A German company is innovating by allowing you to consult a technician by video chat, so you can carry out your own repairs at home on your bicycle or electric bike.
Riding a bike is a pleasure, but only if you have a cycle in good working order. But in the event of a problem, what should you do if your repairer is not nearby or is not available? Discovery thanks to eBike-Newsa company offers a remote self-repair solution, guided by a professional.
A video consultation to repair the electric bike yourself
Brody Bikerservice, a workshop from Friborg (Germany), offers to carry out a consultation of your electric – or muscle – bike by video chat, on Facetime or WhatsApp. You must reserve a slot and wait for the time to speak with one of the technicians.
It’s a bit the same principle as your teleconsultations with your doctor: a quick discussion will allow you to know if you can resolve your problem remotely, or if a physical visit is necessary. According to founder Markus Bauer, “95% of customers are ready to carry out the operation themselves”.
Here, the technician will determine what action to take depending on the problem (breakdown, breakage), your home equipment and your skills. Two outcomes are possible: repair of the electric bike immediately with the tools available and explanations from the technician, or subsequently after receiving the component(s) (sent by Brody). The firm offers the first 5 minutes of consultation. However, the cost is then one euro per minute if the video assistance continues (more specific problem, several operations).
Tutorials, and a way to save and train
Even better, technical sheets and tutorials exist on the platform to provide minimal training, and encourage you to carry out the simplest tasks, without having to consult. Obviously, an engine problem or changing a cassette turns out to be more complicated than adjusting the brakes or changing an inner tube.
In this case, going to a repairer or workshop is obligatory, but easier, because they know in advance the parts and the time required. The Brody Bikeservice service is currently only available in Germany, but it would be attractive if such an initiative arrived soon in France.
The approach is very interesting, because it trains users by making them more independent. And the key is savings that reduce the cost of maintaining an electric bike, and (small) repairs. The lifespan, and therefore the overall environmental impact of the bicycle, is also reduced.