Hello from Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
- Thread starter twocreeks
- Start date
Deacon Blues
Well-Known Member
I recommend buying an ebike from a bike shop, if possible. Unlike a regular bike, ebikes are complicated and there is a fairly good possibility that your bike will need work done on it in the future.
By the way, I live just across the water from you, in Coombs.
By the way, I live just across the water from you, in Coombs.
Thanks Deacon. My budget dictates otherwise, unfortuneately. I've supported our local bike shops for many years. The prices are out of my League. I'm pretty sure they'd help, though if needed.
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
It is really a matter of pay me now or pay me later. A decent bike from a local shop like Trek or REI will cost more up front but is highly likely to be more reliable and need fewer repairs or adjustments many of which are free of charge or under warranty. Warranty service on an inexpensive Chinese ebike consists of a phone number that often goes to voice mail or request to use email. At best you are sent a part to be swapped out and your local shop, if willing, will charge you for everything they do. This can add up quickly and eat up the difference in price, at the cost of longer waits for repairs and great aggravation.
I get that some folks budget makes paying more for a quality bike from a reputable local store. However if you go the low budget route it is prudent to add in at least a 25% reserve for likely needed repairs and adjustments. If you do that you have enough to buy a better bike in the first place. The wild card is how handy you are, if you have the right tools, time and inclination to do the work yourself.
I get that some folks budget makes paying more for a quality bike from a reputable local store. However if you go the low budget route it is prudent to add in at least a 25% reserve for likely needed repairs and adjustments. If you do that you have enough to buy a better bike in the first place. The wild card is how handy you are, if you have the right tools, time and inclination to do the work yourself.
I ditto what you’re saying Alaskan. With e bikes, most people need a support system and your LBS is the place to go. If you purchased from them, they will be behind you all the way. If you did buy new, then you have a warranty. A warranty is only as good as the company selling it. Do buy local and quality.
Disagree, unless you are an incompetent and cannot service your own bike for minor issues. Owning an e-bike implies some level of ability to use common hand tools and knowledge of how to maintain and fix simple things. If you can't do that you probably shouldn't be purchasing an ebike.
The cheapest ebike at the local shops near me were 2-3x what I paid for my entry-level Chinese ebike. Maybe I got lucky but in the 2000 miles I've had it (since last July), it's been flawless. I swapped out the tires, tweaked the settings to my liking, changed the saddle, added a riser, and a few other mods. It's not rocket science.
I did take my wife's 26" rear wheel from her Schwinn trike to a LBS to true up the spokes. They charged $35, which I thought was WAY overpriced.
Bubba zanetti
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Trail, BC
Welcome! It’s a great site. I’m sure you will enjoy riding your new bike down to the Gumboot!
I looked at Voltbike and a neighbour has one. In the end I chose Rize RX. Another option based in Vancouver and an easy ferry ride away for you. The Yukon has a big following here.
I looked at Voltbike and a neighbour has one. In the end I chose Rize RX. Another option based in Vancouver and an easy ferry ride away for you. The Yukon has a big following here.
Thanks Deacon. My budget dictates otherwise, unfortuneately. I've supported our local bike shops for many years. The prices are out of my League. I'm pretty sure they'd help, though if needed.
I am not unfamiliar with teaking and chamging pad brakes and other minor adjustments. Lubing etc. Can you tll me more about the Rize RX?
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Good on you that you got an inexpensive bike and it has worked out for you. You did "get lucky". There are many stories recounted on this forum of radically different outcomes.
Just because your chosen path is to work on your own bike does not mean that other options are for "incompetents".
I enjoy doing most of my own bike work in a rather complete shop in our basement with a good work stand, air compressor a full compliment of bike tools, well lit with a good inventory of parts. I still leave work on the warrantied "e" parts of my bike to authorized service by pros, even though I could do it myself and void the warranty.
We all make choices based on circumstances, inclinations and budgets. I understand that other people who are "competent" in many other ways, do not have the time, inclination, space or tools to do this kind of work and make choices radically different than mine.
I suggest you not dismiss others who make choices other than yours with derogatory terms. Your firsts paragraph is insulting and wrong in so many ways. Show some respect for other people's choices and your advice will get more credence.
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Comfortably Numb
Well-Known Member
Welcome from Langley.
My buddy has a Voltbike Yukon and absolutely swears by it. He's on Vancouver Island and has a ton of trails where he resides. I've ridden it a few times. I believe they are as good a value you can find out there.
Every time I looked at Rize and Biktrix the options bumped the price up to where I went looking elsewhere. Voltbike offers a true step-thru on the Yukon now so that makes a great alternative to the regular Yukon. The battery is huge and the bike is plenty powerful. I was with my friend when he picked up his Yukon in Coquitlam. The staff are wonderful folks. Thumbs up on Voltbike IMO. CN
Captain Slow
Well-Known Member
Hi from Burnaby. My sister lives in Gibsons so pretty close to you.
PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
I make my bikes electric. They are clean builds and perform side-by-side with expensive bikes without the initial high cost or proprietary dealer parts and firmware. If you care to see some look at PedalUma.com. Here is a three-speed town bike I rode today. They do not need to look "electric." I agree having some trusted local support is good.
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Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Nice looking unobtrusive ebikes. Very clean, uncluttered builds. I really like the thermos bottle batteries...very successful camouflage. What are the watt hours in the battery?
I like your approach to ebike tech too. Despite being handy with tools, and enjoying working on my bikes. The idea of a home build has never really appealed to me. I have always preferred well designed, from the ground up ebikes from reputable and known makers. they have given me enough to do and keep my hands busy after most rides.
My wife and I usually pack up our bikes on the back of our car and do a California bike tour each winter. Obviously we took a pass on that this past winter but we may be come through Marin on our way from the Avenue of the Giants which is on our must do rides every time on our way to visit friends in So Cal. If we do, and the timing is right, we would love to stop in for a brief visit if you are cool with that. I always enjoy getting to know skilled and creative people.
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Perhaps Volt and Surface bikes in BC are different in their warranty service than Rad.
Rad has a show room in Seattle, their home facility. But the last I heard, it was just a show room with no repair shop. Even Seattle Rad customers living in Seattle have to call the tech support line, describe their problem, are sent the part that is suspect and have to go to an LBS or get out their own tools and swap the part. If that does not fix it, another call, wait for another part to arrive, etc.
Point is: a local show room without a service facility is just a show room and perhaps an opportunity to test ride their bikes. Don't assume that they have anything more than phone support for warranty, ask and verify that they do have a place where you can bring your bike and get it fixed while under warranty.
Rad has a show room in Seattle, their home facility. But the last I heard, it was just a show room with no repair shop. Even Seattle Rad customers living in Seattle have to call the tech support line, describe their problem, are sent the part that is suspect and have to go to an LBS or get out their own tools and swap the part. If that does not fix it, another call, wait for another part to arrive, etc.
Point is: a local show room without a service facility is just a show room and perhaps an opportunity to test ride their bikes. Don't assume that they have anything more than phone support for warranty, ask and verify that they do have a place where you can bring your bike and get it fixed while under warranty.
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