Electric bike book suggestions

[Admin]

Hey guys! I've been working on a short book to introduce the subject of ebikes and help people who might be considering a purchase.

I'm curious which topics you think would be useful to include and any general thoughts. My goal is to make it approachable (not too long or complex) but still useful and somewhat quantitative.

I'm also open to any useful guides and books you've already discovered so I can review them during my writing process.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Brian Adelstein]

Exciting project, Court! A few general thoughts- I was thinking you might want to look to College Admissions review books as possible template models for the style of how a purchase guide book could function. I always admired how the left side of the page when you turned one of those books had key information about each individual school that you could just flip through quickly and find what you need. In the case of e-bikes, you could compile by manufacturer and then within by model alphabetically from A-Z, and listed from top to bottom of the left side of the page a snapshot with major key points about each bike and its ratings for each metric you deem valuable in the decision making process. You wouldn't include the full reviews- thats what this site is for- but a handy on-the-go guide with the above information within it could be real nifty thing to take with you into the store and quickly reference as you look at bike after bike.

 

[James]

I think your an encyclopedia of ebike information Court! You have a smooth writing style and are passionate about your craft. I like Brian's idea of format for sure , it'll be easier to find the ebike of the readers choice.
Or you could just write a lengthy novel on the life and times of me!! Guaranteed best seller!

 

[oilerlord]

Hey Court,

I read this book written by Jim Turner from Optibike.

 

[bikerjohn]

Hey guys! I've been working on a short book to introduce the subject of ebikes and help people who might be considering a purchase.

I'm curious which topics you think would be useful to include and any general thoughts. My goal is to make it approachable (not too long or complex) but still useful and somewhat quantitative.

I'm also open to any useful guides and books you've already discovered so I can review them during my writing process.

Thanks in advance!

Court, I would like to see your recommendations for mid-drive kits.

 

[Admin]

Thanks for the feedback guys! oilerlord I've read his book as well, seemed like a mix of personal stories and some ebike guidance. I've taken a tutorial approach that explains the main features of electric bikes (including hub motors bikerjohn) and then provided example cases with real life models for reference. I haven't gone too deep into any one area to keep it light and I've got a five step quick-guide for people who just want an answer. It's coming along very well so far!

 

[Aushiker]

Christopher Jones at Bicycles Network Australia put together a e-Bike Buyers Guide which is available on iTunes or via PDF. It might be worth a look for some ideas and for the Australian readers you might find it useful given the local focus.

Regards
Andrew

 

[Admin]

Thanks Andrew, great tip there!

I've just published the first edition of my book (worked all day since 4am this morning) and am open to feedback on the cover, intro, chapters etc.



If you're interested in actually purchasing it and providing feedback that would be wonderful but it's not free (set at $3 but open to price suggestions as well). If you're really interested in checking it out but short on money I'd be happy to reimburse you via PayPal

Cheers,
Court

 

[Aushiker]

Will you be considering other formats Court for those of us without Kindles?

Andrew

 

[James]

Thanks Andrew, great tip there!

I've just published the first edition of my book (worked all day since 4am this morning) and am open to feedback on the cover, intro, chapters etc.

View attachment 537

If you're interested in actually purchasing it and providing feedback that would be wonderful but it's not free (set at $3 but open to price suggestions as well). If you're really interested in checking it out but short on money I'd be happy to reimburse you via PayPal

Cheers,
Court

$3 bucks seems a little lite. If someone's going to spend 2-7k per bike I'd imagine $10 a copy to be more than reasonable. Your right on par with one ebike magazine issue, and there's more "new ebike purchaser" value to your book.

There's also perceived value. If it's too low, people could immediately dismiss it as cheap and not worth their time.
Anyway congrats on your new book!

 

[Admin]

Hi Andrew! The book is exclusive to Amazon for the time being but I'll look into other formats, what do you suggest?

 

[oilerlord]

$3 bucks seems a little lite. If someone's going to spend 2-7k per bike I'd imagine $10 a copy to be more than reasonable.
There's also perceived value. If it's too low, people could immediately dismiss it as cheap and not worth their time.

James, I think you'd be surprised. There is wider online buyer audience at $0.99 and $3.00 than there is at $10. People have no problem downloading an app or content at 99 cents on a whim because even if it sucks...it was only 99 cents. Also, as great a guy as Court is; he's not a known bestselling author and thus needs to make a name for himself. Though we'd all probably pay $10 for his book, at that price, it wouldn't get a lot of downloads on Amazon.

 

[Aushiker]

Hi Andrew! The book is exclusive to Amazon for the time being but I'll look into other formats, what do you suggest?

Apple format ... iTunes. That said after posting earlier on it did occur to me I think I can get a Kindle app for the iPad so all might be good anyway.

On the topic of pricing, Bryan Ball of BentRider fame has an ebook out which sells on Amazon for $7.48. I mention this as a comparison as this is an ebook in a niche cycling market similar in ways to the e-Bike marketplace.

Andrew

 

[bikerjohn]

Thanks Andrew, great tip there!

I've just published the first edition of my book (worked all day since 4am this morning) and am open to feedback on the cover, intro, chapters etc.

View attachment 537

If you're interested in actually purchasing it and providing feedback that would be wonderful but it's not free (set at $3 but open to price suggestions as well). If you're really interested in checking it out but short on money I'd be happy to reimburse you via PayPal

Cheers,
Court

Is a Kindle device needed to view/read the book or can it be viewed directly on my hard drive?

 

[James]

James, I think you'd be surprised. There is wider online buyer audience at $0.99 and $3.00 than there is at $10. People have no problem downloading an app or content at 99 cents on a whim because even if it sucks...it was only 99 cents. Also, as great a guy as Court is; he's not a known bestselling author and thus needs to make a name for himself. Though we'd all probably pay $10 for his book, at that price, it wouldn't get a lot of downloads on Amazon.

Hey Oilerlord,

I guess selfishly I was hoping he'd become a self made millionaire and buy me that new Audi Ebike. I suppose your right about audience size at that price point, I'm just not convinced that people who are spending huge money on a new bike would think (without knowing how thorough Court is) that there would be much helpful info in a book at that price. I hope I'm wrong and I get that Audi Ebike!!!!!

 

[oilerlord]

Hey James,

A lot of people have become millionaires by offering $0.99 cent downloads, and I've found a lot of great apps & content at that price. The "you get what you pay for" philosophy (which I completely agree with) doesn't necessarily apply with digital downloads. I'm not suggesting that Court sells his book at $0.99, but that is the magic price point for the impulse online purchase. As someone that just spent "huge money" on two Neo e-bikes, I did find value in Jim Turner's (free) book.

 

[Admin]

Great feedback on all counts. I have another short ebook about the updated City Commuter from Pedego that I launched last year that goes for $0.99. Pricing is tough, even if I don't make much money on the book (I think Amazon passes along 75% to me) at least I'm helping people new to the space and I also get to call out the website and help people here. I guess it's something of an experiment for me.

As Andrew mentioned, you can get the Kindle App for different tablets and phone devices but maybe down the road I'll branch out and sell through iTunes and Google Play. Jim's book was a fun read... and free! but clearly a promotional tool and 50% of it was about his own life growing up, doing motocross and discovering ebikes while attending school at Stanford. For someone who's like "what's the answer" I think it would feel kind of off topic and ultimately you learn a lot about Optibike but I tried to bring in a ton of different examples from a wide range of companies.

 

[FitzChivalry]

I agree that $3 is too little, and would aim for $9.99. I already bought a copy to review for you, so now that I've paid the smaller $3 price, this would be a good time to increase it.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Hey Court,
I just purchased your book and started reading it.
Looks like a comprehensive database of ebikes.
Wonderful piece of work. You've proved to be an excellent data manger. EBR + book is sufficient to get most people interested in ebikes.

Suggestions:

• I couldn't jump to specific locations from the content page. May be you can insert a link there.
• Some of the type setting/format was off on my kindle reader. Many readers may not notice it but a good typesetting adds to the aesthetic beauty of the content.
• Specific examples of people using ebikes and how it has helped them to enjoy outdoors more, be fit and save gasoline cost, would really make sense for people who are of the border thinking should I get this thing or not.

I'll add more as I read.

Great step and congratulations.

 

[Admin]

I agree that $3 is too little, and would aim for $9.99. I already bought a copy to review for you, so now that I've paid the smaller $3 price, this would be a good time to increase it.

Ha! That's awesome...

Thanks for the feedback Ravi, I'm trying to figure out more rich media. Embedding videos for Kindle Fire would be cool and the menu jump thing would also be nice. As it stands I've got images embedded (all originals taken by me!) and I'm planning to do an update later this month as I've learned some new stuff about electronics and realized one section of the book was misleading. Current draw is what determines how quickly a battery will be expended, not the Watt Hours and motor Watt rating... So yeah, need to fix that.

I appreciate the heads up on the type being off, which reader are you using? A basic Kindle or the app on some other device? Great thoughts on the specific use example. I've got a couple of neat stories from people who were injured and began using them to heal. I'd also like to include bits about the new all in one wheels coming out.

Thanks again for the suggestions guys!