Yep, dragged back in to e-bike thoughts having watched someone lapping the Hope Trail at Gisburn as I recovered from the long climb on the bench.
I'd always planned to make the jump when I retire in approximately 3 years and buy whatever bike float my boat at the time. If I go now my budget will be more modest, probably £5k max so while the Amflow waiting list grows longer and longer I've been debating the Saracen and Specialized, both available with a decent discount.
The Saracen in Pro or Elite mode seem to be well specced for the money and have decent motor/battery numbers. The Specialized is down on both but does come with Ohlins and a likely higher value in a few years.
Any thoughts from owners?
I’ve got a Levo SL2. Picked it up barely used super cheap(£1800) and it’s great for what I use it for (2hr thrash around the local woods and moors). I get 25-30k and about 800m of vert out of a battery doing that.
a bit more power would be nice and a bit more battery would be nice but not enough to spend any more money. The design is quite old now so there must be a new one in the offing.
Just been through similar, back and forth over lightweights, full fat, good deals etc.
In the end I decided, I’m not going to get stronger, my body’s wear and tear isn’t going to lessen, my old injuries won’t stop bugging me.
So I went full fat from a local shop who would price match.
I seriously considered the alloy Levo SL2 but in the end was put off by the overall weight of the bike despite it's small motor and battery.
In the end I went for a discounted Orbea Rise LT H10, which I'm very happy with. Almost full fat power (85Nm with 630Wh battery) but doesn't feel like a boat anchor.
I didn't look at the Saracen.
In your position I'd just join the Amflow waiting list.
My Levo SL is the first and only e-bike I've ridden properly so I've got nothing to compare it to but I've been loving it. I still get smoked up the hills by most e-bikes but I mostly ride alone so it makes no difference.
Some people told me not to buy it because of the small battery and weak motor but I didn't want a big, ugly bike that weighs a tonne and I don't want to race up hills. I'm still riding up stuff that was previously impossible so I'm happy as Larry anyway.
I wanted a nice bike with a bit of assistance and that's exactly what it is.
The suspension is great but I'm already a confirmed Öhlins fanboy. The TRP brakes are excellent. I did change the tyres because even the new and improved Specialized Butchers are shite in my opinion.
It's basically an electrified version of my Airdrop Edit and the geometry is very close. I took it to BPW last weekend for 2 days of uplifts where I thought I might regret my choice but it absolutely ripped everywhere with zero issues.
Sorry if I'm gushing but I have only good things to say so far.
I know it'll probably break at some point but that's why I bought a Specialized from a shop which is 90 seconds ride from my house.
When the Mrs isn't heavily pregnant and she's ready to ride again the Levo is hers. Then I'll see what's around and consider something else. Probably sell my Druid V2 and buy the E Dreadnought.
mine is the base model alloy SL2 and I've never weighed it.
swapped the wheels for some hunt trailwides and some better tyres and it flies. best, funnest, fastest bike I've ever had uphill and downhill.
Thanks for the feedback. Reckon the Specialized is out because I don't want low range or something that feels like an assisted normal bike.
Considering the price, kit and decent reviews there doesn't seem to be many Saracen riders out there? Is it the Shimano motor and al the horror stories?
The answer probably is Amflow though, isn't it?
I'm glad that I successfully talked you out of the Levo!
These things are bloody expensive. It's important you get something that suits your needs.
Reckon the Specialized is out because I don't want low range or something that feels like an assisted normal bike.
That’s a fair point, but IME that’s the true selling point of the Levo SL. It does feel like a normal bike. The range extender battery is great for bigger days.
I had a full power before for three years and the weight of the bike and power delivery of a big motor overwhelmed the riding experience. The SL feels like me, if could be arsed training.
I’m skeptical about Amflow’s claimed weights. My mate has the original top end one and it’s noticeably heavier than my Levo Sl, even with the range extender fitted.
Is it the Shimano motor and al the horror stories?
The EP801 is a great motor, but at "only" 85Nm it's been left behind in the race for more power.
Not that bothered about the latest and greatest but defo want something approaching full fat as I'll be keeping a proper bike too. The more I think about it the more I'm inclined to wait a few months and add a bit of finance to get something I really want rather than compromise for a price.
Saracen all day long. Literally. I'd go for the Pro over the Elite. How tall are you btw?
