There are lots of ebikes coming up for sale recently. I wonder why? 
Surplus EBikes?
- Thread starter stonehenge
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Genuine question, why? What are your thoughts.....
Only reason for asking is that I was thinking about getting one.
Only reason for asking is that I was thinking about getting one.
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I've noticed this also but I'd say many were bought during lockdown and some may not have the time now to ride them.
In saying that, I know for a fact that one that's for sale on here is due to having upgraded to a FS emtb.
In saying that, I know for a fact that one that's for sale on here is due to having upgraded to a FS emtb.
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Same as plenty of other exercise equipment, seems a good idea before you buy it, plenty of hardly used weight benches, rowing machines, cross trainers etc available on eBay
I think the cycle to work scheme has really destroyed the secondhand market as the ability to take the deduction before tax makes the bike a whole lot cheaper especially now that they have removed the silly £1000 cap and you can put full fat machines on the scheme.
I'm in the market for an eMTB but am in conflict, for cars and motorbikes I have always had to be happy with buying secondhand, well looked after examples.
But I am very hesitant about buying a secondhand ebike. Many adverts I have seen for good spec pre-used bikes claim to have had new motor and /or battery - as though that is a good thing!!
My view is that if it needed a new motor after, perhaps 600 miles, it may well need another after the next 600! In the tenure of the next owner without the benefit of a warranty to pay for it.
At least buying new(and wisely), one has the backup if (when) the motor or controller goes west...
But I am very hesitant about buying a secondhand ebike. Many adverts I have seen for good spec pre-used bikes claim to have had new motor and /or battery - as though that is a good thing!!
My view is that if it needed a new motor after, perhaps 600 miles, it may well need another after the next 600! In the tenure of the next owner without the benefit of a warranty to pay for it.
At least buying new(and wisely), one has the backup if (when) the motor or controller goes west...
One thing to be aware of when buying a s/h ebike is that many manufacturers only offer warranty to the original purchaser. I know of a couple of examples off an ebike FB group where manufacturers have flat out refused to entertain any issue on a bike that a someone just bought secondhand. Couple that with what seems to be a commonplace practice that the warranty is normally only valid with the bike store you purchased it at, and that means it's quite different from the type of warranty we are used to on cars and motorcycles. I believe Specialized are an exception to the rule though and do honour the warranty even if the bike is resold.
I tried this myself, had a rear brake issue on a cycle-to-work scheme ebike, which were all sourced from a supplier in Swansea. I called up a local Haibike dealer to see if they could help and they just flat refused, informing me of the policy above and that I'd have to ship my bike back to Swansea for any warranty work. So the scope for getting any warranty backup is pretty narrow even from new.
That said - ebikes are bloody good fun, just be aware of the above if you are in the market for one.
Trek also warranty for the second owner (frames). Any Shimano or Sram components and forks are 1 year for the first owner, most likely from the supplying retailer. Most motors and batteries are two years. It is a shame that Bosch, who supply the best motors have a problem with battery management systems.
Either buy new or secondhand, but only if very cheap, to take the risk. I run a bullet proof Bosch Gen 2 Performance Line CX motor in a 2017 Trek Powerfly 7. Wifey has a 2018 Bosch Active Line plus in an Orbea ladies bike that needed a new battery after a year
and I have a Boardman Hybrid ebike with the Fazua motor that seems ok so far - but they have their problems as well!! At least it is VERY light without all the electronics that can be removed easily.I can tell you, from experience, that this is not the case with Specialised and the warranty does not transfer (at least it didn't on mine). That said, they could not have been more helpful and the 'fix' they did was dirt cheap.
The warranty is only for the main frame (not forks). Certainly not for the complete bike.
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700 miles on my gen 4 Bosch, mainly up steep mountains, no issues so far.
So it should be! Do you remove your battery to charge it (need to do this to keep the lock/mechanism and connections in good order) and store your battery inside the house when not using the bike (cold kills the batteries pretty easily!).
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Usually just charge it on the bike but now coming into winter and wetter season I remove the motor cover and battery after a muddy ride to let the components dry out.
Bike is kept in the house.
Bike is kept in the house.
I'm reluctant to buy an s/h bike other than from this site or unless I know the owner. Far too many stolen bikes out there are resold through the internet & I'm hugely suspicious so don't want to feel as if I'm possibly adding to that.
I'm selling mine as I've just purchased a full suspension one and a lot dearer so trying to recoup some money. Love them to bit .
That’s a good point
If you buy a hard tail eMTB then you will soon find the limits and need to upgrade to a full suspension version
I certainly didn’t think when I bought mine I would even go off road on my , the hardtail was used on cycle paths and cycling through the country .
If I hadn’t had a go of my sons bike around the hills I don’t think I would have ever made the jump.
Saying that my wife bike is the same as my hardtail and has no intentions of ever getting a full suspension . I’m actually considering keeping both as both have benefits , riding position etc.
Probably like motorbikes you can’t have enough only money hinders you.
I’ve had hardtails for years and love em, but there are times when I’m skipping down a rocky descent that I’d love a full susser. One thing I can recommend is a Suntour SP12-NCX suspension seatpost. If you’re on a hardtail it’s a major step up in terms of comfort.
Going back to the original question, I also wonder why so many bikes are for sale. We bought ours at the end of March this year and have done over 2000 miles on them with (touch wood) no problems with the motors or batteries. I wonder if a lot of buyers expected a bike that would go on its own without pedalling? Or was it another impulse buy to satisfy someone’s want instead of need?
Strange thing is I fancied another road bike and looking at the one I fancy on the Ribble site, I’ve got to wait until June/July 2022 before expected delivery.
Strange thing is I fancied another road bike and looking at the one I fancy on the Ribble site, I’ve got to wait until June/July 2022 before expected delivery.
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