This never ceases to amaze me.

You don’t need to qualify cheap e-bikes as “Chinese garbage” unless you really need the subtle racism to show. Nearly every single e-bike sold in the world is made in China or Taiwan, even the from the premium top tier brands.

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Ok-Many4195@reddit

Nearly every single e-bike sold in the world is made in China or Taiwan

The world is a big place. Here is a database of over 600 known frame makers and 60 ebike manufacturers outside of China.

https://thebestbikelock.com/bike-brands/

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Illustrious_Boss4156@reddit

Wait till you find out that it’s all the same bike but different prices and you’re just getting charged more for a name 🥺

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richj8991@reddit

This happens with analog bikes too. Someone will say Trek is a good bike, or Giant is a good bike. Then I look up what components the bike has and it's a 2x9 speed with a Suntour XCT coil and other 20 year old parts, selling for $1200 when the same bike on Amazon is selling for $600.

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EvilPencil@reddit

A lot of it is astroturfing too.

“What do you guys think about xyz brand?” “I just bought xyz!” “Recommend a bike for me?” (responses for xyz brand)

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EUCruzer@reddit

Wait is that the xyza1 or the zyxa1 with a brighter red frame?

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DasGoat@reddit

You see people dogging on a bike in this sub and then turn around and recommend a bike that uses the exact same off the shelf parts. Is Shimano better if it's mounted to a more expensive bike?

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stormdelta@reddit

The bike-related components are less of a problem if the frame is built properly, the usual issue is the ebike-specific parts. E.g. poor quality controllers/wiring, improperly tuned wheels, or worst case improperly built batteries.

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celeste_ferret@reddit

Yes, actually. Installing and adjusting parts correctly, as would typically be done on a better brand, during assembly can have big impact on how well they function and how long they last.

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mperham@reddit

Yes. Quality of frames and welds matter. Quality testing matters.

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Illustrious_Boss4156@reddit

I mean obviously the name of the bike ads hp so I just put flame stickers on mine and now I got a rocket

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Formaldehyde007@reddit

I watched a video about how there is a city in China that now creates the overwhelming majority of eBikes. They have a catalog of all the parts and chassis designs so that the vast majority of new eBike vendors simply pick and choose which to use. That way, they don’t have to devote hardly any effort to design and construction. All they have to worry about are marketing and sales. Anybody can literally be an eBike vendor in a matter of months with little capital, so expect this trend to continue for 5he foreseeable future.

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EUCruzer@reddit

It’s super easy to set up a new shiny fast fresh e-bike company and then if you don’t make a good profit, disappear like a virgin on prom night before you can get sued for cheap batteries and pot metal parts.

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wedstrom@reddit

They pop up new brands selling the same rebadged shit and then vanish before any reviews really hit

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funcentric@reddit

Yes, consumers need to think really hard about why they're not getting from the legit brands like Aventon, Velotric, Ride1 Up or Lectric. We warn them as much as we can but there's always someone who plays the game of finding the best of Amazon or Walmart.

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Bright_Cranberry_692@reddit

Thanks

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iSellNuds4RedditGold@reddit

Because I like moped style e-bikes (downvote me all you want) and none of the traditional brands offer that.

Actually in my case not even the Chinese brands offer it. So much so that I'm designing my own bike from zero, as I want the frame be able to fit a bag big enough to be able to be detached and worn as a backpack, 250w mid drive, able to carry 2 passengers, panniers, Bafang's GVT, ... It's gonna be an absolute mess made out of Chromoly, and it's going to be beautiful.

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funcentric@reddit

True. Assumptions had to be made. When people say ebike, moped doesn't come to mind. For passengers, you may as well get a motorcycle or motor scooter.

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iSellNuds4RedditGold@reddit

I could but the point of it being legally a bike is that I don't have to pay insurance or go through the DoT of my country to keep it road legal. Also I like to pedal, I've been riding bikes since I was a kid.

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Olibirus@reddit

250w motor for 2 people and a big bag? That ain't gonna do much is it

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BlueSwordM@reddit

A lot of motor systems have peak currents that allow for much higher than 250W, as long as it doesn't exceed 250W.

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iSellNuds4RedditGold@reddit

If European cargo bikes can do it, so can mine, the same weight tolerances but in a different format. I'm already aware that I'll have to make sacrifices in speed, but it will be able to reach 25km/h which is the legal limit anyways. I think the gearing I'll put on it is on point.

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Beneficial-Exam-6097@reddit

I just made a YouTube video (in editing now) to where I talk about how much more comfortable moped style bikes are. The seat is way better, and the handle bar shape really prevents wrists from going numb. I really wish more of the moped style ebikes were available from larger companies.. but then it may be too expensive (at least for me)

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BlueSwordM@reddit

There's a huge problem though: pedaling them is sooo bad.

That's the crux of the issue, as they're not usually designed to be pedaling well.

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chuckwolf@reddit

Moped style bikes are impractical to actually pedal though so you're basically just using the throttle like an e-moto and not an electric bicycle

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iSellNuds4RedditGold@reddit

And they look cool, c'mon!

But I'm designing mine so my legs have the proper extension so o can input some power as well. In the part that will sit on my thighs the seat is very narrow to allow proper leg extension. It's gonna be almost a regular bike seat but with more padding and elongated to be able to fit another person behind, where the passenger sits it will be as wide as a regular moped bike to make sure they are comfortable.

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Verneff@reddit

and none of the traditional brands offer that.

Because the traditional bike brands are making bikes, not mopeds. If you want a good name-brand moped, go look at moped manufacturers.

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ComfortDangerous1281@reddit

Been looking at a bunch of chinese made ebikes, and I think “Andsky” is one of the few legit or better chinese made brands. Thoughts?

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sticky_as_teflon@reddit

XDS Bikes(X-Lab) and AMFLOW are also world class brands

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

My “Chinese garbage” e-bike has served me well for several years now. Yes, I’ve had to replace things as they break, I once fell and broke the brake handle, the derailleur was Shimanos cheapest so I replaced that, and even the motor in the rear hub gave up on me and had to be replaced. But if you can live with having to fix things once in a while, it’s still great value for money. Even the motor wasn’t that expensive to replace.

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stillyoinkgasp@reddit

Lol you've had to replace the motor, but it's "served you well". Hilarious.

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

Yeah that was actually very unexpected and unusual. Turns out, water had somehow gotten into the motor. The guy who changed it said he’d never seen that happen before, and he works with these type of bikes. I have biked a lot in very heavy rain though…

He made sure to seal the new engine very well so it won’t happen again.

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Fishfisherton@reddit

Even the motor wasn’t that expensive to replace

OK hold up, how much did you spend on it?

The way you're describing your situation, it sounds like it would have been easier and possibly cheaper to buy a bike with working parts off the bat then add a motor afterwards.

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

The new motor was about $400 or €400 including the work. So it wasn’t too bad. It was a bummer being without bike for a couple of weeks though.

So even with that extra cost, it’s still a lot cheaper than a good brand e-bike.

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BWWFC@reddit

my entry tier name brand bike has served for over half a decade, zero replaced anything it's a work horse.... mmm horses for courses. got the time and inclination, you do you! good to hear and enjoy!

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Objective-Yam3839@reddit

I put 7000 miles on my Chinese crap e-bike in the first year and expect to do it again this year.

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TRAKRACER@reddit

Amen Brother. I have 3 vehicles which are my primary mode of transportation. I do not rely on an e-bike for transportation. A full blown motorcycle riding in the same lane as a car petrifies me. I am so hyper-vigilant when I e-ride around traffic and distracted drivers it sometimes makes me sick to my stomach. I live in a fairly quiet subdivision in Ohio with access to shops and markets with having to ride on a road that is posted over 25 mph. I have had 5 operating e-bikes since 2022. I currently have 2 and Chinese POS folding SONDOR and an emoto that I was gifted. I effectively have about $1,800 in both bikes not including and extra battery for both which is another $800 dollars. I like a lot of other things besides my e-bikes and I also jog, have a rowing machine for fitness and travel international a few times a year. I don’t bike for fitness. I sold my pedal power bike a few years ago. What bothers me is the number of kids with emotes and over-powered scooters in my neighborhood. I fear they will ruin it for the rest of us

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SubstantialDarkness@reddit

My China Crap emoto since it hits 32mph like a 50cc gas moto. Looks and drives like a bicycle. I've been happy with 1G investment and that's including the extra battery pack. 100 mile range total 38ah so close.

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John-zel@reddit

My $250 used ebike from fb is still on same everything, apart from upgraded brakes to hydraulic brakes and shares parts with lectric, it is the actbeat speedy, could probably sell it for same purchase price, as its a great bike but will take whatever i get,because it served me well … Not all cheap bikes are bad, do your own research

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silenceispower26@reddit

I agree and really like my 500.00 cdn ebike ..I take care of it and it still looks good ..plus I'm not terrified if it ends up getting stolen because I don't spend thousands of dollars to buy it. Lots of gatekeepers here and they are easy to spot ..always pushing the same old story about fires,fly by night company's Chinese garbage & And how we need to buy certain brands from LBCs..

No it's all Chinese garbage anyway so please kiss my ass shills ..

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skinnyraf@reddit

Not all Chinese stuff is garbage. China is actually at the forefront of innovation in e-mobility, including e-bikes. And some inexpensive Chinese bikes are actually decent and offering comparable quality to established brands at a fraction of price.

The problem are those cash-grab companies assembling bikes from cheapest components available on aliexpress and the like.

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

Not all for sure. But I'm just not sending my money to China for ANY REASON.

But I do buy Chinese things. I shop on Amazon, which I think is 80% Chinese merch.

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skinnyraf@reddit

I am not sure what do you mean by "sending your money DIRECTLY to China", but if I buy a Chinese product, it has to be from an EU store, and if it's something like a bike or any non-trivial electronics, I expect the brand owner to have legal presence in the EU/EEA + Europe based customer care and service.

Same for American or any overseas products really.

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

I buy Chinese things, I just buy them from American Sellers who ship from the US.

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VinceTheVibeGuy@reddit

You’re telling me you’re an American that would rather support AMAZON, the company owned by one of your capitalist oligarchs, over the Chinese government?

Actually, that sounds like American mentality to me, this checks out.

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

You sound like an idjit who knows nothing about the nature of the Chi-Com Govt.

Fook off. Do you feel like you did your SJW bit for the day?

Did you make the world a better place by expressing your views?

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stormdelta@reddit

More like we think they both suck.

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VinceTheVibeGuy@reddit

Dude, you can’t live in the US of all places and then complain about other peoples government, especially with the current administration. Be so for real my guy. And your reply says more about you than it does me LMAOOOOOOO

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

Did that Arshole Chrump make China any worse?

Just because the Mar-a-Lago Mafia is in power doesn't change the nature of the Chi-Com govt in China.

Now fuck off.

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VinceTheVibeGuy@reddit

You do not own Reddit, I will fuck wherever I want to, including your kitchen table. And my point is that you are a pot calling kettles black.

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Electrical_Tof@reddit

Wouldn't want to keep Jeff bezos from getting his cut.

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VinceTheVibeGuy@reddit

Who will think of the poor billionaires?!?!

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Temporary-Film-7374@reddit

I bought my Talaria (not saying it's an ebike) directly from China on Alibaba a couple years ago. $4k+ total.

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zezzene@reddit

Is your brain stuck in 1980 or something? China manufactures literally everything these days and it's not cheap crap at all anymore. Please rinse the anti China propaganda from your brain please.

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gege530@reddit

poor guy complaining

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

I happen to have an Xpedition 2.0. Not some piece of Amazon Trash..

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Verneff@reddit

At $1400 you're still on the budget side of things.

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Low_Low9667@reddit

You know Lectric bikes are made in China right?

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

I'm OK with that. I just wouldn't buy them FROM China.

I'm dealing with an American company with good customer service/support.

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Low_Low9667@reddit

I have an XP 3.0 so I can get down with that distinction.

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Primary_Dimension470@reddit

Umm. Reading compression isn’t strong, eh? All they did was rage bait the poors into coping HARD

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Blinx121192@reddit

Got my Mooncool folding trike about 3 weeks ago. All error so far have been people. Someone lady ran me off the rode and I couldn't see one night and crashed but again that was all human error.

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

Human Error. Isn't that the only kind of error there is? lol

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Blinx121192@reddit

Well the bike could give out or catch fire. Could be many different issues that are just malfunctions.

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Accountbegone69@reddit

I was looking at a Cube for a family member that rides occasionally, but found something at Costco for $2300 cheaper. It's not apples to apples, but a mid drive Bosch motor plus a few extras on the Cube weren't worth the price tag (for this rider).

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OnePoetry1724@reddit

The barrier to entry is just too low, any factory in Shenzhen can slap a new logo on the same frame and list it as a brand. the hard part is that some of them are actually decent which makes it even harder to sort through

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sticky_as_teflon@reddit

One of the largest Chinese bike brands is XDS bikes/X-labs and has started distributing their range of bikes to the rest of the world. I just bought one of their e-commuters for literally 50% the price of a Giant/Trek bike. Same standards of quality from the other big brands, if not better. the 250watt bafang motors are just as good as the Bosch motors shipping and assembly was simple. Nothing wrong with most Chinese brands, I think you're just a bit xenophobic.

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Ok-Ferret-5750@reddit

The ebike market right now is basically the same energy as aliexpress in 2015, some genuinely great finds buried under an avalanche of rebranded junk with optimistic spec sheets

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Unlucky_Battle_6947@reddit

I’m on my way to a brand new hub from my manufacturer free of charge without hassle after sending a video to my authorized dealer. Free fix, no labor charge, and I’ll be back on my way. Frustrated I had to get one at 250 miles but still nice it’s covered 🤷👍

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

Nice to see they took care of business for you.

I have a Lectric bike. The bike shop said the chain was 75% worn and the bike had just 320 miles on it. Lectric is sending me a new chain for free. That's about a $30 value.

I had slipping gears after adjusting the derailleur twice and sent it for a tune up. Lectric said they'd pay up to $50 for it. It wasn't needed but they took care of biz all the way.

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Unlucky_Battle_6947@reddit

Ahhh I got into an accident (my fault completely) and had a brand new derailleur purchased along with a tube.

Mine is Segway, Xyber. Hub is expensive af I’m sure.

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Prestigious-Royal-82@reddit

Nothing wrong with All this fun equipment that All comes from China .!! No one cares to put the Blame on the Company you ordered from because they choose to stock the cheapest they have instead of buying their quality equipment. Pay attention to who you Patronize , do your Homework/research, watch reviews and use some common sense . Life will be all Good or Not😁

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

What the hell are you talking about? I never said I was unhappy.

The company I bought from has very good customer service.

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Jedski89@reddit

It's mostly just mildly clandestine advertising from the manufacturers.

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

Mildly Secret advertising? That makes no sense to me in any way.

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Jedski89@reddit

If you didn't know. Half of those posts are just advertising under the guise of someone 'naturally' finding a great deal that they just had to share it here.

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

In the Reddit General Feed, I'm always Hiding posts that do that. But if somebody tells me, "look as this great bike I found", and I've never heard of it, it's meaningless to me.

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TwoWheel_Detective@reddit

I've been following up on some of the unknowns and every
once in a blue moon, one of them ends up looking like
a decent bike, but being buried in the dregs, they're
almost impossible to weed out.

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CautiousPerspective@reddit

Same. There are so many I’ve never heard of before. If I’m going to suggest a particular brand it’s because I know there is solid customer service history, it can be serviced or you can buy parts. I don’t work on my own bikes unless it’s simple components. There are many people that are cool with working on their own bikes. If there are interested in that route then I can’t provide any recommendations because I don’t have the knowledge.

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ronniearnold@reddit

Golden rule that 70% is crap? Please elaborate here and provide some proof/backup information.

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ArmchairPancakeChef@reddit (OP)

Segrew you.

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Unhappy-Plastic2017@reddit

Theres lots of ebikes with different brand names made of essentially the same parts.

Even the "good" ebikes can end up made of these same parts but are just priced higher because reasons.

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CatDadof2@reddit

People talk crap about HappyRun but I’ve had my Tank G100 Pro for quite some time now and has never given me issues. It’s been through a rainstorm. Although, that’s my fault because I didn’t listen to my gut or the weather forecast and decided to bike to work that day anyway. My ride home was not fun but the good news is the bike still works.

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Illustrious_Boss4156@reddit

Paid 1700 for TWO aipas e bikes a month ago and they’re great and I’ve put 300 miles on one