@ascentale @bikenite

The advice I have been given by my bike mechanic is that the really cheap ebikes save money on the electronics and batteries so caveat emptor there. Anything with a Bosh or Shimano system (and there are other reputable ones) is pretty safe. We've had our Norco Scene VLTs for 5 years with no issues.

https://the5thc.blogspot.com/2022/08/norco-scene-vlt-e-bike-for-people-that.html

@ascentale @bikenite
Few here giving personal responses, because the problem is quite rare

I’ve heard issues come from people modding batteries, to expand or adapt them

Don’t do that

Regulations for standardization of sizes and connectors seems like a basic need

@ascentale @bikenite used to work at a shop that specifically had a battery safety hazmat thing for recycling batteries that were dangerous (ie. not on fire yet, but swelling or likely to catch fire). We got them brought in somewhat regularly. If they were good batteries from a reputable brand it was normally that the battery was perfectly fine but not charging and reporting a dangerous fault, so we'd keep it just in case. The ones that were actually swelling and dangerous were 90% (probably actually 100%? I can't remember a good one being a problem) off-name batteries with no lab certification.

#BikeNite

@ascentale @bikenite

A6. Not bike batteries per se, but I live in a large tower (c. 1,000 units), and in eight years we've had two battery fires: one a robot vacuum and one a phone. Management did not provide brand details, but in both cases advised residents not to leave devices on charge while out of the flat.

#BikeNite

@ascentale @bikenite A6. The only issue I've had was when I got a range extender and the shop didn't wire it in right, so it would make the motor cut out.

Other than that, I've never had a problem ... probably because I went with a motor/battery from a real company that actually exists (Bosch) and not some cheap knock-off brand.

My dad always says "don't buy cheap tools" and an e-bike is a tool.

#bikeNite

@ascentale @bikenite A6: Mark Weir, a legend in the MTB community - winner of the pro men's Downieville All-Mountain Championship eight times? - lost his home to fire when the li-po batteries he used for rc cars caught fire. He's now a spokesman for Bosch e-bikes.

Mountain biking pro from Novato melancholy as he sifts through burned-out home – Marin Independent Journal https://share.google/GR6gIcIjqYSWR4UNQ

MARK WEIR INTERVIEW - THE KING OF DOWNIEVILLE SPEAKS HIS MIND ON EBIKES - Mountain Bike Action Magazine https://share.google/nMpm9e01wBaukGmjd

@ascentale @bikenite A6. No e-bikes in the stable, but I wouldn't expect anything less from Amazon e-bikes by sellers with names like CNAYYYFLMKW.

#BikeNite

@ascentale @bikenite A6. Not yet. The batteries that came with the Cargo Quad were awful cheap shit batteries using Anderson connectors.

I never charged them when I was not nearby to do something. And it was hard to do in a crowded travel trailer, but I charged them as far away from papers or easy flammables as I could.

They quickly weren't holding a charge anymore. Replacements thru the manufacturer had the same problem. I ended up having to spend $$ getting custom batteries made. #BikeNite

@ascentale
A6: no issue here with the large Bosch batteries. I don't know anyone who had issues either although I read about the fire brigade warning about make shift battery fires
@bikenite

#BikeNite

@bikenite @ascentale No, but my local bike shop requires that e-bike owners take their battery with them if they leave their bike for repairs. Insurance reasons due to fire risk. Probably overblown.

#BikeNite a6

@ascentale if this is about lithium batteries, I know a person who saw one such fire in person on the street; they were walking and a woman had her handbag erupt in fire spontaneously

@bikenite @suzannealdrich