Dangers of Buying an Ebike Online & Crowdfunding vs. In Shop

It's tempting to order direct online when purchasing an electric bike, because they tend to cost less. However, there are some considerations that we wanted to share so that people can make the best decision for their lifestyle and go in with the right expectations. Are you fit enough to receive, unpack, and assemble a heavy electric bicycle? Sometimes these ebikes can arrive with some damage to the packaging and parts... or even have missing parts or hardware. I've experienced this myself, and it means extra time waiting for the company to provide support or another product. You almost always spend more time when ordering direct and in some cases, the companies are smaller and less professional.

I've had great experiences, okay experiences, and sometimes bad experiences ordering electric bikes online and using crowdfunding. I hope that this video serves as a reference point and a place to share your own experiences with this, to help each other.

Pros of direct order ebikes:
- You'll probably save money, may save 20% or more
- It may be your only option if there are no shops around

Cons of direct order
- It may take a lot of physical strength to receive, unpack, and build
- It can take a lot of time and effort to assemble some ebikes
- Parts can be missing
- Sometimes the bike that arrives isn't exactly like the bike you receive... components are different or downspecced
- Sometimes the bikes aren't purpose built and the parts aren't as fine-tuned to fit properly, this can make assembly difficult and functionality and ride not perfect
- Language and communication barriers and breakdown
- It can be difficult to reach companies, challenging to express your questions or concerns, and then long waits on replies... we get preferential treatment and sometimes it is still really difficult
- Sometimes crowdfunding campaigns fail or never get delivered, and the final product may also be different than what was advertised

[VerhelstAssoc]

Guys, I know that your site derives its revenue by providing both advertising and these reviews, so it is tough, to tell the truth, so I applaud your efforts. In this latest video, you touched on a number of points that are important but the real heavy duty issues were skipped. To start with, regardless of whether you buy from a shop or online, make sure the seller has actually purchased product liability insurance to protect them (and you) against any manufacturing issues. Because no U.S. insurance underwriter will accept global coverage from some insurance company in China (they don't intend to fight a claim in a Chinese court), they automatically consider the importer to be the manufacturer of record. Big expense! Without this coverage, the customer is stuck if a claim arises. Secondly, check to see if the Lithium Battery pack comes with the necessary transport safety certifications known as the UNDOT 38.3 certificate. Without this certified test certificate for both the individual cells and the complete battery pack, they are not able to legally ship these anywhere in the country. The Chinese don't have a need for this because they don't have the same regulations to transport Class 9 Hazardous materials around the mainland, so it's up to the importer to go through this process, and it is very expensive. Finally, make sure whoever you buy from, that they are an actual business with parts inventory, service, support staff, and a real location that is more than a mailbox. It is too easy to get into the business with a 40ft ocean container and a website.

[GaryFujiokaSr]

This was an important message for prospective buyers. There are so many good bikes you owe it to yourself to do the work to insure you get one, regardless of channel. Personally I support my local bike shops because we're dealing with a relatively expensive emerging technology and if I have a problem I'd like to have more than a toll-free number. Thanks Brent and Court.

[trickpony]

I bought my first two bikes at bike shops and my last bike was a Rad Rover for only $1, 499 free shipping and no tax. Best bike so far and great service. Bike was easy to assemble but people that are worried about that can pay $99 to have Velofix assemble and deliver. Personally, I've learned what a racket LBS are and how easy it is to do maintenance yourself. Added benefit, things go wrong on the road, being able to fix yourself is very comforting. Every LBS I've talked to about online bikes warn about problems etc. Much like the days when buggy whip manufacturers warned about the dangers of the automobile. Yes buying online is a risk, but not if you do your research.

[rccrashburn]

Note for the EBR guys, Brent and Court...
It should be clearly stated in EVERY one of your ebike reviews:
1) assembly level of difficulty rated 1 to 5
2) customer service level of quality rated 1 to 5
3) manual level of quality rated 1 to 5
4) ALL other pitfalls that could set up owners for buyers remorse

[markh]

This is exactly why I spent a little extra and bought from a dealer.

[ferryengr]

Very good job telling the story. To expound on the crowdfunding risks, recently many people were stung by the Taga 2.0 family trike (which had an e-assist version), when the company folded. The Taga 2.0 bike had been sold on Kickstarter and IndieGoGo, and backers found out they do not have the same legal protections for credit card purchases when they back a crowdfunded product that they receive when they outright purchase a product. Most of the Taga 2.0 backers were left holding the bag and many lost thousands of dollars. A lesson on crowdfunding and that you should be sure you do not spend more than you are willing to lose if the product goes south.

[jimbuck]

Nice input. I suggest that my customers consider the following before purchasing any e-bike: 1) Can they ride it ahead of purchase for any reasonable test (all bikes need this test, because fit to rider cannot be assured any other way) 2) What kind of batteries are in the bike (cheap vs name brand)? It is the most expensive and important part of the bike. Cheap bikes mean cheap batteries. 3) where are going to take it when it needs attention or warranty work? it's an electric bike...enough said. 4) will the company be around and accessible to you when something breaks? many of these smaller businesses will be crushed by the big names for that very reason. 5)Can you get replacement parts after 3-4 years of use? If you cannot, then you just bought a cheap throw away e-bike...no savings there.

[lehsu]

I bought my bike directly online from Rad Power Bikes and I am very happy with it.

[vsMagua]

I spent five "Happy Hours" putting my RadCity together. Upon receiving my bike I figured out which tools would work best for assembly and the most important was a torque wrench. So I waited until I had all the tools I needed because I was worried I'd over tighten the bolts. Go Rad Power Bikes.

[sealevel]

Good video and thanks for raising some important points. One thing that I would suggest when ordering an ebike online is to read their assembly instructions ahead of time. Are the instructions well done, and does this look like something you can handle?

[thedopekreation]

Thank you for all the work you guys put into doing the research for us consumers. To be direct and to the point, you two have hit the nail on top of the head with the worries and the questions I've been having when it comes to this topic. Keep up the good work!!

[tomortale]

THIS GUY IS RITE ON..BRINGS UP VERY GOOD POINTS/GOOD OVERALL COVERAGE

[pabloshaciendos]

Good warning guys. It shows your integrity. That is how it supposed to be, many thanks!

[davidgcorbett]

You didn't mention about spotting phishing sites that copy genuine bike websites and just steal your money and never deliver the product. You can spot them by the ridiculously cheap prices that no manufacturer could even make the bike for ! They pop up on facebook in the marketplace sponsored ads. Report to facebook when they do.

[speechlessness]

Great segment, nice change of flow. It’s very hard to predict where and if E-Bike companies will be in five years.

Kettler of Germany looked like a great, well made product in the Kettler Twin; loved it.

After they were bought out, the US leg became history.

My Twin, $3500 when purchased six years ago from NYCE Wheels, has electric power no more; the controller/display bit the dust.

The cycle parts manager could tell me the part number, saying i had to order from a retail store in Germany, and gave several store locations.

The eight retailers i called in Berlin, Hamburg, etc. all informed me that they do not do business with the US, (guess why).

So i have a very well designed e-bike that is no longer electric.

[bluedolphin]

I've ordered two from Rad power, couldn't be happier. Great customer service!

[JohnWuWei]

There’s a lot of great affordable ebikes out this year, but I still dread my bike getting stolen by bike thieves.

[edwinpringle]

I will never buy another one on line since dealing with JUICED BIKES. They really have a lot to learn about customer service.

[LanceMcGrew]

Another "beware of", learned today our local Trek dealer said their shop insurance prohibits them from working on bikes with a throttle. Lot of ebike direct orders are Class 2 and Class 3 which have throttles so you might double-check with your local shops before ordering online or be prepared to do all your own work.

[IchimokuCloud]

Thanks for posting this honest assessment of dealer vs online. My first ebike was an online fat tire hub motor bike from an online dealer located in China. The build quality is terrible, tolerances poor, many of the parts (like fenders, lights, etc) frustratingly do not fit the bike, and the bike is very heavy and unstable. The build quality is so poor that I actually feel uncomfortable riding the bike in anything but ideal conditions and gave up using it on trails. The only appeal of this bike was the price and is now the bike I ride around town and don't care (too much) if it gets stolen. Follow on bike was purchased from a local dealer, who is diligent in ensuring the bike is assembled correctly and is available to help me with occasional maintenance. The bike is 2-3X more expensive than the online bike, but experience is 10X better, with real suspension, dropper, and lighter weight. It performs similar to my Yeti MTB, although heavier, and trails are tons of fun. I would definitely buy from a local dealer when possible, and when not possible buy a known quality bike from a reputable online dealer.