Is a Used/Refurbished Fat Tire Ebike Worth Buying?

When choosing a used, refurbished, or new fat tire electric bike, you have to make a trade-off between cost and confidence. A used e-bike may have an attractive sticker price, but that allure is not without risks and potential hidden costs. The latest technology and what amounts to a full warranty come with the brand new model, but it has higher upfront costs. In this guide, we’ll discuss the five most important aspects you need to consider in order to make an intelligent and confident decision.

1. The Money Outlay: Upfront Savings vs. Hidden Costs

The biggest draw of a used or refurbished fat tire e-bike is the large upfront cost that you can save. But if you are not alert, it is easy to lose this benefit. A holistic financial evaluation is giving the purchase price some consideration in the context of future expenses. These considerations are the first step in determining how much a used electric bike is really worth. It's important enough to budget a bit of money for it, and also have funds set aside for as many repairs or replacements in major components that might fail the moment your new (to you) bike is yours, before hitting the trails.

Upfront Savings Potential:

• The Lesser Purchase Price: The clearest advantage. You can usually do better with a high-specification model than you can with a new entry-level one.
• Depreciation Plus: The guy who bought this bike new took the biggest hit on depreciation, so the rate of loss in value will be much closer to what you’ll lose after purchasing it.
• Accessories: Some sellers add accessories, such as racks, panniers or lights that they’ve upgraded so you don’t have to spend additional money.

The Cost Buried and to Come:

• Battery: This is the most costly one to replace. A decaying battery will offer decreasing range and have to be replaced eventually — a very expensive project that wipes out up-front savings. Pro Tip: Inquire about the battery’s age and estimated charge cycles from the seller.
• Drivetrain Wear: Look for wear in the chain, cassette, and chainring. It can be expensive to replace in full. Visually check how much your chain has stretched. Use a chain checker tool if you have one during the inspection.
• Brake System Maintenance: Pads and rotors wear out. If the bike has hydraulic brakes, it may be necessary to bleed them.
• Tire Condition: Fat tires are not cheap. Check the tire tread is not worn and that the sidewalls are free from cuts or indentation.
• Motor and Controller Problems: Off-warranty fixes for the motor or electronic controller can run as much as you paid for the used bike.

2. The Crucial Inspection: A Hands-On Examination

Don't forget the inspection when purchasing a used fat tire e-bike. An electric bike is not like a regular bike; it has complicated electrical systems and potential major issues can be overlooked. Following a systematic checklist can help you avoid making a bad purchase. And, if you’re not confident with mechanical/electrical matters, then consider paying a local bike shop to give it the once-over for you. It’s a small price to pay for some peace of mind and a well-rounded view of the bike’s condition.

Mechanical Systems Checklist:

• Frame and Fork: Thoroughly check for cracks, dents or deep scratches – especially near the joints. This is a major safety issue.
• Wheels and Spokes: Spin the wheels to see if they’re true (not wobbly). Feel if the spokes have similar tension by squeezing around them.
• Brakes: Squeeze the brake levers to see if they feel solid. Assess the life of brake pads and examine the rotors for warping or deep grooves.
• Gears & Drivetrain: Change up and down all gears (if applicable) ensuring accurate gear change. Look out for grinding or skipping.
• Suspension: Optionally, partially compress either front or rear suspension to ensure clean action and without anything weird going on.

Electrical Systems Checklist:

• Battery: Inquire about the history. Look over the battery case for any hint of swelling, cracks or damage. Make sure it snaps down into the frame.
• Motor: As you test ride a used e-bike listen for grinding, clicking or an overly loud whine – all are indicators of internal issues with the motor. There should be no tearing sensation when the power assist kicks in.
• Display and control: Power the bike on. Make sure the LCD is fine without dead pixels. Test all buttons and controls.
• Wiring: Inspect all cables and connections that you can see for any signs of fraying, cracking or damage. If your wiring is damaged, it could result in a fire or systems failure.
• Take a Test Ride: This is the crucial step. Bike for a minimum of 15 minutes. Test each of your pedal assist levels and the throttle (if applicable). Run the motor up a hill to load it and see how it does.

3. Performance, Technology, and Component Lifespan

The landscape of e-bikes is changing quickly. What was a top-of-the-line model just a few years ago could be missing the features, efficiency and integration present in today’s electric bikes. When you buy used, you’re not just buying a pre-ridden bike; you’re often buying an older technology. This will affect how your bike rides, how reliable it is and also the fatigue life of the bike. The lifetime of these components matters, important if you want to estimate future bike performance and services.

Outmoded Tech You May See:

• Less Power: Old hub motors or mid-drives (in very cheap models) can be less powerful, noisier and provide less torque than the current generation.
• Basic Screens: Less expensive units may be missing features such as USB charging, advanced trip computers or Bluetooth.
• Battery Integration: Many older models carry large, conspicuous batteries on the outside of the frame while modern designs more commonly incorporate them into the body of the bike.
• Mechanical Brakes: A lot of older or less expensive models feature mechanical disc brakes, which provide less stopping power and need to be adjusted more often than hydraulic brakes that are popular today.

Length of Finite Component Life to Consider:

• Lithium-ion Battery: A common battery is rated for 500-1,000 full charge cycles. A 3-year-old daily rider bike might have a battery that’s near the end of its useful life, with drastically decreased range.
• Motor and Controller: Although resistant, these are electronic devices that can wear out.
• Bearings: The headset, bottom bracket and wheel hub bearings can wear down causing a lot of roughness.

4. A Better Option: The Value and Security of a New ENGWE E26

You could always go used, but buying a new electric bike from a renowned brand like ENGWE rids you of the uncertainty and ensures that you get the best e-bike rides right from the start. ENGWE has made itself known as the brand for solid, high performance and great value electric bikes. Select a new e-bike and it will feature the newest technology, factory-quality components and a full manufacturer’s warranty to support you. There are no ifs or buts about the fact that new is better, and being a trail rider, nothing more speaks up for maintaining than the ENGWE E26. It is purpose-built to take on any sort of path with its head held high, and there’s nothing like it in terms of power, range or comfort from anything older and used.

Why You Choose Our ENGWE E26:

ENGWE E26

250W 140 km Dual Suspension All-Terrain E-bike

Buy Now

• Absolute power: With a 250W brushless motor that delivers up to 70Nm of torque and an ultra-efficient 48V16Ah battery, which is both easily removable (but thus still locked) and that has hill crushing capacity.
• Unrivaled Comfort: Keep the power at your fingertips for ultimate comfort and stability, even through the most daunting obstacles with a 2X dual suspension system (You can also choose only one level of suspension) in conjunction with big fat 26 x 4.0 tires that take this ENGWE E26 to a whole new stratosphere!
• Great Range: Take a long detour! You can travel up to 140 km on this pedal-assist e-bike with the big battery range of a removable 48V16Ah.
• Safety Assurance: Reliable all-condition stopping with strong, responsive hydraulic disc brakes.
• Peace of Mind: Guaranteed to be free from defects and that every component is new.

5. Dipping Into The Broader New E-bike Market

If you do decide to go with new, it is wise to know the lay of the land. In addition to our top pick, there are a couple other proven brands known for quality and dependability in the fat tire e-bike category. When you’re shopping, concentrate on important features rather than just brand names to help ensure that the electric bike is high-quality and will last for many years. This ensures you are buying into the latest technology and strong, durable parts which will transform your ride and also help keep the mechanic's bills at bay.

What to Look for in a New Fat Tire E-bike:

• Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Hydraulic brakes provide ultimate stopping power with the least amount of maintenance. They are essential for the weight and speed of a fat tire e-bike.
• Trusted Motor: Seek motors from brands well known for motor quality and perhaps a brand or supplier that continues to support their customers.
• Battery Size: For a heavy fat tire bike, you will want the following minimum capacity battery sizes; 600-watt-hours (Wh) for decent range.
• Build Quality: You want clean welds on the frame, integrated wiring for a neat look and more protection, and parts from known groups like Shimano.

A Few Other Trusted Brands in the Market:

• Rad Power Bikes: Famous for its affordable and utilitarian range of e-bikes plus a strong support network.
• Aventon: Specializes in clean e-bike designs, integrated batteries and a focus on the quality of the ride.
• Himiway: These guys specialize in long-range fat tire e-bikes that can handle even bigger batteries for an extended adventure.

What is the number one risk when you buy a used fat tire e-bike?
The battery. It is the most costly part to replace and its well-being can be tough to verify without undergoing a full diagnostic exam. An old, worn out battery can change a bargain to an expensive one.

Can I get a used e-bike and upgrade the components?
Yes, although the overhead costs can be substantial. For some of the larger items—a mechanical brake upgrade to hydraulic, replacing a worn-out drivetrain with one that doesn’t have missing teeth in the chainring, switching out a no-name controller for something you might trust (cf: Bolton eBikes) or a large display—the cost is higher than it would’ve been to buy better in the beginning.

Is a “refurbished” e-bike better than a “used” one?
Generally, yes. Refurbished means the bike has been inspected, serviced and had any defective parts replaced by a technician. It might also bring a limited warranty that can provide a degree of protection that goes beyond what you would get from a private “as-is” sale.

Lastly, nothing beats new when it comes to electric bikes and the ENGWE E26 is an exceptionally reliable performer on your exciting journeys.

By Justin Hughes