Bothered?

[Cyclezee]

Does it matter to you where an electric bike is manufactured, the UK, Europe eastern or western, the far east, China Taiwan etc?

I very much doubt if the components of any one bike are sourced entirely from the country of manufacture/assembly with perhaps the exception of China.
No doubt someone will correct me if that is incorrect.

 

[funkylyn]

Good god John....did you wet the bed or something this morning ?

Would prefer UK, but realistically I dont really care as long as there is quality commensurate
with the price level.

Lynda

 

[NRG]

John whats with all the market research, we all thought you knew everything!

 

[flecc]

The quality of assembly and quality control are definitely better in the northern half of mainland Europe than anywhere else. Chinese standards in these have improved a little but are only good when producing for the largest companies and/or very closely monitored all the time.

I expect any new bike to need some attention to the wheel builds, but with much Chinese production I expect to have to go over the whole bike for various build faults and am never surprised to suffer some prematurely worn sub standard components on moderate or low priced bikes. Their electrical wiring standards often leave much to be desired too.

Taiwan is a mixed bag, capable of both very good and very poor, but mostly better than the People's Republic. As for the rest, Indonesia et al, not enough experience to know.

 

[Scottyf]

Personally don't mind. Its a mine feild to get the balance right.
As cost is a major factor with everything. China but designed in USA / Europe / Italy

 

[Cyclezee]

John whats with all the market research, we all thought you knew everything!

No NRG, I don't know everything, only what I have learned fron this forum and personal experience.
I certainly don't know what every body wants/likes or what their realistic expectations are

 

[indalo]

I'd prefer to own a bike designed and built in the UK but that rather limits my choice! Given that the vast majority of bicycles are built in far-flung places, it all comes down to which manufacturers operate the most stringent quality control measures in those construction and assembly plants. That may be a hugely contentious issue in itself.

Indalo

 

[shemozzle999]

I'd prefer to own a bike designed and built in the UK but that rather limits my choice!Indalo

Like me, are you anxiously waiting for the arrival of the eBrompton too Indalo?

 

[indalo]

Like me, are you anxiously waiting for the arrival of the eBrompton too Indalo?

Em, that's a negative Shemozzle999 as I have no need for a folding bike. Now a Pashley with electric and crank assist would be lovely. Unfortunately, they're not exactly lightweight bikes; I think the bell weighs about the same as a Haibike!

Indalo

 

[kitchenman]

Good god John....did you wet the bed or something this morning ?

Would prefer UK, but realistically I dont really care as long as there is quality commensurate
with the price level.

Lynda

God god Lynda! Do you have to use such long words? I had to look that one up. I thought it was something to do with funerals! ....

 

[indalo]

I thought it was something to do with funerals! ....

That was dead funny Al.

Indalo

 

[Cyclezee]

Good god John....did you wet the bed or something this morning ?
Lynda

No More than usual Lynda

 

[funkylyn]

God god Lynda! Do you have to use such long words? I had to look that one up. I thought it was something to do with funerals! ....

Sowwy Alan.....promise I will try not to say UK again.......

Lynda

 

[danfoto]

FWIW we would not buy a bike with a Chinese frame, motor or battery.

 

[flecc]

FWIW we would not buy a bike with a Chinese frame, motor or battery.

Many of the top frames, including almost all carbon frames, are made in China. Most Japanese products in e-bikes, including the motors, are actually made in China, and almost all batteries of all kinds are made there and have been for very many years.

Frames from elsewhere can be sourced, but motors and batteries are extremely limited. Even when a battery is made elsewhere, they are often made with all Chinese made cells.

So non-Chinese e-bikes are possible, but the choice is very limited.

 

[danfoto]

Sorry, I should have made it clear that I was referring to Chinese direct suppliers - not Chinese contractors or sub-contractors to Japanese, Taiwanese or Western firms.

If it transpires that the motor in my Agattu is made in China, that's fine by me because presumably it'll be made to Derby Cycle spec and will have to pass their QC standards. What I would not be inclined to buy is a bike made by and sold by the Hoo Flung Dung Bicycle Company of downtown Santiaoxianxiang.

Or suchlike.

 

[indalo]

What I would not be inclined to buy is a bike made by and sold by the Hoo Flung Dung Bicycle Company of downtown Santiaoxianxiang.

Or suchlike.

Bit racist, I think Dan! Did you have a bad meal from the local take-away or something?

Indalo

 

[danfoto]

Bit racist, I think Dan! Did you have a bad meal from the local take-away or something?

Indalo

Hah! No, but I've seen enough videos of Chinese manufacturing techniques and facilities to do me, thank you.

(And besides, it would only be racist if my problem was with Chinese people, which it is not. It might well be something else-ist, but it's not racist )

Actually, talking of Chinese takeaways, isn't there a noble member here resident in Boston? If so, I wonder if he can tell me if it's true that there's a Chinese restaurant there called the Man Flower. Presumably the Golden Rain is long gone from the High Street - or at least has changed its name ...

 

[Kudoscycles]

Wherever the bike is manufactured the importer should be open and honest,I have seen chinese manufactured product with 'designed in Italy' or Shanghai manufactured e-bikes with union jack logos,but 'KEEP IT QUIET!!!!!!!'
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[morphix]

Does it matter to you where an electric bike is manufactured, the UK, Europe eastern or western, the far east, China Taiwan etc?

I very much doubt if the components of any one bike are sourced entirely from the country of manufacture/assembly with perhaps the exception of China.
No doubt someone will correct me if that is incorrect.

Well it would be great to see a bike manufactured in the UK or at least assembled here. But I guess it's rare to see these days. A British-made bike would have a good selling point, but would probably cost such a price premium that only the well off or discerning consumer might be happy to pay it.