So I have “new” bike (subjectively) about 9 months. And I spent about 2000 € on it (bike, and some accessories - rack, bags…) and I can tell that it is lot of bike for not that much money.
So now when I look back I can’t see it as “expensive” bike, just as reasonably priced for its purpose. I use it every day to commute and as bikepacking/touring bike so now it has ~6000 km.
So how much are you willing to spend on bike?
Edit: So I read your comments and I probably need to clarify little bit.
- I use the bike for everything instead of car so even nicer more expensive bike for me is justifiable.
- I also think that the bike industry is bonkers right now about shiny new expensive things.
- For me there is few types of riders and all parties try to upsell them some shit, there aren’t any 500€ bike with flat bars and rigid fork where I am. All of the bikes at this price point have shitty suntour fork, bad saddle, useless pedals and shitty tires. From my perspective they are expensive on the parts that don’t matter and cheap out on stuff that matters. If someone sell something like that (flat bar gravel with quality parts where it matters) it would be gamechanger.
- I had to build my bike, nothing like that (full steel gravel/bikepacking/do it all bike) wasn’t on the market/second hand market. It add to the price a bit. And it was about month before the prices get down to reasonable levels after pandemic.
Was looking at ebikes recently as maybe a car replacement. Holy hell those prices escalate quickly. Like Tern bikes going up to like $6.5k. Every car I’ve owned so far has been cheaper than that! And for something someone can just chuck in the back of a pickup and disappear with in seconds.
In what situation would you need an ebike over a regular bike? Or let me rephrase, what situation do you perceive as warranting an ebike over a regular bike?
Never owned one, not sure. Mostly just kind of curious. A cargo e-bike might be nice for supply runs and things like that.
If your distance is not greater than 10km one way, and relatively flat, you can probably easily do it with a decent commuter and a trailer or used chariot.
Can recommend.
Kind of prefer the idea of a cargo bike than a trailer. Maybe it’s just the cool factor. Been hoping to see a used big easy around my local but not yet.
I don’t know, this isn’t really about necessity. I’m probably just looking to add to the collection.
I got mine to get to work in my (hilly) city in the Southeastern U.S. with high summer temperatures. It’s nice to arrive at work or appointments without sweating buckets.
Budget ebikes are around $2000 CAD. And I guess it depends on your area but a good lock that can only be defeated by a handsaw is $200, tracking devices are also an option.
Also you might be able to get a car cheaper than $6.5k but what kind of maintenance cost is that going to have? Not to mention gas, insurance, and parking.
Did you type all this out thinking I wasn’t aware of bike locks (in a bicycling community no less) and the cost of my own vehicle?
I don’t have use for e-bike but I was looking at omniumcargo e-bikes just for reference and was also surprised that they start at 5000€.
But you can get cheaper e-bikes around 1500 € but with questionable quality of battery. I talked to someone who sells them and his opinion is that more expensive bike the better battery you get, motors and electronics are same.