What are the risks?

[RolandSchitt]

I guess this could go in a broader forum too, but as someone debating between a Juiced bike and something from an LBS I'm interested in some feedback on what can go wrong buying from an online company.

Seems like standard bike maintenance is no problem to get taken care of at any bike shop. What are the things that could break down that might cause me problems? Are there things that would cause me to have to mail the bike in entirely? Things that might make my bike effectively "totaled" if they break?

For what it's worth, I happen to live right down the street from a place that services electric bikes other than the ones they sell themselves. So hopefully that gives me an extra option if something does go wrong.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

I've had great service from my LBS over the years, including new tires, replacing the rear wheel when the motor went kaput, and basic maintenance. We take my wife's Pedego there, too, rather than drive to the nearest Pedego dealer an hour away, for standard stuff, even though Pedego does a good job of taking care of their customer's bikes. I do a lot of maintenance on my own.

The risk to me is not with that kind of thing. The risk is that if the bike is defective out of the box, in a major way, then you're at the mercy of Juiced Bike's spotty service/warranty record. I personally have had good service, the very few times I've needed it, but some people have had a pretty bad time with them. Earlier this year, Tora Harris said he is going to make improved customer service a priority. I hope it really does improve. Juiced Bikes products are darn good, at a fair price, and if everyone had the good experience I've had, you would see very few complaints on this forum. Sadly, that's not the case, but I hope it does get better.

 

[rich c]

The worst case is a major electrical component failure, Juiced doesn't have one in stock, and you have to wait for the part to come from China. Some LBS will give you a loaner when there is a major problem with something you buy there.
Frame crack is probably the only reason you would have to send the bike back. Shipping can severely damage a bike though. But rare to damage the frame. I've seen posts about twisted forks, dented fenders, and lots of scratches and dings. All things they will care for by sending you new parts to install. They won't pay for installation labor.

 

[theemartymac]

If you are basically handy (maintenance level), and your LBS is willing to service most brands, risk is low. Just warranty service like mentioned. The benefits of purchasing from the LBS can be harder to recognize:

- Eager support, sometimes free basics and tweaks during drop ins when you just 'mention' something off the cuff (wink-wink)
- Thorough knowledge of your troubleshooting needs and the bike/brands history (Saves tech time and $$$)
- Parts and compatibility knowledge
- Support when it's time to upgrade, may even take trade in/consignment for you
- The 'Cheers' effect. It's sure nice when they know your name...
- If you have an exceptional relationship and send them referrals from time to time, SCHWAG!!!!

 

[xerxez]

When my rim bent on my rear-hub ebike (CC S2), the LBS had no idea how much it would cost or where to get a rim and estimated that a rebuild would cost $500.
Juiced sold me a rim and I changed the spokes over myself (just tapped the rims to each other and moved them one at a time).
I then paid around $50 for a true and spoke tension.
This solution worked, but required quite a bit from me---creativity, research, follow through.

Some repairs on Ebikes can be very tricky. And with a mailed ebike, repairs will likely take more effort or $$ from you.

 

[Art Deco]

Many shops don't work on bikes sold elsewhere (Trek is an exception AFAIK), so it helps that you have verified that. Otherwise there is this recent thread.

What happens when your Ebike you ordered on the Internet breaks?

I called around to a local mobile bike repair and a bricks and mortar bike repair shop here in Palm Springs. What I found out from both is interesting. Both are hesitant bordering on refusing to work on Ebikes. The reason: " You worked on my ebike to fix X, and now Y does not work". I wonder if...

electricbikereview.com

 

[330rcs]

You can look at my post history. I have had a Juiced Ripcurrent S for going on two years soon. I am not handy at all but knew a mobile bike guy that did all my basic maintenance and now an LBS. Well what was not ever expected was recently my battery port MELTED!! On both sides the battery and the bike.

I made a post about it here very detailed with picture and resolution. It took Juiced FOREVER to reply to this matter they did offer to replace the battery and the port on the bike but it took months. I had instead fixed the issue myself in about a week. I had to order the parts from China which arrived quicker than Juiced could reply to my email and a local ebike guy (only person here that will touch the electrical side) replaced/soldered on the parts.

Months later Juiced sent me a return box for the battery they were going to replace the battery even though I was out of warranty.

I still enjoy my juiced bike very much. I had to take matters into my own hands since at the time this bike was my only form of transportation but now I have a second ebike.