Found a TROXUS e-bike by a dumpster — worth fixing or not?
Posted by Aldairfromzelta1111@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 13 comments
I found this bike next to a dumpster in an apartment complex near where I live. I happened to be out riding my own bike when I saw it. After finishing my ride (about 3–4 hours later), it was still there, so I decided to take it, assuming something was probably wrong with it and that’s why it had been thrown away.
I bought a charger, but when I plugged it in, nothing happened, the battery wasn’t being detected and the bike wouldn’t turn on. I took it to an authorized TROXUS repair center, and they told me it’s probably the battery. However, they need to remove it to check, and it’s currently locked in place, so I need the key to access it.
So I have a few questions:
Is there any way to open or unlock the battery without the original key?
If the battery is bad, is it worth replacing? I’ve seen replacements going for around $500–$600.
Does the bike itself have any value if I decided to sell it for parts?
I’ve never owned an e-bike before, so I’m not sure if it’s worth putting that kind of money into something I don’t really need, I already have two regular bikes.
Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you.
Powerful-Ice-4579@reddit
I can believe someone would abandon a ebike for many reasons, original price might make it not worth the money to fix. I sold a crosscurrent x dirt cheap, needed a battery but company out of business. Probably do it differently today though.
BoringBob84@reddit
And if they have to move out of their apartment, then it might be more convenient for them to just leave behind the broken ebike that they hardly used anyway.
mindlessnosepicker@reddit
Was probably stolen, thief rode it till battery died (they had no key either), and put it by dumpster so the next person who grabbed it would get the ‘possession of stolen goods’ charge.
UsernameTaken1701@reddit
100%
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
Agreed,100%...👍
5ma5her7@reddit
Same here, some ebikes can complete lock out parts without verification, make them obsolete even for parts.
bzzybot@reddit
Check if it’s stolen. More than likely it isn’t. E-bikes battery is usually the first to go. After spending $1.5k to $3K for said bike when new , it’s likely just trash to the owner now. You can pick the lock to release the battery and take it in for testing.
wlexxx2@reddit
at $600, not worth it
sounds like more is needed - key - unlock bat - you may need the original charger - maybe it 'talks to' the battery somehow
Aldairfromzelta1111@reddit (OP)
Honestly, I didn’t consider the possibility that it might be stolen. In the area where I live, it’s pretty common for people to throw away items that still have value just to avoid the hassle of repairing them. For example, a couple of weeks ago my neighbors put out two ride-on electric jeeps for kids; one looked almost brand new and only needed a charger, and the other had a battery cable issue that I fixed with about $20, even though they cost around $250–$400 each when new.
That’s why it didn’t seem unusual to me that someone might have thrown away a damaged bicycle. I also forgot to mention that when I found it, the chain was stuck and the gear shifter was bent, so I originally thought that was the only issue.
I definitely didn’t steal it, and if I could return it to the owner, I absolutely would. Do you think I should contact the police or take any other steps?
StrikeouTX@reddit
I doubt someone stole it especially if it’s not working
StrikeouTX@reddit
Check if it’s stolen on (bike index)[https://bikeindex.org/]
Decide if you want to spend money to ride an ebike
If yes buy a battery and an appropriate Lishi lock pick tool ($35 and it will tell you the code to get a new key made)
If no, sell it on marketplace for parts/not running
Aldairfromzelta1111@reddit (OP)
I’m currently away from home. Once I get back, I’ll check the serial number to verify whether it’s stolen or not. I’ll keep you all updated. Thanks for the advice.
iH8MotherTeresa@reddit
Question - is it your bike?
Y - fix it up.
N - leave it alone.