Arggghhhh... Dilemma

[MuddyFunster]

Hi all, new guy on the block (go easy on me)

I’m 6’5”/195cm, 53 years young looking to get my own EMTB after renting a Haibike NDURO on holiday in Portugal.

I’ve plenty of off-road experience having ridden motocross for many years then turning to mountain bikes: current bikes are Marin Attack trail 6.8 & Whyte 829 (getting a bit long in the tooth now) and due to my active past, my knees (and now fitness) aren't what they used to be..

My normal haunts are Swinley Forrest, and the trails around where I live (near Reading) so I’m looking for a bike that can cope with that initially, and possibly onto greater things.

Ok, so onto the Dilemma: I’ve been looking around for a bike and have a budget of around 5-6k. I did a fair bit of research and by all accounts, the Specialized Turbo Levo seems to tick a lot of the boxes. I went to my local Specialized store (Newbury, Berkshire) and had a look, but I’m worried that the XL may just be too small. The guys in the store have offered (at no extra cost) to fit different steerer/dropper combinations, but I don’t know… if I’m paying that much the bike needs to fit..

Sooo… then I saw it … the YT Decoy. Comes in XXL and has a fantastic spec for the money (may even be tempted to go for the CF Pro Race version). However, delivery is quoted as November…. doh!

So what do I do? Get the Levo? Wait for the Decoy? OR anyone got any recommendations for an XXL bike?

Cheers,
/MuddyFunster (Phil)

 

[R120]

The new Mondrakers with the updated Bosch motor will probably be in store late August - Mondrakers tend to suite big boys because of their forward geometry designs, and their XL's are genuinely big. Might be worth a look, especially as the new Bosch has 630wh battery:

CRAFTY R ·

 

[R120]

And Whyte new EMTB's with the new Bosch are sure out about the same time too

 

[Trail-Niels]

What about the 2020 Commencal Meta Power 29 it has a slightly longer reach in size XL as the Decoy, but a slightly shorter top tube COMMENCAL 2020 | META POWER 29 TEAM

 

[davarello]

I'm the same height with long arms and the '19 XL Levo fits me perfectly with a 50mm stem, 800x38mm bar and seat back on the rails. Might be worth waiting to see if the new '20 Levo models come with bigger batteries or other improvements, of the bikes out now the Commencal appeals to me if I had to get a new bike.

 

[MuddyFunster]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated.

I'm the same height with long arms and the '19 XL Levo fits me perfectly with a 50mm stem, 800x38mm bar and seat back on the rails. Might be worth waiting to see if the new '20 Levo models come with bigger batteries or other improvements, of the bikes out now the Commencal appeals to me if I had to get a new bike.

I must admit I like the Levo, it looks purposeful, and I like the idea of a 'dealer on the doorstep'. Also, knowing that someone of my size is comfortable on one helps a great deal.

To be fair the guy in the Specialized store said to me "wait a couple of weeks, the new ones will be announced, but don't expect major changes to the Levo, just slight spec' changes and colours" - if that includes the larger capacity battery then it's worth the wait I figure.

I'll go look and see if I can find some reviews on that Commencal, worth a look I think, well that and the Whyte.. and the Mondraker...

Thing is I could agonise forever on what to get, In the end, I'm just going to have to commit and get out there!

/MuddyFunster

 

[Trail-Niels]

I’ve used to like the LBS but, to be honest, I bought my first MTB at a LBS, but though it was a fairly large and recognised one, their service was lousy. I turned to the D2C shops, first Canyon and then Commencal, and I haven’t looked back since. If I can’t fix it myself I know where to find the best local MTB mechanic. Warranty issues has always been handled promptly by both Canyon and Commencal, which I can only highly recommend.
As for tests there is a recent detailed one at First Ride Review: COMMENCAL META POWER 29 – Improving a winning formula | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine
I’m almost as tall as you, with long legs and arms, and the Meta XL is larger than my current regular Meta AM XL, so for me at least I think the size will fit me.
Good luck with the ‘chase’ the next few weeks we’ll see the 2020 hatch of new bikes...

 

[Gavalar]

Hi all, new guy on the block (go easy on me)

I’m 6’5”/195cm, 53 years young looking to get my own EMTB after renting a Haibike NDURO on holiday in Portugal.

I’ve plenty of off-road experience having ridden motocross for many years then turning to mountain bikes: current bikes are Marin Attack trail 6.8 & Whyte 829 (getting a bit long in the tooth now) and due to my active past, my knees (and now fitness) aren't what they used to be..

My normal haunts are Swinley Forrest, and the trails around where I live (near Reading) so I’m looking for a bike that can cope with that initially, and possibly onto greater things.

Ok, so onto the Dilemma: I’ve been looking around for a bike and have a budget of around 5-6k. I did a fair bit of research and by all accounts, the Specialized Turbo Levo seems to tick a lot of the boxes. I went to my local Specialized store (Newbury, Berkshire) and had a look, but I’m worried that the XL may just be too small. The guys in the store have offered (at no extra cost) to fit different steerer/dropper combinations, but I don’t know… if I’m paying that much the bike needs to fit..

Sooo… then I saw it … the YT Decoy. Comes in XXL and has a fantastic spec for the money (may even be tempted to go for the CF Pro Race version). However, delivery is quoted as November…. doh!

So what do I do? Get the Levo? Wait for the Decoy? OR anyone got any recommendations for an XXL bike?

Cheers,
/MuddyFunster (Phil)

I would first suggest that you read the YT Decoy threads on here, it may put you off, or then again maybe not, at least with having a Specialized dealer on your doorstep any problems are easily fixed, no shipping your bike back to Germany, I have cancelled my YT Decoy order as they have moved delivery from September 11th to October 11th, there's simply too much choice available to wait indefinitely.

 

[MuddyFunster]

Lots of good feedback here, thank you all.

I would first suggest that you read the YT Decoy threads on here, it may put you off, or then again maybe not, at least with having a Specialized dealer on your doorstep any problems are easily fixed, no shipping your bike back to Germany, I have cancelled my YT Decoy order as they have moved delivery from September 11th to October 11th, there's simply too much choice available to wait indefinitely.

Yep, I've had a trawl through the posts, not good reading, which is a shame... If they had a reasonable delivery time frame I'm pretty sure I would have hit the big 'Buy' button by now.

As you mention, there's a lot of choices out there.... which isn't helping

Just as a side note, I play Bass Guitar, It took me around six months of finding and playing various Fender P Bass / Jazz Bass models and in the end... I bought a Yamaha TRBX... that folks, is my truly screwed up decision-making process.

/MuddyFunster

 

[MuddyFunster]

Ok,

Just pulled the trigger...

2019 Specialized Comp Carbon.

Went to Berkshire Cycles and spoke to the awesome Chris who sorted me out and gave me some top advice - and a hat - but that's an entirely different story. Turns out in one of those 'small worlds - but I wouldn't want to paint it' scenarios, our paths have probably crossed more than once... (in a good way)

Stoked, picking it up tomorrow. Can't wait.

@Rob Hancill - Turns out I'd missed seeing you in the shop by about 10 minutes. Hope to catch up with you soon, your reviews on both the bike and Berkshire Cycles really helped make my decision. Thank you.

See you on the trails, all!

/MuddyFunster

 

[Gavalar]

Ok,

Just pulled the trigger...

2019 Specialized Comp Carbon.

Went to Berkshire Cycles and spoke to the awesome Chris who sorted me out and gave me some top advice - and a hat - but that's an entirely different story. Turns out in one of those 'small worlds - but I wouldn't want to paint it' scenarios, our paths have probably crossed more than once... (in a good way)

Stoked, picking it up tomorrow. Can't wait.

@Rob Hancill - Turns out I'd missed seeing you in the shop by about 10 minutes. Hope to catch up with you soon, your reviews on both the bike and Berkshire Cycles really helped make my decision. Thank you.

See you on the trails, all!

/MuddyFunster

HAPPY DAYS AHEAD, ENJOY!

 

[TtheArab]

I would first suggest that you read the YT Decoy threads on here, it may put you off, or then again maybe not, at least with having a Specialized dealer on your doorstep any problems are easily fixed, no shipping your bike back to Germany, I have cancelled my YT Decoy order as they have moved delivery from September 11th to October 11th, there's simply too much choice available to wait indefinitely.

Hmmm specialised dealer benefit - new bike, failed in first 10 mins, rejected and refunded. No bike....

 

[Gavalar]

Hmmm specialised dealer benefit - new bike, failed in first 10 mins, rejected and refunded. No bike....

I agree, personally I wouldn't touch a Specialized, clitoris bikes.