds, Bikonit Warthogs, etc are SOLD OUTuntil further notice. That doesn't mean we're stopping production. We have a 4th batch of Blackbird bikes already in the works, along with more warthog bikes, and MUCH more that we haven't told you about... But until we get closer to ACTUAL shipping dates we're keeping the details under wraps. We want the time from YOUR order, to the time it's at YOUR door to be shorter.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?
I firmly believe it will take some time for everyone to "recover" from this. The demand for Bolton Ebikes is high and we expect certain products to sell out on a regular basis well into 2021 and possibly beyond. Current customers and orders however are our first priority. I am personally pushing our suppliers to get all bikes completed and shipped as soon as humanly possible. I guarantee you will get your bike, and you'll get a higher quality bike than advertised. As always, it will be well worth the wait!
Where do I go from here?
Now that I've written (and you've surprisingly read) the longest email of my life, you have two options! One, click this link or the photo below if you want to take a break from ebike production madness and learn a few tips and tricks about ebikes!
Two, scroll to the bottom of this email for current production status. These are delays only. If the product or bike you ordered is NOT listed, then it is either in stock, or expected to be on schedule. If items are "out of stock" with no other information, then they are out of stock until further notice.
Production Status
BlackBird August Batch 1 - Your upgraded DNM forks have arrived and are installed on your bikes! This was the last piece causing delays. The Bikes are scheduled to be loaded into shipping containers October 21st.
Raptor - Bikes are 100% complete. Also expected to be loaded into shipping containers October 21st.
Electric Bike Pump - Expected to loaded into container October 21st.
Bikonit Warthog Bikes - Awaiting Container Loading Date. I hope to have confirmation in next week's update. As we're already into the middle of October, arrival is expected in November.
BlackBird September and November Batch 2 & 3 - Bikes assembled but waiting for upgraded fork install. Will ship as soon as possible.
Foxbat November Delivery - Slight delay possible, bikes may be shipped from China in November, putting delivery into your hands into December.
Sabre November Delivery - Slight delay possible, bikes may be shipped from China in November, putting delivery into your hands into December.
RadPower Upgrade Kits - All remaining backorders are enroute to the US now and are expected to ship this month.
Thank you again for your extreme patience!
Kyle
Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 13120 John Bauer Ave, Grass Valley, California 95945
@reed scott I spoke with Jeff @boltonbikes and apparently our bikes are still in China. According to Jeff - The bikes are currently in China. They're supposed to ship from China by the 25th.
-sigh-
-sigh-
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the update. I resemble that face of disgust.
( were the hell did I put that effing crackpipe )
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Kyle says Raptors ( pretty much Frey AM 1000) are shipping !!! 
Production Status for previous orders
BlackBird August Batch 1, Raptors, Bike Pumps
Production Status for previous orders
BlackBird August Batch 1, Raptors, Bike Pumps
- Raptors - shipping in progress, watch emails for tracking
- Bike pumps - shipping in progress, watch emails for tracking
- Blackbirds - Shipping to customers to begin shortly
reed scott
Well-Known Member
I'M GONNA HAVE THIS BIKE ANY DAY NOW !!! I can't stand it !
boltonebikes.com
The RAPTOR Ultra Mountain eBike
Specifications： Motor: Bafang G510 Ultra Mid Drive 48V 1000W motor, 160N.m torque, peak power 1500w Battery: 48V 21Ah fit with 78pcs Samsung 35E cells Front fork: ROCKSHOX YARI Air suspension 160mm travel Rear shock: ROCKSHOX MONARCH 200*57mm air suspension Handlebar & Stem: 760mm, V style on...
boltonebikes.com
reed scott
Well-Known Member
My initial excitement now becomes infected with paranoia and anxiety. 
My baby is now on a truck somewhere on her way to some regional sorting facility where she may get thrown around by uncaring hands into another truck coming to my region where she will again be sorted and put on another truck or maybe just left all alone and even lost for a time waiting for goodness knows what determination. I have requested for her to be held for pickup and I don't even know where that facility is. Could easily be from three to several hours away from where I live. Hopefully Kyle and Bolton will let me know. IF they even know. GOD I hate anxiety.
The freight company seems to have a decent tracking process but no real information is yet available. Shise! Maybe I should have just gone to the local ( three hour drive ) bike shop and bought a Trek.
...
My baby is now on a truck somewhere on her way to some regional sorting facility where she may get thrown around by uncaring hands into another truck coming to my region where she will again be sorted and put on another truck or maybe just left all alone and even lost for a time waiting for goodness knows what determination. I have requested for her to be held for pickup and I don't even know where that facility is. Could easily be from three to several hours away from where I live. Hopefully Kyle and Bolton will let me know. IF they even know. GOD I hate anxiety. The freight company seems to have a decent tracking process but no real information is yet available. Shise! Maybe I should have just gone to the local ( three hour drive ) bike shop and bought a Trek.
...
reed scott
Well-Known Member
I know. I make the leettle joke, no?
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Turns out the freight company has a damn fine tracking and info ability. Just had to figure out how it worked. I have been directly contacted just an hour after I mailed them and my bike will be available for pickup Monday afternoon about three and a half hours from my home. YAY Dear God, please let the carton inspection go well. 
So far so very good with these guys. I will report on the condition of the bike when I pick her up.
www.saia.com
Dear God, please let the carton inspection go well. So far so very good with these guys. I will report on the condition of the bike when I pick her up.
LTL Freight Shipping & Logistics Services | Saia
reed scott
Well-Known Member
My Bike Is At Terminal Ready for Pickup. Only a couple days later than anticipated. A strange mixture of anticipation and dread settles in. That box has been through a lot I know. It has been on three different trucks from Bolton's Grass Valley, CA shop. ( Now THAT is a tracking app. ) How it got handled in China and how it faired in it's sea/land container on the ocean is anybody's guess. I'm a natural born worrier. And I get to fret over my apprehensions for a 4 hour drive into the big city of San Antonio ( lord I hate freeway interchanges ). Oh well ... here goes nothin. 
My Bike Is At Terminal Ready for Pickup. Only a couple days later than anticipated. A strange mixture of anticipation and dread settles in. That box has been through a lot I know. It has been on three different trucks from Bolton's Grass Valley, CA shop. ( Now THAT is a tracking app. ) How it got handled in China and how it faired in it's sea/land container on the ocean is anybody's guess. I'm a natural born worrier. And I get to fret over my apprehensions for a 4 hour drive into the big city of San Antonio ( lord I hate freeway interchanges ). Oh well ... here goes nothin.
Looking forward to a pic of you and your new ebike!
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Made it into SAIA freight haulers yard in San Antonio. People were very nice. Had my bike within ten minutes. Which was nice after fighting through city interstate traffic and all. Box was in pretty much pristine condition.
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Finally made it home after running some errands for the boss and his wife as San Antonio is their city ... though they have moved to the ranch I manage which is now their main residence until the Chy na flu goes away. I may or may not wrestle the dear girl out of the box tonight. I'm real tired.
Kitty is curious. Dog is tired ( see couch ) It was a loooong day.
Kitty is curious. Dog is tired ( see couch ) It was a loooong day.
reed scott
Well-Known Member
I'm really so tired. 10 hour round trip and the city just eats my lunch. I should go to bed. Well ......
Somehow I summoned the strength ... to cut the plastic wrap. Then I thought, " Well I'll just peak in the box and get to the rest tomorrow".
I was quite impressed by the sturdiness of this box. I think Kyle adds those corner reinforcements ( really stiff and strong ), bands the box and then wraps the whole shebang with plastic wrap. Nice.
Inside #1:
Inside #2:
Tip: Don't even try to dead lift one of these bikes straight up out of their box. They are too heavy and they are stuck in there anyway. Just turn the box on its end, carefully, and tug the bike out sideways on it's back wheel. Easy peasy. Even for one so tired as myself.
Strangely enough I somehow felt the strength to continue: Foam forever. Mountains of the stuff.
Oh, what the heck. We'll just put these bars on here. That's easy enough:
Oh look! A multi-tool. A unique one at that. Got a little wrench on it. Sturdy:
Dang. Check this rack out. Hope it's as solid as it looks. I like it. Wait. Fender? I didn't order no fender. Not a bad fender though, as fenders go.
OOOPPS! Front wheel got on there somehow. Probably did that in my sleep. I'm really so tired.
I seem to remember dreaming about this thing. What is it? Oh yeah. That's the little thingy stuck in your front brake so your pads don't get mashed together during shipment.
And as a parting reminder before I crawl off to bed where I will surely sleep in till at least noon tomorrow even though my battery will have charged all night .... If you have a bike coming in the mail buy a pair of these. Side dykes. Most important tool needed to get one of these girls out of her clothes. Forget knives. You will cut yourself and scratch your bike. Heavy duty toenail clippers would be a second choice.
Aaannndddd, one more thing: If you are unwrapping a Frey bike ... one of the front wheel spacers will almost surely stick to the big plastic dish-like protector when you pull it off.
Somehow I summoned the strength ... to cut the plastic wrap. Then I thought, " Well I'll just peak in the box and get to the rest tomorrow".
I was quite impressed by the sturdiness of this box. I think Kyle adds those corner reinforcements ( really stiff and strong ), bands the box and then wraps the whole shebang with plastic wrap. Nice.
Inside #1:
Inside #2:
Tip: Don't even try to dead lift one of these bikes straight up out of their box. They are too heavy and they are stuck in there anyway. Just turn the box on its end, carefully, and tug the bike out sideways on it's back wheel. Easy peasy. Even for one so tired as myself.
Strangely enough I somehow felt the strength to continue: Foam forever. Mountains of the stuff.
Oh, what the heck. We'll just put these bars on here. That's easy enough:
Oh look! A multi-tool. A unique one at that. Got a little wrench on it. Sturdy:
Dang. Check this rack out. Hope it's as solid as it looks. I like it. Wait. Fender? I didn't order no fender. Not a bad fender though, as fenders go.
OOOPPS! Front wheel got on there somehow. Probably did that in my sleep. I'm really so tired.
I seem to remember dreaming about this thing. What is it? Oh yeah. That's the little thingy stuck in your front brake so your pads don't get mashed together during shipment.
And as a parting reminder before I crawl off to bed where I will surely sleep in till at least noon tomorrow even though my battery will have charged all night .... If you have a bike coming in the mail buy a pair of these. Side dykes. Most important tool needed to get one of these girls out of her clothes. Forget knives. You will cut yourself and scratch your bike. Heavy duty toenail clippers would be a second choice.
Aaannndddd, one more thing: If you are unwrapping a Frey bike ... one of the front wheel spacers will almost surely stick to the big plastic dish-like protector when you pull it off.
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