Buying 7 year old ebike, bad idea?

Posted by Minimum_Tough_5389@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 27 comments

I am interested in buying my first e-bike, i have found what looks to be a well maintained 7 year old ebike from a local brand. It's equipped with a Shimano steps E6000 motor and battery and has only done 70miles. Kept indoors.

Could it be an ok buy for $800? Or should I stay away from ebikes of that age?

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electricbikerider1@reddit

It sounds like it should be fine, it's reputable motor and battery. I have a brose setup and it's six years old and done 2465 miles, I still get 90-95% of the original range . Hope this gives you some idea.

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RichGuarantee7482@reddit

lol go for it

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Iron_Oxhide@reddit

The batteries are not keen on being being stored for lengths of time unless they're around 40-60% charge. I might try using that fact to haggle them down and possibly source another battery later personally. This is coming from someone that likes to tinker and already has a decent bike mind you.

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beagles4ever@reddit

No, terrible idea. The battery is almost certainly shot, The tech in the space evolves very rapidly so 7 years is donkeys ages.

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Minimum_Tough_5389@reddit (OP)

It would mainly be used to and from work, about 15 miles each way. In what way has the tech evolved? Im fine with some battery degradation

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beagles4ever@reddit

"some" is doing a lot of work here.

The odds that a bike battery that only has 70 miles on it after 7 years has been properly cared for and kept in optimal condition are between slim and none and slim just left town. That battery is almost certainly not worth anything.

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kamaka71@reddit

Are you able to purchase a new battery if needed?

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Minimum_Tough_5389@reddit (OP)

Sure but its around $500

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Schemeckles@reddit

Then add that to the purchase price...

Or try to leverage it into the deal and cut down his price.

$800 for a 7 year old bike is high.

You've been very vague with the post regarding brand/model. But since it's a new/evolving industry, the standards are different.

A bike that could've costed $3k seven years ago, with (insert random features here), might only cost $1200 today for a similar bike with the same features.

And the battery is either shot, or on its last legs.

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Lordly_Lobster@reddit

IF you can take the bike out for a test drive under full power to make sure the battery holds a full charge, is responsive, and doesn't sag under high load

A battery could last that long if it was kept in an intermediate state of charge. But that's a big if. Take a look at upway.co They have low mileage ebikes that are newer and come with a one year warranty. You'll pay a little more but have some peace of mind.

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