What they don't tell you!!!! What you need to know!!!!

Kernow

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
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Founding Member
Jan 18, 2018
1,436
1,149
Cornwall uk
All, having been the owner of Emtbs for the past 2 years, thought I would those out who are thinking abut buying an ebike and what you should consider and know when buying.

1. Buy as local as you can and build up a good rapport with the local biek shop - this might mean paying a couple of quid more but it will be worth it, as WHEN your Emountain bike goes wrong and it will, it is much easier to deal with locally than to try and validate a warranty from afar - very often the bike shop require you to ship the whole bike back to them to check it out and validate the warrrant - cost is £100 each way for shipping.
2. Leave your shop/google reviews until you have experienced the true customer service from the shop, all too often they are great to deal with when taking your £££ but not so responsive or great to deal with once there is an issue - you effectively go to the back of the queue and wait your turn - which BTW can take 4-8 weeks if you are lucky
3. Prepare to check your chain frequently - every 100 miles and get ready to repalce after every 300-400 max, otherwise a new cassette and front chainring will become the norm.
4. Buy all the tools tor emove the motor before you even ride it, this includes crank remover, chain ring puller, funny little lock ring tool.
5. IMPORTANT - Remove the motor from your bike before you pedal it, I know it will be tempting to just jump on and ride, trust me on this one. Once the motor is removed spray and wipe the motor and electrical contacts with ACF 50, rust remover and waterproofer. You'll thank me for this......Water will get in your motor at some point, if you cover with ACF 50 then you will just minimize the damage.
6. Ride your bike
7. Take the motor out of the bike every 1-2 weeks, leave to air dry or better still buy a little compressor and blast it with air, connectors on both the motor side and the leads - repeat 5 with ACF and so on.

Budget for an additional £150 for the above tools inc compressor and you will save yourself a fortune in cash and a ton of time tryiong to get a dealer to validate the warranty for water damage.

The above may be common sense to some or may be a bit excessive to others, either way if you follw the above you should minimize the risk of damage.
By not doing the above you will get this after 600 miles (scottish winter)

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That motor looks like the sort of build quality that comes from China on the cheapo stuff . Unless it’s been ridden in salt water on the beach What make is it ?
 

Kernow

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 18, 2018
1,436
1,149
Cornwall uk
Really No wonder specialised had such bad reliability problems , if a basic casing can’t seal out water then it really isn’t fit for purpose . If it was an engine it would leak oil and fail on day one with that sort of build quality .
 

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