Electric bicycles - who buys them?
Discussion
GiantLee said:
Bought a Vitus E sommet used last week, took it out for the maiden voyage in the wyre today, after not pedalling a bike for nearly 7 years. What a game changer out for 3 hours, and did just over 25 miles. I'm converted for sure.
Great bikes - which one do you have? I've got the e7000 one.Got nearly 3000 miles on mine. Its a bit triggers-broom at this stage. Need to service the forks soon.
I bought a very cheap, but hardly used budget E bike a few weeks ago. The seller was a genuine guy and we had mutual past employers for example, and I'm certain he didn't know the bike had an issue. Had two rides on it during which it behaved perfectly and yes, I'm hooked.
But now it doesn't work. I've spoken with the original sales people and exchanged emails, and the part that I think has failed, is not available. So I think I will end up scrapping it, which is a shame. I've done endless Google searching, and nothing is out there.
So. Do I bin it? I'm loathed to buy used again and I don't have the resources to spend on new.
Is this the way of the E-Bike world? Even if I had bought it new, the parts aren't available to keep it going. Not life altering but frustrating!
But now it doesn't work. I've spoken with the original sales people and exchanged emails, and the part that I think has failed, is not available. So I think I will end up scrapping it, which is a shame. I've done endless Google searching, and nothing is out there.
So. Do I bin it? I'm loathed to buy used again and I don't have the resources to spend on new.
Is this the way of the E-Bike world? Even if I had bought it new, the parts aren't available to keep it going. Not life altering but frustrating!
R6tty said:
I bought a very cheap, but hardly used budget E bike a few weeks ago. The seller was a genuine guy and we had mutual past employers for example, and I'm certain he didn't know the bike had an issue. Had two rides on it during which it behaved perfectly and yes, I'm hooked.
But now it doesn't work. I've spoken with the original sales people and exchanged emails, and the part that I think has failed, is not available. So I think I will end up scrapping it, which is a shame. I've done endless Google searching, and nothing is out there.
So. Do I bin it? I'm loathed to buy used again and I don't have the resources to spend on new.
Is this the way of the E-Bike world? Even if I had bought it new, the parts aren't available to keep it going. Not life altering but frustrating!
There's a company that repairs all makes of motors - it's about £250. But now it doesn't work. I've spoken with the original sales people and exchanged emails, and the part that I think has failed, is not available. So I think I will end up scrapping it, which is a shame. I've done endless Google searching, and nothing is out there.
So. Do I bin it? I'm loathed to buy used again and I don't have the resources to spend on new.
Is this the way of the E-Bike world? Even if I had bought it new, the parts aren't available to keep it going. Not life altering but frustrating!
R6tty said:
I'm sure the motor is OK. It's the controller. And I suspect the handlebar controller. It's an MXUS motor.
My concern is the uncerstainability of parts for any E-bike.
Cheap Ebikes are easy to fix. Parts are widely available. I suggest you post your problem on https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/My concern is the uncerstainability of parts for any E-bike.
Try and post more details than you did here, pics are good too.
Also, loads of controllers, LCDs etc for MXUS motors(I also have a MXUS) here: https://topbikekit.com/
Edited by Senex on Saturday 29th June 19:47
Hammious said:
2022 model i think. got xt finishing kit, zeb ultime forks and an ep8 motor
Be the same as mine then, green and gold? I've changed a few things on mine like bars, stem, brakes, post and saddle but that's only because I'm a tart. I got mine as an ex-demo bike from Wiggle and it's been solid. Only issue I've had was it throwing a speed sensor error and shutting down once after a very wet ride, dragged it's heavy ass back home which almost killed me, cleaned up all the connectors with some electrical contact cleaner and it's been fine since.
I am rapidly going off the idea.
Had the opportunity to borrow someones Vado SL for a weekend and while it is a lovely thing, it may not be for me. It has certainly crystallised my thinking on e-bikes though.
- E-bike for mountain biking? I get it - you get more runs in and less of the drudgery.
- The old and infirm? it gets them back on a bike.
- Commuters? arrive at your destination fresh and non smelly.
For everyone else who still has some power in their legs then I think there is little point.
There is a short circular route I do that has a few hills but nothing tortuous or particularly long - on my previous 10kg hybrid I could power round this in maximum attack mode in around 25mins. On the 15kg powered Vado SL it took 26min in Sport mode.
So for me at this point perhaps not required, considering cost, maintainability, security. In a few years time when I am creeping towards 70 yrs of age I might change my mind.
Had the opportunity to borrow someones Vado SL for a weekend and while it is a lovely thing, it may not be for me. It has certainly crystallised my thinking on e-bikes though.
- E-bike for mountain biking? I get it - you get more runs in and less of the drudgery.
- The old and infirm? it gets them back on a bike.
- Commuters? arrive at your destination fresh and non smelly.
For everyone else who still has some power in their legs then I think there is little point.
There is a short circular route I do that has a few hills but nothing tortuous or particularly long - on my previous 10kg hybrid I could power round this in maximum attack mode in around 25mins. On the 15kg powered Vado SL it took 26min in Sport mode.
So for me at this point perhaps not required, considering cost, maintainability, security. In a few years time when I am creeping towards 70 yrs of age I might change my mind.
Richtea1970 said:
R6tty said:
I'm sure the motor is OK. It's the controller. And I suspect the handlebar controller. It's an MXUS motor.
My concern is the uncerstainability of parts for any E-bike.
What’s the make/model of the bike and the symptoms? I might be able to helpMy concern is the uncerstainability of parts for any E-bike.
It has a walk assist which kicks in when it's turned on. This is usually activated by holding the 'down' button for three seconds.The 'down' button doesn't seem to do anything. The pedal assist doesn't assist.
I only paid £250 for it but it was working fine. Not woth spending a load of money on but a shame to throw away.
The company that sells them can't source a (handlebar) controller. Bike forums say the bikes are s
t and not worth buying. Any help appreciated.
R6tty said:
Elife Patriot.
It has a walk assist which kicks in when it's turned on. This is usually activated by holding the 'down' button for three seconds.The 'down' button doesn't seem to do anything. The pedal assist doesn't assist.
I only paid £250 for it but it was working fine. Not woth spending a load of money on but a shame to throw away.
The company that sells them can't source a (handlebar) controller. Bike forums say the bikes are st and not worth buying.
Any help appreciated.
Not familiar with that brand but looks like a fairly generic Chinese bike. You could start replacing parts but could be a bit of a lottery and the replacement parts will start adding cost to what’s a cheap bike. Sure you have thought this through but anything obvious happen before it went wrong (got wet, impact, crash etc)?It has a walk assist which kicks in when it's turned on. This is usually activated by holding the 'down' button for three seconds.The 'down' button doesn't seem to do anything. The pedal assist doesn't assist.
I only paid £250 for it but it was working fine. Not woth spending a load of money on but a shame to throw away.
The company that sells them can't source a (handlebar) controller. Bike forums say the bikes are s
t and not worth buying. Any help appreciated.
Richtea1970 said:
nuyorican said:
I was reminded of this thread yesterday. I was in the Peak District on my old road bike, stood up on the pedals, powering up a long hill, when I was slowly overtaken by a procession of fat guys on electric MTB’s. 
I wonder who were enjoying themselves more?Last week I was on the Surrey Hills and everyone was on full powered ebikes. Where's the fun?
You winch up to what? Where's the enjoyment coming down on a numb, soulless, thudding bike. You can't pop off anything without a herculaneum effort of strength.
You try, get it wrong and it nose plonks down.
They always grin when they pass you as well, like they are winning. Bizarre.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
The issue is they are on high powered full fat ebikes no doubt as well?
Last week I was on the Surrey Hills and everyone was on full powered ebikes. Where's the fun?
You winch up to what? Where's the enjoyment coming down on a numb, soulless, thudding bike. You can't pop off anything without a herculaneum effort of strength.
You try, get it wrong and it nose plonks down.
They always grin when they pass you as well, like they are winning. Bizarre.
I think you're missing the point. You want to 'pop' off things, they want to just have fun in their own way. Your way of riding is not the right way, just the way that you enjoy.Last week I was on the Surrey Hills and everyone was on full powered ebikes. Where's the fun?
You winch up to what? Where's the enjoyment coming down on a numb, soulless, thudding bike. You can't pop off anything without a herculaneum effort of strength.
You try, get it wrong and it nose plonks down.
They always grin when they pass you as well, like they are winning. Bizarre.
I did two hours flat out on a 7kg Giant TCR one weekend and the following one was most of a day aimlessly riding through the hills/countryside on the Giant X Trance E+. You couldn't get two different bikes. One is a guided missile, the other is a bulldozer. Both times were a blast.
Richtea1970 said:
I wonder who were enjoying themselves more?
Oh absolutely 
To clarify, I wasn’t making a judgement about using e-bikes or whatever, to each their own… It was more that it was a strange experience being slowly overtaken by what appeared at first glance to be quite out of shape guys on mountain bikes, sitting down and barely pedalling. I don’t think I’ve experienced that before and for a moment was worrying that I must be seriously out of shape before the penny dropped that they were on electric bikes. They don’t look as obvious these days.
I can certainly see the appeal in them. For me personally, during the summer months I like to keep fit by long bike rides rather than the gym. So I must suffer on the hills
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