Thoughts Of An Experienced E-Biker

[teskow]

Another sensible answer.

 

[Rome]

My first ebike experience was on an aventon level purchased March 2020 not even a week of ownership less than 100 miles spokes started to fall off. I took it back to the dealer service, by appointment only at time. While there I demo ride a bunch of Emtbs Rocky Mountain, Cube Stereo, Haibike and Bulls.
That day I ordered a Bulls e stream Evo 45 am. Two weeks later I brought home two ebikes. Couldn't be much happier.
May 2021 Biktrix introduced the Monte Capro with out thinking twice about it, I placed an order. Unfortunately at 3000 miles I took apart the motor on my Monte Capro and managed to destroy the controller. At the moment I'm waiting for an OEM replacement motor from Biktrix it should be enroute.
As an experience ebiker you should have at least two ebikes if you are using them for commuting.

 

[Robspace1]

That’s not what I am getting at. I am getting at if you ride a lot that 1200.00 is not going to hold up. I am not mocking it but if you’re riding low miles and the bike holds up to that that’s fine. But if you like to ride a lot then things start to change. No I was not ripped off buying my bike at a dealer I got a bike that’s reliable that parts are off the shelf and the electrical is standardized and all over the world. I am not worried the company will go out of business and leave me hanging that’s the difference between 1200 and 4000. Plus ride quality and feel and reliability. Plus it gets repaired for free by a mechanic if something goes wrong. Bosch replaced my motor out of the two year warranty for free that saved me 900.00. I ride as much as I do because I enjoy it it keeps me as healthy as it’s possible for me to be. My wife loves riding on the tandem with me. All three of my bikes use the same batteries and almost all the same parts including the tandem.

So, how soon should I expect to see my $1200.00 pos bike fall apart? Been 3 years now, nothing yet. Like I said already, this "budget bike" is holding up just fine, and when parts finally wear out, no big deal, replace them. I drive a 92 Honda Accord that I would feel safe crossing the country. Why? Because I take care of s*it. I invest in maintenence. That car is near showroom quality. You can take most any ebike under $2000.00, make some inexpensive upgrades and that bike will last as long as any overpriced ebike out there. Bottom line is those of you that want to bolster you're egos by constantly trying to run down and belittle less expensive ebikes are pathetic. Funny thing is, these so-called budget bikes do really well for the most part. But the local dealers don't want that known to the suckers that are ready to pay the big bucks. Sad

 

[fooferdoggie]

They serve different purposes. Dumb question. Why would you ride through cold blizzards, sandstorms, flooded roads, freezing fog, and hailstorm? Is that you're idea of fun? If so, you are out to punish yourself for some strange reason. Most sensible people ride bikes in good weather, and drive cars or take a bus during the cold months. But if pain is you're thing, go for it.

well I don't ride when there is ice or snow on the ground but I keep much warmer riding my bike then riding the bus. I used to have to dress so warm when it was around 32 or closer riding the bus. standing around waiting for it really sucked. we have really good bus service but its faster for me to ride my bike the 8+ miles then take the bus that ends up about 10 miles and almost twice the time. I stay warm I get my exercise it saves me time. I watch people drive in really cold weather without coats so if they break down they are going to be in trouble. cars isolate people from the world.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Though I could live without riding in the rain so much.

The ability to adapt to riding in all conditions is imperative but I think riding in the ‘wet’ offers its own unique challenges particularly when it comes to selecting appropriate waterproof/breathable apparel. Winters here can be long, cold and snowy but we just add an extra layer to compensate.

 

[fooferdoggie]

So, how soon should I expect to see my $1200.00 pos bike fall apart? Been 3 years now, nothing yet. Like I said already, this "budget bike" is holding up just fine, and when parts finally wear out, no big deal, replace them. I drive a 92 Honda Accord that I would feel safe crossing the country. Why? Because I take care of s*it. I invest in maintenence. That car is near showroom quality. You can take most any ebike under $2000.00, make some inexpensive upgrades and that bike will last as long as any overpriced ebike out there. Bottom line is those of you that want to bolster you're egos by constantly trying to run down and belittle less expensive ebikes are pathetic. Funny thing is, these so-called budget bikes do really well for the most part. But the local dealers don't want that known to the suckers that are ready to pay the big bucks. Sad

I don't know ride more? how many miles have you ridden on it? I Neve called it a POS your the one calling any bike that costs more or was bought in a shop overpriced. but no it wont last as long my first commuter e bike I put 14,000 miles on it in two years. even two of your 1200 bikes could not live up to that. the bearings are noto sealed so they take a lot more work to maintain and keep greased. so if you ride In the rain you need to lube then a lot more. the wheels are built from really cheap spokes and rims and they will wear out much sooner. spokes have a limited life span as is. if you shift a lot those components would never hold up as they cost about 10.00. yes you can keep replacing parts but to me I want to ride not have to replace parts to keep the bike going. if you motor dies or controller you may not be able to get the exact replacement as the company has already moved on.
the thing is you dont ride enough to make that claim your bike will out last mine. how many of those 1200.00 bikes will it take to do 30,000 miles? in 3 years thats how much I have ridden. when you ride your bike a lot let us know how well it holds up.
I am not mocking your bike but you're claiming it will last as long as my trek and so far in a year my trek has 4800 miles on it. have you even put 4800 miles on that 1200 bike?

 

[Rome]

Bike porn afternoon.
Let me ask you something @fooferdoggie.
Do you really not own a car?
I know that an ebike is a good tool but in my experience I have to have a pickup truck to do stuffs that can't be done on an ebike.

 

[Robspace1]

well I don't ride when there is ice or snow on the ground but I keep much warmer riding my bike then riding the bus. I used to have to dress so warm when it was around 32 or closer riding the bus. standing around waiting for it really sucked. we have really good bus service but its faster for me to ride my bike the 8+ miles then take the bus that ends up about 10 miles and almost twice the time. I stay warm I get my exercise it saves me time. I watch people drive in really cold weather without coats so if they break down they are going to be in trouble. cars isolate people from the world.

 

[fooferdoggie]

The ability to adapt to riding in all conditions is imperative but I think riding in the ‘wet’ offers its own unique challenges particularly when it comes to selecting appropriate waterproof/breathable apparel. Winters here can be long, cold and snowy but we just add an extra layer to compensate.

yes I finally invested in really good gore-tex so I could stay dry and it would breathe better. plus it dries out fast so when I ride home its already dry.

 

[Robspace1]

"cars isolate people from the world." Really? I'd say they bring people together. Try making that 2000 mile trip to grannies house on you're bike for Xmas. lol

 

[fooferdoggie]

"cars isolate people from the world." Really? I'd say they bring people together. Try making that 2000 mile trip to grannies house on you're bike for Xmas. lol

ever hear of road rage? gridlock? does driving make your happy or stress you out? does it keep you exercised? do you look forward t o your commute every day?

 

[Robspace1]

yes I finally invested in really good gore-tex so I could stay dry and it would breathe better. plus it dries out fast so when I ride home its already dry.

I put on a t-shirt and shorts, warm my car for 5 minutes and away I go. Be across town nice and warm, not tired out. No, for me and most of the world, bikes are for nice weather only. If I had no car, I'd take a bus while saving for a car. Come Spring, go ride my great, (low budget) ebike till wintertime. Works for me.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I put on a t-shirt and shorts, warm my car for 5 minutes and away I go. Be across town nice and warm, not tired out. No, for me and most of the world, bikes are for nice weather only. If I had no car, I'd take a bus while saving for a car. Come Spring, go ride my great, (low budget) ebike till wintertime. Works for me.

so you don't enjoy it then? what happens if you break down I that tee shirt and shorts? I enjoy it I look forward to every ride. I have never had anyone tell me they look forward to their commute. it's often faster for me to ride than it is for them to commute. I did a race with one of my buddies from o=work out my house I won 8 miles and I was faster.

 

[Robspace1]

ever hear of road rage? gridlock? does driving make your happy or stress you out? does it keep you exercised? do you look forward t o your commute every day?

No, driving does not stress me out or make me angry. But then, like I said already, I'm a retired trucker. I CAN'T get mad, stressed out or angry on the highway or lots of people would die. I ran double tankers, haz-mat, for 20 years. Road rage is not an option. Tired? Frustrated? Upset? Sure. For exercise, in the winter, I use a treadmill. If riding in winter is what trips you're trigger by all means go for it. I tried freezing cold. No thanks.

 

[Robspace1]

so you don't enjoy it then? what happens if you break down I that tee shirt and shorts? I enjoy it I look forward to every ride. I have never had anyone tell me they look forward to their commute. it's often faster for me to ride than it is for them to commute. I did a race with one of my buddies from o=work out my house I won 8 miles and I was faster.

Triple A

 

[fooferdoggie]

No, driving does not stress me out or make me angry. But then, like I said already, I'm a retired trucker. I CAN'T get mad, stressed out or angry on the highway or lots of people would die. I ran double tankers, haz-mat, for 20 years. Road rage is not an option. Tired? Frustrated? Upset? Sure. For exercise, in the winter, I use a treadmill. If riding in winter is what trips you're trigger by all means go for it. I tried freezing cold. No thanks.

I rather have ants bite my nuts than run on a a treadmill. or a stationary bike thats sheer torture. I tend to burn 400 calories on my commute a day and I down have to work hard to do it or spend extra time in the day it's like free exercise.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Why would I want to ride all winter through freezing weather? That's why I have a car. For what reason? For fun? Not hardly. For exercise? I didn't buy it for a major source of exercise. If so, I would have stayed on a non-motorized bike. I ride for pleasure, in warm weather, and get moderate exercise like most other ebikers. I am not out to prove my manhood or see how much suffering I can endure by riding through snow storms.

I suppose to each his own. I personally don’t look at winter riding in general as a punishing or painful experience with the exception of perhaps when it gets brutally cold. I no longer ride if the mercury dips below -15C. We receive a ton of sunlight up here during the winter months and I can tell you that it's made a huge difference. It drastically improves my mental state/mood and hitting the trails throughout the winter better prepares me for road riding during the warmer months. I find that it's a great way to compliment my indoor training routine any day of the week.

 

[Rome]

@Robspace1 let it be it's what fooferdoggie choose. Out with the car just simply biking gets it done for him, I hold a certain level of admiration for him.
You and I will never give up our cars and trucks. Ebike is just another tool.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I suppose to each his own. I personally don’t look at winter riding in general as a punishing or painful experience with the exception of perhaps when it gets brutally cold. I no longer ride if the mercury dips below -15C. We receive a ton of sunlight up here during the winter months and I can tell you that it's made a huge difference. It drastically improves my mental state/mood and hitting the trails throughout the winter better prepares me for road riding during the warmer months. I find that it's a great way to compliment my indoor training routine any day of the week.

A better man than me as 5°c is my cut off...
And yes, sun light makes all the difference.

 

[Rome]

It's rain season here and I have my rain PPE hanging on my clothes line.
I have to fold them neatly to fit in my tactical handlebars bag.
Had to bring um out to wash make sure no centipedes or scorpion inside.