Black Friday Deals? Most Comfortable E-MTB for trail usage - Bosh gen 4

[Calinca]

Hi Everyone I've been really enjoying my EMTB. My husband has some chronic elbow and shoulder issues but has been steadily recovering. So I want to surprise him with his own EMTB. My main issue is COMFORT. I want it to be a comfortable ride, he wont ride nothing extreme, but our home trails tend to have loose rocks, can be steep and are irregular tractor/fire roads.
Not really sure about sizing larger is supposed to be more stable, does it mean more comfortable as well in detriment to less maneuverability?
Probably Carbon frame is better for its dampening properties?
From my search this is what I've found for Black Friday Deals, any opinions?
THANK YOU!!

Budget up to 4k
150 minimum travel
Good suspension (comfort and less vibrations are mandatory)
Bosh Gen 4 Cx motor
Buying in EU, online no problem (I have a nice bike shop that services everything Bosh)
Size L or XL (He is 187 cm with 88 inseam and 105 Kg)

Black Friday Deals:

1. Cannondale Carbon Moterra LT 2 2023 - Size XL - price around 3800 €
It's more Enduro, but described as a very comfortable e-touring bike
Carbon but heavy 26-27Kg
Reach 511
170mm /165 mm
RockShox Zeb Select - RockShox Deluxe Coil Select+
Magura MT5
XT, SLX

2. Focus JAM2 8.8 - Size L - Around 4000 €
Carbon frame around 25 Kg
Reach 485 mm
160 mm / 150 mm
FOX 36 Float Rhythm + FOX Float DPS
Magura MT5
XT

3. Orbea Wild M20 23 - Size XL - around 4000 €
Carbon frame around 24 Kg
Reach 505 mm
160 mm / 160 mm
RockShox 35 Silver + Fox Float DPS Performance
XT, Deore

3. Mondraker Chaser R 2024 - Size L - around 3500 €
Aluminium frame around 25 kg
Reach 490 mm
160 mm / 150 mm
Fox 36 29 Float FIT GRIP - Fox Float EVOL Performance
SRAM DB8
GX Eagle, SX Eagle

4. Stereo Hybrid ONE44 race 2025 - size L/XL - 4200€
Reach 477 mm/ 512 mm
Carbon 25 Kg + 800w battery and Gen 5 Bosh motor
150 mm / 140 mm
Fox 36 Float AWL + Fox Float Rhythm R
Magura MT Thirty
XT, Deore

5. Focus JAM2 6.9 2024 - Size L - Around 3600 €
Aluminium frame around 25 kg
Reach 485 mm
160mm / 150mm
FOX 36 Float Rhythm + FOX Float DPS
Sram DB8
XT

Thank you so much for your input, if anyone has experience with any this bikes, specially with confort with would help me immensely to make a decision.

Cheers!

 

[B1rdie]

If I had elbow and shoulder pain, I’d be looking for a bike as light as possible, not one expensive “super light”, but one with a smaller frame and battery, carbon and maybe less suspension travel.

 

[irie]

My husband has some chronic elbow and shoulder issues but has been steadily recovering.

Reach etc. will be important, how tall is your husband please?

 

[Calinca]

If I had elbow and shoulder pain, I’d be looking for a bike as light as possible, not one expensive “super light”, but one with a smaller frame and battery, carbon and maybe less suspension travel.

Thank you so probably prefer L size to an XL and 150/160 mm maximum travel.
I do think he will need the 750 battery for our longer rides.

 

[Calinca]

Reach etc. will be important, how tall is your husband please?

He is He is 187 cmt all with 88 inseam and 105 Kg

 

[irie]

Thank you so probably prefer L size to an XL and 150/160 mm maximum travel.
I do think he will need the 750 battery for our longer rides.

At 187/6'2" L will be easier to manoeuvre and have shorter reach but at his height and inseam he is probably in XL territory. With his shoulders and elbow problems I think that it is most important to have an easily manoeuvrable bike. Ideally a manoeuvrable XL with shorter reach to help keep load off his elbows and shoulders.

Just my non-professional opinion.

 

[rzr]

Carbon frame and its damping properties are more noticeable on HT/rigid bikes. (hardtail XC or road, gravel etc bikes),
however carbon bike will be ~1kg lighter.
As other mentioned, lighter and more manoeuvrable bike would be more beneficial.

Moterra LT is a great enduro bike, but it's a heavy hitter, not a touring bike and weights around 26kg (however I don't see problems using it for it).

Orbea Wild is a good bike, XL is quite long, maybe L would be better? - reach 480. however not with RS 35 Silver fork - that's the worst (lowest model) fork you can find and it'll negatively affect the comfort (unless you can/plan upgrade it later - but it's would be expensive, at least 800eur for a new decent one, or 300-400eur for lightly used)


Focus JAM2 8.8 - looks good, weight around 24kg ?

Mondraker Chaser R 2024 looks good too, 26kg (same fork and shock as JAM2 8.8)


Stereo Hybrid ONE44 race 2025 - looks good, but I don't know what's that fork Fox Float AWL, is it some new low-end fork (lower than Rhythm?) with rail ?? damper ? I don't know how it performs... good thing it has newest Bosch (just released)

 

[Stihldog]

The sizes of bikes (S,M,L,XL,XXL) can vary between brands significantly. Personal geometry can make a difference. For example; my neighbour and I are the same hight (5’9”). She prefers the Large Trek Rail 7. I prefer the Medium Trek Rail 9.7. My riding style is more aggressive than hers.

I’ve modified and tweaked the geometry on my bike to suit my needs and comfort. I could easily ride a Larger model but I prefer the Medium Trek Rail. With slight changes, and some upgrades, my bike feels and fits perfectly …for my style of riding.

Importantly, imo, a LBS can help you choose the correct size. A reliable motor is a good start.

 

[B1rdie]

Thank you so probably prefer L size to an XL and 150/160 mm maximum travel.
I do think he will need the 750 battery for our longer rides.

If you think about comfort, consider that a 29 front and rear with 140 mm travel may feel more comfortable than a 160 mm with 27,5.

 

[irie]

If you think about comfort, consider that a 29 front and rear with 140 mm travel may feel more comfortable than a 160 mm with 27,5.

29 front and rear roll better over uneven surfaces.

 

[Stihldog]

What your husband experiences as comfort may change after his recovery. His weight distribution may change thus changing his personal geometry slightly. A dropper helps along with seat hight, seat position, stem length, bar angle or width etc.

As you probably know, there are many slight adjustments that can be made over time. Sizing for future use can be challenging …especially after recovering from an injury.

 

[irie]

I would say, just do what now works best for your husband, that's what matters most.

 

[Calinca]

Hi everyone thank you for your help. So for from your recommendations looking for a 29r, carbon, lightest possible, good suspension, probably Large L or small XL.

Probably will look more into the Focus JAM2 8.8, juts need to fond a bit more info on it Not too many info about it online. Here the Focus group seem also not to active, but will try there.

I'll let you know what I decide!

Cheers

 

[rzr]

what do you want to know more about that Focus ?

 

[Dax]

Sizing is critical here, forget sizing up/down for stability/agility, buy the bike that fits. If he’s on a bike too small, he’ll be sat wrong, hunched up and possibly aggravate injuries. Reach is the most critical, although you can tune that a little with stem length.

It’s tough because he really needs to test ride/sit on the bike as sizing varies across manufacturers. Usually you can look at a rider and see if there bike fits them.

Assuming he rides mtb already and his bike fits, you could look up the reach/standover/head angle for that bike and see how that compares to the bikes you are looking at.

Finally, the thing I find that makes a biggest difference to comfort is small bump sensitivity in the suspension - how well the suspension absorbs chatter on the trail. More chatter means more vibration into your hands and wrists, which leads to fatigue and hand/wrist pain. Something like a Fox Performance elite fork will be much nicer than a rhythm, although you can usually upgrade the damping cartridge in the fork for €300 or so.

 

[rzr]

the other problem is if someone didn't ride such bikes, with aggressive geo etc. he doesn't have reference point ...

 

[Dax]

the other problem is if someone didn't ride such bikes, with aggressive geo etc. he doesn't have reference point ...

Most riders can get on an e-bike, ride it along a fire road and smile as a result.

 

[rzr]

Most riders can get on an e-bike, ride it along a fire road and smile as a result.

so then all those talks about geometry, reach etc don't make sense

 

[Calinca]

@Dax @rzr
Well he's ridden only trail and road bikes, and we have a simple trail decathlon bike at home on rol that he uses for simple workouts and I don't think it fits him well, and doesn seem to be too comfortable there and has some lombar back and shoulder pain if seated for too long. Mine is an S as I'm 160 cm, not much really a point to sit him. So I don't have a strong starting point. He's strong built, wide shoulders, a former rugby player, I would say normal proportion.
I know if I have a good confortable bike he will ride it, but if I tell him my plans I'll try to persuade me not to do it, it's expensive..... he's not sure he's going yo be able to ride it, etc. ....So having him sitting bikes won't be possible.

So looking at this recommendations I'm checking out this FOCUS models they have good price components, there is a pricier model one (JAM2 8.0) with a Fox Factory Float 36/Fox Float X Performance, would this be better and worth the upgrade? it's about 500€ more. Put their geometry in a pic side by side from L to XL as frames are the same

Again thank you for your help!

 

[jezhumphrey75]

mondraker chaser is 2900 atm 160/150 bosch powered

 

[irie]

If he gets on a bike and only rides it around a large parking lot he'll have an opinion.

 

[Calinca]

what do you want to know more about that Focus ?

Well quality of the FOCUS bikes and general Brand impressions. Of the models themselves the 8.8 or even the 8.0 if they are considerable comfortable or too stiff, and ideally some idea with sizing, if they in general ride small or big. Focus website puts him on top of L and button of XL, and says Xl for more comfort.

 

[irie]

If Focus L vs XL, given this has to be a surprise for him I think the best you can probably do is ask the advice of the LBS with both sizes available.

Although not directly relevant, I sit exactly mid way between M and L. My old Trek Fuel EX M/L was a perfect size for me (5'10"/178cm) so for my Trek Rail I had to choose between M and L. M was too small (the size my 5'7"/170cm wife has) so I bought L then adjusted stem length/bar height&sweep&width/saddle etc. to get the fit I'm comfortable with.

Too small is impossible to make 'larger' but too large can be made 'smaller' IYSWIM. Good luck.

Edit: insert metric heights

 

[rzr]

Yes, that's the problem, your husband is in a middle between L and XL, for comfort and more straight position (with handlebar higher) I'd say XL (stack 18mm higher + spacers 3-4cm spacers under a stem and handlebar rotated a bit back).

Higher model has better suspension, but you can feel improvement only when riding hard, not on easy rides or touring.

 

[Dax]

Higher model has better suspension, but you can feel improvement only when riding hard, not on easy rides or touring.

You feel the better suspension due to less vibration/chatter on fire roads. But it’s an easy upgrade later.

 

[rzr]

I'm not sure about rhythm, but between performance and performance Ellie/factory you need more than fire road to feel difference (and be ready to pay for it )

 

[Dax]

I'm not sure about rhythm, but between performance and performance Ellie/factory you need more than fire road to feel difference (and be ready to pay for it )

Easy to tell the difference between performance elite and factory…factory are gold

 

[Money Pit]

Buy a levo

Then you've got the full support network from Specialized dealers. And I bloody love my levo

OK you said bosch motor. Apologies...

Also consider a Mondraker Crafty .

 

[Calinca]

Buy a levo

Then you've got the full support network from Specialized dealers. And I bloody love my levo

OK you said bosch motor. Apologies...

Also consider a Mondraker Crafty .

Crafty has a really nice LBS but will be out of my budjet, already asked, them Carbon Levos are also expensive and Shimano, but bikewise and geometry everyone has really good things to say about them.

 

[Calinca]

Easy to tell the difference between performance elite and factory…factory are gold

What do you mean?