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Not real sure where you are getting your info or why you have this opinion? I have a 5 year old Rad that's still a pretty awesome bike. It will still go the same distance now it would when new. It shifts perfectly and there's not a rattle on it anywhere. Hardly something to be called "disposable" in anyone's imagination, but clearly would have to be sold as "used". Considering everyone saying the RAD product is "cheap" and made from poor quality components, I don't think the bike is doing so bad when compared to anything else in it's price class, or even when the price it sold for is doubled.
Here in a west-coast bicycle friendly city, I would definitely suggest that the e-bicycle sales market is about to, or even has surpassed the traditional bikes if you consider miles ridden. There are at least as many exclusive e-bike stores as exclusively traditional now in my city, and most mixed-retailers are devoting a lot of floor space to them as well. Many folks around here are using an ebike as primary family transportation, and the multi-kid cargo bikes are ubiquitous on the roads around the city.
Point taken Marci jo, but I think there's a counterpoint to be made as well. I doubt seriously there are many 30 year old conventional bikes around that have been actively ridden, where the owner/rider can honestly say that they've never needed a replacement part either.OK AHicks, I need to respectfully disagree with your comment “No different that a conventional pedal bike.”
A conventional bike, with minimal care, can last 10, 20, or more years. One of my cycling friends rides a 30 year old Giant road bike. I can’t imagine an ebike lasting 20 years, without significant parts replacement, provided they are available. Of course there will be a few exceptions, including your RAD ebike.
More miles and smiles!
-Al
this assumes the bike owner has the skill to make a franken bike work. constantly replacing batteries and such does not make that 1,500 bike I have 12,000 miles on my bosch powered bike on the original battery is that 1,500 bike is going to need a lot get that kind of mileage on it and it will never be as smooth and responsive. I doubt most people on cheap bikes are going to get 3 to 4 years on their battery. myself I want my bike to feel great under me and to be reliable. I don't want to have to replace parts or worry about it failing because it has poor quality parts and build.Point taken Marci jo, but I think there's a counterpoint to be made as well. I doubt seriously there are many 30 year old conventional bikes around that have been actively ridden, where the owner/rider can honestly say that they've never needed a replacement part either.
Because an e-bike is electric does throw some complexity into the issue, but there's also an added value involved as well to consider (to a bike that's running anyway). Continuing with the RAD example, there's just 2 (or 3 if you count the controller/display/electrical) expensive parts. The battery and the motor. The motors seem to be going forever, WAY beyond what was expected of them originally, and honestly they aren't that expensive to replace - ESPECIALLY - when compared to more expensive bikes that use motors made from unobtainium. The battery is nothing special, and replacements that will install with an absolute minimum amount of trouble are widely available - which keeps the cost in the "affordable" range. And if you want to get into the controller/display, there are many "kits" available that will replace ALL of the e-bikes electrical, minus motor and battery.
We can discuss/argue the point the rest of the day, but bottom line, even just a decent bike should not be considered a "disposable". Not in my mind anyway.
Last, there IS a point I used to make often that might apply here. Kind of helps make your point. When considering a 1500 dollar bike, vs. one costing 3000, the 1500 dollar bike can be ridden for 3-4 years, and replaced with a brand new 1500 bike having all brand new components AND a warranty leaving you with a total of 3000 spent. Lets compare this brand new second 1500 dollar bike, with all of the latest developments made in the last 3-4 years, to that 3-4 year old 3000 dollar bike. Which would you rather have?
Seems to me your opinions are based more on doubts and wishes rather than facts?
as you said tiem has not been ehough to know for sure so dont promote something that may fail right? So it was ok for you do badmouth people that buy 3000,00 bikes??
I don't even see many 20 or 30 year old cars that are driven daily, TBH. Yes, they could last that long with reasonable maintenance, but very few do. I hate that, but it's true in my area.OK AHicks, I need to respectfully disagree with your comment “No different that a conventional pedal bike.”
A conventional bike, with minimal care, can last 10, 20, or more years. One of my cycling friends rides a 30 year old Giant road bike. I can’t imagine an ebike lasting 20 years, without significant parts replacement, provided they are available. Of course there will be a few exceptions, including your RAD ebike.
More miles and smiles!
I still have my 2011 BionX powered Electra Townie. Works great except for ONE fault - the BMS mis-reports battery capacity.
Please show me a quote of where I was bad mouthing 3000 dollar bikes. Regarding the 3000 bike, I presented an exercise in logic. You were free to make your own call on which was the better deal. I did NOT pull some information based on nothing but making my point out of thin air (I own it, therefor it must be best?).
you are knocking people that buy better bikes come on now. your assuming people that own lower end bike can change out the electronics and battery themselves. I bought Bosch because they have long term support of all their stuff. but I know in the long term its disposable. But what will I have? a great enjoyment of riding a bike that feels great under me. Not a bike that will feel cheap shift less then perfectly be really heavy and wont feel natural peddling. I have ridden way to long on a regular bike to go over to the feel of an electric scooter. I ride for exercise I want to be able to spin and I want and need my bike reliable. you also need to go by miles. How many of the Lower end bikes or replacement parts would I need to do 12,000 miles?
