Gyre
Well-known member
Hey all, first post!
I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger on my first eMTB and would like some feedback
on my shopping thought process.
Some background - I live in SoCal, have 30 years riding experience, weigh a little over 100kg geared up,
and am struggling with lots of adult priorities conflicting with the kind of riding I used to do. I used
to regularly climb 4500' on fire roads every weekend year round and do single and double black diamond runs
at Mammoth. I'm hoping to "revolutionize" my riding experience with a bike that has the juice to
give me more options on a short lunch ride, but on days when I do have more time I want to really open up
more choices: explore further/higher than before, do familiar rides in less time, or self-shuttle/lap techy
trails to work on my skills. I'm looking for something in the all-mountain/enduro spectrum, so figure minimum
travel numbers of F/R 160/150mm , piggy-back reservoir rear shock, preferably 38mm fork stanchions, and
203mm rotors (223 compatibility a plus).
I have the mechanical skills to build up my rides and wheelsets, so that *is* an option, but I also want to
consider a complete bike so I can enjoy it very soon instead of perhaps not finishing until fall. When I was younger
and had fewer responsibilities I used to do my builds in 3 hardcore days, but my last frame build took 8 months
to finish and the one before that took well over a year.
I've been reading and educating myself as much as possible about what's out there. The Turbo Levo SL is a little
bit more "trail-bike" than I'm looking for, but I was willing to consider it. It was initially very interesting since it's very
acoustic-like but there are a lot of downsides: The frameset is crazy expensive, really hard to get in my size (probably
medium, maybe large), has old-school geometry, not sure if the small motor and battery will play nicely with my
weight, and the carbon completes seem to have a really weak product spec unless you go well into $10k+ land.
(I'm willing to do $7500 but the Carbon Comp spec seems disappointing). The proprietary battery is also a big
minus, and I've heard that the high-pitched whine from the motor is pretty bad.
The Levo FF shares most of the same issues as the Levo SL. Sure, the motor is more powerful and the battery is
definitely nicer but it's proprietary/crazy expensive, you definitely can't bring a spare on the trail, and apparently it
has no extender option.
I'm actually leaning towards the 2021 Intense Tazer Pro as my first choice. I like the looks, progressive geometry,
beefier/better parts spec (I'd be happy to run it as-is, where most completes within my budget make me wince), and
the fact that the batteries could be sourced at competitive prices from multiple vendors and can be swapped out
trailside with minimal effort. I also like that the EP8 motor is supposed to be super quiet while running. Last but
not least, the bike is apparently available next month, Downsides: The standover seems substantially higher than I'd
like, I really don't like that the Shimano motors rattle while coasting, and the 504Wh battery seems a little small for
an FF bike. The downsides are not great, but in terms of tradeoffs it seems pretty compelling.
Second place consideration: the Trek Rail 9.8 XT. A little more expensive. Parts spec is extremely appealing (XT/Zeb!),
reviews great, standover is much better. Geo looks great. Bosch CX4 is supposed to be really good. Downside:
Apparently this rattles too, Battery is extremely proprietary, maybe too expensive and/or bulky to carry a spare
and swap trailside, and there don't seem to be great range extender options.
Third place consideration: YT Decoy Elite. Great value proposition, super parts, longer travel. Geo has potential
(May need to size up to L). Downsides: Constantly sold out (?) Standover unclear, E8000 motor
is a generation behind and weaker/less efficient, rattles, battery is very proprietary and swapping/range
extension doesn't seem to be an option.
I've also looked at the Norco Sight VLT (non-swappable 630Wh battery, rides maybe a little too big).
If you've read this far, thanks for listening, seriously!
Given everything, does it look like my priorities and personal rankings are well aligned or am I really
off-base somewhere?
I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger on my first eMTB and would like some feedback
on my shopping thought process.
Some background - I live in SoCal, have 30 years riding experience, weigh a little over 100kg geared up,
and am struggling with lots of adult priorities conflicting with the kind of riding I used to do. I used
to regularly climb 4500' on fire roads every weekend year round and do single and double black diamond runs
at Mammoth. I'm hoping to "revolutionize" my riding experience with a bike that has the juice to
give me more options on a short lunch ride, but on days when I do have more time I want to really open up
more choices: explore further/higher than before, do familiar rides in less time, or self-shuttle/lap techy
trails to work on my skills. I'm looking for something in the all-mountain/enduro spectrum, so figure minimum
travel numbers of F/R 160/150mm , piggy-back reservoir rear shock, preferably 38mm fork stanchions, and
203mm rotors (223 compatibility a plus).
I have the mechanical skills to build up my rides and wheelsets, so that *is* an option, but I also want to
consider a complete bike so I can enjoy it very soon instead of perhaps not finishing until fall. When I was younger
and had fewer responsibilities I used to do my builds in 3 hardcore days, but my last frame build took 8 months
to finish and the one before that took well over a year.
I've been reading and educating myself as much as possible about what's out there. The Turbo Levo SL is a little
bit more "trail-bike" than I'm looking for, but I was willing to consider it. It was initially very interesting since it's very
acoustic-like but there are a lot of downsides: The frameset is crazy expensive, really hard to get in my size (probably
medium, maybe large), has old-school geometry, not sure if the small motor and battery will play nicely with my
weight, and the carbon completes seem to have a really weak product spec unless you go well into $10k+ land.
(I'm willing to do $7500 but the Carbon Comp spec seems disappointing). The proprietary battery is also a big
minus, and I've heard that the high-pitched whine from the motor is pretty bad.
The Levo FF shares most of the same issues as the Levo SL. Sure, the motor is more powerful and the battery is
definitely nicer but it's proprietary/crazy expensive, you definitely can't bring a spare on the trail, and apparently it
has no extender option.
I'm actually leaning towards the 2021 Intense Tazer Pro as my first choice. I like the looks, progressive geometry,
beefier/better parts spec (I'd be happy to run it as-is, where most completes within my budget make me wince), and
the fact that the batteries could be sourced at competitive prices from multiple vendors and can be swapped out
trailside with minimal effort. I also like that the EP8 motor is supposed to be super quiet while running. Last but
not least, the bike is apparently available next month, Downsides: The standover seems substantially higher than I'd
like, I really don't like that the Shimano motors rattle while coasting, and the 504Wh battery seems a little small for
an FF bike. The downsides are not great, but in terms of tradeoffs it seems pretty compelling.
Second place consideration: the Trek Rail 9.8 XT. A little more expensive. Parts spec is extremely appealing (XT/Zeb!),
reviews great, standover is much better. Geo looks great. Bosch CX4 is supposed to be really good. Downside:
Apparently this rattles too, Battery is extremely proprietary, maybe too expensive and/or bulky to carry a spare
and swap trailside, and there don't seem to be great range extender options.
Third place consideration: YT Decoy Elite. Great value proposition, super parts, longer travel. Geo has potential
(May need to size up to L). Downsides: Constantly sold out (?) Standover unclear, E8000 motor
is a generation behind and weaker/less efficient, rattles, battery is very proprietary and swapping/range
extension doesn't seem to be an option.
I've also looked at the Norco Sight VLT (non-swappable 630Wh battery, rides maybe a little too big).
If you've read this far, thanks for listening, seriously!
Given everything, does it look like my priorities and personal rankings are well aligned or am I really
off-base somewhere?