Why do I always know better?

[tomjasz]

sorry for the CLICKBAIT!

Maybe the biggest downfall of forums. Someone ALWAYS knows better.

I read a thread where a youngster was considering a budget eBike. Some suggested it was a mistake. Good builders outlined the pitfalls and solutions, and others poo-pooed the entire class of eBike regardless of maker.

If I've learned ANYTHING here its eBikes are cool. You COULD make a happy way forward with a budget bike understanding you just embarked on a hobby. YOU are the mechanic. But HEY!!! It's fun. If you enter with 20/20 vision.

I'm a snob. I like the reliable spendy stuff like from Grin. But fellas more clever than me are doing it for 60% less than my projects. I didn't mind spending my First Communion money and know I can't take it with me.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

If I've learned ANYTHING here its eBikes are cool.

Unless the battery catches the fire.
Because the guy has bought a sub US$1000 "e-bike".

 

[Stefan Mikes]

$1,000 can buy you a pretty decent traditional bike. But an e-bike? Nah...
Besides, there are many people who simply like riding e-bikes, not to repair them or build them. The fact you are a builder does not mean everyone else is.

There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can "overhaul" it, or you can ride it. On the whole, I am not sure that a man who takes his pleasure overhauling does not have the best of the bargain. He is independent of the weather and the wind; the state of the roads troubles him not. Give him a screw-hammer, a bundle of rags, an oil-can, and something to sit down upon, and he is happy for the day. He has to put up with certain disadvantages, of course; there is no joy without alloy. He himself always looks like a tinker, and his machine always suggests the idea that, having stolen it, he has tried to disguise it; but as he rarely gets beyond the first milestone with it, this, perhaps, does not much matter. The mistake some people make is in thinking they can get both forms of sport out of the same machine. This is impossible; no machine will stand the double strain. You must make up your mind whether you are going to be an "overhauler" or a rider.

Nothing Has Changed For The Last 120 Years (Jerome K. Jerome)

We all are shopping online, don't we. We listen to our Forum correspondents. We buy widgets, don't we. All of them are revolutionary, patented, breath-taking, aren't they. Maybe. 120 years ago, in 1900, the English author Jerome K. (Klapka) Jerome published his second most successful book...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Pardon me? Is it written anywhere a person has to ride an e-bike? If they cannot afford it?
See Tom, my e-bike stands by my side. It is a wonderful feeling that I can just take that bike in my hand, and go outside for a ride. Night or day. Winter or summer. And I do not need to carry a voltmeter with me.

Regarding the thread you are mentioning, someone should be so brave to tell the OP: "No, it is not a good brand".

 

[Gionnirocket]

Pardon me? Is it written anywhere a person has to ride an e-bike? If they cannot afford it?
See Tom, my e-bike stands by my side. It is a wonderful feeling that I can just take that bike in my hand, and go outside for a ride. Night or day. Winter or summer. And I do not need to carry a voltmeter with me.

Regarding the thread you are mentioning, someone should be so brave to tell the OP: "No, it is not a good brand".

No voltmeter and no seat to further the love affair... Because it's so SPECIALized.

 

[AHicks]

Unless the battery catches the fire.
Because the guy has bought a sub US$1000 "e-bike".

Please, let's see something to support the claim you're making here. Otherwise, it's just "scare mongering", somebody just running off at the mouth regurgitating something they read indicating it MIGHT happen.

 

[tomjasz]

No one was supposed to respond with an opinion?

Opinion? Sure. Some here can separate opinions from ego-centric responses extolling their price class as the only option. "Richard" consistently passes disinformation regarding any eBike with an out-the-door cost far less than his. No other charger, no other motor, and no other riders' experience match his.

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks" i

 

[tomjasz]

Please, let's see something to support the claim you're making here. Otherwise, it's just "scare mongering", somebody just running off at the mouth regurgitating something they read indicating it MIGHT happen.

Here's where I struggle. I DO worry about inexpensive batteries. That said I'm not convinced these budget builds are any better or worse than the next price point. The suggested alternative was $600 more.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

"Friends do not let friends buy crappy 'e-bikes'".

 

[Gionnirocket]

"Friends do not let friends buy crappy 'e-bikes'".

Funny you say that as you remind me of the spoiled brat kid who only has friends because he has all the expensive toys.

 

[ruffruff]

If a $1000 ebike gets you off the couch and into a great recreational activity....sign me up.

I bought a sort of budget bike for my first bike. A Biktrix Juggernaut at the time was $1700.
It's still my winter/fat tire beater and I still enjoy riding it. Would I love a Norco Bigfoot for $5700? Sure. Can I afford it NO!
Do I still get off the couch and ride all winter on my Biktrix? YES!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

If a $1000 ebike gets you off the couch and into a great recreational activity....sign me up.

I bought a sort of budget bike for my first bike. A Biktrix Juggernaut at the time was $1700.
It's still my winter/fat tire beater and I still enjoy riding it. Would I love a Norco Bigfoot for $5700? Sure. Can I afford it NO!
Do I still get off the couch and ride all winter on my Biktrix? YES!

Not if you cannot ride your Nakto because it does not work At least Biktrix is a known name.

 

[ruffruff]

Not if you cannot ride your Nakto because it does not work At least Biktrix is a known name.

Known name doesn't always equate to reliability. The Ford Aspire comes to mind.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Ford Aspire comes to mind.

You have me at advantage here Still, I can remember a guitar by name Gibson The Paul (not Les Paul). What a crap!

 

[tomjasz]

Known name doesn't always equate to reliability. The Ford Aspire comes to mind.

Remember this is a guy that drove a POS Fiat.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Remember this is a guy that drove a POS Fiat.

He could not afford anything better at that point in his lifetime. Three years later he could afford a brand new car. 25 years later "Richard" or "Greg" could buy four e-bikes unaffordable for some cheapskates Americans. A Pole. What a shame

 

[m@Robertson]

No one was supposed to respond with an opinion? Then say that in the post

I think his response had a whole lot more to do with the tired, old, narrow-minded and absolutely predictable broken record that was playing. If it was anyone else, I'm sure a discussion would have ensued.

Three years later he could afford a brand new car. 25 years later "Richard" or "Greg" could buy four e-bikes unaffordable for some cheapskates Americans. A Pole. What a shame

Don't bring up our mutual heritage. You give Poles a bad name. Your obnoxious attitude is all on you but equating your miserable outlook in any way with Polish sensibilities crosses the line into disgusting.

 

[kmccune]

No voltmeter and no seat to further the love affair... Because it's so SPECIALized.

When my butt graced the saddle of a "specialized" I had the thought" if I were single and a bit better off" I couldn't believe how easy that thing was to pedal in the grass unpowered sort of quelled motor breakdown anxiety( took a few mental notes though.

 

[kmccune]

Here's where I struggle. I DO worry about inexpensive batteries. That said I'm not convinced these budget builds are any better or worse than the next price point. The suggested alternative was $600 more.

Lemme tell you what is "fermenting" in my increasingly addled brain, I either want a sidecar build or wait for it a quad, my plan for the quad would be, to get 2 lower cost familiar frames and cut, weld, and merge. This peculiar build would have 4 wd drive and close to four HP, the batteries will be the expensive part,I do know where to go for them, can you see where this is headed? The trike thing didn't work out for me( I couldn't trust myself on the road and I do want the security and stability of 4 points of contact) It will be 36 volt, four brakes, etc, may never happen who knows

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I think carrying a voltmeter to determine the state of charge is rather pathetic. Even my cheapest Czech e-bike equipped with a Chinese hub-drive motor has had a display you could trust.
Now, I wonder how long trips you are taking on your 20" fat bike folders, as my US$1,900 hub-drive 250 W Lovelec let me ride this:

March 17, 2020.