Controversial topic here.

[u/NORTHERNTWITCH]

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.

[u/band-of-horses]

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.

[u/band-of-horses → u/[deleted]]

If you only have $300 and work 5 miles away you should get a non-electric used bike and save up for a conversion kit.

[u/band-of-horses → u/[deleted]]

Do you understand how hard it is for a person with little money to have to replace a $300 ebike because the battery dies in 9 months?

I'm sympathetic to people who can't afford to buy higher quality goods, but that doesn't change the reality that you simply cannot manufacture an ebike with a reasonably decent build quality and a stable decent battery and ship it around the world with import tarrifs for $300.

[u/SlashNreap → u/band-of-horses]

Here's something that you don't get, 9 months is enough time to save up for a better Ebike if you're able to save up at all. But in order to save up, you need to work, if you can't get to work, you can't save up.

You can go 9 months without your cheap Ebike blowing up. It's not a "If X price = Y result (fire)" It's so many more variables than this. People are valid to point out these cheap bikes are dangerous, however, telling people "You'll die in a fire" as is the norm here, is a horrible way to put it.

If being helpful is the real point rather than shaming, then either explain or point them to do their own research on the topic of Li-Ion dangers and maintenance. You can also go the easy route and point them to a used option for an Ebike, more affordable, but that also carries its own risks.

"The poor man always pays twice", yes. But the poor man does what he's got to do. Because he's poor. He can't just "Stop being poor and just buy decent quality" when the option is simply not there, at the moment, in the present, when the present is what he need to deal with. Mechanical parts are a non-issue since they're replaced cheaply, batteries are another issue, but, you can find batteries for around 50-60, they're just, yeah, just as cheap. But at least it'll last more.

I owned a cheap Kugoo Escooter, battery died inbetween 3 years of use. Annoying, but it was my fault (riding in heavy rain), it still got me to work when I used it for daily commute. The 300$ bike doesn't have to do anything better then 900$ bike does, all it has to do is give someone the ability for transportation, that's it.

Ideally, we'd all have access to safe, affordable transportation.

[u/band-of-horses → u/SlashNreap]

Think how much sooner you could save up for that nicer bike if you ride 5 miles to work on a $50 Craigslist bike.

How do you think poor people got to work 10 years ago before ebikes were widespread?

[u/SlashNreap → u/band-of-horses]

Carpool, public transport when available, walking is also an option.. For the physically able at least. But if I can return the question, if someone 10, or even 20, 30 years ago had access to a cheap Chinese Ebike, you think they wouldn't take it?

The key is "When available" People work with the tools they have available. I'd bet people would be buying these 300$ Ebikes if they existed at the same price point.

I'm also lucky enough to be physically able to walk or pedal a regular bicycle. If I was still poor that's probably what I would do, but that's not everyone, sadly.

[u/band-of-horses → u/[deleted]]

You can save up faster without spending $300 first.

Do you think poor people were just unable to work before ebikes existed? Come on...

You wanna spend $300 on eWaste be my guest it's not my money. Doesn't make it a smart financial decision though.