On balance, I still am not a fan of e-bikes (previously known as ‘I just don’t get E bikes’)

[nicklej]

I'd be interested to see how many of the bikes of the last two decades are still going, my guess is the vast majority are either run down and rotting in a shed, or at the landfill. The ebike sales are at an all time high, precisely because the technology has improved immensely, but as it improves things become more proprietary, manufacturers do not want competitors to be able to reverse engineer and they also do not want consumers or unlicensed third party shops to be able to repair, following the trend of big tech brands. And sadly many of the proper good ebikes now have the entire frame designed around the motor itself, usually a mid drive one, and as such it cannot even be repurposed as a push bike. So it's just waste once the motor is gone - and it inevitably will go.

E bike conversions are far better. At least you've got a functioning bike should the motor fail, and the motors can usually be repaired - many have reverse engineered them.

This is absolutely the case. In 2018 I bought a warranty replacement Spesh Turbo levo as I wanted to keep riding to work despite being far away. In that year is did 19k miles on that levo and i had to replace the motor twice due to wearing out. I wasn't riding it hard but it meant when the motor was screwed, I couldn't whip it off and just ride the bike which would have been nice since the bike was well specced mechanically. Also, mechanical bikes just go for ages. The ebike industry is evolving quite quickly and there'll probably be schemes like cars on finance but for ebikes where after 2 years you can trade it in against the price of a new one which only compounds said issue about obsolescence! Even Ford are considering diversifying into ebikes which I think will begin the trend above of exchanging in cars for ebikes.

 

[amoto65]

I bet you didn't have to buy the replacement motors as they were covered by Specializeds warranty which was transferable and extended to 5 years.

 

[jimo746]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMYJuFbY7/

 

[dyna-ti]

I have to wonder if you and chopper the ex copper are hoping (banking on) the manufacturers keeping spares and software support etc for decades? I fear that after a few years support and spares will dry up, standards will have evolved and only the technically gifted and/or ingenious will be able to keep one running more than say 5 years?
That's not to say I think this would be acceptable behaviour by makers, or that Ebikes are a waste of time

Bosch wont be doing spares, outwith bearings which are available most places being a generic part. If it goes wrong they're happy enough to replace it as a lump.
Currently something like a new gen4 performance line cx is roundabout £700. Many people pay that for a fork and change it more often than you would a motor. Plus forks are prone to damage. Score the stanchions and on a 500-700+ fork its £200-300+ to replace the uppers alone.

Someone like Performance bearings service Bosch motors, and given its pretty new and one of the top motors out there, I dont see any problems in the immediate future. Its the same as anything. I buy a pair of good wheels for 400, replace the bearings on a regular basic, and as long as i dont ride into a tree(touch wood- metaphorically speaking ) they'll last long enough to pay for themselves.

If X years down the line or whatever and its totally duff, I'll just buy a new one.

Ride and enjoy, and let the whiners sit and whine. Long time dead.

 

[Nevilleblaze]

I’ve just ordered a Cube reaction e bike , can’t wait to use it to ride to and from work in the nice weather .

 

[dyna-ti]

If you've never rode an ebike do it where nobody can see you.

The huge beaming smile makes people think you are mental in the head

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

What this thread has overlooked in my eyes is personal choice. Want one? Buy one. Don't want one? Don't buy one. Just ride and enjoy, its really not that difficult. If you e bike, don't slag off normal bikes. If you don't e bike, don't slag off e bikes. We all ride. Just my opinion, no one has put me in charge.

 

[CassidyAce]

N-Caine I think that’s exactly the type of ‘modern’ problem which will descend and screw up all the research about e-bikes being a greener alternative to non-E (real?) bikes. Human-interest-induced problems to maximise sales and profit, again with he environment and all species picking up the can. There are some analysts who simply say ‘digging up all this copper and rare earth for batteries’ is just unsustainable even in the short term. A proper end to end audit shows that bike companies are using materials from supplier companies which are gross polluters and poor employers - all this is not the whinging of a soft leftie - its a stark reality. Steel real bikes are not made by angels - after all, Reynolds tubing does use some exotic minerals - but the level of consumption is way lower and the potential longevity way higher.

Reynolds uses 100% recycled steel these days and none of its factory waste goes into landfill: https://www.reynoldstechnology.biz/company-butted-steel-tubing/our-environmental-impact-study/.

 

[rwm1962]

I've just been doing some work on mine tonight. Got rid of the rim brake Magura's in favour of Avid BB7/SD7 disc brakes (working well for me on my main commuter/bikepacking rig) so also fitted a pair of disc wheels I had spare - heavy duty D521's on Hope Hubs. Swapped the suspension fork for a rigid On One fork & fitted some 3rd party upgrades from NZ company Lekkie to the Bafang mid-drive motor - a better quality drive cover with grease port & an enhanced lock nut to hold the motor firm to the BB - the original works loose. This on a 2001 Orange P7. Also fitted some studded tyres as it's snow & ice around here at moment unless I stick to the roads - no thanks. Plenty of fettling fun to be had on a self-build.

I wish battery production was cleaner & sustainable & hope one day it will be. The amount of mobile phone batteries must dwarf the number of ebike batteries even taking into account size difference. Push came to shove I'd happily do without a mobile phone.

 

[novocaine]

Have a look at sodium ion cells.