How large is large, I am 116kgs and not massively fit. I ride a Levo SL mainly for the reason a lot of routes around here involve locked gates and I can lift it one handed over them without much effort.
I have the range extender for longer rides. I would estimate at my weight spending most of the ride in the lowest 2 levels of assistance that it will easilly do 80kms on a single charge!
But given the ebike is probably twice the weight of a regular bike, maybe the 18% is just negating that extra weight
Pedalling the 50lb+ 180mm tank with 2.8 beefy tyres @ 18% = easier than 32lb 150mm HT on fast 2.4 tyres
15% on the ebike and your legs are starting to work more - I'd say down to 10% and you are probably making it feel like a normal big bike
I’d say down to 10% and you are probably making it feel like a normal big bike
Even with the assistance set at whatever theoretically will give you the same workout as a manual bike it still doesn't feel like a manual bike.
If you're turning the power down that much it's more fun on a manual.
Just take it for what it is.
It's not meant to feel the same.
That's just pointless.
Even with the assistance set at whatever theoretically will give you the same workout as a manual bike it still doesn’t feel like a manual bike.
If you’re turning the power down that much it’s more fun on a manual.
Just take it for what it is.
It’s not meant to feel the same.
That’s just pointless.
I've been riding an ebike for almost 6 years, MTB's for over 30 years and bikes in general for well over 40 years. I know what feels like what and what's fun 😉
But - yes, you're right, it never feels exactly like a normal bike
I've used it once properly turned down (can't remember exactly what level of assist) to do a 46 mile / 5000ft ride - 504Wh battery on old tech - managed to get 29 miles out of the first battery. Was less frugal with the second battery and used a good chunk of it on the remaining 17 miles.
The thing with ebikes though is that whatever assist level you choose, you aren't stuck with it - so even on a low eco setting, there were times when it got stuck in trail and turbo, depending on the terrain.
Nothing is pointless if you're doing it for a reason. Everyone has different requirements at different times - what's good for you might not be good for someone else. Buying an ebike and constantly having it turned down to a barely noticable level would be a bit daft though
Only 6 ,30 and 40.🤣
I can beat you on all of them if you want a dick swinging contest.☹️
Still doesn't change the fact a turned down eeb doesn't "feels" the same as a big bike.
It feels totally different.
Both bike are much better riding them how they were intended.
They're both great fun and a great tool but a turned down eeb is ultimate defeating the point of what it's for.
I almost got put off eebs by the dismal performance of my mk 1 Kenevo.
As for carrying an extra Kenevo MK1 battery that has to be the ultimate way to kill the fun of a ride and two batteries to do just over 1500 meters is a joke.
Each to the own though.
Back to my original advice to the OP
Test both.
It's a lot of money to spunk on what folks you don't know say on a forum...
Sam's bikes is a reasonably objective place to start
Or robs Rides. More the UK orientated rider.
https://www.youtube.com/@RobRidesEMTB/videos
And an interesting vid on lightweights.
But I think it should be noted, especially where range comes into it, that you are going to get more miles on a lightweight, if you yourself are lightweight, rather than someone thats maybe riding the same lightweight bike but weighs 14 stone.
That said, I think if you are a skilled experienced rider, the lightweight is going to suit better, and with a range extender the total available range is going to make up for the lack of full fatness.
Probably a case of the best of both worlds, but only if you are the type of rider who is up to it.
Us old fatties need not apply 😆
