Direct purchase any regrets?

[SteveSSS]

I’ve been shopping round for my first E-bike and the Decoy Pro looks favourite. My biggest concern about pulling the trigger on the bike, is the direct sales aspect, as I’m a little worried, regarding warranty and returns issues.

So for those that have bought YT’s, any regrets, would you do it again, or would you go back to an LBS where you get more support after sales service?

 

[Eckythump]

Direct sell i think you just have to be prepared to box the bike up and send it back for issues to be resolved. There are exceptions for the 3rd party components like suspension where you can get warranty sorted in the UK directly with their importers.
I chatted to a guy online who has been having a lot of issues breaking spokes on his Decoy. YT said they would help and to send the bike back. He ended up sourcing spokes himself to repair rather than do without his bike for a month.

Having said that, when I've had battery issues with my Focus it has still taken at least a month on both occasions for the shop to receive the parts required to resolve the problem even with the retailer being helpful.

With the exception of the protracted delivery, I haven't had any issues with my Decoy so all is good so far.

 

[steve_sordy]

I cheerfully bought a YT Capra (clockwork bike) because, short of a cracked frame, there was little that I could not sort out myself. Apart from YT ignoring my emails when the bike was late, I had zero issues with YT or the bike.

But there is so much else to go wrong with an emtb that I can neither fix nor understand, that I would not order a bike from out of the country. Yes I know that the Focus I bought is a German brand, but it is supported by a dealer network in the UK.

The only problems I have had with my emtb have been with the "e" element:
Battery not charging (battery, charger, software - you tell me!).
Display not coming on (loose connector, took a short while to find).
Power not coming on (squashed wire trapped between the battery and the frame, intermittent fault, exactly what you don't want).

I fixed the middle one which had been caused by tree bark snagging the wire. The others were fixed by the dealer network. The charging one took two weeks, the squashed wire one week.

Oh and how could I forget! The lower shock mounting bolt sheared. If I hadn't spotted that when I did, it could have trashed the frame. I could have fixed the bolt problem myself, but I would have had to wait several weeks for the replacement bolt. It was fixed by the dealer (under warranty) very quickly because he robbed a bolt from a rental bike!
Rutland Cycling thanks again!

 

[Pukmeister]

I guess that when you pay peanuts you can expect to deal with a few monkeys.

 

[jbetker]

Well I bought a Jeffsy early this year, then bought a Decoy.. so I guess I did it again. In both cases, the bikes had something wrong with them, and in both cases, YT made it right.

The question you have to ask yourself is how much you value a warranty with a quick turnaround. I suspect most people put too much value in it. I'm also really good at doing things myself, so if you're not, YMMV.

 

[06z]

First YT purchase and I would do it again. Pro Race. Awesome bike fore the price. I still haven't found a full carbon E-bike with the level of components for a better price. I am in the US and not all bikes are sold here. Full Carbon frame, carbon wheels, Fox Factory fork, shock and dropper, DI2, Code rsc brakes, ETC.

 

[jbetker]

Yeah - I guess that's a good point. If I lived in the EU, I might have gotten a different bike since there are so many great options at reasonable price points there. Out here, the best comparable bike I've found was the new Comencals - which were pretty tempting. If you want the same specs in pretty much any other eMTB, though, you're looking at $2-$3k more. I value a (fast) warranty at far less than that.

 

[Jamsxr]

I’ve got a 2016 YT Jeffsy and a Commercial Meta Power, both great bikes and don’t have any regrets. Just pulled the trigger on the new Jeffsy, it will be my 3rd direct to consumer bike.

 

[squeegee]

The question you have to ask yourself is how much you value a warranty with a quick turnaround. I suspect most people put too much value in it. I'm also really good at doing things myself, so if you're not, YMMV.

I think this statement is spot on.

I narrowed down my purchase to Levo Expert or Decoy Pro before I bought.

Decoy Pro $6k, mostly great components, high level fox dampers, sweet suspension feel, full carbon frame

Levo Expert ~$8K, mediocre components at best, pretty low end dampers which I knew couldn't live with. I estimate $9.5k true cost of Levo where I wanted it.

I do all my own wrenching on my regular bike. It has never been to the LBS for service. I'm good at fixing things. Electrical issues do not intimidate me.

If my Decoy has to go back to YT in a box, I'll just ride the acoustic while it's being serviced for the grands I saved. I live in Virginia.

 

[Jk 123]

No regrets here’s an example got my yt decoy pro race last Friday ,cavitated the shock on Saturday told yt Monday they came back Tuesday and advised me the quickest option is send it to fox uk which I did they’ll receive it tomorrow morning and they said they’ll turn it around within a day
I reckon a local bike shop wouldn’t have turned it around any quicker ,also the decoy is the DOGS ?if that’s what’s in your sites

 

[Camstyn]

In Canada a base Decoy is $6800 while a Turbo Levo Expert is $11,300. Components seem pretty evenly matched. That extra $4500 goes a long way, if you’re concerned about warranty pains you can buy a really nice 2nd bike with it such as a Capra AL Comp.

No regrets here. I had an issue with my seatpost that took a week and $30 in shipping to get fixed. I rode my other bike that week and I’m still up $4870 over choosing my Decoy Pro Race over the comparable S-Works Levo.

 

[TheBikePilot]

As others have said it’s down to whether your prepared to ship it back and potentially be without a bike for 3-4 weeks. I say potentially, as I’m not saying there’s any issues with the YT however, its not if it’s when there’s a problem with the bike as they get an absolute pounding of you use them for their intended purpose!

I’ve heard a few issues with the Shimano motors and a lack of stock for warranty on other bikes at present.

For me personally I like the peace of mind I can drive it back to the dealer and have it sorted same day. Had to do that twice for electrical stuff I couldn’t fix myself.

I don’t have a spare bike and am not that mechanically minded or interested!

 

[HORSPWR]

No regrets here’s an example got my yt decoy pro race last Friday ,cavitated the shock on Saturday told yt Monday they came back Tuesday and advised me the quickest option is send it to fox uk which I did they’ll receive it tomorrow morning and they said they’ll turn it around within a day
I reckon a local bike shop wouldn’t have turned it around any quicker ,also the decoy is the DOGS ?if that’s what’s in your sites

That is excellent service and from what I've read you guys in the UK are very fortunate to have component service centres that are onboard and committed to providing this awesome service to the end user, I assure you though, it's not the same in all countries, especially in Australia where end users are discouraged from dealing directly with the component supplier if your bike is under warranty.

I bought an Intense Carbine Pro Build last year direct to customer, the biggest deal clincher for me was that the communication via phone and email was second to none, I've never received better service for any purchased item.

I would walk away from a deal regardless of how much I was saving if the supplier can't even respond to simple emails in a timely manner, that type of response would scare the hell out of me come warranty claim time.

 

[06z]

As others have said it’s down to whether your prepared to ship it back and potentially be without a bike for 3-4 weeks. I say potentially, as I’m not saying there’s any issues with the YT however, its not if it’s when there’s a problem with the bike as they get an absolute pounding of you use them for their intended purpose!

I’ve heard a few issues with the Shimano motors and a lack of stock for warranty on other bikes at present.

For me personally I like the peace of mind I can drive it back to the dealer and have it sorted same day. Had to do that twice for electrical stuff I couldn’t fix myself.

I don’t have a spare bike and am not that mechanically minded or interested!

I have to respectfully disagree with this and I am in the US, I have a friend and he has had his 2019 Kenevo at the dealer for a motor replacement 3 times and each time the dealer has to wait for Specialized to send out a motor. This is where he bought it. LBS. Each time it was at the dealer for 2 to 3 weeks. After 9 months of ownership, he told me buy the Decoy. Very few dealers will buy 6 motors like Berkshire did the UK. That tells me that there are too many issues when a dealer has to put that much $ out to be able to replace motors quickly. He also has had a battery replaced too but that is a whole other can of worms.

 

[Lee]

I’ve been shopping round for my first E-bike and the Decoy Pro looks favourite. My biggest concern about pulling the trigger on the bike, is the direct sales aspect, as I’m a little worried, regarding warranty and returns issues.

So for those that have bought YT’s, any regrets, would you do it again, or would you go back to an LBS where you get more support after sales service?

Hi Steve

I honestly don't have any regrets at all and love my decoy race pro.

YT were outstanding, before and after purchase and I have total confidence it both YT and the Decoy, also it was delivered nearly a month early.

I'm not far from you in Heysham!

Quick blast around whinlatter last weekend

 

[TheBikePilot]

Yes for sure. Berkshire is a good example of a good dealer, but other bike shops have bought in motors for this and claimed the warranty one back to keep one in stock.

Obviously every shop is different but for me I’d rather know I can drive it to them and then it’s in hand with a recognised dealer rather than in the post back to point of origin with all the associated risk of damage in transit.

Again, it’s personal preference. Would I buy direct to consumer..? Me personally no, not at the moment. But that’s just me and I think everyone has examples of good and bad both ways.

I’ve had a new motor, power cable and battery..

 

[Lee]

Yes for sure. Berkshire is a good example of a good dealer, but other bike shops have bought in motors for this and claimed the warranty one back to keep one in stock.

Obviously every shop is different but for me I’d rather know I can drive it to them and then it’s in hand with a recognised dealer rather than in the post back to point of origin with all the associated risk of damage in transit.

Again, it’s personal preference. Would I buy direct to consumer..? Me personally no, not at the moment. But that’s just me and I think everyone has examples of good and bad both ways.

I’ve had a new motor, power cable and battery..

I think you are correct, in that if you're buying a Levo, LBS support is definitely a must have! I wouldn't risk that either.

 

[HORSPWR]

Hi Steve

I honestly don't have any regrets at all and love my decoy race pro.

YT were outstanding, before and after purchase and I have total confidence it both YT and the Decoy, also it was delivered nearly a month early.

I'm not far from you in Heysham!

Quick blast around whinlatter last weekend
View attachment 18493

View attachment 18494

Bike looks sweet, no bad ass!
Love the matt black look.

 

[Jamsxr]

I also like that most of the direct to consumer manufacturers are “boutique brands”, small number of employees, specifically focused on gravity bikes, owned and run by riders.

 

[squeegee]

I also like that most of the direct to consumer manufacturers are “boutique brands”, small number of employees, specifically focused on gravity bikes, owned and run by riders.

I do too and it shows in the build kits, like using Renthal bars and stems, YT knows what people really want and don't booger it up with "house brand" components that most people will just toss and replace anyway. In the future I'd like to see some "frame/motor" only options. To me this is the best way to spec up a bike like you want it and skip the junk they put on whole bikes to increase their bottomline.

 

[Mauko]

I’ve been shopping round for my first E-bike and the Decoy Pro looks favourite. My biggest concern about pulling the trigger on the bike, is the direct sales aspect, as I’m a little worried, regarding warranty and returns issues.

So for those that have bought YT’s, any regrets, would you do it again, or would you go back to an LBS where you get more support after sales service?

Hi Steve

I honestly don't have any regrets at all and love my decoy race pro.

YT were outstanding, before and after purchase and I have total confidence it both YT and the Decoy, also it was delivered nearly a month early.

I'm not far from you in Heysham!

Quick blast around whinlatter last weekend
View attachment 18493

View attachment 18494

Beautiful photos! Nice bike. What`s the front mudguard?

 

[Lee]

Beautiful photos! Nice bike. What`s the front mudguard?

Thanks Mauko

Its the RRP ProGuard Front, they do Standard and Max versions and I use the standard one. A must have in the north of England IMHO, highly recommended.

RRP ProGuard Front Mudguard | Tredz Bikes

Lee

 

[TheBikePilot]

Spesh are now doing frame/battery/motor only option but unless you’ve got a garage of parts or your cannibalising another bike it’s not very cost effective but that’s how it’s been priced no doubt..

 

[seamarsh]

Spesh are now doing frame/battery/motor only option but unless you’ve got a garage of parts or your cannibalising another bike it’s not very cost effective but that’s how it’s been priced no doubt..

you can buy a frame and motor only from specialized?

 

[Zimmerframe]

you can buy a frame and motor only from specialized?

They've started it with the 2020 Levo.

 

[TheBikePilot]

Yes. If you put the same components on, off the shelf it wouldn’t be cheaper than buying a whole bike. As I say you’d need to have something nice off another bike or accept it’s gonna be more than just buying a bike and upgrading..!

They’ve priced it well to reflect that to be honest.

@Rob Hancill has the link and details. I believe numbers are limited.

 

[SteveSSS]

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered the Decoy CF Pro Magnesium & Blue on Friday, it’s in stock so hopefully not too long to wait.

 

[TheBikePilot]

Send pics when you get it!! ????

 

[Camstyn]

I bought one of these Capra 29 Alu Ltd with the money I saved over a Levo. It cost me an extra $500. No regrets.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

saw the YT the other day on Rob's youtube.. pound for pound it blows the levo away but the concern over warranty and being able to drive to a localish dealer means a lot to me