Before I purchase my first electric bike, I have concerns about the number of companies and products that seem to come and go in this market sector. I am considering buying an Ezee Forte to conquer steep hills where I live but if the company suddenly stops trading, what happens to after sales service, parts etc. It is a very expensive purchase, so I would like to know that my investment is a good one. I would welcome comments about the above generally, and the reliability/staying power of 50cycles and the eZee brand?
The Electric Bike Industry-Boom or Bust?
- Thread starter musicbooks
- Start date
The first e-bike appeared in 1991, but they didn't really start to gain a hold of any sort until about 2000. 50cycles started about four years ago, so is a mature company in this field. They've represented eZee here since 2004 with eZee's early Sprint and Quando models, and have always specialised in the high end market, previously importing the top class Honda and Panasonic folders.
Although eZee is a small company, they punch well above their size and are an important force internationally in this market. Accordingly, in the very unlikely event that 50cycles didn't wish to carry on with the eZee bikes, I think there would probably be no shortage of takers wishing to jump in to represent them.
Manufacturer and importer failures are usually at the very cheap end of the market, where the manufacturer is only interested in snatching a quick return and the importer is carelessly appointed, sometimes having the same objective and not being interested in the product, just the pounds.
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Although eZee is a small company, they punch well above their size and are an important force internationally in this market. Accordingly, in the very unlikely event that 50cycles didn't wish to carry on with the eZee bikes, I think there would probably be no shortage of takers wishing to jump in to represent them.
Manufacturer and importer failures are usually at the very cheap end of the market, where the manufacturer is only interested in snatching a quick return and the importer is carelessly appointed, sometimes having the same objective and not being interested in the product, just the pounds.
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Thanks again, Flecc. I suppose it's peace of mind that is vital when parting with such large quantities of dosh. How about their after sales service? How easy/difficult is it to deal with an online company rather than a face to face dealer who might provide a much more hands on personal service?
Although there has been the occasional complaint, what company does not get them, I've always found them good and most other members find the same.
Currently one member who's charger failed when new emailed, the message was picked up by one of the directors on Sunday, the new charger despatched Monday by next day delivery courier to circumvent the postal strikes. It could scarcely be better than that.
When I entered a thread about a battery platform that broke on a speed hump and which I intended to repair, one director spotted my thread and arranged immediate despatch of a new platform free of charge without me asking.
You may have noticed that the two directors, Scott and Tim Snaith are active forum members, as are key members of their staff, all helping out at every opportunity. I don't see other companies in here like that.
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Currently one member who's charger failed when new emailed, the message was picked up by one of the directors on Sunday, the new charger despatched Monday by next day delivery courier to circumvent the postal strikes. It could scarcely be better than that.
When I entered a thread about a battery platform that broke on a speed hump and which I intended to repair, one director spotted my thread and arranged immediate despatch of a new platform free of charge without me asking.
You may have noticed that the two directors, Scott and Tim Snaith are active forum members, as are key members of their staff, all helping out at every opportunity. I don't see other companies in here like that.
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It's worth noting that while 50cycles are primarily an online retailer they do have premises in Loughborough and central London where the public are welcome and able to try the bikes.
In my experience, nothing beats trying a bike out, preferably somewhere where electric bikes can be compared side by side, for value for money and performance ;-)
I have found Heinzmann and Wisper to be the most reliable bikes in terms of comebacks. We have had a fair few customers come to us with Ezee bikes to fix, but Synergie are the worst (mainly their previous range) with little tolerance of UK weather.
I have found Heinzmann and Wisper to be the most reliable bikes in terms of comebacks. We have had a fair few customers come to us with Ezee bikes to fix, but Synergie are the worst (mainly their previous range) with little tolerance of UK weather.
I concur on Heinzmann Jim, very reliable and proving that quality pays. The waterproofing problems were present in the earlier eZee bikes too, but they've been improved quite a lot in that respect.
All the main makes seem to me to be be improving steadily though, in build quality, reliability and waterproofing, with only the battery issues causing much concern. Is that your impression too in your widespread folio of bikes?
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All the main makes seem to me to be be improving steadily though, in build quality, reliability and waterproofing, with only the battery issues causing much concern. Is that your impression too in your widespread folio of bikes?
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That's interesting, Jim. You obviously see a lot of bikes so can get the big picture.
Regarding Musicbooks' original question, I think its clear from these responses and other comments in this forum that the 50 Cycles guys deliver high levels of service. However, in my opinion, the business model - with a sole, vertically integrated distributor/retailer/service provider - is not the best one for the customer.
Frank
Regarding Musicbooks' original question, I think its clear from these responses and other comments in this forum that the 50 Cycles guys deliver high levels of service. However, in my opinion, the business model - with a sole, vertically integrated distributor/retailer/service provider - is not the best one for the customer.
- Some customers will inevitably fall out with 50 Cycles, as no supplier can ever please everyone, then they have no official alternative to deal with.
- Remote service is not ideal for products like bikes which need hands on fixing
Frank
A View from the Antipodes
I have to agree with Frank about how a single country dealership for electric bikes can be bad as well as good.
Here in New Zealand, the eZeebike franchise is held by a firm whose main line is spa pools and outdoor garden furniture, with ebikes as a sideline. When I visited, their stock was outdated old models (Sales of ebikes are slow in NZ). I asked if they would import a Liv and got told "No, we only do top of the range eZee models as special orders". I came away with the impression that it would be high risk to buy an ebike from them as the batteries would most likely be expired from old age, and I would feel nervous about after-sales support.
Apart from that, there really aren't any "real" electric bike dealerships in NZ. The only other ebike dealership has changed to selling Crystalite kits and Chinese e-scooters as purpose-built ebikes sell so slowly.
Paul
I have to agree with Frank about how a single country dealership for electric bikes can be bad as well as good.
Here in New Zealand, the eZeebike franchise is held by a firm whose main line is spa pools and outdoor garden furniture, with ebikes as a sideline. When I visited, their stock was outdated old models (Sales of ebikes are slow in NZ). I asked if they would import a Liv and got told "No, we only do top of the range eZee models as special orders". I came away with the impression that it would be high risk to buy an ebike from them as the batteries would most likely be expired from old age, and I would feel nervous about after-sales support.
Apart from that, there really aren't any "real" electric bike dealerships in NZ. The only other ebike dealership has changed to selling Crystalite kits and Chinese e-scooters as purpose-built ebikes sell so slowly.
Paul
Even in the UK, electric bike dealerships are extremely rare Paul. I know of one specialist place in Shropshire that mainly does very cheap stuff including e-scooters and the like, and the Electric Bike Company in Edinburgh, Scotlad, which is a new venture. That's not much for a population of 60 millions, and again reflects the poor acceptance of e-bikes as a mode of transport.
Things are even worse in much of the USA, where hardly any large dealerships represent e-bikes well, Nycewheels being an exception, and I know of only one exclusive outlet, Eric Sundin's excellent Electric Bikes NW at Seattle.
And from what our Canadian members say, the scene there seems not much better than yours, though they have their own e-bike motor, the ex US designed BionX.
I think most e-bikers worldwide regard themselves as pioneers in the old tradition, struggling to succeed with minimal support.
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Things are even worse in much of the USA, where hardly any large dealerships represent e-bikes well, Nycewheels being an exception, and I know of only one exclusive outlet, Eric Sundin's excellent Electric Bikes NW at Seattle.
And from what our Canadian members say, the scene there seems not much better than yours, though they have their own e-bike motor, the ex US designed BionX.
I think most e-bikers worldwide regard themselves as pioneers in the old tradition, struggling to succeed with minimal support.
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I have no idea what will happen when I take my Giant twist back to the local dealership (who is basically a Giant dealer, not an e-bike dealer) for any electrical fix. I have taken it in for non-motor related stuff.
Based on info here, it doesn't sound like they will be able to do much for me -- or it will be very expensive. (and I still continue to limp on the original battery). I just keep debating whether I want to order a new one, or buy a different e-bike altogether -- which is most likely to come from out of town.
I don't know when or if (although I expect "if") e-bikes become popular and supported more widely, but I swear I answer the question "Is that a motor on there?" at least once or twice a week ever since I bought this bike.
Based on info here, it doesn't sound like they will be able to do much for me -- or it will be very expensive. (and I still continue to limp on the original battery). I just keep debating whether I want to order a new one, or buy a different e-bike altogether -- which is most likely to come from out of town.
I don't know when or if (although I expect "if") e-bikes become popular and supported more widely, but I swear I answer the question "Is that a motor on there?" at least once or twice a week ever since I bought this bike.
My advice (based on over a year's experience) is that the best electric bicycles available are converted Dahon folders. They are lighter than anything else (regardless of wheel size) and come from the largest manufacturer of folding bikes in the world. And if you want a specialist dealer who has been around for a long time on the non electric side but is now doing a special line in Dahon conversions the place to go is C H White in Malmesbury. Their electric conversions have been mentioned before on this forum and they have now added a 24 speed model: see Electric Bikes
I am in the process of converting my own 24 speed (a Dahon Speed Tr) and hope to report in due course.
I am in the process of converting my own 24 speed (a Dahon Speed Tr) and hope to report in due course.
Paul C,
We complain but it sounds like the market in New Zealand is even less developed. I suppose there is at least an opportunity for someone to gain first mover advantage! Regarding sole distributors which are vertically integrated as retailers and service providers, I think, as well as denying the consumer choice, it is a flawed model from the point of view of the manufacturer and possibly also the distributor too.
This is because this business model leads to fewer of the manufacturer's bikes being sold - because they are not available in local stores where most people want to try and buy them. Clearly bad for the manufacturer, also for the distributor in the long run as a competitor will eventually beat them to market, and possibly in the short run too if the extra volume foregone would offset the double margin they are capturing from retailing as well as distribution!
As a small example, my wife wanted a step through frame electric bike. I short-listed her three - Urbanmover, Powacycle Windsor and Ezee Sprint. We eliminated Urbanmover based on the poor feedback from people on this forum (thanks everyone!); I felt the Sprint was likely to be the better bike (although more expensive) but my wife wanted to go to a store and try it to see what it felt like - which was not possible. She went to The Electric Transport Shop (specialist electric bike shop with branches in London and Cambridge - Jamie, one of the owners, who posted earlier on this thread will no doubt post more info!) and tried their demo Powacycle out for an hour and bought one on the spot.
Flecc, I'm aware of one or two other specialist dealers - such as Electric Transport Shop, Vita Electric in Hampstead, Powerscoots, Electric Bikes Direct in Lancing in Sussex - but I agree with your general point; we are still talking single figures. I believe the market will be driven firstly by those manufacturers - ie Powabyke, Powacycle and Urbanmover - who have invested time and margin in building up a much wider presence in normal bike shops and secondly by interest from big retailers like Halfords and Tesco, which looks like it is starting to happen.
As in every other market, it is not the company with the best product that wins out, it is the company with an ok product and the best business model!
Frank
We complain but it sounds like the market in New Zealand is even less developed. I suppose there is at least an opportunity for someone to gain first mover advantage! Regarding sole distributors which are vertically integrated as retailers and service providers, I think, as well as denying the consumer choice, it is a flawed model from the point of view of the manufacturer and possibly also the distributor too.
This is because this business model leads to fewer of the manufacturer's bikes being sold - because they are not available in local stores where most people want to try and buy them. Clearly bad for the manufacturer, also for the distributor in the long run as a competitor will eventually beat them to market, and possibly in the short run too if the extra volume foregone would offset the double margin they are capturing from retailing as well as distribution!
As a small example, my wife wanted a step through frame electric bike. I short-listed her three - Urbanmover, Powacycle Windsor and Ezee Sprint. We eliminated Urbanmover based on the poor feedback from people on this forum (thanks everyone!); I felt the Sprint was likely to be the better bike (although more expensive) but my wife wanted to go to a store and try it to see what it felt like - which was not possible. She went to The Electric Transport Shop (specialist electric bike shop with branches in London and Cambridge - Jamie, one of the owners, who posted earlier on this thread will no doubt post more info!) and tried their demo Powacycle out for an hour and bought one on the spot.
Flecc, I'm aware of one or two other specialist dealers - such as Electric Transport Shop, Vita Electric in Hampstead, Powerscoots, Electric Bikes Direct in Lancing in Sussex - but I agree with your general point; we are still talking single figures. I believe the market will be driven firstly by those manufacturers - ie Powabyke, Powacycle and Urbanmover - who have invested time and margin in building up a much wider presence in normal bike shops and secondly by interest from big retailers like Halfords and Tesco, which looks like it is starting to happen.
As in every other market, it is not the company with the best product that wins out, it is the company with an ok product and the best business model!
Frank
That's an extreme view Rooel, and you'd be hard pushed to find many to agree with you. Mostly lighter yes, but they suffer all the usual small electric bike compromises.
As bicycles, like most folders, they fall well short of good bicycle standards, with poor geometry and flexing, plus the perennial small wheel problem of not having a gear range going high enough. Add the compromises of where the battery goes and, depending on that, sometimes inadequate luggage carrying facilities, and you have what gives rise to the views of most.
Folding e-bikes in general have been the worst of the electric bikes available, and although the Dahon conversions have sometimes been well above that average, they've never been able to compete with good full size e-bikes for the reasons given above.
I believe that's the general view, also mine and shared by A to B magazine, both with many years experience of riding various e-bikes.
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I think folders are great for leisure pursuits and short trips. They are also very portable if you want to pop it in the car and travel virtually anywhere with it.
For the above purposes, i would say a folder is ideal but as a serious alternatvie to the car a larger wheeled electric bike would be more suitable.
UrbanPuma
For the above purposes, i would say a folder is ideal but as a serious alternatvie to the car a larger wheeled electric bike would be more suitable.
UrbanPuma
The fact that the directors of certain companies are members in no way influences the veiws of the general membership. I, like many members have praised and defended suppliers when I considered it warranted but have also criticised the same suppliers and some of their products on occasions. This forum, like most is open to anyone who wishes to join and in addition to 50cycles representatives from at least Powacycle, Wisper and some independant shops are also active members.
I do feel you are being somewhat unfair to 50cycles, they dispatched a replacement by next day courier the first working day after being notified of a problem, to me that is good service and it is difficult to see what more they could have done, many companies would not dispatch a replacement until the faulty item had been returned.
I should add that while I have been a satisfied customer of 50cycles I am in no way connected with them and this is an entirely unbiased view.
I do feel you are being somewhat unfair to 50cycles, they dispatched a replacement by next day courier the first working day after being notified of a problem, to me that is good service and it is difficult to see what more they could have done, many companies would not dispatch a replacement until the faulty item had been returned.
I should add that while I have been a satisfied customer of 50cycles I am in no way connected with them and this is an entirely unbiased view.
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