News: E-bikes are not only becoming more and more popular. Due to the constant use in more and more areas and broader parts of society, electric bicycles are also confronted with major challenges. Especially if you are one of those people who are toying with the idea of buying an e-bike, the question of long-term robustness is interesting. This is exactly the question that the large e-bike repair study commissioned by the special insurer Wertgarantie investigates.
The battery is and remains the Achilles heel
In cooperation with the statistics portal Statista, Wertgarantie carried out a representative survey among over 1.700 e-bikers over the age of 18 in order to uncover problems. While a good 80 percent of those surveyed had no problems with their bikes, a good 20 percent reported technical defects. In 48,7 percent of the cases it was battery problems.
Particularly exciting: the respondents often mentioned problems with the BT-E8020 battery type from Shimano. In return, the lithium-ion battery from Yamaha proved to be the most robust. Users were also particularly satisfied with the battery models BMC-Alpenchallenge AMP Sport ONE (84%) and Hercules Rob Fold R8 (87%).
Note: Correct storage, charging and usage behavior have a huge impact on battery life.
Source of the problem – the engine
While the lion's share of the technical problems can be traced back to the batteries, the motors rank third with 37,3 percent. In the survey, engines from the BOSCH Active Line took the top spot. Only 6,4 percent of e-bikers reported damage here. The Steps E8000 motors from Shimano ended up at the end of the robustness scale, with a damage rate of a good 30 percent.
Ranking of defective parts:
- Battery (44,3%)
- Handlebar (35,8%)
- Engine (34,3%)
- display (32,5%)
- Rims & Spokes (24%)
- Tires (23,2%)
- Fork & suspension fork (18,5%)
- Lighting (17,7%)
- Other (8,9%)
Note: Due to the numerous battery types and motor models on the market, the survey is not necessarily representative of the individual devices. The results of the error rates should therefore be treated with caution.
More exciting findings from the 2020 E-Bike Repair Study
- Technical defects account for 20,5% of all claims. Accidents follow in second place (15,8%) and theft in third place (4,1%).
- With an overall average score of 1,5, Velo de Ville was voted the best manufacturer. Kreidler (1,6), Raleigh (1,6), Kalkhoff (1,7) and Flyer (1,7) follow in third place.
- In 45,1% of all cases of theft, only individual e-bike parts are stolen.
- 90,6% of all e-bikes are stored in the house or garage, only 8,6% outside.
- 23,1% of users repair everything themselves - 41,5 percent at least all parts that can be repaired without professional help.
- The age group from 30-39 causes the most accident damage - the age group from 60 only 3,7%.
You can find more information in the official PDF of the E-Bike Repair Study 2020.