Most people that ask me about the price of my e-bikes are shocked. And I get the usual comments "you could buy a car, motorcycle ... for that". But nobody that is a bike person has ever asked me about prices. All of these interactions involving price have been with people who know very little about bikes and who don't ride at all or don't ride regularly (I assume this from a lack of general bike knowledge that exposes itself in the subsequent conversation).
I've mentioned here before but I didn't experience sticker shock when I first started looking at e-bikes. That is because prior to researching e-bikes I spent a year researching regular touring bikes and commuter bikes. And good ones with quality frames, components etc are not inexpensive. My e-bikes cost less or are on par with most of the touring brands I was looking at. Ultimately I didn't buy a touring bike (but hope to some day). I did buy a commuter bike one year prior to buying an e-bike. For my Spot (chromoly steel, belt drive, IGH) I spent $1,400 on the base bike - but then added a dynamo with lights, fenders, rack, changed bars, pedals, tires ... So easily into it for $2,400. So $3K-$5K for a purpose built e-bike with components built by companies with brand recognition, offering warranties etc doesn't seem out of line relative to what a high quality regular bike costs.
I can't count how many times I have had complete strangers ask how much I spent on my e-bikes. I would never ask that of someone but I don't necessarily mind when someone asks it of me. It does seem slightly inappropriate to me but I try to do my best and answer honestly without trying to justify to a stranger how I choose to spend my money. But the most unpleasant exchange happened just recently. I left an eatery after lunch and was unlocking my bike when a middle-aged gentleman with a union logo on his cap walking with his children stopped to chat. First question was "does that have a motor?". Second question was "how much does it cost"? It was the Tern GSD and I answered honestly. His response had a tone of disdain "hell you could buy a motorcycle for that". I might have responded with something lame like "yeah, their pricey" stifling my desire to answer a little more sarcastically. The chat abruptly ended and without a "thanks" or "have a nice day" he walked away with the kids and said loudly to them (but I assume moreso directed his comment at me), "we'll go home and make one that is way better than that for a lot less money". I wonder where he is on that project ...
I had another guy way over-estimate the cost of my Haibike. As I was unlocking at the bike rack, a middle aged guy in a business suit smoking a cigarette asked me "did that thing cost like $10K"? He sounded disappointed when I told him it "only" cost $4K. Kudos to Haibike for making a $4K bike look like a $10K bike. Maybe cost is largely a matter of perspective and priorities.
