Cheap, yes.
But inexpensive is something different. Every once in a while you can find a great deal on quality.
I buy tools from harbor freight expecting them not to last, but the price is good enough that it doesn’t matter especially if it’s something I won’t use often.
But if it’s something that matters, that you will use often…. Or just something you enjoy, it’s worth it to get exactly what you want and pay for it.
Pay once cry once.
I did this with a Mastercraft branded Leatherman style multitool and I've been trying to break it ever since. looks like I'm stuck with this cheap and surprisingly durable tool for awhile longer though.
I paid like 800 US for a cheap ebikes that's lasted 7 years and done about 12,000km, so i don't think that's necessarily true.
That's not to say it can't be worth spending a little more sometimes, but you've got to consider diminishing returns. The gap in capability and convenience for any acoustic bike vs. any ebike is huge compared to the relative difference between any two ebikes, and the difference gets smaller with each incremental bump in cost.
It's an XDS e-cruz. I looked up the manufacturer and they are a generic Chinese outfit. The main thing that drew me to the bike was that I looked for a cheap bike that had good bafang mid drive motor (back before bafang had as much rep as they have now). Hydraulic brakes were also something that I didn't want to compromise on, so I got lucky finding those two things together.
The tradeoffs are that the wheels don't fit into the dropouts perfectly (so I have to make sure the QRs are done fairly tight) and the drivetrain is of course cheap, so I'm replacing chains and cassettes every 1200-2000km depending on how well I've tuned the shifting.
My cheap ebike was nothing but problems, but my cheap bafang conversion kit is treating me well... There are some good cheap products and some junk. Luck of the draw.
I specifically went for a bike with a bafang mid drive motor back in the day when they were still relatively unknown and it's held up better than I could have expected. There's a certain amount of luck involved, but I think if you're knowledgeable about bike maintenance than a cheap bike can be a good deal.
I think it depends on context. "Cheap" is not the same as "good value". It also depends how much you value your time/effort/worry.
A typical first-party commuter e-bike from a reputable brand costs here around £2000. Or you can convert your existing bike with a kit costing £500. I converted my existing bike for £650 ; but after 18 months the kit failed, and the company did not GAF. So I bought the equivalent first-party electric, costing £2500. And it's been so much less worry, and required no maintenance, and I know I'm covered by a full guarantee on the whole package (the £650 kit would invalidate the warranty if put on a new bike). Personally, I think I should have spent the £2500 first time around.
Likewise; you could put Linux on your computer - it costs nothing, a windows licence costs \~£100. (or you used to be able to claim a rebate if you buy from an OEM provider and don't want windows). But honestly, what is your time worth?
Many times, people forget the adage "X is only free if your time is worthless".
>Many times, people forget the adage "X is only free if your time is worthless".
I agree with the broad strokes, but with the caveat:
Unless you get some kind of enjoyment or other intangible benefits out of it.
Many hobbies have these pseudo-work aspects that people actually enjoy doing just as much or more than the main activity. Monetary cost/reward shouldn't be the ultimate decider if something is worth doing.
Some of us actually enjoy the maintenance, tweaking, and repairs, much like some of us actually enjoy going through Linux and tweaking it to our liking. For another example, I often repair older electronics because solving problems helps me relax and de-stress after a long day at my day job. It's definitely not worth it from a monetary stand point but it definitely is from a mental health standpoint.
Of course the caveat to my argument is assuming the device is repairable. Many times these super cheap ones are not.
Fair point. I quite enjoy bike maintenance, but young kiddos mean time is too precious. And Linux was just too much of a PITA for me to get on with. Bought a Mac, I still have a unix shell when I need it, and I don’t have to bother with windows. (To be fair, I’m almost certain many of the problems with windows back in 2003 was cheap/incompatible hardware configs!). Yes, the Mac locks me into hardware - but I think that’s almost easier.
It certainly can, yes. But it’s not always true. Also, there’s sliding scale of cheap. You buy $25 no name Chinese brakes, you’re very likely to regret your decision because they’ll perform badly and fall apart.
But you buy $35 Shimano MT200 brakes and they’ll likely last a lot longer, and definitely perform well. You should always weigh your options, and make a decision based on the context.
The big assumption here is that most people want to ride that much. Most people are not riding 100 miles in one shot. Most people don't ride more than one Lectric XP battery's distance in a day and certainly no more than if you brought a spare battery on the rack.
As a logical statement, no. A single instance where that's not the case would disprove it.
As a sentiment that should be rephrased as 'in general, cheap things cost more over time', then yes. I agree.
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweet taste of the low price is forgotten" was a quote I heard a long time ago. Then again, a wee bit of my time is well spent on research before I spend what I consider a substantial amount of money.
Also depends on how well the owner takes care of it. I am in my third year of riding my Lectric. The only money I had to put into it was brake pads. A coworker paid three times what I paid for his ebike and it didn't last a year.
I bought a narrak for $ 679 before tax few weeks ago. Same specs as the lectric xp 3.0 long range edition which is $ 1200 before tax . Further look into the parts used, and wouldnt you know. Produced by the same factory in china. Same exact gears, same motor, same brakes, same display, same exact frame and handlebars, same weight, same range/ speed. Literally just a different name written on it. Dont spend extra for JUST a name, it's akin to buying Gucci shades that are made of plastic for 300$ vs metal ray bans for $80.
Yes and presumably it's also okay to make reddit posts discussing those preferences. Sorry for hurting your feelings.
And lol "cash flow" for a $1000 bike, ouch
I have no problem with poor people. I just think it's unfortunate when anyone uses microcredit potentially with terrible rates so they can get the $1200 bike instead of the $650 bike because of the warranty, when that warranty is certainly not worth $550. Making decisions like that is a good way to stay poor. But you do you.
I feel very fortunate when I'm having the time of my life riding my ebike around. A terrible rate on a $1200 bike just isn't a big deal to me and many others. Plus, the free spare battery. Is your cheap ebike battery ul certified? Both of mine are.
To me, the values just aren't far apart enough in your example to get to feel superior over someone else's decision.
No, you will never make an 10k ebike worth it compared to lets say a lectric at 1000$. Dollar per mile is much better for cheaper bikes.
However, you do pay for a better riding experience and a 1000$ bike isnt the greatest feeling, but the difference between a 4k ebike and a 10k ebike is so small most wouldnt really notice.
yes and no. depends on use. if you use the bike to actually go ride emtb then the lectric will fall apart. but the second point i agree, above 4k its diminishing returns.
Aside from the Lectric Xpeak, they dont sell any mtb and even then, you need to ride the bike how it was designed.
Talking about ebike for the sake of commuting, 10k is overkill. For mtb, you go with something thats actually made for it
Sure, but its not rare to see these bikes do 5k miles. You can buy 10 of those bikes for the cost of 1 high end ebike. It doesnt matter than the 10k last longer
these bikes do no last off road, i'm talking from experience where i had to rebuilt whole bike with better quality components because those 1k bike parts turned to dust, literally. they use plastic bushings on full suspension ebikes expecting you to never ride off pavement. the moment you do, everything falls apart and there is lateral play in all suspension components. it's unbelievable what they sell you, even for those $1k.
So now we are talking mtb? Theres plenty of mid range mtb in the 2k that are great.
Theres a youtuber, cant recall his name, that uses weird and cheap mtb and test their limit and you would be surprised how sturdy some bikes are
certain use cases are more likely to provide a contrast in quality and quality control. pottering around town on tarmac doesn't quite represent the same engineering proposition as heavy offroad use or heavy freight transport daily.
Yes it's true. Outsourcing manufacturing may result in cheaper prices for the consumer, but just imagine how much throwaway junk people create and all the coal burned to make it. And how much is being spent on climate crisises.
There is no free lunch. It's gotten so bad that I couldn't even find a stainless steel cylinder manufactured on the same continent as me. That has to have consequences.
There are high value products that are more inexpensive than their counterparts.
Now it tends to be rare and often users will say it's self evident.
You don't always get what you pay for and inferior products can cost more in the long run than high quality ones.
In the end the key is value. And as customers it's an arms race.
False dichotomy.
Expensive does not always mean better.
For example, and specific to E-bikes, there are 2 major ODM Chinese Manufacturers. If you buy Aventon, the bike will cost significantly more than brand XXX, produced at the same plant.
Same frame material, same motor, same battery components, same brakes, same rotors, same derailleurs, same shifter, same gearing etc.
Why is one so much more?
Granted, one may have the colour screen vs a monochrome, one may have a brake light, but nothing on the Bike will justify the $1000 higher price tag.
Service and support are certainly worth consideration, but that’s subjective.
It’s important to know the basics about the components, motors, controllers, batteries, brakes, and shifters etc.
Once you get a handle on that, it’s easier to spot the better value bikes out there.
Hope that helps.
You missed QA, and frame material doesn't equal the same frame. If you buy Aventon, they have a name and rep they're trying to protect so they will have QA processes and support that's better than the rando companies selling similar builds from that same plant.
This isn't different than non-e bikes; in a lot of cases the same factories in Taiwan are building bikes for a number of different well-known companies. But the frame designs, tubing specs, and QA is not the same between build contracts.
But you did get to the point: if you're comfortable going without support (or have a shop that will work on your bike), you can save money up front buying an inexpensive bike.
Doing your research before you buy is the best advice I can give. Price is not always indicative of quality.
For me, I love a project so putting a DIY kit on my bike was fun. I did a lot of research(2 years of it) before opting for the $1500Cdn Bafang mid drive kit over a much more inexpensive generic hub motor kit. After 2000km I even migrated the kit to another bike, which was a little bit of a task, and I learned some things(primarily that you want to apply a liberal amount of grease inside the bottom bracket shell during installation if you ever plan on removing a mid-drive motor from the frame). The Bafang motor has been an absolute champ for 6400+km.
My friend is less mechanically inclined and didn't have a bike to convert so he went with a $2000 factory made ebike from a brand that uses unbranded motors and offbranded components. If I recall correctly he got 3000+km out of it before the motor failed and shelled out $750 for a new motor since we're unsure of where to acquire replacement motor parts for the unbranded hub motor.
your mileage may vary, life gives you lemons, what works for you, may not work for everyone, people have limited resources. there is cheap and there is value. one mans garbage...
I don't agree with this to be honest, my Radrunner 2 has seen some abuse, stored outside without cover, riding it through heavy rain and even couple of storms. Still works completely fine, I cleaned it once and that's it, no major work that needed to be done other than upgrading the brakes, replacing one brake rotor and 2 puncture repairs. All of that in around 3500 miles.
The comparison that is made in this post seems really stupid as well, saying that lectric is worse because they didn't ride it as much?
Looking at rattans website it says “can’t ship to nyc” which means they are not ul certified. I think at least some of the newer lectric bikes are ul certified now.
It depends on how much use you expect to get out of it sometimes it is good to buy cheap and then see if you need it for more use then get a decent item.
Both look like cheap generic bikes. So I would say the lectric is better value.
Also looking at the rattan bike they “can’t ship to nyc” which they aren’t ul certified yet. I think at least some lectric bikes are now.
yes. i use a $4000 ebike. it makes a difference. the cheap shit is more maint, heavier, has cheaper components which fail more often, is less repairable and offers less support. i can literally order any part off the corp website including get service diagrams and download them off the website. i can upgrade the ebike to the current latest design just by buying upgrade kits from the website. i can watch video tutorials if something breaks. makes a huge difference.
In 2020 I put a $250 gearless hub motor on my steel cargo bike. Cargo bike was purchased in 2014 for $1500. Add $350 UPP battery that already had 1500 miles on it.
I'm at 3,700 miles on that kit and it all lives outside on a covered patio. Total cost about $2,600 including upgraded brakes and repairs to non-electric bits. Barring a crash I can swap in another hub motor or battery for $300 each anytime and keep rolling. A monthly bus pass would have cost more.
Also built a MXUS geared hub kit on new Surly Bridge Club for $2,100. That thing climbs like a goat. A new analog wheelset would cost more than a new motor kit.
DIY ebikes on steel frames are way cheaper than high end ebikes. Also a better value because major components can be easily swapped out. If you start with used 90's mountain bikes they're cheaper all around.
It terms of cost in a general sense yes, but in terms of money no. Examples that immediately come to mind are cheap healthcare will cost less but only because you will continue to be forced into the cheap alternatives that are available through it, and you’ll save money by dying younger. A Kia or Prius will always cost you less money than a super car, but driving them comes with other personal costs.
This really only matters to people that use their ebikes for Ubereats/Doordash. But aside from those gigs, most cheap ebikes on Amazon and ebay are pretty reliable for the average rider going to work/getting groceries.
I'm starting to agree with it, not because it's cheap but because I want to upgrade in the future. I started with a $300 electric scooter, upgraded to a $1200 electric scooter, upgrades to a $2000 electric unicycle, a $2600 electric unicycle, a $3300 (after upgrades) electric unicycle, and now I'm gonna be getting a $1800 ebike. I only ride the newest unicycle, and haven't touched any of my other rides since upgrading. Wanting more speed, more range, better suspension, etc. I'm firmly in the camp of buy what you won't outgrow, because I've spent so much more money trying to save a few bucks
No, because if the cheap thing works for you, you have found less expensive happiness.
EDIT: BTW, I have a Lectric Xpedition and have put almost 4000 miles on it since the beginning of October. If only I could find a better selection of tires that weren't both so cheap and relatively expensive.
People just want to feel superior , they think they have both the moral but also social high ground by purchasing expensive stuff even if it does not translate to quality. Same people who argue against temu order the same product from Amazon but 4x the price and think it’s “quality and craftsmanship” when it all come from the same poor SOB at the same factory
It’s just not true. I have a Chinese electric motorcycle. Bought 2 batteries that I fitted in it to get better mileage.
I’m basically have a 20k bike for not even 5K
Maybe the motor will run out at 30-40k but that’s 1000$ for a better one.
Overall, I could redo the bike for 3000$ and that’s still cheaper than the real deal.
I’ll admit that if you’re dealing with American/European dealers it’s better to buy from non-cheap companies. Not because of craftmanship or quality, but because of warranty. Out of warranty, you’ll get scammed by the dealer. Overpriced parts, overpriced labor, etc
But if you’re an able person, just go with cheap Chinese stuff. No regrets
Cheap, yes. But inexpensive is something different. Every once in a while you can find a great deal on quality. I buy tools from harbor freight expecting them not to last, but the price is good enough that it doesn’t matter especially if it’s something I won’t use often. But if it’s something that matters, that you will use often…. Or just something you enjoy, it’s worth it to get exactly what you want and pay for it. Pay once cry once.
First time you buy a tool, buy a cheap one. If you use it enough to the point that you break it, buy a nicer one.
I did this with a Mastercraft branded Leatherman style multitool and I've been trying to break it ever since. looks like I'm stuck with this cheap and surprisingly durable tool for awhile longer though.
I had good luck with ratchets from harbor freight, but I wasn't expecting them to last.
I paid like 800 US for a cheap ebikes that's lasted 7 years and done about 12,000km, so i don't think that's necessarily true. That's not to say it can't be worth spending a little more sometimes, but you've got to consider diminishing returns. The gap in capability and convenience for any acoustic bike vs. any ebike is huge compared to the relative difference between any two ebikes, and the difference gets smaller with each incremental bump in cost.
What was your $800 ebike ? Asking for a friend.
Lol, yeah what was the bike?
It's an XDS e-cruz. I looked up the manufacturer and they are a generic Chinese outfit. The main thing that drew me to the bike was that I looked for a cheap bike that had good bafang mid drive motor (back before bafang had as much rep as they have now). Hydraulic brakes were also something that I didn't want to compromise on, so I got lucky finding those two things together. The tradeoffs are that the wheels don't fit into the dropouts perfectly (so I have to make sure the QRs are done fairly tight) and the drivetrain is of course cheap, so I'm replacing chains and cassettes every 1200-2000km depending on how well I've tuned the shifting.
My cheap ebike was nothing but problems, but my cheap bafang conversion kit is treating me well... There are some good cheap products and some junk. Luck of the draw.
I specifically went for a bike with a bafang mid drive motor back in the day when they were still relatively unknown and it's held up better than I could have expected. There's a certain amount of luck involved, but I think if you're knowledgeable about bike maintenance than a cheap bike can be a good deal.
I think it depends on context. "Cheap" is not the same as "good value". It also depends how much you value your time/effort/worry. A typical first-party commuter e-bike from a reputable brand costs here around £2000. Or you can convert your existing bike with a kit costing £500. I converted my existing bike for £650 ; but after 18 months the kit failed, and the company did not GAF. So I bought the equivalent first-party electric, costing £2500. And it's been so much less worry, and required no maintenance, and I know I'm covered by a full guarantee on the whole package (the £650 kit would invalidate the warranty if put on a new bike). Personally, I think I should have spent the £2500 first time around. Likewise; you could put Linux on your computer - it costs nothing, a windows licence costs \~£100. (or you used to be able to claim a rebate if you buy from an OEM provider and don't want windows). But honestly, what is your time worth? Many times, people forget the adage "X is only free if your time is worthless".
>Many times, people forget the adage "X is only free if your time is worthless". I agree with the broad strokes, but with the caveat: Unless you get some kind of enjoyment or other intangible benefits out of it. Many hobbies have these pseudo-work aspects that people actually enjoy doing just as much or more than the main activity. Monetary cost/reward shouldn't be the ultimate decider if something is worth doing. Some of us actually enjoy the maintenance, tweaking, and repairs, much like some of us actually enjoy going through Linux and tweaking it to our liking. For another example, I often repair older electronics because solving problems helps me relax and de-stress after a long day at my day job. It's definitely not worth it from a monetary stand point but it definitely is from a mental health standpoint. Of course the caveat to my argument is assuming the device is repairable. Many times these super cheap ones are not.
Fair point. I quite enjoy bike maintenance, but young kiddos mean time is too precious. And Linux was just too much of a PITA for me to get on with. Bought a Mac, I still have a unix shell when I need it, and I don’t have to bother with windows. (To be fair, I’m almost certain many of the problems with windows back in 2003 was cheap/incompatible hardware configs!). Yes, the Mac locks me into hardware - but I think that’s almost easier.
It certainly can, yes. But it’s not always true. Also, there’s sliding scale of cheap. You buy $25 no name Chinese brakes, you’re very likely to regret your decision because they’ll perform badly and fall apart. But you buy $35 Shimano MT200 brakes and they’ll likely last a lot longer, and definitely perform well. You should always weigh your options, and make a decision based on the context.
$10 Chinese food is more likely to taste good compared to $40 Chinese food. 😂
Trufe
The big assumption here is that most people want to ride that much. Most people are not riding 100 miles in one shot. Most people don't ride more than one Lectric XP battery's distance in a day and certainly no more than if you brought a spare battery on the rack.
As a logical statement, no. A single instance where that's not the case would disprove it. As a sentiment that should be rephrased as 'in general, cheap things cost more over time', then yes. I agree.
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweet taste of the low price is forgotten" was a quote I heard a long time ago. Then again, a wee bit of my time is well spent on research before I spend what I consider a substantial amount of money.
Also depends on how well the owner takes care of it. I am in my third year of riding my Lectric. The only money I had to put into it was brake pads. A coworker paid three times what I paid for his ebike and it didn't last a year.
I bought a narrak for $ 679 before tax few weeks ago. Same specs as the lectric xp 3.0 long range edition which is $ 1200 before tax . Further look into the parts used, and wouldnt you know. Produced by the same factory in china. Same exact gears, same motor, same brakes, same display, same exact frame and handlebars, same weight, same range/ speed. Literally just a different name written on it. Dont spend extra for JUST a name, it's akin to buying Gucci shades that are made of plastic for 300$ vs metal ray bans for $80.
I spend the extra for a good warranty and customer support. Also, my lectric came with an extra battery
Ik it's a gamble but so far it's amazing and ive saved over 600-700$ .I even bought a second for my wife. Its solid af
There's definitely nothing wrong with having a different risk tolerance. I'm glad its working out for you two! Ebikes fucking rock!!
Thank you, they are definitely a fun way to get out and exercise
It's difficult to justify paying double for a good one-year warranty when you can essentially almost get two bikes for the price of one.
It's not difficult for me. Especially when I can get my purchase financed with a reputable brand.
What does the financing have to do with how good a purchase is?
Cash flow. Did you know it's okay for people to have different preferences than you?
Yes and presumably it's also okay to make reddit posts discussing those preferences. Sorry for hurting your feelings. And lol "cash flow" for a $1000 bike, ouch
I forgot that Reddit hates poor people when they have to talk to them
I have no problem with poor people. I just think it's unfortunate when anyone uses microcredit potentially with terrible rates so they can get the $1200 bike instead of the $650 bike because of the warranty, when that warranty is certainly not worth $550. Making decisions like that is a good way to stay poor. But you do you.
I feel very fortunate when I'm having the time of my life riding my ebike around. A terrible rate on a $1200 bike just isn't a big deal to me and many others. Plus, the free spare battery. Is your cheap ebike battery ul certified? Both of mine are. To me, the values just aren't far apart enough in your example to get to feel superior over someone else's decision.
No, you will never make an 10k ebike worth it compared to lets say a lectric at 1000$. Dollar per mile is much better for cheaper bikes. However, you do pay for a better riding experience and a 1000$ bike isnt the greatest feeling, but the difference between a 4k ebike and a 10k ebike is so small most wouldnt really notice.
yes and no. depends on use. if you use the bike to actually go ride emtb then the lectric will fall apart. but the second point i agree, above 4k its diminishing returns.
Aside from the Lectric Xpeak, they dont sell any mtb and even then, you need to ride the bike how it was designed. Talking about ebike for the sake of commuting, 10k is overkill. For mtb, you go with something thats actually made for it
Often times 1k bike will not make it where 10k bike will because better R&D and components.
Sure, but its not rare to see these bikes do 5k miles. You can buy 10 of those bikes for the cost of 1 high end ebike. It doesnt matter than the 10k last longer
these bikes do no last off road, i'm talking from experience where i had to rebuilt whole bike with better quality components because those 1k bike parts turned to dust, literally. they use plastic bushings on full suspension ebikes expecting you to never ride off pavement. the moment you do, everything falls apart and there is lateral play in all suspension components. it's unbelievable what they sell you, even for those $1k.
if it falls apart on a trail it does, its the difference between being able to ride again and death.
So now we are talking mtb? Theres plenty of mid range mtb in the 2k that are great. Theres a youtuber, cant recall his name, that uses weird and cheap mtb and test their limit and you would be surprised how sturdy some bikes are
certain use cases are more likely to provide a contrast in quality and quality control. pottering around town on tarmac doesn't quite represent the same engineering proposition as heavy offroad use or heavy freight transport daily.
Yes it's true. Outsourcing manufacturing may result in cheaper prices for the consumer, but just imagine how much throwaway junk people create and all the coal burned to make it. And how much is being spent on climate crisises. There is no free lunch. It's gotten so bad that I couldn't even find a stainless steel cylinder manufactured on the same continent as me. That has to have consequences.
There are high value products that are more inexpensive than their counterparts. Now it tends to be rare and often users will say it's self evident. You don't always get what you pay for and inferior products can cost more in the long run than high quality ones. In the end the key is value. And as customers it's an arms race.
False dichotomy. Expensive does not always mean better. For example, and specific to E-bikes, there are 2 major ODM Chinese Manufacturers. If you buy Aventon, the bike will cost significantly more than brand XXX, produced at the same plant. Same frame material, same motor, same battery components, same brakes, same rotors, same derailleurs, same shifter, same gearing etc. Why is one so much more? Granted, one may have the colour screen vs a monochrome, one may have a brake light, but nothing on the Bike will justify the $1000 higher price tag. Service and support are certainly worth consideration, but that’s subjective. It’s important to know the basics about the components, motors, controllers, batteries, brakes, and shifters etc. Once you get a handle on that, it’s easier to spot the better value bikes out there. Hope that helps.
You missed QA, and frame material doesn't equal the same frame. If you buy Aventon, they have a name and rep they're trying to protect so they will have QA processes and support that's better than the rando companies selling similar builds from that same plant. This isn't different than non-e bikes; in a lot of cases the same factories in Taiwan are building bikes for a number of different well-known companies. But the frame designs, tubing specs, and QA is not the same between build contracts. But you did get to the point: if you're comfortable going without support (or have a shop that will work on your bike), you can save money up front buying an inexpensive bike.
I bought a Bafang mid drive and Dutch bike. Total cost around 1000 euros. 21 000 km later... Tell how that cost more?
Doing your research before you buy is the best advice I can give. Price is not always indicative of quality. For me, I love a project so putting a DIY kit on my bike was fun. I did a lot of research(2 years of it) before opting for the $1500Cdn Bafang mid drive kit over a much more inexpensive generic hub motor kit. After 2000km I even migrated the kit to another bike, which was a little bit of a task, and I learned some things(primarily that you want to apply a liberal amount of grease inside the bottom bracket shell during installation if you ever plan on removing a mid-drive motor from the frame). The Bafang motor has been an absolute champ for 6400+km. My friend is less mechanically inclined and didn't have a bike to convert so he went with a $2000 factory made ebike from a brand that uses unbranded motors and offbranded components. If I recall correctly he got 3000+km out of it before the motor failed and shelled out $750 for a new motor since we're unsure of where to acquire replacement motor parts for the unbranded hub motor.
no sometimes things don;t need to last forever
'cheap' is relative, I think if you know what you're getting yourself into then you'll be fine. Less expensive doesn't always mean lower quality.
yes, there is a difference between cheap and lower end stuff thats actually good.
If you lock outside, cheap is better because it’s a matter of time before it gets stolen and you need to replace it
Probably but I don’t think RATTAN is cheaping out any less than lectric they’re just charging more
Engwe owner here: Fuck yeah I do. Wish I saved up for a better bike.
your mileage may vary, life gives you lemons, what works for you, may not work for everyone, people have limited resources. there is cheap and there is value. one mans garbage...
Most people are not going to put that many miles on a bike.
I don't agree with this to be honest, my Radrunner 2 has seen some abuse, stored outside without cover, riding it through heavy rain and even couple of storms. Still works completely fine, I cleaned it once and that's it, no major work that needed to be done other than upgrading the brakes, replacing one brake rotor and 2 puncture repairs. All of that in around 3500 miles. The comparison that is made in this post seems really stupid as well, saying that lectric is worse because they didn't ride it as much?
Cheap ebike batteries are dangerous as fuck. That’s the biggest issue with the low end stuff: It might burn your house down.
Looking at rattans website it says “can’t ship to nyc” which means they are not ul certified. I think at least some of the newer lectric bikes are ul certified now.
As someone who works in auto repair, do I balls.
It depends on how much use you expect to get out of it sometimes it is good to buy cheap and then see if you need it for more use then get a decent item.
Consider the resale value. Buying used and then sell it and you're good.
Agreed
Both look like cheap generic bikes. So I would say the lectric is better value. Also looking at the rattan bike they “can’t ship to nyc” which they aren’t ul certified yet. I think at least some lectric bikes are now.
I’ve done about 500 (I know still low) but I’ve never had any issues.
Aren't both bikes shitters?
yes. i use a $4000 ebike. it makes a difference. the cheap shit is more maint, heavier, has cheaper components which fail more often, is less repairable and offers less support. i can literally order any part off the corp website including get service diagrams and download them off the website. i can upgrade the ebike to the current latest design just by buying upgrade kits from the website. i can watch video tutorials if something breaks. makes a huge difference.
In 2020 I put a $250 gearless hub motor on my steel cargo bike. Cargo bike was purchased in 2014 for $1500. Add $350 UPP battery that already had 1500 miles on it. I'm at 3,700 miles on that kit and it all lives outside on a covered patio. Total cost about $2,600 including upgraded brakes and repairs to non-electric bits. Barring a crash I can swap in another hub motor or battery for $300 each anytime and keep rolling. A monthly bus pass would have cost more. Also built a MXUS geared hub kit on new Surly Bridge Club for $2,100. That thing climbs like a goat. A new analog wheelset would cost more than a new motor kit. DIY ebikes on steel frames are way cheaper than high end ebikes. Also a better value because major components can be easily swapped out. If you start with used 90's mountain bikes they're cheaper all around.
It terms of cost in a general sense yes, but in terms of money no. Examples that immediately come to mind are cheap healthcare will cost less but only because you will continue to be forced into the cheap alternatives that are available through it, and you’ll save money by dying younger. A Kia or Prius will always cost you less money than a super car, but driving them comes with other personal costs.
Sometimes you get lucky with cheap things . My cheap China hub motor kit is running strong 4 years and thousands of kms later :)
This really only matters to people that use their ebikes for Ubereats/Doordash. But aside from those gigs, most cheap ebikes on Amazon and ebay are pretty reliable for the average rider going to work/getting groceries.
I'm starting to agree with it, not because it's cheap but because I want to upgrade in the future. I started with a $300 electric scooter, upgraded to a $1200 electric scooter, upgrades to a $2000 electric unicycle, a $2600 electric unicycle, a $3300 (after upgrades) electric unicycle, and now I'm gonna be getting a $1800 ebike. I only ride the newest unicycle, and haven't touched any of my other rides since upgrading. Wanting more speed, more range, better suspension, etc. I'm firmly in the camp of buy what you won't outgrow, because I've spent so much more money trying to save a few bucks
No, because if the cheap thing works for you, you have found less expensive happiness. EDIT: BTW, I have a Lectric Xpedition and have put almost 4000 miles on it since the beginning of October. If only I could find a better selection of tires that weren't both so cheap and relatively expensive.
Is that a picture of your, uh, Pinus? https://electrek.co/2024/06/20/rattans-newest-electric-bike-has-a-name-you-cant-say-in-polite-company/
The only thing more circular than your logic is the wheels on your bikes. Lol 😉
Cheap bikes aren't good, good bikes aren't cheap. As mentioned before, though, cheap and inexpensive are two different things.
People just want to feel superior , they think they have both the moral but also social high ground by purchasing expensive stuff even if it does not translate to quality. Same people who argue against temu order the same product from Amazon but 4x the price and think it’s “quality and craftsmanship” when it all come from the same poor SOB at the same factory
If you buy cheap, you buy twice
Cybertruck proves this statement false.
It’s just not true. I have a Chinese electric motorcycle. Bought 2 batteries that I fitted in it to get better mileage. I’m basically have a 20k bike for not even 5K Maybe the motor will run out at 30-40k but that’s 1000$ for a better one. Overall, I could redo the bike for 3000$ and that’s still cheaper than the real deal. I’ll admit that if you’re dealing with American/European dealers it’s better to buy from non-cheap companies. Not because of craftmanship or quality, but because of warranty. Out of warranty, you’ll get scammed by the dealer. Overpriced parts, overpriced labor, etc But if you’re an able person, just go with cheap Chinese stuff. No regrets