Anyone try those cheap, no-name eBay bikes?
Posted by TheIntrusiveThoughs@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 11 comments
As the title asks, has anyone tried those unnamed bikes from sites like eBay or Temu?
I understand I'm not getting quality or any type of warranty, but I consider myself technically inclined and enjoy tinkering.
What I'm wondering is if what delivers resembles what was advertised and how to verify the specs.
Links to listings:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/376882226326
https://www.ebay.com/itm/389999428839
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336549813352
https://www.ebay.com/itm/227240047950
https://www.ebay.com/itm/800007432129
https://amazon.com/dp/B0G49MW5MC
https://www.ebay.com/itm/137307168603
If it's relevant I'd rather optimize for range than peak output power.
Crazy-Illustrator890@reddit
just buy a used one
silenceispower26@reddit
I have one and it works great .. Steel frame 48 v 12ah battery 500 watt geared rear hub drive w pas system non torque sensing And a throttle has 5 speed settings and easily hacked to go faster ..inside it daily 30 kilometer round trip and it has battery to spare .. the tires and tubes were prone to flats so upgraded a bit there ..
Haters gonna hate but that's ok
Impressive_Tell_4013@reddit
You'll certainly be sorry you didn't save for a better one
TheIntrusiveThoughs@reddit (OP)
Can you articulate why?
TheRealGenkiGenki@reddit
Buy nice or Buy TWICE
moltari@reddit
The battery itself would cost twice as much. If you even get a bike you’ll be lucky if it’s a) full sized and b) actually electric and works.
Also if the unlikely happens and it arrives. Is a bike. And works… it won’t meet any safety standards and could catch on fire very easily.
Save up for a reputable brand. Doesn’t need to be expensive but it should not be this cheap.
RichTrifle1785@reddit
Bikes 2, 3, 5, 7 are most likely scams. 1 and 6 look official enough but I’m only confident about Bike 1 being legitimate since it’s a common model of generic e-bike.
I myself bought my bike online so you can definitely get what you ordered from a place like eBay and Temu.
Straight_Confusion12@reddit
this is likely a real ebike but with the cheapest components possible, amazon does have 450$ ebikes that have similar specs ( the 1500w motor is a lie) if its going 25mph its likely a 500w motor, but the battery has to be reused cells to make this bike possible. They are likely salvaged from other electronics (EV's laptops and other things with 18650 cells) and made into a very cheap ebike battery. It could be real, not worth the purchase
sid370z@reddit
If a bike looks too good to be true for the price, it unfortunately is.
I HIGHLY recommend staying far, far away from anything like that. Typically cheap e-bikes (I'd consider under $600 to be cheap) skip on things like the battery, which can cause fires, and motors which can cause motor failures. Also pedaling is often very jerky, the tires are borderline unsafe on some, and they use other very low quality parts.
You are better off saving for something of better quality in my opinion, from a brand that has good support and parts availability if something does go wrong.
atlasraven@reddit
If you enjoy tinkering, might as suggest acquiring a solid bike frame and building your own from a kit? You could customize it for:
AntEaterApocalypse@reddit
I'd those prices I'd be surprised if you received a bike at all and not just a box of rocks.