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Need to pedal for it to assist. Down hill they feel more planted.
Rain or shine its pure fun
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1. Get a Trek Rail
2. Are you eating properly? If you are totally goosed at 120bpm maybe you aren’t fuelling properly?
Have to say I’m planning on getting an e bike for the same reasons as the OP, but with one added extra - I rode one for 4 mins and fell in love.
I ride once a month at best, and I’m too busy to get out on the road bike much more often, my riding mates are generally out a few times a week, they skin me up hill and it’s soul destroying knowing they’re hanging about for me. I get nothing out of riding up hills, no satisfaction, no pride, just sore legs and sore lungs. Conversely I love smashing down them and generally keep up with the guys no matter how often they ride.
I’m only really looking at Levo SLs at the moment as I don’t want it to be overkill, just the extra boost to keep me alive at the top of the trail. Seems the perfect choice to me.
In fairness, I’ve tried to stay off e bikes as long as I can because I decided I couldn’t afford one but then had a go on a Mate’s Trek and had a blast, I knew then they were the bikes for me!
I had a Trek Powerfly with the Gen 2 Bosch for 2 years, now I've got a Trek Rail with the Gen 4 Bosch. It's freaking ace. I've ridden loads of different eBikes over the last couple of years and the only one that was better enough to tempt me to change was the Whyte e180RS, but it was toio spendy for me at the time.
I like the Bosch motor and I must be deaf because I can't hear the rattle that the reviews all complain about. The Brose in the Spesh is nice and quiet but too unreliable for my liking, hopefuully the new software will solve the failing spragg clutch and melted drive belt issues. I didn't like the Shimano e8000 in the Decoy, or the Lapierre, or the Canyon, can't put my finger on why, it just seemed a bit lifeless.
Get out and ride as many as you can. At the very least try all the different motors to see if there's any you favour over the others.
Renton, your HR measurement - is that with a proper chest strap or just a wrist optical sensor ?
Oh, I'm at my fittest now since leaving the army in '89. That's not all down to the eBike, but I do ride about 5 times as much these days which has got to help.
Cheers all. I've been watching a few videos on them.
Guy Kesteven really seems to rate the e150 s Whyte.
Rain or shine its pure fun
Aren't they just...
Ianc it's from a Garmin instinct watch.
Seriously confusing as I can be blowing and not able to talk but my heart rate reads below 125.
Copper prices have risen sharply since this thread started...
Srzly tho if it gets your mojo back do it
Looks are subjective, but IMO the Whyte ebikes are not lookers.
I agree, but they do ride nicely.
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renton
Free MemberIanc it’s from a Garmin instinct watch.
Seriously confusing as I can be blowing and not able to talk but my heart rate reads below 125.
Posted 35 minutes ago
The Instinct wrist HR is shite, I have one. I have some heart issues so use a Garmin chest strap. It is very common for my Instinct to be showing 125 or so and my chest strap giving a real reading of 160 or more. The optical wrist monitors on the Instinct and other devices are very poor when actively moving
And there you go, you've done 1100 incident free miles on it, Iain would've killed himself more times than the highlander in those 1100 miles 😆
I’ve got lots of photos of me on a non ebike, 20cms in the air , If you want a counter argument. 🙃
I had a go on a neighbour e-haibike (spelling?) . Really enjoyed it. Made the flat bits fun and the downhill as fun as normal. Was great for shuttling up on asphalt (I.e dull) to ride my local hills trails too. The walk assist thing was great too for pushing up the super steeps. We used it for scouting for new trails, was perfect for that.
Basically if I could afford one, i’d have one ( as well as a normal bike) . I dont think I’d ever have just a ebike mind.
Blazin Bikes in Marshbrook seem to do a roaring trade in Treks and I've always found them good to deal with, although I dont have an ebike. May be another option for a test drive.
Basically if I could afford one, i’d have one ( as well as a normal bike) . I dont think I’d ever have just a ebike mind.
I always said I wouldn't only have an ebike as I'd want a bike for hike a bike too. Last weekends hike a bike was the first in 2 years though, so being realistic, I reckon I could do it now.
Need to start sticking some cash away.
I’ve recently got a Rail 7, i ride it when solo biking, tbh it’s awesome for those little loops of uphill downhill, as others have said it’s fast as you like uphill and downhill it’s just planted. I’ve hit bits of trails I wouldn’t of before and I’m out riding longer.
I don’t get the rattle others have said but I do get the whirl of the motor but I think that’s more me as I still ride like a non eMtb so spinning lots when going uphill, I do get a proper workout this way.
Would definitely recommend buy from an LBS, I got mine from Blazing Bikes who have been awesome, I had the crank come loose, and then the chainring which needs a specific tool, unfortunately they are 60 miles away I wish I had got it locally but my lbs are always fully booked and never have the time to help when buying a bike let alone warranty work so blazing bikes got my money. A good bike shop is the key for emtb’s.
They assist with pedalling. If you don’t pedal, you don’t go anywhere
Although some, like my Bosch, has nifty features like the motor run on. Great when you are stuck in deep ruts but can't get a full pedal stroke in. But yes, they are pedal-assist not a throttle. Wouldn't be classified as bikes otherwise.
I don’t get the rattle others have said but I do get the whirl of the motor but I think that’s more me as I still ride like a non eMtb so spinning lots when going uphill, I do get a proper workout this way.
Mine definitely rattles when coasting and the motor disengages. No worse than chain slap or a noisy rear hub IMO. You tend to need a reasonable cadence to stay in the motor's powerband I've found. No point pushing big gears unless you're really wanting a workout.
What size is this (lightly used) Hightower then?
Got myself a Trek Rail 7 earlier this year and it has transformed how much I can ride and where I can ride. I see my riding mates slogging and pushing up hills and think I’m so glad I’m on an ebike. I would never manage up on a normal bike with my knees. On the flat and downhill sections it feels more planted, took me a while to adjust to the extra weight whilst descending but the brakes are more than up to the job when I get a bit carried away. 29er wheels took some adjustment but I’m loving them now aswell.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I have done 45 miles on a single charge with a mix of everything and there was still easily 10 - 15 miles left in the battery. The bike is so capable it encourages me to ride more often and for longer, I actively seek out stuff to climb now where I used to avoid them at all costs.</span>
I have no complaints on the motor and battery front either. Get the odd dig from people about being on an ebike but sod em.. I’m having fun and enjoying my riding again.
I was also concerned about weight and travel when I was looking at ebikes but it really doesn’t matter as the motor is there to assist and you may aswell have as much travel as you want for the fun stuff. I certainly don’t regret my purchase.
I got a Levo Turbo Comp.
Solo rides are now fun again because the climbs aren't boring anymore. They are now fast and fun. It's only flat sections that can feel boring. Gates and fences are more of a pain than ever.
I used to ride a regular FSR and was at least in the top 5% on Strava on climbs. Sometimes much higher. The E's are for everyone, not just the impaired.
When I ride with other's I use the regular bike because no one on a manual bike could possibly stand a chance of keeping up going up a proper hill. I am going at over 20kph in sections that nearly everyone is getting off and pushing.
What size is this (lightly used) Hightower then?
It's an XL.
Over in the classifieds.
One thing I've noticed, prob coincidence, but I've had a nagging knee pain after a big off earlier in the year. Sore if I twisted it, needed to warm up properly for every ride.
Had a month on the eBike. more riding than before, but the knee pain has gone. Could be a bike setup thing of course.
Mustache owner here and its great. Old gen 2 bosch motor with 2k on the clock. 3 motors and 1 battery. It's a good job they have a 2 year rolling warranty. It's a vicious circle though as all your mates get one you go from the gate opener to tail end Charlie again.
Nobeerinthefridge
Free MemberAnd there you go, you’ve done 1100 incident free miles on it, Iain would’ve killed himself more times than the highlander in those 1100 miles 😆
Posted 1 hour ago
REPLY | REPORT
You actually inspired me to go check in the garage : 440km on the Levo SL and 540km on the Creo. Both purchased since July 😂
3,600km on my Turbo Levo in 4.5 months then I hit a tree at 20mph causing weeks of injury
Just got a alu Turbo Levo SL. Son is a lean fit 15 and I'm 51.
He was happy to wait on climbs and will always have to wait on descents for me so no issue there. His riding mates the same... really nice bunch. However a ride with them leaves me knackered well before them so downhill parts become increasingly sketchy for me and I've had a few tumbles I probably shouldn't have so tended to bail a bit earlier. If I'm riding a weekend day with them I can't ride the other day with my road mates as too knackered. That was all fine too be fair.. we all enjoyed the rides and nobody seemed annoyed at me and I didn't mind bailing early as I still get to ride with my son.
The SL has however been fantastic. I can ride with them the whole ride, enjoy the downhills, and they are saying it is more enjoyable overall as the pace of the day is generally better. Can do another day with them the next day or go on the road. Son uses the bike for quick blasts after school so an added advantage.
I had to sell both my mtbs and a road bike to fund it, and I definitely didn't want a full power/ weight bike, and the ability to pop the bike on the roof bars, and lift it over gates etc was important.
Doesn't feel like too dissimilar a situation to the op.
(* all the above is just secondary justification though.. it is just more fun to ride it than I ever had on the other bikes. I've seen all the arguments about fitness etc. I simply don't care. I'll probably end up slightly fitter cos I'm riding way more, or slightly less fit cos I'm not pushing as hard....the difference won't be massive either way so I really don't care.)
Buy locally for warranty, so look at what’s sold locally, then decide between those. Ignore bikes you can’t get or LBS’s not specialising in e-bikes. I don’t personally believe you would benefit from buying a 500wh battery bike, or any of the semi-skinned versions. The Levo, rail or sam2 are the bikes I’d be looking at, & 150mm+ travel, otherwise just...
Go to RaceCo.
Talk to them.
Test a few different bikes
Then buy a Spech off them.
Race Co are a solid e-bike dealer, so +1 ... I did, after previous my internet bargain spent 2months away for warranty.
Cheers all.
I'm going to have a look at a few things and see what the funds are like currently.
It may be that I sell the Hightower and do the winter on a hardtail then look early next year.
I’d recommend buy one ASAP, winter is worst on a manual bike, an ebike makes it enjoyable! All that slippy mud, just your personal ice rink, those impossible climbs, laugh & up the power mode when you start to struggle (within reason obv’s).
If there ever was a fix for depressing wet winter riding, it’s an e-bike
Anyone riding a Whyte E150s 29er.
Keen to hear your thoughts.
If there ever was a fix for depressing wet winter riding, it’s an e-bike
And all I've got is a stupid little bottle of vitamin D tablets.
I've pretty much quit riding at this point after a lifetime of being obsessed with it an I can't get myself back into it.
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.