My Experience With A Cheap E-Bike (I Should Have Listened)
Posted by xJadusable@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 140 comments
So I bought the TST R9 Ultra e-bike that’s been spammed on social media like TikTok for months now. $800 for a moped style ebike with dual 15ah batteries (30ah total) sounded so good. I bought it with the intention of doing food delivery and running general errands.
I used it to get groceries. To do Uber Eats and DoorDash (frequent 40-50 mile shifts). I had issues no doubt. The tires sucked butt. Bald rear tire 750 miles in. 5x inner tube replacements. Frequent brake adjustments. I still loved it. But today the rear rim cracked. No collision, no major hit or scrap or anything. It just broke off in the middle of the ride and I didn’t notice until I got a flat (again). Riding home was super scary after replacing the rear inner tube cause of the cracked rim literally poking right at the tire. I only inflated it to 10 PSI cause anymore and it was just pressing on the tire bad. Just submitted the support ticket and the refund request is in progress (they say it’ll be approved refund without return but we will see). Now I’m looking for another \~$1000 ebike with good mileage for food delivery. Any suggestions for bikes that won’t break after 2 months?
cloudyinphilly@reddit
I just got one, love it. I feel like you would need to replace the tires for food delivery, but you can't complain about how this thing powers through the city
Away_Initiative_6387@reddit
I suspect the OP's rim was damaged because the tire was underinflated and ran over a hard object.
Legitimate-Lab9077@reddit
That is not an e bike. That is a motorcycle.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Class 2 ebike. Tops out at 20 mph out the box
Legitimate-Lab9077@reddit
It has more than 750 W motor. Motorcycle.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
750w motor that can peak higher but sustained is 750w. Lectrics XP 4 also has a 750w that peaks past 1000w. Do you consider that a moto too?
Legitimate-Lab9077@reddit
Doesn’t matter. If it can go above 750 W it’s not an E bike. If it exceeds 750 W, it is by definition legally a motorcycle/moped (depending upon jurisdiction) so yes, the Lectrics is absolutely a moto
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Maybe in your neck of the woods but not where I’m from. Have a good one
Legitimate-Lab9077@reddit
If you’re inside the United States or Europe, it’s a motorcycle the US limited to a 750 W hard limit and Europe limits to 250 W
arkalus@reddit
My ebike Amazon, first time buyer 2500 miles later, I got lucky lol
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Maybe I got unlucky but damn. Wish I got that mileage out of it without issues. I think my first inner tube replacement was like 90 miles in lol
throwaway_2_help_ppl@reddit
Why do you keep saying inner tube replacement like that is a thing? You know you’re supposed to patch them right? You don’t buy a new one every time you have a puncture
irony_delerium@reddit
I can get a new tube for $6, replace it in 15 minutes.
Or I can try patching it, spend an hour doing that, hope I got all the holes and that the patches stay, and spend another 15 minutes installing it.
That's on a tricycle where I have free access to the wheels to pull tires and the like with minimal tools.
I know my time is worth more than $6/hr.
Droidstation3@reddit
Personally, I never expect a patch to last longer than the ride home. Any more than that is a bonus, but I feel like I'm on borrowed time. I replace the tube for peace of mind, because I don't wanna be caught exceptionally far away from home, OR happen to be in a particular area that I'd rather not have to stop in, for an excessive amount of time, with an expensive bike, when the patch fails. A new inner tube is a SMALL price to pay.
Frznrrfan6@reddit
Doesn't anyone else sell a replacement inner tube, why keep buying a replacement inner tube if you keep getting 💩 isn't there a better one out there from a bike shop. I'm actually looking for a E bike and I'm not spending 1000+ for something to ride in my hood.
Cargobiker530@reddit
If you look carefully you'll see people riding on cheap ebikes with mostly flat tires. That's one tire very clearly not having enough air in it. Those tires are going to pinch flat: pinch between the wheel rim and the tire bead destroying the tube.
A careful cyclist will check the tire pressure before each ride to make sure their tires are well inflated. It's a lot easier to patch a tube with a small leak than replace a tube that pinch flatted because it was ridden without enough air in it. Cheap people are frequently careless people.
Cute_Preference_8213@reddit
The inner tube popping is not always due to a poor inner tube it could be bad rims, tires, improperly inflated or even road conditions in ops case he had low quality rims and put high stress on it he was probably replacing inner tubes weekly if not daily
abnormalmob@reddit
thing is that's the point, when people say [cheap product] is worthless, it's not that they all are or even that a majority are necessarily it's that you're playing with fire and are far more likely to be unlucky. You pay premiums for good products because the usually last longer, when they have issues the issues are small and the company is typically more likely to help.
SlashNreap@reddit
That's true.
Also, a good part of what makes a product last through time is also the user themselves. Fail to do basic maintenance on a premium Ebike, and you could end up with just as much hazard as you do with a cheap Ebike, electricity sees nothing but the path of least resistance. An expensive battery is just as dangerous as a cheap battery if the BMS is somehow damaged, preventing safeguards for example.
This is why it kind of irks me when people advocate for more expensive options right off the bat without elaborating more than "Stop buying cheap". I just know that some of the same people will come here one day in a panic "I have X brand of bike, why isn't my motor working? It's making this weird sound!" Well, yeah. Your bike isn't maintenance-free. I know not all of it comes from lack of maintenance, but, it's a pretty good chunk nonetheless.
You know what I mean?
UT07@reddit
Do you think 2500 miles is a lot? That's 6-12 months of riding for most of us
RentedChangeling@reddit
Which one ?
BeingWrong4803@reddit
Same I have 2 e-bikes under $700 that are at 3000miles and just need a new tire. I just upgraded to a Ride1up Vorsa which is 1600 and I get why people say not to buy the cheap ones because they aren’t as safe and just not a premium feel but with light and smart use they are capable of lasting a longer than expected time just like any cheap electronic.
unseenmover@reddit
a $800 bike is likely made to to ride around the trailer park a few times a month. I had a 1k velotric that i rode daily to work, groceries..all over the place it began falling apart 8 months in. I got what i could for it and ran..fast..
Particular-Doubt-566@reddit
You put 750 miles on that sucker in 2 months? I have 1500 on my $338 ebike but it took me about a year to get there. I also do a lot of general upkeep on it. My suggestion is to read and watch a lot of reviews. I bet that bike paid for itself a couple times at least if you out those miles on doing door dash.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Yea good thing was I made a lot more than it costs.
Admirable_Session239@reddit
Ride 1up is awesome. I bought the 700 series in 2022 and love it to this day. It was about $1600 brand new and maybe you can get a used one for half that
DresNightfire@reddit
wtf just jb weld and refinish it, those wheels are pretty rad
Cellist_Acceptable@reddit
I also got a ebike from Amazon. First time buyer. Had it since 2023. Clocked 1,087 miles on it. My round trip from home to work is 20 miles total. That's about 80 miles a week. So far its been very reliable. I throttle all the way each way. 😌
PlaneMap8743@reddit
Maths not your strong point!!!!
FluffyReflection3847@reddit
Using just the throttle is bad on that motor
Cellist_Acceptable@reddit
I also have an electric scooter. :U
FluffyReflection3847@reddit
A new rear hub can run you between $300-500
XxDeathking101xX@reddit
no a new hub for this guy would cost like 150-200 at 300-500 you can buy a 2000w ebike kit and put that on this frame with a better torque arm
XxDeathking101xX@reddit
if wall you do it door dash and and groceries you could check out the Mukkpet Stepwagon Dual-Battery Cargo E-Bike they say it gets up to 120 miles of range its on there site for $1,149.00 usd it has 2 30 ah batteries i cant speak on them much but they seem like a decent company i build all of my own ebikes
Interesting_Race9682@reddit
Wallke H7, or H9, Aniioki these have large batteries, racks to mount a hot/cold bag, i currently ride a H7, over 3000 miles on this one, a few upgrades ie Heb tires, etc its been nothing short of reliable.
maluket@reddit
If they deny it, Just replace the wheel for another one of the same size with a hub motor or with a common wheel fat bike and get a mid-drive kit.
Latter-Ad-1523@reddit
put the thickest tube in there you can and a tire liner. my guess is that the rim was damaged from a pot hole.
also, when i built my ebike i was shocked how fast i make rear tires went bald, and how fast i went through brake pads, but i rode it like a f1 driver so meh.
Capitan_Rich@reddit
adjusting brakes, flats and plain tires after 750 miles arent failures for being cheap, what nonsense youre spitting, the crack ok, and could be a crack starting in a dent for riding on flat. Snowflake.....
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
You good?
Capitan_Rich@reddit
Yeah, I'd like to abuse my bike(don't read me wrong I don't run over potholes on purpose), no suspension, brake pads and tire thread vanishing in no time, thrashed some rims for running low, glue thread lock on several bolts and screws, that's usual maintenance stuff....have fun.
watdaa_@reddit
i'll buy your motor !!!!
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
lol really?
watdaa_@reddit
yes dude. i can't for the life of me find one similar. send me a message?
bikecatmaine@reddit
aventon. Get yourself a used aventure 2.0. Put 5k miles on mine delivering.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
I’ll look into it, thank you
SlashNreap@reddit
If that helps any, you'll come across posts with much more expensive Ebikes that still have electrical and/or mechanical issues, yes, even structural ones sometimes. This right there is probably a factory defect, rims are definitely not supposed to do that, even on cheaper Ebikes.
If you do end up going for a Lectric Ebike or similar brand, be sure to keep up with basic maintenance. Cheap bikes will break because, well, they're cheaply made. That's no secret, but reputable branded Ebikes will also break if you neglect to maintain them.
A good rule of thumb when you look into any Ebike, no matter the brand, is to look into a specific model's potential issues because there will always be something to look for. I know this sounds counter-intuitive, right? But nope. It makes sense if you ever want to take preventive measures to mitigate certain issues from happening.
Ride safe
mmeiser@reddit
Don't do lectric. Just more garbage. I think velotric fold 1plus are on sale for $1400. Can do class 2 or class 3. Whats more you can buy it from a local shop, they have an actual warranty and you someone who can service it.
SlashNreap@reddit
I was taking Lectric as an example, I have no idea about the brand but it seems pretty popular when people suggest em'.
Come to think of it, are you trying to sell me things?
mmeiser@reddit
Sorry, I was responding to you, but that was directed at the OP. I should have stated as such. I have a bit of experience with letric. It is questionable if they are any better then the puckipuppy type brands. They try to paint themselves in marketing as some sort of aventon or lectric but they absolutely are not.
Am bike mechanic. Like so many other shops we had to halt working on 3rd party ebikes. I do not see it coming back. There is just a flooood of absolute crap and where do you draw the line? 9 out of every 10 in the door were sketchy, i.e. borderline unsafe or just plain unsafe and unregulated and there is no upside to supporting a $500 ebike. It's pure liability and unappreciated. We felt like we were just enabling the situation. :(
Infinite-Carpet3743@reddit
300 base and 100 shipping price. Basic but has a good amount of shocks and I took it to work a lot. Got a new job where I have to drive my car but it was great.
a-stack-of-masks@reddit
I am willing to bet two beers that OP hit a kerb with the tire already almost flat. I've beat the hell out of shitty cast aluminium wheels on motorcycles and when the tire is mounted right, an ebike doesn't have the power to break one. It can't even slip the tire.
OP look into mousses and once you have those, learn to feel when your tire pressure is going down. Expensive bikes have pinch flats too, and once you beat the edge into concrete enough even high end forged rims break.
MeMePrEsIDeNt99@reddit
At this point, build your own conversion kit.
Sure the idea of buying a bike freshly built off the bat sounds nice, building your own actually always you to have more of a idea of actual weak points of your bike and where to upgrade your bike etc to ensure your needs are met.
For example, you can get your own single battery for 30-45 AH which is plenty for delivery driving. You can choose your own motor WATTs, for example 250W or 2000W.
In my opinion, this is better than cheap chinese e-bikes, all you really pay for is the motor battery a sturdy frame and some performance upgrades over the long run and maintenance.
ellipticorbit@reddit
If you want to spend $1000 on a bike, make sure it's a used bike. Also make sure you know how to service it, or get it serviced, or at least be willing to learn how to. A lot of the bike business is built on people buying cheap bikes and then leaving them to rot.
Trombone_Stevenson@reddit
Same thing with my movcan, after two rear motor replacements due to spoke breaks, the newest motor replacement started clicking again.
Best part no local tech will touch it so out of luck.
Brewtech3@reddit
This wasn't from only the bike
Prestigious_View_401@reddit
I have a few thousand miles on my cheap e-bikes including the R9. The wheel damage is from high impact from misuse and it would destroy wheels on most e-bikes regardless of price. It’s further evident from the 5x tube replacements that you’re just riding over anything without slowing down.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Tube replacements were all punctures. Mostly little spikes from these things that fall off trees near here. Once was a small piece of glass. Never high impact, never did so much as went off a curb going even remotely fast. I also have thousands of miles on other bikes that never had so much as a spoke come off.
Prestigious_View_401@reddit
Unless you got a super defective bike, the tires don’t go bald at 750 miles. Also you never mentioned how many miles you rode before the wheel broke.
Like other people said, you probably had high impact along with low tire pressure and the damage finally showed up later.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
I agree it shouldn’t happen. I have a different bike with the original tires still on after 1400 miles and it’s a lil bald but nothing crazy. Pic attached is the rear tire of the TST. Also, the 750 mile thing is how much I have on the bike total.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Proof of mileage
SoccDoggy@reddit
Probably ran low air pressure. Explains using the tire up so fast AND damage to the rim.
John-AtWork@reddit
Or, you could do your research and get something that is actually decent and still low cost. I bought a $400 ebike that has been reported to make it past 2,500 miles and counting.
There are plenty of $1,500 ebikes that have failed in the first few hundred miles reported here too.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
I actually have a similar ebike like that. $400, got it from Walmart. Thousands and thousands of miles on it and zero issues besides 1 flat. It’s what I’m switching back to now that this one is out of commission lol
20indacan@reddit
I think under $1000 e-bikes are generally meant for recreation and not daily use, it sucks because most of us in need of cheap bikes are the ones who NEED affordable transport, while the kids who just want to ride around and have fun are the ones who can throw $2k at a toy. Not hating, just saying. If you’re looking for a good cheap ebike, check Facebook or eBay for good e-bikes at cheap prices, and if it’s more than a few years old then also be prepared to buy a new battery but it’s still better than buying a shit rocket bike
20indacan@reddit
My first ebike was a wind horse W2a, $400 crotch rocket. It was super fast but the parts were so cheap. I had the fucking chain snap going uphill after two months, and having no more pedal assist made the already underpowered battery weaker. Then, after maybe two more months of daily commute the throttle broke after doing nothing but, ya know, using the throttle.
My current ebike is a blessing, got a barely used $1250 ebike from an elderly couple for $450. Good suspension, QOL features and 7 speed. The only issue is that the battery is weaker after sitting since 2021, but I think they took care to charge the battery every few months because it still can make a 12 mile trip at 2nd speed (15-18mph), and I haven’t tested it but I think it can possibly make the full trip on 3rd speed (20+ mph) either with or without pedal assist, but haven’t tested it yet. It’s also a good enough bike that I have made the 12 mile trip without the motor on just because
rvralph803@reddit
You will never convince me that rim damage isn't from an impact, and probably from running at a very low pressure.
That damage may not be at the same time as the final break, but it's almost certainly something you did hopping a curb or hitting a pothole.
Hell I dropped a bike on its pedal and two years later the crank arm just sheared in half.
Small cracks in aluminum work themselves into big cracks eventually.
Advice for the future: - get a bike with spoked wheels that can be rebuilt - don't assume just because it has a "suspension" it functions like one.
GlitterBombFallout@reddit
I've got a Concord step-thru from Walmart (it's around 1800 miles now) and I accidently hopped a curb going too fast (I was watching an oncoming pickup to make sure they didn't pull in front of me and forgot there was a small curb jutting out at the corner). I popped my front wheel up in time but the rear wheel hit pretty hard, enough to pop my chain off the chainring.
It was enough to puncture the inner tube, which I ended up replacing, but otherwise it was perfectly fine. I can't imagine what it'd take to knock a chunk of rim off the wheel 😬
LingeringNomad@reddit
Hey what maintenance have you had to do on the concord step thru during your time with the bike and how often do you do it?
rvralph803@reddit
It takes a single crack. Over time they will spread. A single hard knock can form the crack and then it goes unnoticed until failure.
Here is my steel bottom bracket. I had to lay the bike down in 2012. You can see on the BB axle where the crack started and then slowly worked through the body until in 2024 it just all of a sudden sheared the last bit. That's the chunky looking silver patch.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
I’ve ridden pretty carefully. Never had any issues with my other bikes across thousands and thousands of miles. Don’t hop curbs, don’t do jumps, don’t wheelie, never ran into anything or off anything, never been hit or got hit, etc. Another commenter said perhaps it started during one of the times I got a flat and I didn’t notice. I’d like to think I’m sensitive to low tire pressure and stuff but maybe they’re right. Hard to tell.
theGUYoftheWorld1134@reddit
Lecrtic bikes
Competitive-Weird456@reddit
bought mine from temu for 700, never had any issues like this
robotcoke@reddit
If they give you a full refund without returning it, that sounds pretty awesome. You could easily buy new rims for much, much less money. Any local bike shop will probably put 2 new rims on for no more than a few hundred dollars at the most.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
I’m hoping that happens but so far it’s still pending review
robotcoke@reddit
Even if you have to pay, it'll still be much, much cheaper then buying a whole new bike. You only need the actual rim. You don't need the motor, you can keep using that same motor. Any bike shop can put it in a new rim. You could do it yourself if you wanted it to be even cheaper.
If you just want a new bike then it is what it is. But you could replace that rim for much cheaper. And you could replace both of them if you don't trust the quality. It would not cost very much money at all to buy them. It might take a couple hours (at the most) of labor. So if you want to pay the shop for a couple hours labor versus spending a couple hours doing it yourself, could make it dirt cheap.
O2C@reddit
One of the bigger red flags is when an ebike has mechanical disc brakes like this one. It's a big sign that the manufacturer is cutting costs severely. That doesn't bode well for the rest of the components, like the cast wheels.
Look for manufacturers that specify the make and model of as many parts as possible:
Granted, Tektro HD-R285's aren't all that great component wise, but knowing what you're getting, what replacement parts you need, and even if an upgrade is possible is huge.
Ivek255@reddit
Bought a 1000€ bike on aliexpres survived my garadge fire , just got front tire and a litle of hanlebar melted , got fixed for 50€ have it for 3 years around 4k km no a single problem yet , thanks god
ConsiderationOdd3759@reddit
Aventon ... I have put 2700 miles on mine without a problem..
Whatever bike you choose I would buy a set of schwallbe pick up or marathon plus tires and your flat problems will be a non issue ..
Buy used on marketplace and you should be able to get a 2500 bike for 700 or 800 bucks..
SadisticPawz@reddit
Fats are more prone to flats.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Bikes rated for 450lbs and I don’t even reach half that weight limit. No need to be rude
SadisticPawz@reddit
😭😭 I mean the fatbike tires. Theyre literally more prone to debris punctures or general flats
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Vanpowers Grand Teton Pro. $899 after $700 off coupon code GAGT700. Rack rated for 120lbs. Full size fat tire bike. Not sure if 20" wheels are required for lower center of gravity?
https://www.vanpowers.com/products/grandteton-pro
OldCalligrapher1990@reddit
This guy is giving you gold right here and all you downvote him? This bike is basically an XPeak with better components for 2/3 the price
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Thank you. I swear this forum is brain damaged.
It actually uses a better drivetrain, rotors, and fork than the Aventon Aventure 3 and Velotric Nomad 2 for half the price.
And you can get the middrive version for $500 less than the Aventure/Nomad with a better air fork, quad piston brakes, dropper post, advanced security features, and a whopping 130Nm of torque.
Efficient_Molasses43@reddit
Food delivery is rough... Most people don't ride in a year what we ride in 1 week of work. Most bikes specially cheap ones have to cut corners and tires is almost always one of them 😅 Try to get something with spokes and a as self repairable as possible, I would recommend DIY if you have enough knowledge because that's the exact build I use for years for deliveries, works wonders.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Yea you have a point! Buddy of mine has had his ebike for a year and only has like 500 miles on it. I told him my main delivery bike before I got the TST has almost 4k miles and he couldn’t believe it lol
Simple_Cook6170@reddit
I was gonna say - for 2+ years I’ve pretty regularly rode my e bike to work, to kid drop off, etc, and I put less miles on it in 2 years than OP did in a month.
Efficient_Molasses43@reddit
Yeah lol 🤣 Bikes aren’t meant to have mileage that high without a lot of maintenance, especially with a good amount of power running through them. I ride mine around 1,300 miles a month, and I have to replace or repair stuff pretty often haha
Simple_Cook6170@reddit
Damn 1300 a month?! That’s a ton. Yeah you might as well be your own bike shop at that point.
InfluenceEfficient77@reddit
Just get a new rear rim and get it responded, why get a whole new bike
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Honestly just looking at reputable brands now. Considering the “long range” Lectric XP 4 even though it’s 13ah less than this one.
Music_6@reddit
Absolute shit brand when it comes to quality control. Just purchased a new e bike with them and am still dealing with all the quality control issues out of the box. You get what you pay for on the low end of cost for an e-bike brand. Avoid!
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
I had issues out the box too. Front brake caliper was installed incorrectly. One of the screws that holds the rear battery compartment was sticking out and was stripped. The thumb throttle was “hanging” so every time I used it I would have to flick it all the way up instead of just letting it go, and the tires are made of like paper.
RichTrifle1785@reddit
If it’s only the wheels you’re having issue with and not the frame itself, I don’t see why you need to buy a completely new e-bike. The frame is still fine, the batteries are still fine, it’s got good bones and you got a refund, so why not keep trying to use it?
Alternatively, you can check if the battery mounting plates on your TST is detachable and can be connected to the controller via a common power connector like an XT60 connector. If that’s the case, you can try to mount one of the batteries onto your new Lectric XP4, hook it up, and maintain the same range.
SwiftUnban@reddit
That’s what I did when my shitty fat-bike gave out, after 8-9 months of back and fourth without transport to work they finally agreed to send me a new one under the promise of sending back the old bike and battery.
When I got the bike I ghosted them, kept both batteries and kept the old frame for spare parts.
$3,200 in Ubers later they ain’t getting shit back. Had double the range now lol.
InfluenceEfficient77@reddit
Just sell it to a builder then, It's probably worth $300
InitiativeAny3478@reddit
Get a skinny tire ebike my recommendation. Look how thin and structurally UNintegral your wheel looks lol!
snoogins355@reddit
Lectric's customer service is so nice. They sent me free parts outside of warranty
metvexio@reddit
That’s a manufacturing issue have you tried to contact the company that’s probably under warranty.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
In contact with them. Sent them a bunch of videos and photos. They’re looking into it
Laserdollarz@reddit
One of your many flat tire events damaged the rim.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Pretty odd cause I’m very aware when tire pressure is off. Check it before every ride, always sensitive to anything feeling off. Every time I had a puncture, I noticed well before the tire was actually flat and never rode it when I realized it was losing air of course. Maybe I just got unlucky, I’ve had a lot of issues with this particular bike not listed that I never encountered in my other bikes with 3k+ miles each.
_Cerebral_Musings@reddit
Not trying to say cheap ebikes are the way to go, but that doesn't just happen by just riding. There was impact at some time. Metal doesn't just fall apart like that, not even aluminum.
limitedtampa@reddit
Buy a whizz e bike, it’s a bike shaped bike that is good with deliveries.
Responsible_Earth393@reddit
Yes that’s what you get. I see so many cheap shit ebikes on this subreddit it’s unbelievable
Johnixftw_@reddit
Why are you being a jackass? a lot of people don’t have the same knowledge you do, if they are new to this they are going to fall for the low hanging fruit that baits them.
SlashNreap@reddit
I think they're genuinely enjoying seeing things like this and don't really take much else into consideration. There's just people like that.
SlashNreap@reddit
To me it sounds like you're rejoiced. It's creepy lol.
Ekeymono92@reddit
As someone looking to get an ebike I learned fast not to get cheap Amazon ebikes and Chinese drop shipped brands. My main issues with finding a good bike is 1 the dropped shipped brands websites can be deceptively clean looking for some brands and 2 if you look up even big name brands on here like aventon you will get people screaming about how shit, over hyped they are and how there costumer service is awful so I stopped coming to reddit for opinions
Responsible_Earth393@reddit
There wil be always things breaking or not working on high end ebikes too. but a lot more chance on a cheaper ebike.. things break or don’t work sometimes woth every product we buy like high end computers. tv’s. Or washing machines. You never know but the chance is a lot lower.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Learned lesson. Looking at Lectric and Aventon bikes now.
Significant_Quit_674@reddit
Also suggestion for tires:
Go with a 28"/29" or 27,5" bike and get some Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires.
They don't wear down quickly, they roll decently well, they have decent grip and they are just about the most puncture proof tires you can get and not even that expensive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqaFrdQjQEo
Altruistic-Prior6174@reddit
I have a Wildeway FW 11 that cost $799. 30ah battery. It’s cheap but rides nice and range is really good
Altruistic-Prior6174@reddit
ozimarco@reddit
My Gazelle, made in the Netherlands, has done 79,000km. I'm having a major service done, new sprockets and chain. She will be just like new. Buy a quality bike that will last, and don't let it out of your sight, because if you do, it will walk. Speaking from experience.
Separate-Command1993@reddit
Dude just get a new wheel, you said your at least 750 miles in and it sounds like this is your daily driver. Sounds like you beat it up, you’re lucky that’s all that broke lol better e-bikes have issues after 1000 miles it’s normal brother!
AntEaterApocalypse@reddit
Holy crap. 5 tube swaps and bald tires in that short of a distance is brutal. Those tires must be made out of tissue paper.
Spiritual_Builder240@reddit
I had the same bike and popped both tires in the same ride. They’re absolute shit.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
They’re really thin and the puncture protection is garbage. Was looking at better tire replacements before this incident
BlueMageNeedsFood@reddit
I have the Ouxi V8 and it uses similar, if not the same wheels. I just hit like 820ish miles tonight, and my tires aren’t even close to bald, and I haven’t had any issue with the wheels themselves, and I have hit a few bumps here and there. I’m also a pretty heavy guy. In the 370lb range. This is more than likely a defect. Bummer man.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
I’m over 140lbs lighter and the rear tire is sooo much balder than the front. I shoulda took a picture before nightfall. Maybe I did get a dud but damn.
whattteva@reddit
Well, most of the bike weight is generally in the rear, so the rear tire will go much faster than the front. That being said, it still went bald way too fast though.
Murky-Smoke@reddit
You should take a closer look at your rear suspension.
If you've gone through that many tires, it's an issue with alignment/pressure on that rear tire.
You say you're using it for deliveries, so you have extra weight over the rear tire and likely need to increase preload on that rear shock, and adjust the rebound to compensate.
Even the front suspension could be causing issues. Does it do a deep nosedive when you hit the front brakes? Adjust the preload there as well.
Are you sure that rear wheel was centered when you assembled it? Fat tire bikes often need some finesse and a good eye to make sure the wheel isn't leaning \ or / when you slide the dropouts on the axle. Gotta look at the rear wheel from directly behind the bike and spin it while in the air on a bike stand
It's even possible the spacers (which usually go on the inside of the dropouts on each side of the axle) are in the wrong position or missing.
Over/under inflation can cause these problems as well... Maybe take a 2nd look at the max PSI for your tube/tire to make sure you've got it aired up correctly.
Maybe you've considered all these things already, I don't know.
aggreeswithassholes@reddit
I'd get another one and keep the one you have for spare parts.
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
My neighbour bought his son the R002 version of that brand. The boy has only had it maybe three months. I sure hope he doesn't have trouble like you have had. So far, he hasn't...not even a puncture. I've ridden with the boy on several occasions and his ebike seems to perform quite well. No problem keeping up with us. No problems with rougher terrain. He says it handles fine.
If you bought your ebike from Amazon, I don't think you'll have any problem getting a refund. Amazon is sometimes slow about refunds, but they do a pretty good job making sure customers are not scammed.
NotASockPuppet88@reddit
The literal metal used in cheap chinese bikes (and general stuff) means you can never guarantee if its any good.
Odds are, it isnt.
The picture explains why
The literal metal itself is a penny pinched right down to its literal atoms. It barely qualifies as metal anymore.
Ancient-Chinglish@reddit
literal, literal, literal…
NotASockPuppet88@reddit
Literally!
t4vener@reddit
Been riding my mid drive ebike for 2 years, zero issues. Definitely worth investing in ebikes. I wouldn't even buy a normal bike for £800 let alone an ebike
Relative-Display-676@reddit
Get specialized globe haul from upway.
MEVacationLand@reddit
I’ve got 5000 miles on mine, and I just now replaced the tires and brake pads. One flat tire but that can be also be reduced with tire armor. They have had their fair share of electrical issues but those typically show right away and can be corrected under warranty.
Sweet-Internet3379@reddit
Any spoked rim will always be stronger than cheap non-spoke/mag wheels
Goonerstick6inch@reddit
Not sure if it's available in the US but, have a search for Dukawey DM530
Nearly 1 year old and almost 5500 km. No issues with the bike at all. Rear tyre needs replacing now and I'm on my 4th set of brake pads
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Will look into it
Significant-Pen-6049@reddit
If the manufacture doesn't send a new rear wheel start spamming this on same place
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
Will see what they say
Worried_Document8668@reddit
pretty much all of the sub 1k stuff is the same garbage but with different badges. If you want something of higher quality, save up and at least get something from a loc.shop that also offers a workshop
OscarSevestre@reddit
Get an ENGWE ebike they are good
whot3v3r@reddit
You don' need a new bike, get a new motor/wheel and you're good to go.
xJadusable@reddit (OP)
The bikes quality in general has been bad. Not trying to deal with future issues with it. It’s only 2 months old. My $400 5th wheels has like 4x the mileage and has had zero issues besides a couple of flats. This particular TST R9 has been a headache since the first 100 miles.