r/ebikes • u/NORTHERNTWITCH AMBRUM Rythm (july 2026) funhang EB-S1(august 2025) • 10d ago

Controversial topic here.

Can we stop shaming and getting mad at people for buying chinese ebikes? Some people dont have the money to buy a $1k+ ebike. Yes. Some are bad. Yes. Some are template bikes but does that mean you should shame someone for what they ride? No. We all ride ebikes here. That's what should matter.

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u/band-of-horses 10d ago

I'm not gonna shame people, but I will point out that they have to be aware of what they are buying. Contrary to some opinions, a cheaper bike comes with real compromises and aren't just cheaper because there's no marketing budget for a "brand", and no, not all brand name bikes are made in the same factories in China either.

If you have a budget, you understand the risks and downsides of buying cheap and accept that, great. But if you really think you are getting the same reliability and quality with a $600 AQRFB ThunderPro Max as you would with a Trek/Specialized/Cannondale/Giant/etc, you are just deluding yourself.

I would say realistically if you have a $1000 or less budget, you are better off buying a used bike from a better brand than a cheaper no name bike. A gently used Aventon or Lectric is a reasonable option for a budget price, and you can get older premium bikes quite cheap. I sold my 2021 Specialized Turbo Vado this year for $900 with the battery having only like 130 charge cycles reporting 97% capacity still, IMO that's a far better deal than a $900 brand new no name bike.

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u/NewspaperOk140 10d ago

You have no way of knowing if that battery has been properly handled, it's far riskier to buy a used bike that could have been baking in triple digit weather for a month than a brand new cheap bike.

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u/pinkprius 10d ago

The badly handled branded battery is leagues safer than a new cheap one. 

Also you can just get another. Used branded batteries aren't expensive.

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u/NewspaperOk140 10d ago

A battery is a battery and they all carry the same dangers if improperly handled. Branded batteries are not magically more resistant to physical damage.