I think the difference - beyond frames - is the unknowable factor with used e-bikes. If I buy a used aluminum FS bike with SRAM brakes, a fork that doesn't creak (easy to confirm), and decent hubs everything is serviceable or replaceable and if I'm skint there are relatively cheap options (like aftermarket cassettes or basic replacement shocks) to keep it running.
With a used e-bike it's impossible to know if the battery or motor is going to crap out the day after you buy it so being realistic about service costs doesn't really sum up the whole experience.
At any rate, I keep my bike a long time too and agree that actual defects generally show up in the first year. But not everyone does and that's not always the case and I think if company X says the frame should last 3 years without issues then it shouldn't matter how many owners it has.
Interesting to see in the comments (and confirm with a couple shops) that Trek and Specialized have softly started doing transferable warranty already (which I was ignorant too when I wrote about this innovative idea... hahaha).
\-\-\-\-\-
And yeah, the moto world for better or worse is a totally different animal when it comes to warranty/expectations. Certainly, when you're buying a moto the purchase price isn't building in the substantial warranty and crash replacement hits that some bike companies bear.
Feb. 25, 2022, 10:34 a.m. - Andrew Major
I think the difference - beyond frames - is the unknowable factor with used e-bikes. If I buy a used aluminum FS bike with SRAM brakes, a fork that doesn't creak (easy to confirm), and decent hubs everything is serviceable or replaceable and if I'm skint there are relatively cheap options (like aftermarket cassettes or basic replacement shocks) to keep it running. With a used e-bike it's impossible to know if the battery or motor is going to crap out the day after you buy it so being realistic about service costs doesn't really sum up the whole experience. At any rate, I keep my bike a long time too and agree that actual defects generally show up in the first year. But not everyone does and that's not always the case and I think if company X says the frame should last 3 years without issues then it shouldn't matter how many owners it has. Interesting to see in the comments (and confirm with a couple shops) that Trek and Specialized have softly started doing transferable warranty already (which I was ignorant too when I wrote about this innovative idea... hahaha). \-\-\-\-\- And yeah, the moto world for better or worse is a totally different animal when it comes to warranty/expectations. Certainly, when you're buying a moto the purchase price isn't building in the substantial warranty and crash replacement hits that some bike companies bear.