Help with a new Ebike purchase

[ebikencleveland]

Well after test riding my first ebike. Pedego, I new I wanted one. So off to the internet to research ebikes. So for a while it was a Bolton ebike.
Then it was a ride 1 up, 700 LMT'D. Then I found this site and decided on either a Biktrix (Stunner) or the New mid drive (Ride 1 Up) ebike.(New
should be out before Christmas). All around $2000. Then I find this Juggernaut HD Duo for $1599. Only 1 day left. Sure this is the best one
(most powerful). My uses. 80% Paved bike routes. 20% high hill climbing. But paved. I bike ride maybe 30 miles a day now, 2or 3 times a week.
Most important, is I still want to pedal 75% of the time. 61 years old so the hill are a little much nowadays. I like the power Id get with the HD
Duo. But not sure if would be helping me to much, and not letting me do the work. I may start riding trails again with an ebike, but still
would only be maybe 20% of the time.

 

[AlanDB]

The only advice I can give is if you have any local bike shops that sell ebikes, try to test ride as many as you can. It will help you decide what things you like and don't like so you know what to look for. In my case, I found that the natural feel of the torque sensing Bosch motor was the most important thing to me.

 

[ebikencleveland]

Looking at the 4 HD Duo's to choose from only the Juggernaut 1500W HD DUO+TORQUE, has the torque sensing I think.

 

[reed scott]

I can't advise on exactly which bike to get but I will put in a plug for Biktrix. I see every post that happens on this board and like you I have been doing massive research. Biktrix is a good company. They stand behind their product and they take care of their customers. Their bikes are well made. I dunno about dual batteries. That makes a bike pretty heavy. Although for the type of riding you describe It probably wouldn't matter all that much. If you are going to do things like pull a trailer I'd make sure about the power of the motor. Don't cheap out. Get a good bike.

 

[Lantley]

My vote is to not buy any bike site unseen and untested.
Why Anyone would by anything as expensive as an Ebike without having specific knowledge of what your getting is beyond me.
With that in mind I suggest buying from a LBS. That way you can take test rides and choose the model you like.
No guessing or finger crossing required.
If you want savings on a random bike, with limited after the sale service, buy via the internet.

 

[roshan]

My vote is to not buy any bike site unseen and untested.
Why Anyone would by anything as expensive as an Ebike without having specific knowledge of what your getting is beyond me.
With that in mind I suggest buying from a LBS. That way you can take test rides and choose the model you like.
No guessing or finger crossing required.
If you want savings on a random bike, with limited after the sale service, buy via the internet.

While this may be true for some online vendors, it is not true for established ebike companies like Biktrix (7+ years in business), Rad power bikes, Juiced etc.
In fact, when an LBS has an issue with a motor that they sell you, many times they would refer you to the manufacturer for support. Except the issue is that the manufacturer paid a whole distribution network to support you (wholesalers, agents and retailers almost 60% margins) and now can't really afford (in terms of time/resources and business sense) to support individual customers. This would result in the customer getting a run around or weeks if not months of unresolved issues. You can read these up in many forums like established brands.

On the contrary, when you buy direct from an established brand like ours, we support you directly. If the motor manufacturer like Bafang doesn't stand behind the warranty, we eat that cost and support the customer.

 

[Lantley]

Being able to deal with someone face to face will always be the preferred method of getting service vs. any online, email or telephone encounter

 

[AHicks]

Being able to deal with someone face to face will always be the preferred method of getting service vs. any online, email or telephone encounter

This is YOUR opinion, and I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I WILL say I don't agree - which is very clearly another opinion.

What you seem to be missing is the fact there are MANY areas that have very little or NO support for e-bikes. Dealers don't carry them, the ones that do carry them offer only those with exotic prices, and offer questionable support for them after the sale. Many/most dealers will tell you they won't work on them if they didn't sell it - because they have inexperienced staff is the only reason I can think of. Not exactly the kind of outfit I want to support anyway.

This is not to say there are no good e-bike dealers. Only pointing out the fact that if you do have access to one, you're darn lucky.....

 

[Gordon71]

This is YOUR opinion, and I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I WILL say I don't agree - which is very clearly another opinion.

What you seem to be missing is the fact there are MANY areas that have very little or NO support for e-bikes. Dealers don't carry them, the ones that do carry them offer only those with exotic prices, and offer questionable support for them after the sale. Many/most dealers will tell you they won't work on them if they didn't sell it - because they have inexperienced staff is the only reason I can think of. Not exactly the kind of outfit I want to support anyway.

This is not to say there are no good e-bike dealers. Only pointing out the fact that if you do have access to one, you're darn lucky.....

This is certainly true for me. The nearest (and only) actual dealer to me was about 45 miles away and only sold Pedico and the cheapest bike in their inventory was a few hundred more than the Rad Rover ST that I bought. That was last Apr. and said dealer was closed anyway due to covid. 1500 miles later I'm still extremely happy with my RR.