Better Buy Your Ebike Now!

[@ericberg7364]

My WIRED FREEDOM just turned 1 year old in MAY, OVER 3500miles. Still loving it!

[@leetjohnson]

That's a lot of miles!!!!

[@gregmccaslin7400]

I’m going to pedal for as long as I can . After that I’m going to mount a friction drive 49cc gas motor . 🎉

[@leetjohnson]

😆 good call!

[@addertooth1]

I ordered my next bike back in March. It should be finally delivered in mid-June. But, it was entirely pre-paid in full (not just a deposit). I had no idea at the time I was dodging this risk. It will make the fourth eBike purchased in the past 12 months. At the time I felt we were living in a golden age for eBikes, as the prices were declining and the quality and features was on a dramatic climb.

[@leetjohnson]

Yeah, the ebike market is changing all the time!!

[@Mark-qv4bn]

I was surprised it took 8 days to get my ebike here. From California to northern Arizona. Waiting months for an ebike I wouldn't like. Especially if they have my money. We have no new ebikes in my little town. So it's a long wait, my recent ebike weighs 85 pounds.

[@blipcat3382]

Just, ordered the twin battery 60v, Wired Freedom 9/6/24....still 1999.00 and it shipped the next day from Illinois.......went ahead and purchased the Suntour Suspension post, the DNM shock pump, phone mount and the rear rack bag from Wired as well.......no sales tax makes it a little easier on the pocket, even with the cost of shipping and insurance........total came in $225 less than the Mokwheel Obsidian w/ extra battery and accessories.........75 and still Alive.

[@leetjohnson]

@@blipcat3382 That's awesome! Let me know how you like it once it arrives! Mine will be here soon too!

[@jcc777]

The price is not the only thing they backtracked on. They had a sale and I ordered one. It was a Monday and I was told the sale ended on Sunday. I ordered the bike with the extra battery and the upgraded fork. Was told not only the sale price wouldn’t be honored but the price had increased. I was transferred to the owner. He told me he would honor the old price. Was sent back to the order desk. Placed my order. But she didn’t take my payment. Even after questions her about it. Never got a confirmation and the next few day when calling to confirm no one answered the phone. So I ordered a different bike from a different manufacturer. It may be a couple mph slower but has nearly double the e-cells battery capacity including the second battery. And has dual motors. And after I upgrade the controller will run right along with the one I didn’t get. And I will still be a 2-300 bucks ahead. I’m sure the E-cell bike is fine. But I’m starting to have my doubts about the company.

[@leetjohnson]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing this information, we all appreciate it!!

[@jefff6884]

This is my sign to build my own. I was going to buy a Five Star.. But nope I can copy all the specs and build my own for over half the price.

[@leetjohnson]

Good call!!

[@hottamalekid3502]

I believe the tariff is 25% and will apply to anything shipped after 6/15. ECELLS owner has been very transparent about this increase. He made tariff-free custom order cutoff the day after Memorial Day. He will not charge customers more if they ordered by cutoff. And if anyone pays tariff and tariff is withdrawn, he said he will refund everyone their 25% back. I hope this encourages American companies to start making this stuff here in the states...I hear the tariff is even higher on EVs.

[@leetjohnson]

Thanks for the info!!

[@johns5504]

Tariff won't be withdrawn. Tariff doesn't begin until June 15th. Anything earlier than that on ordered bikes in transit to America is collecting on something that doesn't yet exist.

[@FubarMike]

All this terrif stuff is going to accomplish is push people into buying cheaper more dangerous bikes that used to be 700-800$ but will be over 1k with terriffs or even building their own hodge podge custom thing that complies with no laws.

[@leetjohnson]

Yeah, it's a bummer for sure.

[@Mark-qv4bn]

Some, but not me. I'm still buying another one, even though both my ebikes are almost new. I ride daily and pedal. It's my main mode of transportation until winter. If it's raining, I drive my truck. The store is 1 1/2 miles away, with saddlebags on the rack I do my shopping. I love my ebikes.

[@jfly2249]

You should do a video on the e cell torque sensor fail. Didn’t think it would work as Wired experimented with torque sensors with the KT controller and found them unmanageable. E cells never tested one with a torque sensor and now they have sent out a bunch that apparently really suck. I’m sure e cells with their f rating from the BBB will make everyone whole.

[@leetjohnson]

Interesting...

[@hottamalekid3502]

People just started receiving their torque sensor bikes yesterday. I was bummed to hear about issues some were having. But they're thinking its a fix that can be done in onboard settings. in the Facebook owner group, someone already found a setting that fixed the issue for them. I hope it is as simple as that and that it works for others. Regardless, this is valuable information that we consumers will benefit from... in the near future bike makers (Ecells, Wired, etc) will be able to offer us affordable options/customizations.

[@leetjohnson]

@@hottamalekid3502 that is a bummer, I hope they fix it.

[@jfly2249]

I don’t think the KT controller is designed to work with a torque sensor, it’s too old. Trying to adjust the settings not designed for a torque sensor is not going to produce a good result. I think one of the reasons Wired switched controllers, besides the higher power, is that they can easily add a combo torque/cadence sensor if they want. The KT was limited on power and obsolete in functionality.

[@jfly2249]

It is crystal clear that e cells hasn’t tested any of the new bikes they are selling. The next fail is going to be the 24inch wheels which is going to be pedal strike city followed by the step thru that you can’t actually step thru. If cells had ever tried a torque sensor with the KT controller, they would have realized it doesn’t work very well. If e cell had tried their 5 star, they wouldn’t have the problem with the shock hitting the battery. If e cells had tried a Gates drive, they would have realized you need an expensive automatic transmission. E cells is a fraud and is imploding on itself as you read this.

[@victorkoc6658]

Thank you. Waiting for it to arrive June 15, New Wired Freedom. Now need to pre order.?

[@leetjohnson]

Yeah, they have to be pre-ordered.

[@hottamalekid3502]

I thought if your bike is shipped after 6/15, you're paying 25% tariff.

[@leetjohnson]

@@hottamalekid3502 maybe....I think once you pay, you're locked into that price...otherwise could be considered bait and switch.

[@jarhead3038]

I got a $450.00 rebate on my bike here in Colorado. 👍

[@leetjohnson]

That's amazing!!

[@daveyJ213]

Thanks for the information. Good fishing there at the lake?

[@leetjohnson]

Fishing is decent, the water skiing and jetskiing is epic!!

[@johns5504]

Did some math and also found out a few things, All steel and aluminum gets hit with the tariff, and increases amount to 17.5% because of the already existing 7.5%. So 300-400 added on a $2000 bike sounds ballpark.

[@leetjohnson]

Interesting!!

[@garywillhoit]

Tariffs are on imports. Many for revenue . Bikes made in China with metal from China. No tariff. It’s warm, bike prices rise. There are lots of bargains out there. Competition has driven down prices already.

[@johns5504]

@@garywillhoit President Biden is calling on the USTR to consider tripling the existing 301 tariff rate on Chinese steel and aluminum. The current average tariff on certain steel and aluminum products is 7.5% under Section 301.Apr 17, 2024 Straight from the WH before the decision. The decisions obviously been rendered and up go the prices June 15th

[@garywillhoit]

@@johns5504 Chinese bikes made with Chinese steel. Steel and aluminum tariffs only affects the bikes we make. Not many American made ebikes.

[@johns5504]

@@garywillhoit Our bikes made here get no tariffs here. The push to place tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum speaks directly to, though not exclusively to these price hikes. If they are made from many other places including here there are no,additional costs.

[@ishgumi44]

You can't blame companies for raising their prices to reflect the change in the tariffs. Their margins are very slim and they shouldn't be expected to take the hit. I just hope they don't take this opportunity to raise them up and beyond that point as an excuse to increase profits. I guess competition will take care of that.

[@leetjohnson]

100%!!!

[@garywillhoit]

How much tariff is there on Chinese ebikes? Are there any $1000 to $1500 ebikes made of American components? The 5 American ebike companies use parts from other countries. Steel and aluminum tariffs would have a negligible effect on a bikes price made here. But an ebike tariffs would affect imported bikes.

[@leetjohnson]

It will be hard to find any American made bikes as most are imported from China, even though some are based or even designed in the USA.

[@StayConnectedEV]

They have stock.. Pretty simple $1995 minus if you use influencer code $100.. Then Wired wont be shipping till “end of June” they will get hit with the tax and it will be insanely expensive. Getting the E_Cells is the best deal

[@leetjohnson]

They have stock of the stock 5 star....any upgrade or chage is subject to the $300 surcharge as will any future imports. If you pay for the Wired Freedom now, an additional fee won't be legal to add after the fact...that would technically be bait and switch.

[@StayConnectedEV]

@@leetjohnson no matter what end June delivery will have the tax for Wired

[@leetjohnson]

@@StayConnectedEV Are you sure about that?

[@Freedom_eRider]

Stay Connected EV, we all appreciate your perspective, but your statements lack credibility. You seem to be an individual without much integrity. I don't say this lightly. For context, TailhappyTV has 103k subscribers and 34 million views, Citizen Cycle has 43k subscribers and 7.9 million views, while Stay Connected EV has 101k subscribers and only 691k views. With that many subscribers, you should have around 25 million views. The disparity in subscribers vs views suggests you don't actually have anywhere near 100k subscribers. Based on average views per subscriber your channel, Stay Connected EV likely has around 2,690 subscribers. So you see, it's very difficult to trust anything you say, as you've clearly not been completely honest with your KZbin channel. On a side nose, eCells has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. People should really think twice before purchasing anything from them.

[@StayConnectedEV]

@@Freedom_eRider the channel is verified at 100k and we received our 100k plaque. Verified channels are checked for any fake sub accounts or suspicious activity. This is all spelled out in the partner program. My suggestion is put the effort on your channel than you did researching our channel you’ll see you can do it too. Have great day!

[@ConfusedDodoBird-zz4un]

Velotric has already raised their prices between $200 to $300 on all models. Just happened for the Father’s Day not so sale.

[@leetjohnson]

Interesting! Thank you for letting us know.

[@JohnBabcock-qy1cs]

So these government incentives that some states are offering will really be a life saver. $1,000 for green incentive on bikes.

[@leetjohnson]

For sure. Many of them get canceled or don't actually get approved into state legislation.

[@povertybay3260]

That could be a lifesaver for some of us on social security I've gotten to the point where owning a car with all the costs just doesn't work for me the buses in Detroit is a lousy option but a fat tire bike that I can hop to the store and back real quick without all the costs of owning a car means better food and new sneakers 😁

[@JohnBabcock-qy1cs]

@povertybay3260 I live down river. No busses here. Lol. I live close to a bunch of stores but winter I'm not sure I will bike it much

[@jambergee7929]

What part of the trail do you ride? Start and end point.

[@leetjohnson]

I ride in from Auburn Folsom Road by Cavitt Middle School and usually ride up to Main Beach.

[@jambergee7929]

@@leetjohnson No entry fee that way right?

[@leetjohnson]

@jambergee7929 on a bike you can go in from any part, no fees. I live nearby so I just ride over. Some people park by the school and ride in.

[@benitodelrio9059]

Wired bottom line is just better than Ecells because they’ve gone over their bikes more than Ecells has huh?

[@leetjohnson]

That's what I have heard too.

[@jfly2249]

It is funny that after slamming Wired for being so expensive, e cells is first to jack their prices to the point that they are currently not competitive, not that the bikes are close in performance with Wired now having 1000 more peak watts. I hope Wired doesn’t raise their prices and uses this as an opportunity to take market share from the more mainstream e bike market. I’d bet two lawyers from Chicago who negotiate for a living have a much lower cost structure than a ex con former mobile home salesman from Nowhere NV. I’d also bet it 50/50 that the exemption will be extended at the last minute as it is really incredibly stupid economically, environmentally, and politically. What a dumb move to piss off voters by jacking the price of their e bikes. It’s not like e bikes come from anywhere but China.

[@leetjohnson]

Yeah, it's definitely going to slow down sales a bit.

[@Goesriding]

Wired released a price increase warning around the same time ecells did.

[@z32plus2]

This tariff is here because election coming up, it's stupid because there are really no good business cases for affordable bikes manufacturing in America, just like housing we don't see cheap new houses only big house, American companies have to make money lots money, "affordable" is not possible, American CEOs have to take big pay packages, American workers have to pay health insurance, no way American can make anything affordable, look at our pickup truck $80k-100k, now $2k ebike? No freaking way! more like $4k American ebike

[@robertstanderford8438]

Bought mine 3 weeks ago and waiting on delivery. Hope they don’t try to Jack up my price.

[@leetjohnson]

If you already bought it, you should be good....hopefully!!

[@Thom_Yorky]

Put my order in 3 weeks ago as well. Can't wait!

[@darinsmith2458]

Everything is changing with ebikes so much that I am just going to wait.. I am still waiting for these companies to have a geared hub so that I could go up the Rockies without needing tons of power and going through tons of power..

[@leetjohnson]

You are correct, things are changing quickly.

[@addertooth1]

@darinsmith2458 what you are looking for is an eBike with a mid-drive motor. You shift your derailer to a low gear, and the torque is huge. When you are on the flat lands, or going downhill, you shift to a taller gear. Geared hub motors are not the solution to your problem.

[@darinsmith2458]

@@addertooth1 i have actually ridden a couple mid-drive ebikes.. one was a reise & mueller and the other was specialized and i am pretty sure the other was vaast.. i am pretty sure they all had torque sensors but it was uncomfortable to drive..

[@johns5504]

I hear geared hub can run hot. Get one thats been well reviewed.

[@darinsmith2458]

@@johns5504 Thank you.. I will try to keep that in mind..

[@groovr22]

Nice topic. Thanks for covering it. My only constructive criticism (not that you asked for my opinion - Lol) is that you repeated yourself a bit... But I've been telling all my friends that have been on the fence that it's time to decide or pay more money in the future.

[@leetjohnson]

Thank you, I did notice that when editing and was going to cut parts out, but I must have missed them.

[@groovr22]

No worries, man... I appreciate your calm style of video. Always good info. Keep it up.!

[@leetjohnson]

@@groovr22 Thank you so much!

[@JohnBabcock-qy1cs]

What about Canadian Bikes shipped from Canada but has some Chinese parts.

[@leetjohnson]

Good question...I'm not 100% sure to be honest.

[@JohnBabcock-qy1cs]

@@leetjohnson like Fabulous/Furious .. They would be more attractively priced

[@leetjohnson]

@JohnBabcock-qy1cs I think it's any imports to the US...but I could be wrong. I know it is meant to protect domestic production.

[@JohnBabcock-qy1cs]

@leetjohnson Might be worth a trip for me. I live 5-6 miles from Canada. Can toss a bike in the back of my vehicle and go home with it, looking like a regular tourist. If need be, I can toss a junk bike in back and just give it away. Come home with the new bike in its place.

[@leetjohnson]

@@JohnBabcock-qy1cs you should do it and let me know it goes

[@SuperSlappy25]

Are those the tires that came with the bike? they look like 4.5"

[@leetjohnson]

Yep, they are stock, 4" x 26".

[@SuperSlappy25]

@@leetjohnson maybe look bigger without the fenders

[@leetjohnson]

@@SuperSlappy25 I think you might be right.

[@SuperSlappy25]

@@leetjohnson looks awesome

[@charliehustle5312]

consumers are always the losers in these trade wars.

[@leetjohnson]

For sure.

[@CNclov2005]

Luckly I’ve already purchased my wired freedom so I am so happy about that I got it at the price that got it with

[@leetjohnson]

Awesome!!

[@CNclov2005]

@@leetjohnson yes! Now that it’s June do you think there gonna make a release date for the freedom plus

[@leetjohnson]

@undergroundcreeper7997 I'm not 100% sure yet, might get pushed to July or late June.

[@CNclov2005]

@@leetjohnson I mean they did expect a mid to late June delivery so I think the release date might be on time

[@leetjohnson]

@@CNclov2005 it might! Fingers crossed 🤞

[@mikej.5027]

Yep meelod raised their price $400 I was gonna purchase a e bike for 1,599 now it's 1,999

[@leetjohnson]

Wow! That's quite the jump!

[@mikej.5027]

@@leetjohnson Ya and I've been talking to them quite a bit this past week never mentioned a price increase. So I just ended up ordering the 300k pro for the price of 1,299

[@leetjohnson]

@@mikej.5027 interesting, let me know how you like the bike!

[@mikej.5027]

@@leetjohnson I will. Thanks this is my 3rd bike but one is for the mrs but I also have the wired freedom

[@mikej.5027]

​@@leetjohnsonSo I ended up canceling the order for the dk300 pro and just went ahead and placed an order for the dk300 max instead. They said the pro was gonna ship out in August and I wasn't gonna wait that long. $100 off and a free rear rack gift for pre-ordering the max!

[@armagedon515]

Thanks man but the video can be cut down in half as you repeat the same thing over an over.

[@leetjohnson]

@armagedon515 thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it!

[@mobi1etone]

FJB. Got my ebike a month ago, and loving it. Shenzhen/Hidoes 48v 1200w cruiser that i've customised. Retro vibe.

[@leetjohnson]

Awesome!

[@SchoolforHackers]

FDT. Shame we got into a trade war with China. Hope US manufacturers can jump in and make lower-priced bikes.

[@daniellarusso8012]

Trump is a convicted felon, lol. Who initiated the China tariffs again? :)

[@mobi1etone]

@@SchoolforHackers So Trump increased the tariffs on ebikes did he? 🤣

[@daniellarusso8012]

@@mobi1etone These China tariffs are literally referred to as the 'Trump tariffs' on Wikipedia. :)

[@alphonsosanchez5138]

If that's the case, they can keep their ebike.

[@leetjohnson]

@alphonsosanchez5138 it's definitely a bummer

[@JohnBabcock-qy1cs]

Order 10 bikes and sell them for only 200 over the today price and make $2,000 😀

[@leetjohnson]

I'm sure that will be happening here and there!!

[@EricLoeser]

That's another reason we need to bring back America made products. No more pride left in this country. Oh well..we will never learn our lesson. Corporate greed kills.

[@leetjohnson]

100%

[@EricLoeser]

We all guilty of buying into the Chinese and Mexico made or assembled products. Especially me. And I guess we can make up excuses that we had no other alternative. But like I said I hope this is going to be a wake up call. Time will tell.

[@2tuffHD]

More like Greedy Unions...

[@The_Algorithm_]

​@@2tuffHDHow are unions greedy for fighting for their members to have fair wages and good benefits for their families? The problem isn't the unions, it's the corporations that refuse to lower profits so their employees can be paid a fair wage.

[@BrandonSorenson-fb3gg]

The problem is the public traded companies being incentivize infinite growth. Grow at 10%? Last year? Better grow at 15% next year or you will have to lay off half your work force