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

[irie]

What do you mean?

Fox Performance Elite is Black:

Fox Factory is Gold:

 

[Calinca]

Fox Performance Elite is Black:
View attachment 150310
Fox Factory is Gold:
View attachment 150311

Ok, I though you meant more then the colour, yes I've assumen factory isn't elite
Thanks

 

[Money Pit]

What do you mean?

Fox factory have gold stanchions and fox performance elite have black stanchions.

Internals are the same on each.

 

[Tony4wd]

An adjustable stem can make a big difference to comfort where sore shoulders/arms/back are concerned, allowing the rider to adjust reach and sit more upright. They're best suited to bikes without headset cable routing: SATORI UP3 Bike Bicycle Riser Adjustable Handlebar Stem 1-1/8" x 31.8mm | eBay

 

[irie]

An adjustable stem can make a big difference to comfort where sore shoulders/arms/back are concerned, allowing the rider to adjust reach and sit more upright. They're best suited to bikes without headset cable routing: SATORI UP3 Bike Bicycle Riser Adjustable Handlebar Stem 1-1/8" x 31.8mm | eBay

View attachment 150326

I put an adjustable stem (Ergotec) on wife's bike to find out what she was most comfortable with. Then replaced it with a fixed stem and bars with ideal sweep and rise.

 

[DirkWisely]

Keep in mind you can make pretty drastic changes to your posture on the bike with a riser stem/bar. I was having hand and shoulder issues with my stock Levo, but it's way better with a significant rise on the stem and bar. I can sit comfortably much more upright, while still being able to get into more of an attack posture where I need to.

The only real downside is needing to shift my weight more forward for steeper sections, but that hasn't proven an issue.

 

[Raili’s People]

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.

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!

Wow, I’m stoked to read this. Such a nice surprise for him, and you both, hobbies together are what makes life worth living. Chronic pain gets to your head too and enjoyable things are essential to keep your head together while recovering. Really appreciate what you’re doing for him.

Where are you based, EU?

I’m leaning towards a lighter bike too, it’ll hurt your shoulders and elbows more when trying to wrestle a heavier bike. I’d say forget the enduro bikes weighing over 25kg in size M. That is the standard size when given weight. Weight comes with stability though but these things weigh over 20kg anyway - they all are nice to ride on sketchy fireroads. More to do with brakes, suspension and tires - and tires you can easily change. Comfortable saddle, nice grips and pedals (possibly clip ins) and mtb shoes (with cleats possibly) are also vital to enjoy the bike.

I have a Trek Rail 9 AXS with Rockshox Zeb and Super Ultimate Deluxe. I’d say go Fox for comfort.

Wouldn’t buy the 2023 Wild as they have had broken frames (mostly chainstays I believe). Yet another new frame for 2025 for the Wild.

 

[Raili’s People]

I put an adjustable stem (Ergotec) on wife's bike to find out what she was most comfortable with. Then replaced it with a fixed stem and bars with ideal sweep and rise.

This is the way to do it. Never adjustable stems in mountain bikes for safety reasons.

 

[Raili’s People]

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)

Marzocchi Z2 has the Rail damper, owned by Fox. It’s basically a cheaper Fox 34. I think he needs a better damper than this for comfortability (his size and ailment considered), a Fox Rhythm or an Elite would probably be a match. I have the Z2 on an Orbea hardtail, it's a decent fork for that use. On a 10kg heavier EMTB I'd get a better damper.

edit. Noticed that the Cube has the Fox 36 AWL with Rail damper, no experience on that but could be enough on the fireroads? Otherwise that bike has good components on the price point as always with Cube.

 

[eCologne]

Here I bought a cool bike, some years ago.

Der-Fahrradmister

Ein Fahrrad günstig kaufen? Kein Problem bei den günstigen Fahrrad Angeboten von der-fahrradmister.de. Bestellen Sie noch heute Ihr Fahrad mit 24 Stunden Lieferservice auch Samstag und Sonntag

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[Stihldog]

I’m leaning towards a lighter bike too, it’ll hurt your shoulders and elbows more when trying to wrestle a heavier bike. I’d say forget

That’s what I did. I purchased the Trek Fuel EXE 8. A lighter full suspension eMTB. (Other good versions out there.)

I hated riding my Rail 9.7 on fire roads, tame trails, urban areas, with my sweetheart …it was just overkill for me. I save that for the high altitude climbing and any trail I can reach.

But the Fuel EXE will do it all also …but it’s lighter and requires more effort.

 

[E-MAD MALC]

I put an adjustable stem (Ergotec) on wife's bike to find out what she was most comfortable with. Then replaced it with a fixed stem and bars with ideal sweep and rise.

Good idea

 

[irie]

This is the way to do it. Never adjustable stems in mountain bikes for safety reasons.

The Ergotec Octopus 2 is very well engineered - if anything it is over engineered.

Still have the Octopus 2 Ahead 50/ 31.8 / Black / 90mm stem in the garage.

 

[Raili’s People]

Cube Stereo Hybrid One55 C:68X SLX 750

Here's a good discount with L and XL available. A 2024 model so with the 750Wh battery, the 2025 Stereo comes with the new Gen 5 motor and the new 800Wh battery. It has a 160/150mm fork/suspension but with the Lyrik, flexier than the Zeb. More comfortable too? MT7's are one of the best brakes in the market, a carbon frame that is light for the purpose, good wheels and GX gears, MaxxGrip tires are really grippy so good for mud, steep and wet stuff - for dry they could be faster rolling. All in all a really nice bike for that price. Someone else could probably compare Fox and Rockshox comfortability for you more?

Cables go through the headset as usual nowadays, which is a minus. Battery is a Bosch 750, you should be wary to buy a bike with a custom/proprietary battery. A lot of batteries are being manufactured for a couple of years only, so they could be impossible to replace later on. With Bosch you should be safe, they are in stock as we speak - even for older 500 and 625 batteries.

I might still go with the 2025 Cube if you're not in a hurry, it has a new motor and battery and that usually means less depreciation and more spare parts available in the future. No big changes in the motor it seems but it's more silent. If you want to buy now, less options with Gen 5 motor but better discounts.

I like your Mondraker Chaser X option too. They usually are big for the size, an L might be an XL with another brand. On Geometry Geeks you can compare the numbers, just check them on the manufacturer site too.

Nice components, Bosch 750 and 3500€. That is really cheap for a bike like that. Weaker parts are shifters, chain, cassette and tires. Not too expensive to ride them until they give up and replacing after. Personally I wanted an aluminum frame, you can always buy a carbon handlebar. Mondraker is imo the best looking bike out there if that matters, the frame is so sleek.

 

[E-MAD MALC]

Cube Stereo Hybrid One55 C:68X SLX 750

Here's a good discount with L and XL available. A 2024 model so with the 750Wh battery, the 2025 Stereo comes with the new Gen 5 motor and the new 800Wh battery. It has a 160/150mm fork/suspension but with the Lyrik, flexier than the Zeb. More comfortable too? MT7's are one of the best brakes in the market, a carbon frame that is light for the purpose, good wheels and GX gears, MaxxGrip tires are really grippy so good for mud, steep and wet stuff - for dry they could be faster rolling. All in all a really nice bike for that price. Someone else could probably compare Fox and Rockshox comfortability for you more?

Cables go through the headset as usual nowadays, which is a minus. Battery is a Bosch 750, you should be wary to buy a bike with a custom/proprietary battery. A lot of batteries are being manufactured for a couple of years only, so they could be impossible to replace later on. With Bosch you should be safe, they are in stock as we speak - even for older 500 and 625 batteries.

I might still go with the 2025 Cube if you're not in a hurry, it has a new motor and battery and that usually means less depreciation and more spare parts available in the future. No big changes in the motor it seems but it's more silent. If you want to buy now, less options with Gen 5 motor but better discounts.

I was tempted with this bike
Then you have the one44, thinking do I need a lot of travel on the 55

 

[Raili’s People]

I was tempted with this bike
Then you have the one44, thinking do I need a lot of travel on the 55

On an acoustic bike I'd gone for the trail bike with 140/130 suspension but with an E-MTB I didn't care - no bobbing with the motor assisting you. 38m stanchions feel stiff and heavy though for an everyday rider. Depends where you ride too, we don't have mountains so a trail bike is enough. There's always that itch for a lighter bike but I'm not yet ready to pay 2-3k more for a 2-3kg's less. Wanted the Bosch motor too so a light E-MTB wasn't an option.

 

[Calinca]

Cube Stereo Hybrid One55 C:68X SLX 750

Here's a good discount with L and XL available. A 2024 model so with the 750Wh battery, the 2025 Stereo comes with the new Gen 5 motor and the new 800Wh battery. It has a 160/150mm fork/suspension but with the Lyrik, flexier than the Zeb. More comfortable too? MT7's are one of the best brakes in the market, a carbon frame that is light for the purpose, good wheels and GX gears, MaxxGrip tires are really grippy so good for mud, steep and wet stuff - for dry they could be faster rolling. All in all a really nice bike for that price. Someone else could probably compare Fox and Rockshox comfortability for you more?

Cables go through the headset as usual nowadays, which is a minus. Battery is a Bosch 750, you should be wary to buy a bike with a custom/proprietary battery. A lot of batteries are being manufactured for a couple of years only, so they could be impossible to replace later on. With Bosch you should be safe, they are in stock as we speak - even for older 500 and 625 batteries.

I might still go with the 2025 Cube if you're not in a hurry, it has a new motor and battery and that usually means less depreciation and more spare parts available in the future. No big changes in the motor it seems but it's more silent. If you want to buy now, less options with Gen 5 motor but better discounts.

I like your Mondraker Chaser X option too. They usually are big for the size, an L might be an XL with another brand. On Geometry Geeks you can compare the numbers, just check them on the manufacturer site too.

Nice components, Bosch 750 and 3500€. That is really cheap for a bike like that. Weaker parts are shifters, chain, cassette and tires. Not too expensive to ride them until they give up and replacing after. Personally I wanted an aluminum frame, you can always buy a carbon handlebar. Mondraker is imo the best looking bike out there if that matters, the frame is so sleek.

Hi thank you so much for your input. We ski together, train some together as well, hoping to add bike to that!!!
I'm in EU, Portugal, no issues with online ordering. Not really in a hurry necessarily but would like to have the bike by the first weeks of December ideally. The idea was the catch some BFriday deals, and gen4 older stock as they move to the new generations. I don't eel the need to have the lastest.
Cube off course has always great pricing, I myself have a cube, it's an nice bike but I hear and read many nightmare stories about cube frame warranty and many says their geometry isn't so good.
Our home trails here are steep, I train regularly, use E-bike and still get a hell of a work-out!
I have used 99spokes to compare geometry, but still it's not like I really understand what I'm seing...
your recommendations would be:
Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 C:68X SLX 750: L or XL (great weight)
Mondraker CHASER R : Only available in L
You didn't say anything about the Focus (8.8 or 8.0 if the fork is worth it, tre is even one with a CX race motor....for the same price), spec wise is good, found some Spanish reviews that really liked the bike, but I've hardly found any reviews besides the big comparisons, were someone deslikes the e-bike

I got here the several models with the closest reach?

XL

Cheers