Interesting Company

[Nirmala]

I would agree with George and highlight the cabling problems. Many do not come with waterproof housings, the lengths are absurd, and you have to pair them with batteries and what not which may require crimpers etc. We have special cables made for us that you would not otherwise get with a standard kit (amongst other modifications). I don't think myself or any of the other companies similar to mine have anything against people building their own e-bikes - that is how I started. If we want e-bikes to grow in popularity and really make a difference in solving urban transportation problems we need easy to use, low maintenance, and fun bikes that appeal to people that have no understanding of basic electronics or working with their hands.

Another argument for the ShareRoller is there are no cables (unless you want pedal assist in addition to the standard wireless throttle) and installation involves just attaching a bracket to the brake mounts or forks. It does not get simpler than that for someone adding electric power to an existing bike.

But I am also thrilled to see new companies coming out with relatively affordable and apparently good quality integrated ebikes like these Scoozy bikes, so more power to you Jason.

 

[milliamp]

Both Scoozy and the Juiced Bikes Cross Current look interesting. 2016 could be a good year for e-bikes.

I would like to propose another type of customer and that is the folks who want an entry level e-bike to get going and learn more about them before taking on the task of building their own kit or spending > $5k on something much higher end without yet really knowing what features are important to them.

As e-biking grows there will probably always be demand for high end products or at least as long as there is a noticeable enough difference in performance between the high and low end.

I would draw comparison to the small displacement/low end motorcycle market. Everyone who starts with a 250cc or a cheap small displacement motorcycle upgrades it after they figure out what they are doing. People moving from their first "starter" ebike to their 2nd ebike are likely to be vastly better informed of their next buying decision than they were for the first one.

 

[Jack Tyler]

milliamp I agree. And it isn't just about learning more about ebikes. It's also learning what a person's actual, practical envelope of use will be for an ebike. After the honeymoon is over, how much practical value and recreational enjoyment an ebike will offer the new owner is unknown until ownership exists, I would think.

 

[George S.]

Both Scoozy and the Juiced Bikes Cross Current look interesting. 2016 could be a good year for e-bikes.

I would like to propose another type of customer and that is the folks who want an entry level e-bike to get going and learn more about them before taking on the task of building their own kit or spending > $5k on something much higher end without yet really knowing what features are important to them.

As e-biking grows there will probably always be demand for high end products or at least as long as there is a noticeable enough difference in performance between the high and low end.

I would draw comparison to the small displacement/low end motorcycle market. Everyone who starts with a 250cc or a cheap small displacement motorcycle upgrades it after they figure out what they are doing. People moving from their first "starter" ebike to their 2nd ebike are likely to be vastly better informed of their next buying decision than they were for the first one.

I wrote this to try to lay out why people can, maybe should, go the DIY route:

https://www.electricbike.com/18-reasons-to-build-a-diy-ebike/

As you say, the Skoozy and the Cross Current are interesting bikes at very good prices. It helps to have a bike to convert, from a cost standpoint, with a conversion. The Skoozy is using a Golden motor and the Cross Current a Bafang. Hard to argue with that. Prices are coming down. Honestly, $5k is going to be a tough price point to defend.

If you can rent an ebike, you will learn a lot about what ebikes do. Test rides are too stressed and too short, for my taste. I'd much rather pay someone for the use of a bike and not be under any obligation.

 

[Ann M.]

True, George that most test rides are too short. A lot of times a customer doesn't recognize how handy an ebike can be and are thinking of what they want within some very narrow boundaries, be it cost or performance. Even a rental won't answer all of those questions; particularly if the rider has an issue with the bike or it's performance and doesn't have staff there to help them understand the bike's operation. What is really valuable is well trained ebike staff that ask lots of questions to better understand what someone needs and offers a range of solutions, including custom built ebikes from kits, not just the most expensive one.

Seen more than a few problem systems that customers brought in for repair when they just did a mix 'n' match from the internet not really having the level of mechanic or tech savvy that you do. Some just abandon the bike or end up spending more than they would have buying a known brand. So there is room for both! And in places where there really is no shop to help, then buying online or kits may be the only option; however, the help of trained ebike mechanics can be invaluable to having a good experience with an ebike.

 

[Jim123]

standard wireless throttle

I have seen this thread several times and I missed the fine print. The Shareroller uses a wireless throttle. I understand that makes cables a breeze, but the hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the thought of no wires on the throttle. Connection loss or interference takeover etc.. The engineer as far as Courts video interview goes, showed thoroughness in all the other engineered parts of the kit. So, this undoubtedly has been worked over. But it is kind of like a self driving Tesla. Sounds strange until proof of concept becomes more widespread without incident.

 

[Nirmala]

I have seen this thread several times and I missed the fine print. The Shareroller uses a wireless throttle. I understand that makes cables a breeze, but the hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the thought of no wires on the throttle. Connection loss or interference takeover etc.. The engineer as far as Courts video interview goes, showed thoroughness in all the other engineered parts of the kit. So, this undoubtedly has been worked over. But it is kind of like a self driving Tesla. Sounds strange until proof of concept becomes more widespread without incident.

I agree. I would prefer a wired throttle for the simplicity and reliability. Especially since the ShareRoller sits right there on the front of the bike, so it is not a long wire that is needed.

 

[Jack Tyler]

Nirmala, where do things stand now for delivery of Sharerollers? What are you early buyers hearing?

 

[Nirmala]

I have emailed back and forth a few times with @Jeff Guida about miscellaneous stuff, but no word about any changes or updates to the schedule. So I am assuming that the shipping is still planned for May. Of course, these things rarely work out as planned, but he does seem to be very far along in his design process and to be a very capable person, so I am hopeful it works out to be sooner rather than later.

 

[tinasdude]

That cross current seems to be a very nice bike. Lots of very good components. And torque sensing!!!

 

[George S.]

True, George that most test rides are too short. A lot of times a customer doesn't recognize how handy an ebike can be and are thinking of what they want within some very narrow boundaries, be it cost or performance. Even a rental won't answer all of those questions; particularly if the rider has an issue with the bike or it's performance and doesn't have staff there to help them understand the bike's operation. What is really valuable is well trained ebike staff that ask lots of questions to better understand what someone needs and offers a range of solutions, including custom built ebikes from kits, not just the most expensive one.

Seen more than a few problem systems that customers brought in for repair when they just did a mix 'n' match from the internet not really having the level of mechanic or tech savvy that you do. Some just abandon the bike or end up spending more than they would have buying a known brand. So there is room for both! And in places where there really is no shop to help, then buying online or kits may be the only option; however, the help of trained ebike mechanics can be invaluable to having a good experience with an ebike.

Ann


In a lot of new industries, making money can seem to be impossible. Especially in ‘tech’, it takes a long time to get people interested. Then, it seems to me, there can can a long period where a lot of people can make money, because you have more and more sales to spread around. Right now it’s tough. People need to be flexible right now, to be around when the party starts. Eventually you start to get the virtuous circle.

The thing that Court did was just to let the ideas fly. A lot of people come here with set ideas and when the reality knocks them around, they leave. They want to use it as a PR tool, or to reinforce what they already think. If you sit here and watch what drifts by, trying to be positive, you basically watch the industry unfold.

There are probably more and more people in the ebike industry who know what they are doing. There have been enough customers filtering through to see who wants what. It’s definitely a much better product. It’s mostly a successful product.

I noticed that Motostrano is stocking the Cross Current (getting back to the topic). So there’s a big dealer with a $1500 bike. The CC looks pretty solid. Tora seems to know what he is doing. People need to take the pieces and put them together in a creative way. Same thing for how you sell stuff, how you get people interested, how you take care of them.

 

[Nirmala]

I just received an update from Jeff at ShareRoller. They are still on track for May shipment of existing pre-orders, and they have opened up another round of pre-orders at about a 30% discount from retail that will ship in June. You can learn more on their indiegogo page at: http://igg.me/at/shareroller/x/12713097

 

[George S.]

Turbo Bob did a review of the Scoozy. I agree with Bob that this is a nice set of features, especially the Golden Motor.

https://turbobobbicycleblog.wordpre...-350-an-e-bike-that-makes-sense/#comment-6259

 

[Ann M.]

It's an interesting street bike, George, with a real focus on simplicity which keeps the weight low. Only 41 lbs! The single gear 'fixie' styling can be appealing for city riders who just want to go. And I'm a fan of the Golden Motor Magic Pie kits; the batteries are solid performers and the motors have plenty of torque. A mainstay for us when we're converting trikes, especially. Sure would like to know where they got that name, though!

 

[George S.]

@Ann M. Curious name. Scoozy rates it 350 watts, which is what GM Canada says. They can set it for that, but mine is unprogrammed. Mine will draw 700 watts from the Chinese LiFePo pack I am using, and that will climb a lot of hills. Doesn't get warm. I assume it would draw 1000 watts from my 48 volt (Panasonic) pack, but I haven't tried it yet. Seems like a fine motor, completely 'user friendly'. I applaud Scoozy for picking a fairly premium motor and putting it on a value priced bike. They seem a little defensive on Amazon, which is too bad.

 

[Nirmala]

milliamp I agree. And it isn't just about learning more about ebikes. It's also learning what a person's actual, practical envelope of use will be for an ebike. After the honeymoon is over, how much practical value and recreational enjoyment an ebike will offer the new owner is unknown until ownership exists, I would think.

I agree with this completely. It would have been hard for me to imagine how much enjoyment I was going to get from my Magnum Ui5 before I bought it. Now that I own an ebike, I am glad I just jumped in and bought one. Sure, someday I will probably move on to something different, but in the meantime I am hooked! I already have well over 1000 miles on the odometer in six months. The relatively low price of the Magnum is what made the choice something I could take a risk on.