Originally Posted by
Dockhead
Vaast is a cheap bike? Hmm. The E-Bay seller is a legitimate German dealer, and Germany is as close as it gets for me. I'm not in Scotland; I'm in the other direction, in Estonia, and there are no dealers for most of these brands -- too small.
BTW it turns out that the motor in the Vaast is indeed a CX, just a non-Smart System one. I guess pre-Smart System.
There is a different problem with the Vaast, however, and that's weight. As it turns out it weighs a massive 37kg, and that I really don't like. I guess the extra weight comes from the rear suspension setup. The R&M Multicharger is a hardtail which I think is OK for this application (though I do love my full suspension Jetstream). The R&M Multicharger with Rohloff is the best thing I've seen, but it's hard to justify the cost. I can buy a new radar set for my yacht with the difference in cost to the Vaast.
Also I've been looking at used R&M's on EBay and it looks like they lose half their value in the first year or two, which makes a new one seem to me like a poor investment. So maybe I should buy a used one. Hmm.
No no no Vaast is not a cheap bike I was more responding to a different comment about someone suggesting you buy an e-moped instead. The Scottish comment was from an SNL sketch where Mike Myers said "if it's not Scottish, it's Craaaaap"
I doubt you will get warranty from an eBay sale. I would check with Vaast first and make sure they are an authorized dealer and confirm things so you don't get screwed.
In terms of weight 37kgs is quite heavy for any bike my bike is probably about 73lbs but has two 625wh batteries, I don't think even the SuperDelite which is full suspension and otherwise the same as my bike isn't that heavy.
However again buying used is a risk unless the bike is long out of warranty and you can get it inspected. A new bike my lose investment or something I really didn't care and still don't care I love the bike and will be riding it for a long long time. I don't buy bikes to invest in them. You own a yacht, a yacht is never a good investment you do it because you love it. I generally don't buy stuff like a bicycle for the resale value and don't really recommend doing it either. Get the bike you want and enjoy it and if you can't sell it for a ton of money many years down the line not a problem. Bikes are for enjoying.