Quote:
Originally Posted by tortoise
Limited range/duration and utility (transporting groceries). Grom style novelty may wear off rapidly resulting in yet another "garage queen". Cost of replacement batteries, motor, and motor controller may be a significant factor . . and may all be "proprietary" (sole source).
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They have limited appeal to people in urban environments, but I do have to give them credit for being more durable than I thought. I am writing about the Boom! Vader electric bikes from a few years ago, so I am sure these will be fine--again, for limited appeal/uses to those in urban city centers and such. I went to New York City this past July, and stayed in Chinatown, and I saw many electric bikes and one particular brand of scooter that I had not seen before (it is hard to describe, but I will try to find it) being ridden by many people, as well as a few Genze electric scooters (those are India/USA derived--overpriced IMO).
That being said, I am with you, and knowing what I know (and not biased..,ok, very biased) if I lived in one of the many urban parts of NYC, I would probably invest in a TGB 2-stroke to putt around on if I was trying to live the minimalist lifestyle. I don't think the electric bikes can hit, and sustain, 45 to 50 MPH top speed like a good ol' TGB for the short bursts of power one might need in the city. Heck, I don't think they can putt around at 35!