It is indeed one of many single points of failure, to add to the many single points of failure that exist on regular bikes or hub drive ebikes. Luckily it is very rare on a properly maintained bike; people who have owned crank drive bikes generally haven't experienced a chain failure, that is why they don't tell you about it.
So it has to be people (a person) who haven't owned one that tell you about it.
That said, there are many other advantages of hub drive as well you can read about on many threads here.
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If I was considering buying from a company like that I'd ask them where the bike was and whether you can inspect it and all its paperwork before purchase.
I was lucky, I never "accidentally" bought a mid motor, as price (Pensioner) played a larger role for me than looks, which the mid motors doe have, looks and looks only!
But I am here in Germany completely "surrounded" by owners of mid motor e-bikes, I could not even say accurately say just how many, maybe 20 or more, who mainly have bought what they believed was a German bike, all from Bosch. But of course it is all Chinese production, just more expensive, but Germans always buy what they believe is German manufacturer and quality.....
When I bought my first VW Sharan (I had two, because my company required it!) in 1997, a neighbour complimented me on buying a German car, I told him that only the name is German, and showed him the large metal label under the bonnet, that model was made by Seat in Spain. Inbetween, he has followed my way and now only buys Mitsubishi, which I have done for many years now. Another neighbour has also bought Mitsubish for some time now after having several VWs and Mercedes......
Many of those Bosch e-bike owners have learned the hard way about Bosch bikes and Bosch guarantee and Bosch work practices, which appear to be the same/similar to the UK. As someone here mentioned, I think last year, it is questionable as to whether Bosch are even fully legal in the way they treat their customers......as they sell no spare parts to private persons, or to may bike shops!
But as these owners are generally speaking not DIYers, and none of them are in any way mechanically minded, I get called to help from time to time, when something goes wrong, but it is mainly because I am possibly "the person with one eye is King in the land of the blind!"
I am no expert with Bosch (or any other mid motor e-bike for that matter!), and for the more serious problems (motors and drive generally), I send them to their supplier, whose repair costs are often in the region of the price of a new standard Chinese hub bike......Which I find horrifying myself....
Naturally, the appalling way Bosch treats its customers, has lost a lot of sales for them in Germany, as YouTube and other web sites are full of complaints about quality and guarantee claims......The information is there for those who take the time to look....
What I cannot (nor want to) change, is that some just keep paying out yearly high repair costs, just about each and every year, hoping to finally run a few years with no more bills..... But here is very hilly, and riding through the forest, puts a lot of wear and tear on the transmission parts......But I do not trust myself to tell them the full truth, as I am sure it would make many unhappy.......as it would me too, if the position was reversed.
I myself do not need to put out that sum for my car's maintenance each year, and it probably does 10,000 Kms in that time.......
So how does me not being an owner of such expensive crap, mean my opinion is invalid?
Particularly, as many of the mid motor "fan club" here voice their (IMHO mainly inaccurate) opinions on hub motored bikes very freely! As in 3 years, my second cheapo Chinese (which all e-bikes are under the skin!) e-bike has cost only tyres and brake parts, has two batteries and with import duties and tax, well under €1,000......around 930 UK Pounds.
IMHO Bosch are only good for running into town and back, over smooth roads etc., if you want to keep running costs to a minimum, once the guarantee is gone.....and as a Bosch (or any mid motor e-bike) owner you are prepared to replace a chain which you carry with you at all times, plus any required tools and a flashlight, so that even at night (if you ride at night!), when raining or snowing, you can get home without a long boring and pushing the bike, walk!
All I need to do is sit on my bike and twist the throttle or pedal for the PAS to run the hub motor, once I have removed the broken chain completely, and I drive home in relative comfort.....
But here on Pedelec, it still amazes me how just how rude and unfriendly, the mid motor brigade are generally about hub e-bike owners, they can be, just because they themselves have been occasionally caught out at the running costs of their preferred steeds....But complain long and loud, if ANYONE here accurately calls THEIR "baby" ugly!!
Sadly, it appears to be the general mid motor faction "reaction" to anyone pointing out the possible perils of of mainly mid motor e-bikes and some of the manufacturers, to newer, less knowledgeable people here, who are asking for honest and accurate assistance on a bike purchase.
Not telling it as it really is, is really telling lies to these people!!!!
Just staying quiet would be more hones, if the truth hurts....
But I do not really agree with that either, as "tell the truth and shame the devil" was drilled into me as a kid, by my Mother......
And "Honesty is the best policy".....
And let us not forget "Manners maketh Man!" either.....
I would like to wish
all members of Pedelec a very Happy New Year, and that they und their's all manage to avoid the perils of COVID in the future.
Stay healthy.
Andy
