3 Cycling shops refuse to work on disc brakes of electric bike due to motor size???

[night cycler]

A bloke I see quite regular on the same cycling route explained the issue today.

He has an electric bike that needs the disc pads changing or adjusting, as the brakes are not too good. He has contacted 3 cycle shops and been told that they are not allowed to work on his bike because it has a 350 watt motor. They explained that the cycle is classed as a moped, and they cannot legally work on it.

This seems odd to me. Surely, if a person is competent in this sort of thing, that is all that matters. What do others think?

 

[presta]

Perhaps it's their insurance that decide what they can and can't work on.

 

[Ian H]

Is the bike legally registered, with a number plate? Does the rider have a licence?

 

[vickster]

If it’s not a road legal bicycle, he should take it to a motorbike mechanic..and get some bloody insurance, VED and licence

 

[classic33]

If the brakes failed to stop the bike under power, who would he hold responsible?

 

[SydZ]

Nice to see bike shops behaving in this way.

 

[night cycler]

I will convey the responses, thank you .

 

[Cycleops]

Hardly surprising the brakes are ‘not too good’ with 350 w motor If it’s been deregulated or modified.
Would invalidate their liability insurance.

 

[fossyant]

Nice to see bike shops behaving in this way.

If it's an illegal bike, it's probably a dodgy import with crap brakes anyway. I'd refuse to work on it.

PS OP, what bike is it ? Make and model.

 

[fossyant]

I will convey the responses, thank you .

Model and make, then we can probably say why they've refused.

 

[rogerzilla]

In the scheme of things, 350W isn't as bonkers as some of the things the hooligans are riding around here, but it's still illegal so I'm glad they told him to take a hike.

These overpowered e-bikes are lethal to others on cyclepaths (and footpaths, and green spaces, and everywhere else they're ridden).

 

[Chislenko]

Seems like another reason to stick with rim brakes 😊

 

[Cycleops]

Rim brakes in 350w ebike. I don't think so unless you have a death wish.

 

[fossyant]

Rim brakes in 350w ebike. I don't think so unless you have a death wish.

Dunno, my road bikes can outrun a 350w ebike down hill and handle much better round corners, on old fashioned rim brakes.

 

[Cycleops]

Any flashing images of @classic33 's avatar as you race down the hill