It was customer's bike, not mine (anymore). I think with both bikes and packs maybe it was too unwieldy hanging off the back of the car. So we removed them.
Sounds like a good idea. I would like to help. I could be instrumental in pulling this off. Please contact me if you guys are interested in moving forward: tora@juicedriders.com
Parts cost + assembly is only a portion of final retail product.
$1000 retail Li e-bike is not easy but possible and need much service.
No way to build a brand or platform to develop on.
There is a balance, either extreme is no good.
I just got back from China, I go every year. There are tons of ebikes, more and more every year. You can buy a complete bike for like $200US.
I saw a guy with delivery ebike with 10, 5-Gal water bottles on the back (very common). It is very flat in Beijing so those bikes have terrible torque...