Electric Bicycles - Justify The Costs?

Tech and cars on 12/08/2016 - 15:00
Last edited 12/08/2016 - 15:01

I'm sure a lot of us have thought about cycling to work. With an Electric Bicycle, definitely makes that dream more of a reality for those who live near a lot of hills/are relatively unfit.

Electric Bicycles - for a reliable, good quality one you're looking to spend about $3000. Example: Merida Espresso 600. Mid Drive 250w motor 60-100km range depending on factors such as weight, assistance level.

If you manage to use it 5 days a week for a roughly 20km each way commute - definitely over a year, it has paid for itself.

I somehow still am struggling to justify this cost.$3000 a lot. Considering a motorbike is significantly more complex/more moving parts/materials - even for low production runs, these electric bikes should not be so expensive!!

I would like to hear it from an OzB'ers perspective, how they justified the cost of their electric bike.

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • chartparker on 12/08/2016 - 15:28

    Have you considered buying a cheapo bicycle from Aldi and converting it using a pedal assist kit? I managed to snag a Hybrid from Aldi for like $120 couple of years back, and it's a prime candidate for a cheapo ebay kit. The kits are between $400-900 it seems. Still trying to find a decent one that's actually legal here and at the lower end of the pricing spectrum

    • Tech and cars on 12/08/2016 - 15:34
      +4

      I had done this with a dillenger kit a couple years ago. I even got the guys in Gold Coast Qld to put it together for me, so I could utilise the warranty.

      Overall very disappointed. Definitely paying for a fully designed system next time. When it worked, I loved the E-bike!!

      A lot of drawbacks with putting a kit on:

      • you feel the weight/mass. Whereas I've test ridden the merida e-spresso, and it feels like a regular bike. So if I turn off the motor off, it still is a nice handling bike.
      • kits - it is not refined at all. Cabling is not internal through the tube, water resistance is challenging.
      • my one would cut out and cut back in very often. It came back to being a dodgy battery. Overall communication from dillenger was VERY VERY poor.
      • The motor seized up after a year.

      Overall with kits, it seems you get what you pay for!

      • chartparker on 12/08/2016 - 15:36

        Ah ok fair enough - yeah I've never actually ridden one before. I can see how a bike designed from the ground up to be electric would be a much better experience, but like you, I'm struggling to justify the cost of one.

  • noyesmaybeok on 12/08/2016 - 16:34

    They are expensive because little demand & low supply (well, as far as decent quality goes there isn't a total flood of them).

    Ongoing is more the concern, hard to know who will be around for years if any faults occur, how likely they are to fix or just be a pain.

  • Mad Max on 12/08/2016 - 16:48

    What about looking for a good 2nd hand one on Gumtree? They are quite simple and if the motor works the only extra expense to factor in may be a new battery.
    PS: max legal power is 200W meaning that you still have to pedal uphill, although it is easier than with no motor.

    • Tech and cars on 12/08/2016 - 16:52

      I've looked - all good branded ones hold their value and are still requesting near new pricing.

  • danield on 12/08/2016 - 16:48

    Check out the Earth Bikes
    https://www.earthbikes.com.au/

    Me and the Mrs both got one a few years ago, we spent about $3000 for both, they were much cheaper then all the other offerings. I got a mountain bike version and the only drawback was that the bike itself is really heavy but it can still be riden without the battery. But never phased me for cause I used the power all the time just lowered the assistance for how hard I wanted to work.

    Loved the freedom of riding to work, it was around 13km each way and it was a ride I wouldn't have considered doing daily without being electric.. In the summer I would ride 5 days a week, take about 40-50minutes, Easliy paid for itself, unfortunalty we moved and now 25km from work and its beyound being able to ride now.

    • Tech and cars on 12/08/2016 - 16:52

      Do you still have yours and would you be considering to sell it if you don't use it anymore?

      • danield on 12/08/2016 - 16:55

        I do have it, but I wouldn't sell it. It has a gradual leak in on of the tyres that I will fix up and start using it to ride to the train station now that they have finnally finished up grading it and added secure bike parking.

        • Tech and cars on 15/08/2016 - 08:52

          Thanks for the advice Daniel. I rode one over the weekend after reading this, so thank you so much. Very nice bike - but I prefer the mid drive systems - I think it provides a bit more control than the rear motor setup you have on the earths. My Local pricing was a bit more expensive than $1500 each(your deal $3000 for 2).

          Overall very nice bike, but If I'm spending $2500 (for the Earth) vs $2750 (for Merida), I'll probably still stick with the merida.

  • scrimshaw on 12/08/2016 - 18:59
    +1

    e-Bikes are not massed produced in large quantities, they make make, and sell, perhaps a few hundred of a particular model each year.

    Also try e-bike subreddit or the bicycling subreddit.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/wiki/index#wiki_intro_to_e-b…

  • bobbified on 12/08/2016 - 19:13

    Before splashing out thousands and riding it on public roads, I think you should also consider the legal side of things too. The laws surrounding these types of "vehicles" and whether or not they require registration or what definition they fall under is quite complicated.

    Some of the rules are documented below from the RMS website - particularly the maximum output for the motor, etc:

    http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/stand…

    To be honest, I think the money is better spent on a scooter…… unless you need an excuse to wear lycra :)

    • scrimshaw on 12/08/2016 - 19:19

      as long as the vendor is selling locally (and has an ABN), and you're not just importing eBikes from Amazon USA or from China, the product you'e buying should already be meeting your local state legislation.

      The main restriction is actually just wattage / power the motor can output at any time — usually 250 watts of continous power. And the bike must be desiged to be simply 'power-assisted' meaning to actually move, you need to pedal, while the motor helps to push you along.

      It's pretty well laid out actually on the Victorian site
      https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclis…

      In Victoria at least, power-assisted bikes can be used like normal everyday bikes.

      • Mad Max on 12/08/2016 - 19:43

        All states are different. Victoria for example allows unregistered pedal assisted bikes with internal combustion engines (2 strokes engine) up to 200W of power and not exceeding 30 km/h speed.
        The exact same bike is illegal in QLD and NSW where internal combustion vehicles of any type must be registered.
        In QLD a 200W (maximum) powered electric pedal assisted bike is legal without the need to register it.

        • 2ndeffort on 22/08/2016 - 13:32

          If you cant exceed 30 km/hr what is the point of the ebike? Most reasonably fit people riding a regular road bicycle on public roads are averaging around that speed. I am an overweight middle aged guy and I average around that spoeed for 180km ish mass event charity rides on a regular bike (no engine assist).

      • bobbified on 12/08/2016 - 19:59

        Just a heads up for the OP really - to check carefully before splashing out all that cash.

        The real reason I mentioned the legal side of things was because OP's post reminded me of the whole thing with hoverboards. They were being sold in many shops too, but weren't actually legal to use in public spaces.

        • Tech and cars on 15/08/2016 - 08:49
          +1

          Thanks mate. I'll be definitely purchasing from a local Qld store. I think the legislation for QLD now allows up to 250watts.

          At the same time, I don't think there is any way to effectively measure this. So I doubt it really matters unless you have a big sticker on your motor saying '1000w'.

          I've seen some E-bikes that are 'legal' provide 80nm of instantaneous torque and some provide 40nm - both '250 watt'. From what I understand, of basics dynamics : power(W) = rpm (rad/sec) * torque (Nm). So simply put, the 80 nm 250watt bikes, that are meant to be 'legal', are definitely providing more than 250 watts of power. It may be a peak rating, and then they're claiming to be providing an average (rms) rating of 250watts. I don't know - but my point is, there is no effective way to measure this. As long as you buy local, it has stickers all over it saying 250w, you'll be okay.

        • Name on 20/08/2016 - 13:26

          @khonfahm: 200 and 250 watt are both correct depending on the type of electric bike.

          http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Registration/Registering-vehicles/…
          First paragraph under motorised bicycles.

  • AlienC on 12/08/2016 - 20:36

    Jumping on to this is a motorised golf cart street legal and if so up to what power?

    • Euphemistic on 13/08/2016 - 07:37

      No, they aren't.

      • AlienC on 20/08/2016 - 19:38

        Are they sidewalk legal?

  • danield on 12/08/2016 - 22:57

    Also I remember speaking the guy regarding the costs, and remember that a lot of it comes down to the battery, the better the batter more more power and longer distances it provides, the battery itself was worth a few hundred dollars itself.

  • Mumbles on 13/08/2016 - 04:51

    I own an electric recumbent trike. Bought it after losing my drivers license and found cycling to be very fun.

    In terms of transport savings the monetary benefits are so minuscule that its not worth buying a $3000 electric bicycle.

    Something that has not been mentioned is the cost to replace a battery. Rechargeable batteries die after a certain number of recharges (eg. cycles < 1600 recharges). The energy density will also decrease on each recharge resulting in less kilometres. If you are depending on an electric bike for its long range then you'll need to buy a replacement battery sooner. Batteries from from brand name manufacturers used to cost a grand.

    The additional weight and torque results in quicker tyre wear and stretched bicycle chains. My electric trike has managed to brake teeth on its smallest sized gears. You'll need to factor in the cost of worn bicycle parts sooner.

    There's a genuine market for electric bikes but its not for transport savings. For $-per-kilometre I recommend commuters buy the lightest city bicycle they can afford.

    • Tech and cars on 15/08/2016 - 08:43

      Good advice. I think it comes down to health. That's my primary reason for wanting to purchase one and make the distances that are not feasible daily with my fitness, more feasible.

      I agree - cost/maintenance of one of these would not be great. At the same time, if I've managed to wear out parts from overuse, I think I'd be happy - because this means I would have been using this bike and it didn't just sit in the garage.

  • Euphemistic on 13/08/2016 - 07:43

    There is a fair cost in the batteries. Plus they are a low volume item so you need to make more profit per bike to keep the income going.

    Not sure if I'd spend $3k on one, it would want to be pretty darn good at that price, however given a good quality bike starts at around $1500 it seems to be a reasonable price if it is purpose built with quality components.

    Personally I'd rather buy a well geared, lightweight bike and increase fitness but if my commute was longer and hillier and the traffic was terrible I might consider an e-bike.

    Having said that I've got a heavy, cheap-ish one in the garage that needs new batteries that I will get to fixing and on sell, I paid $50 for it. My commute is about 15min of riding mostly flat so I won't need it.

  • Jugg.Judy on 14/08/2016 - 11:41

    The price are coming down. You can buy a good used one. I bought mine from Gumtree for 1k. As for cost benefit really depends on which states. I live in nsw and it does make sense to own one. Car rego and insurance is notorious expensive. For my hatch back its more than 1k per year. Whereas in Queensland it's much cheaper.

    • Tech and cars on 15/08/2016 - 08:41

      I'm struggling to find anything 'good' for under $2k - even used. I don't want to pay $1k for a second hand fold up e-bike.

      • Jugg.Judy on 20/08/2016 - 22:54

        They come and go. You just need to look out for them. Mine is not fold up ebike or a kit. It is quality built good used bike I believe I got a bargain.

  • phocus on 15/08/2016 - 09:56
    +2

    I used to ride 25km everyday to work and back with a regular bike. It only got easier as the months went on. I started by taking the train there and riding back(no pressure to get home on time). Then built my way up to riding up and back. My fitness was much better after a few months of doing this.

    Ebikes would be good, but still way to expensive. Try it with a regular bike first, you will find it might not be too bad after a while. You might even find some alternate routes which are flatter too

    • Tech and cars on 15/08/2016 - 10:10

      Thanks - I've tried before. What happened with this for me, I got fit, rode for a while - it was great. Got the flu, fitness level would come back to level 0 - and I'd have to start again. A couple times of this and I was just over it, now my regular bike sits in the garage unused 99% of the time because it is easier to take the car.

      With the E-bikes that I've ridden with the mid-drive system, even with everything off, it is about as 90% as efficient as a regular bike, so I think for me, it will be a great way to transition back into cycling & also I can turn it 'off' as I get more and more fit.

      Then if I get sick again or something happens - I'll still be able to pick it up, turn it back on, and should be able to transition back into cycling again.

  • Mad Max on 15/08/2016 - 12:38

    Queensland legislation:
    "There are 2 types of legal motorised bicycle. For the first type, the electric motor must not be capable of generating more than 200 watts of power. For the second type, know as a 'pedalec', the vehicle must comply with the European Standard for Power Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). The vehicle must have a permanent marking on it that shows it complies with the standard. A compliant pedalec can have up to 250 watts of power. But the motor cuts out at 25km/h and the pedals must be used to keep the motor operating. It is illegal to ride a bicycle on roads or road-related areas (such as paths) if the bicycle has an internal combustion engine (for example, a petrol or diesel motor) attached"

    • Mad Max on 15/08/2016 - 12:41

      I wonder why the internal combustion pedal assisted bikes are not allowed (unless registered as motorbikes) in QLD but are in VIC.

      • Euphemistic on 16/08/2016 - 10:43

        not allowed in NSW either now. It's because it is virtually impossible to make a petrol powered bike under the 250W limit.

        • Mad Max on 16/08/2016 - 18:53

          Normally they have an electronic ignition module that can limit the power to 250w.
          On that basis they are legal in VIC

  • 2ndeffort on 22/08/2016 - 13:27

    Unless you are very unfit and/or you live in a very hilly part of the world I just don't get ebikes. I took up cycling about 3 years ago and I am one of the much reviled 'weekend warrior MAMILs' wheezing my way up hills on the city fringe of a weekend with a like minded bunch of similarly folks. If I wasn't fearful for my life on busy weekday roads (and if the building I worked in had any showers) I would love to ride my regular road bike to and from work. if you aren't looking to break any records and you get the right gear ratio setup most people shouldn't need an ebike. Unless you work at the top of Falls Creek and live at the bottom, with a week or 2 of regular riding under your belt most people would be able to hit and hold a reasonable speed on a raodbike on the flats, maybe 30 ish km/hr. Once you are a bit fitter and stronger, hitting and holding 40km/hr is fairly easy, you can hit 60 km/hr+ and keep up with cars going down hills. Having to exercise hard and get fitter is kind of the point of riding a bike after all!

    • Euphemistic on 24/08/2016 - 10:41

      I'd say averaging 25km/h is more achievable. I've been riding for years, but not every weekend in a bunch, and find that much over 30km/h solo is a hard work and averaging over 30km/h without a tailwind is unlikely to occur.

      I did improve my fitness significantly when I first started commuting, but have lost a bit of that lately due to reduce commuting.

  • Dalmington on 10/05/2018 - 16:10

    I'm always surprised with how much variety there is in a niche market like this. I live in Perth so I was expecting next to nothing for ebikes and was going to order one from somewhere else but apparently we have about 7 or 8 different companies dedicated to just ebooks in our little neck of the woods. With that in mind, I did some research and found these guys to be cheapest: http://perthelectricbikecentre.com.au/ . I haven't had to bring it back in so I'm not sure if theres some service guarantee I'm missing but let me save you some time looking around if you are on the fence like I was.

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