I'm not feeling I'm getting anything much from this thread other than a headache and a sense of regret I ever starting to follow it.
When can we expect to see reviews of this product from a range of independent reviewers? I would like to think that functional questions could be resolved very quickly in this way. Questions of reliability and serviceability may take a bit longer but in six months time that picture should also be becoming clearer.
I wish To7 success for my own selfish reasons, as a consumer I think more competition is good. This is not the slickest product launch I have seen, fingers crossed that the product itself is more refined.
I agree that the DIY TS market is a bit niche, with the "MORE POWER" theme being the most pressing attribute many are after.
However, the premium pre-built market based around Bosch and similar are based on assistance multipliers and are successful.
Ideally I don't want to need to own circlip pliers, be able to press bearings out, or need to know how to use a multimeter to use my bike. But I'm also far too mean to drop three grand on an ebike - only to have some oik steal it with a battery angle grinder or a car jack.
I also want some exercise and to be able to cycle up the big hills that lead to my house with panniers full of shopping, or do a 70 mile leisure ride.
The Bafangs are unquestionably more reliable than the Tonshengs but they didn't meet my other criteria, they are too far away from assisted cycling for me. However, the Tongsheng motors need to be cared for, don't get them too wet, don't get them too hot, don't shout at them incase they get offended etc. They are never going to take over the world being so temperamental and unreliable. There is unquestionably room for technological improvement and I suspect there is a market, but it is likely to be a hard market to crack with a combination of a good product and the business acumen to market and sell it.
I'm not suggesting that Bafang are aiming for the wrong market, more that they have identified their market and dominated it - and all power to them.
I tend to feel the marketing needs to play to the products strengths and get pulled along with the success of the likes of Bosch and try and differentiate itself from the Bafangs. I think the marketing needs to focus on cyclists wanting some extra help, not people wanting a low powered electric moped experience, Bafang have that end of the market nailed. Trying to beat Bafang at their own game seams destined to failure imo.
I'm personally not interested in the dm-01, if the dm-02 can solve the water ingress, overheating, low cadence, wobbly axle, reliability nonsense of the TSDZ2 than I will sit up and pay attention. I think all of the main TSDZ2 shortcomings are solvable in a TSDZ2 sized package, not requiring some enormous motor slung under the frame. I want something that kicks in and assists me up the big hills and then fades away subtly when I'm back on the flat. I know that other people have different needs, but this is where I see a gap in the market.