New eBike – Help me decide ?

The Mrs has finally given me permission to spunk a stupid amount of money on an ebike. (Max £8k gross on Salary Sacrifice)

I will be moving from a 2012/13 Giant Anthem  100mm front and rear, back then moving from a x3 chainring to x2 chainring was hot news, and everyone was curious on the difference !

I am 5ft 6″ (short arse) 85kg with pack etc.

My riding – 99% wheels on the ground, never riden a bike park. However love technical decents and can keep up with many folk on much more modern capable machinery. Love technical singletrack etc. Like big mountain days ie will be looking to go up Cadair Idris, just been up the top of the Howgills. Like trail centres etc. I like climbing !

Where I currently live its pockets of riding linked by roads, steep roads and the thought of pedalling an mtb up them doesnt fill me with joy.

I’ve figured a ‘light weight’ emtb just because theres a chance of getting it over gates/walls etc, and occasionally getting it on the car roof rack.

So far I am thinking 140mm travel to 1500mm travel bikes, but then Orbea have brought out the Rise LT that looks very tempting at 160mm travel. Is it better just to go larger just because its there?

Will going longer travel really harm the climbing and the handling of a bike, or a modern bikes a different beast to my current bike?

Yes I know I should test ride, but when you are between small/medium frames your options for test rides are limited to almost zero so any input gratefully appreciated.

So far my random shortlist is SC Heckler SL, Cube AMS Hybrid 144, Rise SL/ST.

Ta

Think a bit about which motor you want – personally I would only have a bosch motor due to its repairability

You might have trouble reaching the ground with 1500mm travel!

I was impressed with the Trek Fuel EXe, but went for Rail, as it suited what I wanted more.

Even at full beans, the Fuel’s assistance felt pretty subtle, which may be a bonus for some – it’s the most like a normal bike of the ones I have tried.

The new Rail is maybe in a category of its’ own, it’s basically a full power light ebike, there’s a lot to like but the Shimano motor would put me off, I’d have the Wild f I was going Orbea

Never come across a Cube bike with good geometry, they seem determined to ruin everything they do with ’90s geo,

The lightweight ones with the smaller batteries I couldnt count the number of thread ive seen about those owners now looking to fit an extender battery, so think carefully about the level of range you think appropriate.

Obviously lighter will handle differently, and from the reviews ive read that seems to be a good thing. And for general manhandling, as most full fats are over 50lbs

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Motor – Probably better with Bosch, but these days its hard to know as the interest in Emtb’s has put a lot of investment into the technology. I would though avoid Shimano.

Bosch on mine for the last three years(this oct) without issue(Scott Genius 920 Eride)

If I were to offer one piece of advice over anything else, that would be to buy it from a proper bike shop that you can drive to. Yes there are serious bargains for older models, but returning for issues might be pretty difficult. Not that issues are a given, but they do happen, sop something you can easily get to will save a lot of headaches.

Thanks honour – I still want to put some effort in, I enjoy the hard work bit.

Its mainly the assistance on road slog bits, or like last weekend doing 2,000ft of continual climbing, I am just not as fit as I once was, plus screwed hips.

Interesting re Cube, it looks good on paper with the weight/motor etc. But yes I had read that it wasnt best geo. Maybe thats discounted then !

I always have liked the Orbea since it came out, appeared to be the right mix of bike for me. Just done a bit of ringing, and some people have said they wont / cant touch the Shimano motor for repair, others have said they can changes bearings, gears etc but cant touch anything electrical.

so think carefully about the level of range you think appropriate.

I am thinking of the 630wh battery which is siginificantly larger than most of the similar  lights emtbs which are in the 300-400 wh range

I am 5ft 6″ (short arse) 85kg with pack

Classic E bike demographic 😁 so there should be plenty second hand

The new rise LT looks good, but would be a hard pass from me because of the shimano motor.

The heckler SL looks great, but the motor appears to be a bit hit and miss right now, but maybe its sorted?

The whyte elyte would probably be my pick at your budget.

The trek fuel exe is seriously versatile ,if you should need that versatility- can be run with any of the following combinations of battery size

– 0wh – rides like a slightly heavy normal bike
– 160wh – just the range extender , battery small enough to go on a plane
– 360wh – just the main battery
– 520wh – main battery + range extender
– 720wh – 2 x main battery (its small and light enough to go in a pack)
– 880wh – 2 x main + range extender – for a mega ride

I have a trek fuel exe – but I think the whyte elyte looks very tempting

Fellow shortarse here – I’ve got a Mondraker Crafty which I’ve mulleted and love, but couldn’t really get on with it as a 29er. I think there’s a lot to be said about MX wheel on an ebike, even if you’re not a shralper because they tend to have long wheelbases and be quite cumbersome. If I was buying again now I’d probably get the Mondraker Dune which looks perfect (for me).

I took the new Specialised SL motor out for a spin around Cwmcarn and Risca trails and was absolutely blown away by how much like a normal bike it feels – more like a helping hand up the hills than anything else and you can pedal it easily with the motor off or above the limiter – something you can’t really do with a full fat ebike for sure. The only problem is that everyone I know with a spesh ebike has issues with the motor/battery fairly frequently but at least they get sorted out much quicker than Shimano motors.

I’ve got a Kenevo sl, the missus has a levo sl. In terms of range there appears to be little difference so I don’t really see much disadvantage to having gone bigger.

I’m 5’11” and (cough) heavier than you. Riding with it as support as opposed to trying to be a full fat e-bike I comfortably got 40km and 1400m ascent through the peaks on Saturday, still had 20% left in the battery so in theory would have been good for 50km and the thick end of 1800m ascent without a range extender.

Before I got mine I had a good look at the fuel exe, decision was made on a better deal on the specialised but the flexibility on battery that Julians mentions was a big draw for the trek. Whyte elyte 150 looks good at the moment, the rise is nice but personally I’d steer away from the Shimano motor.

Similar to Julian’s,
fazua not getting good reliability reviews, did badly on my shimano engined bike, my levo , which I really like, is now nearly 4 and only 1 failed motor connector cable so I’m keeping that, but wanted something lighter and removable battery,so the exe won, esp with its sale prices (and not having headset cabling), was a bit concerned about power/range so will see how that goes over summer, hopefully enough for me.

KSL for me too, so 170mm of travel

I’m half a foot taller but a lot lighter – went for a longer travel SL after demo-ing/hiring an original Rise, a full-fat Cube and then the KSL.

On the internal battery alone 5,000ft is easily attainable and I’ve done over 7,500ft (Golfie & Inners) with the extender.  Last night I went for a quick solo turbo bash, 1,500ft took a 1/3 of the battery & extender.

Riding with full-fat friends the only weakness is I just don’t have to power up the steep climbs, but the only person I ride with who has a full-fat & an equivalent range has a 900w battery.

If you’re spending £8k, the worthwhile putting some effort in to find the right one IMO.

Giant trance x. 400wh battery full power motor and 43lbs. Feels incredible to ride.comes with 200wh range exteneder.

I’ve an orbea wild with the Bosch motor, but if I were buying today I’d go with the new Rise LT – the  Shimano motor doesn’t put me off as they are now repairable out of the 2yr warranty and seem just as likely to go pop as any other now & you have 2yrs of warranty between now and any potential repair anyway.

The only problem is that everyone I know with a spesh ebike has issues with the motor/battery fairly frequently

the Brose full fat has this rep, the SL’s  Mahle motor is supposedly very reliable. The Whyte ELyte 150‘s seems a new & interesting contender. Bumped into a guy riding one, as his trek rail was in for repairs,  & he was raving about the whyte, he seemed very impressed

@monkeybocjc at last someone not scared by the Shimano motor 👍 who’s offering the repair out of warranty?

I’ve always found it funny the praise for Spesh swift warranty conveniently ignoring the breakdowns in the first place 😁

I was about to ask if you really wanted/needed an ebike as you seem to enjoy the effort in getting up the hills…then read your post about screwed hips and not being as fit as you once were.

I’ve about 13kg on you and definitely not fit…I’d be more than happy to get my lazy backside down to that kind of weight as it would be a very noticeable difference, however, that seems to be failing just now so I’m needing to change many things.

Anyway, for the slogs up the hills, you’ll still get up them and as you like the hard work, then it will be more rewarding (just slower).

Not trying to talk you out of an ebike, but it will probably tweak your riding – hopefully for the better, but may just move it sideways.

From what I’ve read, Bosch seem to be the best motors due to repairability and it seems Specialized seem to have very dependable warranties for when things go pear-shaped (as it seems a standard ‘feature’ of an ebike that it will fail – which is a real shame).

I’ve got a gen 1 Kenevo SL but I’m a lazy fat knacker who can’t even do 5000ft on it at an uplift venue… 🤣

It’s a lovely bike to ride though.

I’ve also got an early Rail which is a tank and has been mostly demoted to commuting duties although I have brought it to the Peak District this week (which was a mistake really, having sampled the trails at Black Rocks)

Of the current crop of light e-bikes available I’d be choosing between the gen 2 KSL and the Whyte eLyte.

The Fazua motor is still too hit or miss for my liking and I wouldn’t have a Shimano.
If Trek did an e-Slash using the TQ motor that would be tempting.

There does also seem (perception is reality and all that, and purely anecodtally from scanning the emtb forums) to be a dramatic drop off in shimano issues with the introduction of the newer shimano motors.

Groups were awash with issues previsouly, but the reports really seem to have dried up.

Still major issues with repairability, but the error codes and failed motors seem vastly reduced

Shimano motor doesn’t put me off as they are now repairable out of the 2yr warranty an

Source?

( Please 😁)

I added an e-bike to my fleet last October. It’s been a learning experience and not what I thought it was going to be.

At first I had a kenevo SL. Just after Christmas I replaced it with a full phat Santa Cruz Heckler.

IMO if you want to do traditional MTB rides but with assistance to save the legs, be less tired, etc… get any kind of SL.

With a full fat ebike you can still do that, and/or you can use it as a enabler and entirely change the way you can ride. Singletrack climbs become as fun as singletrack descents, for example. Who wouldn’t want to increase the amount of enjoyable singletrack on a ride?

Of course, weight and styles/gates is a factor to xonsider, but IMO the pros out weigh the cons.

Singletrack climbs become as fun as singletrack descents,

They always have been. You’ve just been doing it wrong

If this is a non-snarky comment, are you able to elaborate?

I’m just putting forward the point of view that many people enjoy singletrack ascents as much as, or more, than the descents.  You don’t need an eeb to do that.  Now I get that the bike industry has been pushing downhill performance for years to the detriment of along and up, but there are still loads of people and loads of Neebs that are really into singletrack ascents.

I certainly used to enjoy the climbs, especially the technical ones, as much as the descents. The challenging myself, the satisfaction of beating the climbs, even the exertion… and after a few ebike rides, I really found riding dissatisfying because that was gone. Then I took my nomal MTB out and suffered. I realised why I’d got the ebike in the first place! I just wasn’t enjoying un-assisted rides like I used to (before (borinnng) heart issues). So now I enjoy the riding for what it is and yes, climbs are bloody enjoyable, cos they don’t kill me! Especially now my partner has an ebike and we can go on rides together. As she gets better and fitter, we’ll be able to go MILES!

Anyway, enough of that, back to the OP’s question… so he wants a lightweight, that can be lifted onto a roof rack? Well , that counts out my fab Moterra Neo, and the amazing Trek Rail my  (5’2″ but comfortable on a Small framed 29er) partner has… So Rise, Moterra SL, the Spesh SL equivalent, Trek Fuel EXe (great bike, but not like a “proper” eMTB). But really, how can you spnuk 8 grand on a bike without trying them?!

Also, the Singletrack Charged reviews are good. I totally agreed with what they said about the Fuel and the Moterra, so worth reading some of those I reckon.

Thanks for the further responses.

Re going uphills. I have a road bike for fitness / maintaining fitness as best I can. However last week out in the Howgills it became very clear to me that I am never going to be fit enough again to enjoy big mtb climbs, so why not get some assistance that enables me to enjoy getting out in the big hills.

The example is this ride in the Howgills last week where a steep (yes I know its not technical)  long 1,500ft climb had me pushing and knackerd, too much so to extend the ride further.

Ive booked myself on to a Leisure Lakes Demo day, where hopefully many of the big contender bikes mentioned above will be available to ride, although possibly in the wrong size.

The example is this ride in the Howgills last week where a steep (yes I know its not technical)  long 1,500ft climb had me pushing and knackerd, too much so to extend the ride further.

Any of the bikes mentioned will enable that, it’s really just a case of try them out and get the one you like the most – especially with your generous budget.

The example is this ride in the Howgills last week

That does look utterly hateful. Even I’d probably consider buying an eeb before doing that.

especially with your generous budget.

Dont worry I feel bad. The most I have ever spent on a bike is £1,500.  FFS back in the day I had nice Klein’s/Cannondales which appeared much better vfm at the time.

This is going to be a Salary Sacrifice purchase. The total cost to Mrs FD will be approx £4,500 which I think is about what I think these bikes should cost rrp!

Does make you wonder if RRP is now aimed purely at high earning Salary Sacrifice people.

That does look utterly hateful. Even I’d probably consider buying an eeb before doing that.

I still quite enjoyed it though, just had nothing left in the tank (ish). I do enjoy stuff like Skiddaw or Cadair Idris

Does make you wonder if RRP is now aimed purely at high earning Salary Sacrifice people.

I suspect there’s a big element of this.

Turbo Levo Carbon Comp here and it’s been bullet proof. I think the Brose is probably the most natural feeling power delivery of any of the motor manufacturers and I’ve ridden most.

Not a fan of the SL variant as it’s just a slightly lighter bike by putting a smaller less powerful motor and battery in. You can achieve the same (making it harder) through Mission Control app.

The aluminium Rise is currently available for £3300 with 540wHr battery and very useable build on C2W, so £1915 if high rate tax, might be worth a consideration if you want to save some dosh.

I don’t think Shimano motors or Bosch motors are repairable. Bearings I think can be changed, but any electronic errors means you need a new motor. I have a Canyon with Bosch Smart System and its broken after 8 months / 650 miles (just as the weather was getting better!) Been without it for 1 month now. No eta for when it’ll be fixed..  it’s never been jetwashed or even hose piped.

My reccomendation would be to get a Specialized Levo (full fat) from a local dealer. They seem to have the fastest turnaround time for faults.

I have some thoughts on the matter purely because I’m in a similar situation. (Though I don’t enjoy climbs). The howgills route, plus the grassy slog up to Angle Tarn and the climb up on the walna scar circuit would be much more enjoyable with an ebike, I could even do two laps of HBR in the caingorms, one climb takes an hour!

Anything with a Fazua motor is apparently a bike shops worst nightmare so that rules out SC and Transition. Yes both have fantastic warranty but you want to avoid being without a bike for a month.

Shimano motor, I had a orbea rise and they rattle if you can put up with a constant rattle then you’re a better person than me. I like a silent bike that doesn’t make me think ‘somethings going to fall off’.

Whyte e-lyte, the spec id want to buy is £10k (comparable to the spec on my current bike) and it doesn’t seem that there are many reductions at least currently, the Specialized and trek can be found discounted.

The Trek Exe, I’ve been told for some reason they eat through their battery and you’re looking at around 20 miles from a battery, I can do that in my own legs so wouldn’t be any good for me. Although I’m only 64kgs and I ride in eco/lowest setting because like you I have road fitness from doing 70 miles a week.

I coughed up £95 at the weekend to try out the levo SL and managed 24 miles with 40% battery still left and then did two more runs in trail and got it down to 30% so it’s easily up to the job. The boost mode felt underwhelming and pretty similar to the middle setting but I didn’t check the tuning and it could be it wasn’t turned up. It was the comp level in the neutral position with 29” wheels because the 27.5 was broken. I left feeling very underwhelmed, the front end was crazy twitchy on the descents and the seat tube angle meant it climbed nose light as well and the spec was tosh, unresponsive fork and wooden rear shock.

Im not sure whether to just wait and see what else is coming or stump for something I may be disappointed with.

Did you sell the Rise?

The Trek Exe, I’ve been told for some reason they eat through their battery and you’re looking at around 20 miles from a battery, I can do that in my own legs so wouldn’t be any good for me.

I see comments like this quite often. If you can do 20 miles without assistance why do you assume you’ll only be doing 20 miles with assistance?

When I bought my first eBike 2 laps of the Verderers at FoD was my limit. As soon as I got the eeb I was doing 4 or more.

Also don’t discount the Focus Jam SL. I really enjoyed the day out I had on it. It was a mates but its now top of my list!

The Trek Exe, I’ve been told for some reason they eat through their battery and you’re looking at around 20 miles from a battery,

Range is so variable from person to person, it’s hard to compare it objectively, especially with the configurable assist levels.

Just for some counter balance I’ve had 20 miles and 2800 feet of climbing out of just the range extender battery on my exe, that’s 160wh. I was really ekeing it out, no assist on the flat bits and down hills, and very low assist on the uphills, riding with others on regular ebikes, so going quite slowly, it was v hard work,just not quite as hard as riding a regular bike

I’ve also had only 2000feet and 12 miles out of the main battery (360wh) on max mode for the whole ride, going pretty quickly, not even trying to make the battery last.

Typically I find I will get 3000 feet of climbing over 18 miles out of the main battery using mostly the (tweaked up a bit from default) mid mode, I would have thought that you’d get a lot more than me as you’re a lot lighter.

A few bike journos have done tests as objectively as they could across the various light ebikes and the range on the EXe was comparable to others with similar size batteries.

Not a fan of the SL variant as it’s just a slightly lighter bike by putting a smaller less powerful motor and battery in. You can achieve the same (making it harder) through Mission Control app.

Except the lowest power setting on most full-fat bikes is the same as the highest power setting on an SL – circa 30-35NM.

Also on the better Specialized SL bikes (with the Mastermind TCU) it’s possible to micro tune the power on the fly in 10% intervals (from 0 to 100%) – consequentially very easy to eek out battery.

Except the lowest power setting on most full-fat bikes is the same as the highest power setting on an SL – circa 30-35NM.

Hmmmm