I passed by a new e-bike retailer in Toronto on College St. just west of Spadina the other day. They had three or four models on display on the sidewalk in front of the store. All really cheaply made, by the looks of it. Worse yet, the guy in the shop knew next to nothing about his products.

I asked the standard questions about price, batteries, charge, etc. He thinks they can all go 35 km/hr top speed, not 32. He also thinks they can travel 70 km on a charge. These are all lead-acid batteries. I asked about maintenance and repair and he couldn't even quote me on what it would cost to replace a flat tire. They retail between $900 and $1200. As for the warranty, it's wouldn't be worth the paper it's written on.

Sounds to me very much like a fly-by-night operation. Avoid at all costs.

Sounds to me very much like a fly-by-night operation. Avoid at all costs.

Second that Roger. Already looked them up:
http://www.ebikerider...

loCk

All I'm going to add is "pew pew pew"

Interesting post Jason.

Ok, I just got rid of a IZip Schwinn bike that i had. I cant complain. I bought it on CL for $100 practically new and had to add a battery, which I did with Canadian Tire money I had collected and would never use so it really cost me very little.
I sold it last week for $300

But, I loved it, although, it wasn't a good one but i loved getting around on it...but i found myself staring at all the scooters going by out of jealousy so i got rid of this one, knowing that i never be motivated to get the scouter as long as I had the IZIP......now i am looking for a scooter style


So, if anyone would like to send me hints on how to get a good one without paying dealers costs, by all means, feel free to let me know
I do already know about the GEO site where you can get one for about $271 + shipping

...I loved it, although, it wasn't a good one...

Define "good" please.
L0Ck

don't judge e-bikes based upon a Schwinn iZIP. Have a friend who bought the iZIP and added a 500W Hub motor and Lithium batteries and cruises at 50 KM/h to work daily from Willowdale to Kensinton Market.

At 50KM/H! Has been pulled over by the cops? That's way past the 32KM/H limit here in Ontario.

Well if it looks like a normal bicycle the cops might not even notice. A trained cyclist can go pretty fast. The average speed for them is about 35mph (about 56km).

-Vic

So, if anyone would like to send me hints on how to get a good one without paying dealers costs, by all means, feel free to let me know
I do already know about the GEO site where you can get one for about $271 + shipping

Ah, to buy from a dealer, or from that dude standing on the corner in a t-shirt, torn jeans, and running shoes . . . pssst! Hey YOU -- wanna ebike?

I'm thinking this debate is much like the one I'm having with getting a dog.

I love dogs. Grew up with the little furry creatures. My parents have a cute Bichon Frise, pure bred, right from the best breeders. Growing up, we always had pure bred dogs.

Pure bred dogs meet specific standards set by the Canadian (and American in the States) Kennel Club. They usually come with a health guarantee, extensive support from the breeder, and if you know the breed well, a pure bred dog from a registered breeder is pretty much just what you imagined.

The problem with a pure bred, is they are extremely expensive. Usually no less than $400, some as high as $5,000 if the dog comes from a successful and strong family line.

So, you can get a dog for much less from a pet store, a dog rescue, or even the classified section of any online or print media.

These dogs may or may not come with any guarantees, may come from problem homes, so their behavior, and medical conditions may or may not be typical with the breed.

Then again, they may not be a breed -- they may be a mix. So you take your chances.

And you probably won't get much if any support from the person who sold you the dog -- they may just disappear as fast as your cheque clears their bank.

Now dogs, being living things, with unique personalities, behaviors, and medical histories aren't ebikes.

But I'd rather have the support, warranty and know-how of a quality ebike/escooter vender/dealer behind me, than taking my chances with just anyone.