Which electric bikes to avoid and why

Are you looking to buy a new electric bike but worry about making the wrong choice?

Knowing which electric bikes to avoid will get you halfway there!

While it’s true that no one size fits all, some bikes are unsafe, of bad quality, or simply not worth the money.

Which electric bikes to avoid

• Non-UL certified e-bikes

Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certification indicates the bike, most notably its battery, is safe to use.

Fires caused by electric bike batteries are not uncommon but are still a serious concern.

With UL-certified bikes, such hazards are unlikely, as the certificate means the battery is up to the safety standards.

Not only that, but UL certifications are mandatory in many states and cities, including NYC.

In other words, all e-bikes in NYC have to meet UL certification standards for their lithium-ion batteries.

If the bike you’re looking into isn’t UL-certified, you’re looking at an illegal vehicle that isn’t safe to ride.

All retailers are required to sell only UL-certified bikes, so this is a huge red flag.

While NYC cannot repossess e-bikes just because they don’t have this certification, the rider and the seller could face penalties.

• Cheap or unknown brands

Before making a purchase, research the brand of the bike you’re considering. Then, read customer reviews to see what other buyers have to say and whether they are satisfied.

If the brand doesn’t have many reviews, it might be better not to risk it.

Unknown brands are more likely to sell products that don’t meet safety or quality standards because they lack the money to invest in their products.

Speaking of money, if something sounds too good to be true, that’s because it probably isn’t.

Cheap brands and electric bikes often need to improve the quality of components to reduce production costs. This can lead to safety issues, such as malfunctioning brakes, unreliable batteries, or weak frames.

Another significant concern is the need for more customer support and warranty protection. Unknown brands may not offer reliable after-sales service or support if the bike breaks down, and replacement parts may be hard to find or unavailable.

More often than not, if you’ve saved on the initial purchase, you’ll spend more money than expected on repairs.

In fact, your entire bike’s lifespan might be lowered! You might end up paying a lot more than you’ve bargained for.

• Poor battery quality

The battery is one of the most important parts of an electric bike. Without it, you cannot ride your e-bike! It powers the motor, establishes the range per cycle, and ensures that your bike doesn’t suddenly stop working.

Poor battery quality can also lead to an explosion or a fire, which is a serious safety hazard.

High-quality e-bikes such as Storm-2 use reliable batteries that can last for a very long time and have undergone necessary safety checks and certifications.

• Underpowered motors

Motors are essential for all e-bikes, along with batteries. They are the component that differentiates electric bikes from traditional bikes.

Not all motors are the same. Some e-bikes have weak motors that struggle on inclines and don’t have enough power to go uphill.

As most people ride e-bikes to make bicycle rides more comfortable, it’s easy to see why this is a huge flaw.

Some bikes even lack sufficient torque, making them unsuitable for daily use.

Do thorough research and make sure the electric bike you want to buy has a high-quality motor. If you notice any hiccups in the bike’s operation during a test ride, avoid it at all costs.

• No warranty or customer support

Lastly, if the bike you’re looking at doesn’t come with a warranty, this usually means that something is wrong.

Warranties keep you safe in case of bike’s malfunction. At the same time, they are proof of the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. No retailer would issue a warranty the product cannot live up to.

Electric bikes without warranty are usually faulty or with a short lifespan. What’s worse, you won’t be covered if anything goes wrong with them!

The similar can be said for companies without proper customer support.

Post-purchase support is essential for any reliable retailer. They exist to provide you with assistance when you need it. Without customer support, you are on your own, even in the case of an emergency.

Ride safely with Whizz

Now that you know which electric bikes to avoid, you will have a much easier time finding a product that is the right fit.

If you have an old bike that you want to sell and buy a new one, or if you’ve noticed your new e-bike isn’t as reliable as you might’ve thought, don’t worry.

You can use Whizz's Trade-in program and change your old bike for a brand new Storm-2.

All you need to do is to bring your old electric bike to one of Whizz’s locations in NYC, New Jersey and Philly, pay a small fee, and walk home with your brand-new vehicle.

Not everyone has an old bike to trade. If you’re looking to buy your first electric bike but worry about running into wrong models, you can always check out what Whizz has in store.

Whizz’s e-bikes are UL-certified, with reliable batteries and motors that allow riders to ride for up to 12 hours straight.

Contact Whizz today to get the best deal possible on your new e-bike.

Related: How to sell an electric bike

FAQs

What is the common problem with e-bikes?

It’s hard to pinpoint one problem that plagues most bikes.

Typically, many electric bicycles have issues with the rear hub motor, which can take a lot of impact while out riding, causing damage and malfunctions.

Another standard issue bikes face is bad range.

Luckily, when you choose reliable companies such as Whizz, this isn’t an issue.

Some Whizz’s e-bikes have a range of up to 85 miles per charge, which is more than enough for most riders.

What is a mistake when buying an e-bike?

Buyers' biggest mistake is purchasing a cheap bike from unreliable brands.

These products usually have poor manufacturing practices and improper quality control measures.

Often, they have low-quality, unbranded batteries and chargers, increasing the chances of fires and malfunctions.

Why are people against e-bikes?

Not all people are fans of electric bikes. They consider them a fire hazard and claim they are frequently ridden too fast.

However, bikes bought from reliable sellers are perfectly safe, and as long as you ride them according to local rules and regulations, they aren’t more dangerous than traditional bikes.