Biggest Mistake when buying Ebike. Trusting Youtubers
Posted by PrideTrick7303@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 96 comments
Single biggest mistake you can make on ebikes is just trusting youtube videos. They are paid for content, getting free ebike and getting commissions from sales. So they won't say bad thing about bikes.
Besides most are reviewing 2-3 ebikes/week. So they have only 3 days to spend on an ebike.
Most of us know unless its a shipping damage ebikes are always good to use out of box. problems happen after 500-800 miles.
Second even there is a problem those influencers will reach brands to solve the problem and won't show the problem to us.
I even see youtubers getting a different ebike ( I don't mean prototype, i mean an ebike with different motor, controller, battery to show the ebike as superior)
Use youtube videos as reference point. What you need to do.
- Ask Questions on Reddit
- Read Customer Reviews here
- Join FB groups and do the same thing.
- Read comments under Youtube videos.
They are the honest comments of real $$ customers who has a single ebike and making hundreds if not thousands of miles on it.
Look Aipas was selling inferior ebike. Almost nothing on their website match the ebike.
- different battery capacity
- different battery cells
- Claim UL on website but products don't have
- Motor power is fake etc...
Same happened for happyrun, vivi bikes and even goat power. Their dirt goat specs were fake.
Palmbeachteena@reddit
I am looking for a good e-bike to travel to work 2 miles - My budget is 600 or so are there any worth it
FastPush7778@reddit
I used to work for an ebike company and responsible for the collaboration with these "professional" influencers. Their primary objective was simply to acquire the product and money; offered no particularly professional insights. Some made exorbitant demands, and when we were unable to meet their desired financial terms, they resorted to various forms of harassment. Bitzybobzy really impressed me. Yet, collaboration is fundamentally a matter of mutual consent—something that proceeds only if both parties agree, and is simply called off if an agreement cannot be reached.
Puzzleheaded-Jury607@reddit
...
Early-Wish1125@reddit
i got my rattan from watching youtube videos. but i also watched alot of youtube videos on other ebikes as well, and just picked the one that i felt it was most necessary for what I needed. I went through deciding which one to pick out of like 10 brands, plus amazon had some brands, so about a dozen or so and the one that took the cake was actually the youtube reviewer raving about the ebike. I guess I fell for it.
4200 miles later. functioning strong. I had to do some tender loving care to it, like solder a cable back to a controller because it came off, and some flats, but the batterys still good. rides like a champ. and im happy with my purchase. 90% of my decision was because I saw it on youtube. I dont know why I didnt get the Lectric bikes, but I think Rattan had the higher wattage (1800 over lectric's 1500 or so) so i thought it was more powerful and at about 100 dollars more expensive.
Dallasite21414@reddit
What specs were fake on the Happyrun? And which models?
CriticalStrawberry@reddit
I think the problem may be that you keep buying crappy second shift china bikes, not that you listened to YouTubers give initial impressions on them. There is a reason these "companies" change names every few months to a new and fresh junble of words.
You get what you pay for. Direct to consumer fire hazards in a box are cheaper than options stocked at your LBS for a reason.
101001001010010201@reddit
Gotta say my aipas f3 adventurer has taken 1400 miles of abuse with only one error code which was a quick connect that came loose
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Aventon and Velotric are available DTC and make great bikes. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend either one of them. I would hesitate to recommend Trek.
Intrepid_Writing7078@reddit
Velotric & Aventon are very nice looking bikes too. Don’t think I’ve seen an ugly one yet.
(sorry in advance to the multitudes of sloppy welds, same parts but different weird names, clone after clone builds)
There’s something to be said for style.
Seems like people take better care of a beautiful bike too
International-Milk-1@reddit
I have a Velotric and loved it till recently. I saw there was a firmware update, so I applied it, now my Summit 1 has been neutered. While I understand the need to comply to new rules with bikes going forward, the willingness to retroactively and without any warning take away power that I had and was used to, is a bridge too far. They are great bikes, but I have very quickly soured on them. First chance I get, I will sell it and buy a Bonnell 775 AM.
weregeek@reddit
You can add Lectric to the list of DTC bike purveyors that put together decent bikes and offer good support after the sale.
CriticalStrawberry@reddit
They are also both established brands that sell in local stores now. Not talking about those, but the whack a mole madeup name brands like OP referenced.
Mordexis@reddit
+1 for Aventon. I have one and the build quality has been excellent. 👍
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
The Ramblas is very impressive for its price range. Far better than what Trek offers at a similar price.
EqualVast5973@reddit
All the bikes and parts come from China. People assume well if its sold in America, it must be made here.
CriticalStrawberry@reddit
Not saying that at all. Note that I said second shift factories. Aka, they make Aventon or Lectric during the day, meeting their QA standards, then on night shift make similar bikes using less quality materials, cutting corners on process, and often skipping QA all together.
The problem isn't Chinese manufacturing. Stuff made in China is actually usually better quality than something equivalent made in the USA these days, but there is a spectrum. Factories making stuff with their A crews for big brands is different than pumping out some DTC units at night labeled with a brand that won't exist in 6 months.
davpad12@reddit
I don't think it's a matter of day and night shifts putting out different quality as much as factories doing what they have to do to meet a price point set by the buyer. They'll take a generic frame and load it up with cheaper componentry to make it cheaper. Maybe they'll use batteries and motors that don't quite meet the spec of a higher priced bike. Sometimes they'll last and sometimes they won't.
Super-Frame677@reddit
However in a lot of cases, many of those direct to consumer bikes can be just as good as name brands and even better in some aspects for most people. Not everyone has $3k or more to drop on a low spec 250-500w class 1 ebike, and it does not make sense to do so unless you're an enthusiast with money to spend. For many people, one of the higher quality cheap China bikes is absolutely fine.
anguagea@reddit
ffs kids talk to your lbs and save all if this bullshit. Good (=safe) bikes cost money and get over it.
ryapeter@reddit
You never heard saying trust everything on the internet?
Botched_Euthanasia@reddit
My LBS sold me a bike for $200+ over the MSRP and took until five minutes before closing time to finalize the paperwork, so they were closed when I actually turned it on and saw it had 100+ miles logged on the odometer already. Pretty sure they sold me a bike they offer people to do test rides on or one of their rentals. I do like the bike but a LBS isn't always honest, so be careful.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
No, they don't have to. You can get crappy bikes from a LBS and good bikes from online. Buying from a LBS is not a guarantee of anything other than maybe overpaying.
anguagea@reddit
Sure, LBS vary but the surviving ones have insight into maintenance and reliability that's very difficult to match. Support them.
Icy_Peace6993@reddit
Sure, but not 5x for the same bike. I'll buy the no-name bike and take it to my lbs for a safety check and subsequent maintenance.
anguagea@reddit
Might make sense to speak to them before about which bikes they'll service then. While you're at it, ask them which are actually reliable and safe in the long term. If you think you're saving 80% by buying no-name/online you're just wrong.
Icy_Peace6993@reddit
Like, I've already done this twice, and ridden for years. The first one I sold after he rode it everyday, safely and without repairs needed for a year, then sold it on Facebook Marketplace for the exact same amount that I bought it for. Took that money, and bought another, more powerful one, and he's been riding it again, everyday, for two years, safely, no issues. How exactly am I "just wrong"?
anguagea@reddit
You describe the same bikes as "dangerous AF" in a separate comment. Grow up.
PrideTrick7303@reddit (OP)
agree .do research. I don’t mean youtube videos are worthless but need to do more research
thewimsey@reddit
No, you were right the first time. They're pretty worthless for reviews because they are paid by the company they are reviewing or by selling what they review.
Or both!
Icy_Peace6993@reddit
Bad advice. You'll spend 5-6x for the exact same bike.
tdister@reddit
You can overpay for rebranded junk but there’s high quality bikes available in the same realm
There was a local shop buying low end but fancy appearing Alibaba bikes and throwing on a faux leather saddle and grips and charging 5x cost but there’s also brand name bikes with reasonable tech and parts…or at least a brand name behind it
Icy_Peace6993@reddit
It doesn't look like that to me. It looks to me like they're all coming from the same factory identical, getting shipped all together in big containers, and then when they unload them, they're slapping different labels on them and sending them around. Ours just doesn't have a label on it, but I've worked on them, it's the same bike.
tdister@reddit
Well, to be frank you’re just shooting from the hip. A tern or specialized ebike is not the same thing as a “quaziong fast steed” or whatever, not even Bafang quality with no name components and made from pot metal. But if you aren’t savvy you can and up paying the same for the ebike shaped object.
Icy_Peace6993@reddit
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, you're talking about a whole different thing. Yes, Specialized is a completely different category of bicycle period, e-bike or not, none of these kids are riding around on Specialized e-bikes. They're riding around on these things that look like mini-motorcycles, but they're battery-powered. I'm sure you've seen them, this is not even the same galaxy as a Specialized e-MTB or anything like that. That's not what this is.
tdister@reddit
The comment you remarked on was talking about going to a LBS for a higher level of product instead of buying cheap bikes. It’s well on topic. Not emotos from some fly by night shop selling rebranded crap
Icy_Peace6993@reddit
It didn't say anything about actual e-MTB's from brands like Specialized. That's not even in the conversation, from what I've seen, but maybe things are different in my 'hood, I dunno.
UT07@reddit
You're very oblivious to the conversation. Quality ebikes are manufactured by legacy bicycle brands and are sold at local bicycle shops. Typically, they offer pedal assist only (no throttle), use 250 watt mid drive motors from equally reputable manufacturers (Bosch), and use quality bicycle components (Shimano, SRAM, Ergon, etc.) The junk you are familiar with are not ebikes at all. They are electric motorcycles, mopeds, emotos, etc., attempting to skirt laws by including ornamental pedals and screwing it up for the rest of us who actually ride ebikes.
thewimsey@reddit
Both Trek and Specialized offer e-bikes with throttles.
But not on their high-end mountain or road bikes.
UT07@reddit
Hence I wrote "typically".
nightstorm52@reddit
Can you cite examples?
Icy_Peace6993@reddit
Not really. All of my son's friends have e-bikes, so I see them all day every day, I've even fixed a few. They're all basically the same Chinese bikes, just with different branding. They're all fairly dangerous AF, difficult to maintain, and extremely fun. Some of them can be had from "a dude on Facebook" that doesn't speak English for $500, some of them cost $2500-3000 at your local bike shop. Take you pick, I went for the $500 personally. He's been riding it every day for over year without incident.
parisidiot@reddit
wow! racist, cheap, and stupid -- a trifecta
anguagea@reddit
Great parenting and / or trolling. Nice.
UT07@reddit
I think you're confused about the definition of ebike
Inevitable_darkelf@reddit
Yes, omg. People believe whatever YouTubers say. Most e-bike YouTubers aren’t real e-bike mechanics. I do find some useful motor repair videos from the actual manufacturers, but a lot of the DIY content is made by basically noob mechanics who have no real bicycle mechanic experience.
They even recommend putting green Slime in inner tubes… like, what the fuck?
And then you have some kit resellers who talk nonstop about how amazing everything is, but they never show the darker side.. the failures, maintenance issues, or long term problems.
The_Quiet_PartYT@reddit
Now I'm biased, but find some random small channel where they just happen to ride an ebike for commuting and use THEIR review because they'll just actually be honest and bought it themselves.
PrideTrick7303@reddit (OP)
Not a bad idea. But again I need to check are they paid. Or do they pay and do review. Some customers create youtube channel and do review of 1-2 ebikes/year as they are their own ebikes.
These ones I trust.
Otherwise for me personally biggest issue with ebikes is reliability and how much company support.
I saw horror stories where people waiting for a replacement part for 65 - 70 days. And after get a wrong one. Can you imagine if you this ebike is your commuting vehicle how frustrating it can be.
International-Milk-1@reddit
What it comes down to is when you plan to buy. If you are trying to buy something that just came out or is about to... You are taking your chances. If it's been out for a while, you will start seeing real world, real owner reviews, and even then, you have to factor the honeymoon period, and the bias of investment. Look for those 500 mile reviews, the 3 month reviews, etc. That's where you're likely to get a little more honest opinion. Also read between the lines, how does their lifestyle and area they live apply to you? An Arizona leisure review probably won't apply well to someone who lives in San Francisco and commutes, or at the very least you know you have more research to do.
The_Quiet_PartYT@reddit
Oh I wouldn't have gotten into ebikes at all were it not for my prior experience working on and repairing just about everything else I own. The market isn't mature like with cars, and when I bought my Rad Rover I went into it knowing about what the individual components are worth. Just from that alone I knew I'd be doing all the maintenance and repairs myself with not much help.
I just checked to make sure that Rad sells lots of replacement parts, and they did. So every time I had an issue I'd just email them for the part and buy it. I've been commuting fulltime with mine for 5 years, and have 7000 miles on it.
unrealtrip@reddit
Yeah this right here. I'll trust independent reviews by people who bought something all day long over people who were gifted a product. It used to be that people had to return the product being reviewed to ensure their impartiality, I mean in the business world I can't accept anything worth over $50 from a vendor to prevent an ethical conflict of interest, including our current vendors.
I've got a new eBike on the way, and I've been riding a ZOOZ for the last 1k miles and thought I'd share my thoughts on those in a video as just some bloke who picked up the bikes with a specific purpose in mind. Actually I've been meaning to write up something (or video it) on how I built a 72v 3000w eBike which I registered as a Moped in CA and got plated too.
AviationMetalSmith1@reddit
And where is the fairing, panniers, rear view mirror, stereo, USB port , & turn signals? So many itemized items excluded.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Not all YouTubers are created equal. Random people posting on Reddit aren't necessarily an authoritative or trustworthy source.
Watch enough reviews and it becomes obvious which reviewers sugarcoat. But even when they do, it's possible to read between the lines.
BodSmith54321@reddit
Electric Bike Report on slowest bike they have ever reviewed: This bike is ahead of the pack in climbing ability among Bikes whose name begins with the letters XFRL and that weigh between 72.35 pounds and 72.37 pounds.
I like their range and hill testing, but they never reviewed a bike they didn’t like.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
When an ebike is underpowered they talk it up as working with you rather than taking over.
gotitaila31@reddit
What a goofy ass thingy to do. I can't wait to flame the first loser I see saying some shit like this.
EqualVast5973@reddit
I think what I found pretty pointless about youtube videos is right out of the box, its gonna work amazing. What about 6 months or a thousand miles down the road,
jayw900@reddit
Some channels will claim they did a long-term test where it’s like a couple weeks maybe a month. they put a couple hundred miles on it. These channels act like that’s something special.
sckuzzle@reddit
If everybody else only rides it for 2-3 days, it is.
Loud-Honeydew1650@reddit
I’ll let you know. I got the amp s yesterday. Lots of power right out of the box. I already looped it but the bike is fine other then the controls for the headlight and turn signals and there’s a rip in the seat now. I was messing around trying to do wheelies in mode 3 and it shot straight up as soon as I hit the throttle. If you get one I definitely suggest getting used to the throttle because the response is there.
DiezDedos@reddit
This. Especially when they try to demonstrate how unbiased they are by adding some cons that are so minimal it’s comical “after riding this for 10 minutes I can say this Xiaolong bike is the Turbo Levo killer, but there are some sticking points. For example, I don’t like the color of the brake levers. Use coupon code ‘NoPrinciples’ for 10% off”
BrianJPace@reddit
Park tools videos are what sold me on my Aventon Pace. They are pretty on point.
innui100@reddit
Any review is at best just a snapshot of that person's experience and says nothing about the long term use of an item. At worst they simply don't care because they are paid/bought to provide a glowing review. In the end you always have to do your own legwork.
Jeff_Pagu@reddit
This is why for e-bikes, always shop for one that is sold and supported by your local bike shop. That or you splurge and buy a premium brand
PrideTrick7303@reddit (OP)
not really as sometimes shop owners try to push you to bikes which they know have issues. In the end shop provide only manufacturer warranty
thishasntbeeneasy@reddit
Bike shops already had the difficult issue of bikes going stale after 1-2 years, and the margin was so small that it's hard to discount them - so they do have an incentive to force them onto people even if it wasn't quite the right bike for them.
But now with ebikes, they will have an even harder time selling if it's not fresh. No shop wants to stock something with a big battery that wasn't intended to sit unused for several months. So I have less faith that shops aren't just pushing what they know needs to get moved out asap.
Verneff@reddit
My mum fell for this. She went to a sketchy shop, got a horrifyingly sketchy bike with a battery that was showing signs of issues from day one. Any time she went up a hill the battery charge indicator would drop a few bars. She had it less than a year before she was going up a hill and had the battery cut out, the motor lock up, and she ended up falling and breaking her wrist. It's especially frustrating since I told her not to get something sketchy when she said she was looking at getting an ebike.
Jeff_Pagu@reddit
True, just gotta hope you find a good one, but agreed, hard to tell nowadays
PrideTrick7303@reddit (OP)
There is not a 100% bulletproof way. But your first statement is correct in this case.
You can at least have some idea about built quality.
Once in a shop I saw a brand named AMyet. Very good reviews but once I check it.
Cheap and light frame. When I say light it isn't because they use carbon fiber. They use cheap thin tubes.
Everything shouts as cheap.
Second is talk with real owners. Who really experienced problem but one or two negative comment shall not change your mind. As we all know there are some sour customers who complain about everything.
chuckwolf@reddit
this is why i trust the brand i use because one particular youtuber, PapaBlueShirt bought and documented roughly 15,000 miles of use on 3 different models so i know the bikes will last the long haul
picture-me-trolling@reddit
Work
jwcole1956@reddit
The only utuber I will listen to, is my local bike shop.
Capitan_Rich@reddit
Trust your butt bro
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
I obviously have a Luck,my friend buyed Engwe bike,and me after him... Without any social networks, Reddit, YouTube, nothing... In store... I have this bike almost 2 years and 3330km without any problems... I buyed on blind,and I'm very satisfied and happy...
webtrainerca@reddit
mmmm
funcentric@reddit
Haha, I found that to be true too which is why I have content on a non monetized channel with zero sponsorships of ebikes. Just telling people the real deal and what to watch out for. Many of my videos actually inform people NOT to get an ebike for reasons A, B, C. No affiliate links, etc.
There's not enough actual owners who actually ride making content. Figured I'd fill the gap and help out some fellow people in the meantime.
Jayqueezy_@reddit
IMHO the biggest mistake is paying sub $300 on a bike with claimed specs that should be easily over $1500 off of Alibaba
Everyone likes the cheap ones until your garage has burned down.
Ur-in-a-tor@reddit
I bought mine solely based on YouTuber reviews. I was sceptical because of all the good words, but it turned out to be the best investment ever. https://youtu.be/jqwE0G_vraI?is=GC6zGIMnMPlOpyTX
parisidiot@reddit
lol this seems like one of the brands that this post is about! https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/comments/1eagn1p/noko_ebikes/
there is very very little organic content about this brand. unusual.
Ur-in-a-tor@reddit
Yea there's something on YouTube but not widely recognized at all. I'm super happy with my bike, flawless for little over a year now, and their support is ace.
Outrageous-Spot-4014@reddit
You can say that about any product. But most negative reviews are by people who don't know how to use a product or abuse it then complain when it breaks.
alttabbins@reddit
Theres a famous retro video game content youtuber who had ebike and escooter content for some reason. He couldn't even ride most of them so he had his daughter get on them while he "reviewed" them. There are so many ebike companies fighting for cheap advertising, they just look at subscriber count and channel views. Doesn't matter what the content or topic of the channel is anymore. Thats where things went wrong.
Off the top of my head, the only ebike reviewer that I trust is Kevcentral and I can't remember the last time he put out a good video, much less one about ebikes.
InfluenceEfficient77@reddit
The Walmart MTB ebike, guy is literally sponsored by walmart, and first thing he says "I'm not doing jumps jumps are scary". Do you think wallmart couldn't afford to hire a decent MTB rider? They could but that bike would probly snap in half
BodSmith54321@reddit
Bikeride.com’s channel always gives you the negatives.
EqualVast5973@reddit
Always look at customer service reviews. Find there face book page and see what people have to say on the page, see if people post on that page, and does the company interact with customers. See if the company offers parts for there bikes on there web site. Thats why I went with Freesky Bike.
Granted, sometimes ebike companies go out of business. But all you can do is the best research you can do and realize, ebikes have batteries and moving parts. They have a life cycle. They can be stolen. So only spend what you can afford to one day loose. Now I did look at one youtube video of my ebike. Watched the guy put it through the paces.
You dont need a 3 thousand dollar ebike as your first ebike. Get something reasonable priced. See if it works for you. Some go out and buy the ebike, love it for a short time, then simply loose interest.
Ok-Conversation-7292@reddit
After my Lectric Xpeak failed me i started looking for another brand, and i watched a lot of reviews but i knew right off the bat what they are, just folks spending a week at the most with a product and helping the manufacturer with sales. I bought my Velotric Nomad 2X from a local'ish shop, after seeing one in person and test driving it. They honored the online price and all the discounts i had and put it up together for me. I picked it up in 3 days after placing the order. 500 miles later it's been perfect.
Bikermec@reddit
If you want honest ebike review, find one from a professional biker and not Joe Nobody with newest ebike. Someone like Seth Alvo or Sam Pilgrim, who know a thing or two about bikes will be much more critical about things that matter.
PrideTrick7303@reddit (OP)
make sense
derping1234@reddit
I think it depends a lot on which youtube you listen to. Of course never rely on any single source, be that a youtube channel or otherwise.
Personally I've always found Radelbande to be very informative https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR_qtX-sLmIlf7EIn-62h6A
Just-Smart-Enough@reddit
You could have cut out the middle three words...
Wants-NotNeeds@reddit
2nd Biggest Mistake? Buying online. One size fits all! Brake? You only need those to slow you, just don’t expect to stop quick? Support? What’s that? Tech support for trained mechanics? Never heard of him. Got a flat? Take it to the bike shop. Oh, they refuse to work on your bike? Not our fault! Too many failure and warranty claims? Bye bye, we’re no longer in business! Oh, safety certifications cost money? We don’t need those, our stuff is safe. Trust us!
PrideTrick7303@reddit (OP)
ahahaha agree about all.
Wants-NotNeeds@reddit
Sorry, I’m a bit sour right now. But, I take it it’s true. I’ve spent half my life in a bike shop and I think a bike should last 20 years or more. I have little tolerance for cheap shit, especially cheap shit that can hurt you because it’s manufactured inadequately. A bike should be both affordable and built to last with a company that stands behind it.
1111joey1111@reddit
Youtube videos ARE important to watch, especially if it's a thorough review. It can demonstrate features, give you an idea of the overall look (size, height, etc), and maybe even offer a range test.
Some YouTube reviewers are honest, and some are not. I agree that reading the comments are always important AND I agree with your suggestion to find a Facebook group dedicated to the model you're considering.
To be honest, reddit groups can also have major issues with brand fanboys and company shills. Every hobby also suffers from the elitists, who trash everything except their expensive selection. I wouldn't ever believe everything that I read here either.
The real trick is to use EVERY source of info possible. Facebook, YouTube, Amazon reviews, Google reviews, reddit, etc.... and try your best to make a good decision. Also, remember that there's no such thing as the perfect product.
The_Quiet_PartYT@reddit
I'd say the most important thing to cultivate is one's own DIY skills. Research rules out the duds, and the scams, but everyone gets a flat, or burns a fuse eventually. Knowing how to deal with that stuff turns you into your own customer service.
1111joey1111@reddit
I agree completely. VERY important to be able to fix the basic stuff (and eventually, maybe the not so basic stuff too).
PrideTrick7303@reddit (OP)
great advice .