How long will your EMTB last you?

[DrStupid]

My dealer verbally quoted me two years. I could have sworn my user manual had a page amendment slip in it that corrected the warranty section to two years which I would have scanned and posted up on the forum, but typically I can't find it now so ignore my earlier comments until I can prove otherwise.

I have no doubt you are correct... it's just not fair?

 

[Coletti]

I have to admit, this thread has almost completely put me off the idea of an ebike. I was completely sold on it, but having read this and further research into reliability I'm not sure its such a wise idea now. As we all know,they aren't exactly cheap and I for one certainly can't afford to replace it as soon as the warranty is up (especially considering there is next to no resale value due to woes over reliability) and it sounds like it could be just as expensive to keep an ebike out of warranty. Seems to me like manufacturers couldn't care about their longevity provided the make a killing on new sales. Pretty disappointing to be honest

 

[twistgripper]

I have to admit, this thread has almost completely put me off the idea of an ebike. I was completely sold on it, but having read this and further research into reliability I'm not sure its such a wise idea now. As we all know,they aren't exactly cheap and I for one certainly can't afford to replace it as soon as the warranty is up (especially considering there is next to no resale value due to woes over reliability) and it sounds like it could be just as expensive to keep an ebike out of warranty. Seems to me like manufacturers couldn't care about their longevity provided the make a killing on new sales. Pretty disappointing to be honest

Agreed, I was seriously looking to buy for next season....think I'll wait another year or three, see how things shake out.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have to admit, this thread has almost completely put me off the idea of an ebike. I was completely sold on it, but having read this and further research into reliability I'm not sure its such a wise idea now. As we all know,they aren't exactly cheap and I for one certainly can't afford to replace it as soon as the warranty is up (especially considering there is next to no resale value due to woes over reliability) and it sounds like it could be just as expensive to keep an ebike out of warranty. Seems to me like manufacturers couldn't care about their longevity provided the make a killing on new sales. Pretty disappointing to be honest

Then the answer is clear! If you don't NEED one, then don't get one!

I had put it off for as long as I could but in the end, I NEEDED one!

It doesn't matter whether the need is physical, emotional, or psychological. If you don't need it, don't get it; you will be happier and richer.

 

[Coletti]

Then the answer is clear! If you don't NEED one, then don't get one!

I had put it off for as long as I could but in the end, I NEEDED one!

It doesn't matter whether the need is physical, emotional, or psychological. If you don't need it, don't get it; you will be happier and richer.

I wouldn't say for certain that I need one. I have weak'ish knees and although I often crack on, I pay for it eventually. My main reason for wanting one is personally...Im not much of a fan of the climbs and feel they often ruin the descents (maybe I should try some different trail centres) most of what I do now is local stuff in the lincolnshire wolds. I've always been a gravity rider but work commitments have meant I can't risk the potential injuries of what I was used to doing, mainly just dh type stuff on uplifts etc. Hence the reason for wanting an ebike

 

[Noobster]

I have to admit, this thread has almost completely put me off the idea of an ebike. I was completely sold on it, but having read this and further research into reliability I'm not sure its such a wise idea now. As we all know,they aren't exactly cheap and I for one certainly can't afford to replace it as soon as the warranty is up (especially considering there is next to no resale value due to woes over reliability) and it sounds like it could be just as expensive to keep an ebike out of warranty. Seems to me like manufacturers couldn't care about their longevity provided the make a killing on new sales. Pretty disappointing to be honest

Well I've had mine for a week now so I'm already in the depths of it all. Just hope it works fine for 2 years while I have the finance on it.

The way I look at it is, if I can pay my # years interest free finance in it and it works perfectly for them 2 years and then breaks , I would be a little gutted but would do the same again with a newer model. What I don't want is to be paying finance for something that's in the shop for repair half the time I've got it. I would seriously not be a happy bunny. I wish I had created this thread before buying as it would have seriously made me reconsider. I. Just hoping because the most my bike will ever get is 6 foot jumps and 2 foot drops here and there and won't take it out in the rain that it holds up. I seriously thought when creating this thread that most people would be saying there bikes are fine....it seems like most people are lucky to get to 1k miles. Anyone out there who hasn't had problems and going strong?

I did speak to my LBS about this and they are a Scott dealer and there bikes use Shimano steps. And he said they've never had a motor back for warranty and 1 battery had issues so had to be replaced so that's it in 2 years.

So is this forum just unlucky or its just the people who have had issues that are posting I really don't know ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

further research into reliability I'm not sure its such a wise idea now.

I'm not trying to put you off, or put you on (does that exist?!) .. anyway .. Keep in mind that there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of these things out there. So yes, some will break - it's inevitable ! People will be upset when their's is broken and some will end up here and say about it. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands will just be riding around enjoying theirs and be none the wiser that some break. In 2/3 years when your warranty runs out, hopefully, due to the vast market which is emerging, they'll also be lots of third party companies offering replacement/re-con motors/batteries.

 

[Coletti]

I'm not trying to put you off, or put you on (does that exist?!) .. anyway .. Keep in mind that there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of these things out there. So yes, some will break - it's inevitable ! People will be upset when their's is broken and some will end up here and say about it. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands will just be riding around enjoying theirs and be none the wiser that some break. In 2/3 years when your warranty runs out, hopefully, due to the vast market which is emerging, they'll also be lots of third party companies offering replacement/re-con motors/batteries.

Talk about a glass half full haha, I see what you're getting at though.

 

[Welshman]

So far on both my cube ebikes with Bosch active plus motors I have had zero issues in 1200 miles on the one and nearing 1k miles on the other...........you guys must be working them too hard

 

[Fivetones]

Talk about a glass half full haha, I see what you're getting at though.

He’s just being realistic. All of the folks on here love their ebikes. Most likely as soon as they had a good ride on one for the first time their mind was made up. I’m very definitely in that camp. They like them so much they post all the time on a forum about them. You must admit there must be a reason for that.

Like @steve_sordy says you don’t want one enough. Which is fine, of course. It’s likely just a ‘yet’ though.

 

[Coletti]

So far on both my cube ebikes with Bosch active plus motors I have had zero issues in 1200 miles on the one and nearing 1k miles on the other...........you guys must be working them too hard

That's what I would expect, to be honest...I'd expect at least 10k miles before any issues taking the cost into consideration. Take my truck for arguments sake. It cost me 9k 7 years ago, I've done around 80k in it (currently on 145k) and all its cost me is £30 for some balljoints, £20 for some bushes and £90 for a new back box for the zorst and £125 for an abs sensor. If bike manufacturers can't make something that will last, especially for the money they are charging then it's a poor affair for all of us

 

[Welshman]

That's what I would expect, to be honest...I'd expect at least 10k miles before any issues taking the cost into consideration. Take my truck for arguments sake. It cost me 9k 7 years ago, I've done around 80k in it (currently on 145k) and all its cost me is £30 for some balljoints, £20 for some bushes and £90 for a new back box for the zorst and £125 for an abs sensor. If bike manufacturers can't make something that will last, especially for the money they are charging then it's a poor affair for all of us

My car cost me 10k 3yrs ago with 79k on the clock......3 years later with 97k on the clock it’s cost me two tyres and 2 mot’s, third coming soon, but then my car was 27k if bought brand new and has gone through many years of engine evolutions before becoming so good and reliable....

Ebikes are new and have not gone through many years of evolution, but are getting better

 

[Beekeeper]

I'm not trying to put you off, or put you on (does that exist?!) .. anyway .. Keep in mind that there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of these things out there. So yes, some will break - it's inevitable ! People will be upset when their's is broken and some will end up here and say about it. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands will just be riding around enjoying theirs and be none the wiser that some break. In 2/3 years when your warranty runs out, hopefully, due to the vast market which is emerging, they'll also be lots of third party companies offering replacement/re-con motors/batteries.

Great point and I guess this is the same reason why some people don’t fly on airplanes. We only hear about the few disasters and not when the countless millions make safe landings all the time.

 

[Coletti]

My car cost me 10k 3yrs ago with 79k on the clock......3 years later with 97k on the clock it’s cost me two tyres and 2 mot’s, third coming soon, but then my car was 27k if bought brand new and has gone through many years of engine evolutions before becoming so good and reliable....

Ebikes are new and have not gone through many years of evolution, but are getting better

Motors, bearings, controllers and gears aren't new though. It appears to me they are just using sub standard components to maximise profits without a care for the end user

 

[Beekeeper]

He’s just being realistic. All of the folks on here love their ebikes. Most likely as soon as they had a good ride on one for the first time their mind was made up. I’m very definitely in that camp. They like them so much they post all the time on a forum about them. You must admit there must be a reason for that.

Like @steve_sordy says you don’t want one enough. Which is fine, of course. It’s likely just a ‘yet’ though.

The day I was overtaken by an old couple carrying their shopping and ringing their bell to get me out of the way was the day I decided that I had to have one of those damn things ?

 

[Fivetones]

That's what I would expect, to be honest...I'd expect at least 10k miles before any issues taking the cost into consideration. Take my truck for arguments sake. It cost me 9k 7 years ago, I've done around 80k in it (currently on 145k) and all its cost me is £30 for some balljoints, £20 for some bushes and £90 for a new back box for the zorst and £125 for an abs sensor. If bike manufacturers can't make something that will last, especially for the money they are charging then it's a poor affair for all of us

I can safely say ebikes will never get to that point. However, given the energy input and the resultant output an ebike is in another league efficiency wise. There’s a cost in the fine engineering in that. Apples and oranges.

Oh, all these car comparisons..... you’ve forgotten how much fuel costs (and the impacts of that).

 

[Beekeeper]

I really wish the bike motors were a bit more like desktop PCs were anyone could just open them up and take out and remove a rusted component or bearing (without specialist tools or bench equipment) simply swap in and swap out any component. Perhaps that day will come.

My first computer was a ZX spectrum and just like a motor if anything went wrong I had to send the whole thing away and wait ages for it to be repaired.
Just like computers, maybe things will change.

 

[Slowroller]

All bikes cost more new than they sell for years down the line, plus the costs of consumables. My cost per mile on an acoustic bike was say @ $.50. My ebike will depreciate more because of an older motor and battery, and I go through more consumables, but I also get a lot more miles done in a year, so I figure my cost per mile is probably about the same, just more miles. It's a decent trade off I think.

 

[Fivetones]

I really wish the bike motors were a bit more like desktop PCs were anyone could just open them up and take out and remove a rusted component or bearing (without specialist tools or bench equipment) simply swap in and swap out any component. Perhaps that day will come.

My first computer was a ZX spectrum and just like a motor if anything went wrong I had to send the whole thing away and wait ages for it to be repaired.
Just like computers, maybe things will change.

I’d rather the electronics etc are more like an iPhone rather than an old PC. Simple test in thinking, which one do you strap to your handlebars to do the computation on your ride?

 

[Beekeeper]

I’d rather the electronics etc are more like an iPhone rather than an old PC. Simple test in thinking, which one do you strap to your handlebars to do the computation on your ride?

That explains why the components inside my desktop PC are all rusty and covered in mud ?

 

[Coletti]

I can safely say ebikes will never get to that point. However, given the energy input and the resultant output an ebike is in another league efficiency wise. There’s a cost in the fine engineering in that. Apples and oranges.

Oh, all these car comparisons..... you’ve forgotten how much fuel costs (and the impacts of that).

You can't take fuel cost into consideration when discussing cost vs reliability, that's just daft as youdont consider your electric bill when working out if.

I'm not expecting car type mileage but I feel 10k miles is a reasonable amount to expect without a hickup for the investment, none of this wondering if it will do 1k miles, that's just poor

 

[33red]

I wouldn't say for certain that I need one. I have weak'ish knees and although I often crack on, I pay for it eventually. My main reason for wanting one is personally...Im not much of a fan of the climbs and feel they often ruin the descents (maybe I should try some different trail centres) most of what I do now is local stuff in the lincolnshire wolds. I've always been a gravity rider but work commitments have meant I can't risk the potential injuries of what I was used to doing, mainly just dh type stuff on uplifts etc. Hence the reason for wanting an ebike

I am over 60 and without a car it is a sweet ride.
I am no money waster so i put reliability at the top.
A simple Yamaha is reliable. Tough to believe a motor company
making good motors. The bike was unsold, i got it 1/2 price dec 2018, model 2017.
Over 3,800 kms of pedal, recharge. 500 Wh is plenty, lots of fun.
https://winora-group.com/manuals/2017/specs/HAI_sduro_specs/HAI_SDURO_hardseven_60.pdf

 

[Gary]

A simple Yamaha is reliable.

What exactly are you basing the Yamaha motor's reliability on?

 

[Pukmeister]

I bought my EMTB for fun, and so far it is rewarding me handomely. It's hard to put a price tag on fun, but if the enjoyment so far continues I will be happy to buy another in future.

For me that is the true measure of it, how many of us would be willing to buy another ??

 

[Fivetones]

You can't take fuel cost into consideration when discussing cost vs reliability, that's just daft as youdont consider your electric bill when working out if.

I'm not expecting car type mileage but I feel 10k miles is a reasonable amount to expect without a hickup for the investment, none of this wondering if it will do 1k miles, that's just poor

I’m pointing out there’s an efficiency cost to the level of over engineering needed in a truck.

Let’s face it, comparing reliability of an e-bike to a truck is not valid.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I really wish the bike motors were a bit more like desktop PCs

A lot of the problem comes down to size and weight. If you look at all the e-bike motors, the performance you get when you ride one for the relatively small size and weight is impressive.

Because of that, if you want to compare it, it's going to be more like a laptop - needs to be small and light ... far more difficult to work on and change individual parts.

 

[Ananda]

So far on both my cube ebikes with Bosch active plus motors I have had zero issues in 1200 miles on the one and nearing 1k miles on the other...........you guys must be working them too hard

1000 miles without issues is not exactly what you call a success story.

 

[Beekeeper]

I bought my EMTB for fun, and so far it is rewarding me handomely. It's hard to put a price tag on fun, but if the enjoyment so far continues I will be happy to buy another in future.

For me that is the true measure of it, how many of us would be willing to buy another ??

Fun is a big factor here and also finding ways to unwind from a tough job. I read recently in the news that mountain biking in rural areas came top as the best way to reduce stress and refresh the mind. Difficult to put a price on that.

 

[Ananda]

A lot of the problem comes down to size and weight. If you look at all the e-bike motors, the performance you get when you ride one for the relatively small size and weight is impressive.

Because of that, if you want to compare it, it's going to be more like a laptop - needs to be small and light ... far more difficult to work on and change individual parts.

Not really. The problems come from non existent quality control and from the fact we are so hungry for fun in our empty little lives, we are willing to get screwed

 

[Beekeeper]

A lot of the problem comes down to size and weight. If you look at all the e-bike motors, the performance you get when you ride one for the relatively small size and weight is impressive.

Because of that, if you want to compare it, it's going to be more like a laptop - needs to be small and light ... far more difficult to work on and change individual parts.

Will be interesting to see how the new Bosch motor stands up to the test of time with its smaller size and reduced number of components. When I was a kid and took things apart and removed half the stuff out of them they never worked quite as well as before ?