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[Closed] E Bike Deliberation - check my working please

el_boufador · 2020-06-10T21:57:00Z

So I’ve hankered after one for quite a while, a few of my riding buddies have them and they’re ace fun. It’s got to the point where I’m now thinking a bit more seriously about purchasing one. It’s a wedge of cash, and so I’m very keen to be making the right decision around what to buy (if I buy!). I’ve not been to demo any yet (I will do) but it would be great if anyone with experience of these things could validate my thinking! Just to give me some reassurance / avoid time going down blind alleys really. Are there other suggestions for bikes I've not considered, or things I have not thought about? Requirements In a general sense I’m just looking to squeeze as much fun as possible out of riding, by going further, faster or getting more technical climbing / descending in in the same time period. Locally around me it is generally undulating no massive climbs but lots of short sharp ups/downs. Lots of flowing singletrack you can ride on a gravel bike. Also nuggets of quite hard tech trails spattered around which warrant a sorted trail bike to ride quick. So around home I intend to use the E-bike for this general trail riding. I want it to ride as much like a regular trail bike as possible but to be able to either turbo through the boring bits or take as many of the tech up/down lines as possible. A little further afield I have access to much more gradient and far more technical lines, rock gardens etc depending on where I go. For this type of riding I’m looking for the bike to help me smash through the commute out/back (so range is important - 50-70km), and/or also get me as many runs up/down the hill as possible before heading home. I’m a lanky git and ever since I swung a leg over one, 29ers (particularly long ones) just felt right - a bike that is in proportion to me (I’m riding in it, not on it) and doesn’t look like a clown bike with tiny wheels. For this reason I am generally drawn to a 29er but also would consider a mullet or 27.5 if it was the right bike for me otherwise, but I’m a bit nervous. How much it costs is important, I don’t want to spend more than I need to to get good performance. However that being said, I plan to keep the bike for a long time, and in the grand scheme of things I would rather spend £100s more on a bike that was right than make a mistake trying to penny-pinch e.g. by going for a bike with significant componentry compromises. Of the motors available I think I would prefer bosch performance cx. Supposedly more natural, I like the sound of EMTB mode, and generally they come with larger batteries. Also there is I believe a 2 year rolling warranty on these. Shimano E8000 is a much older motor now, so generally cited as being behind the others. Being a chunk of cash, and again with my intention to keep the bike for a long time, I want very good warranty and after sales backup. Some bikes have really really short warranties for such an expensive item. It would be really shitty to get a couple of years down the line, for a frame to break (for example), have a manufacturer wash their hands of it and be left with massive expense to fix. Most likely candiate Trek rail (Probably 9.8) On paper this fulfills all my requirements. 29er, bosch, 625 Wh, good reviews for its general all round capability. Only downside really is that it is more expensive particularly if you want carbon and decent spec componentry (e.g.the Orbea is a similar proposition and cheaper) Where it wins out however, is warranty. Lifetime on the frame, and lots of very good examples of after sales support. If I want to save some cash I would go for the top line alloy and forgo the carbon to save £1k. Others on the shortlist Orbea Wild Similar to the trek (29er, bosch 625wh etc) and better value for money However I am less sure about the support (supposedly lifetime, but some negative stories around) Whyte e150RS Gets great reviews particularly around the handling (which is after all what is important) Bosch and 625wh Bit nervous about 650b, however great value. Less convinced about the warranty - 4 years on the frame only. Mondraker crafty rr. Alloy one not carbon. (I would prefer the alloy as the carbon non-removeable battery worries me) Bosch, 625wh and 29er, mondraker known for good geo so ticks the boxes in theory. Otherwise though it is expensive (more so than the trek if you go for alloy) and I don’t like the bottle position on the top tube. Long list Cannondale Moterra Seems a bit boring / not very agile compared to some others by all accounts, however does have the bosch and 625 Wh. probably close to being on the short list Commencal Meta Power Really attractive looking, great spec and value, but shimano and only 500WH probably close to being on the short list Canyon Spectral:ON Looks absolutely fantastic (best visually IMO), and great value, but not convinced by the geometry, shimano motor or 500WH battery. Also direct sales - nervous somewhat close to being on the short list Merida EOneSixty 8000 Looks good bu...

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honourablegeorge

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z1ppy

That interesting that Liteville have released that with the ‘old’ shimano 8000 motor, when the rumour mill suggest a new motor is to released imminently

Not really new to the market been around since the start of the year or before.

Posted : 15/06/2020 1:22 pm

nickfrog

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I was in the same situation and went for a Base YT 29 in XL (I am 6ft).

Very well built and reliable so far despite the miles piling on - happy with the power of the Shimano motor (they're all capped to 250W anyway so the extra torque only brings limited benefits at the right cadence).

Very concerned about having to send it back to Germany of course but on the other hand, the value for money is far better than UK indirect pricing, obviously. But only if nothing major goes wrong. I understand that YT are about to open a UK service centre too.

The bike also happens to be a fantastic ride, particularly downhill.

I don't see much of a bright future for analogue mountain bikes I'm afraid.

Posted : 15/06/2020 4:13 pm

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