All about bicycles, electric-assisted bikes, technology and safety in the press

In our daily work as we deal with bicycle safety, technology and user manuals we come across lots of safety risks. The most frequent ones are published in articles of the leading German special-interest magazines TOUR – Europas Rennrad-Magazin Nr. 1, BIKE – Das Mountainbike Magazin Europas Nr. 1 and E-Bike – Das Pedelec-Magazin to make this information important for the sector accessible to a wider public.

For many years now the Eurobike Show Daily accompanying the annual international Eurobike Show has given us the opportunity to publish our perspective on major developments in the cycle industry in full-page articles.

We also speak regularly in independent lectures about all topics relating to bicycle technology and bicycle market. In addition, we are regularly cited by further special-interest magazines or trade journals as well as more and more by radio and television and in their media reports, which shows us that we are completely right with our information. The section NEWS informs you about the latest news from our specialist fields. The reports and publications of this section are listed chronologically or according to topics of interest.

EMTB 01/2022
Reading time 1:20 minutes

Endurance runner

Due to the enormous motor power on E-MTBs, drive components wear out as if in fast motion. We show how you can slow down the process and save a lot of money.
(…)

Warranty for wearing parts?

Does that exist at all? Dirk Zedler, sworn expert witness for electric bicycles, provides information.

 
EMTB: Is there a warranty for wearing parts as well?
DIRK ZEDLER: In the case of wearing parts liability for material defects, meanwhile the correct term, is a delicate subject. In principle, wearing parts are not excluded from liability for material defects. Such products must also have a reasonably expected service life for this category.
 
This leaves room for interpretation. What exactly would be a reasonably assumed service life for an E-MTB drive?
That is frequently a point of contention. Especially information on the correct care, maintenance and replacement intervals of a product is something good operating instructions should provide. If in doubt, consult an expert. I am of the opinion that the bicycle chain of a high-quality e-bike for, let’s say, 4000 euros should last at least 1000 kilometres. Components such as the cassette should last longer. Currently, this is hardly realistic because the components used on e-bikes are still not up to the high drive force. This is actually unacceptable for the consumer.
 
Why are there still hardly any lawsuits against dealers or manufacturers?
The amount in dispute is simply too low for wearing parts. At 250 euros for a new chain and cassette, you will hardly find a lawyer who will go to court over it. What is more, the dealers cushion probably a lot. The situation is different, however, with major damage, when even the dealers see themselves unable to deal with. For example, in case of damage to the electronics. Due to the larger amount in dispute, the reverse transaction of entire purchase contracts is also often at stake here, and lawsuits are much more frequent.
 
The interview was conducted by Adrian Kaether
 

If you want to read the entire article, order the respective issue from Delius Klasing Verlag online.
 

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