Fantasy Land: What Bike?

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Genuine question (hypothetical)

You have to buy a new bike tomorrow as yours was stolen. All bikes are priced at the same cost. There is no wait time. You can have ANY current ebike, top spec, it'll cost you £3k. What bike would you go for? And why?

Poll is anonymous but feel free to add your reason for choosing below...

 

[Zimmerframe]

You can have ANY current ebike, top spec, it'll cost you £3k.

Sounds like it's nicked to me ..

 

[Mike D.]

Already got it. None of the above...

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

21 votes - any specific feedback?!

 

[Jimbo Vills]

21 votes - any specific feedback?!

thought you said it was anonymous ?

I voted the Santa Cruz. As I love the looks of it and would love one alongside my levo ?

 

[mark.ai]

Yep Bullit too as looks so good and could replace my current full fat EMTB nicely!

 

[mark.ai]

Although if the Forestal Siryon was on the list ... I would like to try one of those ...

 

[Zimmerframe]

It's actually difficult to choose .. I think I'd probably like two ..

I love the idea of a Skimmed Bike, but then I also like going fast uphill - so I'd lose that aspect, therefore I've discounted that.

I think the Levo S-works would probably be my top choice for several reasons. Despite it's bad press and in my opinion, a lack of interest in problem solving/development by Brose (seeing what upgrades @Bearing Man does for instance), I still prefer the Brose motor. It's smooth, quiet and unless you're either unlucky or part of the Superhero group, generally reliable - or ball park as reliable as most of the offerings out there. The 700wh battery makes it really interesting and now they've finally upgraded it to be more like the original Kenevo but better, I think it would be a fun and very capable ride. It is expensive though, so whilst you're saying £3k, I can't help but think you'll shaft me on post and packing.

The Bullit's another really interesting option, especially at the prices you're offering them at but I'm not totally sure I'm sold on Shimano's support down the line. Yes, I know, it's Shimano, they're huge, professional, but seem slow on warranty work and the motors are not easy to work on if necessary in the future which seems short sighted. It's a great all round package though, so if it came down to it, I'd snap your hand of for 3 grand.

Next consideration is the Ducati. Don't ask me why, but for some reason I've always liked the Thok's and then when mixed in with that Ohlins suspension setup - it's tempting, but we're back with Shimano, they also seem to have eaten a lot of cake lately and gained a few lbs.

The Rail probably should be up in my final decision list, it's just an all round brilliant bike and if it came down to it, I'd take the Bosch over the Shimano..... But the GLP2 really interests me . I love the concept and can't help but think it would be amazing to ride. As I ultimately want a bike to ride, that forces it close to the top of the list.

So depending on availability I guess I'd be :

S-Works Levo - All round package.
GLP2 - Different, maybe a bit quirky, but strangely interesting.
Rail - Can't really go wrong with this.
Bullit - Great bike and I suspect super capable even in the hands of a Muppet.
Ducati - That desire to buy some Italian Exotica.


There you go .. Now where do I transfer my money ???

 

[stiv674]

Chose the Orbea Rise as long as I could have a couple of range extenders as well.

To be honest, there's a few on that list I know nothing about and couldn't be arsed to have a look, don't want a Bosch bike as you can't alter the assist yourself.

Can't have the Levo as I'm not a dentist

 

[Sidepod]

Nicolai G1EBOXX

 

[Paul Mac]

For me at present it would be either the Gen 3 levo or Rail.
I would like to try the levo, I think it looks pimp and I loved the way the old one rode.
However I am now a big fan of the Bosch motor and I do like 29 wheels.
Decisions ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Nicolai G1EBOXX

You say you can't understand the price of the new S-WORKS compared to it's £6000 competition, then in the "any bike you like" you propose a £9000 bike with an ally frame, admittedly with some nice spec bits - but surely you can see you're heading in the same direction ?

It is quite a funky thing though the Nicolai. I wonder how people get on with the belt in harsh conditions. It's sort of out dream solution, but maybe not in the real world ?

 

[stiv674]

While the S-Works is silly money I'd quite like the Expert, think that's the cheapest carbon version?

Still slightly out of my budget though ?

 

[Gary]

Haven't voted because there's not a bike there I'd want and TBH if my Eeb was stolen I probably wouldn't replace it at all right now.
The first thing I absolutely don't want is a 29" front wheel and it seems at a glance to be the one thing all those bikes have in common.

But out of your selection it'd probably have to be the Rail due to it's decent geometry, great overall weight and preferable suspension kinematics.
The Bullit would probably be the next closest contender. Also having great overall weight and decent geometry. I'd also prefer the EP8 motor over the Bosch. But I do prefer TREK's suspension design.

in order to truely enjoy either bike as an all rounder I'd absolutely have to switch them over to 27.5 front and rear.
for the TREK this would just mean a wheelset swap - and getting rid of the god awful knockblock *possibly increasing lower headset stack for the crown to clear the downtube.
For the Santa Cruz in order to change the front wheel to 27.5 I'd either increase the fork travel to 180 and run it oversprung to keep the geometry how I like it and the fork playful rather than plowful. or *increase the lower headset stack.
Sizing wise I'd Probably be looking at both in Medium

*Haven't actually looked into the options regarding headset or crown race extenders on either of the bikes (for obvious reasons )

 

[Zimmerframe]

The first thing I absolutely don't want is a 29" front wheel and it seems at a glance to be the one thing all those bikes have in common.

You really dislike the 29" that much ?

I keep putting my issues down to a psychological impairment that it feels like I have a wagon wheel out front ? I've always worked on the theory that with enough time I'd adjust and reset ?? maybe not .. ? arghhhhh .. that's my £3000 down the drain !

 

[Gary]

You really dislike the 29" that much ?

Yep.

I'm not even a fan of 27.5 TBH

#264LYFBro

 

[Zimmerframe]

Yep.

I'm not even a fan of 27.5 TBH

#264LYFBro

Uhm, I can only imagine you rolling around chugging beers on 20" ...

 

[Gary]

it's not that uncommon

 

[CBSTD]

Ducati 01R as it’s the closest to what I’ve already got but seeing as Rob‘s paying I‘ll have a diet Rotwild and a Titici Everso

 

[Zimmerframe]

Ducati 01R as it’s the closest to what I’ve already got but seeing as Rob‘s paying I‘ll have a diet Rotwild and a Titici Everso

He's going to have a hell of a tab to clear !

You can have an Everso Titchy for free just by standing outside in the cold too long.

 

[routrax]

I went with the TK01.
Thok is for life, not just for Xmas.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I went with the TK01.
Thok is for life, not just for Xmas.

Hey, you wanted a Decoy ! It spurned an entire thread "Decoy or Detour" .. !

 

[routrax]

Hey, you wanted a Decoy !

I ordered a Decoy and got a refund due to YTs inability to deliver anything on time!
IMO the Decoy is still the best looking EMTB, but I can't abide by YTs (lack of) customer service.

 

[CBSTD]

He's going to have a hell of a tab to clear !

You can have an Everso Titchy for free just by standing outside in the cold too long.

Have you been keek’in?

 

[Shinn]

I'm bummed I could only choose one.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I'm bummed I could only choose one.

I think he should have said, choose two .. pay £3000 .. and if you can actually choose two - £3000 cash back. That seems fair to me.

 

[Ripping g]

Weres 2019 levo ??‍

 

[routrax]

Weres 2019 levo ??‍

Legacy bikes need not apply...

 

[Gary]

At the Specialized dealer awaiting it's 10th replacement motor

 

[Shinn]

I think he should have said, choose two .. pay £3000 .. and if you can actually choose two - £3000 cash back. That seems fair to me.

Maybe I could have two SL's - one set up for trail riding and one for going down hill? They'd have to be different colors as I'd get confused.