$1.5M Specialized Counterfeit Bust, Bosch Invests In Parts & Service, Tern Delivery E-Bikes Cross 1 Million Miles | TWR Ep 61

Thanks to the collaboration, law enforcement shut down two counterfeit manufacturers in China. These counterfeiters made fake Specialized frames and Roval (a Specialized subsidiary) handlebars and wheels, along with other products branded under Trek, Cannondale, Cervélo, and Pinarello.

According to a statement from AliExpress, this was the biggest counterfeit bust in Specialized’s history. The statement also pointed out that counterfeit products often bypass quality and safety standards. For this reason, they can fail catastrophically, potentially causing injuries to their users.

Specialized’s global brand protection manager, Andrew Love, said, “Specialized is unwavering in its commitment to protecting its riders and upholding a zero-tolerance policy against dangerous counterfeit products. These illicit operations not only exploit consumers but also undermine trust in authentic goods. We are fully dedicated to safeguarding our customers and combating organized crime on a global scale. The success of this largest counterfeit bust in the cycling industry highlights the profound impact of collaboration between brands like ours and tech-driven platforms like AliExpress.”

Our Take:
Where there is a successful high-end product, there are also likely to be counterfeiters seeking to cash in on the product’s profitability. By neglecting safety and quality standards, criminals can make products cheaply, passing them off as low-priced yet officially-branded components.

It’s unclear how long the two operations that were shut down had been making counterfeit products or how many items made it to the hands of consumers. Regardless, we’re relieved to know that potentially unsafe products with the potential to tarnish Specialized’s name will no longer be produced.

Previously, Bosch eBike Systems and Magura (aka Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG) each held a 50% stake in the jointly-owned Magura Bosch Parts & Services, or MBPS. This separate company deals in aftermarket components for bicycles and e-bikes and their service. MBPS is well-established in Europe, with a broad dealer network of over 30,000 locations.

Armin Harttig, the head of Sales and Service at Bosch eBike Systems, said, “Excellent service and close contact with specialist dealers are crucial to the success of Bosch eBike Systems. We are now investing further in this foundation. With the acquisition of MBPS, we are ideally positioned to respond rapidly to diverse market requirements and at the same time strengthen our service business in Europe in the long term.”

According to the statement released by MBPS, the company will continue to service and provide replacement parts for Magura products, while Magura itself will focus on its core brake component business.

Going forward, MBPS will operate as a subsidiary of Bosch. Its workforce, consisting of around 170 people, will remain stationed at the company’s headquarters in Nürtingen, Germany.

Our Take:
This acquisition seems like a smart move for Bosch eBike Systems; it’s clear that the company is committing to strengthening its foundation while continuing to expand in the e-bike market.
It’s interesting to see that two major cycling brands worked together previously—and are continuing to work together now that Bosch has full ownership of MBPS.

We’re encouraged by this development and look forward to seeing what happens in Bosch’s future.

In New York City, Tern’s urban cargo e-bikes are being used for commercial delivery work. Their riders are easily identified by their safety vests and their Tern bikes attached to Carla Cargo trailers.

The brand said that its bikes have been in use since 2021, sometimes up to 16 or 20 hours per day. All together, the e-bikes used commercially make over 13 million deliveries per year across the city, with some fleets averaging 22 deliveries per hour for a total of around 360 deliveries per day.

Some individual bikes have covered over 30,000 miles with no frame or fork failures. Their Bosch motors and batteries have also held up well, with motors rarely having issues and batteries often exceeding their expected lifespan. When there have been problems, Bosch’s service network has responded to address service needs quickly and effectively.

The Tern bikes used for deliveries are all UL 2849 certified for safety. Additionally, they have gone through hundreds of thousands of charge cycles with no incidents of thermal runaway or fire. The bikes have also performed consistently in NYC’s fluctuating temperatures, with both extreme cold and intense summer heat being a strain on electrical systems.

Tern pointed out that its commercial bikes are the same models sold to consumers. Families and individuals aren’t likely to put their bikes through such extreme conditions, but they should expect the same great performance and longevity.

Our Take:
Tern’s premium cargo e-bikes command proportionally high prices, but their proven durability and reliability show that these costs are fairly balanced with their quality. Any e-bikes capable of staying on the move 16 hours or more per day are undoubtedly well made and impressive, to say the least.

From our perspective, this milestone reinforces Tern’s position as a leader in the industry, both in terms of its reputation and its bikes’ engineering and performance. It also proves e-bikes to be ideal as urban automobile alternatives, making a great case for other cities to develop better bike-friendly infrastructure.

• What justifies the difference in price between the $840 Hiboy EX6 and the $2,300 Cicada Touring E-bike?
• Can using a throttle too often cause your e-bike’s motor to burn out?
• Which premium commuter e-bike would we recommend most between the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 Carbon 6.0 EQ and the Trek FX+ 7S?
• Between the AIMA Santa Monica, Velotric Discover 2, and Velotric Breeze 1, which bike is the most comfortable?
• Why don’t we switch e-bikes to their faster Class 3 modes (when applicable) when performing our Hill Tests?
• How would we compare the Velotric Breeze 1, Priority Current Plus, and Tenways Wayfarer?