Utility e-bikes
 

Any folks in this forum interested in utility e-bikes?

I'm looking to replace my folding bike to an utility e-bike for running errands within Manhattan, Brooklyn & Queen, NY.

I stumbled onto some interesting websites that offer direct sales/import from Chinese manufacturers of e-bikes/e-transport, which offers minimal order of 5 units per shipment order: https://triunigroup.en.made-in-china.com/

Some of their models are very similar to Radbikes models of utility bikes:
With dual 48v batteries & 750w motor, these things are likely to have 30 mph capability & 35-50 mile range easy:
https://i.imgur.com/GiBIMCI.jpg

Anyone with an import license and interested in a group-buy among this forum for utility e-bikes?
I have zero affiliation with the website nor the e-bike companies.
Just sharing something I find interesting that might open direct-purchase market for utility e-bikes.

You can certainly see the Rad and Tern DNA in these bikes.

No interest in anything made in China. Thanks.

you wont get 30mph out a 750 watt hub motor.

Endless Sphere has had a few group buys for motors, but the logistics of one for complete bikes seem complicated (unless all the individuals resided in close proximity) IMO. Otherwise a great idea since I'd like an inexpensive cargo bike.

Any specific cargo bike you might be interested in?

Where are you located? near LA?

I can deal with domestic logistics.

60 or so south of LA. Something with a design like the Yuba Kombi would be nice.

The Tern GSD is a much better bike and more reliable electronics and better brakes and gears and well everything. Heck I might even go so far as to say the Radpower crap is an iota or two better. At least with Radpower I can sort of get support for them.

Would something like this work for you?

https://triunigroup.en.made-in-china...rgo-Ebike.html

https://i.imgur.com/wyEZciV.jpg

Something like that with a "normal" frame/handlebar system is in the ballpark. One thing to consider is that shipping the battery alone is a monumental task which is as much a reason as any to have all the individuals involved in close proximity. These days you need to be a HAZMAT broker or utilize one in order to ship a battery; the potential ramifications of not doing this are very expensive.

Can you specify a "normal" frame/handlebar system?
Something similar to this?
https://triunigroup.en.made-in-china...argo-Bike.html
https://i.imgur.com/n9FXCNd.jpg

That's what I meant.

I've purchased enough bike related items from China to know what to avoid.
It helps to speak Chinese, know how they conduct business & understand their culture.

After few days of messaging with 3 different Chinese e-bike manufacturers, I got to place an order for my cargo bike, expect delivery by Xmas.
https://i.imgur.com/IwpIRsY.png

^^^What is that black oblong down by the bottom bracket?

Controller plus wiring for dual batteries.

Nice looking bike. Is it fair to ask the price for the bike and shipping cost? I've attempted to get cost data from Aliexpress or Alibaba (can't remember which), but couldn't get a cost to ship.

01 DEC 2020, Received an update on my Chinese Cargo bike order.
Cargo e-bike has been built, packed up & picked up by ground transport to be carried to sea port for sea transport to US.
Estimate 25-50 days to delivery at my location.
Not sure if legit, or just trying to make me feel better, Chinese contact sent a picture of the bike on factory floor:
I see changes to kickstand to centerstand on frame, seat & grips color difference & frame gusset just under the headtube looks different.
https://i.imgur.com/WH1WlYb.jpg

Cargo ebike delivered today, came in a sturdy wooden box wrapped in shrink-wrap...
https://i.imgur.com/yDZ6iAJ.jpg

Inside the wooden box is heavy cardboard box:
https://i.imgur.com/xirbntL.jpg

Bike was well protected for its surface shipping journey:
https://i.imgur.com/VSDO2Xv.jpg

Assembly was straightforward, done in 30 min. with minimal tools.
https://i.imgur.com/ZvgYBjU.jpg

Batteries are still at 80% charge, just need some rain to clear out the salt on the roads to take it out for a spin.
https://i.imgur.com/Je7c83q.jpg

Centerstand is a bit crude in fabrication, I think I might look for an alternative.

That's a great looking bike. Thanks for showing and is it 20 or 28 mph?

Spec sheet shows max 40km/h.. 24.8 mph..

It's a cargo bike, will be used in NYC metro among congested motor vehicle traffic; I don't expect to spend significant amount of time at top speed with throttle.

Look forward to reading your impressions of the general quality of this cargo ebike. Hope you don’t mind some questions -

What’s your general impression of the fit and finish compared to a ‘name-brand’ bike?
Are the brakes/shifters/hubs/crankset/tires/suspension fork branded?
Does the suspension fork feel at all plush? What’s the travel - 100mm?
Are the disc brakes mechanical or hydraulic?
Are the wheels trued well?
What is the bike’s total weight with one/two batteries?
Are there mounts/provisions for lashing cargo onto the rear rack?
Am I missing something or did it take about 3.5 months to arrive from time of order?
Did you pay 100% up front? If yes, what recourse do you have if things aren’t entirely kosher?

This cargo bike is not meant for performance cycling.
Just as any eBay purchase, you pay in full when you place the order, I use my credit card the have fraud protection and allow me to dispute the charges of things goes wrong.
Chinese bicycle manufacturing quality have advanced leaps & bounds in the last 25+ years that I have worked in the body of industry.
I will use this cargo ebike as a daily delivery vehicle in Brooklyn, among congested motor vehicle traffic, where max speed will likely be under 20 mph.
It will be carrying leftover food items from local schools to homeless shelters.
My priority is to have a cheap ebike that has the capacity to carry large volume of load & just reliable as the Door-dash, UBEReats, delivery folks in NYC that ride their ebikes in all weather, day after day.
Speed was never a priority for this cargo ebike.
Specs on components were included in my previous post, they nothing fancy, just workhorse items.
Wheels are found & true.
Yes it did take 3.5 month to get to Brooklyn with surface shipping from China.
I don't have a scale to weigh the bike, but lightweight was not what I was looking for.
Right now the streets in Brooklyn have 3ft high snow piles, salt & slush on just about every road.
Schools are closed for their week long winter break until Presidents Day.
I will will get bike out for rides when temperature get s above freezing & roads are clean of salt & slush.

Finally the streets are somewhat dry & clean of salt.. took the cargo bike out for a short spin..
Battery shows +53V, and the motor feels like it.. the raw torque of this motor/battery combo is "fast" from my short 2 mile ride in 35 F temperature.
https://i.imgur.com/4bDvWSe.jpg
You can setup the max speed for the motor with handlebar buttons:
Lowest top speed at walking mode, 6.2 mph (10km/h):
https://i.imgur.com/Vz51QzD.jpg
Highest setting 43.7mph (76km/h).
https://i.imgur.com/ThoCHFH.jpg

I added a suspension seatpost, changed out the original seat.
https://i.imgur.com/8tsb1Lo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PbaO4l7.jpg
Soon to add a large insulated box in the rear.

Can you provide a link to where you bought it (eBay, alibaba, etc)? I saw a similar looking bike online listed at nearly $3k.

Does it really hit 43.7 MPH? If so that's crazy fast. With one battery, what is the max MPH?

Any idea what it weighs? Over 100 lbs?

I get that for city riding it's really helpful to maintain a narrow profile but from years of riding a cargo bike around city streets, I recommend carrying loads on the sides of the frame rather than on top where the seat cushion is, lowers the center of gravity for a more stable ride. I previously had an Xtracycle-equipped bike and their bags were super useful though I get they may not be big enough for some uses.