Why so few EBike reviews on EBR?

[FlatSix911]

Why so few new EBike reviews on EBR?

We have only seen 3 - 4 new reviews during each of the months of May, June, and July... perhaps we can discuss the root cause:

• The Pandemic has impacted production and there are no bikes to test.
• The Pandemic has increased sales and there are no bikes still available.
• The manufacturers have decided to cuts costs and not review with EBR.
• Court has taken a much-needed vacation to a remote Pacific island.

 

[GypsyTreker]

I went to my LBS to have an acoustic bike adjusted for resale. He was, for all intended purposes,out of sellable inventory. He had a pretty busy service biz going but said it was starting to wane. It started me to thinking, even a boom in my town didn't create the business needed to operate with no inventory. My concern would be what happens when the pipeline is stuffed again, your district rep is telling you to go long and the boom has gone bust? By the way, my wifes bike sold same day I listed it on CL.

 

[FlatSix911]

You raise a good point regarding Boom and Bust cycles... the retail LBS business may suffer the same fate in the Fall/Winter season.

I decided to clean out the excess bike inventory from my shed this summer and every one sold the same day they were listed on CL...

 

[Admin]

Great hypothesis!

I’ve been shut in a bit due to COVID (locked in Canada), shipping internationally is slow and companies are selling out on inventory, shops are super busy and I don’t want to get in the way, I’m focusing on some new guides and site structure, I was exploring the real estate market to possibly get my own place vs. renting (but it’s too expensive where I’d like to be, so I’m holding off for the time being and saving more). And finally, I’m doing more of the review work myself while previously I had some editing and writing support. I felt that the quality was low and too much of my time was going into training and correcting. Perhaps I will find other contributors to retry this approach in the future. For now, I have shifted to covering what I consider the be the best or most interesting products deeply vs. the highest number of products imperfectly with editing/writing help.

There are many great channels doing “reviews” now that lightly cover ebikes and provide overview marketing type content. That’s great for awareness, and I wish them luck. I’m trying to provide more context and deeper insights into what makes a bike special or worth buying. In the past couple of years, I’ve been approached to sell EBR on several occasions, and that fees good, but it is also distracting and potentially adverse to why I set things up the way I did... with very few ads and transparent advertising practices. Instead, I’m hoping to keep this community as honest and objective as possible, at the expense of higher profits. I’m providing my own deep insights on a limited basis in through less frequent reviews, and fostering a community where others can join in and feel accepted.

What do you think? Is this a good thing? Am I doing okay? I’m going to be inviting more input into which bikes people want to see covered here going forward. I’m almost finished working through the current batch of bikes and finishing some big programming projects with my team. Next week should be the RadMission and then back to some expensive premium models.

 

[TomD]

Any thoughts on joining the amazon affiliate program? It would allow users to support EBR at no cost to them if the forum software automatically appended EBR's affiliate link to any forum posts with links to amazon products. You can remain independent by not including amazon affiliate links in your reviews. Users can also support EBR by clicking on your afffiliate links whenever they shop at amazon. I would love to do this as I cannot participate in my own affiliate program. I buy lots of stuff on Amazon and have resorted to supporting charities via amazon smile, but it's a small fraction of what could be generated for sites that I would otherwise love to support, like EBR. I have seen people post their amazon affiliate links here on EBR (without disclosure) and I feel that it lowers the integrity of the posts as I wonder if they are just spamming the forums to personally benefit. I would rather see the affiliate income go to EBR and eliminate incentive to dump amazon affiliate links on the forum.

 

[FlatSix911]

Great hypothesis!

I’ve been shut in a bit due to COVID (locked in Canada), shipping internationally is slow and companies are selling out on inventory, shops are super busy and I don’t want to get in the way, I’m focusing on some new guides and site structure, I was exploring the real estate market to possibly get my own place vs. renting (but it’s too expensive where I’d like to be, so I’m holding off for the time being and saving more). And finally, I’m doing more of the review work myself while previously I had some editing and writing support. I felt that the quality was low and too much of my time was going into training and correcting. Perhaps I will find other contributors to retry this approach in the future. For now, I have shifted to covering what I consider the be the best or most interesting products deeply vs. the highest number of products imperfectly with editing/writing help.

There are many great channels doing “reviews” now that lightly cover ebikes and provide overview marketing type content. That’s great for awareness, and I wish them luck. I’m trying to provide more context and deeper insights into what makes a bike special or worth buying. In the past couple of years, I’ve been approached to sell EBR on several occasions, and that feels good, but it is also distracting and potentially adverse to why I set things up the way I did... with very few ads and transparent advertising practices. Instead, I’m hoping to keep this community as honest and objective as possible, at the expense of higher profits. I’m providing my own deep insights on a limited basis through less frequent reviews and fostering a community where others can join in and feel accepted.

What do you think? Is this a good thing? Am I doing okay? I’m going to be inviting more input into which bikes people want to see covered here going forward. I’m almost finished working through the current batch of bikes and finishing some big programming projects with my team. Next week should be the RadMission and then back to some expensive premium models.

Hi Court,

Thanks for letting us know what you are up too and glad to hear you are alive and well during the Covid-19 lockdown.

All kidding aside, you are doing an excellent job and providing a valuable service to the entire EBike community... keep up the great work!

Your reviews are much more in-depth than the typical youtube video and provide a record of developments and improvements in the market.

You are also very transparent about advertising and fees compared to social media outlets and provide honest and objective product feedback.

Good luck with the local real estate market next year... long may you ride!

 

[Admin]

Thanks @tomdav, that’s a good idea. We experimented with Skimlinks a while back, but it didn’t generate much money and seemed to add code that slowed down the site. I like when other people can earn money too, and be excited about sharing. To me, it’s alright if they use affiliate links, it’s nice of them to invest some of their time here

I really like how few ads there are on EBR, and how the ads support local shops. Sometimes I actually do use affiliate links to Amazon accessories for my reviews, and sometimes I don’t. The first five years or so, I didn’t charge for reviews, and I’m still like 50/50 based on the situation. The site and YouTube bring in enough money to support the team and I live pretty simply... renting a basement for $1,000/mo. This allows me to save, to share, and to run the site in a way that is authentic. I like to give bikes away if they are donated to us for reviews and I support a couple of family friends and organizations like Rainforest Trust through the company. Even though I’m not rich by American or Canadian standards, I feel incredibly wealthy and free. Not owning a house is part of this... it provides flexibility. My girlfriend and I rent separately, but maybe one day we could get something to retire in. We both work and want to be close to our work and little communities. My community is spread all over the world these days, due to EBR.

While I am competitive and want this place to be “the best” and cover every single bike! I don’t want to trade the richness of life to make that happen. I’ve already traded a lot, and I think now I’m just excited to continue doing reviews on the coolest bikes, connecting here occasionally, going for rides, and feeling the warmth of each new day, breathing the freshness of the trees, hearing the rivers, and bringing peace in my interactions with animals and people that I encounter along the way. Part of me really wants to sell the company because I see the excitement from third parties, but I’ve worked for many big public companies before, and I did not like the short sighted super-profit motivated tactics. I’d like to keep making enough to pay the people who make this site possible (hosting, moderation, programming, some administration), and I’m willing to take a little less myself to keep it true. I also like to see others succeed, like Chris Nolte or Mike and Ty from Rad or Sam Townsend or Sam from DÖST. I met these guys very early on, got to see their companies grow and change and now they are all much bigger than me! It’s pretty awesome

 

[TomD]

Don't forget about Puskar. He's the real deal (even if he's a necomer and hasn't hit it big yet). Sorry, cant resist...

 

[Johnmj1]

Great hypothesis!

I’ve been shut in a bit due to COVID (locked in Canada), shipping internationally is slow and companies are selling out on inventory, shops are super busy and I don’t want to get in the way, I’m focusing on some new guides and site structure, I was exploring the real estate market to possibly get my own place vs. renting (but it’s too expensive where I’d like to be, so I’m holding off for the time being and saving more). And finally, I’m doing more of the review work myself while previously I had some editing and writing support. I felt that the quality was low and too much of my time was going into training and correcting. Perhaps I will find other contributors to retry this approach in the future. For now, I have shifted to covering what I consider the be the best or most interesting products deeply vs. the highest number of products imperfectly with editing/writing help.

There are many great channels doing “reviews” now that lightly cover ebikes and provide overview marketing type content. That’s great for awareness, and I wish them luck. I’m trying to provide more context and deeper insights into what makes a bike special or worth buying. In the past couple of years, I’ve been approached to sell EBR on several occasions, and that fees good, but it is also distracting and potentially adverse to why I set things up the way I did... with very few ads and transparent advertising practices. Instead, I’m hoping to keep this community as honest and objective as possible, at the expense of higher profits. I’m providing my own deep insights on a limited basis in through less frequent reviews, and fostering a community where others can join in and feel accepted.

What do you think? Is this a good thing? Am I doing okay? I’m going to be inviting more input into which bikes people want to see covered here going forward. I’m almost finished working through the current batch of bikes and finishing some big programming projects with my team. Next week should be the RadMission and then back to some expensive premium models.

I think you’re doing a great job. Keep it up, and thanks.

 

[Al P]

Court, just keep doing what you do, when it's safe. I have been following along for five years. I do not know of another site that covers ebikes in-depth the way you have, and the forum is full of good people willing to share their ebike knowledge and experience. Thanks for all you have done here.

 

[Dewey]

There are many great channels doing “reviews” now that lightly cover ebikes and provide overview marketing type content. That’s great for awareness, and I wish them luck...I’m providing my own deep insights on a limited basis in through less frequent reviews, and fostering a community where others can join in and feel accepted.

What do you think? Is this a good thing? Am I doing okay?

Court, that’s a very generous statement and reflects well on you. occasionally I see self-righteous whining threads on Reddit from other ebike reviewers moaning about how charging a fee to review is somehow selling out. I’ve never gotten that impression from your reviews in the 4 years I’ve been reading and contributing to the EBR forum. EBR is so much nicer than every other ebike forum, that’s due to the moderators and your team. I really appreciate the honesty and quality of your own journalism, I’d gladly pay a subscription to read the ebike reviews as I do for other publications I trust, respect, and read including the German magazine ‘ElektroRad’, and the British magazine ‘A to B’. There are so many tribes in cycling and I appreciate EBR is relatively free from the tribalism and name calling that spoils other forums. I think you have the tone just right, and I truly value your bike reviews and reading fellow riders perspectives on EBR.

Plus it’s incredibly valuable to keep up the old ebike reviews on the EBR website, the volatility of the market means you are often the best source of information about the components in discontinued models and brands. I have two vintage Raleigh Sports pedal bicycles as old as I am. It amazes me how fast the Ebike scene changes, I’m encouraged watching Justin LeMire Elmore’s recent video on gutting a Bionx direct drive hub to use his phaserunner controller that it’s possible to keep older ebikes going, where there’s a will there’s a way.

 

[BET]

Really enjoy your reviews. Having your own company gives you the freedom to take it where you want it to go. I would just plead that you continue to review affordable bikes for the many who cannot afford more expensive models, as well as bikes from new or innovative companies.

 

[Admin]

Really enjoy your reviews. Having your own company gives you the freedom to take it where you want it to go. I would just plead that you continue to review affordable bikes for the many who cannot afford more expensive models, as well as bikes from new or innovative companies.

Definitely, will do! A few of the spots that used to help me with this (Sam at Electric Bicycle Center) have sold. The mix could be a little different, but I’ll be covering the RadMission this week and that’s a $1k ebike! Are there others that you’re curious about? I hope to start a voting system to identify new bikes that people really want to see.

 

[TomD]

Court, If they ever reopen the peace arch at the border I could lend you a Frey CC for a day to test with the new Archon X1 controller. I'm not sure you would want to give it back though.

 

[BigNerd]

I think EBR is a great site. The combination of expert reviews, a forum and helpful forum members makes this a good resource for both new and experienced ebike owners (or want to be owners).

In addition to the RadMission, I would like to see a review of the Ride1Up Roadster V2 and the Biktrix Swift Lite. I'd like to see these new $1k ebikes with more detailed reviews.

Thanks!

 

[scout592]

Evelo Aurora Limited. Few in similar price range have mid drive, gates belt and hub drive.

 

[Admin]

Hey @TomD, I'd love to check out your Frey CC and hang out for a day or two! Yeah, not sure on border timing, let's stay in touch... My number is 650.930.0342 and you can text me to say hi.

@BigNerd, I asked Biktrix about their Swift Lite and they said they didn't want a review because they are almost sold out and this was a limited run. They are waiting for customer feedback and might refine the product before a V2. At that point, they might want a review. I think Ride1Up is in a similar situation and it could be difficult for them to ship to Canada right now... bummer! The good news is, I've got two RadMission ebikes at my place right now for review and plan to publish sometime soon

@scout592, I reached out to EVELO and they are sending an Aurora sometime soon. Their first batch sold out, so I'm on the second wave. Pretty exciting! Where are you based? If you're in Canada/Vancouver area perhaps we could meetup for the review! Send me a text.

 

[BET]

Cort, I would like to see a review of the Espin Nero. New model.

 

[Altaman]

If you're in Canada/Vancouver area perhaps we could meetup for the review! Send me a text.

@Court Never knew you were in here in Vancouver, thought you were a southerner. I moved to Vancouver at the end of April, bought a Lankeleisi T750 fat bike. I am now looking to get the girlfriend a G650/660 for her birthday, she is really excited!

 

[msw4chl]

We bought a Cyrusher/tiger Mountain/LankeLeisi G650 for use when traveling. BUT our 22yo daughter has found this is her favorite ebike! She had been using a Marin Bikes BionX upgrade and an Optibike 600 before.

I will post some experience here, but don't know how to get a formal "review" into EBR.

BTW the new XF590 was going for under $1000 direct from the manufacturer. The fenders are different and the controls seem to be greatly upgraded, otherwise this seems identical to the G650.

Best, Mark