VIP Services
Some shops out there are charging “VIP services” to speed up the repair of your ONYX, but let me assure you-none of these places have anything to do with ONYX Motors, the community, or being authorized. They’re as relevant as a floppy disk at a tech convention.
Using the “Wayback Machine” (yes, the Internet time machine), it’s clear these shops claiming to be ONYX-approved are about as truthful as a cat promising it won’t knock over your glass of water.
Their so-called “VIP services” range from $300 to get your ONYX back in a week (spoiler: you probably won’t) to $400 for the privilege of watching them poke at your bike like it’s their first science project. These shops are infamous for holding onto ONYX bikes longer than your ex holds grudges, all while trying to milk more money out of you with empty promises and made-up completion dates.
Bike Transport Service
Watch out for bike transportation services charging $200 to $300 to move your ONYX a measly 6.5 miles-that’s highway robbery, except they’re not even on a highway! For comparison, you could call an Uber WAV from Midtown West, Manhattan, to Barclays Center (also 6.5 miles) for just $45, and the Uber driver might even throw in some free small talk.
NBP 20" 205, & 273 Motors Marketing
Substandard clones and low-grade versions exist for nearly every controller, motor, and part imaginable. Recently, there’s been a resurgence of resellers and shops passing off low-spec, low-grade, and clone motors as premium products, priced between $500 and $1,600-despite being worth only a fraction of that. This isn’t just a little markup; it’s price gouging with inferior products.
NBP 20" aka 205 Motor
Let’s start with the NBP 20" 48v being jacked to 72v to be passed off as a ONYX Motor 72v QS 205 V3TI 4T. For unsuspecting buyers, they are unaware this motor is a 1/4 of the power of an ONYX motor and low quality.
205 Clone and Low Spec Motor
There’s the case of the low spec, low grade, previous generation, and clone 205 motor being passed off as an original ONYX motor.
273 Low Spec Motor
Then there’s the case of the low spec and low grade QS 273 being passed off as a high spec version at the high spec prices.
Radial Spokes are Wrong
A red flag on all three of the motors is radial spokes, which are horrible and not the right way to lace any motors for this type of intended use. It’s suspected the scam resellers and shops will change from radial to cross-lace spokes, but the “Way Back Machine” cached copy of the sites will show their previous scam offerings.
Avoid NBP Power
When evaluating a motor, the most important factor is its specification: high, mid, or low spec. QS Motors rigorously bench tests all their motors and assigns these ratings accordingly. Even if two motors are built identically, their performance can vary significantly. Motors with lower performance are often rebranded and sold as NBP models at reduced prices.
For clarity, when discussing QS motors like the QS 205, QS 260, or QS 273, it’s crucial to specify their spec rating. Terms like “4k,” “8k,” or “12k,” commonly used in marketing, do not indicate a motor’s actual quality or specification. If that approach were valid, we’d have been calling the QS 205 a “3k” ages ago. For instance, saying “QS 273 8K” adds no meaningful clarity about whether the motor is high, mid, or low spec.
Aftermarket Huck Swing Arm
A brand-new ONYX Motors rear swing arm costs $89, while Puch, Tomos, and Motobecane rear swing arms are priced under $120. There’s no justification for a $660 5th-revision extended rear swing arm that snapped in half on the Cine Bike for some unlucky ONYX owners who mistakenly ended up with one. Looking at the ONYX community, it’s clear why not even ONYX employees-who crafted their own extended swing arms-ever chose the $660 version.
The $660 extended swing arm is built in the cheapest and laziest way possible, clearly lacking expereince. Deflection measurements alone aren’t enough to ensure a reliable rear swing arm, and it’s clear the design is derived from a Huck Rebel rear swing arm, made by the same people responsible for Huck frames. This is not suitable for the ONYX RCR or CTY2. No reputable manufacturer would produce this type of rear swing arm for good reason-they lack the durability and performance required for safe and dependable operation.
For ONYX owners who prioritize aesthetics or other personal reasons, worry no more. ONYX Motors will release a completely redesigned rear swing arm in 2025, including an extended version that meets both quality and performance standards.
Fardriver Efficency Claims
Claims that Fardriver controllers are more efficient are misleading and not accurate. Efficiency in an electric system is a complex interplay of multiple factors, including the motor, battery, and overall system design; it is not dictated solely by the controller. While Fardriver controllers are often marketed as an upgrade, their primary benefit lies in their ability to discharge more power, which enables higher top speeds. This increased discharge capacity makes them appealing for users seeking enhanced performance in terms of speed and acceleration.
However, it’s important to note that achieving higher top speeds or drawing more power does not inherently equate to improved efficiency. Efficiency refers to how effectively energy is used, not how much power is discharged or how fast a vehicle can go. In fact, higher power discharge can often result in increased energy consumption and reduced range.
Where the Fardriver controller truly stands out is in its affordability and accessibility. It is a high-quality, high-value alternative controller for the ONYX RCR, offering a higher discharge capacity at a price of $190. This makes it a cost-effective substitute for the stock ONYX RCR Kelly controller, which is priced at $305. For those seeking to enhance performance on a budget, the Fardriver controller presents an appealing option. However, it is important to note that this affordability and performance boost should not be confused with efficiency, which involves a more comprehensive assessment of the entire system.
Electric Bike Systems Efficiency Video
Unsafe Aftermarket Batteries
All major bike brands enclose their lithium batteries in hard protective cases for safety. When an aftermarket battery builder produces a lithium battery without such protection, it’s a clear red flag and a safety risk. While most lithium battery fires result from customer misuse, it is the responsibility of aftermarket battery builders to account for potential mishandling in the design and construction of their batteries.
Read this linked post about ONYX battery safety.
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If an aftermarket battery builder has a history of producing unsafe batteries without protective cases, it’s not an inspiring underdog story of “doing what they had to do to get ahead,” even if they later claim to do the right thing. It’s a serious red flag-steer clear!
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Building aftermarket batteries requires advanced equipment and UL certification, which are often financially unfeasible.
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Less reputable aftermarket battery builders who compromise customer safety are often the ones who overprice their batteries.
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Avoid basing decisions about lithium batteries primarily on cost. For example, one of the most popular aftermarket Onyx batteries of 2024 is priced at $992 brand new, including a charger and replacement discharge cable, compared to the average cost of $2,200 for batteries in 2023.
Unsafe Aftermarket Batteries Advice
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Avoid taking aftermarket battery recommendations from parties, individuals, or social media influencers who lack a proper understanding of lithium batteries. This may seem like common sense, but it’s easy to overlook.
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Consult your bike’s manufacturer for recommendations on aftermarket batteries.
Invasive Shops
Some less reputable shops have been known to engage aggressively in online groups, chats, and public events. They often target and poach unsuspecting customers, sometimes even going so far as to recruit a few of them to further their agenda.
Invasive Shops Tactics
- They often invest an excessive amount of time attempting to sell to you by cultivating a superficial friendship under false pretenses.
- They wait until your patience is exhausted before introducing a rush fee to expedite the work or parts.
- They consistently rely on social media representatives who lack genuine expertise but receive some form of compensation for their involvement.
The most peculiar aspect of invasive shops is their inability to attract experts to align with them. They also avoid demonstrating their products, knowing full well that the quality and performance fall short of expectations. The few individuals they manage to mislead are often more vulnerable customers, whom they exploit with inflated prices.
Invasive Shop Vigilance
If an invasive shop acts like your new best friend and portrays themselves as your savior, consider that your first red flag. A reputable shop is focused on managing their business and doing the actual work, not spending time acting like one of the crew while targeting vulnerable individuals for their schemes. When the financial and emotional toll sets in, it often leaves people too drained to share their negative experiences with others, a situation sometimes compounded by personal threats.
Invasive Shop and Major Brands
Most major bike brands are aware of invasive shops, largely due to customers sharing their negative experiences. These shops not only harm customer trust and retention but also jeopardize the safety and overall experience of riders. Major bike brands discreetly share information about which invasive shops customers should avoid.
Misleading Onyx Motor Swap
Reports suggest that some shops across the country are deliberately misleading Onyx owners by replacing newer-generation V3Ti motors with older-generation V3 models to boost profits, while charging over $600 for these motors. For reference, the 205 V3 is listed at $208, whereas the 205 V3Ti is priced at $366.