Anytime a non branded ebike came into the shop, i called the manufacturer for parts replacement. I was able to hook the shop up with all kinds of software, chargers and dongles for stuff. Most of the time its one guy, typically Chinese, and parts take a while. BUT, yeah, you just have to dig for a phone number or email and hope they pick up.
I have seen lately bike shops now refusing to work on these Chinese ebikes and fat bikes or any DIY ebike convertion which is a good thing i love e-bikes but gotta be safe and branded for that trust and peace of mind its not going to harm anyone
A lot of insurance policies will likely have exclusions for work on e bikes. The risk is significant and most mechanics won't have the qualifications or experience
I couldn't even get anyone to fix a broken wheel spoke on my Fiido ebike, they wouldn't touch it because it wasn't a model they sold. While it was a simple fix to do myself, what then happens if anything more serious needs to be fixed.
Bafang make mid drive and hub motors that throughout tested in the factory. You will probably find a lot of motors on well known brand bikes are bafang models rebranded. Bafang is not the only motors that are made in China, other brands make and throughout test their motors If bike companies care as much about the environment as they claim they would allow the battery cells to be replaced saving the plastic cases and circuit boards going into landfill. If you try and put new battery cells into any of the big brand cases it damages the battery management system. Batteries are not environmentally friendly, bike companies are very good at virtually signaling regarding the green credentials of their bikes Standard bike frames are not designed for self conversations, a lot ebike hub motors require modification of the dropouts. Torque arms are included in the kits to address this issue.
it's an attack towards the community , nothing else . Seen a video of a notorious New York e-scooter only shop having to build a quite expensive separate fire room inside the shop just to store scoots in , basically they only care for all the batteries to not catch fire in big open spaces which is stupid , they could have asked for a huge segmented fire proof casing to store each battery not to deplete all the usefull room in the workshop .
A friend converted his business to fit on a cargo E-bike and …brilliant ! But on trail where I ride is the Wildwest with zero enforcement of Illegal use. …”E-bikes aren’t a problem, used ONLY on legal trail, they don’t cause fires and owners don’t “hack” them to do 35mph….” ~Is often repeated by those who love them. Cycle + motor = motorcycle right ? Most problems are from treating them only as “Bicycles” Certainly it is different regally but I see a hacked E bike with overloaded motor /L.I. battery as a fire hazard. How do you put out such a fire source..?!? You can’t
We don't touch anything that doesn't say Bosch or Shimano on the side of the motor, or that my company sells or sold. But there's not a huge EMTB scene near me so we don't really see any other big brands of e-drives
If you own, operate or work in a bike shop this is 60 seconds of gold ……….absolutely need to know 👍. I can see further implications coming for a much wider field especially travel related.
Yep, I got the same from my local council. I’m very picky about what comes into my workshop. I’m a Bosch service centre, so they get priority. Next are bikes with known brands who have tech notes available (eg Shimano, even SR Suntour). Bikes are immediately denied my attention if they are tuned/have throttle over 4mph/have any homebrew parts/have an unpronounceable name.
An interesting question that opens up is whether working on a modified or chipped e-bike is safe, or if you could be vicariously liable in the event the rider was subsequently prosecuted or injured.
Cytech don't currently offer ebike modules in my location . Many shops don't work on them . Others take moderate risks . Many ebikes are thrown away due to inadequate service locations .
Interesting question that’s probably going to end up being asked in court at some point. Not sure if you’d get away with a liability waiver when something goes wrong, it could be argued both ways. I personally feel that if you are trained to the highest level, have years of experience and have done your homework (similar systems that do have an owners manual etc) so you are basically no less qualified than anyone else in this country, you shouldn’t be held accountable. For the customer (who chose this product – and risk – over a safer/better documented one) it’s either having it fixed by you, or throwing it in the bin, which imo should shift quite a bit of the responsibility away from the bikeshop. Just my opinion/sense of justice though…
Typical of regulation, they seem to target small retailers while online and large retailers are generally unaffected. The best way to protect yourself, obviously, is to get the proper training.
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You provide such a good channel, absolutely solid, not even any waffle.
Anytime a non branded ebike came into the shop, i called the manufacturer for parts replacement. I was able to hook the shop up with all kinds of software, chargers and dongles for stuff. Most of the time its one guy, typically Chinese, and parts take a while. BUT, yeah, you just have to dig for a phone number or email and hope they pick up.
I have seen lately bike shops now refusing to work on these Chinese ebikes and fat bikes or any DIY ebike convertion which is a good thing i love e-bikes but gotta be safe and branded for that trust and peace of mind its not going to harm anyone
What about switch bike systems?
Dude mobility centers wont even replace wheelchair tires! They just sell a new wheelchair!
A lot of insurance policies will likely have exclusions for work on e bikes. The risk is significant and most mechanics won't have the qualifications or experience
I couldn't even get anyone to fix a broken wheel spoke on my Fiido ebike, they wouldn't touch it because it wasn't a model they sold. While it was a simple fix to do myself, what then happens if anything more serious needs to be fixed.
If you source it online yourself, expect to service it yourself.
Human power prevails
My bike is Chinese it’s branded “good ride 54”
As a mobile mechanic, this has implications for me. In general though I only work on the mechanical side, not the electronic side.
Electrical engineer here. It's a low voltage device. Don't overcomplicate this 😂
Cars are an entirely different story.
I'm sure the guys with batteries in frame bags that ride around in balaclavas are all riding fully compliant and safe ebikes.
Bafang make mid drive and hub motors that throughout tested in the factory. You will probably find a lot of motors on well known brand bikes are bafang models rebranded. Bafang is not the only motors that are made in China, other brands make and throughout test their motors
If bike companies care as much about the environment as they claim they would allow the battery cells to be replaced saving the plastic cases and circuit boards going into landfill. If you try and put new battery cells into any of the big brand cases it damages the battery management system.
Batteries are not environmentally friendly, bike companies are very good at virtually signaling regarding the green credentials of their bikes
Standard bike frames are not designed for self conversations, a lot ebike hub motors require modification of the dropouts. Torque arms are included in the kits to address this issue.
We've already been saying this, if it's not a known brand that we have training and backup for, we flat out refuse to touch it.
This is why e bikes are expensive red tape
it's an attack towards the community , nothing else . Seen a video of a notorious New York e-scooter only shop having to build a quite expensive separate fire room inside the shop just to store scoots in , basically they only care for all the batteries to not catch fire in big open spaces which is stupid , they could have asked for a huge segmented fire proof casing to store each battery not to deplete all the usefull room in the workshop .
This is why I trust a retailer that backs what he sells.
A friend converted his business to fit on a cargo E-bike and …brilliant ! But on trail where I ride is the Wildwest with zero enforcement of Illegal use.
…”E-bikes aren’t a problem, used ONLY on legal trail, they don’t cause fires and owners don’t “hack” them to do 35mph….”
~Is often repeated by those who love them. Cycle + motor = motorcycle right ? Most problems are from treating them only as “Bicycles”
Certainly it is different regally but I see a hacked E bike with overloaded motor /L.I. battery as a fire hazard. How do you put out such a fire source..?!?
You can’t
We don't touch anything that doesn't say Bosch or Shimano on the side of the motor, or that my company sells or sold. But there's not a huge EMTB scene near me so we don't really see any other big brands of e-drives
If you own, operate or work in a bike shop this is 60 seconds of gold ……….absolutely need to know 👍. I can see further implications coming for a much wider field especially travel related.
Yep, I got the same from my local council.
I’m very picky about what comes into my workshop. I’m a Bosch service centre, so they get priority. Next are bikes with known brands who have tech notes available (eg Shimano, even SR Suntour).
Bikes are immediately denied my attention if they are tuned/have throttle over 4mph/have any homebrew parts/have an unpronounceable name.
An interesting question that opens up is whether working on a modified or chipped e-bike is safe, or if you could be vicariously liable in the event the rider was subsequently prosecuted or injured.
Cytech don't currently offer ebike modules in my location . Many shops don't work on them . Others take moderate risks . Many ebikes are thrown away due to inadequate service locations .
Interesting question that’s probably going to end up being asked in court at some point. Not sure if you’d get away with a liability waiver when something goes wrong, it could be argued both ways. I personally feel that if you are trained to the highest level, have years of experience and have done your homework (similar systems that do have an owners manual etc) so you are basically no less qualified than anyone else in this country, you shouldn’t be held accountable. For the customer (who chose this product – and risk – over a safer/better documented one) it’s either having it fixed by you, or throwing it in the bin, which imo should shift quite a bit of the responsibility away from the bikeshop. Just my opinion/sense of justice though…
I would ask myself why thwy buy cheaper stuff
At least, it's good for consumers and apartment/house owner.
Most bike shops near me only work on name brand bikes.
Typical of regulation, they seem to target small retailers while online and large retailers are generally unaffected. The best way to protect yourself, obviously, is to get the proper training.
So they said "when working on something, makes sure it works proprely when it's finished". Are they serious ??