Its 2024. So where are the frameset emtb options from all the big brands?

Neeko DeVinchi

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Dec 31, 2020
1,000
1,324
UK
This question has been asked way too often. So I'm starting this thread to DELIBERATELY challenge brands who feel obliged to only offer complete builds for emtbs, knowing that a vast majority of riders are buying entry level emtbs options within a given model and upgrading them to a specification where they're satisfied with the build. Which somewhat proves that their is a market for emtb framesets.
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Take this Nukeproof Megawatt frameset which those who use ebay.uk may have spotted being sold by ebay seller:Tri-sport_resort (which is basically Wiggle, Wolverhampton).
This frameset (without the motor battery, shock, system etc) on average has sold for £300-£500 between November 2023 - January 2024.
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Say what you will about the reason why this frameset became available. But it cannot be denied that when the opportunity presented itself, people bought the frame.
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And even I decided to pick one up.
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And sourced the necessary components and system to complete the build.
View attachment 131622
The EP801 was sourced fairly easily and I note that others have followed the exact same route as myself WITHOUT COLABORATING WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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Clearly demonstrating that their is a market for those who ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.
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£2679.56 to build from a frame only, using a combination of existing parts and some brand new. Whether you consider the price good value or expensive, is dependent on how you look at ebike ownership overall.
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Although on a personal note, I don't typically stumble on many XXL frame sizes often in any of my local bike shops.
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But like I said, I think the question needs to be asked AGAIN for the mainstream industry brands to FINALLY consider. I.e.

WHERE ARE THE FRAMESET EMTB OPTIONS?

Gone are the days where the fabled arguments of 'geometry' & 'quality' could be used to sway opinions from frameset offerings from the east.
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Because I'm sure many of you recognise that quite a few brands have their frames manufactured in the east.
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Some of whom, even sharing the same manufacturering facilities. And these frames are quickly proving themselves as being just as capable in terms of durability and quality.
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But I digress. The mainstream brands CANNOT AFFORD to overlook brands who do offer emtb frameset options. Otherwise,
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They'll quickly find themselves competing and contending with brands from the East which they wouldn't have saw coming. And some of these brands are using motor systems like Shimano, Brose, Yamaha, TQ, Bosch etc.

Food for thought!!
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Their is a market for emtb framesets.
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And data exists PUBLICLY online spanning 5 years. Even on this same forum.
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Enough is enough!!
If a brand can offer regular bike framesets (alloy or carbon), then that same brand doesn't have an excuse to NOT offer emtb framesets in 2024.

And I predict that this question WONT be so easy for these brands to ignore for this year. Screenshot_20231029_165253_AliExpress.jpg Screenshot_20240101_224738_Video Player.jpg
 

Bomble

Well-known member
Subscriber
Nov 11, 2018
646
380
Yorkshire
You’ve kind of answered your own question, they make a shedload more money selling a complete bike😀
 

Mabman

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Feb 28, 2018
1,048
1,735
Oregon USA
Having built many bikes from the frame up over the years I see the attraction, and a potential market, for a frame option but I would also add that it would include the electronic package as well? The attraction would be for those that have all the bits and bobs to finish it off, or at least most of them in their shed. Whether loose or attached to their current bike.

Of course it would have to be made available in at least SM/Med/Lg with modern geometry and good electronics. However if you add all that up and insert it into a business plan given the way the bike biz is going these days I would be holding my breath.

Looks like it will be DengFu and other Chinese small shop manufacturers that will have the corner on the market for the foreseeable future.
 

Doomanic

🛠️Wrecker🛠️
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 21, 2018
8,479
9,959
UK
Brands don’t need an excuse. They will employ business analysts who will monitor the market and market forces will decide for them.
Spesh offer frameset and motor S-Works that cost about the same as their complete Comp models so only really appeal to handy dentists.

I’m doubtful that there would quite so many NP frames on eBay if Chiggle weren’t circulating the drain and desperately trying to generate revenue.
 

InRustWeTrust

E*POWAH Master
Mar 9, 2020
509
730
Sweden
more and more manufacturers are starting to offer just the frame for purchase. demand is likely to be high as several manufacturers offer this option.

Here are som manufactures that is offering emtb frame only option .


Trek
pole
Scott
commencal
pyga
And some chinese noname frames.
 

Zimmerframe

MUPPET
Subscriber
Jun 12, 2019
13,805
20,498
Brittany, France
So I'm starting this thread to DELIBERATELY challenge anyone to read all of this post and see it's many weird and unnecessary pictures.
I might be wrong but I think you meant to write what I've edited to.

Either that or your New Years Resolution is :

"I shall endeavour, unequivocally, to SPAM all of my own posts"
 

VWsurfbum

🤴King of Bling🌠
Jan 11, 2021
1,370
2,025
England
When I have enquired before about purchasing a frame-only option, it has always been said it has to do with the import duty of complete builds having less duty on them and is cheaper to do than frame-only.
 

Canyon Shawn

Active member
Feb 4, 2023
257
178
Lake Sherwood, California
So, after reading this, I discussed this subject with a family member that works high up for a large company that makes Ebikes. His response to me was, that they have spent a lot of time and money researching, just selling frames. Their conclusion was, that Ebikes are like the breaking point for 99% of bike purchasers. By breaking point I mean that, a large number of people are ok with building up their own analog bikes, because they are simple. But, Ebikes are complicated enough that only 1% of the Ebike purchasers would contemplate a frame only purchase for a custom build. And even less than 1% would ever actually build a custom Ebike from a frame they purchased. The frame only options that they have available are for warranty replacements only.
 

Ou812

Active member
Jun 26, 2022
628
423
Fort William
One of my best friends back in the US started selling frame only in the brands that he carries a few years ago. He’ll take all the components off and sell them separately. He said he’s sold more frame only e-bikes than anything else since he’s started doing it.
 
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