Don't buy from bandit bikes!!!
Posted by Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 39 comments
Hello I'm writing this so other people don't have to deal with what I am dealing with. I ordered there x-trail pro bike online it says 38 to 42 mph and it has puncture resistant tires. I received the bike put it all together. Everything seemed fine. My first ride it was barely going 20 mi an hour up very little inclines and within the first week I already had my first flat tire! They didn't say there where tubes in these tires im not sure how that can be puncture resistant but ok... Then nuts starting falling off nothing has lock light on it or lock nuts the brakes where put on wrong we all know the front brake is always on the right side they had that backwards. I ask them for a refund within 5 days of receiving it they completely blew me off just kept saying how I can buy better tires or better tubes I just spent 2700 I don't want to have to spend more or have to deal with this on a brand new bike. Then I decided to buy the back cargo rack from them and you have to buy there's as there are specific bolt holes that are already welded to the frame. So I made the purchase on Feb 23 2025 and literally it's been over a month now. I have emailed them 3 times first time I asked when it was going to ship they said oh this week well I let almost 2 weeks go by so then I asked them if they can't ship it immediately to please refund me my money what did they do...?? Blew me off like they did with the bike. Kept telling me it's coming it's coming. So then about at the month mark I emailed them again telling them send me my money!!! I got no email back. So I went to my card company And filed a dispute a few days later. The shop app tells me I'm getting a partial refund. I see they actually sent the shipping information to FedEx but then again canceled it after they made me wait this long. So now I'm only getting $75 back instead of $11 because they're still charging me for the shipping. I don't know how that's possible when nothing was shipped. So I highly recommend that everybody stays away from this company and don't waste your time or your money with them
Proof_Use9080@reddit
Hi r/ebikes, r/banditbikes & r/bandittechnologyinc users: I'm the CSR for Bandit Technology Inc. (known as Bandit Bikes) who handles their Emails, Calls, Texts and Social Media. Probably, everyone who has purchased or inquired for our E-Bikes may have known me, as I'm the one responding to your concerns/issues for the past 2 year-ish.
Unfortunately, Bandit Bikes is no longer in operation (as what we know of). Richard Cao, the "said" CEO/Founder cut us off right after the Holy Week. Left us unpaid and no news as to what's happening not until their in-house employee in Santa Monica, CA told my co-worker (which is the one who told me) that Bandit Bikes is no longer in operation.
You can still see the website and Facebook community active, but without me, no one is operating it aside from Richard.
If you are planning to order or if you've already ordered and it is still in pending status, best to cancel the payment with your bank. This also applies to the orders from way back Richard had his "Indie Go-Go Campaign" in 2022 or 2023 that hasn't been delivered yet up to this date.
Again, apologies to all Bandit Bikes users and to those who are still waiting for their orders to be fulfilled. I've done my part to attend to all of your concerns. But, the lack of support from them hinders my ability as CSR to fulfill the duty I intend to do.
And to those, who felt they're being betrayed/left out due to this, my sincere apologies, and I will support everyone with what the next step you guys wanted to do.
Parking_Avocado_5285@reddit
Bandit customer service is non existent and if you do get someone to respond they will blow you off very quickl. I ordered 2 x pro’s. One was in stock and one was a month out. They never sent the one that was in stock and 3 months later they sent the one that was a month out and then the in stock one was not available. could not get any kind of answer or any thing other than we will send a message to the store. I think the customer care center is just a front, a voicemail to nowhere, non existent. I like the bikes, hate the company. wish I would have went with a different brand.
Fun-Building-1922@reddit
Yea you're wrong about the brakes. This isn't the Huffy you grew up riding.
However, you are completely right about Bandit Bikes being complete assholes. I ordered from them in May and still haven't received my bike and when making contact with them I get blown off all the time.
nothymetocook@reddit
Did you ever end up getting your bike delivered? Several months is completely unacceptable. Anything more than a month plus one week and I would charge back to my credit card
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
Yep that's them for you don't get me wrong I do love the bike it's so nice fast but the lack of customer service makes there products junk in my eyes because any problems with it good luck getting it fixed or even parts for it. I literally can't find a charger anywhere for this bike and they are zero help.
Mundane-Jicama-6166@reddit
500 miles on mine.
Tires will puncture with the slightest prick, had a grass sticker pop tire. As others have said buy the puncture resistant liners and save yourself allot of headache and trouble if you get a flat tire away from home.
I bought my Bandit at their store in Santa Monica CA, had no issues as they assembled and showed me how to operate it when I picked up.
Only thing I can say is there are times where the system doesn’t function properly; I just turn off bike and restart and it has worked every time. I’ll get random errors or the front motor won’t work. But just restart and back to normal.
Overall I think these bikes are great, good battery life, they are fast (clocked 36mph), they look super cool, the fob is a huge plus. I paid $2600 out the door for the step thru version.
Legal-Information538@reddit
Is the store front still open? A lot of people spreading false info about bandit bikes, making it increasingly difficult to find the truth.. A comment from another post claims the Santa Monica storefront closed 7 months before you posted this comment.. For whatever reason people are searching for things not to like about this eMoped bike. Im looking to buy one of these bikes around December. I just want some real insight..
ratbastard99@reddit
Horrible customer service, my bike had a defective battery and they ghosted me. Email, text, phone call, attempted bank charge back (missed the window cause I spent months trying to get in contact with them). The bikes are cheap, fall apart easily. It seems like some people get quality bikes, and others get junk from them. A total, very expensive, dice roll.
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
Ya they are absolutely horrible I shouldn't say it but my bike has been pretty good there was nuts falling off but I fixed that thank God I'm handy. Then I had a issue with the front battery it was moving around that caused the terminals to open up and it was not working right. I wrote to them they answered said they get me help right away never heard back from them again I fixed it and used velcro straps around the battery in the frame to keep it from moving it seems to be working thank God. Can't even get a 2nd charger for the bike let alone a battery or any parts. Ya stay away from this company everyone!!!!
ratbastard99@reddit
I had the same issue with the front battery popping out, that’s the battery that was also defective. It had discoloration on the metal that connected to the terminal on the bike, so even when I strapped it down, it would randomly connect and disconnect.
Even when you do get a phone call through, they have an attitude. My back battery would stick really bad when I’d try to remove it for charging. They told me maybe I wasn’t strong enough to remove it, and I had to try harder. They changed their tune when I said my male neighbor couldn’t remove it either, and said oh yeah there’s a defect on the fitting of the back rail that makes them stick. I got it out eventually and had to put chain lube on it every couple of removals 🙄🙄🙄
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
That's absurd how they spoke to you for one yes i think my battery was doing the same in the front there was a brownish looking stuff on the black plastic on the front battery by the terminals right?
ratbastard99@reddit
For mine the metal inside the connectors itself was discolored. It sounds like yours had a similar issue in a different spot. Pretty dangerous to have electrical issues while in use, I’m glad my never caught on fire of anything
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
Yes that discoloration means the electricity is arcing from contact to contact because it's not making a good connection and yes it's very dangerous that's exactly how a fire starts.
Most-Independence-22@reddit
I bought an Xtrail pro last May. It’s the highest quality I’ve seen for 3K. Dual motor, only hiccup was having to send the controller in for tuning. I was 260lbs when I first got it and the controller needed adjustment as my weight would over heat the motors on full send. They dialed back the speed for more consistent torque for my size. My max speed is 37mph but I’m fine with it. I have about 1,000 miles on it with zero complaints. I did replace the tires and tubes with higher quality stuff that grips better in wet conditions and can hold my weight without blowing out tubes on hard bumps at higher speeds. I order the rack as well and it did take 3+ months to be produced overseas on shipped. Other than that great experience. If you’re an impatient person, order somewhere else, as they don’t have a huge staff waiting to answer questions.
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
Wait to you need customer service or parts man you will see I love the bike too but with zero help it's not worth spending any money on
CaptainBock@reddit
Same thing here, the rack took months and months to arrive. The tire popped on the first day and now the motor stopped working and they keep saying they will help me but nothing happens.
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
Wow that's crazy yes my rack took months and months also! My tire went flat the first week too. I'm having small issues with the connections on the front battery I seemed to fix it for a while but it happened again I have to make sure the contacts are tight they seem to open up as you ride. I'm sorry you have to deal with this so far my bike has been pretty good thank God. I hate to see if I have a problem they have been zero help far with anything.
VS-29@reddit
I have the bike, haven’t had my issues, BUT, my experience with there customer service has been HORRIBLE. They don’t answer any of my texts, emails, calls. I wouldn’t purchase another ebike (Bandit) from this company. (MULTIPLE ISSUES)
Mysterious-Piglet344@reddit
Same here, this bastard doesn’t answrr and I want to cancel the order, I just contwcted my bwnk and hopefully they will do a chargeback despite me paying with debit card, otherwise I would have to fly to LA to talk to this guy in person… and it will not be funny for him, that is for sure.
Do not buy from these assholes, I hope that manybof us reporting, make this company close for good.
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
Yep same thing I have got no help from them. I'm waiting now because the front battery the connection is messed up I guess because it's a bad design I'm not sure I have never removed the batteries in this bike. I asked them to get a 2nd charger and I was completely ignored not reply at all I did get a reply on this issue but nothing more on how to fix it or what they are going to do for me. Totally agree I would never ever recommend or buy from them again even know the bike is nice for the most part.
Street-Section656@reddit
What is bandit bikes phone number?
CaterpillarKey6288@reddit
Most ebikes have the rear brakes on the right side. The reason is that they want you to release the throttle to activate the breaks. Motorcycles have the front break on the right side so that you use the left to release the clutch. If you let someone who rides a motorcycle use your ebikes you need to let them know there is a difference.
Zealousideal_Pace932@reddit (OP)
Well once you activate the brakes it cuts all power to the motors anyways for safety idk why they would switch something that has always been that same. In my eyes that's a huge safety issue because I thought I was using the front brake and I really wasn't
CaterpillarKey6288@reddit
There are still a lot of cheaper ebikes that don't have integrated brake lights, especially early ebikes. When you hit the brakes, it doesn't disengage the motor. They use a standard bicycle brake to save money.
When my bike arrived, it had the thumb throttle on the left side also. That really made no sense to me at all. If you get one with a twist throttle, it is on the right. I switched both the brake lever and the throttle to the opposite. If you have never ridden motorcycles in the past, it won't really affect you. But there are a lot of motorcyclists who complain.
silveronetwo@reddit
No defense of brand at all, but the more motorcycle/motorscooter like the ebike is, the more likely it is to have motorcycle-style brakes - which means front brake on right grip.
Surrons and other more cycle inspired bikes share this convention - exactly opposite from bicycles.
Kozmic-Stardust@reddit
Our Velotric Discover 1 and Discover 2 have the rear brake on the right, front on the left. Every pedal bike I have ever owned: Rear sprocket shifter on the right, front chainring (if it has one) shifter in the left. Same with brakes.
Is there some logical reason why motorcycles brakes and bicycle brakes are swapped? For people who ride both motorized and non-motorized bikes, I imagine this could be confusing, and if ie the wrong lever is applied during technical or hazardous conditions, could have consequences for the rider.
As an aside, I put a motorcycle style grip throttle on my ebike. Brakes are still set up to standard pedal configuration though. It seems modeps and ebikes are a wild wild west of configurations...
Kozmic-Stardust@reddit
Do not buy any brand online that isn't UL, CPSC certified and adhere to class 2/3 standards. Many storefronts are exactly that, rebranding and rebadging china bikes. The bike ships in a box as a kit and you do not get any coverage for parts or warranty. Once they sold product, they are done with you. Good luck finding replacement parts. Local bike shops will not touch any ebike that lacks certification stickers. For instance, suppose you bring one in for a mechanucal issue, they fix it, don't even touch the electronics. You take it home, ride it, whatever. Battery catches fire. Now the bike shop is on the hook because they were the last people to work on said "unsafe" bike.
Finding a legit company? Do they have authorized dealers in the US? Are they certified by UL or consumer product safety standards? Are they speed restricted to 28mph without controller tampering? Does the company sell spare/replacement parts or accessories on their website? Do they use name brand cranks, shifters, brakes? (Shimano, sram, etc). Is it designed as a pedal bike first, with an added hub motor, or is it designed like an electric moped, with pedals added to make it street legal? Call their customer service number. Can you actually reach a human? Ask them some basic questions about their ebikes and warranty coverage. Do they have authorized dealers? Do they ship from a warehouse in your home country (ie not overseas)? Tell them you wanted to reach out and make sure they were a legit company before you ordered from them. If they are legit, they will apporeciate this.
Lastly buy from a brick and mortar dealer if at all possible. Our Velitric ebikes were cheaper at the local bike shop than most of these china built companies, and way better made. They meet safety standards, I can test ride one before purchase, and I don't have to worry about getting support. When test riding, pay attention to the smoothness of the pas. A propely built pas system will not "take off" without your input or allow "ghost pedaling" ie acceleration faster than you actually push the pedals. Turn the controller off during the test ride to check that you can propel the bike with the pedals alone at low speeds without excessive difficulty.
abmaxwell@reddit
As others have mentioned some of this sounds like a lack of proper setup…
I’ve owned two X-Trail Pro’s, both a SO and ST version for about 8-10mos and have around 750-800miles on them.
My wife’s bike has had zero issues whatsoever short of a flat tire from a screw, but that just happened with stock tubes and tires that are worn quite a bit. I’m going to be upgrading both tubes/tires to ones with lower TPI (30 vs 60) to help, and I religiously use Flat Out to mitigate flats.
My bike initially had slow speed (topping out at 20mph), but after working through a repair and return for the main controller, which took around 6 weeks, it’s steadily getting around 29-35mph on flat ground (in PA 6). I’m over 6’ and around 200lbs for reference.
I’m currently working through an issue with one of the batteries cutting out, but that only happens after intense load, such as a steep 30° grade hill or sustained speed, so I’m wondering if that’s by design to rest one battery while the other keeps you going.
All in all these bikes have been good to us and worth the buy. Customer support is slow, but from my understanding it’s literally one or two guys doing it all. I’ve spoken with their shop lead Trevon who was more than willing to walk me through the repair process, and help troubleshoot any issue I had…
DarkVoid42@reddit
let me guess - fat tire chinese shitbike.
OnMyOwn_HereWeGo@reddit
LOL “we all know the front brake is always on the right side.”
Always? On what? A motorcycle or a bicycle? This isn’t a case of buyer beware. It’s buyer be educated.
Non-mon-xiety@reddit
Tubes and in some cases tires are basically consumables when it comes to fat tire bikes. Fill the tubes with flat out.
MaxTrixLe@reddit
Puncture resistant tires + tubes with FlatOut is the best combo. I haven't experienced a flat in forever, I don't even stress about them anymore
Non-mon-xiety@reddit
And honestly.. when it comes to bikes you have to take some ownership for tuning. These bikes go for $2.3k that’s incredibly cheap for this type of moped bike
37inFinals@reddit
42mph?
hegenious@reddit
Yeah I hope not.
Anonimouse6@reddit
Sounds like you need to return it
AyAySlim@reddit
I wouldn’t recommend buying any brand bike online unless it’s really the only option. I understand many people are handy and can easily put a bike together and save a few dollars but you are risking having to deal with questionable customer service and long waits for shipping even with the most reputable brands. Buy from an actual brick and mortar bike shop if you can.
Substantial_Oil678@reddit
Really hard to read these horror stories. It really is a “buyer beware” on these bike purchases.
tomcatx2@reddit
All bikes need a safety check of all fasteners during the assembly process. All bikes have tubes in the tires. It’s an upgrade to go tubeless. That choice of your bikes being tubeless ready is usually a function of the price point.
Are you getting kph mixed up with mph from their marketing?
Also. I agree w you in general. These D2C bikes promise a lot and then do not deliver. Buyer beware.