As I see it .. there are two issues.
The first issue is that the bike companies are understandably new to electrifying bicycles to be used in more rustic conditions. There's a lot to learn and a lot has been learnt. So yes, whilst we don't like it, we accept that there probably will be problems.
The second issue, which for our "generation" of emtbers is how the first issue is dealt with.
If I give an example:
Many years ago in a moment of over priced, bright coloured attraction I bought a dyson DC01 washing machine when they came out. Dyson had invested heavily in something which was completely new for them, pushed the boundaries of the domestic washing machine and at the same time tested heavily. (I know the person who sold them the many tonnes of army surplus which was washed within an inch of it's life).
The machines had reliability issues.
Dyson were excellent and would COME and FIX them. The BIG difference with that situation and the situation we have, which I see as the predominant problem we are facing with our Spesh e-bikes, is that everytime they changed something, they'd upgraded the part - no doubt at great expense.
Amazingly it still works now and has been hammered by the OH who uses it to wash disgusting horse gear.
So this is the problem :
We've bought expensive bikes - they are expensive. That's a simple fact.
They have intrinsic design faults with their motors and some electronics. Yes, some people will never have a problem - great, but lots will.
Unfortunately, it's not easy to buy a replacement motor for a reasonable price. Worse, it's not possible to buy the parts to repair them - which is not exactly environmentally or financially friendly.
The worst part, is that there's no work done to improve the faulty parts. You would expect this to be done for pretty much anything you buy which isn't disposable.
Spesh had a great opportunity in their live broadcast to reassure people and show that they're a dependable reliable company and that they're not the Bike worlds new 1980's Fiat making pretty things which aren't dependable.
They introduced the new IP67 motor - so you can use it in the rain .. It's so much better.
But the old ones .. yes, we know they have water ingress issues .. but we have no plans to do anything about it, but it's fine. Look at this shiny new bike you can buy instead.
No plans to improve the designs of the existing motors to improve the reliability.
No plans to setup "Spesh approved" motor repairers and supply them with motors and parts.
No plans to setup "Spesh approved" battery re-packers and supply them with parts.
Yup .. you bought the old one. Live with it. It's not going to give any second users any confidence who might consider buying it. A motor or battery will cost you more than the bike is worth ..
Would you like to buy this shiny new one ?
It's nice .. really ..
