So I live 4km from where I work in inner Melb and have decided it might be more liberating to use an e-bike to work in the CBD. Unfortunately the mid drives that I like(Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha) are significant coin from the likes of Giant Merida or Focus. How do I negotiate at the bike shops? Start with 10% off? Help much appreciated.
Negotiating on an e-bike?
NotAnAudiophile on 15/11/2018 - 17:00
Last edited 15/11/2018 - 17:00
Last edited 15/11/2018 - 17:00
Comments
Yeah, right.
4km at a sluggish 4mins/km = 16 minutes. Surely, this is possible!
How do I negotiate at the bike shops? Start with 10% off?
The same way you would anything else? Just ask. 10% really isn't much. If you can wait till Christmas, it's almost guaranteed that that'll be a normal discount amount.
Alternatively, figure out with one you want and check to see if it'll be worth sourcing it overseas (with GST and delivery costs).
Check out progear ebikes. They use a torque sensing mid drive by bafang. The bafang unit is on par or better than the rip off brands you listed.
Can get the bike for @ $1500 when on special.Which direction do you live? 4km from the cbd generally has decent off road routes or very safe on road shimmy’s. Also very flat. You should be able to use a normal bike for that.
I'm in the Eastern direction. Literally close to the mcg side.
If you’re near it, Bridge road is actually very flat and safe. It has high traffic but the cars are generally going so slow because there’s so much traffic that it’s actially safer for a cyclist.
I have a friend from camberwell who rode to the cbd on ride to work day and she said it was so much easier than she thought, just because it was flat. She laughed at all the everyday cyclists that overtook her.
If you’re planning on doing trips that involve hills, however, then definitely invest. But it could be worth finding a relatively cheap normal bike just to see how much you actually will cycle, or want to cycle, instead of spending a couple of thousand on an e-bike you may not use.
Either way, good on you for making the switch. Once the initial investment is down, you’ll save a lot on PT and get much fitter. There’s loads of studies that prove those that cycle are generally happier too, so look forward to that!
Yeah, partner rides to work in CBD already so we know how it feels like. I started looking as she's the one who wanted an ebike! My office building helps too - there is a dedicated bike parking indoor space, and multiple showers/change rooms if we need it.
It's only 4km to my work but I'm also thinking of other rides hence the ebike. Don't mind waiting closer to Christmas for a better deal though.
You might get a better deal at Christmas. The other time of the year for deals is August/September when they start rolling out new year models.
E-bikes are pretty hot right now, you might find some dealers aren’t keen to discount much.
I guess I'm really trying a get a bike with a bosch Shimano or Yamaha motor. Seems they would last longer.
I’d recommend getting off your E-bike before negotiating anything.
4km? Can't you just peddle that?