Share your eBike-related purchases

[m@Robertson]

Myself personally I have a pepper spray gadget that shoots gel to keep me from back-spray, and making it easier to direct on-target. Sabre Red formula so 1.33% capsacin which is as strong as I can get in a small form factor that is effectively impossible to accidentally activate. If I wanted to go bigger I'd do bear spray at a 2% capsacin and a big 8 oz bottle, but spraying at any forward angle would risk me macing myself vs. a gel.

I used it only once. A Belgian Malinois decided he didn't like my looks and left his owner behind on a trail in open fields, snarling up a storm. Put his ass right down about 300 yards from his owner, who did absolutely nothing except turn around and watch while it all played out.

Carrying even a pretend-gun is going to get you shot unless you are in genuine wilderness. When I am up in the Lower Sierras I have a chest rig, a Sig 220 and two spare 8 rounders. We're talking pretty deep wilderness with no cell phones, plus bear and mountain lion. The rural sheriff's deputies don't give you a second glance, in part because its an obvious open carry and rural thinking on the subject is totally different from down the hill in the city. I have had a deputy come by a campsite to warn of an aggressive bear in the area and confirm the party is armed just in case.

 

[VernH]

I made a couple more winter eBiking related purchases last week; should arrive Friday this week:

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I have some winter pants already, but none that keep away from the chainring. These taper down nicely ↑.

I found and used same products for northern wi ride
VernH

 

[Smaug]

I found and used same products for northern wi ride
VernH

Nice to meet you, Vern!
If you're ever down this way, (Kenosha) let me know, I'll give you a tour of the town.

 

[BiggKidd]

@Smaug What tier bikes are Ridstar in your perspective?

 

[Smaug]

@Smaug What tier bikes are Ridstar in your perspective?

I've never heard of them up to now, so I would tend to assume Tier 1 (Chinese mushroom brand) unless you find some reviews that seem unbiased saying otherwise.

Reviews from their own website don't count.

Sponsored YouTube reviews from "professional reviewers" don't count for much, since they often get eBikes for free in exchange for a positive review. They MAY allude to some drawbacks, but you'll have to read between the lines.

One thing that also makes me think "Tier 1" is a Chenglish brand name. For example: Ridstar. What the hell does THAT mean? Why not RideStar or Ridestar?

Compare to a brand like Aventon which isn't trying to be something else, or Lectric, which is a wordplay that makes sense. These Chinese companies just are inventing brands out of thin air, and trying to sell to native English speakers without any feedback from them first. Or Trek, which is a long-time bike brand. Even that is not fool-proof, as Schwinn doesn't mean much any more either.

Ridstar makes eBikes that look just like the AliExpress eBikes, only they cost more. They're just branded and exported/warehoused in 1st world countries, so shipping is faster. They make promises for customer service which they often don't keep. They usually RESPOND quickly, but won't offer helpful solutions.

All that said, I have no firsthand experience with a Ridstar eBike, so I can't say for certain.

 

[BiggKidd]

I've never heard of them up to now, so I would tend to assume Tier 1 (Chinese mushroom brand) unless you find some reviews that seem unbiased saying otherwise.

Reviews from their own website don't count.

Sponsored YouTube reviews from "professional reviewers" don't count for much, since they often get eBikes for free in exchange for a positive review. They MAY allude to some drawbacks, but you'll have to read between the lines.

One thing that also makes me think "Tier 1" is a Chenglish brand name. For example: Ridstar. What the hell does THAT mean? Why not RideStar or Ridestar?

Compare to a brand like Aventon which isn't trying to be something else, or Lectric, which is a wordplay that makes sense. These Chinese companies just are inventing brands out of thin air, and trying to sell to native English speakers without any feedback from them first. Or Trek, which is a long-time bike brand. Even that is not fool-proof, as Schwinn doesn't mean much any more either.

Ridstar makes eBikes that look just like the AliExpress eBikes, only they cost more. They're just branded and exported/warehoused in 1st world countries, so shipping is faster. They make promises for customer service which they often don't keep. They usually RESPOND quickly, but won't offer helpful solutions.

All that said, I have no firsthand experience with a Ridstar eBike, so I can't say for certain.

That's about what I expected. I've had mine since 10-11-2024 and put 500 miles on it already. So far I am very happy considering what I spent.....

It slogged through some deep mud holes today to get out of here to town. I was impressed, I wouldn't have made it as easy if at all with RWD the AWD made all the difference. I on the other hand need a lot more practice riding in less than perfect conditions.

 

[HumanPerson]

I on the other hand need a lot more practice riding in less than perfect conditions.

me too!

 

[PerfectHandle]

Does anyone have recs for universal rain covers for kids on a longtail?