Total Weight:
65.2 lbs (29.57 kg)
Battery Weight:
8.2 lbs (3.71 kg)
(5.7lb Optional Dual Battery)Motor Weight:
9.47 lbs (4.29 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
19 in (48.26 cm)Geometry Measurements:
19" Seat Tube, 23.5" Reach, 28.75" Stand Over Height, 34" Minimum Saddle Height, 43.25" Maximum Saddle Height, 27.25" Width, 74" Length, 45.25" Wheelbase
Frame Types:
High-Step
Frame Colors:
Gloss Black with Space Grey Accents, Glacier White Gloss with Silver Accents
Frame Fork Details:
SR Suntour XCT ATV Spring Suspension, 100mm Travel, Compression Adjust with Lockout, Preload Adjust, 28mm Stanchions, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer
Frame Rear Details:
142mm Hub Spacing, 10mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer
Attachment Points:
Fender Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, Bottle Mounts
Gearing Details:
9
Speed 1x9 Shimano Altus Derailleur, Shimano 11-36 Tooth FreewheelShifter Details:
Shimano Altus Trigger Shifters on Right (One-Way High, Three-Shift Low)
Cranks:
Lasco Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 46 Tooth Steel Chainring with Aluminum Alloy Guard
Pedals:
Wellgo Aluminum Alloy Platform with Reflectors, CrMo Axle, Black
Headset:
Semi-Integrated, Sealed Cartridge, 1-1/8" Straight
Stem:
Ergotec Octopus (Security 5, 300lb Rated), Adjustable Angle 0º to 60º, 100mm Length, 5mm Headset Cap, Four 5mm Spacers, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter
Handlebar:
MJ, Aluminum Alloy, Low-Rise, 680mm Width
Brake Details:
Tektro Auriga Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Three-Finger Tektro Levers with Adjustable Reach and Motor Inhibitors
Grips:
Velo, Ergonomic, Rubber, Locking, Removable End-Cap
Saddle:
DŌST Branded Velo with Lifting Handle
Seat Post:
Aluminum Alloy, Single Bolt Clamp
Seat Post Length:
340 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
31.6 mm
Rims:
HJC, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, 38mm Outer Width, 36 Hole
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Silver with Nipples
Tire Brand:
Schwalbe Super Moto-X, 27.5" x 2.4" (62-584)
Wheel Sizes:
27.5 in (69.85cm)Tire Details:
30 to 55 PSI, 2.2 to 4.0 BAR, Reflective Sidewall Stripe, Performance Line GreenGuard Puncture Protection
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Rear-Mount Tool-Free Adjustable Kickstand, Spanninga Axendo 80 Integrated Dual LED Front Light (80 LUX), Integrated Spanninga Lineo LED Rear Light (2 LED), Clear Sticker Slap Guard, Plastic Fenders with Alloy Core (65mm Width), Integrated Rear Rack with Pannier Hangers and Top Support Bars (100lb Max Load), Optional Dual Battery with Mounting Hardware ($699), Optional SR Suntour NCX Seat Post Suspension, Optional Yepp! Maxi Next Child Seat, Optional DŌST Branded Handlebar Mount Cup Holder (Silver), Optional Sunnywheel Side Mirror, Optional DŌST Branded Water Resistant Trunk Bag, Optional DŌST Branded Waterproof Pannier Bags
Other:
Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, 1.1lb 2 Amp Charger, 300lb Maximum Weight Rating, Adjustable Top Speed (12km/h - 45km/h), Adjustable LCD Brightness, Adjustable Wheel Size, All Electronics IP65 Rated Water Resistant (Dust Tight, Protects Against Water Jets from Any Angle, Do Not Submerge)
Shane
1 year agoYou sure you mean Altus and not Acera or Alivio? Altus is only one step up from Tourney… Not exactly high end.
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHi Shane, you’re correct. Altus as a family of derailleurs is just one step up from Tourney, but it appears that there are a couple of options within this group and a couple of options for Tourney. I’m used to seeing the cheaper Altus but the one DOST chose looked a lot nicer. I was surprised. In any case, I wrote “Shimano Altus derailleur is a couple of steps up from base level” in one of the pros and then “the Shimano Altus derailleur that DŌST selected for the KOPE is slightly upgraded from the ones I see on some other ebikes. The exterior looks great and I suspect it’s the high-end Altus option” so I feel like those words are still accurate. I hope the review helped you and that this clarifies the reasoning why I said it that way ;)
ReplyDoug Johnson
1 year agoA top notch review, Court. Concise and fast-moving, which was really appreciated for such a feature-rich bike. I have been awaiting this review since you did the teaser interview last fall with Sam that indicated how appropriate this bike was going to be for me. This bike checks ALL the boxes for me (6’2″, 225 lbs, 64yo), except for no brake light, enough so that I ordered one directly from Sam after your review and the Dost launch video. I have been reading your site’s reviews and doing A LOT of internet research for a year now, and this is the first bike that has moved me to make a purchase. I cannot wait to get it!
ReplyCourt
12 months agoHey, that’s awesome Doug! Thanks for the positive feedback on this review and details about your height, weight, and age. I think this will be a great platform for you and I’d love to hear about your rides once it arrives and you have some saddle time. Your comment made my day :D
ReplyBrad
12 months agoThis looks like a great replacement for my Rad City that’s quickly falling apart (at over 300 miles, lots of components are breaking, and the battery is nearly dead). Compared to the anemic acceleration of my RAD, the 120 nM of torque of this bike is something I could definitely use on my commutes (to get out of the way of the cars that seem to want to run me over).
ReplyCourt
12 months agoHey Brad! Sounds like a good fit. Even the best products have a lifespan, I’m glad your RadCity held up for 300 miles, and it sounds like moving to the more powerful motor and upgraded components of the KOPE could be a solid move. I’d love to hear how it works out for you if you do buy one, after you’ve ridden for some time!
Cheers,
ReplyCourt
Jerry
12 months agoYou mentioned water bottle cage. Where and how would you attach one. I see no mounts for one anywhere. Thanks.
ReplyCourt
12 months agoHi Jerry, there are three threaded bosses on the downtube of both the KOPE and DROP which can be used to position a bottle cage or folding lock (or any accessory that fits this bolt spacing) in either a high or low position. The thing is, if you add the optional downtube battery pack, all three mounting points are used. In that case, DŌST sells an optional handlebar mounted drink holder. I hope this helps, good question ;)
ReplyMike K
12 months agoAlways great reviews Court. Your thoroughness and objectivity is really appreciated. I’ve been very interested in this bike since I first saw your teaser video. I have some very steep mountains in my commute… a gain of 2000 feet in 6 miles. That makes me wonder if the Bafang BBS02 is the right choice, or if I should opt for a bike that has the Bafang M620, (like the soon to be released Rize XS). Do you have any thoughts on motor selection for my situation?
ReplyCourt
12 months agoGreat question, Mike! That’s a tough one… I think DŌST chose the BBS02 here because it has been so reliable, and is affordable. This allowed them to upgrade other parts of the bike. The frame is custom, designed for strength and improved handling, so that costs a lot. I haven’t spent enough time on the Bafang M620 motor yet to feel comfortable making a call. However, I’ll keep an eye out for the RIZE XS and be sure to comment more then. I did cover the Spark RX last year (which I think used the same motor) and I remember thinking that it was loud sometimes. Here’s the video review for that, check it out and hopefully it will help you get closer to a decision ;)
ReplyMike K
12 months agoThank you Court, for the reply. Looks like the old Spark RX was close to the same bike as the newer Rize XS, except that the Spark you reviewed (thanks for the link) had the older Bafang M600 which was only rated at 500w where the new RIZE has unleashed all 1000w in the M620 motor. But, both motors are rated at 120nm of torque which is what will help me get up my local mountains. I really like the specs of the Dost, and lean in that direction. As you point out, it looks like they did a great job with the quality of the components. I just want to know that the smaller motor with a cadence sensor will be up to the task of my mountain riding. Thanks again, good sir.
Billy M
11 months agoAs a complete novice to ebikes I started youtubing to see what I could find out. Was amazed at how many youtube videos for ebikes were done by people from the UK…. That being said when I stumbled on EBR I started working through some of your reviews and it was a bit daunting; then watched your “whats the best ebike” video where you mention several different brands and models based on what one was looking for. You mentioned Dost somewhere in there so watched your video, contacted Dost and a nice person named Sam actually answered the phone, fielded a lot of questions from an ebike neanderthal so I made the purchase yesterday. The only thing in your video and written review of the Kope that i don’t get is the shifter offering only one way action. With my Santa Cruz mountain bike the shifter on either side has a large and small shifter. One for moving to lower gearing and one to move back to higher gearing either on the front or back derailer. So not sure what the issue is with the shifter offering only one way action? Anyway your video and written review was instrumental in my decision making. Thank you
ReplyCourt
11 months agoSweet! Thanks for the feedback, Billy. I realize it can be information overload here… I purposefully go deep, because there’s so much short marketing fluff out there, and I wanted to make a resource for people who had narrowed down and needed the exact details. Plus, if you get one of these ebikes and need info about tire size or seat post diameter later, we’ve got you covered :D
I think you chose well with the KOPE, and Sam is an awesome guy! To clarify on one-way action, I’m talking about the smaller high gear trigger paddle. In this case, the DŌST KOPE is a 1x (one-by) setup, so there’s only a rear derailleur and only a trigger shifter mechanism on the right portion of the handlebar. Okay, so the smaller paddle that moves to higher gears, that lever only pulls back towards the bar. Shimano also makes a trigger shifter that has a high trigger that can be pushed away from the bar (forward) or pulled back… and that allows for index or thumb use. The lower paddle is situated very close to your right thumb and only goes forward, with three-shift steps. You can shift one, or two, or three gears at a time with it. So, my preference is that three or four shifter for low gears (the large paddle) and a two-way high shifter (which only ever offers one gear at a time). DŌST chose a slightly cheaper trigger shifter that requires you to use your index finger vs. thumb to shift to higher gears, so I mentioned it as a trade-off in my review ;)
ReplyJamie
10 months agoThanks for your review, I preordered a Kope yesterday! This will be my first ebike. Although i was looking for the Cube Kathmandu which they are not bringing to North America this year, I was very happy to get the extra battery range, higher power, and more of a dirt road orientation while giving up on the more refined Bosch CX of the Cube. The Dost will replace my commute bike, a steel frame dutch Workcycle, as well as a 27 year old Cannondale hardtail. This Kope looks like the one bike to do it all. Thanks again, for not just this review but all the great reviews that helped me with this choice.
ReplyCourt
10 months agoWonderful, thanks for the feedback on why you chose the KOPE! I think you’ll be very happy with it, Jamie. This bike brings a lot of value and unique traits that you just can’t get anywhere else. It’s nice to hear that EBR helped you in the decision making process. Be sure to post some comments after you actually get the bike and ride it for a bit :D
ReplyNick
10 months agoHi Court,
I just wanted to thank you as well for a great review and video. I’ve been researching ebikes for a few months and your detailed review helped me choose the Dost Kope which I ordered just now. They have a special on the second battery for only $399 which I snatched up! Also I was super impressed as 10 seconds after I placed my order, I was called by Sam thanking me for my purchase. Wow! that’s a really nice touch! I thanked Sam for the call back and asked him a couple of questions. I can’t wait until they ship in early June!
Thanks again!
ReplyNick
Court
10 months agoNice! I’m so glad the reviews helped you, Nick. Thanks for sharing the feedback about customer support from DŌST, it may help others who are on the fence. I hope the bikes come soon and that you enjoy riding them as much as I did. It’s cool to see a company offering something so unique and well thought out. I hope the extra battery takes you on lots of wonderful ride adventures. Please do report back someday when you’ve gone on some :D
ReplyBobby
10 months agoI do not own an eBike, but I am in the market for two. I have watched many of your reviews, and the only thing I can’t find in any of your videos is whether any of these bikes can have a child’s trailer hooked up to them. I really like the KOPE! I know the strong motor and the torque are perfect for pulling a child trailer. What I don’t know is whether a trailer can be hooked up the the KOPE. What are your thoughts, and what other eBikes can you recommend that have the power and torque to pull a trailer? I have a budget of about $3000 per bike.
ReplyCourt
10 months agoHi Bobby! Great question there. The founder of DŌST actually has a daughter that goes riding a lot. I think they might be using a child seat at the moment, but he has probably explored trailers and would have some insights for you. I’m saying all of this, because you can easily reach him directly via email or phone through their official website… he’s super responsive. I’m almost 100% sure that you can find or construct some sort of adapter for a trailer, but each trailer is slightly different and it might come down to how the axle is setup on the KOPE, as well as the disc brake calipers, and rack supports. Some trailers connect to the chainstay an seatstay triangle at the rear, others connect at the axle, there are special extended axles that some trailers need… Whatever you figure out, I’m sure that the KOPE would be a perfect bike for use with a trailer because not only does it use the mid-drive AND have awesome shift-detection, but it also has that second battery option for if you’re really working the motor. Great find man, I’d love to hear how it all works out and humbly request that you post about your solution, including some pictures and feedback, in the DŌST electric bike forums, because it could really help some other customers and the company. Good luck! And hit me up if you can’t reach Sam, because I can get you his cell phone number if needed.
ReplyAsa Weinstein
10 months agoHey Court,
Great review of the Dōst bikes. You hit all the relevant spots, which is why I went to their site and bought 2 of them right after I watched your review! I’m a 55 year old man who switched to an electric a few years ago due mainly to some health issues. I’ve been riding in the city using my bike as my principal means of commuting for 40 years. Since I went pedelec I’ve never looked back!
I’ve been riding the Stromer ST 1 Class 3 for about a year and also before that, the original Stromer ST 1 which were both great bikes. The principal issue with the Stromers are that when you inevitably get a rear wheel flat, it’s very difficult, potentially expensive, and time consuming to fix because of the powered rear hub setup. So, until we have flat proof bike tires this will continually be an issue. I had no problems with the engineering of the bikes as they are fantastic riding bikes; smooth power with the powerful 500W rear hub motor and a very well engineered torque sensor, and electronic setup. They are a little pricey, but they do hit all the sweet spots for a city commuter, coming well equipped with a rack, powered lights and fenders. The components are pretty good too, having Tektro hydraulic brakes and a better than base level drive-train setup. So, when my Stromer got stolen last week; Two guys carried my locked bike down the street in broad daylight! I decided to have a further look around for a mid-drive pedelec.
I’ve been to your site a number of times to see what’s new and have been very impressed with the breadth of bikes that you have reviewed and the thoroughness of the reviews, so thank-you very much for that! The reviews were very helpful in evaluating potential replacements for my current bike and also interesting to see what’s new in this fast growing market.
I started with looking through the best Class 3 bikes for 2020 and immediately saw the Dōst and noticed that it was assembled and engineered in Canada. Since I’m in Toronto, this seemed like a bonus, as I’m always on the lookout for Canadian companies who are doing interesting things. The Dōst has everything that I was looking for in a city commuter bike. As you put it in your review, it has all the components plus some additional useful optional accessories for anyone looking for a sturdy, daily commuter, with the option to go touring with the extra battery setup. I have a good friend in Waterloo who I have been trying to get out of his car and on to an electric bike for his daily 60km commute. The bonus for his is that he can travel on a paved trail almost the entire way! Not too many people would be able to do that, so in my view it’s an ideal situation for him. The Dōst Kope will be another lure! I think he will even be able to deal with the price, since it’s a great bike for the price.
So, that’s my story. Keep up the good work, it is much appreciated!
Best,
ReplyAsa
Court
10 months agoHey Asa! I enjoyed reading your comment. So happy that EBR has been useful and thanks for contributing some knowledge and tips about the Stromer. I can totally see how the rear wheel setup with the hub motor and torque sensor could be difficult to work with when changing flats. I’m sorry yours was stolen :(
DOST is doing some amazing stuff, and I admire their team members. They are good people, and the product is very special in my opinion. I love Toronto, and visit occasionally for reviews, so perhaps we will cross paths! Until then, ride safe and thanks for the update, you made my day :D
ReplyDon Thorsteinson
9 months agoLove your detailed reviews Court! I just sold my Yamaha TMAX scooter after riding motorcycles for close to 50 years. I figured it was time for an E-bike. I live in Vancouver with many hills as you know, so the E-bike will come in handy zipping up those hills. Began to do my DD and listened to many of your reviews. As soon as I saw your review on the Dost bikes I decided that the Kope may be the bike for me. I phoned the office and was greeted by Sam the owner and designer of the bikes. What a great guy. He invited me out to their office to test the bikes. I fell in love with the Kope in white/grey. What a bike. Their office is 5 minutes from a great trail ride along the Fraser River. What a fabulous place to test the bike. Because it was my first ride on a sophisticated E-bike I don’t have much to compare with but I don’t think I need to look further. I am definitely ordering one this week.
ReplyCourt
9 months agoThat’s awesome to hear, Don! So glad you found a bike that you like, were able to test locally, and get to meet the founding team! I agree, Sam is a wonderful person. Perhaps we will cross paths out there one day, since I ride and film a lot in Vancouver. Thanks for the wonderful testimonial :D
ReplySaul
7 months agoHi Court
Just started looking at eBikes for me and my wife – we’re both in our mid 50’s. She suffers from Arthritis but likes to ride and I had cervical surgery a few years back with two fused vertebra which causes me to have a stiff neck – making me prefer a more upright position when riding. The DOST review checked all the boxes for us and we’re exited to buy one of each model. My question is with regards to service. We live in Southern California, north of LA and would want to know if there is a dealership or network used by DOST that we could use to service the bikes if needed. Thanks again for your wonderful reviews!
Best,
ReplySaul
Court
7 months agoHi Saul! What a great place to be. I used to spend time in Simi Valley reviewing for IZIP/Raleigh when they had offices there and love the entire Los Angeles area. It’s a great place for riding, and I think the DOST products would be a great fit for you and your wife! Unfortunately, for DOST and most other online direct brands, there aren’t many (if any) shops that carry them. Many shops will help with routine maintenance like gears, truing wheels, brake balancing etc. And, in my experience there’s not much to worry about with electronics if you store the battery in a cool/dry location away from extreme heat. DOST is exceptional in terms of customer care. The founder has gone above and beyond with several other customers who have commented here, so I expect that he will do the same for you. I feel like they’d just send replacements for anything you need if there was an issue. The main parts of the bike are fairly simple to adjust manually yourself, but the big box and initial assembly can take a bit of time. I talk about it and show it in my recent EVELO review here. Hope this helps! You could also visit local shops for test rides, but sometimes they don’t provide great service even when you do buy there. It can really be hit or miss with bike shops, so I’ll just wish you luck and positive encouragement here :D
ReplyDavid Hell
6 months agoPlease compare the DOST DROP to VoltBike Yukon 750. I need to make a decision. Thanks
ReplyCourt
6 months agoHi David! The Yukon 750 is a fat tire hardtail while the DROP and KOPE are more traditional hybrids (blending mountain with city elements). They are not fat tire ebikes, which makes them a bit quieter, more nimble, and the wheels are lighter. They are versatile hardtails that could be used on or off road effectively. The Yukon is a bit more trail oriented… but these days, many people are using them on road because they are fun and they look cool. Both are Canadian companies and I think both might be backordered. I feel that DOST has put more emphasis on the style, hardware, and even design. VoltBike offers incredible value, but is a bit cheaper overall. You can see this in the drivetrain components, paint, and limited options. DOST is one of the only companies offering dual batteries and branded accessories of high quality. I would choose based on your riding needs… with style being a close second. I think they will both perform well, but DOST is using a mid-drive vs. hub motor, it’s more powerful if you shift gears appropriately, and it’s also more efficient. I hope this helps, I don’t know which direction to go with feedback because your question is pretty broad. Try using the compare tool or ask around in the EBR forums for more input :D
ReplySteve Utschig
6 months agoReally interested in the DOST Drop. Are there any dealers in Wisconsin that carry and or service this bike. I like to support local businesses and have a place to go to maintain it.
ReplyCourt
6 months agoGood call, Steve! Unfortunately, I think DOST is mostly selling direct right now. You could reach out directly and ask the company, because they do have some dealers… but I’m not sure about Wisconsin. Also, these bikes are backordered at the moment. Maybe you could work with DOST to send your shop the bike to assemble, build, and support. It would cost extra, but might feel more comfortable and support your local shop… which is really cool. It’s nice that you’re thinking that way :)
ReplyJerry Orban
6 months agoGood Morning!
I would like to thank you for your thorough reviews of the Dost Drop and Kope bikes. Based on your reviews, as well as the overall attention to detail and quality components we recently went ahead and purchased both bikes for my wife and I. Can’t wait for them to arrive in OCT timeframe.
My cousin has a R&M fully loaded which he let me ride for about 10 miles and I was convinced that electric was a way for us to get back riding again since we are both more elderly.
Dost bikes look to have used R&M as benchmarks albeit with more midrange components on their bikes, but they are really priced competitively. We bought both bikes and are still quite a ways under what my Cousin paid for his R&M (10k).
Thank you again for your reviews as they were a large part of our decision cycle, along with the nice folks at Dost that we chatted virtually with as well as the very entertaining Magnificent Dave videos Dost has been putting out.
Have a Great Day!
ReplyCourt
6 months agoHi Jerry! Thanks for following up. I appreciate your perspective and am excited for you guys. It sounds like you spent some time looking, got a taste for ebikes in general, and chose a good one. It’s nice when two people can have the same brand because parts and battery packs are easier to work with. I like what DOST is doing and agree that their customer service and videos are great. Enjoy the ride ;)
ReplyJerry
1 month agoHey Court, Just a quick update for all. We got our Kope and Drop about a month ago and are duly impressed and really enjoying them! The wait was long with the Covid world we live in but it was worth it. My friend with GIANT full suspension MB rode it and fell in love with the throttle. LOL. For us, besides the quality and how well put together the component’s on the bike feel, having pedal assist and the throttle equals a really versatile bike.
Luis
4 months agoHi, the claimed 120 miles with 2 batteries sounds great and all, but was is the more realistic range you can get with this bike?
ReplyCourt
4 months agoHi Luis, I actually got ahold of Sam (founder of DOST) to ask about this and get some realistic numbers. I trust Sam, but he also said that Mikey from Blue Monkey Bicycles would be doing a video showing the real world performance of this bike vs. some others on his YouTube channel soon! The results he gave me are as follows. For a dual battery KOPE or DROP model and a 140lb rider on paved flats with no wind in assist level 1, the 120 mile range is realistic. If you’re a 200lb rider (like Mikey) but still on paved flats and this time using assist levels 4 and 5, expect 65 to 75 miles. If you add in some hills, but all else is held constant, expect more like 55 to 65 miles per dual charge. Hope this helps!
ReplyTim
2 months agoHi, I haven’t seen any other info on the web as far as range of Dost bikes. I am 200 lbs and would be probably using level 2 assist. Any idea on range? Thanks, Tim
Steve Rim
4 months agoJust received my Kope. purchased it on June 28, 2020. Received it last Friday. Blame it on the pandemic. It was a long wait. But well worth it. I test drove several Class 3 Ebikes. Kope has more character. It’s powerful. It’s comfortable. I’ve been riding a little less than 25 miles per day for 7 days. Today, I climbed a hill 1,185 ft. It was easy and exhilarating. The bike can easily reach 28 MPH on any flat roads. Going downhill at 34 MPH was a bit fast but the bike was stable and secure.
My life has changed. I am having so much fun riding this Kope. I look forward to my rides. Google maps told me that it should have taken me about one hour and 40 minutes to climb up to the destination on a bike. It took me 34 minutes. I’m 49 years old.
And yes, you still burn calories. Yesterday, I rode my Kope for 24.9 miles in one hour and 14 minutes. I burned 1235 calories. And lastly, what CLASS 3 Ebike can haul 100 LBS on its rear rack? I’m going to load it up and have FUN!!!
ReplyCourt
3 months agoSweet! Sounds like you’re having a blast, thanks for the testimonial here, Steve. yeah, the DOST bikes are pretty special in my opinion. Sturdy, comfortable, and very versatile. Good for you, getting out for some fun rides! 34mph is pretty impressive, lol. Hope it holds up well for you, glad it finally arrived. I know they have been working super hard to get the bikes out quickly, and some of their shipments of parts were delayed or even unexpectedly cut short (I heard that last month) so it must be frustrating for everyone. You were patient, and it paid off ;)
ReplyDan Levy
3 months agoI am an ebike novice looking for a long range bike and Dost has, for good reason, appeared prominently on the radar. But, I have a general question regarding this–and probably most ebikes manufactured by small outfits with limited distribution: How do you get warranty repairs? Other general repairs particular to your model bike? Thanks!
ReplyCourt
3 months agoHi Dan! I can’t speak directly for DOST, but my experience seeing them launch and hearing from some of the early customers is that they are very proactive about sending replacement parts, talking on the phone, even doing video conferences with customers. They care a lot about their reputation and really about ebikes and their customers. This is a smaller company, but packs a lot of experience and integrity. This is why I’ve ranked them highly here on the site with my “best of” articles and videos. I trust them. You may still need to work with a local shop for tune-ups, and if DOST went out of business one day, you might have to get a third party to repack the battery (someone like FTH Power in California) but the good news is that the bike is fairly standard with their hardware and they do not use proprietary controllers and display stuff that could lock you out of a later hardware upgrade or fix. Hope this helps you to see the potential costs and trade-offs, but I definitely see DOST, Rad Power Bikes, Specialized, Trek, and the Electric Bike Company as leaders in the space. Some charge more than others, but these are companies with great customer support.
Replyjoshua jovanovich
3 months agoMy buddy Jon Okeefe and I have been a huge fan of yours for a long time. This site is definitely the best for sifting through all the bikes. My first bike was a Rad Rover which I love, but I decided I would like more torque, range, and comfort. I cant believe I will be getting the Dost Kope next week. I am going to be using the ugly stick to pull a Kayak from my house in Sebastopol California to Tomales Bay 27 miles. I have two questions, first it seems like Bafang gets a bad rap compared to Bosch, Brose etc… I think this engine in particular has awesome specs, and the Bosch I have rode seem not as smooth as the Bafangs. My Bafang has been rock solid, its like a Panzer vs T-34 in WW2. The Panzer might be a more refined version, it is more expensive and is over-engineered where as the T-34 gets the job done, cheaper and is far more powerful, but not pretty. What do you think? My second question is since I have been looking at kayaks; the big thing is pedal driven kayaks, but what is missing is electric pedal assist kayaks. Is any of the big companies looking to branch out is this market?
ReplyCourt
2 months agoHi Joshua! I love the idea of an electric assist paddle kayak… that sounds like a blast! Unfortunately, no I have not seen or heard of that before. Maybe this is your chance to build it. I’d love to test and review if you do someday :D as for the motors, I do think that Bafang is a leader in terms of volume and quality for a Chinese manufacturer. They might get a bad rap because they offer a range of motor types (and quality levels) with somewhat limited customer support (historically speaking, from a US and Canadian perspective). They work with companies like Luna Cycles, who then perform shipping and support plus customization options. There’s just so much variety when it comes to their motors compared to Bosch, which is super focused, and Brose, which has an even more limited line of products right now. That’s my two-cents ;)
ReplyTom Warner
2 months agoThis looks a lot like the next bike for me. I have a Giant Quick-e. I’ve put about 17,000 miles on it in 34 months and the reliability is what I’m looking for in my next bike. the Quick-3 doesn’t have front suspension, nor a throttle. There have been times when I’ve gone 30 or more miles and would like to go further but would like the option of taking a break and just ride for a few miles without peddling. This looks like the perfect option.
I don’t know anything about this brand and want to know if you think It will hold up as well as my Giant. In 17k I’ve only replace the chain and battery besides the usual tires and breaks. Thanks for your reviews, I used them to find my wife’s Rad City step through which she absolutely loves. This looks like my next one.
ReplyCourt
2 months agoHi Tom! Thanks for the background, I’m glad to hear that your wife is enjoying her RadCity… those are great starter ebikes and really offer a lot for the money. Okay, DOST is a brand that only launched a year or so back, but they are doing awesome because the founder worked for two other ebike companies before this and was a semi-pro mountain biker before that. He always chooses great reliable hardware and was trying to do something special with the KOPE and DROP. These are some of the only ebikes I am aware of that offer the suspension, mid-drive, throttle, and some higher speed options. The price is more than Rad Power Bikes, and he only has one store outlet (in Vancouver Canada), but they offer online zoom calls to answer any questions, are meticulous with packing, and do a great job with support (from what I’ve seen). I’m very impressed with the bike, but I think there’s a wait time to get one now due to supply chain issues due to COVID. Check it out, feel free to post updates here or in the forums and see what others are saying.
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