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I worry about this with most components of e-bikes. I suppose a mid-drive one is probably always gonna have parts you can replace but custom kit like VanMoof se
by benoliver999 3y ago
I worry about this with most components of e-bikes. I suppose a mid-drive one is probably always gonna have parts you can replace but custom kit like VanMoof seems ready for landfill.
- bicx 3y agoMy VanMoof is currently dead, awaiting to be shipped off to the VanMoof shop to supposedly replace a battery that is erroring out. Now I’m concerned that I’ll never be able to use it again, or that I’ll lose the bike completely if I hand it over to them for repairs just as they are being shuttered.
- madeofpalk 3y agoHeh. I just shipped my S3 to vanmoof 2 weeks ago and it was just repaired this week for what sounds like the same battery issue. I'm... not sure if I'll get it back either. The website is telling me there's a charge for the shipping, but no way to pay it.
- bicx 3y agoIt’s a shame. Basically it’s e-waste without a battery due to the e-shifter. Can’t even use it as a normal bike.
- jskrablin 3y agoYou should be able to get years of support for established brands. They are all using similar/identical components (Shimano, Yamaha, Bafang mid drive motors, similar battery packs, etc). There's also aftermarket support/custmizations available for them. Going with a small/exotic brand will always carry a risk of brand disappearing, no aftermarket options, hard to get spare parts, etc... And e-bike business is especially competitive these days so I wouldn't bet on some random hipster brand having any chance to survive in the battle against established brands.
- benoliver999 3y agoYeah I look at e.g. Bosch and it looks like a standardised size and fit. Bit ugly but removable and replaceable.