I just trashed a ebike today. My temper got the best of me and I'm done with junk brands. You get a automatically generated message saying my email is "being processed" and.... nothing. Wow, great way to do customer service. I also get the added bonus of none of the local ebike shops will touch a brand they don't sell. I guess I can see that, but again, wow. So, my rant? I'm getting tired of mail order stuff that you're at the mercy of some faceless company when a problem arises. I'm not going to hunt Amazon for endless hours trying to find a part because the manufacturers web site only list accessories and inner tubes. If I dive back into this ebike game it will be with a reputable BRICK AND MORTAR retailer, not some mail order ebike with email only support. I'm not mentioning said ebike got trashed but lets just say the pandemic really cheapened the brand. I wait for eternity for a sloppy painted ebike with bottom barrel components. But then again it was a sub-$2000 cheap-o ebike so I got what I paid for. Lesson learned.
Why do I buy stuff with ZERO support?
- Thread starter sc00ter
- Start date
FrankR
Active Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Milky Way Galaxy
I was contemplating a purchase for quite some time. And I really wasn't interested with dealing with a company that wasn't in the U.S.
There Are some companies that sell the stuff from China - but offer you some reasonable level of support.
That's how I approached it.
The company I have purchased from has been great to work with.
Also, after purchasing my bike, I wrote to my local bike dealer - a chain of 4 locations - to ask if they would service my bike. For money, of course.
They sell many ebikes, and, they have been in business in this region for several decades.
They didn't even bother to write back.
There Are some companies that sell the stuff from China - but offer you some reasonable level of support.
That's how I approached it.
The company I have purchased from has been great to work with.
Also, after purchasing my bike, I wrote to my local bike dealer - a chain of 4 locations - to ask if they would service my bike. For money, of course.
They sell many ebikes, and, they have been in business in this region for several decades.
They didn't even bother to write back.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
Budget ebikes are a nightmare for bike shops. You get what you pay for. Buy a Walmart-level eBike and expect no one to give a hoot about servicing.
When you bought that factory direct eBike you signed on as the mechanic and warranty support. I'm sorry but that's a fact!
The wires getting cut was bad enough but that was my fault. The complete lack of support was a bad sign. Then the axle bolts went MIA. I just snapped. You can call me a brat, immature, spazz or any other colorful names but it felt sooooo good. My loss. Oops, I think I revealed the brand. Never got to test my splice job to see if the wire repair worked. I have zero urge now as I'm terrified to even think about turning it on. I'm just done playing with low end toys for good.
I didn't trash this ebike like you think. I lost my temper and slammed it on the ground over and over and over..... Note that the wheels were off of it during this snap session. I told my coworker he had till Friday night to grab it to see what can be salvaged. If he doesn't get it I have my Zawsaw ready and a pack of metal blades. He wants the controller and the rear wheel, and the battery if it looks safe. I'm not going near the battery and have no idea how to dispose of it if my coworker doesn't take it. It hit the ground really hard after the 4th slam. Anyone want to see a picture of the carnage?
I'm not new to ebikes either, I just had better expectations than what I received. I loved my RadRunner but wanted something with a bit more speed and better brakes. My E-Lux was fine for going to bars but not commuting. It's on consignment now. I just wanted something to goof around on till I found my dream ebike. I think the Juiced was just a curse or something, to warn me not to buy cheap stuff without support. I literally broke that curse!
I'm not new to ebikes either, I just had better expectations than what I received. I loved my RadRunner but wanted something with a bit more speed and better brakes. My E-Lux was fine for going to bars but not commuting. It's on consignment now. I just wanted something to goof around on till I found my dream ebike. I think the Juiced was just a curse or something, to warn me not to buy cheap stuff without support. I literally broke that curse!
Mike_V
Well-Known Member
"A man has to know his limitations". D. H.
MANY don't have the electro-mechanical skills, troubleshooting techniques or patience and logical reasoning to maintain and repair an electric bike.
Know what you're jumping into and how much $$ you are willing to risk. Everyone learns differently.
Read on this forum about very expensive eBikes ( often bought on easy store credit ) fail, break or suffer corporate PPP .
MANY don't have the electro-mechanical skills, troubleshooting techniques or patience and logical reasoning to maintain and repair an electric bike.
Know what you're jumping into and how much $$ you are willing to risk. Everyone learns differently.
Read on this forum about very expensive eBikes ( often bought on easy store credit ) fail, break or suffer corporate PPP .
kmccune
Well-Known Member
Always break $#!+ you can fix! ( if you must) you can probably drop the battery at Lowes if you discharge it first. I understand the anger( even though my almost new Stihil is very frustrating at times all I have to do is give it some time there is one brand ebike I will probably never buy again( starts with an E, no not Ecotric had good luck with those or eMotion) What really gets to me is the small frames on some bikes as they list good for 6'2" people, trying to ride some of those is like sleeping on the edge of a bed.
Good luck on your next purchase and if you wish you can post the picture tutorial on how to "fix" disappointing ebikes.
Good luck on your next purchase and if you wish you can post the picture tutorial on how to "fix" disappointing ebikes.
That is awesome! Your neighbors have no sense of humor. Dead Kennedys-A Child and His Lawnmower song comes to mind. I refuse to work on Chinese scooters. You go into fix one thing and something else promptly fails. And as we all know I HATE electrical issues.
ChezCheese:)
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Kitsap Co, WA
While I applaud your epiphany about buying from a real bike shop and supporting local businesses, I think trashing an inanimate object is having a tantrum and maybe you want to learn some self-control in your old age. Better than trashing an animate object, of course. One thing might help: buy an expensive ebike and you will treat it more carefully, simply because it cost so much 
.
.True to the above but there comes a time when I have something for sale and the price is dropped to the point when it's no longer worth my time. The throwing it felt very therapeutic and every smash was well deserved. It taught me a few lessons as well so not all was lost.
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tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
And you ride eBikes! Too funny!
gioflowers
Active Member
- Region
- Canada
You don't have to be a DIYer to ride an ebike. That's really silly. You need good tech support and a shop to service you. You want to work on your own s*it - that's your choice.
So my co-worker/friend outside of work came and rescued the RipRacer from the trash. He took it to the middle of his backyard and put the severely dented battery back in the bent frame and powered it up. It actually worked! I think it's still laying in the middle of his backyard as he's also terrified of the extremely dented battery. He's going to grab one of those Mongoose fat tire bmx bikes and make a stupid project out of the scraps from the Juiced. He has RC car experience and I think he's going to open the battery and look for internal damage. If none found he'll try and knockout the big dent in the battery case. He hack sawed the battery mount off the Juiced frame so he can keep cost down and fabrication to a minimum. I suggested duct tape!
Handlebars
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
Not too funny. Look at how electric cars are being enforced, willing or not. I don't like electrical issues so I'm happy that I bought my simple bike that needs no dealership. I don't need all the extra information and tracking or anything else but for it to work like a bicycle that pushes itself.
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