Can anyone explain ebike pricing?

aeharding, 3 months ago

Buying locally you get a bike shop that is willing to service the bikes it sells, with a warranty for free service if anything goes wrong.

So buying locally bikes are more expensive because:

1. There is a warranty (cannot be understated how nice this is), and
2. Much better quality components and serviceability, in part so the bike shop can afford to offer warranty and servicing in the first place (if the bike had cheap components, customers will bring it in a lot more often)
3. A brand that is also willing to back up the bike shop with any parts that can be ordered for repair

Even outside of warranty, your bike shop will still provide service. Many bike shops simply refuse to service online e-bikes because it’s a huge hassle.

If I were you, I’d go around to local bike shops and ask about their cheapest e-bikes. Something like the Trek Verve+ 2 Lowstep is the cheapest trek branded e-bike trek makes, for example, and the quality and support after purchase is worth it imo

RobotToaster, 3 months ago

Mid drives tend to be a little more expensive, but I can’t see why it’s so much so.

OhmsLawn, 3 months ago

Look at the parts list. I’m not a bike guy at all, but even I can tell those are all high quality, name-brand components.

The bikes you’re lusting after may have more powerful motors and batteries, but I doubt anything else on them is as well made.

Alpha71, 3 months ago

But at what point is “paying for a brand name” pointless?

Name brand parts have the same warranty period as say mid level parts. The mid level parts are probably going to last just as long as the name brand stuff. The only difference I could see would be in customer service. Where a mid level part might not give you as great customer service as name brand stuff. But if the failure rate of the mid level stuff is equal to the name brand stuff, then warrantees sort of become moot.

But they are greatly appreciated when stuff does go wrong! 😂

OhmsLawn, 3 months ago (edited 3 months ago)

I don’t know, man. I grew up riding K-Mart-grade bikes. Cheap bikes suck.

Pretty sure that Shimano derailer and cassette are going to be far more dependable and nicer to use than whatever the underpaid workers slap in at the Chinese factory. Bosch electronics are probably a little less likely to burn your house down, too.

Now, that expensive little bike isn’t really my style either. I’d much rather save a couple thousand more for something a little more capable .

Alpha71, 3 months ago

The defacto gear set for most mid tier ebikes are Shimano 7 speeds. They’re not bad. and I haven’t seen many complaints online about them.

Ross_audio, 3 months ago

Luxury goods effect.

An e-bike is rarely a primary mode of transport. Usually walking or public transport is an option. People will use one to avoid car journeys depending on the weather etc.

So if you’re going to spend over $1000 on something do you want to have to tinker?

Beyond that just buying a bike has the advantage of a receipt.

Do you trust that a parts list and multiple receipts will be accepted as the value by an insurance company or by your employer for a tax rebate scheme?

And if it gets stolen the time you spent putting the parts together is lost as you can’t insure that.

That’s the key difference for me between a bike and a PC. Enthusiasts could build either from parts and get a better product. But a bike will get stolen far more easily.

Alpha71, 3 months ago (edited 3 months ago)

a quick search shows me this.

If you have homeowners, condo, or tenants insurance, your self-built bike could be covered in the event of an incident such as theft or damage. Here’s how it works:

Home Insurance Coverage:

Most home insurance policies will have limits in coverage for your bicycle.

If you have one of these policies, there’s a good chance your bike will have coverage against theft and damage. Home or tenant policies are meant to protect your personal property, and a bike falls into that category. However, there may be exclusions, so it’s best to speak with your insurance representative to clarify your coverage. Depending on your policy, each type of bicycle you own may be covered up to a certain amount (usually around $1,000). Keep in mind that you may need to pay a deductible depending on the policy details.

Additional Ways to Prove Ownership:

Even if you don’t have receipts, there are other ways to show proof of purchase in a residential insurance claim: Look for photographs of the damaged or missing items. Check owner’s manuals and product warranties for model numbers and product information. Search your email for old receipts or confirmations. Review past credit card statements or bank statements to show line item purchases.

Scheduled Personal Articles Endorsement:

If your bike is valuable, consider adding it as a scheduled personal articles endorsement. Similar to insuring high-value items like jewelry or art, this provides additional coverage specifically for your bike. Contact your insurance broker to add your bike to your policy. Remember that liability for bicycle accidents is typically covered under home or auto insurance. If your bike is damaged, your home or tenant insurance should cover it. However, always review your policy and consult with your insurance advisor to ensure proper coverage.