phutureproof
New Member
I'm on the verge of buying an eMTB. I've had hardtails and FS bikes over the years, and TBH, my use of them has dropped quite markedly of late. Busy life. Tired at the weekends. Laziness etc.
I've had (yet another) bike stolen from my home (despite locks/cctv/coverings etc) but I still have my Orange Crush from around 2009 which is a decent enough bike for a hardtail.
But on my last few rides, I've yearned for a FS bike again (I've had two of those stolen too over the years, the best being a massive SC Nomad about 8 or 9 years ago). This is partly due to fitness/back pain etc, partly due to comfort but also because I just really like bikes, and FS bikes - for me - are just amazing bits of equipment. It's like holding a Leica camera: the pictures from a £250 camera can be close enough in terms of quality, but the hold/feel/pedigree/craftsmanship of a Leica in your hands is something entirely different.
But the last few rides with the couple of mates who I've been biking with for years have been a bit tougher (for all of us really). I'm certainly not the most skilled rider nor the fastest. But we always rib each other and ask "So when are you getting an eMTB then?" to which the others will shout: "NEVER!", or "Only when I retire!" (we aren't there yet for a while before you ask!).
But...I am on the fence and leaning quite a bit over into eMTB territory.
But they are bloody expensive. All bikes are bloody expensive if you want something good.
But eMTBs are on another level of expense for me.
And availability? Well, basically none. Especially as a 6'5" rider, the choice is thin on the ground.
I'm on the verge of going for the 2022 Whyte e160 S that I've found in XL. I'm really hoping that it will fit. Without it being available locally to try - or even sit on - let alone compare sizes, it is really hard to part with so much cash.
£5500 for a bike that I'll have to order online and pay for delivery. Without seeing it in the flesh. Without ever riding an e-bike (apart from a neighbours hybrid bike a while ago that put a big grin on my face!). Without seeing if it feels 'right'. Without picking it up to see if I can even lift it! Without seeing if it will fit in the back of my car (I assume it will fit in the back of a Tesla Model 3 - anyone know that?).
Sound a familiar story?
I've had (yet another) bike stolen from my home (despite locks/cctv/coverings etc) but I still have my Orange Crush from around 2009 which is a decent enough bike for a hardtail.
But on my last few rides, I've yearned for a FS bike again (I've had two of those stolen too over the years, the best being a massive SC Nomad about 8 or 9 years ago). This is partly due to fitness/back pain etc, partly due to comfort but also because I just really like bikes, and FS bikes - for me - are just amazing bits of equipment. It's like holding a Leica camera: the pictures from a £250 camera can be close enough in terms of quality, but the hold/feel/pedigree/craftsmanship of a Leica in your hands is something entirely different.
But the last few rides with the couple of mates who I've been biking with for years have been a bit tougher (for all of us really). I'm certainly not the most skilled rider nor the fastest. But we always rib each other and ask "So when are you getting an eMTB then?" to which the others will shout: "NEVER!", or "Only when I retire!" (we aren't there yet for a while before you ask!).
But...I am on the fence and leaning quite a bit over into eMTB territory.
But they are bloody expensive. All bikes are bloody expensive if you want something good.
But eMTBs are on another level of expense for me.
And availability? Well, basically none. Especially as a 6'5" rider, the choice is thin on the ground.
I'm on the verge of going for the 2022 Whyte e160 S that I've found in XL. I'm really hoping that it will fit. Without it being available locally to try - or even sit on - let alone compare sizes, it is really hard to part with so much cash.
£5500 for a bike that I'll have to order online and pay for delivery. Without seeing it in the flesh. Without ever riding an e-bike (apart from a neighbours hybrid bike a while ago that put a big grin on my face!). Without seeing if it feels 'right'. Without picking it up to see if I can even lift it! Without seeing if it will fit in the back of my car (I assume it will fit in the back of a Tesla Model 3 - anyone know that?).
Sound a familiar story?
