With the growing popularity of eBikes, there will inevitably be companies offering cheap models that are tempting to consider. They generally lure you in with an incredible price for a bike that, at first glance, may appear to have features found on much more expensive models. It can certainly seem like a real deal on the surface, but to get to the amazing price and features, the company usually sacrifices the eBike's quality. Furthermore, there may be non-existent customer support.
It's important to remember that value and price aren't the same thing. Focusing on good value (reliability, support) rather than the lowest price will reduce your chances of experiencing buyer's remorse. In this article, we will look at the pitfalls of buying a cheap eBike, as well as how you can afford a quality eBike that is reliable and durable.
Yes, It IS Too Good To Be True.
As the old saying goes, “it seems too good to be true” can apply to very inexpensive eBikes. What may seem like a great deal at the start can turn into disappointment, real frustration, and, eventually, a dislike of electric bikes. And that is not the experience we want anyone to have!
With a low-quality electric bike, you can run into problems with both the electrical system and regular bike components. Cheap parts can have issues such as:
- Not working at all or only working intermittently
- Battery failure
- Problems with charging
- A loud motor
- Jerky or harsh addition of pedal assist or throttle
- Misaligned frame
- Suspension that doesn’t really work
- Weak braking
- Misaligned shifting
- Bent wheels
- Frequent flat tires
Even just a few of these issues can add up to a bad riding experience. If your electric bike won’t provide assistance due to a connection issue, a faulty battery, or a broken motor, the ride can become a real headache. Additionally, repairing and maintaining a lower-quality electric bike can add up quickly, given the higher frequency of repairs that may be required. Some bike shops even charge a higher price to work on lower-quality bikes, especially if they have to spend time tracking down unique electric system parts that they don’t normally carry.
Poor Support (or Non-Existent Support) for Warranty Claims or Service Parts
Some budget brands have infamously bad or even non-existent customer support. Internet forums and social media groups for electric bikes usually have horror stories about riders who tried to get support for their cheap electric bikes, only to find that the company either completely ignored them or had gone out of business. Plenty of brands don't even publish a customer support phone number at all!
In some cases, a customer can find a replacement part from a specialty electric bike parts dealer. Still, they have to pay for the part instead of the original eBike company covering it under warranty. And in the truly unfortunate situation, there may be no replacement parts available for unique electrical components sometimes found on low-quality eBikes. That can lead to a junked electric bike because of just one part. Before buying, check whether service and warranty parts are in stock for the model you're considering.
As you can imagine, the cost of repairing and maintaining a cheap electric bike can add up to the cost of the bike itself. In the long run, it would be better to buy a high-quality electric bike and eliminate the headache and hassle. As with many important things in life, it is a good idea to spend more on a quality product, especially when you are looking for dependable transportation!
Minimum Recommended Price for eBikes
For most traditional electric bikes with standard features, the $1,500 price point is a good starting point. As you go up in price, you will usually get higher-quality components, more features, smoother, quieter bikes, and sometimes a lighter frame. However, it's worth noting that there are electric bikes in the $1,000 to $1,500 range that can still be from reputable companies and be decent quality. These eBikes usually sacrifice features like a single-speed drivetrain, a smaller battery, no suspension, and no accessories. The cheap electric bikes we are considering are below these price range categories.
Another important feature to look for in electric bikes is batteries with cells from reputable brands like Panasonic, Samsung, or LG. Furthermore, ensure that the batteries are certified to UL testing standards. The battery is the most expensive component on an electric bike, and this is not something to skimp on quality.
Do Your eBike Research Before You Buy
Of course, make sure to do your background research on the company you are considering buying an eBike from. Here are some checklist questions to answer:
- How long have they been in business?
- What kind of reviews do they have, and how many reviews are there?
- Search forums and social media groups to get the “average” review of a company.
- If you contact the company (or dealer), does someone answer or get back to you quickly?
- Do they publish a phone number? Can you reach a human being?
That research should give you good insight into the kind of company you are dealing with and help you determine whether you will get long-term support for your electric bike.
Keep Junk Out of the Landfill
As we covered earlier, there is a chance you may end up with a junked electric bike if a part can't be replaced. This can mean the electric bike ends up in the landfill, and that is a sad end for any bicycle. Like other cheap products that fail and end up at the dump, this is not a very sustainable way of life. Buying a higher-quality electric bike will give you a much better riding experience and have a better environmental impact.
Afford a Good-Quality eBike with Financing or Pay-Over-Time Options.
If the price of an electric bike is difficult to afford all at once, there are some options to consider. Payment plans like Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal let you buy now and pay them back over a few months, with 0% interest in some cases. For example, affording a $1,500 electric bike could become more feasible at $500 per month for 3 months. Also, watch out for sales on electric bikes during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holiday times. Combining a sale with 3 monthly payments could be the ticket to affording a nicer eBike.
Enjoy the Good Ride
Electric bikes are a lot of fun; make sure you pick a good-quality one. At the end of each ride, you will be happy you chose a high-quality electric bike you can depend on. It is better to spend a little more up front than to spend a lot of money and stress on a cheap electric bike in the long run.
Enjoy your rides!
-Pete