Corvette Corner
New Member
- Region
- USA
I just purchased an inexpensive 500 w 24 in tire e bike. Haven't rode it yet. Are the cheaper bikes of reasonable quality?
Thanks
Thanks
Why don't you share the make, model, and price, and maybe some other members that purchased that make or model can give you some specific insight?I just purchased an inexpensive 500 w 24 in tire e bike. Haven't rode it yet. Are the cheaper bikes of reasonable quality?
Thanks
I don't know anything about those bikes, but on thier parts page it looks like they use the "KT" controllers which are ubiquitous and easily sourced. That's a good thing.Varun Electric Bike for Adults, 24'' 500W Peak Ebike, Up to 35 Miles 20MPH Electric
You mean something like this one on amazon?
View attachment 181826
The reviews, while only a few, seem good. The worst one came from a guy who didn't realize he had to pay shipping.
The biggest wake-up call on ebikes like this happens to folks that aren't hands-on or good with bikes, There is no one to tune your shifters, adjust your brakes, change the seat or handlebar positions, Let's not even talk about flat tires. I've always done my own repairs and learned to do the same with bikes. I see this as a good value. Others see it an an supported piece of junk.
I rarely have done it, but on low cost bikes like this, always a good idea to lube the front bearings, the headset, and bottom bracket (pedals), They probably use loose bearings. But if you cannot do it, don't worry about it. Replacing the bearings is inexpensive.
Have fun. I didn't talk about the electrical parts, I've never seem a motor fail. Controllers, if kept dry, don't fail either. If water gets inside, maybe 10 seconds before something fizzles DIsplays also go bad if water gets inside. Don't ride in a downpour. Cover the electrics if you transport on a carrier.
Batteries are the biggest question mark,. I would not take a bet on yours lasting two years, but so what. In two years, you'll be able to buy a safer replacement,
Looks like a Hailong battery which is good. They are widely available.I am a good mechanic and can fix myself. Thanks all
Dave
Great thread. Thanks all.Clearly from the photos it is a legit bike. Well almost.
View attachment 181880
View attachment 181882
View attachment 181883
In photo 1 the guy is dressed for a time trial. The bike has a kickstand and fenders, a first for a TT bike, that is innovation. He also has clip in shoes and the bike does not have clip pedals, again a fresh take in design.
In photo 2 'On The Mountain' the motor's power is not shiftable for climbs, has a pogo fork with a sticker that says 'Not for off road,' and it has a kickstand that will deploy in rough situations, with cable actuated brakes.
Much the same can be said for photo 3. Why do we see a light beam in the daytime? It is noteworthy that he is dressed in all Fox Shox Race Team clothing.
View attachment 181885
Are the cheaper bikes of reasonable quality?
There will be mountains of cheap ebikes in the not too distant future.The junk bikes are designed to market, and not by people who work on bikes.
I've also been impressed with the RadMission. Have had it a couple years and many rides and miles on it. Very comfortable and smooth to ride! No complaints from me, only upgrades I made were suspension seat post and added front and rear rack. I really like the stock tires on it and they are wearing really well and look brand new still.I paid $500 for a Radmission, and another $200 for fenders, front and rear racks, and maybe other accessories. I think I'd paid 3 times more for a similarly equipped Radrunner, and I find the Radmission a much better bike.
Some expensive brands offer different frame sizes. (According to Specialized, I'm XL.) That was also true in the 19th Century. Raleigh was investing in developing superior bikes at unbeatable prices, as Henry Ford later did with automobiles. For dealer efficiency, one size had to fit all. A good handlebar height can keep a rider comfortable on cobblestones without a front suspension. Raleighs had an adequate height adjustment which for stability, kept the hand grips pretty well lined up with the steering axis.
The usual spacing between ladder rungs seems to be 12 inches. I believe I know why. In a closet in my house, a built-in ladder has rungs 14 inches apart. This requires me to lift with a leg bent more than 90 degrees. I need substantial help from my arms. I can easily go up and down ladders with 12 inch spacing. It's about as high as a man can step without bending his knee more than 90 degrees.
Raleighs had a reputation for comfort and efficiency, in part because the seat was back far enough that the rider's knee wasn't bent more than 90 degrees at top dead center. This allowed long, efficient power strokes. It also allowed him to keep most of his weight on the pedal from top dead center to bottom dead center, then switch his weight to his other leg, as in walking. Reducing weight on the saddle increased comfort.
Raleigh put riders of all heights in the ball park by angling the seat tube back approximately 30 degrees. For each inch the saddle was raised for a longer inseam, it moved back for a longer femur. Thus, as a second-grader, my sister bought a new 26" Raleigh because she knew she could ride it. She paid $10, vs $70 for a Schwinn, which was too inefficient to ride far. That was good because it was also unsafe; the bicycle death rate was vastly higher than it is now.
I was in first grade and love to ride it. In fourth grade I switched to a boys' frame in case riding a girl's bike was immoral or illegal. At 18, the same size frame that worked for me at 7 was still ideal. One size could fit all.
I had to modify both my Radpower bikes to position seat and handlebars for stability, efficiency, and comfort. Expensive bikes are appealing, but I think I'd have to modify one of them, too. Better the devil you know than the one you don't.