First eMTB - EP8 vs E8000

[brw0513]

Hi All.

It's been a while since I've been around here. But my recent health issues are behind me

I'm keen all over again to get my first eMTB and looking for a good used bike now. No doubt it's more likely to find a bike with an E8000 motor than the EP8.

Is there any burning reason to hang out for an EP8 equipped bike? I can't really see why an E8000 wouldn't be a good place to start.

Thanks.

 

[The Hodge]

I've no experience of either ..but ultimately I would guess it all depends on your budget..
Good luck with your search ..

 

[steve_sordy]

E8000 motors are good (I have been happy with mine), but Shimano have switched production to the EP8 and so far as I know, have not revealed what their plans are to maintain a supply of E8000 for warranty purposes for the next two years. What is going to happen to those who need a new motor when they are outside the two year warranty? You may be prepared to pay £500-600 for a new E8000 but what if there aren't any to be had?
If you have a choice, I would go for the EP8, or better still choose a motor from a company that does not appear to be abandoning their customers in this way. Shimano may repeat this behaviour with the EP8 when (say) the EP9 comes out.

The E8000 was not intended to be repairable but there are signs that companies are stepping up to do exactly that. But no thanks to Shimano.

 

[Gary]

There's a BURNING reason not to buy almost any used Emtb. Namely ZERO Warranty.

All new E8000 motors come with a 2year warranty so there should be supply for at least the next two years. (But may well be in short supply ATM as is the case with ALL Shimano parts right now).

or better still choose a motor from a company that does not appear to be abandoning their customers in this way.

Drama much?
It's not really in Shimano's best interest to reveal plans for support of older discontinued components. It never has been.

 

[steve_sordy]

..............
It's not really in Shimano's best interest to reveal plans for support of older discontinued components. It never has been.

Why ever not?
If there plan is to have no support I can understand why they would say nothing.
But if their plan is for full support, this would be a competitive advantage and they should shout about it.
Even a half way plan like "we will provide full support for a further two years and then provide a stock of components for on average a further two years" would be worth shouting about.

My guess is that they have made a calculated decision to not support the market and are assuming that they will not suffer as a consequence.

 

[Gary]

Shimano has already said they will still support the E8000 from the perspective of warranty (which is obviously 2 years from the last sold E8000 motor)

No. it's not worth shouting at. Try to look at the bigger picture.

 

[Gary]

If/when E8000 motors become unavailable you'll be able to swap to an E7000, (not great, I know but you can't expect a company to keep producing discontinued items forever)

Just as you can no longer buy new 10 speed Dura ace components Tiagra/sora is now available to fill that space and keep your shit old bike running

 

[steve_sordy]

Shimano has already said they will still support the E8000 from the perspective of warranty (which is obviously 2 years from the last sold E8000 motor)

No. it's not worth shouting at. Try to look at the bigger picture.

The bigger picture is that many riders (I'm one of them) have just departed the warranty period and will increasingly do so. If Shimano "will still support the E8000 from the perspective of warranty" (my underline) where does that leave all those who just want to buy a motor outside of warranty? If they are still prepared to sell motors, why can't they just say so, why not be clear?

You are in the trade Gary and are better placed than most to get an accurate view. If you have a link to what Shimano have published on this topic I would greatly appreciate it. All I have seen so far could be classed as speculation or hearsay.

 

[Gary]

No that's not the bigger picture.
Sorry to be the bearer of the harsh reality here but you're just a punter with a bike that's no longer in warranty.
ANYTHING that wears out or breaks is now down to YOU to replace.

a link to anything Shimano have said about warranty isn't even relevant to you.

 

[Hamina]

The bigger picture is that many riders (I'm one of them) have just departed the warranty period and will increasingly do so. If Shimano "will still support the E8000 from the perspective of warranty" (my underline) where does that leave all those who just want to buy a motor outside of warranty? If they are still prepared to sell motors, why can't they just say so, why not be clear?

That's the price you pay by riding EMTB. You can't just buy a bike with motor and then afterwards start putting some additional demands against them. You wait for your warranty time to end and hope that someone will start aftermarket parts and repair business.

Not all failures need a new motor? Do you always buy your car a new motor when it has problems?

I guess (someone might know better) in automotive industry there's regulations saying that certain amount of spare parts have to be produced. Maybe something like this could and might be happening - I do not know. We are still talking a marginal hobby here.

 

[Pdoz]

I guess (someone might know better) in automotive industry there's regulations saying that certain amount of spare parts have to be produced. Maybe something like this could and might be happening - I do not know. We are still talking a marginal hobby here.

I'm not sure if this still exists, but in Australia there used to be a requirement ( or expectation?) for 15 years parts supply on mitorbikes. Ironically, the Australian govt has just started to offer incentives to get " dangerous old" vehicles off the road.

 

[Steve G H]

Recent EMBN video has interview with Shimano , he says on there that they will continue to support and produce the old motor for those that own it , no issue with warranty . I'm hearing this an awful lot , was it the same when Bosch produced a new motor ? Or Yamaha ? Are you able to fit their new motors into bikes with the old motor ? Are they producing motors and parts for the older bikes ?