What are the top priority when you choosing an ebike?
Posted by Yaakeqin@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 28 comments
Name other priorities if not listed
Posted by Yaakeqin@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 28 comments
Name other priorities if not listed
babblefish111@reddit
Battery, motor and weight in equal measure for me
SquareFeature3340@reddit
Reliability and maintenance.
I don't know why I would need smart features and connectivity. It's just more complexity in the system that increases the chance something will go wrong and takes away my attention.
iEugene72@reddit
I have to tell this story...
I voted "brand reputation" because ebike brands today are really a dime a dozen... still shocks me HOW many people will go with a cheaper no name brand because they're like, "check out this $600 bike that goes just as fast as your $2,000 bike!" as if measuring one aspect is the only thing...
When I first got into ebikes I chose the company Velotric and bought their Discover 1. It was fantastic... for exactly 6 months, nearly to the day. Was on a ride, went over a small speed bump and all the lights got stuck on (and they were bright). I contacted the company and after back and forth emails of me sending them private videos they eventually said it was the motor controller. They sent me a new one for free, but here's where things get really odd.
Inside the box was indeed the new controller, but also there was a hand written note explaining to send the old motor controller to an address in China.. Now you'd think 1) odd to hand write that, 2) why didn't they tell me about this in the email at all or at least give me a heads up and 3)... the address wasn't written down anywhere, there was a separate physical photo printed out that had a picture of a hand written address in pencil that I couldn't read at all. Not to mention they wanted me to pay for shipping. I tossed the old one out without a second thought, installed the new one and the bike worked like a dream again.... For exactly seven days.
Out of no where my problem triples and the bike now randomly loses power. So I'll be flying along just great and then BAM all the power shuts off, lights shut off, everything goes silent, then it boots up again and then flickers out, all sorts of issues. Totally defeating the "e" in ebike...
I contact Velotric again and again they want a video, so I film one and send it. Then they send me a google drive video with no sound and super poor quality of someone in China trying to show me that the battery isn't seated properly, (I assure you it was seated perfectly, it can't NOT be seated perfectly with how easily they slide in)... Back and forth emails again telling them, "you're not understanding, the bike is now worse because of the part you sent me!" I'm trying to be patient, but I keep getting the run around.
Finally I get one last email from them basically saying in so many words, "there's nothing at all we can do to help your problem, take it to a local bike shop, good luck!" - The bike was fully under warranty and at the time in late 2022 NO bike shop would even look at it as many hadn't even heard of the brand. I finally broke and wrote them a horribly nasty email slamming their service and products. I sold the bike at a loss, bought an Aventon Level.2 in May 2023 that I STILL ride loyally to this day with over 4,100 miles on it.
You know how many electrical issues my Aventon has had? ZERO. It's just had flat tires from me, and some add ons. I got it serviced one time at an authorised shop and it came back as if it just got shipped out.
I will slam Velotric til the day I die.
OkFortune7651@reddit
Same thing happened to me. Now I have a Pedego that can be serviced AT PEDEGO!
dumbledwarves@reddit
Local bike shop support.
OkFortune7651@reddit
YES!!! The first thing I advise potential buyers is that they will need someone who will work on it with something goes south, and customer service in China isn't picking up the customer service line.
ShootToMischief@reddit
RemindMe! 3 Days
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WarrenLee@reddit
How about price?
Cargobiker530@reddit
Can I replace every part but the frame from some other source but the seller. If I buy an analog bike all the parts but the frame are made to standards so they're replaceable. Ebikes have unnamed, unsourceable, proprietary parts that turn ebikes into bricks.
bulshoy_3@reddit
"Do the design specs meet my needs?"
Followed by "Can I get replacement parts for this thing."
I'd have to scroll all the way to the bottom of my priorities list to find "smart features and connectivity."
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
I hope they get an A on their assignment.
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
Is it reparible and can I get spare parts?
Slightly less important:
Is it an Open Standard and/or can be used with bikes using recognized standards like BSA bottom bracket, etc
eurephys@reddit
Technically, it's smart features.
In that I don't want any smart features. Every bluetooth connectivity shit on the bike is a mark against it for me.
ChampionshipKind5856@reddit
Weight and portability followed closely by brand reputation.
BWWFC@reddit
this would have so much more value as a rank choice vote.
Reasonable-Rub2243@reddit
Standard parts, so I can still repair it after the maker goes under.
V3semir@reddit
How sturdy and stealthy the frame is.
Affectionate_Lie5601@reddit
The FRAME
I haul cargo, so I don't want weak points like a folding bike frame has
the frame is the base, you can upgrade and swap parts from
RedGobboRebel@reddit
Does the bike fit the purpose? Both in category and regulation.
After that, then you get into nice to haves for the purpose.
Brands that you trust or can have services locally are nice to have but at this point budget is also in play.
richardrc@reddit
I can't believe you left off "illegally fast" and "incredibly cheap" for this sub.
FigNinja@reddit
There are a lot of specs about parts I care about that aren't a part of this survey, but I chose "Brand Reputation" because I would immediately eliminate from consideration any bike from a brand I've never heard of, brands that are randomly generated strings of letters being sold by drop-shippers on Amazon, Temu, AliExpress, etc.
That doesn't tell you a whole lot about what makes a good bike, though. It just tells you that there is so much crap in the market swelling the e-waste stream. I wouldn't buy a hub motor, cadence sensor bike from the most reputable corporation on earth because I want a mid-drive, torque sensor bike. Since this is a single-choice poll, rather than ranked-choice, Smart Features isn't going to get a nod from most people before things like Motor Power and Battery Range. Those are basic bike features. I'm not going to buy a 250W bike that goes 10 miles and weighs 80lbs because it has a cool app. I might consider smart features when choosing between two high-quality bikes with compelling features. It doesn't mean it can't be important, but a single-choice poll isn't going to give you meaningful information about the features people want.
Ill_Cheetah_1991@reddit
Not really a very good question
for example - if I just want an ebike to get me 5 miles to work and back then range is not very important to me
If I need to store it in a flat that is up 4 flights of stairs - then weight becomes more importannt
if I need to climb big steep hills the power
etc etc
SnowDrifter_@reddit
Poll not working for me
But I'm big into DIY. So for me, sourcing parts, avoiding ecosystem lock, standardized items are a big one. Anything that I can't diagnose, service, repair, is an immediate deal breaker. Much love to Bosch, Shimano, etc mid drives. But I would never own them. I tend more towards the side of bafang, qs, lightningrods, and the like. Open parts availability, I can use whatever controller I want, etc.
BodSmith54321@reddit
Reliability and Warranty and after sales support especially if local.
stormdelta@reddit
Poll doesn't work on non-new reddit or mobile.
Reliability and repairability are my biggest priorities as my bike is for transportation first and foremost. Proprietary components are a non-starter as they usually can't be reliably repaired without having a car, and usually you're stuck relying on some distant shop if even possible at all.
"Smart" features and anything requiring a godforsaken app are anti-features and will instantly make me avoid a bike or component. About the only thing that could ever warrant that is anti-theft functions, and those don't and shouldn't be tied to the main function of the bike. The problem is that besides being obnoxious and gimmicky, none of that shit is long-term maintained or reliable. It'll break down as soon as they want to sell a new model or the company disappears or changes tack. And of course it'll never be compatible with anything else.
japakapalapa@reddit
Sexy looks missing from the list.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Cost/value is obviously a big factor for many/most.
Ride quality/comfort/noise is also likely a key factor.