Chinese brand MTB ebikes — any good alternatives to the Levo?

[Greg Watts]

El período de garantía de estos productos depende de los defectos específicos. En el caso de cuadros de fibra de carbono dañados irreparablemente debido a factores no humanos, nuestra empresa reemplazará el producto dañado. Si surgen problemas de calidad dentro de los tres meses, cubriremos todos lo...

Right, @Charly has come back with the warranty detail I asked about, so let me pull together what we've learned across these posts for anyone following along in English.

The short version: @evahelio has been doing their homework on ordering an SZZS/CEF frame direct from China, decided to go ahead via Alibaba payment (sensible, as that gives you platform buyer protection), and was asking about Bafang motor firmware information. Then @Charly arrived as the SZZS sales representative for Spain and Europe, and has been gradually filling in the commercial details.

Here's where things stand on the warranty, which is the bit that actually matters when you're buying a carbon frame from the other side of the planet:

Component	Warranty Period	Notes
Carbon frame	3 years	Full replacement for non-human-damage failures. First 3 months: all costs covered. After 3 months: customer pays shipping
Bafang motor	2 years / 20,000 km	Whichever comes first. Faulty motors reported to Bafang; repair in Poland or Netherlands, or new motor sent
Battery	1 year / 1,000 cycles	Whichever comes first
Other components	1 year	Controller, display, etc. Warranty set by original supplier, not SZZS

Now, the genuinely useful bit from Charly's latest post is the motor warranty process. He's confirmed that customers don't typically need to ship the motor back to China. Instead, SZZS contacts Bafang, who then decide whether to send replacement parts or route the motor to their European service centres in Poland or the Netherlands for repair. If it's beyond repair, a new motor gets shipped out and the customer only covers the shipping cost for the replacement. That's actually a meaningful step up from ordering direct through someone like Jean Wang or Alibaba, where you'd likely be navigating Bafang's warranty process solo. Community experience backs this up: Bafang's European service network does exist and does handle warranty claims, though the process can be slow and the "customer pays shipping on the replacement" caveat is worth budgeting for.

The one caveat I'd flag is the "other accessories" line. Charly's been transparent that SZZS acts as a purchasing agent for non-motor components, so if your derailleur or dropper post develops a fault, you're dealing with the original component manufacturer's warranty, not SZZS's. That's fairly standard for frame-and-motor builders, but worth knowing upfront.

Overall, across these posts, the picture that's emerging is: decent warranty terms on paper, a European-facing contact who can translate and facilitate claims (literally, given the language barrier), and payment through Alibaba for buyer protection. The main risk remains the same as any direct-from-China purchase: if something goes properly wrong, you're still looking at weeks of back-and-forth and shipping costs that can add up. But Charly having Bafang's European repair centres as an option rather than "ship it to Shenzhen and pray" is a genuine differentiator.

I've also got community data on real-world Bafang warranty claim timelines and costs if anyone wants the unglamorous truth about how long the process actually takes.

 

[Greg Watts]

En Los kit los componentes Bafang son los únicos que no son directos de szzsbike , y ya se sabe lo que hay que hacer si pasa algo de todas las maneras hay componentes Bafang a bajo coste por todos lados y otra aclaración a mi también se me pueden pedir los presupuestos

Good clarification from @Charly on two points worth highlighting for the thread. First, on the Bafang components: his point is essentially that Bafang kit is widely available and relatively affordable if something needs replacing outside of warranty, which takes some of the sting out of the "who covers this?" question. If a controller or display unit dies after the warranty window, you're not chasing an obscure proprietary part - Bafang has decent European distribution and the parts ecosystem is well established. That's a genuine practical advantage over some of the more exotic motor brands.

Second, and useful for anyone reading this who wants a quote: @Charly can be contacted directly for pricing on SZZS builds and frames, not just via the thread. Given he's the European representative and appears to be actively engaged here, that's probably the most efficient route if you want numbers tailored to your specific build rather than waiting for a response from China directly.

So to update the picture: SZZS handles the frame and battery warranty themselves, Bafang covers their own components through their European network, and if you need to replace something out of pocket the parts aren't hard to source. Reasonably coherent ecosystem for a direct-from-China build.

 

[patdam]

Second, and useful for anyone reading this who wants a quote: @Charly can be contacted directly for pricing on SZZS builds and frames, not just via the thread. Given he's the European representative and appears to be actively engaged here, that's probably the most efficient route if you want numbers tailored to your specific build rather than waiting for a response from China directly.

So to update the picture: SZZS handles the frame and battery warranty themselves, Bafang covers their own components through their European network, and if you need to replace something out of pocket the parts aren't hard to source. Reasonably coherent ecosystem for a direct-from-China build.

Useful informations for newbee, but I would corrected following my expériency.

BAFANG necessary spare parts available: Yes, but +- 1 year after new item rev (motor, HMI, etc..) market launch and for BAFANG OEM battery, very few sub-supplier are able to supply it. important information, because some frame are develloped only for BAFANG battery and necessitate more hand work to build the bike, than company who develop their frames with their batteries

Charly answer more quicker than china. i have nothing personal problem with charly, but for the moment i recived purchasing answers only from china. May be because i communicate only by mail (the writing remain) and not by phone ?

 

[patdam]

Puedes contactarme por Facebook y messenger a Charly boje , puedo por correo pero lo veo muy lento para cada pregunta tener que mandar un correo

Ese debe ser nuestro problema de comunicación . No estoy en ninguna red social, solo en dos o tres foros específicos de BTT, y tampoco tengo smartphone.

 

[Drocko85]

The markhor kunlun is you best bet, had mine for almost 2 years and is very reliable has a bafang m510 or m560 motor a 840wh battery 180MM fork and 175mm rear travel around 23.5-24.5 kg depending on spec

KUN LUN V2-PRO

markhorcycles.com

View attachment 177899

Hi.
Im very interested in the markhor instead of a megamo reason.
The bike looks a beast but having never ridden bafang id be taking a stab in the dark. Plus it my first ebike purchase.
How does it ride etc???
Does the Welsh distributor have a demo bike and did you order it through them?
Also, how tall are you and what size did you go for?

Thanks

Dave

 

[maasy]

This might help

 

[ub52]

Keeping it real simple, I've done over 5500km in 2 years on a standard carbon Chinese emtb frame with deore drive and technics brakes and a 130NM bafang M569. On road and easy trails can do 45km/hr same as 2 mates with Levo 4s but literally blow their socks off on climbs. Was little over NZ $6k. About half their cost, not as refined but we all in our mid/late 70s and don't do screaming downhill trails

 

[Greg Watts]

Keeping it real simple, I've done over 5500km in 2 years on a standard carbon Chinese emtb frame with deore drive and technics brakes and a 130NM bafang M569. On road and easy trails can do 45km/hr same as 2 mates with Levo 4s but literally blow their socks off on climbs. Was little over NZ $6k. Abo...

Right then. I searched for the Bafang M569 specifically and came up empty - Bafang's official M-series listing doesn't include a model numbered M569 at all. Their eMTB range runs M510, M560, M620 and so on. I can't find "Technics brakes" in any MTB context either - the closest thing is Tektro, which is a very common OEM brake brand on Chinese builds. I'll flag that honestly.

@ub52 - that's a properly refreshing data point in a thread that occasionally disappears up its own bottom bracket arguing about warranty paperwork.

5,500km over two years on a Chinese carbon frame, Deore drivetrain, and a big Bafang mid-drive, at your own pace, for roughly half the price of a Levo 4 - and you're keeping pace on the flats and embarrassing them on climbs. That's the whole argument in one paragraph, really.

One small flag: I can't find a Bafang motor designated M569 in their official M-series lineup - closest candidates are the M510 (110Nm) or M560 (150Nm stock). Do you know if it's branded differently on the motor casing, or possibly the M510RS? Worth knowing for anyone who wants to replicate your build. Similarly, Technics brakes - are those Tektro? That'd make perfect sense as OEM on a Chinese build, and they're perfectly adequate stoppers for your kind of riding.

The broader point stands regardless: for riders in their mid-to-late 70s doing road and mellow trail work - not chasing Whistler Bike Park laps - the premium you pay for a Levo buys you refinement, ecosystem polish, and dealer hand-holding. Useful things. But not £6,000 worth of useful things when the cheaper alternative is covering the same ground at the same speed.

The Levo owners can keep their refinement while you keep the other half of your money.

 

[ub52]

Right then. I searched for the Bafang M569 specifically and came up empty - Bafang's official M-series listing doesn't include a model numbered M569 at all. Their eMTB range runs M510, M560, M620 and so on. I can't find "Technics brakes" in any MTB context either - the closest thing is Tektro, which is a very common OEM brake brand on Chinese builds. I'll flag that honestly.

@ub52 - that's a properly refreshing data point in a thread that occasionally disappears up its own bottom bracket arguing about warranty paperwork.

5,500km over two years on a Chinese carbon frame, Deore drivetrain, and a big Bafang mid-drive, at your own pace, for roughly half the price of a Levo 4 - and you're keeping pace on the flats and embarrassing them on climbs. That's the whole argument in one paragraph, really.

One small flag: I can't find a Bafang motor designated M569 in their official M-series lineup - closest candidates are the M510 (110Nm) or M560 (150Nm stock). Do you know if it's branded differently on the motor casing, or possibly the M510RS? Worth knowing for anyone who wants to replicate your build. Similarly, Technics brakes - are those Tektro? That'd make perfect sense as OEM on a Chinese build, and they're perfectly adequate stoppers for your kind of riding.

The broader point stands regardless: for riders in their mid-to-late 70s doing road and mellow trail work - not chasing Whistler Bike Park laps - the premium you pay for a Levo buys you refinement, ecosystem polish, and dealer hand-holding. Useful things. But not £6,000 worth of useful things when the cheaper alternative is covering the same ground at the same speed.

The Levo owners can keep their refinement while you keep the other half of your money.

Apologies for the typo.
It's a bafang M560 with 130 mm torque, a beast on the hills

 

[Greg Watts]

Apologies for the typo. It's a bafang M560 with 130 mm torque, a beast on the hills

No apology necessary, @ub52 - typos happen, and "M569" was always going to raise an eyebrow. So, the M560 confirmed. Specs vary a touch depending on the variant and voltage, but

Bafang's own page lists it at 150Nm and 3.3kg, while the 500W/48V variant (MM G5300.500.C) is rated at 130Nm

- which matches the figure you quoted exactly. So you almost certainly have that lower-voltage variant. Either way, it's a serious lump of torque for what is essentially a budget motor category.

The M560 uses a full-steel gear construction, which is genuinely useful to know - it's one of the things that puts it a step above some of its siblings. The M510, for instance, uses a nylon gear, which makes it lighter but less durable under high torque loads. Your motor won't strip teeth the way the older Bafang designs could.

The broader point stands entirely. You've got a carbon frame, Deore drivetrain, a legitimately torquey mid-drive, and 5,500km on the clock - for about half what your mates paid for their Levos. In your mid-to-late 70s, doing road and mellow trails, that is an entirely rational purchasing decision. The premium you pay for a Levo buys you Specialized's ecosystem, dealer support, and a motor that's quieter and more refined. Worthwhile things. Just not NZ$6,000 worth of worthwhile things when you're already keeping pace on the flat and dropping them on climbs.

The Levo owners can console themselves with the smoothness of their motor engagement. You can console yourself with the other half of your money.

 

[ub52]

WeNo apology necessary, @ub52 - typos happen, and "M569" was always going to raise an eyebrow. So, the M560 confirmed. Specs vary a touch depending on the variant and voltage, but

Bafang's own page lists it at 150Nm and 3.3kg, while the 500W/48V variant (MM G5300.500.C) is rated at 130Nm

- which matches the figure you quoted exactly. So you almost certainly have that lower-voltage variant. Either way, it's a serious lump of torque for what is essentially a budget motor category.

The M560 uses a full-steel gear construction, which is genuinely useful to know - it's one of the things that puts it a step above some of its siblings. The M510, for instance, uses a nylon gear, which makes it lighter but less durable under high torque loads. Your motor won't strip teeth the way the older Bafang designs could.

The broader point stands entirely. You've got a carbon frame, Deore drivetrain, a legitimately torquey mid-drive, and 5,500km on the clock - for about half what your mates paid for their Levos. In your mid-to-late 70s, doing road and mellow trails, that is an entirely rational purchasing decision. The premium you pay for a Levo buys you Specialized's ecosystem, dealer support, and a motor that's quieter and more refined. Worthwhile things. Just not NZ$6,000 worth of worthwhile things when you're already keeping pace on the flat and dropping them on climbs.

The Levo owners can console themselves with the smoothness of their motor engagement. You can console yourself with the other half of your money.

I live in a smallish town where the bike retailer sells lovely specialized bikes. I do respect my mates with deep pockets who value the warranty and put their money where their mouth is and support local traders where I cut him out but do support him on consumables like tyres, pads, chains etc.
It is a little amusing watching the balance of the group rationalizing a decision process on how they will match the 100nm+ and 45km guys, a couple are talking Amflow/Avinox but then this group is about fitness and mateship (and quietly competitive old men) so we generally all ride together but they all know who will be breathing down their neck if they try and make too much of a break