Shimano, Bosch vs. others
- Thread starter Jeff B.
- Start date
If you intend to use that LBS for ongoing repair or service, then yes, I think you are better off sticking with the brands they service. The best way to expect good service from your LBS is to buy your bike from them even if it costs a little more. That said, I realize that sometimes the LBS just doesn't carry and can't or won't order the exact product you want. I recently ordered a etrike online for that very reason.
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Not unless you are planning to buy your bicycle from that particular shop and expect them to work on it. (btw Imo Brose is superior to both)
If you want uninterrupted support wherever you go, bicycle brand is more important than a particular motor. For example Giant has many dealers and I believe all of them will be able to perform warranty work without charging for labor etc. and they are using Yamaha only.
Good luck in your search.
If you want uninterrupted support wherever you go, bicycle brand is more important than a particular motor. For example Giant has many dealers and I believe all of them will be able to perform warranty work without charging for labor etc. and they are using Yamaha only.
Good luck in your search.
Another vote for the brose being far superior.
I bought a BH ebike online. There are (were) 3 BH dealers here in my SoCal neighborhood. The 1st one went out of business. The 2nd one turned out to be jerks. The 3rd one, who I happily use, ended their relationship with BH. So where does that leave me?
Are you able to save $1,000 or more by buying online? It's a distinct possibility with many brands. It's hard to imagine very many scenarios where you'd have enough non-warranty covered problems to eat up all those savings.
Have you reached out to area bike shops to see if they'd be capable of tackling engine problems from manufacturers they dont stock? Lots of companies...REI comes immediately to mind, will attempt to repair any brand. It may be on you to recover warranty reimbursement from the manufacturer, but it's not impossible.
Are you such a demanding, rough or heavy user that you anticipate problems with your motor? Truth is, for average users, most of the major brands perform very well for years. I'd hate to see you make a buy decision, like going with anything other than a Brose, simply because your local bike shop doesn't stock it.
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Deleted member 4210
Guest
Best bet is to buy local if at all possible, and Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha, Brose are all in a different/higher class (much smoother, more sophisticated sensing, likely more reliable ), than Tongsheng or Bafang. Although you could nearly buy 3 Tongsheng's for the cost of a replacement Bosch, you'll find your shop will be worth its weight in gold when it comes to potential future trouble-shooting, and this goes beyond just the motor, and helping you take care of your ebike. Ebikes being both mechanical, and now electrical, present entirely new challenges for the average consumer. They are likely to be pretty reliable, since they are still relatively simple devices (compared to say a car), but eventually anything with the type of stresses and wear and tear a bike will take is bound to need service. Sometimes it seems like consumers expect these to be entirely maintenance free and trouble free, like many appliances can sometimes be, until they simply break and you buy a new one. Bicycles have been known to last years, despite the consumer not lubing chains, or doing even the most basic care. Ebikes you wont be so lucky, since there are more forces involved, and introducing more power is going to create more wear on a lot of items. Tires and brake pads may need to be replaced more often. Same thing with chains. Part of it depends how you ride it. You may find yourself riding considerably more frequently, and even further than a regular bike if you were recently riding that.
The uptick in phone calls each year, from consumers who bought 'brand x' on line, and who were largely unable to do even basic maintenance, has increased exponentially. The call usually starts with "Im stuck and can't find help with x." Or "I'm in a predicament" as no one will work on my brand x ebike. The local Trek store, said they've altogether shut down taking in any other brands of ebikes, despite repairing and taking care of any brand of regular bike that needs service. They sell ebikes. But they have learned the challenges, and frustrations of dealing with the on-line firms when they are trying to help a customer fix their on-line purchased ebike. Its a no win situation for them or the consumer, as they never recoup all the hours spent, trying to solve what would be easy problems with their own brand, and the consumer simply can't believe something would cost that much for service, or they refuse to pay for all the hours spent, due to such poor aftermarket support by many on-line brands (if there is any at all). The Trek store got very specific and rattled off a number of 'big name' on line brands and the issues. I knew he was truthful, as I have had the same type of support experiences with those same firms. Its sort of sad, as the consumer gets the short of the end stick, and it can sour the entire ebike experience, misleading them to believe the industry isn't ready for 'prime time' though it most certainly is. Save yourself the eventual headache, and sometimes immense frustration, and buy local if possible.
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tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
TSDZ2 and BBSxx series are DIY and through some shops. Advantages and disadvantages all round. Want a hobby or have tastes beyond budget these DIY brands can be very satisfying. I admire the sophistication and engineering of Bosch, Yamaha, et al, but I cannot buy parts, have programming or firmware access. Some require batteries that communicate the system and are near impossible to self maintain. That said, if I’d had the budget to outright buy a $3000, and a better pension to pay someone for maintenance... well I’d not hesitate. Lots of fellas and gals here are very happy. The premium bikes are sold by trained shops. Kinda like care for me. There are some that have great features and are wonderful rides but just don’t fit in my beer budget. (13 Toyota’s in 40 years and only one disappointment, all in my budget to buy and maintain.)
Recently I sent a half dozen customers to an LBS. they shouldn’t have been sold kits. So I didn’t.
Recently I sent a half dozen customers to an LBS. they shouldn’t have been sold kits. So I didn’t.
Although I support buying local I think this is a little extreme.
I don't see why a Trek dealer shouldn't be able to diagnose a problem with an ebike using bosch system.
It makes sense for them not to work on anything else but if they are rejecting bikes with Bosch mid drives that is not a good practice.
I didn't see him saying Trek stores don't work on Bosch. I read it as Trek doesn't want to work on the online brands of bikes, some of which use Bosch drives.
I bought my Bosch powered Cannondale from a Trek store. They encouraged me to come back for a fit check, tune-up, etc. They don't do a lot of work inside a Bosch system. Bosch doesn't want them to do that. They have a test checklist, and after that send stuff to Bosch, as I understand it.
I think what I was saying is clear. Online brand or not, working on a bicycle with Bosch drive will be no different then working on any Trek ebike. Yes Bosch locked down everything so they use a dongle , pull the error codes and if something is defective it is sent back to Bosch (or discarded if it is a battery) etc. depending on the remaining warranty on the bicycle.
Of course they should charge a reasonable price for their labor but other than that it is an easy process.
Sometimes the only option for diagnostics/ software update for a Bosch mid drive close by is a Trek dealer. When that lbs refuses service it creates a big inconvenience.
A business has to do what makes sense for them. If they decide they don't make money or lose money taking certain actions, I understand that they might decide not to continue that practice. Better to do what one is good at, and makes money. Hopefully someone else will fill the need. IMO that's what makes the world go round.
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