A little over a year ago, my curiosity about electric bikes led me to send an email to Eric, the founder of Lunacycle.com, just as his ebike venture was beginning. Fast forward two months, and I found myself embarking on a 6,000-mile road trip in my minivan to meet him and witness the entire Lunacycle operation firsthand. The plan was to spend a month working with Eric in Los Angeles, assisting in setting up his new ebike shop – a real job, a novel concept for me. The cross-country drive was a stark and solitary experience, leaving me with a profound sense of national decline. Having traversed America roughly 25 times throughout my life, the vibrant and diverse shops of the past seemed replaced by an endless monotony of Walmarts, strip malls, and fast-food chains. This observation triggered a wave of depression, a deep questioning of the current state of American culture. Upon reaching Los Angeles, this feeling intensified, making it difficult to function.
Ashley and Eric are the loving parents of the Lunacycle family
Ashley and Eric are the heart of the Lunacycle family, crafting bikes so unique and powerful, others wouldn’t dare to imagine them.
Perhaps it was naive to think I could simply drive across the country and seamlessly integrate into a working environment. While meeting Eric and Ashley was a highlight, the relentless pace of LA – the traffic, the noise, the sheer volume of people – soon became overwhelming. Understanding my need for respite, Eric, without hesitation, shifted gears. He reached out to Josh Fisher from the shop, and together they organized a night trail ride in Torrance with Josh’s father, Curt Fisher. Although my initial work plan didn’t materialize, that night ride became the turning point of my LA trip. This article is about how the people at Lunacycle, and their dedication to crafting exceptional Luna Cycle Bikes, profoundly influenced my month-long stay on the West Coast.
Battling Depression and Finding Solace in Ebikes
For those who haven’t experienced it, depression can be a difficult concept to grasp. It’s easy to judge from the outside, often stemming from an inability to imagine oneself in such a state. I consider myself a depression survivor, having spent significant portions of my life struggling to find positivity, often feeling a deep resentment towards existence itself. When depression takes hold, I rely on a personal mantra: “just do the work.” This work isn’t about a job; it’s about self-care. It involves nurturing myself with proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and several hours of daily exercise. By diligently focusing on these aspects, I’ve often managed to navigate my way out of even the deepest depressive episodes.
In recent years, I had been managing well, but the political climate and an unhealthy news addiction triggered a relapse. News addiction might sound trivial, but with an addictive personality like mine, vigilance is key. I must carefully monitor sugar intake, TV consumption, and even my Google News checks. Indulgences that most people take for granted, like a drink or dessert, can easily tip me over the edge.
Josh and Curt Fisher have one of the most beautiful fatherson relationships I
Josh and Curt Fisher embody a beautiful father-son relationship, a truly inspiring dynamic to witness.
I had previously seen Josh and Curt in Luna Cycle’s Father’s Day video, which I still regard as one of their best pieces. Every time I watch it, I sense, ‘these guys have found something truly special.’ Reflecting on my own relationship with my son, I often wish for that effortless desire to share a bike ride or hike together.
Meeting Curt and Josh Fisher surpassed all expectations, and that night ride became a pivotal moment in my LA journey. We gathered at Curt’s house in Torrance and spent hours exploring fantastic single-track trails near his home. There was even a challenging drop that gave me a good scare, and Eric nearly lost control when his bike light detached during a particularly steep descent. I was riding my trusty full-suspension ebike, affectionately named ‘My Little Bronie’, equipped with a 14Ah 52v GA shark pack. In contrast, everyone else was on formidable 50 Amp Ludicrous powered fat bikes. We encountered a group of mountain bikers who, surprisingly, were genuinely positive about our ebikes. Instead of the usual scowls, they offered words of encouragement like, “nice ebikes” and “those must be fun.” This was a stark contrast to the often negative reactions I’m accustomed to receiving on an ebike. Perhaps it’s the Californian attitude or the state’s progressive e-bike laws that foster such acceptance.
Eric and Ashley in the beginning
Eric and Ashley’s journey with Luna Cycle started humbly, and their growth in just a year is truly remarkable.
After the ride, Curt unveiled his 72v 3000W Cyclone Luna cargo bike build. Riding it exceeded my wildest expectations. For nearly 30 minutes, I was captivated, zooming up and down the road at almost 40mph under the night sky, while Curt and Eric observed. I even tested its limits on a large road bump, expecting to be thrown off, but the fat tires impressively absorbed almost all impact. This exceptional build inspired me to create my own, and I documented Curt’s luna cycle bike on my blog. It was the first custom build from someone else that I felt compelled to feature on my platform.
Curt’s generosity extended beyond bikes; he offered me his vacant home in Torrance for my LA stay. Initially, I hesitated, finding it hard to believe someone I had just met would entrust me with their home. Gradually, I realized Curt felt a connection through my blog, which had significantly influenced his entry into the world of ebikes. While online negativity sometimes overshadows the positive impact of my work, moments like these remind me that my efforts do benefit others, perhaps more than I realize. Writing, for me, is a way to understand myself and the world. If it benefits others, that’s a bonus, but ultimately, my creative pursuits are intrinsically personal.
There are so many awesome people that contribute to the success of Lunacycle, Santiago is shown here grinding a brake adapter down
The success of Luna Cycle is a team effort, with dedicated individuals like Santiago contributing their skills and passion.
The Luna Cycle Team: A Family Driven by Passion
Eric: The Visionary Father of Luna Cycle
My first impression of Eric was unconventional – he exuded the energy of a passionate, perhaps slightly disheveled, visionary. His dedication to ebikes clearly overshadows any concern for personal presentation. It was amusing to see him confidently stride into upscale establishments, order lavishly, and act as if he owned the place. During my visit, his generosity was boundless, offering accommodation, transportation, and anything to enhance my comfort. What struck me most about Eric was his incredible ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously. The Luna warehouse, seemingly too small for their bustling operation, was a hive of activity as everyone worked tirelessly to fulfill orders. Eric’s leadership style is more paternal than managerial; he fosters a playful yet intensely enthusiastic atmosphere, fueled by his genuine excitement for the ebike industry, a trait I’ve rarely encountered in other ebike business owners, who often seem more focused on profit margins than the products themselves. Eric, in contrast, appears less concerned with financial gain and more driven by creating innovative and thrilling products. Like myself, he’s an active rider, and pushing these luna cycle bikes to their limits quickly reveals the ongoing evolution within the ebike world.
Ashley: The Indispensable Mother of Luna Cycle
I had only briefly spoken to Ashley on the phone, my perception of her largely shaped by Eric’s descriptions. Claims online suggesting Ashley is somehow exploited by Lunacycle are completely unfounded. If Eric is the father of Luna Cycle, Ashley is undoubtedly its mother. Were Ashley absent, Lunacycle’s operations would likely grind to a halt. While Eric is the idea generator and internet presence, Ashley is the undisputed commander of the Luna army. She orchestrates everything, keeping countless details in her mind. Beyond her competence, she is also beautiful and, being Chinese, possesses a deep understanding of Chinese culture and customs. The partnership between Eric and Ashley is a harmonious blend of two distinct cultures, marked by grace and synergy. Despite her attractiveness, she relies solely on her capabilities. People are motivated to work hard for her because of her exceptional character and genuine warmth. Ashley is also a 50% owner of Lunacycle, working just as diligently as Eric. When I faced a Lunascooter breakdown on the Strand and Eric was unavailable, Ashley was my first call. She is the central command, always aware of everything. She promptly arranged an Uber, billed it to Luna, and handled all the details seamlessly. During my time in LA, I emphasized to Eric that his relationship with Ashley is his most valuable asset, urging him to cherish and never take it for granted.
Josh Fisher: The Charismatic Shop Leader
Josh is the closest figure to a shop manager at Lunacycle, though even he faces challenges in managing the inherent chaos. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Josh, sharing his passion for ebikes and intermediate singletrack riding. He’s charismatic and intelligent, and his video presentations are both informative and captivating. He’s a natural in front of the camera, embodying a rare comfort in his own skin. Authenticity is key to Josh; when unsure of an answer, he seeks it out rather than bluffing. He is integral to Luna Cycle’s identity and its future trajectory. Like Eric and Ashley, his focus extends beyond profits to genuinely caring for people. The prevailing sentiment at Luna was a commitment to customer care, even if it meant reduced profits. Josh and his wife Danae welcomed me into their home, where Danae’s culinary skills were a revelation. The following morning, I enjoyed a fantastic trail ride with Josh and Danae in Torrance. A wife who is both a gourmet cook and a skilled trail rider makes Josh undeniably fortunate. His father, Curt, is among the kindest, most intelligent, and generous individuals I’ve ever met. He not only provided accommodation in Torrance but also offered his Joshua Tree summer house. The trust and generosity extended to my wife and me were incredibly touching during a particularly challenging period.
Josh “The Professor”: The Battery Genius
Josh “The Professor” is the mastermind behind all battery-related operations at Lunacycle. Quietly humorous, he possesses profound knowledge about batteries. Luna is pioneering custom battery solutions on a scale unmatched by others. They have invested in a complete machine shop, and during my visit, a SpaceX engineer was meticulously measuring bike frames with a 3D machine. The frame coordinates are used to create custom battery boxes via plastic molding, enabling Luna to design seamless battery integrations for various frames. A large-format 3D printer further expands their capability to produce custom battery enclosures. Eric envisions manufacturing custom 18650 battery packs in the US, a large-scale undertaking currently unique to Luna. Josh’s expertise is crucial to this endeavor. When Eric wants to test the new Luna Apocalypse scooter with a 72v pack, he simply requests, “Josh, make me a 72v pack for the Lunascooter,” and miraculously, one appears within hours. I was impressed by Josh’s energy, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic, all contributing to the Luna team spirit.
Josh the Professor in his lab
Josh “The Professor” in his element – a lab filled with batteries and boundless potential.
While many others contribute to Lunacycle’s success, these four – Eric, Ashley, Josh Fisher, and Josh “The Professor” – formed the core team I got to know best. Over the past year and a half, I’ve invested over $5600 in luna cycle bike kits and bikes, and I can confidently say I haven’t regretted a single cent. Any product that didn’t meet my demanding expectations was promptly repaired or replaced without question. They’ve never hesitated about my rigorous testing, viewing my product abuse as valuable feedback for improvement. I doubt anyone pushes luna cycle bikes harder than I do, and my testing contributes to their product development. Although I couldn’t contribute to Lunacycle in my intended work capacity, experiencing their operation and meeting the team was invaluable.
Supporting Innovation and Integrity in the Ebike Industry
Currently, Lunacycle faces significant challenges. Unfair competitive practices involve attempts to involve government agencies in disrupting their business – a true and disheartening reality. Such tactics reveal a lack of integrity. Why resort to sabotage instead of fair competition through price adjustments and product improvements? These actions prioritize profit over industry advancement. This situation raises a fundamental question: who deserves your support? Supporting companies that engage in slander and customer deception ultimately limits consumer choice to such unethical businesses. Realistically, Luna could maximize profits by relocating operations to Hong Kong, reducing costs and product prices. However, Eric is committed to US job creation and domestic manufacturing of components like mounting adapters, chainrings, tools, and custom batteries. The slightly higher cost of luna cycle bikes reflects the higher labor costs in America. Again, the choice is clear: who do you want to support?
If there is anyone other than Luna talking about doing large scale custom pack construction here in the states, I haven
Luna Cycle stands virtually alone in its commitment to large-scale custom battery pack construction within the United States.
My time with Luna Cycle felt like being part of a family – a large, perhaps slightly chaotic, but genuinely loving family. From Lunacycle’s inception, I wanted to support Eric, recognizing electricbike.com’s pivotal role in my own ebike journey and seeking to reciprocate his contribution. While my site reaches a smaller audience, I strive to emulate his site’s utility and relevance, focusing on reviewing products I personally use and providing valuable content. Whether I’ve succeeded is debatable, but the effort is genuine. I am dedicated to supporting the growth of Eric & Ashley’s Luna Cycle empire and electricbike.com, contributing in any way I can. The ultimate success, however, rests with the Luna family.
I am proud to consider myself a small part of their journey, even from the periphery.
Ride On.
