Component snobbery.

[Dusty]

Hey all.

Title is tongue and cheek statement. But it probably exists to a degree.
But my real question now ive got your attention is as a novice the amount of trickery and bling that bikes can have is confusing for a mere mortal like myself and I am struggling to work out what's good tackle and whats not.

Obviously price will dictate high end components. But as am looking for my first emtb and researching it would be handy for me and others to have a component guide.

I am never going to be able to afford the top spec bikes so I am probably stuck in a very competitive price range.
It would be nice for me to look at the specs of a bike and think for the price point that's really good because it has this and that etc

As I gain more knowledge it would just come as second nature but the level am at now I could do with a bunk up.
I didn't notice any threads with this info if there already is one then I apologise in advance

Thanks anyways

 

[HeatproofGenie]

Would be easier to post up what you are considering and then people can help out with advice.

Would be very difficult to write up a guide regarding all components, however there is usually a sweet spot regarding components and that is usually one below top level, XT vs XTR, etc. Budget of course dictates that view though. Some might say SLX is the sweet spot. For me though, mountain bikes is my one big hobby and I'm in a place that allows splurging so my sweet spot is now quite different than years past. Luckily everything has gotten quite good now; less weight and maybe better ergonomics is what gets better with the more spendy stuff, not necessarily durability.

 

[Dusty]

Would be easier to post up what you are considering and then people can help out with advice

I did actually write up my own personal needs but decided to edit it out ?
I am after that all rounder unfortuantly covers a wide spectrum from commute to trails to canal tow paths.
I could choose the levo for example but then there is different levels of levo

 

[R120]

The Levo comp is all anyone really needs, the models above it are incremental gains, and of interest if you are hammering the bike on proper trails with jumps, drips etc, but the comp has bits on it worth laying out for over the basic Levo, e.g dropper post.

For me tough or well fitting components are worth shelling out for - I am not fussed about having a top end groupset as most mid level ones do the job just fine, but I do want the best saddle/grips/bars/pedals for me as those are the contact points on the bike.

I want the best tyres for my riding, and getting the right tyre on a bike can transform it.

Decent 4pot brakes are an essential IMO for an e mtb due to the extra weight.

If you are mainly using the bike to ride gentle trails, fire roads, and XC riding then you don’t need top end kit.

 

[Ryder]

Most top end MTB components focus on light weight. Often they are less durable. Weight is not an issue durability is. I would look at XT, SRAM GX. Make sure you get 200mm rotors and 4 pot brakes if possible to cope with stopping that weight.

Most important areas to spend a bit extra is suspension but avoid the fox factory. Next level down is the same except for the blink Kashima coating and is a lot cheaper.

 

[Dusty]

Thanks for reply @R120 makes alot of sense the local trails to me are Llandegla of which I've never been but my friends have and sounds like alot of fun

 

[HeatproofGenie]

Agree that the Turbo Levo FSR comp is the one to get. Worth the upcharge over the base.

 

[eFat]

Most top end MTB components focus on light weight. Often they are less durable.

I don't agree with this. Which parts are you thinking of?

 

[Dax]

I don't agree with this. Which parts are you thinking of?

XTR. Pretty much everything xtr.

 

[Kernow]

Hey all.

Title is tongue and cheek statement. But it probably exists to a degree.
But my real question now ive got your attention is as a novice the amount of trickery and bling that bikes can have is confusing for a mere mortal like myself and I am struggling to work out what's good tackle and whats not.

Obviously price will dictate high end components. But as am looking for my first emtb and researching it would be handy for me and others to have a component guide.

I am never going to be able to afford the top spec bikes so I am probably stuck in a very competitive price range.
It would be nice for me to look at the specs of a bike and think for the price point that's really good because it has this and that etc

As I gain more knowledge it would just come as second nature but the level am at now I could do with a bunk up.
I didn't notice any threads with this info if there already is one then I apologise in advance

Thanks anyways

I would be confused by some of the info here if I was looking for the first time , or been away from bikes for a while .
I think you need to know your budget first tell us what you want to spend .
then be realistic about where and what you intend riding , and what you would hope to progress to riding as you get more into it .
What type of bike do you want ? Do you want or need full suspension for a start ? that’s where a whole load of money goes and if your not riding fairly tough off road trails then a hardtail is going cost much less and be more efficient and easier to maintain .
Everyone jumps to specialised , because it’s so well known and accessible with huge dealer coverage and great marketing they are good bikes but you will pay a lot more than many other makes to get a similar spec .
It’s worth reading up on manufacturers component levels for brakes and gears , shimano is probably the easiest to understand and the best value cheapest and easiest to maintain , I think it’s also the most robust in its class , view Xt as top spec , rather than the bling Xtr for racers , and SLX
as almost as good , the cheaper stuff on an ebike is probably false economy unless your budget is very tight to begin with and the bikes going to get gentle use .
wheels and hubs really do matter , this is where the big brand makes often save using their own in house components on the lower and mid range models . They know where the less experienced buyers look ,few look at wheels and hubs but that’s probably the most common upgrade and not a cheap one iether .
for instance you’ll often see an Xt durailure but the rest of the kit is much cheaper , because the punter just looks at the name on the durailure more than the shifters or brakes etc .
Buying cheap and upgrading later is false economy , better to even get an interest free deal than buy the base model you’ll be wanting to upgrade in a few months .
For amazing value and quality and great components for the price check out the vitus bikes on chain reaction
What i notice from the big brands is they save money on bearings , for a huge company like specialised or giant a few quid saved in bulk purchase of cheap bearings is a huge extra profit , buy the punter pays for it and they get away with warranty easily because they blame poor cleaning or lack of maintenance , when it’s just a poor quality bearing thats failed .

 

[Al Boneta]

As a former cork sniffer cyclist, I can tell you that some things aren’t worth wasting your money on. Some components don’t make that much of a difference.
For example.
I had a customer who wanted to make his acoustic bike lighter. So he wanted to start with upgrading his rear derailleur from a GX1 to a X01. I explained to him that the weight savings would be like me shaving my eyebrows to lose weight.
Better places to drop weight are tires and wheels.
He disagreed and we changed the cassette, derailleur, shifter and chainring. He spent $500 and lost a total of 400grams.
I used to spend money on the dumbest things to make my bike lighter. Exotic components that did not work particularly well with other Gucci parts and it made the bike ride worse.
The biggest upgrade to your bike is making sure your suspension is set up correctly for your weight and terrain. Tires are the next most important performance upgrade. Choosing the right tire (tyre) for your trails and conditions can make all of the difference between feeling in control or sketched out.
See what other local riders are using and start there. Experiment with tire pressure, too much air you’re sliding, not enough and your pinching the inner tube, burping a tubeless tire or dinging your rims

 

[Mabman]

I use Chris King hubs and i35 carbon rims with Sapim Strong spokes on my Métisse eBike. Not to be a snob but because that is what I had on the bike before I converted it to the TSDZ2. They wind up well and are plenty strong and pretty light. Wheel weight is about the only place outside of the e system running 52v @ 15A (780w max) on my unrestricted setup having a good effect.

 

[Dusty]

Everyone jumps to specialised , because it’s so well known and accessible with huge dealer coverage and great marketing they are good bikes but you will pay a lot more than many other makes to get a similar spec

Thanks for reply, I am not brand focused but I do have a few limitations to what i can choose and I have to ask myself am I willing to travel a few hours to a store to pick a certain bike I very much doubt I would so there are limitations straight away
I looked at the vitus and tried to convince myself I would like it but I have to be honest I just don't like how it looks
I've heard it mentioned before there are better spec bikes available compared to the levo but not knowing whats better or worse it's kind of hard to compare
I think all said and done the bike to compare would be as mentioned the turbo levo fsr comp
Then list current brands with same components for lower price or same price with better components
I am indeed trying to filter my way through the complexity of choice
Vitus
Canyon
Commecial
Kenevo
Levo
Merida ..etc etc
Thanks again for replies

 

[Kernow]

You listed a few of the good value and top bikes there , vitus canyon commencal will all give best spec for price , they all offer a best model at different price points as to, certainly around the £ 3500 the vitus is unbeatable , 4-4500 commencal are probably the best value , and from what I’ve seen canyon are matching them , although would be fair to say the commencal has a well proven pedigree .
At the risk of upsetting specialised owners here , I’ll appologise now
Looking at the Levo fsr comp price £ 4299 ? And a quick look at the spec your getting mid range components . For the same money in the other brands mentioned above you can choose near to top end models or just one down , that have top end components , even the vitus at roughly 3500 is giving you top end suspension and a great wheel set and just a slight drop on the rest of the spec .
Ok you have to mail order the bike and you can’t go to the dealer with problems , but your not tied to a dealer iether , and chances are your local shop will likely give better value servicing etc if you can’t do it yourself, you not only save a lot of money , but your ongoing repairs and replacements will be a lot less as the higher end components will last longer , and be much nicer to use into the bargain .

 

[Dusty]

@Kernow Thanks for info could you cast your eye over this http://www.bullsebikes.com/product/e-stream-evo-am-4-27-5/

 

[Donnie797]

I would recommend test-riding the bikes of your interest and choose afterwards. For me it was good to ride every different motor system, so i know hat i'm talking about and which one i prefer, but others don't choose a bike on the motor and just take the system which comes with their dream-bike.
I would also go with the available bike shops in your area, i don't like mailordering a bike and having to send it back when something is wrong. Just check out the shops and test-ride them all

Since you're looking for an allrounder, the Levo is exactly this. And as one of the most selled e-mtb's the Specialized community has very much to offer.

 

[eFat]

XTR. Pretty much everything xtr.

That's not my experience. Sure it doesn't bring much to go with XTR or XX1 instead of XT or X01 but it's certainly as durable.

 

[eFat]

http://www.bullsebikes.com/product/e-stream-evo-am-4-27-5/

This is a nice bike with good components.

But I had the impression you're looking for something less expensive.

so I am probably stuck in a very competitive price range.

What is your budget and are you willing to buy a bike online?

 

[Kernow]

Wouldn’t it be good if we became a bike test community , anyone would be welcome to come and have a go on my bike if they are looking at buying one , and Iam sure most of us would offer the same , including some support to a local new owner .
It’s a nice idea to say go and test ride all the bikes etc , but finding a demmo that you can really go and ride is not an easy task , that is where specialised win with thier dealers and demmo bikes etc , they have cornered the market with a certain kind of buyer , You can do your research with the help of a salesman and pay his fee , or do your own research by reading geometry / size diagrams online bike tests and spec sheets .

Talking of warranty experience I’ve owned specialised vitus cimmencal giant Cannondale and cube Chain reaction with vitus are amazingly helpful with any problems , Commencal were right on the ball with a small problem I had , maxis had a batch of mishaped tyres that were possibly fitted on the batch of bikes we had bought , they just sent out a new tyre of choice to everyone one of us 5 who ordered new bikes , when only one bike in that batch actually had a dodgy tyre .
My giant dealer is great but apart from the giant only parts tells me they only get returned to the uk supplier , so shimano Fox rockshock etc uoincsn just send off your own warranty parts direct .
Our Specialised dealer will often try to wriggle out of warranty issues , for instance I had a bottom bracket gone after a month when returned for its free 1st service , I was told it was my fault for washing it with a hosepipe and they tried to charge me for a new one . I had a recall on a 2 year old Cannondale lefty fork , they didn’t want me to remove the fork myself , and then hit me with a labour bill for removing it and re fitting saying they didn't get paid the labour on warranty , no one warranties failed bearings unless the bike is very new , and most failures as I have said before are due to cheap bearings used by the big brands in thier in house parts from my experience .

 

[Kernow]

@Kernow Thanks for info could you cast your eye over this http://www.bullsebikes.com/product/e-stream-evo-am-4-27-5/

It’s different that , hard to comment on spec for price as I can’t see a uk price for it . But the Xt is solid stuff , Wheels hubs are bit unknown and probably where they are saving , and I guess you’ll be paying for the bigger integrated battery , which to me is a disadvantage , as a second battery will be harder to use and probably very costly .

 

[Dusty]

Commencal were right on the ball with a small problem

We're did you buy the bike from obviously online?

 

[Dusty]

This is a nice bike with good components.

But I had the impression you're looking for something less expensive.


What is your budget and are you willing to buy a bike online?

I couldn't see the UK price on the bulls but thought I'd throw it in for views on it.
Price wise I don't really have a budget as such. I am looking at best bang for buck so sometimes the next model up might be worth stretching too I will be taking advantage of 0% finance as paying cash is to big of a chunk to justify really .

I would consider online i am just apprehensive incase of warranty issues or repair etc
I am due to go a few lbs in coming weeks to have a nose and pick some brains

 

[Kernow]

We're did you buy the bike from obviously online?

Yes I bought it online direct from commencal , although I see chain reaction are also selling a few at very good prices too .
Just google Commencal bikes and find the ebikes on thier site . They are very helpful with emails or on the phone if you need info , or you could go to Andorra for a real test ride and get a discount from the shop , probably easier than getting a uk test on some of the bikes out there ?

 

[Dusty]

or you could go to Andorra

Could do with a break

 

[Al Boneta]

Could do with a break

Andorra is beautiful this time of year

 

[davegixer]

Donnie's advice definitely stands, try and test ride those bikes which are available in the LBS. A bike is not just about the sum of its component parts, no matter the perceived quality.
The aesthetics of a bike may well swing it (if that's your thing) - for instance if it doesn't have the battery on show, over a bike which, on paper at least, has better specs but is downright fugly (in your eyes of course).

Be wary of advice given against a model/brand by people who don't own it. The British are very good at rubbishing something because it is popular, especially when they don't have one.

 

[davegixer]

And go to Andorra, it rocks.

 

[Dusty]

Thanks for advice all..
I have ridden a levo it was that ride that got me interested and began looking into whats available
I suppose I just like to research every aspect possible instead of impulse buying.

I will try visit a few lbs in the coming weeks and see what's occurring.
But in the meantime I still want to gain some basics

 

[Donnie797]

It’s a nice idea to say go and test ride all the bikes etc , but finding a demmo that you can really go and ride is not an easy task , that is where specialised win with thier dealers and demmo bikes etc.

I wouldn't buy a bike that I haven't test ridden, but that's just me, many others do order their bikes online and are happy with it - but they probably know what they do. Especially as a beginner in this sector (or being unsure), I would count on a good, trustworthy bike shop in my area. If Specialized is the only one, then the choice is easy. Yes, they're doing a good job with their dealer network and demo bikes and that's nothing bad (and the bikes they sell are pretty good as well ^^). But that availability is also a reason for the bit higher price in direct comparison to some other manufacturers. There are many people in the background making all this possible and of course we pay for this service. Companies that only provide bikes online, or don't have a big dealer network do save big money, so they can shoot out the lowest prices. Doesn't mean their bikes are worse than others, it's just another strategy.

 

[Kernow]

I wouldn't buy a bike that I haven't test ridden, but that's just me, many others do order their bikes online and are happy with it - but they probably know what they do. Especially as a beginner in this sector (or being unsure), I would count on a good, trustworthy bike shop in my area. If Specialized is the only one, then the choice is easy. Yes, they're doing a good job with their dealer network and demo bikes and that's nothing bad (and the bikes they sell are pretty good as well ^^). But that availability is also a reason for the bit higher price in direct comparison to some other manufacturers. There are many people in the background making all this possible and of course we pay for this service. Companies that only provide bikes online, or don't have a big dealer network do save big money, so they can shoot out the lowest prices. Doesn't mean their bikes are worse than others, it's just another strategy.

I agree I knew I would like riding the Levo because it’s so close to stump jumper fsr and I’ve owned a stumpy , it’s a great bike to ride , all I really needed was to try the motor side of it I guess , I knew I would like the commencal too for the same reason , I knew how good the meta 4.2 enduro bike was , and I wanted an enduro bike rather than a trail bike . Maybe good advice to say check out the brand that has a normal bike almost identical to their ebike and check out the normal bikes pedigree . Problem is as a beginner dropping in to this market of really well sorted state of the art bikes how do you really know what’s really going to be right for you , many bike salesmen will even sell you the wrong size if that’s what they want to get moving out the shop . It’s like your first car , it probably got chosen because you liked the colour or the looks .