It may be that I sell the Hightower and do the winter on a hardtail then look early next year.
Every chance you may find you have very little by the way of choice if you wait, 3 local lbs to me have a healthy list of folk preordering 2021 ebikes.
I took the plunge on a trek rail 9 earlier in the year. I had a number on the shortlist including orbea wild and Whyte 150/180, however trek customer service and warranty stories won me over. Its fantastic fun!
Back in the summer when it was dry, I was reaching for it every time due to the amount of climbing/descending I could get done on it, and also it opens up loads of previously unthinkable route options. It also gives you way more riding opportunities - you can still go out if you are feeling tired from yesterday's exertions, or you can go out twice in a day (one ebike one normal) no problem.
I have no need of it from a fitness point of view, and I was getting a bit worried it would make me slow when I went back on a normal bike! No need though, I maintained or even improved fitness (think this was because I was doing one or 2 normal rides a week but riding LOADS more than I otherwise would have on the ebike).
Only downsides I've found are:
Lifting it over stuff or hikeabike is a pain
Weight can make it want to push on a bit on tech DH (you get used to it)
Can't go out on it when my mates are on their normal bikes!
Every chance you may find you have very little by the way of choice if you wait, 3 local lbs to me have a healthy list of folk preordering 2021 ebikes.
Good to know. Thank you nobeer.
Certain bikes are out of stock across the board, mainly the 2021 incoming where they're waiting on EP8 motors (Shimano issues), Bosch motors Gen4 back orders) or the finishing kit, such as shimano and so on.
I find that those who have their bikes out now, without waiting for the year have them, you can find Whyte E150s out there, they are available, same with specialized, they have stock across the board last i looked, same with Giant, several trance e's on offer, same with Haibike, from what i can see it's the 2021s waiting for Bosch or Shimano motors that are now being pushed to next year.
As for me picking an E-Reign, it was simple, the giant store is 5 miles away, i had a nightmare with the Cube (mainly down to the lack of bikes and spares to warranty mine), so local shop only, wasn't even looking for a replacement but went in to look, they had 3 e-reigns in the shop, went back in yesterday and they're all gone, it's mad out there, but they did have 3 e-trances, so just have a wander around and see what is out there.
My LBS claimed their allocation of this years (just released) Whytes was now all gone, and they were taking deposits for the next ones already, so I'd get some demos if you can and put a deposit down, you might have to wait a while anyway.
I'd definitely look at that E-150 29er. It was a toss-up between that and the E-160 for me.
“Every chance you may find you have very little by the way of choice if you wait, 3 local lbs to me have a healthy list of folk preordering 2021 ebikes.“
My LBS was saying that some components currently have a 400 day lead time because of the factory shutdowns, a surge in demands and factories now operating at reduced output due to covid staffing issues.
And because of some of the lead time issues on critical components, some production runs of frames are being cancelled because almost all bikes are sold complete.
I’m starting to think it’s time for an ebike forum to get these sI’d ding repetitive threads out of here. Alternatively how about a conventional bike forum if this is how STW Towers sees the future for the majority offorum members?
It may be that I sell the Hightower
RaceCo will chop that in on a new Eeb.
“I’m starting to think it’s time for an ebike forum to get these sI’d ding repetitive threads out of here. Alternatively how about a conventional bike forum if this is how STW Towers sees the future for the majority offorum members?”
eMTBing is far more closely related to MTBing than all the roadie threads on here.
I’m starting to think it’s time for an ebike forum to get these sI’d ding repetitive threads out of here.
You don't have to read them you know...
There's already a very active eBike forum, but I don't suppose the powers that be would be too happy if all the traffic went there instead.
eMTBing is far more closely related to MTBing than all the roadie threads on here.
Indeed.
RaceCo will chop that in on a new Eeb
Interesting. Didn't realise shops did this still.
Just to add, they are less agile than a regular bike, so a bit harder to hop etc,
this is incorrect.
My 25kg whyte e180 is way better at jumping than my 14kg yeti sb6c.
The whyte is actually the best bike I have ever riden, disregarding the benefit of the motor it is alot more fun to ride than the yeti
I meant to make reference to the hoping thing in my post aswell. If you can hop a normal bike you can hope an ebike. Same principle just a bit more weight to take in to account. I didn’t have any issues hoping mine or having to manual stuff. Wheelies on the other hand are hard but I could never wheelie anyway.
You could also try Two Wheels in Stourbridge. They do Trek, Giant, Whyte, Santa Cruz and many others. They offer exceptional service and may PX.
I’m starting to think it’s time for an ebike forum to get these sI’d ding repetitive threads out of here.
Err...
https://singletrackworld.com/charged
We don't have separate Gravel, road etc. forums. It's all bikes.
I meant to make reference to the hoping thing in my post aswell. Same principle just a bit more weight to take in to account. I didn’t have any issues hoping mine
What is this hoping that you talk of? Hoping it doesn't break down again and need another thousand pound motor...
We don’t have separate Gravel, road etc. forums. It’s all bikes.
You find Gravel is catered for in the GritCX channel.
I’m starting to think it’s time for an ebike forum to get these sI’d ding repetitive threads out of here.
You don’t have to read them you know…
There’s already a very active eBike forum, but I don’t suppose the powers that be would be too happy if all the traffic went there instead.
eMTBing is far more closely related to MTBing than all the roadie threads on here.
Indeed
This, if you don't like them then there's no need to read, comment or slag it off.
I don't like road bikes so I don't bother reading all the lycra threads on thus mtb forum.
#ebikelivesmatter
I have no trouble at all avoiding all the threads about road bikes, gravel bikes, heart rate monitors, strava, training, "what tyres for", bikepacking, chamois cream, bib tights, beard maintenance etc, etc...
I'm sure you can dodge the ones about mountain bikes which are a bit easier to pedal up hills.
Just decided to go out for a quick ride before it went dark around macc forest and its surrounds.
Stated at leathers smithy, up throught the forest, down charity Lane, up the road towards the cat and fiddle pub, over the hill down stakeside to errwood reservoir in the goyt valley, back out of the goyt valley up to the cat and fiddle, across dane bower hollow, down Cumberland Brook and clough, back up to macc forest, through the forest and back to the car, 17 miles, 3000 feet of ascent, took 1 hour 25 mins on the e bike. Would have taken me 3 hours plus on the normal bike and killed me.
OP, have you really only put 50 miles on the Hightower?!
OP, have you really only put 50 miles on the Hightower?!
Yes 😟
@thegeneralist.. sorry I meant hopping. I’m usually a stickler for spelling properly on here. In my defence I had a 3 year old to contend with whilst posting that reply.
Sorry, was just joshing1981
OP. Why did you bother buying it if you've only done 50 miles on it. How do you know you don't like it if you've barely used it?
I'm getting vague flashbacks about the username. Do you have previous in this area?😄
Ooooo careful we may end up getting into a debate about whether you're a RaceCo customer or a 2wheels customer!
Found four NewBikeDay posts. 🤔
Having said which, I'm fully in a glasshouse here. I keep buying in appropriate bikes that I then regret buying. But I don't do the sensible thing and flog them. Hmmmm
OP. I think the perfect bike for you isn't an e-bike, it's a Giant Anthem 29 Advanced, in green. It's exactly what you need.
Either that or a Specialized Enduro Élite, also in green. Really good bike, perfect for your needs.
@Golfchick which hardtail did you go for in the end ?
OP. Why did you bother buying it if you’ve only done 50 miles on it. How do you know you don’t like it if you’ve barely used it?
I’m getting vague flashbacks about the username. Do you have previous in this area?😄
Don't know where you have heard that 🤣
Also, don't get me wrong I'm more than happy with the Hightower, it's an amazing bike, climbs well and descends phenomenally.
I've just realised that maybe an ebike would be a better proposition for me and my circumstances.
Is it possible you enjoy buying bikes more than riding them?
@renton I've ordered my new frame last week n hoping it turns up this week. Just need to scour for parts now which are few and far between!
I’m starting to think it’s time for an ebike forum to get these sI’d ding repetitive threads out of here.
I agree. Should be another forum.
@renton I’ve ordered my new frame last week n hoping it turns up this week. Just need to scour for parts now which are few and far between
What have you gone for ?
As said up there ^^ huge lead time from both big S's on some stuff, spoke to a rep a couple of weeks back who reckoned some Shimano stuff you're looking at sept 21 for availability.
Yes 😟
It doesn't matter what you buy.
The problem isn't the bike. It's you.
I agree. Should be another forum.
Or a purist forum, keep all the bawbags in one place.
It doesn’t matter what you buy.
The problem isn’t the bike. It’s you.
Cheers, no one is disputing that. Especially me 👍
Cheers, no one is disputing that. Especially me
Don't be harsh in yourself. There's not always simple answers.
It's all bikes innit, no need for a sep forum. Same trails, kit, parts, tyres etc conundrums to be discussed.
OP I hope you find your answer. I think an E would suit you well I'm just a bit bemused it's taken you so long tbh.
You need to employ Weeksy as your personal shopper.
He's on a roll at the moment.😄
Some of the comments on here are weird (this and other threads), ebikes are one of the biggest things to happen in the last generation of mountain biking, like it or not, that's the way it is, they provide assistance to those who want more out of biking, i can't get my head round those who complain about this, as if you need to devote your life to being able to pursue tour level fitness instead of 'cheating'.
Agreed.
...they provide assistance to those who want more out of biking
A bicycle is a human-powered machine. Ebikes have an engine.
It's fundamentally different. Nothing wrong with it but it's not the same.
Should have a separate forum for it.
like it or not, that’s the way it is, they provide assistance to those who want to put less into biking, i can’t get my head round those who complain about this,
FTFY
Sorry, I don't mean it. It's just you set it up and it was so hard to resist.
Soz
Yep, I have 2 ebikes and 3 non ebikes. They all have their places and minimal overlap. It all bikes and all riding.
I think the forum has moved a long way to accepting them from a couple of years ago, even 12 months ago
It seemed then that every topic on them got a slating for even owning up to having got one.
Like everything eventually the moaning will stop and we can all have fun riding what ever bike we like.
Some of the comments on here are weird (this and other threads), ebikes are one of the biggest things to happen in the last generation of mountain biking, like it or not, that’s the way it is, they provide assistance to those who want more out of biking, i can’t get my head round those who complain about this, as if you need to devote your life to being able to pursue tour level fitness instead of ‘cheating’.
Whilst I've not liked any ebike I've tried, that is 100% the correct answer.
Nothing at all wrong with them or the people who own them
“A bicycle is a human-powered machine. Ebikes have an engine.
It’s fundamentally different. Nothing wrong with it but it’s not the same.”
Gravity powers you downhill. And if you’re using an uplift then you’re not putting the potential energy in. What do you do when you’ve got a big tailwind - get off so you don’t have to hand in your 100% self-powered card?
Road biking is not like MTBing. Show a member of the public a roadbike, an eMTB and a MTB and ask then which two are most alike and what do you think they’ll answer? Take all three on the trails and which two feel most similar? Turn the power off on an eMTB and what does it feel like? Pedal it past the 15.5mph cut-off and what does it feel like?
I don’t pedal any less hard when on my Levo than my hardtail, often harder. It just goes faster when the power is on or slower uphill when the power is off.
In case you hadn’t noticed, you can pedal any bike as hard or soft as you like. The ebike just means you can choose to pedal softer and you still go reasonably far and fast. I prefer riding it hard.
And frankly, **** boring skinny tyres bikes sharing the road with homicidal ****wits driving cars and trucks. How can that be a fun hobby?!! I’ll tolerate commuting but I do that on the Levo too because it’s safer and quicker.
A bicycle is a human-powered machine. Ebikes have an engine.
It’s fundamentally different
We don’t have separate Gravel, road etc. forums. It’s all bikes.
You find Gravel is catered for in the GritCX channel.
That was kinda my point. There's a STW channel for eMTBs. With a 'forum' link at the top that brings you here so what's the problem?
Don't agree with having separate sections for each discipline. That's what I like about this forum, other than the bikes/chat split it's all in one place.
Don't take this the wrong way Renton, but given your history, you might want to give some thought to resale value. So something with a transferable warranty (if such things exist) should be high on the list. You've also got to factor in the fact that you might be buying at the peak of the bubble and looking to sell just when it bursts.
It’s fundamentally different. Nothing wrong with it but it’s not the same.
That would depend on whether you think cycling is about just pedalling, or about riding.
Seems like a good idea for you Renton.
Not tried an ebike myself, but friends tell me it's similar but different to normal MTBing - with some negatives around how they handle.
So maybe give it a try before splashing the cash?
Why not just hire a bike when you need it?
Surely that makes sense.
Or if it's the thrill of the purchase that you live ke then buy a bike for someone else ( a la Weeksy) then you get to spend wads of cash and someone else gets a new bike to do loads of riding on.
Then a couple of months later when you get the burning urge to buy a new bike then just find someone else who does loads o riding and buy them one...
Everyone's happy. 😜
“That would depend on whether you think cycling is about just pedalling, or about riding.”
I see what you’re getting at but ebiking is about pedalling too. You can go faster up the same hills, or up near impossible hills. Or you can pedal softer - because you’re unfit, or tired, or in more of an uplifty mood or whatever.
One of our local spots is very much push up, ride down, short laps. It’s so steep that the only people likely to ride laps are XC racers looking to combine brutal hill training with some steep descents and I’ve never seen that happening there. So you ride down, push back up and each lap takes 20-30 minutes depending on how unpleasant a push you want.
On my ebike I pedal up. More pedalling, not less.
I see what you’re getting at but ebiking is about pedalling too.
I was getting at the 'fundamentally different' comment/aspect. It's a different experience when pedalling with assistance yes but as a riding experience overall I don't buy into it being fundamentally different.
Ebikes are great if you don't want to spend 90-95% of your ride time climbing.
Going up you can work just as hard but get there twice as fast. If I'm riding with normal bikes I can take it easy and ride up with them, or blast off and get an extra descent in and meet them back at the top.
Downhill is still as fun as the normal bike, it's not as playful on some trails, but on others the extra weight makes it feel really composed similar to a DH bike.
I'm still ruined at the end of a big ride, but not so much in the legs. I'm getting blisters on my thumbs that I'd normally only get after full days uplifting in the alps.
Mr Renton you do seem to pop up every so often looking for a new purchase to solve your riding woes! Bike change hasn't proved the solution in the past!
Maybe get out riding more on your Hightower more regular, ride more challenging places than FOD which is pretty tame & a Hightower is probably overkill anyway.
Maybe get fit off the bike also, get a PT for a couple of months! If you come back fitter & stronger it will feel like a new bike anyway.
Also if you're slow stay at the back & you won't feel such pressure.
A bicycle is a human-powered machine. Ebikes have an engine.
It’s fundamentally different. Nothing wrong with it but it’s not the same.
Should have a separate forum for it.
Should we have a seperate forum for those who use uplift buses and cable cars too.
I once had some fat **** shout out of an uplift bus that I was a lazy bastard because I was on a eeb going up the same climb as the bus.
Some people are just pricks.
Should we have a seperate forum for those who use uplift buses and cable cars too.
And singlespeeders. It's just not the same.
FTFY
like it or not, that’s the way it is, they provide assistance to those who want to put less into biking, i can’t get my head round those who complain about this,FTFY
Sorry, I don’t mean it. It’s just you set it up and it was so hard to resist.
Soz
Plenty of different reasons to want an ebike. For some, it's to overcome a disability. For others, a significant health issue. Loads who simply aren't fit enough to enjoy riding. And some for whom it expands their riding possibilities.
I simply can't fathom why you and many others want to belittle any of these people, rather than support their desire to get out and ride. I've been firmly in category 3, far to unfit to get out and enjoy biking after a miserable few years. E bike TOTALLY turned that around for me and now I can comfortably (to a degree!) enjoy my other bikes. There's an unpleasant undercurrent of disdain around this forum. When you should all be happy that more people are able to ride bikes. Very disappointing.
I’ve been firmly in category 3, far to unfit to get out and enjoy biking after a miserable few years. E bike TOTALLY turned that around for me and now I can comfortably (to a degree!) enjoy my other bikes
This is totally me, my last couple of years in the RAF they were investigating a suspected heart problem that I had and told me not to exercise at all until they got the results. Kind of shit me up to be honest.
Anyway it turns out I have a Bi-cuspid heart valve and a bit of Aortic root stretch so off the back of this they told me I couldn't lift heavy weights again and just told me to take it easy.
Now Im just so paranoid about pushing myself I get all worked up about going for a ride, blow hard for the first few miles and generally dont enjoy it. Its pissing me off as I love everything about cycling, its been my passion for years. Now I feel stupid asking about ebikes as I want to fall back in love with the sport.
Where are you renton? Forest of Dean bike shop has Whyte eMTBs for hire, they have both the 150 and 160. You'd have a day out plus get to try an eBike (after COVID lockdown I guess).
Im an hour away from FOD and am already planning a trip down to try one of those mentioned above!
👍🏻 Just don't bin it entering corners far too quickly like I did when I demoed one 🤦🏻♂️
If you want someone to show you the good stuff, give me a shout.
“Anyway it turns out I have a Bi-cuspid heart valve and a bit of Aortic root stretch so off the back of this they told me I couldn’t lift heavy weights again and just told me to take it easy.
Now Im just so paranoid about pushing myself”
Have you only just found out about this?! Get an ebike! My Dad had serious heart problems from his mid 20s onwards and we started MTBing together when I was 9 (they were new then!) partly to give him some safe exercise. But that was flat-ish XC bimbles back in the ‘80s. He died 20 years ago, aged only 50 but I can’t imagine him coping with the sort of riding that I do with my mates without assistance uphill.
“👍🏻 Just don’t bin it entering corners far too quickly like I did 🤦🏻♂️”
Turn the assistance off downhill!
“👍🏻 Just don’t bin it entering corners far too quickly like I did 🤦🏻♂️”
Turn the assistance off downhill!
...berm on the flat 🙄
Turn the assistance off downhill!
What on earth for?
You're either travelling at over the cut off, so it doesn't matter, or you need a sudden spurt of speed to clear an obstacle so you need the assist.
Have you only just found out about this?!
Yep, over the past year.
The doctor said I should be fine but it still plays on the back of my mind.
What on earth for?
You’re either travelling at over the cut off, so it doesn’t matter, or you need a sudden spurt of speed to clear an obstacle so you need the assist.
I switched mine off yesterday just to see what it was like. Doable, bit like pedalling a DH bike.
But yes, mine stays on, I'm over the cutoff if covering a bit of ground on the flat, or DH. Maybe on a big day out I might switch modes, conserve battery a bit.
I think the forum has moved a long way to accepting them from a couple of years ago, even 12 months ago
Unbloodylikely@Tracey. The elitist claptrap is thick and fast on this. " You aint a real cyclist mentality is horrible, fk sake no wonder theres so much division in the world.
I think attitudes on here have changed since we bought one in 2017, in those days most of the threads on page 1 and onwards about Emtbs would have been derogatory to the rider and the bike.
We are now four pages in and most of it has been informative, which is what most on the site want, I think.
If a survey on here had been done 3 years ago about ownership and future ownership then I'm sure Emtbs would have been a minority.
If one was done now it would be different
In five years time most will have one or want one as an alternative or as a single bike, my predictions anyway.
Would be great if Singletrack could run some surveys.
Unbloodylikely@Tracey. The elitist claptrap is thick and fast on this. ” You aint a real cyclist mentality is horrible, fk sake no wonder theres so much division in the world.
I have no problem with people justifying their choices or having an opinion (helps if it's based on experience). But the whole 'you don't belong in the bike forum' stuff is OTT.
I got a YT Decoy Base 29er. Seems to fit rentons bill @ £4K with 150mm travel although I upped the fork to 170mm. It's a risk because of the warranty and possibly having to send it back although if I do have any problems hopefully it'll get dealt with at the UK shed.
Now instead of 20Km on a Sunday I'm doing 30ish and I was (until darkness descended 🙁 ) doing local mid-week evening rides too. Also enjoying hunting out improbable stuff to try and climb up and exploration is now a pleasure, it doesn't matter if that trail you follow for the 1st time goes nowhere because it wasn't a gut-busting killer finding out.
You can work as hard as YOU want to on an EBike, it's all about how hard you want to push.
Tracey is quite right, big change in attitudes on here (and generally).
Probably as we've all realised ebike riders are - in the large - typically just tubby middle aged blokes who behave like normal MTBers.
The elitist claptrap is thick and fast on this. ” You aint a real cyclist mentality is horrible, fk sake no wonder theres so much division in the world.
You're overthinking it a bit TBH.
Renton, as I understand there's an app called Blevo which works with the Spesh bikes. You can set an HR threshold and it will adjust the assistance to help keep you inside the safe zone. This was the case a while back, but hoping it's still valid and might be a consideration.
Probably as we’ve all realised ebike riders are – in the large – typically just tubby middle aged blokes who behave like normal MTBers.
Slow clap.
Slow clap.
Hey, I'm trying to help here.
I ride a lot and anecdotally, I see it as a venn diagram - with that demographic being the biggest point of overlap between ebikers and normal MTBers. Probably due to the cost of eebs.
Might be different down in the south east.
They really are rubbish. I had an hour and a half free at lunch between work commitments. Now i'm fortunate enough to live 5 minutes pedal from the good off piste in FOD, but 1h10m of riding, 19.8km & 700m of climbing later I managed to ride 7 decent trails & the associated climbs, albeit in EMTB & me going as hard as I could on the pedals to get round.
Back in time for a quick clean up, lunch and sat in front of my desk when needed. That simply doesn't happen with a normal bike, especially now with the inbound slop.
Still knackered from riding it as I pushed. I probably could have cruised for no effort and done maybe 5 trails and a bit less distance, but that is the beauty of them 🙂
I was a sceptic but covid has left my lungs compromised so bought a second hand levo to help me back to fitness- apart from mild paranoia every time I switch it on as to whether it will be broken I can say they are great fun- uphills are enjoyable especially if techy,
Yesterday did just under 30k at cannock in less than 2 hours and could go again today quite happily whereas even pre-covid I would need a few days rest
Other thing I would say is you will probably only get fitter riding with non ebikers if you use only eco mode instead of going turbo
Renton, haven’t posted on here for a while. In similar situation as you, in that I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and facet joint syndrome. Basically means that climbing is intolerable due to riding position and putting power down. Flat riding and DH cause no issue for me. I’m a bit further down the line at mo as I have purchased an Eeb. Did my research and Demo’d 4 bikes. Whyte E150, Spec TL, YT Decoy and Trek Rail. Ended up with a Rail 9. Funny cos I have not been a massive Trek fan in the past. Best advice I can give is to try as many as you can and go in with an open mind. Def buy from a bricks and mortar shop (local if possible). Don’t listen to the haters. It’s tough enough admitting to yourself that perhaps you’re better off with assisted pedalling to continue the enjoyment of riding a bike without also listening to the tripe coming from others who don’t know your situation.