We all know you should buy an e-bike from a bike shop, unless you are able to do all repairs yourself. I think we may have an even bigger problem -- as these bikes become more complex, even bike shops that sell them can't keep up with training for proper service.

I have a Tern HSD S , which (I believe) was Terns' first fully automatic bike. This bike was an expensive splurge -- we are a car-free family, and I wanted something "nice". I know how to fix and build bikes, and I have converted multiple Xtracycles to electric. One of the ways I justified this purchase was that (in theory) I could always drop the bike off at the dealer for maintenance and repairs, instead of spending a weekend fixing it myself.

Long story short, after 9 months, the Enviolo transmission started slipping on the middle "gears". It took over 3 months(!) to get this fixed. The bike shop only had one "e-bike" repair guy (the other mechanics are not trained), and he had never worked on this model of bike (that they sold me!) We had to fight with Tern over a warranty repair -- the Bosch motor was overpowered for the hub and stripped it. Eventually Tern agreed to replace the hub with a Heavy Duty model (which is now the standard issue hub for the newer versions of this bike).

When I got the bike back, it made a loud "clunk" sound when first going, also the belt would make a squeaking noise every time I pushed down on the pedal. These were both new problems. It turns out the Enviolo transmission was not properly mounted -- if you grabbed it with your hand you could rotate it 1/4" either direction, so this was the clunking sound. I then used the Gates app to check the belt tension, and it was WAY too tight. I dismantled the rear-end, reseated the Enviolo transmission and re-tensioned the belt.

And now 6 months later I just got burned by the shop again. I got a flat in the rear, which was also low on tread. I debated fixing it myself, but we had a lot going on this week so I thought I would drop it off at the shop and have them put in a new tube and tire. Well I just got it back (a day late), and once again the Enviolo transmission is loose, and the belt is not properly tensioned. I will once again have to fix it myself.

I love this bike, I often get questions about it and if I would recommend it to others. The problem is, I can't recommend it. Not because of the bike, but because the local dealer has now twice failed to properly repair it.

I am not here to bash on the dealer, but I wonder if this is a warning sign for the future. As these bikes get more complex, traditional bike shops that start selling e-bikes may not know what they are getting into, plus their mechanics will need a lot more training.

I fear people are going to buy an e-bike, have a shitty experience when it eventually breaks, and give up. That would have been me had I not been mechanically inclined.