Hello everyone! Glad to have found an eMTB community. Please help me figure something out : )

[SirPj]

I have moved to Japan, in the mountains behind a large city.

I've been mountain-biking here exploring for the past couple of months and have decided this is the perfect place for eMTBing. In fact, my intention is to start a touring business here.
So, I've been reading and watching YouTube reviews on different models and what parts to consider etc. From that research I gathered the price range is from 3500 USD to 11,000 USD, although I also saw some manufacturers in China (some integrating German and Japanese parts) starting from 1,200 USD.

My area, and tours, consists of many old paved roads (not maintained) and rocky trails (not maintained). The elevation goes from 0 to about 1000m ( and everything in between) zig-zagging, some quite steep.
My customers are not going to be the hard core trail bashers, more like outdoorsy people wanting to get out of the city for the weekend. Young people (this is between 20 - 45 in Japan : ) looking for an experience / activity. The riding time will be roughly 3 hours.

I plan to start with 5 bikes (one for me) and then get more as demand picks up.

WHAT BIKES DO I INVEST IN?? Please give me your insight, much needed!

It is a business and not my personal bike so price is super important but of course there is quality and maintenance to consider for the long run.

 

[Jamze]

I have a few friends who run MTB companies. What about looking into sponsorship or a deal with local bike suppliers. i.e. they'll do you a deal on bikes+maintenance in exchange for some branding and publicity?

Leasing the bikes might be a better business model actually.

 

[Mabman]

Panasonic has had a long presence in the Japanese market and make good motors. I would check out their lineup.

 

[SirPj]

I have a few friends who run MTB companies. What about looking into sponsorship or a deal with local bike suppliers. i.e. they'll do you a deal on bikes+maintenance in exchange for some branding and publicity?

Leasing the bikes might be a better business model actually.

Thanks for your reply Jamze! Regarding some sort of collaboration / sponsorship, I have been in touch with Giant, Merida and Fuji (who apparently doesn't supply Japan anymore after being acquired by a US company). Merida wasn't too responsive at the idea.

As per the next post by Mabman, I am keeping my fingers crossed for Panasonic as they already have a sponsorship arrangement in another part of the country.

As per the bike model, do you think a low end bike will suffice for my needs?

 

[SirPj]

Panasonic has had a long presence in the Japanese market and make good motors. I would check out their lineup.

Thanks for the reply Mabman, on it! : )