Early Stages But Kyle Chittock of Bolton Ebikes is Alright With Me

[reed scott]

I've come within a gnat's behind of ordering a couple different bikes but Kyle came up with THE bike that checked the most boxes for me. So I ordered a Raptor. Especially once I realized it's a Frey AM 1000. Of the half dozen sellers I've spoken with Kyle is the most responsive and helpful. By a LONG shot. For quite some time I was sure I was going to get a top of the line full suspension 'hunting' bike but the communication with those guys was not great. As I pondered the Raptor I realized that bike could do everything I wanted to do, do it more efficiently and without monster tires ... do it faster and with greater range and with better components. And for $1k cheaper. I should have it in about a month. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[hotspace]

Hi Reed

I too have ordered a Raptor for exactly the same reasons you mentioned. I placed my order last week. I think, fingers crossed, I should have it about the same time as you. As you mentioned, I too will keep the community posted.

 

[reed scott]

Hi Reed

I too have ordered a Raptor for exactly the same reasons you mentioned. I placed my order last week. I think, fingers crossed, I should have it about the same time as you. As you mentioned, I too will keep the community posted.

Bro ! Heh heh. I've gotten some gaff from you tube people about paying too much but I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday. I just did not want to deal with Aliblabla. I wanted a US rep and I feel pretty good about Kyle. All the Frey boys kvetch about me paying too much but ... OK ... you got off cheaper but will you still crow when you have a problem? Frey most probably will take care of you but it will take mucho tiempo. I'm betting Kyle will be a bit more responsive.

The AM 1000 really looks to be a great bike. Not too aggressively MTB but certainly in the club. I wanted an 'all-around' bike mostly suited for light trail and gravel roads. I don't ride on the street much, if at all. Just seemed perfect. We must keep in touch. CAN'T WAIT !!!

 

[reed scott]

Hi Reed

I too have ordered a Raptor for exactly the same reasons you mentioned. I placed my order last week. I think, fingers crossed, I should have it about the same time as you. As you mentioned, I too will keep the community posted.

In these troublous times I will count us both lucky if we get a shipping notice this month. I feel Kyle will do his best but it's a mess out there. Pretty sure it won't be all that much of an extension and maybe, saints be praised, no extension at all. Regardless, one of these days soon we will be tearing it up out there my friend.

Well, maybe YOU will. I'm too old to tear much of anything any more.

 

[sortaluvmyebike]

Got my Avenger last month - ordered in late July got shipping notice mid-August arrived a week later. Packaging was very good so be prepared to dispose of lots of cardboard.

 

[hotspace]

I hit the Bolton website this morning to see if there were any updates. Raptors are now expected to be shipped in October. This was a quiet change on the website, as it used to say September delivery.

 

[sortaluvmyebike]

I got an update email from Bolton last week stating the updated delivery dates and they are being impacted by the fires in CA and rolling blackouts.

 

[reed scott]

I hit the Bolton website this morning to see if there were any updates. Raptors are now expected to be shipped in October. This was a quiet change on the website, as it used to say September delivery.

Yeah, I've been expecting such. We who have already ordered might still luck out as the site advertises you can pre-order now for October delivery. IDK

 

[reed scott]

I got an update email from Bolton last week stating the updated delivery dates and they are being impacted by the fires in CA and rolling blackouts.

Bolton Ebikes is in the middle of Nevada so I wonder about that.

 

[Needforspeeeed]

Bolton Ebikes is in the middle of Nevada so I wonder about that.

They are actually in Grass Valley, CA.

 

[reed scott]

They are actually in Grass Valley, CA.

You are correct. Now I'm not sure where I got Grass Valley, NV

 

[FezUSA]

Not sure the website gets updated as timely as it could, however for those that have ordered a bike, Kyle does send a periodic email that has a timeline update for most if not all of the models. If you listen to his podcasts he may also mention updates in those before the email goes out. There's often other good info in them too related to the bikes. For example in one recent podcast he talked about the 24" Blackbird having to ship with non-tubeless ready tires. He's obviously not happy about that and has tried to source some, but been unsuccessful. In the podcast he mentions that he hopes that Q1 2021 will see them become available, and that he will then have to figure out how to get those to the customers that had ordered the 24" BB expecting those tires as stock. I know all of the BB's are delayed due to a fork issue, but seeing as mine was ordered for the November batch I don't think I'm impacted. Yet.!!

@hotspace If you haven't ordered a bike, don't listen to his podcasts, don't following him on YouTube or FB etc. then I'm not sure how a change on the website could be anything other than 'quiet'. Maybe the site could offer a model specific "enter your email address for updates" option? I know from other vendors, though, that they have this feature and I've still yet to get an update even though their own website has changed the time frame for delivery.

 

[reed scott]

Raptor update: I think Kyle's business was hampered with the recent fires. I do see the red band at the top of his website warning about response delays due to the fires is no longer there so hopefully he is getting back into the swing of things. The Raptor is SOLD OUT and that's good news for those of us who have ordered. (hopefully) This waiting is excruciating.

 

[sortaluvmyebike]

Update on my Avenger - After a few weeks I had the left pedal partially fail where it unscrewed then jam into the crank at an angle. I contacted support and was not offered any remedy through Bolton. At this point my only choice was to order some new pedals and a new left crank. Replaced the parts and after 30 miles everything is great.

 

[reed scott]

Update on my Avenger - After a few weeks I had the left pedal partially fail where it unscrewed then jam into the crank at an angle. I contacted support and was not offered any remedy through Bolton. At this point my only choice was to order some new pedals and a new left crank. Replaced the parts and after 30 miles everything is great.

Did you get some response from Bolton or did they just ignore you? I can see how they would consider this not a warranty problem. Pedals do come unscrewed and it's one of the things you have to watch out for. If you had caught it when it first came loose I doubt the damage would have occurred. Not defending Bolton but am curious about what if anything they told you.

 

[sortaluvmyebike]

They responded after a delay with a strong suggestion that I was responsible for the issue. When asked how I might obtain a replacement that request was not responded to. After looking for parts on my own, no manual is included with the Avenger so no parts list, found a near replacement on Amazon and a better set of pedals. Took ten minutes to replace the parts and everything was operational. This raises a concern in my mind that spare parts may be an issue.

 

[reed scott]

This Just In From Kyle Chittock of Bolton Ebikes:

I decided to email Kyle for an update on the Raptor bikes. Got this just now and he says it's OK to share:


"Thanks for your patience. The bikes are complete and sitting (waiting) for the boat. They are scheduled to leave soon, but it may be later part of October before they arrive. We're just waiting on shipping at this point."

 

[hotspace]

 

[reed scott]

Damn this damn virus. I hope we get our bikes by Christmas anyway. At least for me, here in S Texas we get some ok days even in the middle of winter. Boy! Is this a sellers market or what? We love sick bike freaks are willing to put up with anything to get one. Except the sellers can't get them when they want them either. Damn this damn virus.

 

[hotspace]

I'm thinking of cancelling with Bolton and going with this. Thoughts? It's a hard tail ... But .... I just want it now