Best option? So much criteria, so little money!

[Bimbleball]

Hi all

I could do with some advice/opinions on my next purchase if possible!

I have a Trek Powerfly 5, it's the only ebike I've ever ridden and I impulsively bought it without masses of research. It's been great though! But, if anything, I wish I'd got the XS instead of the S, and I'm now thinking I want a full sus.

So, I've been reading numerous posts on here as there seems to be a few people in the same situation, of being a small women. Our options are more limited I'm 5ft3, with roughly 72cm inside leg.

I've seen all the recommendations and have been looking myself. Price comes into it too unfortunately.

So, I'm looking for full sus, XS or S (depending), with a standover height of less than 72.9 (which is what I currently have). Oh and I want 27.5 wheels (or could be open to trying a mullet).

I like the Bosch motor and that would be my preference, but not essential as I have no technical knowledge to say it's the best or anything!

Top end of budget is £4k.

Ideally I'd like a bike that weighs less too, but I can't really afford that. I was quite tempted by a lightweight bike like the Orbea Rise, thinking it'd be great for short rides when I don't use much battery anyway, then can use an extender for the longer ones. Seems to make sense....except I'm not keen on the lower levels of torque. Could try one out I guess, but I'd really need to hire it for a day at a trail centre, or at least long enough to do one proper trail, not just ride it up and down a flat road.

My Powerfly weighs 25kg (that's with all the toolbag, waterbottle and stuff on it). When I've been googling on other bikes, they'll be estimates I know, and most likely based on a medium?

My current motor is 625wh, 250watts and 85nm.

I could stick with Trek, they're the lowest standover height at 69.1 on the XS.
Powerfly FS4 meets all criteria except it's on the heavy side at 24.8, and has suntour forks. (When I bought mine, I read that it was worth getting Rockshox...)

There's the Powerfly FS7, meets all criteria. It is again heavy at a similar weight to the FS4 though, but is more expensive at over 4k.

I'm keen on Liv bikes, with them being designed for women, but they have limited selection.
If price wasn't a problem, I'd like the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite (over 5k), it's less than 19kg, and with an extender, can get up to 600wh battery.

The lower model of the Intrigue X E+3 is an option, much more reasonable price for me, 23.6kg, but has mullet set up and standover is listed as 72.9-73.8, so potentially won't fit me as well as my Powerfly. What I don't like is that it doesn't have a display to know what power you're on or how much battery is left. After there any aftermarket displays that can be used??

The Liv Embolden E+1 is similar and does have a display, but battery has lesser torque at 70nm. Am I going to notice that difference? and the difference between the Bosch and Yamaha?

Next up is Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC. Sounds pretty good, about 24kg again and standover of 73 so....another one I'd need to try. Less than £4k though.

I was interested in the Specialised Turbo Levo Alloy. I hear it mentioned a lot. But the smallest size has a standover of 75!

So that's what I'm down to. I've looked at other brands like Mondraker, Scott, Canyon, Whyte, Orange, but nothing I can find that would be right for me.

I know that's a massive wall of text (sorry!), but if nothing else, it'll be searchable if anyone else is looking for a small person's bike!

Any thoughts? I know I really need to try bikes, and I will, but it’s finding them in stock and not too far away.

 

[Tubby G]

Hi. I wouldn’t let the reduced power of the Orbea Rise put you off, they’re plenty powerful. If you use turbo all the time on the Bosch motor then yes maybe they’re not for you. But if you ride in Eco, Tour & EMTB then you’ll find the power levels very similar. There’s some great deals on the Rise at present

 

[TimC7]

Hi. I wouldn’t let the reduced power of the Orbea Rise put you off, they’re plenty powerful. If you use turbo all the time on the Bosch motor then yes maybe they’re not for you. But if you ride in Eco, Tour & EMTB then you’ll find the power levels very similar. There’s some great deals on the Rise at present

And running eco/trail on the Rise means the battery lasts as long as anything else.

 

[Bimbleball]

Hi. I wouldn’t let the reduced power of the Orbea Rise put you off, they’re plenty powerful. If you use turbo all the time on the Bosch motor then yes maybe they’re not for you. But if you ride in Eco, Tour & EMTB then you’ll find the power levels very similar. There’s some great deals on the Rise at present

Yeah good point. I rarely use turbo, mainly stay as low as I can power wise. Just up it on the steep hills or when I’m tired.

I’d have to try one and see really I think. It looks like they only come with 29inch wheels though.

 

[Zimmerframe]

You could always swap to 27.5 (I know this doesn't help budget, but you might be able to swap/exchange when buying new).

The BB will drop a bit, but you could swap cranks. You're short so probably should be on 150's at the most anyway. This would also put you slightly higher on the saddle, so giving you a bit more scope on positioning yourself/bars to what feels right and getting more use out of a dropper post - rather than just running constantly slammed.

I have some Shimano fitment Miranda 150's you can have for postage if you go that route.

 

[Bimbleball]

You could always swap to 27.5 (I know this doesn't help budget, but you might be able to swap/exchange when buying new).

The BB will drop a bit, but you could swap cranks. You're short so probably should be on 150's at the most anyway. This would also put you slightly higher on the saddle, so giving you a bit more scope on positioning yourself/bars to what feels right and getting more use out of a dropper post - rather than just running constantly slammed.

I have some Shimano fitment Miranda 150's you can have for postage if you go that route.

Thanks, that’s generous . I’ll have to look into that. From what I read, changing to 27.5s increases chance of pedal strikes? The frame isn’t built for them? As to further modification, we’re reaching my limit of mtb knowledge! But could have a chat with the bike shop.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Thanks, that’s generous . I’ll have to look into that. From what I read, changing to 27.5s increases chance of pedal strikes? The frame isn’t built for them? As to further modification, we’re reaching my limit of mtb knowledge! But could have a chat with the bike shop.

If you've not ridden EMTB before then that in itself increases the chance of pedal strikes. It happens to everyone as you adjust. Because you have assistance, you end up pedalling on places you probably would never have pedalled before.

Until you learn to look ahead more and "ratchet" your pedals (this becomes intuitive) - ie, stop pedalling and do little pedals, or stop for a second so that your foot doesn't hit the rock, but the space behind it or before it - you get pedal strikes whilst pedalling (you can always get pedals strikes on any bike when not pedalling just from unfortunate foot position).

27.5 wheels are smaller than 29 wheels. So the whole bike sits lower.

This means the BB (bottom bracket) will be lower - so you're slightly more likely to catch the motor area on things - but if you're doing that, you're probably going to do it anyway.

But if you imagine the crank (motor to pedal) will also be lower - so more likely to hit rocks when you pedal. If the bike is 15-20 mm lower and you make the cranks 15-20mm shorter - then you're in the same position you would have been on a 29" bike.

If you're changing a 29 bike to 27.5 there will be a height reduction .. but it's possible a 27.5 bike will already be lower as the forks will be 27.5 forks so will also be shorter (because the lowers -bottom part of the fork - doesn't have to accommodate the space for a 29" wheel ..) This in theory will have been taken care of in the whole bike design - but not necessarily if it's a 27.5 offering from a 29 design !

Maybe PM @THA She seems like a badass.

 

[Bimbleball]

If you've not ridden EMTB before then that in itself increases the chance of pedal strikes. It happens to everyone as you adjust. Because you have assistance, you end up pedalling on places you probably would never have pedalled before.

Until you learn to look ahead more and "ratchet" your pedals (this becomes intuitive) - ie, stop pedalling and do little pedals, or stop for a second so that your foot doesn't hit the rock, but the space behind it or before it - you get pedal strikes whilst pedalling (you can always get pedals strikes on any bike when not pedalling just from unfortunate foot position).

27.5 wheels are smaller than 29 wheels. So the whole bike sits lower.

This means the BB (bottom bracket) will be lower - so you're slightly more likely to catch the motor area on things - but if you're doing that, you're probably going to do it anyway.

But if you imagine the crank (motor to pedal) will also be lower - so more likely to hit rocks when you pedal. If the bike is 15-20 mm lower and you make the cranks 15-20mm shorter - then you're in the same position you would have been on a 29" bike.

If you're changing a 29 bike to 27.5 there will be a height reduction .. but it's possible a 27.5 bike will already be lower as the forks will be 27.5 forks so will also be shorter (because the lowers -bottom part of the fork - doesn't have to accommodate the space for a 29" wheel ..) This in theory will have been taken care of in the whole bike design - but not necessarily if it's a 27.5 offering from a 29 design !

Maybe PM @THA See seems like a badass.

Really appreciate that explanation, thanks!

 

[Tony4wd]

You can ask the dealer to load the 85nm EP8 software onto the Orbea Rise before delivery, so you get the lighter bike but with standard EP8 power. That's what I did and the Rise is a very nice Trail bike. When I'm doing long, steep rides up the side of a mountain I prefer the Cube/Bosch CX which is noticeably more powerful. I prefer the Rise on tight and twisty, undulating tracks.

 

[Bimbleball]

You can ask the dealer to load the 85nm EP8 software onto the Orbea Rise before delivery, so you get the lighter bike but with standard EP8 power. That's what I did and the Rise is a very nice Trail bike. When I'm doing long, steep rides up the side of a mountain I prefer the Cube/Bosch CX which is noticeably more powerful. I prefer the Rise on tight and twisty, undulating tracks.

That’s interesting, didn’t know that was possible. How come the Cube feels more powerful if you’ve had the Rise tuned up?

 

[Tony4wd]

85nm is a nominal figure for indicating the actual power of the two motors. The Bosch CX4 is clearly more powerful than the Shimano EP8 and tends to keep pulling when you move from the flat to an incline whereas the Shimano needs you to change gears (as a rough example). Whether that matters to an individual rider is another matter and depends on personal preference, fitness, riding terrain, etc.

 

[Tony4wd]

I rarely use turbo, mainly stay as low as I can power wise. Just up it on the steep hills or when I’m tired

Regarding the above, dropping to the lowest gear on the Rise will get you up any hill. If you're not using turbo much on the CX then the EP8 should be fine.

 

[Plummet]

My daughter has a small Rise and is about the same height as you. Assumingly you are also light then you dont really need full power my daughter at 50kg on the rise has about the same speed as me on the 85nm bosch.

Being smaller and lighter you will benefit from a lighter bike.

 

[TimC7]

Yeah good point. I rarely use turbo, mainly stay as low as I can power wise. Just up it on the steep hills or when I’m tired.

I’d have to try one and see really I think. It looks like they only come with 29inch wheels though.

I don't think the 29 wheel size vs 27.5 will make any difference so long as the dropper goes down far enough when you stop/start - I can't touch the ground with my toes when the seat is up in the riding position.

 

[Bimbleball]

I don't think the 29 wheel size vs 27.5 will make any difference so long as the dropper goes down far enough when you stop/start - I can't touch the ground with my toes when the seat is up in the riding position.

No, I don’t expect to when I’m in the saddle. I’d need to try some but presumably it’d make the whole bike that bit higher? It’s for when I come to a full stop and off the seat and foot/feet on the floor.

 

[Bimbleball]

My daughter has a small Rise and is about the same height as you. Assumingly you are also light then you dont really need full power my daughter at 50kg on the rise has about the same speed as me on the 85nm bosch.

Being smaller and lighter you will benefit from a lighter bike.




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That’s true, and an advantage of being smaller. I’m just under 60kg. (Bet your daughter has more energy than me tho - I don’t know how kids keep going )

 

[militantmandy]

Serious question. Is standover height particularly relevant on a mountain bike? Dropper size and insertion would seem to have superseded that. Genuinely interested as it's not something I would ever look at.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Serious question. Is standover height particularly relevant on a mountain bike? Dropper size and insertion would seem to have superseded that. Genuinely interested as it's not something I would ever look at.

I think so if you're shorter.

I let a girl/lady - no doubt will offend someone with word choice ! try the Vitus at the weekend.

She's not tall .. no idea how tall/not tall .. but definitely "short".

With the seat post as low as possible and the dropper down she was about the right length for pedalling, but stopped she was pretty tippy-toe'd over the top tube. She kind of adjusted and staggered herself to get better position but the M sized bike would not be a good choice for her and I suspect the S would be far from ideal. That's also with the bike on 27.5/27.5 with 27.5 forks - so it's a good 40mm lower at the front than spec.

 

[1oldfart]

Check Liv they make a fullsuspension in your budget you will fit
their small or XS.

 

[Singletrackmind]

YT Decoys are very affordable with various specs depending on your budget. They tend to run a little smaller then most brands. Had my 1st Decoy for 3 years with absolutely no issues. Just got another one and it's a blast to ride. Have 3 emtbs and the Decoy is the bike I ride the most.

 

[Simmo3801]

 

[Simmo3801]

 

[Simmo3801]

Colour choice might be a factor but both sizes sub 4k

 

[Bimbleball]

Colour choice might be a factor but both sizes sub 4k

Thanks. I’ve been looking and actually leaning towards that. I really want to go check for size. I’ve been ok on my small bit but might be happier on XS. It’s just finding somewhere nearby that I can go try