I built an electric bike from a kit, so I can provide some insight on why they cost more than people expect. It's the battery. I spent around $1000 on just the bare cells for a 1 kwh lithium battery. That's just the cells. You still need to assemble them into a usable pack, add battery management electronics, a case, etc. A good motor is a few hundred bucks, and then you need motor controller electronics and a throttle. So, you're at around $1500 in parts before you have even started talking about the bike part of the bike, like frame, wheels, derailleurs, brakes, etc. Then the company assembling and marketing them has to pay their overhead and make a profit. You can buy electric bikes for less than $1000, but they will compromise on the size and quality of the battery and motor.
+Dan Sanger Exactly this. Factor in a handmade frame built here in the US (custom bike frames easily cost multiple thousands of dollars) and the cost is totally justifiable.
Would economy of scale have factor in as well? This is 5 guys basically working as artisans - if they had orders for thousands of bikes, worked a full assembly line, placed bulk orders for their parts - how much would costs go down?
guys it changed. lithium batteries are much cheaper now. also the controllers and hub motors. if you have a small old motorcycle you could convert it into a quite fast ebike (130kph+) with spending less than 2500$, if you buy electrics and batteries from china, motor from zelena vozila and if you assemble the battery yourself. easy, i will do it soon, parts are already here with me, except batteries.
+Superman +TAOFLEDERMAUS He fully knows we landed on the moon, and it was the power of hi brass that got us there! That, and nasa used a CTD laser pointer to plan their trajectory.
Superman Wait, you're telling me that high brass shotgun rounds didn't take anyone to the moon to eat some of its cheese? And that my laser pointer isn't NASA approved? Well, that's just slander Mr. "Superman", if that really IS your real name...
+TAOFLEDERMAUS Yes, cool guy. We need more young entrepreneurs like this guy. You can tell he's going somewhere great. What was Henry Ford like at this age? Hmmmm..... The future awaits.
The videos where Jay rides bicycles are fantastic, this one and the guy that came by with the 49cc cruisers. Looks like he has more fun than in a veyron.
CeeStyleDj And why does that even matter if he did he come from a well off place in life ? Like what hes doing is somehow diminished because of where he came from ? Completely irrelevant.
That's Great a Young man making his living by starting his own company, and right out of high school. How Awesome is that......Not many this young can say that.
Hey everyone! As an avid e-bike user, I just stumbled upon a new crowdfunding project that I'm really excited about. It's freebeat's new product called the freebeat Morph 2-in-1 e-Bike. After watching the video, I must say, the features are outstanding! I'm particularly impressed with the dual modes that allow for indoor and outdoor use. And the fact that it can be charged when in indoor mode is a game-changer. The brushless 750W motor with its impressive torque and top speed of 20mph definitely caught my attention too. The 80mm front suspension and puncture-resistant fat tires ensure a comfortable ride in any condition. Plus, the Smart Saddle Detection+ feature adds a whole new level of fitness tracking and motivation. This e-bike seems to have it all! I'm definitely considering supporting this project. Great job, freebeat!
They start at $5000? Meaning they could be more? Sold over 400 already, that's easily into the $2,000,000+ revenue range already. Only in California....
+enigmaPL Revenue - yes, but his business is probably not all that profitable. He has 5 workers that cost him at least 9 bucks per hour for each worker, plus materials, paint, special orders for custom parts, hardware, electricity, taxes, rent, etc.
***** You could, but he's making these by hundreds, I believe he rents something bigger than a two car garage. And electricity is not cheap. Power tools, welding machines, bright lighting, boilers, etc. draw a lot of power.
***** That depends on how big of a machine you need. I don't need to find anybody to run a CNC machine, I can do that myself. I got a Machinist One Diploma, and 2 years of Mech/Eng. You don't need a really expensive machine to build small parts. It's CNC, all I got to do is find some fool that can take a part, put it in, hit cycle, and take it out, and I can find those where I live all day long for less than $9 an hour. The truth is though, this guy isn't selling 5000 of those bikes a day, probably 500 a year more like it. 20-25K and I would have everything I need to open shop. You turn your profits over and buy more equipment till are in the black and have all you need.
Wow. $5000. I have to say that I'd rather buy a car but these are pretty cool. Maybe if you live in a bigger city and work or go to school close enough.
It'd be cheaper to run than a car and looks like it has waaaay better build quality than a 10 year old beat up hatchback, it won't pay for itself but if it was between a Vespa and this I would buy this:)
+SlipknotMaggot0526 car would have more cost; gas, insurance, maintenance, potential traffic violations, etc. But then again you can go further distance in a car and you're protected from the elements.
+Jon Car not comparable to a $150 huffy from Walmart. These are hand built, bespoke bikes built in the US. There are quite a few small bike factories selling hand built, non-electric bikes for the same amount. I do agree it's a bit steep in price, but not even close to some Walmart/Home Depot/eBay hodgepodge DIY.
There's definitely a need for this in SF. Just yesterday I was in awe seeing folks riding vespa's and cafe racers around town near the SF Auto Show. And then I thought to myself, small bikes and ev's are perfect for the city.
Impressive product from a fine young man.I am sure we can expect many great things from Andrew & his team!Thanks for bringing Andrew & his bikes to our attention Jay! :)
That looks to be a good machine and great to see a young guy start up like this. I can see the camper crowd loving these. A lot easier than a gas motorized vehicle, especially to keep noise down. Some folks even in towns of less than 10000 work close to an apartment and bike everywhere. Wonder how it does in northern winter climates?
I just built my own and it honestly will go 80 plus miles on a charge and does 38mph. $550 complete. It's not the best looking however. These Vintage units are very nice and I like the look and design so job well done.
+GaragebandandBeyond Not really, think about it in terms of replacing a car, i.e. selling it and not having to deal with all those associated costs anymore.
I am ordering one. The Indian one called the Tracker with the optional Tail Lights and saddle bags. Not bad I will just not shop for Xmas this year ! Hah
It's run by 5 guys he said but I bet they have a middle man for every component on the bike, it could cost a lot less I'd imagine if they streamlined their production a bit, clearly a big slice of the pie is being taken by the manufacturers of the battery and the motor and the brakes etc...
+anguy11 A good electric assisted bicycle is $2000 from a shop. These have a lot bigger battery, motor, custom frame, electronics and looks very well finished. But yes its still motorcycle money.
+anguy11 Price is not the only factor that determines how well a product will sell. He found a niche market, making an item not a lot of people desire. That leads to him having freedom to decide on the build quality and the final price. When you have low competition and high quality product it will sell regardless of the price. Its not an expensive soda drink, its "I want to be unique and stand out" type of product.
Something very odd it says on The New Tracker page, "The Battery ... ... our patent pending aluminum battery box ... ... It also disperses heat, allowing our high performance system to run at lower temperatures, significantly increasing efficiency, providing a range of 35 miles." Dispersing heat from batteries is waste heat, it is not greater efficiency. Running electronics at lower temps means they last longer but not usually more efficient, hmmm? Lithium batteries put current out at the highest rate when they are above 80 degrees but if the current put out is too high this is the prime time when damage to the batteries occur. They must be using really cheap electrical components to get greater efficiency when they are cooled a little? They also say that aluminum box is hydro-formed, it looks like something I might have made in my high school metals shop, cast aluminum sand blasted ... 35 miles, 15 or 20 powered the rest peddled maybe ... ... hmmm, I wonder did J get scammed?
This is a new and rapidly expanding market. This guy is on to something and prices will probably go down over time as his tooling and production ramp up. Cool.
Sure it's not cheap, but you guys need to realize it's not targeting people who would spend $2,500 on a used motorcycle. The target market is guys who would spend $5,000 + on a bicycle with no motor. Myself, I own four bicycles that cost in the $2,000 - $3,000 range. Could I have bought motorcycles instead? Sure, but the bicycles serve a purpose that the motorcycles do not serve.
I've not had a desire or a need for an electric bike, and these don't change that. I ride bicycles for fitness and fun and if I want a machine to do the work, have 2 motorcycles. I am very impressed, however, by the apparent quality of these. I haven't seen one in person, but the photos look great and the specs are impressive. The details really add up. Brooks saddle and grips are well over $200. The Phil Wood front hub is about as fancy as you can get. Those battery boxes are apparently sand cast locally, so that isn't cheap. Shimano Alfine brakes are quite good. The Schwalbe Fat Frank tires run about $100 per set. Even little things like the bullet headlight bracket are cool. $5000 may sound expensive, and that's a lot of money, but I see the value to the right customer. Jay has nice taste and picked a good company and owner to feature.
+keechmabreeks You can't compare a mass produced e-bike to this. First, the one you linked to is not comparable in terms of the motor. The iZip has a 500 watt motor where the base motor on this is 1000w or 3000w with the race mode enable. Re-read my original post. I listed all of the notable expensive components you don't find on the the iZip. This is a top shelf product from what I can tell. It's not for everybody and certainly pricey, but not out of line if you appreciate high end stuff. Ilooked at the iZip website and they have some neat stuff. The pedal assist mountain bike looks fun. I've seen some of their stuff in person and found it to be pedestrian, yet of good quality and appears functional. For the average user who wants function over form, obviously the way to go. That said, there are plenty of more expensive e-bikes from the likes of Trek and Specialized that seem to be quite popular.
+keechmabreeks Looks are quite subjective, but I find the iZip less than attractive. To my eye, the frame was designed to vaguely resemble a tank style cruiser frame, but the battery pack in the seat tube looks funky to me. The overall lines of its frame don't flow well. Both models of the Vintage Electric are pretty to behold. While you can add the Brooks pieces and Schwalbe tires for a few hundred bucks, you still have an ugly (my opinion I know) bike with cheap cable operated disc brakes, generic looking rims and front hub, cheap cast crank arms (not forged and polished), plastic pedals, threaded headset, etc. This is the same debate of why spend the money on a Mercedes when a Kia is a perfectly nice car. Some people just don't get why people spend more than they would spend. Some people appreciate fine details, even if they don't provide a fundamental difference in function. Both bikes (or cars) go, stop, and steer, but they will feel different. It's great to have such choices.
+keechmabreeks Nope, serious as a heart attack. I don't like the newer Felt frame as much as what this is (or a copy). I've owned 2 of the Felt New Belgium Brewery Fat Tire Ale bikes (same frame in steel). I think it's a very beautiful frame. Whether or not they are using someone else's frame doesn't detract from the overall package. If you want to see some cool bikes, head over to ratrodbikes.com and browse through the build threads. A few people are talented enough to build frames from scratch, but most are customized mass produced bikes ranging from art-deco Monarch Silver Kings to the ubiquitous $88 Wally-world Huffy. So, I am done arguing the merits of a bike I don't even own or plan to buy. I simply commented on why I thought it was cool and the asking price justified. Nobody's right or wrong and such a difference in opinion typifies why there are $500 electric bikes and $5000 electric bikes. What can't be argued is that this product is filling a particular niche for which there is enough demand to support this guy's business.
+JediMindTricks183 In The Netherlands we can buy kits from 300 to 1200 euro's, depending on the range and the power of the electric motor. Just google for ''electric bike conversion kit'', I'll bet they have such things in almost every country.
HackingDutchman In the U.S, we can get gas ones for out $180, and electric ones for about $210. The issue with the gas ones is that they're 2 stroke, so the gas/oil mix ends up costing about $3.00 a gallon, when standard unleaded costs $1.70.
+Folopolis That's about the same here. You pay around 1200 euro's for a proper electric bike. Gas one's here are secondhand cheaper to buy, new ones are (almost) not being made anymore. However, we pay much more for diesel and gasoline here.
+XLPCX Which requires a motorcycle license, registration, gas, and has to comply with motorcycle laws. This is still a bicycle, you don't need any license for it at all not even a moped license, you don't register it, it doesn't take gas, and you can ride it on the sidewalk right up the door of your apartment/school/job/etc and not get arrested. $5k is a lot of cash, but this is also the more practical option for a lot of people who live in over populated cities where owning a car or motorcycle is more hassle than it's worth.
+EvilSSP so get a moped for less than a grand with the same benefits. This guy sells to niche market. And I'm fine with that. I'm just not that market.
XLPCX Mopeds still require a license/registration/tags/gas. This doesn't. Now, I'm not saying what he makes isn't ridiculously expensive, and there are far cheaper ways to get the exact same thing, but if you can afford it then it does look like his options are very nicely done. People spend way more money on way stupider crap than this. Some people buy Starbucks every single day and that can easily add up to $2k a year.
+swSephy | Sim Racing my friend picked up a 2009 Suzuki Gsxr 600 with less than 1k miles for $4100.... did I forget to say it came with a nitrous kit, aftermarket exhaust, and tune included with that the price...... way cheaper then these bikes
+swSephy | Sim Racing just bought my girlfriend a 600 ninja for 1600 hundred bucks tax and insurance will be less than 2k .,fuel for a yeat? likely 5-600 .so not much savings of a few years but faster and can go cross country where ever when ever.this is more for urban dwellers
+swSephy | Sim Racing Just "A" motorcycle. I bought two perfectly working motorcycles for a purchase cost of $2600. But I also had to pay sales tax, annual registration costs, plate cost and insurance which amounted to a couple hundred more. The difference is these bicycles are essentially hand made and hand assembled and come with some of the advantages of having a motorcycle but without uncle sam and law enforcement up your butt. In insurance and registration costs I spend $140 for one bike and $350 for the other each year. It doesn't take long before you are way past the purchase price of this bicycle.
I don't think you would have to peddle up hill. 3,000 watts is a lot. A human bicycling usually outputs 200-400 watts. However, I do agree that the price is excessive, but I guess they are custom vintage bikes (they are luxury items). I would rather build my own for $500-800.
Really nice bikes. I converted my Dekra drive shaft bike to front wheel drive electric. I hope you buy one of those Jay, you'll love it. Thanks for sharing.
i´m a german bicycle mechanic and i gotta say that these look really cool. i really like that 50´s fallout kinda look they have and they are much faster than our 25km/h e-bikes. but they don´t have any kind of transmission wich means that if you wanna ride it like a normal bike, you probably need to pedal really fast to move forward^^ they also look really heavy, but i think they are more like an electric motorcycle than just an e-bike so you probably won´t even pedal and just use the motor for acceleration :D
Congratulations on your success young man. I wish I had your product when I was having to ride my bike too and fro to work. The only one I had that didn't crap out on me was a 1937 reproduction model Columbia beach cruiser. It took a beating for about a year then just gave out on me. By then I had saved up enough to get a car. But sometimes I do miss a nice bike ride. One with an electric motor will always be helpful and appreciated. Lol.
4 horsepower and more torque? This thing must rocket! My only concern is the bolts for the battery: I'd rather a triple square or something less conventional to deter thieves. Great on you Jay for featuring such a unique product!
4:51 A Phil Wood hub? That's nice! Checked their website, the battery box is made of cast aluminium. Looks like good quality stuff allround! $5000 is a lot of money, but this thing looks solid!
Very nicely retro designed bike and clearly quite impressive performance. Interesting to get an idea what assembly line mass production techniques could get prices down to - because I think pricing is the key to the success of such vehicles.
The first electric bike i built was 1000w/48 volt, on a mountain bike, 27 spd . Disc brake. Its top speed was 35 mph, 30 mile range. Its replacement is the same type of bike but with the new 5000w/ X 2, 54 volt batteries. It can run at 50 mph/50 miles, but i limit to 45/60 miles. A great idea that was its time. The cops hate it!
Great product for a retired couple. Its harder for older people to peddle bicycles so this could be a great alternative for them to take a stroll around the block like they were teens again.
I work at a bike importer and as much as I dont personally like e-bikes for the complication they bring to what is usually simple...these are pretty cool. They've got decent hydraulic brakes rather than cost-cutting cheap ones and are well thought out and designed, besides looking clean.
It's nice that Jay is interested in all kinds of transportation from steam cars to tractors to tank-engine roadsters, classics, hot rods, muscle cars, and even e-bikes. Kudos for encouraging a young entrepreneur, too! $5000 is a lot of dough, though, and when the Chinese start making these..... watch out.
This is awesome. This video is 6 years ago and his company is still selling these bikes. Great job!
Yeah, and the bikes have improved a lot! They look similar but are even more powerful, and how have an inverted suspension fork :)
It's funny, but I never watched Leno on TV, but I love his auto show.
+Robb's Homemade Life it's his passion and knowledge of his collection that makes it so. his comedy was whatever to me, but that got him this.
Same.
I love they way how Jay is encouraging this young guy.
I built an electric bike from a kit, so I can provide some insight on why they cost more than people expect. It's the battery. I spent around $1000 on just the bare cells for a 1 kwh lithium battery. That's just the cells. You still need to assemble them into a usable pack, add battery management electronics, a case, etc. A good motor is a few hundred bucks, and then you need motor controller electronics and a throttle. So, you're at around $1500 in parts before you have even started talking about the bike part of the bike, like frame, wheels, derailleurs, brakes, etc. Then the company assembling and marketing them has to pay their overhead and make a profit. You can buy electric bikes for less than $1000, but they will compromise on the size and quality of the battery and motor.
+Dan Sanger Exactly this. Factor in a handmade frame built here in the US (custom bike frames easily cost multiple thousands of dollars) and the cost is totally justifiable.
Would economy of scale have factor in as well? This is 5 guys basically working as artisans - if they had orders for thousands of bikes, worked a full assembly line, placed bulk orders for their parts - how much would costs go down?
guys it changed.
lithium batteries are much cheaper now. also the controllers and hub motors.
if you have a small old motorcycle you could convert it into a quite fast ebike (130kph+) with spending less than 2500$,
if you buy electrics and batteries from china, motor from zelena vozila and if you assemble the battery yourself.
easy, i will do it soon, parts are already here with me, except batteries.
Seen bikes a lot cheaper and faster for half that money
ye, he did say it is a 3KW motor aswell so it needs a 3KW battery, probably around 3000$ itself
That's really cool. He's quite an inspiration!
+Superman THE MOONS A PROGECTION BY THE US GOVERNMENT
+Superman +TAOFLEDERMAUS
He fully knows we landed on the moon, and it was the power of hi brass that got us there! That, and nasa used a CTD laser pointer to plan their trajectory.
Superman Wait, you're telling me that high brass shotgun rounds didn't take anyone to the moon to eat some of its cheese? And that my laser pointer isn't NASA approved? Well, that's just slander Mr. "Superman", if that really IS your real name...
Everyone who believes in the "moon conspiracy" over scientific facts is just stupid. I pity you.
+TAOFLEDERMAUS Yes, cool guy. We need more young entrepreneurs like this guy. You can tell he's going somewhere great. What was Henry Ford like at this age? Hmmmm..... The future awaits.
It's great to see Jay show guys like this who have started their own company and are doing quality work, he has accomplished a lot at a young age
How nervous must that young guy have been to be riding through Jays garage with priceless classics left and right. 😂👍
That Blue One is Badass!
congratulations to this young man!
The videos where Jay rides bicycles are fantastic, this one and the guy that came by with the 49cc cruisers. Looks like he has more fun than in a veyron.
Jay just made this kid a millionaire.
+Martin Wright But after you pay for costs or materials, rent for the space to build them and having to pay the 5 guys he works with probably not lol.
+HDaviator I hope you are right.
Might become true but something tells me he already came from money.
CeeStyleDj
And why does that even matter if he did he come from a well off place in life ?
Like what hes doing is somehow diminished because of where he came from ?
Completely irrelevant.
+HDaviator HG He deserves it. This guy is straight out of high school and already has a solid buisness at the age of 22.
I want one and I want Jay back to watch at night. No one like you, Jay. You're the BEST!!
That's Great a Young man making his living by starting his own company, and right out of high school. How Awesome is that......Not many this young can say that.
5K? sure.....
Hey everyone! As an avid e-bike user, I just stumbled upon a new crowdfunding project that I'm really excited about. It's freebeat's new product called the freebeat Morph 2-in-1 e-Bike. After watching the video, I must say, the features are outstanding! I'm particularly impressed with the dual modes that allow for indoor and outdoor use. And the fact that it can be charged when in indoor mode is a game-changer. The brushless 750W motor with its impressive torque and top speed of 20mph definitely caught my attention too. The 80mm front suspension and puncture-resistant fat tires ensure a comfortable ride in any condition. Plus, the Smart Saddle Detection+ feature adds a whole new level of fitness tracking and motivation. This e-bike seems to have it all! I'm definitely considering supporting this project. Great job, freebeat!
They start at $5000? Meaning they could be more? Sold over 400 already, that's easily into the $2,000,000+ revenue range already. Only in California....
+enigmaPL
Revenue - yes, but his business is probably not all that profitable.
He has 5 workers that cost him at least 9 bucks per hour for each worker, plus materials, paint, special orders for custom parts, hardware, electricity, taxes, rent, etc.
+funky3ddy You could build those bikes in a 2 car garage, every time someone sais rent and electricity I crack up.
*****
You could, but he's making these by hundreds, I believe he rents something bigger than a two car garage.
And electricity is not cheap. Power tools, welding machines, bright lighting, boilers, etc. draw a lot of power.
funky3ddy You believe, key words, and he started out with just one too.
***** That depends on how big of a machine you need. I don't need to find anybody to run a CNC machine, I can do that myself. I got a Machinist One Diploma, and 2 years of Mech/Eng.
You don't need a really expensive machine to build small parts. It's CNC, all I got to do is find some fool that can take a part, put it in, hit cycle, and take it out, and I can find those where I live all day long for less than $9 an hour. The truth is though, this guy isn't selling 5000 of those bikes a day, probably 500 a year more like it.
20-25K and I would have everything I need to open shop. You turn your profits over and buy more equipment till are in the black and have all you need.
Jay is the coolest, he lets the young guys show there cool stuff off and get major exposure.
Wow. $5000. I have to say that I'd rather buy a car but these are pretty cool. Maybe if you live in a bigger city and work or go to school close enough.
Lol yeah you could get a car
It'd be cheaper to run than a car and looks like it has waaaay better build quality than a 10 year old beat up hatchback, it won't pay for itself but if it was between a Vespa and this I would buy this:)
+Matthew Loomis for 5k you could get a running and driving mr2 in perfect condition.
+SlipknotMaggot0526 depends how reliable the battery and the motor are, tesla ones are already having problems and they have a big r & d department
+SlipknotMaggot0526 car would have more cost; gas, insurance, maintenance, potential traffic violations, etc. But then again you can go further distance in a car and you're protected from the elements.
This inventor is really straight forward about his products.
Jay Leno looks like one of the flintstones,great guy.
Seriously cool. The super cars, antiques and what not are nice, but I see those everywhere. Love this!
"Let's take this thing up on the freeway".
I am really REALLY liking this one. This kid gives me hope for our country's future.
Jay's Pee-Wee impression needs to be a ringtone.
I like the dark blue one. cool looking bike.
"... because they're going 2 mph with a hunger striker driving..." Hilarious.
Great little commuter , perfect for town rides and getting groceries and sight seeing. It’s really fast. I like it !
Jay, you should do a video on your Owen's Magnetic! That would be awesome to see.
Those are beautiful machines!!! That kid in a real inspiration. You have to love the maker spirit.
cool until he said $5,000.
that is what I thought. go to Walmart 150.00 then get the motor kit for 600.00
Jon Car n that's the base model and not including tax and license.
+Jon Car you really gonna go 25+ mph on a walmart bike? i hope you have life insurance.
+Vic Vil ......you need to get a better job.
+Jon Car not comparable to a $150 huffy from Walmart. These are hand built, bespoke bikes built in the US. There are quite a few small bike factories selling hand built, non-electric bikes for the same amount. I do agree it's a bit steep in price, but not even close to some Walmart/Home Depot/eBay hodgepodge DIY.
Awesome idea. Great to see young talent getting deserved exposure for a great product.
Thank you for the video
The blue one is BEAUTIFUL. I would love a vehicle like this. I live 16 miles from Stockholm so it would be a really cool way to get there and back.
Especially in the winter
Thumbs up if you think Jay should get one of these to match his McLaren P1.
There's definitely a need for this in SF. Just yesterday I was in awe seeing folks riding vespa's and cafe racers around town near the SF Auto Show. And then I thought to myself, small bikes and ev's are perfect for the city.
LOL when he started doing the pee wee herman impression.
Impressive product from a fine young man.I am sure we can expect many great things from Andrew & his team!Thanks for bringing Andrew & his bikes to our attention Jay! :)
overpriced by 100%
Howard Hughes made a electric bike as a teenager. Concept has been around for sometime.
That looks to be a good machine and great to see a young guy start up like this. I can see the camper crowd loving these. A lot easier than a gas motorized vehicle, especially to keep noise down. Some folks even in towns of less than 10000 work close to an apartment and bike everywhere. Wonder how it does in northern winter climates?
excellent tip Jay, I'm going to use a hunger striker as a top speed test rider !
I just built my own and it honestly will go 80 plus miles on a charge and does 38mph. $550 complete. It's not the best looking however. These Vintage units are very nice and I like the look and design so job well done.
I like the fact that they're made in the USA, and not China, like so many things being produced. :)
Yeah made in USA just like the Fords, Dodges, Chevrolets, etc. Less reliable car brands on earth. I prefer China tbh.
I'm 27 and I'm sitting here... congrats to him tho, that's pretty awesome to be able to do that so young
Cool, but COST PROHIBITIVE!!
+GaragebandandBeyond Not really, think about it in terms of replacing a car, i.e. selling it and not having to deal with all those associated costs anymore.
+Patrick94GSR like having a roof, a heater, a comfy seat....
Another excellent segment Jay, thanks!
I am ordering one. The Indian one called the Tracker with the optional Tail Lights and saddle bags. Not bad I will just not shop for Xmas this year ! Hah
+gene978 They definitely are cool looking bikes.
wow what a clever young bloke Love them bikes Like old American board racers He will go far
"just under $5000" you know, an average price -_-
Yeah, and I thought my trek mountain bike was expensive... I guess not
It's run by 5 guys he said but I bet they have a middle man for every component on the bike, it could cost a lot less I'd imagine if they streamlined their production a bit, clearly a big slice of the pie is being taken by the manufacturers of the battery and the motor and the brakes etc...
+anguy11 A good electric assisted bicycle is $2000 from a shop. These have a lot bigger battery, motor, custom frame, electronics and looks very well finished. But yes its still motorcycle money.
+anguy11 Price is not the only factor that determines how well a product will sell. He found a niche market, making an item not a lot of people desire. That leads to him having freedom to decide on the build quality and the final price. When you have low competition and high quality product it will sell regardless of the price. Its not an expensive soda drink, its "I want to be unique and stand out" type of product.
what I believe they should do is pull a oneplus and create high quality products at consumer level prices.
Excellent work Jay! You are amazing, keep 'em coming!!
great bike I like it the red one reminded me of an early Harley Davidson or Indian
What a great kid! Fantastic achievement!
Continued sucess.
Something very odd it says on The New Tracker page, "The Battery ... ... our patent pending aluminum battery box ... ... It also disperses heat, allowing our high performance system to run at lower temperatures, significantly increasing efficiency, providing a range of 35 miles."
Dispersing heat from batteries is waste heat, it is not greater efficiency. Running electronics at lower temps means they last longer but not usually more efficient, hmmm?
Lithium batteries put current out at the highest rate when they are above 80 degrees but if the current put out is too high this is the prime time when damage to the batteries occur. They must be using really cheap electrical components to get greater efficiency when they are cooled a little?
They also say that aluminum box is hydro-formed, it looks like something I might have made in my high school metals shop, cast aluminum sand blasted ...
35 miles, 15 or 20 powered the rest peddled maybe ...
... hmmm, I wonder did J get scammed?
You sound like a conspiracy guy, suspicious of everything.
This is a new and rapidly expanding market. This guy is on to something and prices will probably go down over time as his tooling and production ramp up. Cool.
I like these, now if I only had the 5000
+Paul Mcguire Even if you had the 5k it would be better spent elsewhere.
Fun looking , wish I could afford ..... Jay is always positive ....thumbs up Jay
Sure it's not cheap, but you guys need to realize it's not targeting people who would spend $2,500 on a used motorcycle. The target market is guys who would spend $5,000 + on a bicycle with no motor.
Myself, I own four bicycles that cost in the $2,000 - $3,000 range. Could I have bought motorcycles instead? Sure, but the bicycles serve a purpose that the motorcycles do not serve.
I've not had a desire or a need for an electric bike, and these don't change that. I ride bicycles for fitness and fun and if I want a machine to do the work, have 2 motorcycles. I am very impressed, however, by the apparent quality of these. I haven't seen one in person, but the photos look great and the specs are impressive.
The details really add up. Brooks saddle and grips are well over $200. The Phil Wood front hub is about as fancy as you can get. Those battery boxes are apparently sand cast locally, so that isn't cheap. Shimano Alfine brakes are quite good. The Schwalbe Fat Frank tires run about $100 per set. Even little things like the bullet headlight bracket are cool. $5000 may sound expensive, and that's a lot of money, but I see the value to the right customer.
Jay has nice taste and picked a good company and owner to feature.
+keechmabreeks You can't compare a mass produced e-bike to this. First, the one you linked to is not comparable in terms of the motor. The iZip has a 500 watt motor where the base motor on this is 1000w or 3000w with the race mode enable. Re-read my original post. I listed all of the notable expensive components you don't find on the the iZip. This is a top shelf product from what I can tell. It's not for everybody and certainly pricey, but not out of line if you appreciate high end stuff.
Ilooked at the iZip website and they have some neat stuff. The pedal assist mountain bike looks fun. I've seen some of their stuff in person and found it to be pedestrian, yet of good quality and appears functional. For the average user who wants function over form, obviously the way to go. That said, there are plenty of more expensive e-bikes from the likes of Trek and Specialized that seem to be quite popular.
+keechmabreeks Looks are quite subjective, but I find the iZip less than attractive. To my eye, the frame was designed to vaguely resemble a tank style cruiser frame, but the battery pack in the seat tube looks funky to me. The overall lines of its frame don't flow well. Both models of the Vintage Electric are pretty to behold.
While you can add the Brooks pieces and Schwalbe tires for a few hundred bucks, you still have an ugly (my opinion I know) bike with cheap cable operated disc brakes, generic looking rims and front hub, cheap cast crank arms (not forged and polished), plastic pedals, threaded headset, etc.
This is the same debate of why spend the money on a Mercedes when a Kia is a perfectly nice car. Some people just don't get why people spend more than they would spend. Some people appreciate fine details, even if they don't provide a fundamental difference in function. Both bikes (or cars) go, stop, and steer, but they will feel different. It's great to have such choices.
+keechmabreeks Nope, serious as a heart attack. I don't like the newer Felt frame as much as what this is (or a copy). I've owned 2 of the Felt New Belgium Brewery Fat Tire Ale bikes (same frame in steel). I think it's a very beautiful frame. Whether or not they are using someone else's frame doesn't detract from the overall package. If you want to see some cool bikes, head over to ratrodbikes.com and browse through the build threads. A few people are talented enough to build frames from scratch, but most are customized mass produced bikes ranging from art-deco Monarch Silver Kings to the ubiquitous $88 Wally-world Huffy.
So, I am done arguing the merits of a bike I don't even own or plan to buy. I simply commented on why I thought it was cool and the asking price justified. Nobody's right or wrong and such a difference in opinion typifies why there are $500 electric bikes and $5000 electric bikes. What can't be argued is that this product is filling a particular niche for which there is enough demand to support this guy's business.
+keechmabreeks Haha, maybe a debate is a better word. I'm usually not too concise in my ramblings...
I REALLY want an Ebike but they're so expensive, I can get a motorcycle for the price of them.. anyone know a cheap DIY kit, or complete bike?
+JediMindTricks183 yeah they are all over this thing called the internet you lazy sob
+JediMindTricks183 Ebay: moped kit.
+JediMindTricks183 In The Netherlands we can buy kits from 300 to 1200 euro's, depending on the range and the power of the electric motor. Just google for ''electric bike conversion kit'', I'll bet they have such things in almost every country.
HackingDutchman In the U.S, we can get gas ones for out $180, and electric ones for about $210. The issue with the gas ones is that they're 2 stroke, so the gas/oil mix ends up costing about $3.00 a gallon, when standard unleaded costs $1.70.
+Folopolis That's about the same here. You pay around 1200 euro's for a proper electric bike. Gas one's here are secondhand cheaper to buy, new ones are (almost) not being made anymore. However, we pay much more for diesel and gasoline here.
Very inspiring. I'm going into automotive engineering next year and hopefully I can do something cool like this.
Or you could buy a motorcycle...
+XLPCX Which requires a motorcycle license, registration, gas, and has to comply with motorcycle laws. This is still a bicycle, you don't need any license for it at all not even a moped license, you don't register it, it doesn't take gas, and you can ride it on the sidewalk right up the door of your apartment/school/job/etc and not get arrested. $5k is a lot of cash, but this is also the more practical option for a lot of people who live in over populated cities where owning a car or motorcycle is more hassle than it's worth.
+EvilSSP What is a mope license? Also some states require you to register a scooter
+EvilSSP so get a moped for less than a grand with the same benefits. This guy sells to niche market. And I'm fine with that. I'm just not that market.
XLPCX
Mopeds still require a license/registration/tags/gas. This doesn't.
Now, I'm not saying what he makes isn't ridiculously expensive, and there are far cheaper ways to get the exact same thing, but if you can afford it then it does look like his options are very nicely done. People spend way more money on way stupider crap than this. Some people buy Starbucks every single day and that can easily add up to $2k a year.
You don't need a license for a moped, that's why they are called DUI rides...
Jay can't even stay in his own lane on a bicycle..but do love his car videos, he's awsome..
Can't you get a motorcycle for $5000?
+swSephy | Sim Racing my friend picked up a 2009 Suzuki Gsxr 600 with less than 1k miles for $4100.... did I forget to say it came with a nitrous kit, aftermarket exhaust, and tune included with that the price...... way cheaper then these bikes
+swSephy | Sim Racing just bought my girlfriend a 600 ninja for 1600 hundred bucks tax and insurance will be less than 2k .,fuel for a yeat? likely 5-600 .so not much savings of a few years but faster and can go cross country where ever when ever.this is more for urban dwellers
+swSephy | Sim Racing Yeah.. especially in the US, you can get a really really nice one.
+swSephy | Sim Racing Just "A" motorcycle. I bought two perfectly working motorcycles for a purchase cost of $2600. But I also had to pay sales tax, annual registration costs, plate cost and insurance which amounted to a couple hundred more. The difference is these bicycles are essentially hand made and hand assembled and come with some of the advantages of having a motorcycle but without uncle sam and law enforcement up your butt. In insurance and registration costs I spend $140 for one bike and $350 for the other each year. It doesn't take long before you are way past the purchase price of this bicycle.
+Salvatore LoPresti So does a Moped, and for a lot cheaper price than this bike.
These bikes are really cool. They even look like quality.
For $2000, yes, for $5g, I'm no mug!
Great product- worked perfectly, no issues.
$5,000 This saddens me (opposite of Henry Ford).. Let me guess.. this guy is one of Jays friends kid?
Those are some beautiful bikes. Great work! Would not mind having one of those for running around town.
It looks like they bought a bunch of Felt cruiser frames, put a Chinese motor on it and they want $5000 for it?
+Chicken Soup Why do you have to be a hater? Do you hate to see a young man do well for himself?
Thats it. We have a few companies in germany with the same....lets call it special quality😅
Great story. Im about 2 miles from this shop and plan to go today. Jay is hilarious 😂
hipstermobile
Been checking these out last year already. Love that cruiser style!
Five Grand? Bwaaaaahahahaha! I mean, they're kinda cool or whatever, but jeeeeeeeeez that's pricey.
the vintage look is great
$5,000 and you have to peddle up hill. Ride a bicycle or buy a motorcycle or do both and still have $2,000 to spend
I don't think you would have to peddle up hill. 3,000 watts is a lot. A human bicycling usually outputs 200-400 watts. However, I do agree that the price is excessive, but I guess they are custom vintage bikes (they are luxury items). I would rather build my own for $500-800.
These looks really cool. Like a 1920s motorcycle.
5 grand for that lol jesus
and he's "sold" 400 ...
Bless you Jay 🙏❤️
YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH BURNOUTS!!!!! Jay is just like me. Gotta spin the tires on everything you touch.
VEÍCULOS VERSÁTEIS,A MODERNIZAÇÃO,O FUTURO .
EXCELENTE POSTAGEM,JAY LENOS GARAGE .
Really nice bikes. I converted my Dekra drive shaft bike to front wheel drive electric. I hope you buy one of those Jay, you'll love it. Thanks for sharing.
Very innovative. Hats off to him!!!
Another Pandemic driven view of a earlier episode.........This was fun! Thanks.
lol when he said it was 3000 watts you got all excited Jay that was hilarious ;')
i´m a german bicycle mechanic and i gotta say that these look really cool. i really like that 50´s fallout kinda look they have and they are much faster than our 25km/h e-bikes. but they don´t have any kind of transmission wich means that if you wanna ride it like a normal bike, you probably need to pedal really fast to move forward^^ they also look really heavy, but i think they are more like an electric motorcycle than just an e-bike so you probably won´t even pedal and just use the motor for acceleration :D
Love the "retro" style!
Vintage electric bikes are my favorite.
Congratulations on your success young man. I wish I had your product when I was having to ride my bike too and fro to work. The only one I had that didn't crap out on me was a 1937 reproduction model Columbia beach cruiser. It took a beating for about a year then just gave out on me. By then I had saved up enough to get a car. But sometimes I do miss a nice bike ride. One with an electric motor will always be helpful and appreciated. Lol.
Love it! I want one of these bad boys. This guy is going far!
I was blown away when he said he has already sold 400 bikes. That's awesome!
I like the design and tech involved in the bike.
Really cool and good looking ride! Congratulation to that young entrepreneur.
3:19 that wink was just killing me ! haha oh you..!
4 horsepower and more torque? This thing must rocket! My only concern is the bolts for the battery: I'd rather a triple square or something less conventional to deter thieves. Great on you Jay for featuring such a unique product!
I ordered a Greaser electric bike.. Arrives tomorrow. Can't wait
4:51 A Phil Wood hub? That's nice!
Checked their website, the battery box is made of cast aluminium. Looks like good quality stuff allround!
$5000 is a lot of money, but this thing looks solid!
Very nicely retro designed bike and clearly quite impressive performance. Interesting to get an idea what assembly line mass production techniques could get prices down to - because I think pricing is the key to the success of such vehicles.
The first electric bike i built was 1000w/48 volt, on a mountain bike, 27 spd . Disc brake. Its top speed was 35 mph, 30 mile range.
Its replacement is the same type of bike but with the new 5000w/ X 2, 54 volt batteries. It can run at 50 mph/50 miles, but i limit to 45/60 miles.
A great idea that was its time. The cops hate it!
Great product for a retired couple. Its harder for older people to peddle bicycles so this could be a great alternative for them to take a stroll around the block like they were teens again.
I work at a bike importer and as much as I dont personally like e-bikes for the complication they bring to what is usually simple...these are pretty cool. They've got decent hydraulic brakes rather than cost-cutting cheap ones and are well thought out and designed, besides looking clean.
I like Jay way better as a TH-camr. Your awesome sir.
It's nice that Jay is interested in all kinds of transportation from steam cars to tractors to tank-engine roadsters, classics, hot rods, muscle cars, and even e-bikes. Kudos for encouraging a young entrepreneur, too! $5000 is a lot of dough, though, and when the Chinese start making these..... watch out.