Laguna K2, Bargain Shimano STePS Mid Drive e-Bike

[J.R.]

Not the high-end offering that Bosch has gone for since inception, not even a mid level offering Shimano STePS started with the Raleigh. This mid-drive is even less expensive than a factory Bafang/8fun BBS build.

This Laguna K2, 27.5 mountain style bike looks to be directed at the mass market, with mid to low end components like; Suntour fork, 8 speed Shimano Altus drive train and Tektro mechanical disk brakes. Includes 36v, 11.6 ah Li-Ion battery. All for the rock bottom price of $1730.00 + $120.00 delivery USD. (Shipping outside N.A. $200.00)
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

https://shimano-steps.com/

And the really big news is (attn: @Court) the bike comes with water bottle, rack and fender bosses! Looks to be a real value! Add $150 upgrading some components and you still have a quality bike with high quality, energy efficient mid drive at a very reasonable price.

 

[George S.]

In the same general category (basic MD):

http://www.lectriccycles.com

They seem to be opening up the market segment which I would say are rather basic mid-drives built on decent but low end components. I've had really good luck with basic Shimano stuff, I have to say.

Thanks!

 

[J.R.]

STEPS is a very good to high-end drive with very good sensors, PAS, LCD, battery and BMS. This bike has the entire system, sans electronic shifting. I'm not sure where Shimano is going with this, allowing it's drive to be mounted on such a modest bike, unless it's to gain exposure and market. Shimano is late to the mid drive game and may feel the need to stake their claim. I have read that several new STEPS bikes are due for model year 2016 and prices are ranging $2800 to $4000.

Can this be the start of reasonable e-bike pricing? That would be a breath of fresh air after all the press lately of $7000 to $10,000 ebikes. I would prefer a better fork, drive, hydraulic brakes and saddle, but I would run this fork and change out the rest for a couple of hundred and have a great commuter. The only thing I hate on this bike are the graphics, makes it look cheap. Almost worth getting on spec!

 

[flymeaway]

Can this be the start of reasonable e-bike pricing?

Let's hope. I would say that a manufacturer in China should be able to produce reliable MD 500W or 750W bike, delivered to the buyer, for less then $2,000. I think that the ebiking public would be willing and able to pay for that specification. Nothing "fancy", just average components and reliable.

The current crop of MD bikes are too expensive to become main stream. Nice bikes for sure, but to expand the use of ebikes there has to be a cost/performance point that will attract buyers.

Court J.

 

[George S.]

there has to be a cost/performance point that will attract buyers.

They sell very stylish bikes out of Europe. I give them that. At the high end, the engineering is great.

It's not for everyone but the fact remains that the parts for a BBS02 (or Mac) build are a bargain. Get a basic frame ($400), get the Bafang motor kit ($500) and get a battery ($300). The battery options are opening up, but Lifepo is safe.

The Storm was all about scale. He achieved this monster scale, massive orders. You need a better scale for a basic mid-drive bike. You need something fairly efficient. If you look carefully, Lectric Cycles is selling two MD ebikes, the Giant Escape and the Townie 7D, roughly at the cost of parts, maybe a little below (around $1800) assembled. I mean their parts, retail, not generic Bafang. I went and looked at a Townie 7d, unpowered. It's a very comfortable bike, but I wouldn't want to go faster than about 17 mph on it. The Escape is pretty basic. I think @J.R. makes a valid point. You might want a fairly basic version and a version with hydraulics, a better fork, things like that. But his pricing makes sense.

I think people should appreciate how well these kit bikes work, how simple and reliable they are. In general a Bafang/Mac build, the motor, is very repairable, or easily swapped.

 

[Deleted member 803]

Let's hope. I would say that a manufacturer in China should be able to produce reliable MD 500W or 750W bike, delivered to the buyer, for less then $2,000. I think that the ebiking public would be willing and able to pay for that specification. Nothing "fancy", just average components and reliable.

The current crop of MD bikes are too expensive to become main stream. Nice bikes for sure, but to expand the use of ebikes there has to be a cost/performance point that will attract buyers.

Court J.

How do you know China manufacture pricing and costs? Cost is not terribly relevant to market demand. It is the level of need/want and whether the product offers a real or perceived solution. You could stand on any street corner in North America and offer a Stromer ST2 for $500. Would probably take you days/weeks/months to sell it. There is no pent up demand for ebikes.

 

[flymeaway]

There is no pent up demand for ebikes

http://www.statista.com/statistics/326124/us-sales-of-electric-bicycles/
http://www.bicycleretailer.com/studies-reports/2013/08/12/report-us-e-bike-sales-doubled-last-year

Don't know what the growth rate or demand in 5 years will be, but electric bikes are relatively new and many people (including bicyclists) haven't heard or are unfamiliar with the product. I suspect that the demand for electric bikes will increase at an accelerated rate in the coming 5-7 years.

"How do you know China manufacture pricing and costs?"

I don't, but I can make some easy assumptions; they're less than the selling price of a BBS02 at Em3EV or the cost of a bike from BD. If I can convert a bike purchased from BD, a motor kit from Em3Ev, and a LiFePO4 battery on ebay for around $1,500-$1,700 I know the cost to manufacture is less.

Court J.

 

[Deleted member 803]

http://www.statista.com/statistics/326124/us-sales-of-electric-bicycles/
http://www.bicycleretailer.com/studies-reports/2013/08/12/report-us-e-bike-sales-doubled-last-year

Don't know what the growth rate or demand in 5 years will be, but electric bikes are relatively new and many people (including bicyclists) haven't heard or are unfamiliar with the product. I suspect that the demand for electric bikes will increase at an accelerated rate in the coming 5-7 years.

"How do you know China manufacture pricing and costs?"

I don't, but I can make some easy assumptions; they're less than the selling price of a BBS02 at Em3EV or the cost of a bike from BD. If I can convert a bike purchased from BD, a motor kit from Em3Ev, and a LiFePO4 battery on ebay for around $1,500-$1,700 I know the cost to manufacture is less.

Court J.

I am meeting with a couple of Taiwanese builders to talk about building my own brand for direct corporate sale. Will let you know whether your assumptions are correct for a well designed well integrated ebike. I am not so focused on price but on creating a solution to traffic congestion, carbon footprint, and employee health. If we can convince on these issues, then price is secondary.

I sure hope growth accelerates.....

 

[pxpaulx]

I am meeting with a couple of Taiwanese builders to talk about building my own brand for direct corporate sale. Will let you know whether your assumptions are correct for a well designed well integrated ebike. I am not so focused on price but on creating a solution to traffic congestion, carbon footprint, and employee health. If we can convince on these issues, then price is secondary.

I sure hope growth accelerates.....

I've been traveling in Germany and Italy the last week and a half, and have easily seen more e bikes that last ten days than I have in the US since I started looked 18 months ago. The fact is, Europeans view bikes as a viable means of transport, and ebikes extend that range for the consumer base in Europe. It is an easy, logical sell. Bike to ebike, go farther, do your daily routine efficiently without a vehicle, win win.

Selling north Americans to move from a car to an ebike on the other hand is a monumental task. Little to no infrastructure for it, shopping and daily tasks all designed around expanded roadways, for cars. Sorry to say that being green and getting your chores done without a car is a next to impossible sell in the US. Until ebikes are both inexpensive enough and sold as something recreational, with the green and other benefits as secondary positives, the market just won't take off here.

 

[J.R.]

I had hoped we'd see a review from someone by now for this sub 2k Shimano Steps mid-drive ebike. There's great reviews for the Steps drive, just not this bike yet. Price remains at $1730.00. Anyone?

So much going on in the ebike world right now, exciting times.

 

[George S.]

I had hoped we'd see a review from someone by now for this sub 2k Shimano Steps mid-drive ebike. There's great reviews for the Steps drive, just not this bike yet. Price remains at $1730.00. Anyone?

So much going on in the ebike world right now, exciting times.

No one has really mentioned this mid-drive, which seems to be available, from the Big Guy:

http://www.ebikesofne.com

Either of these bikes might be a giant leap from 2013, when I was looking for an ebike around $2k.

It's impossible to process the stuff that is getting into the marketplace. There is high end stuff, basic stuff direct from China, well-known kit stuff... This is definitely the mainstream players trying to get a piece of sub-$2k. Not sure what Shimano can do. They are sort of boxed in by Bosch, Currie-drive, Yamaha, and Bafang. Prodeco is supposed to go with the Bafang Max, but it doesn't show up, so not sure of the price.