Along with the other comments, I'd say it depends on how you use your bike. For two years, my bike was my only mode of transit. My commute to work was about f

Along with the other comments, I'd say it depends on how you use your bike. For two years, my bike was my only mode of transit. My commute to work was about five miles. I spent about $800 on my bike. I've ridden cheaper bikes, and cheaper bikes can definitely work, but nothing ever broke on my bike, I had a good guarantee on the frame, the parts were under warranty and everything worked really well. Fwiw I took a different bike and circled Ireland on it. Similar idea. Spent about $900 total on that bike plus the touring gear (which is more sensible because it was a really specialized use) The tires I had were something like $80 each as well. If I were still commuting by bike everywhere, I'd really quickly consider spending $800 on something like this if I could get a guarantee on the lifetime of the unit. I love biking, but having a bike with an assist would just mean I'd have biked more, and been okay going farther out without thinking "Crap. I so don't want to bike there" I think you're right, in that they'd sell more if they were cheaper, but if you're bike is your primary form of transit, and you have no car, $800 to make that more realistic isn't really that much, if you ask me. ymmv of course