Is $800 a reasonable price for a beginner ebike?

[slamchest]

Hello, I'm going to get my first ebike and I have a two questions. First, my budget is $800 and I'm not sure if the specs I'm hoping for are realistic. I'm hoping for 48V and class 2. I'll be going on mostly flat ground, but the occasional hill climb would be nice. I'd need at least 40 miles of range hopefully because I dont always have a place to charge. Are these requirements reasonable with this budget? My second question is, can I leave it out in the rain once and a while? I figure the chain might need oiled, but I just dont want the battery exploding or something. Thanks

 

[Stefan Mikes]

$800 for an e-bike is a scrap metal price.
Fire insurance might be more expensive than that.

 

[mr-stitches]

I think your requirements are realistic, but brand quality is a bit more subjective. Be sure to reasearch them. Here are a few sites that you can use to compare whats out there:
EBike-Prices - Tons of bikes to compare prices and specs
r/ebikes Comparative List - A shortlist of recommended ebikes based on budget
EBR's Affordable Bike Reviews - This site's budget bike reviews

After looking into this myself, the consensus seemed to have been around $1200 for something decent though. Regarding rain, I think it'll be fine, so long as you dont throw it in a river.

 

[Gionnirocket]

That's pretty much bottom of the barrel as far as quality. I spent more than that for a diy reliable motor and descent battery kit. If you are looking in the $1000 price range you better be familiar with bike maintenance and repair and know your way around basic wiring as well as you'll be on your own.
And though most of the hardware has some weather rating I would avoid leaving it in the rain at all cost... especially the battery.

 

[BillH]

If you can up your budget a bit and are ok buying used I'd at least check out Upway.

 

[slamchest]

Yeah, I thought 800 might be a little low. If the battery is UL-certified though, does that actually reliably mean the battery isnt gonna blow up when indoors?

 

[BillH]

Yeah, I thought 800 might be a little low. If the battery is UL-certified though, does that actually reliably mean the battery isnt gonna blow up when indoors?

This is a copy-n-paste:
Key factors for e-bike battery safety:

• Certification: Look for batteries and e-bikes certified to UL 2849 and UL 2271 standards.
  
  
• Reputable Brands: Choose batteries from well-known and trusted e-bike manufacturers that prioritize safety testing.
  
  
• Proper Charging: Use only the charger specified by the battery manufacturer and follow their instructions for charging and storage.
  
  
• Avoid Bargain Batteries: Steer clear of aftermarket or bargain batteries, particularly those from unknown sources, as they may not meet safety standards.
  
  
• Proper Handling: Handle the battery with care, avoiding impacts, drops, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
  
  
• Regular Inspection: Inspect the battery and charger regularly for any signs of damage or wear.
  

 

[Gionnirocket]

Yeah, I thought 800 might be a little low. If the battery is UL-certified though, does that actually reliably mean the battery isnt gonna blow up when indoors?

A UL listing is never a bad thing and is a safety certification... so yes if authentic it should be ok to keep the battery indoors. I belive you can verify the certificate of their website.
https://www.ul.com/cere-search-certificates
I keep many uncertified batteries indoors but they come from reputable manufacturers including ebike and tools

edit: also be aware of wording. Conforms to UL Standard means it is built to the specifications but has not been tested or verified by UL Labs.