Prototype photos of a fat tire commuter we've been developing — looking for honest feedback
Posted by Upper-Attempt4736@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 87 comments
We've spent the last year refining this design.
Before final production, I'd love to hear what experienced riders think.
What stands out to you?
What would stop you from buying it?
jennixred@reddit
as an owner of 3 fat tire ebikes, no. I'm never making that mistake again.
Chillwindow@reddit
Why do you say that?
jennixred@reddit
Because they're practicably unrideable without the motor, because i've had to ride mine 20 miles with no motor, and because i don't actually ride on the beach almost ever, i don't need massive tires. 29" wheels with 35mm rims is plenty to handle the roadway.
BlueMageNeedsFood@reddit
I’ll bite, why?
TheTarragonFarmer@reddit
"Commuter" with "drift" in the name doesn't have a basket, rack, or pannier attachment. Or fenders. Or lights.
Looks like a generic Chinese ebike with a paint job.
My first impression is it's probably too heavy to pedal without assist when the electronics short out in the rain.
Unlucky_Battle_6947@reddit
Looks like it’ll blow your garage up in less than a year
Kyle_2099@reddit
It's missing lighting, a pannier rack, and mudguards.
BoringBob84@reddit
I noticed that right away. This is obviously not a commuter bike - just a thinly-veiled attempt at free advertising.
Ur-in-a-tor@reddit
I personally would prefer not to have inbuilt lights, the less proprietary parts the better. Mudguards are a must though.
Kyle_2099@reddit
What? Fixed bike lights are not a proprietary technology lmao. They run off 6V and cost practically nothing.
Ur-in-a-tor@reddit
What I meant is that you are stuck with them even if they are build shit, are weak or have bad light shape, etc. Personally I rather go with a bicycle lights of my own choice.
Kyle_2099@reddit
You're not stuck with them because, as I said, they're not a proprietary technology.
Like I have bikes here that all came from factory with attached hardwired lights. On some of them, I didn't like it, so I just changed it. You don't have to be a nuclear physicist to undo four spade connectors and one bolt.
Ur-in-a-tor@reddit
Sure, you do you. But VanMoof ebikes' lights for example look kind of a hassle to me when compared to the removable MagicShines I have on my ride.
iH8MotherTeresa@reddit
You should probably start with a disclaimer that you're talking about a specific brand. 6v connectors and fixtures are pretty standard.
I'm all for aftermarket lights, and lots of light in general, but there's a standard format for inbuilt lights. It's up to makers to use it or not.
Kyle_2099@reddit
So you deliberately picked an extremely niche brand known for being nonstandard as possible to try and argue that bike lights aren't standardized. Amazing. Go to hell.
MrM3ow@reddit
Yeah lol, for a commuter it certainly lacks commuting perks
iH8MotherTeresa@reddit
A comfortable ride and riding position for starters. Who commutes on a bmx that doesn't live 10 mins from work?
Cargobiker530@reddit
A frame mounted front basket would also be nice. Plus clean rear rack mounting points.
Substantial_Steak723@reddit
The term commuter versus the inability to stick the wheels in a bike rack, be it on a train, underground bike city parking etc. Fashion bike with heavy noisy tyres.
not_productive1@reddit
A year, you say?
Well, this one is two years old, so that must have been quite the year.
Choosemyusername@reddit
Does it have a standardized battery and components so that yoh aren’t dependent on the maker staying in business or stopping support of older models?
InjuredGods@reddit
This is a funny comment bc this bike is a complete copy of the Juiced RipRacer, which did go out of business, so it seems like you'll just need to wait for a new company to buy the design if this company does go under. 😭
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
I wouldn't buy it because the rear tire is mounted backwards.
Not a fan of fat tire bikes but I will credit the oversized battery being put in a good location. This thing must weigh over 85lbs. I think at that point you ditch any pretense of pedaling and go with a bench seat.
InjuredGods@reddit
This is a reskinned Juiced Ripracer. It weighs 66lbs with battery.
External_Tomato_2880@reddit
a smaller frame. lighter ebike for short girls. don't need very powerful motor. range and weight are more important
iH8MotherTeresa@reddit
I wouldn't ride an electric bmx. Based on what I'm seeing, this is exactly that.
At least you're not just another cafe racer bike knockoff 🤷🏾♀️
External_Tomato_2880@reddit
hate the fat tire, why do u need fat tire just for commute
Mysterious_Clothes_1@reddit
Mud guards essential
Public_Fucking_Media@reddit
You spent the last year refining the design on a Juiced RipRacer? I hope Lectric sues you
iMadrid11@reddit
The boxy frame tubes and boxy battery box isn’t sexy. It looks like Lego bike.
BlueMageNeedsFood@reddit
Good call, I didn’t see it until you said it, but it definitely looks like a minifig would ride it
iMadrid11@reddit
33God_@reddit
That's a Juiced RipRacer. You didn't design or develop anything.
hawaiianmoustache@reddit
What separates your DTC bike from the thousand other DTC bikes already on the market?
This looks like a thing completely lacking any point of difference in a wildly saturated market.
What exactly have you been developing for a year now?
Gourdon_Gekko@reddit
A different paint job on a juiced rip racer, apparently. That and putting pieces of paper along the crease of the wall and floor. What have you done in a few years?
atlasraven@reddit
I beat the latest Factorio expansion (if you don't know, super impressive).
S3ANbz@reddit
Larger battery more range that's the biggest thing people look for
ScoobyDooItInTheButt@reddit
FunkyWhiteDude@reddit
I love this look! Though one with skinnier wheels would be nice. Like 65mm wide tires?
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
Looks great,but sometimes mudguards and rear rack is necessary like needs... Like accessories,separately...👍
Due_Move6507@reddit
Say “yellow” to my leetle frien’.
MakeUrBed@reddit
The Deluxo variant.
MakeUrBed@reddit
My last post was just the beta. This is what the full production version of what you should build looks like.
MakeUrBed@reddit
Honest feedback, well, Id like to see it with a boxed and notched frame so it can lay directly on the ground, extended suspension arms, plumbed hydraulics, heavier duty wiring, clean up the body lines so they are seamless and flow with frenched antenna and lighting and for God's sake chrome those wire wheels. This is what I'd do cuz yours sucks.
ThreeDayRV@reddit
That reminds me of a BMX bike I had years and years ago, I like it!
zoolish@reddit
How does the battery come out. I take mine off frequently.
PickleAlly@reddit
It pops out to the side.
PickleAlly@reddit
Oh, an old Juiced Bike?
ThatGothGuyUK@reddit
Looks painful! - No Shock Absorption at all!
Also that kick bar is in s really bad position facing the wrong way and will get ripped off.
Is the frame up to the torque?
Significant-Pen-6049@reddit
Juiced bikes?
jatteam@reddit
Most people appreciate a nice step-through bike now. They’re all pretty heavy.
Biscotti-Own@reddit
It kinda looks like a kids bmx
notajock@reddit
My firs thought
BlueMageNeedsFood@reddit
I was looking for this comment
BlueMageNeedsFood@reddit
Honest feedback: this isn’t a commuter, it’s a BMX bike with a hub motor.
pibenis@reddit
Check out Yamaha Booster / Fantic Issimo for a comfortable fat tire city commuter design
st174ar@reddit
This is what I would want from ebike:
Battery - 30ah, 60volts or 72volts and powerful enough motor to be able keep up with traffic on 35mph roads. Quiet motor - geared Bafang (like on Magician) or gearless. Cast wheels with moped tires - these ebikes by weight and power are mopeds, no need to reinvent wheel (literally) just take time tested wheel/tire from billions of existing mopeds. Singe battery mounted on frame or two batteries but still mounted on frame. Rear rack attached to frame, not to rear wheels, so it is suspended.
BlueMageNeedsFood@reddit
I’m down with this. I’m actually down with dual hub motor though. 🤷♂️
Electrical_Tof@reddit
Being able to keep up with traffic and DECIDING to speed near foot traffic are not the same thing!
TPEHAK@reddit
Looks like a bicycle for kids
spheres_r_hot@reddit
Stole the plans for juiced ripracer
Chillwindow@reddit
Firstly I think a lot of these comments aren't very helpful but do have some lessons.
The one thing I will praise you on is actually trying to do something in this market.
My feedback would be that a basic accessory pack would make it good for commuters (lights and pannier rack)
Making it a hardtail really reduces the appeal as I've gone full suspension on my fat tyre and I'd never go back.
The battery looks good that bigger ones can be fit.
Overall I think there are only minor differences to your design that while do give your bike a unique selling point they aren't enough in a sea of these bikes to truly offer something revolutionary.
The only way to capture the consumer at the moment would be to do something radical like getting rid of the hub motor and putting on a bbshd or making it belt drive.
Cyrusher did make one with a m620 but this limits it in the future to other motor sized. A BB let's people build their own.
Good luck and I hope you can build something that really does take off.
C137_RicklePick@reddit
I drive this type of bike. What i think is cool os that it is not foldable, because mine is but i dont need to fold it so there are just more points of failure.
I wouldnt buy it because it is not full suspension. I use my bike to drive in the city and the rear suspension eats the curbs up perfectly, id never change back to front suspension only...
Odd-Lime-2738@reddit
You took a year and that’s what you thought would make a good commuting bike? Did you actually commute during that year?
What stands out is that you made all the wrong design decisions. What would stop me from buying it is that I’m not an idiot.
I would love to know how you arrived at the worst possible design for a commuter and I hope you haven’t spent too much money getting to this point.
MonzellRS@reddit
No fenders, no integrated rear rack, no suspension seat post, no front fork suspension, no free 2nd battery
NarutoFan1995@reddit
needs better suspension
the body looks too blocky
the battery is an eyesore
if this is a commuter bike you should focus on range + cargo capacity.... so try to get a GOOD LOOKING BATTERY or maybe one that goes inside the bikes frame and a rear rack/passenger seat
u have no lights
TheFlightlessDragon@reddit
That doesn’t nice, but lacks some key things one expects of a commute bike, really it looks more like a fun bike that a practical bike.
Are the tires 20”? If so, 24-26 I think is better for commuting, totally my opinion though.
A rack seems pretty par for the course in this use case.
Also fenders are a big deal if someone is riding this everyday.
Built in lights are not essential, but a really good thing to have on a commuter.
nyITguy@reddit
Agreed, a 24" wheel would make this more appealing.
Worried_Document8668@reddit
sensible commuting, fat tyres and that frame geo don't go together. start from scratch
Zkoolman1@reddit
No rear suspension? Depending where you ride there are some rough streets and sidewalks out there. What size bike is that? I'm 6'5 and it's looking pretty tiny
Nova_Hunter@reddit
Fat tires are so over. Use regular width wheels for accessibility. Plus you can advertise it's more efficient and when the battery runs out it's not a tank.
PlaceUserNameHere67@reddit
darkthewyvern@reddit
The only thing you seem to have developed is a spreadsheet assuming how much money you will make, you have to be joking
Looks fresh off a sweat shop assembly line
PlaceUserNameHere67@reddit
Why are you making a BMX style "commuter" bike?? Im almost 60, i don't want a kids bike to commute on.
Banguskahn@reddit
Rechargeable front and rear lights. I know people can buy aftermarket but I have had 5 e-bikes from Pedego to duotts
RichTrifle1785@reddit
One thing I would want you to do is post a UL2849/UL2271 certification on your website from a testing laboratory recognized in the United States. Your website says the battery in this bike meets UL2271 standards and that is a literal nothing burger to me and tells me you might not have proper certification on this bike, which puts you behind the competition considering companies like AMYET and Jasion are out here selling <$600 bike models that have a Compliance Certificate from UL themselves.
Lazy_Football_511@reddit
No lights. No way to carry anything unless I am using a backpack. No fenders/splash guards. No way of knowing if the battery is detachable or not. Looks heavy, and since I have to lug my e-bike up and down a flight of stairs, 50 lbs. weight is what I look for.
And I am not fond of yellow. People might try to get me to stop and give them a ride because it reminds them of a taxi.
Laserdollarz@reddit
So OP is just copying a previous bike, but here's mine
UpbeatBreadfruit8656@reddit
As someone who is old with leg problems, I only consider step through frames, preferably folding. And my favorite ebike recently started breaking spikes on the rear wheel, so I’d prefer a rear wheel with no wire spokes.
Laserdollarz@reddit
Oh, now I understand why you were asking on the juiced sub.
That is literally just a ripracer. I'm comparing it to my ripracer now.
Since you started the relationship out with a lie ("We've spent the last year refining this design") you can fuck right off.
posmotion@reddit
Uhh you copy+pasted a Juiced Rip Racer?? Did you think we wouldn’t notice?
2000TWLV@reddit
Seen it before, three or four years ago. Can't think of the brand right now, but almost the exact same bike.
It's cute, though. Same thing I thought last time around. If the price was right, I might consider it.
ProperParticular7073@reddit
exactly 100% i had one and at first glance i thought thats what this wS
Comfortable-Fly5797@reddit
Who is this actually designed for? Maybe I'm just missing scale but it looks like a kids bike.
And the top tube is awful. Could you imagine having to emergency stop and accidentally hitting the bend of the top tube as you come off the saddle? Ouch.
fractal_disarray@reddit
Needs a cargo tray.
Consistent-Bat2917@reddit
Feisty-Delivery2047@reddit
Looks sick