Forum menu
So I have three MTBs now: One a 150mm 27.5" hardtail, one a 140mm 27.5" full-sus with 160mm forks, and one a 150mm 29" full-sus with 160mm forks. I also have two small children and my own business and thus finite time to ride and maintain the damned things. They're all really good bikes, great geometry, solid components and properly dialled in for me. But there is a twist to the tale - the 29er is an e-bike!
In the most basic corner we have a Bird Zero AM with 150mm Pikes up front; in the slightly more complex corner we have a Banshee Spitfire with 160mm Pikes and a DBair; and the techy thing is a Specialized Turbo Levo with 160mm Lyriks and a Rockshox Deluxe. I can see a reason for the Zero AM because hardtails are different in a fun way. But the Spitfire, great though it is, can't really compare to the storming monster truck ability of the Levo downhill - the Levo has very similar geometry but a better fork, better brakes and bigger wheels and all the sprung mass makes the suspension work so well.
So I'm thinking if I'm going away for a weekend of uplift and trail centres, the Levo will be more fun. And if I want to go non-electric (I do turn the Levo's assistance off frequently anyway) the Zero AM can take on pretty much anything I'm comfortable riding. For local riding I'm usually taking the Levo because I get more done in less time when solo and our local trails suit hardtails well when I'm not. Before I got the Spitfire I only rode my (previous) hardtail for everything (Antur didn't go so well but the old one didn't have half as good a fork and much more old school geometry).
Is this madness?
Its hardly N+1 with only 2 bikes
Apart from my thoughts that an E-bike won't give me the same level of fitness (which it may be argued is wrong, i'd just go further/faster possibly) I'm not seeing a downside to the Levo at all.
One of the lads was on an E-genius at BPW and going well... The E side of things wasn't holding him back on the descents.
TBH reading the above... i'd have N.
Get rid of the one you haven't used in the past 12 months
chief,
if you want to try life without the ebike i`ll look after it for you... 😉
"Its hardly N+1 with only 2 bikes"
We also have two kids bikes, a BMX and two Bromptons and only limited space! I'd rather have just one bike if it was possible but that doesn't seem to work.
"Get rid of the one you haven’t used in the past 12 months"
That'll be none of them.
"Apart from my thoughts that an E-bike won’t give me the same level of fitness (which it may be argued is wrong, i’d just go further/faster possibly) I’m not seeing a downside to the Levo at all."
I think I ride just as hard on the Levo - if I'm on my own I go further, if I'm with a group I turn the assistance down or off.
It would also mean I could swap my GX Eagle drivetrain, 185mm Revive dropper and Tech 3 E4 brakes from the Spitfire to the Zero (which currently has 1x10, 150mm Reverb and Race Evo M4 brakes), all of which would be nice upgrades. Maybe keep the spare wheels?
"if you want to try life without the ebike i`ll look after it for you… 😉"
I thought you were too damaged to ride? 😉
My only MTB is a 160/150 Bronson, I also have a cx bike, but don't use it, I'd sell it if it wasn't for the fact I'll get bugger all for it.
My next bike will be a FS ebike for sure, biking is all about fun for me, and ebikes mean more descending, meaning more fun.
got rid of the second brompton and keep all the mtbs
I'd do the same as you, if you're keeping 2 the hardtail and the ebike make the most sense. If you were keeping one I'd go for the spitfire.
"got rid of the second brompton and keep all the mtbs"
Since our 50cc scooter died we're electrifying one Brompton. Not sure what's happening to the other one, yet!
"I’d do the same as you, if you’re keeping 2 the hardtail and the ebike make the most sense. If you were keeping one I’d go for the spitfire."
Before I got the Levo I'd definitely have kept the Spitfire as the one bike. The Levo's ability as a commuting bike is so amazing though! And on the gnarlier stuff that Lyrik RC2 is pretty magic, good though the Pike with the Luftkappe is on the Spitfire.
A mate of mine has a levo, if I'd got the cash I think I could happily have one as my only bike. Maybe every now and then I'd fancy a road ride, but meh.
I'd only keep the hardtail for when the levo goes wrong.
I went down to two MTBs and I'm still here to tell the tale.
Steel hardtail (with 29 and B-plus wheels) and long-travel 29er than pedals really well.
Only downside is when both have niggly problems and I want to ride the next day (ie. tomorrow)
Maybe this was a mistake after all.
I’d give the spitfire to me. It’ll be well looked after and have a friend to play with.
My N+1 reached 15 bikes a couple of years ago
A baby and a house move meant the bike room became smaller and some decisions had to be made
Decided if a bike hadn't been used within 12 months then it was no longer needed even though i didn't want to get rid i didn't really have the space to keep
Now down to 6 bikes and all serve a specific purpose and get used
The Specialized Kenevo gets used the most from 40 mile XC rides to downhill days and everything in between, ended up selling my Transition Scout, Patrol and TR500 as they were just gathering dust, the Kenevo does it all for me
My new rule is if its not being used then sell and buy something with the cash that will be used, be that a new bike for another type of riding, upgrades to the Kenevo or even non bike related stuff like a decent stereo system for the bike room
If I were you I'd sell the Spitfire, unless there was a type of riding you regularly do that you wouldn't want an ebike for (may
be races?).
I'd sell the bird and the spitfire and buy a 100-120mm more DJ/4X style 26" wheel hardtail (with massive dropper and some gears) and buy a nice roadbike. that quiver is perfect for keeping the skills sharp and fitness up.
You clearly have room for 3 bikes and the two I've suggested will take up less room next the electic monster bike;)
infact. i recxkon i've made you room for anice wee BMX
I never understand these threads.
Can you tell?
oh... and Weeksy. No one fit (I've always assumed you are) gets fitter by switching to exclusively riding an emtb.
If ridden properly (with the disrespect they deserve) do make you strong. but not pedalling wise.
"I’d sell the bird and the spitfire and buy a 100-120mm more DJ/4X style 26″ wheel hardtail (with massive dropper and some gears) and buy a nice roadbike. that quiver is perfect for keeping the skills sharp and fitness up.
You clearly have room for 3 bikes and the two I’ve suggested will take up less room next the electic monster bike;)
infact. i recxkon i’ve made you room for anice wee BMX"
It's an interesting idea but that would require selling two bikes and selling one is more than enough hassle! Definitely don't want a roadbike - I tolerate commuting on the road where I have to and that is enough exposure to bad drivers for me. I'd probably think differently if I lived somewhere less crowded. I already have a BMX which has been living at work (near the skate park) for some years.
chief, just give me the ebike - you know this is the answer that makes most sense. I`m old after all! consider it your 'good deed' for the year.
the newer they are. the easier they are to sell.
Right, I’m starting the dismantling process today. Moving the Renthal bars and Raceface stem to the Levo (the stock bar and stem which felt fine in the wet felt decidedly bendy on dry grippy trails during our three days of spring last week). GX Eagle and Revive 185 to the Zero.
Not sure what to do about the brakes - wondering about swapping my damaged E4 rear caliper for an X2 one as two piston brakes seem to require less maintenance and rear brakes (especially on hardtails) need less power.