Have Certain Ebike Companies Stalled In Innovation?

Are some companies stalled where others are pulling ahead?
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[@Ebiketips1]

Just turn the front light on and come back in 2-3 hours😀

[@ferguson8143]

Good morning, ebike people!

[@richarddkearney]

For me, when I'm on a trail I don't normally get the "You're Cheating" or "that bike is illegal". What I get is "What are you riding?" "How much does it cost?" or even "Don't those large tires create greater resistance?" In my area, curiosity in the main focus of the questions, not anger.

[@RussIsRight]

You are lucky! 😊

[@hazeover100]

I'm in the Chicago area and put 800 miles on an Aventon Aventure this year with about half of that on bike paths. I rarely get any negative comments. I do get a bunch of questions, mainly how fast does it go, what is the range and how much does it cost. In addition to the more miles, more interactions with people that you have, your bikes are fully decked out in front with big dual mirrors and other accessories and you're wearing a camera and are sometimes talking to yourself so you probably stand out a little more. Enjoy the channel, keep up the good work

[@ebikeengineer]

I don't see much more innovation till we start getting solid state batteries. Right now e-bikes can go as fast as the law allows and get pretty good range. What I'd like to see is an industry standards organization. Where standard cables/connectors/controller pin outs are established. This would be an innovation in repair and maintenance of our bikes.

[@paulketchum6819]

Hey Russ, I think the ebike industry is evolving with many new companies, cheaper prices, and improved standard features pertaining to power, range, speed and quality. It's a new frontier, it'll either expand or retrack and many new businesses will not survive. RAD is done, expanded too quickly and didn't change with the times. Lets hope Magicycle, my favorite ebike company, establishes itself in the industry, has the innovation to improve their standard features along with keeping the prices competitive while maintaining its quality.

[@owenoiffer]

So glad you talked about Rad it’s really a sad story although I think they took a bad rap on the lawsuits, that said there services and reliability issues really had an effect on the brand

[@DrTofutybeast]

Thank you for these comments... I have tested 2 dozen ebikes and owned 5. Now I have 2 + 5 non e between me and my teen daughter. I'm very tempted to buy a Lectric 3 st but still riding a 2019 Rad st with 3" x 20 & Go city for her. Rad has a new bike out that is excellent but their other bikes are not interesting to me. I hope they can survive. The battery fire issue is a concern.

[@russelllewis5935]

I think companies should go for more battery power or longer range.. Speed is only going to cause more harm to the ebike community..

[@Jhubble515]

I think people aren't buying because the technology is like when computers first came out, every few months something better comes out and people wait. Also because of this, people are afraid to buy some bikes because as soon as new products come out, there are no parts to fix the one you have because they have stopped production. Right now, people know first of the year will bring out the new models so why buy something that will be outdated in 2 months. The market is also swamped with new companies every day. I see a new brand almost daily. Bad thing is people buy thinking they have a 2 year warranty and the company doesn't last and neither does your warranty. A lot of the companies won't last 2 years.

[@bassw1758]

I think we're going to see a lot more rebranding,

[@seniorebikeadventures]

I see more customers are looking for range over speed. As my subs and comments I get. My subs and views have also changed from 50-70 years old to 35-50 according to my analytics.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

I think that e bike companies have to appeal to even older folks that have not been on a bike for decades, thus the onset of new e trikes. No issues there with balance or inability to ride it for older, less capable folks. Plus they are useful for errands to the store.

[@TheCaptain756]

Good question! I feel like a lot of bike companies are doing a reset or reevaluating their positions in the market and the type of ebikes they can sell successfully. I'm seeing more ebikes with dual suspension, bigger motors, more voltage and bigger batteries. Personally, I think hydralic brakes and left side mirror should be mandatory when an ebike is sold. The whole UL certification thing will get louder and there are still questions about class 3 ebikes, e.g. max speed, throttle vs. pedaling, motor size, etc. Bike paths should have posted speed limits for ALL bikes. They are making battery wraps for Li-ion batteries to prevent runaway fires and developing extinguishers for Li-ion batteries too. A new company in Detroit wants to manufacture ebikes and collaborate with current US ebike companies to bring manufacturing of ebikes back to the USA. Will it happen? The Consumer Product Safety Commission wants to regulate ebikes, but doesn't have the money or wherewithal to enforce anything. In a nutshell, it's still a wild west. Regardless of incremental innovations, a quality ebike will keep us happy.

[@escheidl]

I think you might be getting critical comments Russ because of the mirrors you have on your bike. Combined with the fat tires It makes your bike look like a motorcycle. I had those same mirrors on my fat tire e-bike and I replaced them with small round ones that poke out the ends of the handlebars. They work fine for my needs and make my e-bike look more conventional. I see more e-bikes coming out now with torque sensors and also more comfortable seats standard. E-bikes appeal to the elderly and comfort is paramount. At the same time they would like to get a little exercise on the bike so the torque sensor will help there. You just have to make sure that the gearing on a torque sensor e-bike doesn't allow for ghost peddling or you'll never be able to see your top speed. No torque on the pedals, no assist. And I think the misnomer that the e-bike industry is suffering is because there are so many new companies jumping in to get a piece of the pie. The competition is fierce. But as we continue to effortlessly ride past bicycles on grades like there is no grade, more and more people will be switching to e-bikes. The future is the e-bike. The competition just has to run it's course and balance out. It's survival of the fittest.

[@jackferriday5022]

My concern with this "booming" ebike market is that the company you buy from will go out of business, or change their line of bikes so that you won't be able to get new batteries or parts for the bike you bought. Heck, I still have a Schwinn Le Tour from 1980 that still works. Will my Propella S7 be working in 10 - 15 - 20 years? Will I be able to get a new battery and parts for it in 2040? I can get parts that fit my Schwinn. You pay over a thousand dollars for an ebike whose company may go out of business in two years. I think it's quite a concern for many of us. (Enjoy your videos, Russ. Thanks.)

[@ChuckLunch44]

Russ, look into doing a KZbin on the new bike cameras front and back like the new INNOVV K6 and Cycliq cameras I would love to hear your take on them.

[@RussIsRight]

Check out Rip1Outdoors. He has a rear view camera and monitor. I just prefer a side view mirror.

[@Marilynlovesebiking]

Hi Russ. Yes, I remember when it took months to get an ebike! I fortunately ordered early and got mine in a short time then the second one I bought was from a bike shop so it was there at the store already. I would assume the rush to get an ebike is slower since pandemic times but the folks who want to ride an ebike, growing. I hope more and more folks want to try an ebike. There are an awful lot of companies! Hard to keep up with them. Glad to have youtube influencers to review them for us!

[@arthurschwarz3359]

I have a magicycle cruiser pro, and have only gotten positive comments and questions from people, most people say "cool bike"

[@bobk18]

I haven’t heard anyone make this comparison yet, so here it is. In the early to late 70’s there were over 250 companies selling their own name branded snowmobiles. Today there are 4 companies that make up 95% of the snowmobile market with one of them (Yamaha) announcing they will stop selling snowmobiles in 2025. I see this trend with E-bikes but it’s not going to happen overnight. I’ve always thought Rad was overpriced for what you got. Present day Trikes aren’t all that great for people with mobility issues in my opinion. I know 2 people that had trikes and sold them just because they weren’t that much fun to ride. Big and clumsy they said. Honestly how many trikes do you see on the trails or roads? I can see someone coming out with a quad specifically designed for people with mobility concerns that everyone will want. People will be applying for handicap plackets just so they ride them. My bold prediction for 2024. I’ll stick to my trails and shared path. I’ve only had one person tell me I wasn’t allowed on a trail. That is in over 13,000km of riding now. I ride 20x4 fat tire e-bikes so they are not huge and don’t draw a lot of attention I guess. Which is fine with me.

[@cherylnewell9912]

Ok to night I ran across You Tuber name Barry. He was saying that Rad is closing stores in New York, and terminating jobs. The store in St Petersburg is left open. Guess your right. 😭

[@TonyFromSyracuse101]

One small nitpick for me is the amount of wires you see on e-bikes…. Mine is the lectric 3.0. It just looks messy. I would like to see them all housed.

[@davidfarm8095]

I don't have any problem with being alone on my rides. The only trail is a road that's 8 miles long I don't think i will see anyone now that hunting season is over. it's a gravel road if i can make it to the top it will be easier coming back down.

[@mikemorgan8588]

Companies should offer LiFePO4 batteries to counter the dangerous fire hysteria.

[@randymcgill7981]

I feel ebike industry is still rising. To try for more speed is a very dangerous road for companies to go down. A few high speed crashes will bring more calls for legislation. With so many companies out there I would look for consolidation of companies in the future. I think you will start seeing more affordable bikes with transmissions and belt drives.

[@UncleJam5624]

I think they are going to copy regular mountain bikes. I have a mountain bike that I purchased used maybe five years ago with full suspension. I see more gears seven is not enough, and cheaper mid-drive ebikes.

[@IMBruceECLECTIC]

Great video and great discussion. RAD one of the first mainstream ebike builders....I think in 2024....they need to get bike speeds up to 28mph to compete. I think they are still 20 mph bikes. When I first started exploring ebikes...in 2019...RAD was one of the choices but with my weight at 350+ lbs...only their cargo bike was an option...and I saw a sale where it was down to around $1200...and I did not do it becuase of the 20mph limit. I think u r going to see inexpensive 48volt bikes and more companies shifting to 52 volts and more 60 volts. But right now Trade Publications have articles discussing a "glut" in the bicycle world...electric and traditional becuase more companies and businesses thought pandemic era demand and buying would continue but it has not. Great job..thank you for the insightful video.

[@bwilsonprivate]

I’m with you , Russ. I prefer riding solo. Less distraction and more time to clear the mind. Also, down here in Will County, the drivers are nuts. Stay safe on those streets buddy! Been down in an intersection more than once due to distracted drivers. Love the content.

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

Rad thought that they can sell the same China stuff that all the others sell for a pricetag, where you get bikes from premium manufactures. They even come over to Europe some years ago. At the end of 2023 they shut down the European business. The prices where rediculous, the parts cheap and that ended up in some hughe recalls, what probably ruins them. Also Himiway thought, now we're premium and look how they are dissapearing from the radar, as other companies are taking over. These bikes have to stay affordable, or people will buy premium at premium manufactures. There is no need to pay 2500$ for bikes with the cheapest components money can buy. It's interesting how devided the market is today. On the one side there is this cheapo fatbike-company market and on the other side is the whole big chunk of well known companies. It seems like these fatbike companies speak to a totally different type of customer. I find this to be very interesting, as even here in Europe there is this growing mass of fatbikes and customers that are totally different to the normal middrive centered market. The market itself is definitly slowing down because of the inflation wave that hits us all. Even some big brands said that they will skip 2024 for new bikes, as they have to much in stock from 2023.

[@EBikeBuilder_]

It seems like Rad is having problems in the customer support department. i see a lot of people complaining about Rad customer service on Reddit . They were big a few years back. It’s Crazy they opened up stores and closed them already! 😮 their reputation at this point, is everyone is aware their motors/controllers are underpowered. There are many bikes that copied the same design aesthetic, with more competitive specs. Rad also had a few big recalls, and wrongful death lawsuit. Ultimately i think they failed to stay competitive (nonetheless innovate). They were selling bogus underpowered 500w ebikes calling them “750w” for way too long. Everyone knows radpower bikes only go like 20mph. Lectric on the other hand seems willing to push it past 750w peak.

[@rternowski]

Love my Rad City 4 2020!

[@gimpman1357]

Right now eBikes are in the Wild West phase where anything goes. Soon you are going to see some REGULATION followed by more REGULATION followed by even more REGULATION. You mentioned a requirement for batteries to be certified. I also see cities restricting max speeds and where you can ride. Finally don't be surprised if you will have to register/license your bike and pay for insurance. You might even have to wear a helmet which would kill the industry in some parts of the U.S.A. PS. In the past I've flown drones for years with no restrictions. Today I need to pass a licencing test. I'm told where I can fly and how far. And soon every drone will be outfitted with remote ID so the authorities (and others) can identify where the drone is and who is flying.

[@elayned6147]

This is sadly true.

[@Joerides7]

I hope they keep innovating. The bike market in my area has slowed way down, even e-bikes. Every bike shop I visit has cut down on employees and hours. I assume the online bike companies have also seen a slowdown. Some of the current sales are even better than the Black Friday deals.

[@garywillhoit]

When I started riding my local bike trail , I said hi to every bike. Some responded. After 3 years they all respond, except that one guy. My common road comment at stop lights, is from young truckers who say, want to race? . I remind them I have a .9 hp middrive. They would be disadvantaged. 😮

[@garywillhoit]

I put a neoprene battery cover on my front battery. Seems to help discharge rate on battery. When I come home I take it off for the batteries to warm before charging. If you leave the cover on it keeps them ice cold.

[@robertstrong729]

Russ, I think they will go for DISTANCE because established riders and new clients with money want to go as far as they can. Second I think they will go for VALUE to entice people into the into the market. I had not planned to get into the market till at least next fall and magicycle discounting the Commuter to 600 and giving me a senior discount on top of that, moved me into the market (actually you selling yours got me in). Now, that I have this magicycle, I love it, and their bikes would be first I look at. Now my hope is that there will be more 24" options as I can see riding a 26" at 5'11, the 24" would be ideal in what I would be looking for in a this is IT ebike. And a full suspension is the first thing I would demand in a this is IT ebike. One thing you mentioned about the kickstand is a small thing but I would miss if it was not there is the type the commuter has that is double and the back tire sits off the ground.

[@southernebiking]

Thank you for reminding me to check my battery charge. Need to make sure it’s charged up good for this weekend. Lol. Come on down and you can ride on the weekends with us. No problem Russ. I see the industry going into direction that I’m not real happy with. More and more bikes are all wheel drive. Now we need heavier batteries to take care of this. Getting bigger tires. Basically just bigger is better. This means we get into faster as well. Basically trying to make small motorcycles. This will not do well for people who would like to ride bikes, but want some assistance. If I wanted a motorcycle, I would go buy a motorcycle. I think a lot of this bigger is better will fast track regulations on bike pads and such. I really hope I’m wrong. Stay warm.

[@bobmacphail3221]

Happy New Year Mr & Mrs Right, Rad better do something very initiative or they better have excellent customer service because they come standard with a 500W motor CA and US, while most other companies start at 750W and that is peak power with the Rad.

[@goingoutotheparty1]

Happy New year Bike lifers ⚡⚡

[@GarysE-BikeAdventures]

I like you, Russ would prefer to ride on the street, but that means we have to mingle with the cars which requires a bike of faster ability, to ride safely. So I’m hoping these bike companies start putting thousand plus watt motors on them I’m not looking to travel much above the 28 mph but I want to have the ability when needed to hit 35 mph. But now that gets into a class 4? The technically is not allowed on the roads. So we need to change the classification laws to include a class 4 but maybe with some regulations? By the way, I’ve done a lot of research on UL certification. Having a battery certified, which is. UL 2271 Does not allow you to sell a new bike in New York. The bike needs to be certified under UL 2849 which is all the electrical on the bike, lots of these manufacturers are saying they are UL certified but their batteries are the only thing that is certified.

[@seniorebikeadventures]

I think Rad is overpriced and they did not change with the industry in the last couple of years. So many new e bike manufacturers are coming on to the scene. I have had several new e bike companies reach out to me recently that I had never heard of.

[@jfly2249]

I think the US market is still emerging with lots of growth ahead. The problem all of the bigger companies have is that they have no cost advantage versus a Chinese based company, let alone a factory brand, because almost all e-bike are made in China. China is struggling with an economic slowdown and lower order levels for bikes post pandemic and are slashing prices. Lots of “big” companies are in big trouble and poorly named Chinese brands are going to thrive on low prices. Recent bankruptcies include: Sonders, VanMoof, Bird, the list will be long. I’d bet Lectric is burning through its VC cash and investors are getting antsy. Rad is going to struggle to stay afloat. Lots of layoffs and bankruptcies in 2024 with lower prices for consumers.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

A lot of better, more affordable competitors have sprung up since Rad came out, they've become the GM of the e bike business.

[@laplantemichel709]

Rad sat on there reputation and isn't coming out wit anything interesting