I have been eyeing Story Bikes for quite some time. When I first started researching electric bikes as an option for commuting (I live in Seattle, which is very bike-friendly), I started my search with Rad Power Bikes because they're local, highly-rated and are reasonably-priced. However, when I did more research and found Story Bikes, I was immediately taken by the aesthetic appeal of the design and their one-for-one program. In terms of design, Story Bikes are 10-15 lbs lighter than many similar e-bikes on the market, which is great because I have to carry it up from my basement every day. Plus, the battery is hidden in the frame making it less visually clunky than other e-bikes. The color I chose was white, which is gorgeous with the brown seat and matching handlebar covers. The rack and fenders being included with the commuter model is an added plus. Overall, It's a beautiful pedal-assist bike that has easy-to-adjust settings.
I did have a couple of cons with my Story Bike, but they're honestly more like consumer observations, rather than actual cons. I'll explain below.
One of the big reasons why I bought a Story Bike was because it came 95% assembled, included the tool kit, and had an instruction video. While all that was true, it isn't a guarantee that something can't happen while the bike itself is getting shipped. I assembled my bike following the instructions provided, but the chain came undone from the gears (likely a shipping issue) as soon as I was done assembling it. To resolve this, I just popped it back on and hoped for the best. But when I started riding, I noticed a clinking sound as I pedaled. I took it to a local bike shop and the mechanic told me I should have just had it assembled (or at least looked over) by a professional before putting any miles in. It ended up costing me an extra $200 because I did ride it afterwards. Don't get me wrong -- I love that the bike comes 95% assembled -- it's great for newbies like myself, and a great added value on Story Bike's behalf. But be aware that maintenance is a real cost that needs to be factored in if you're not a bike expert yourself.
The second con is that the bike is honestly a bit above my price range. Similar e-bikes could cost about $300-700 less than Story Bikes. However, I ended up purchasing a Story Bike anyway because of their one-for-one program and amazing customer service. I like the fact that I bought another person a bike just by buying my own. And whenever I had a question about financing, measurements, weatherproofing, serial numbers, or anything else (and I asked a question about each of these things) over the course of a few weeks before purchasing, a customer service rep answered my question within a few minutes on Facebook Messenger. They were well-informed and extremely helpful. It's something you don't see often with a lot of direct-to-consumer companies nowadays.
This company clearly cares about their customers. Their one-for-one program, giveaways for healthcare workers (at least during the pandemic), and amazing customer service is evidence of that. They're just starting out, so it was a risk to buy something that only had one review at the time, but I'm honestly so honored to be a part of the Story Bikes story. Happy riding!
