First bike?

[Gizzygone]

I’m looking to get into biking: and I feel an e-bike would allow me to enjoy it more than I otherwise would: especially when it gets hot and humid here in the summer.

That being said; I’m absolutely lost, and reading articles hasn’t helped a bit!

So here I ask:
1: What is an emtb like? Do they just take the edge off of pedaling? Or do they take over completely? (I have ridden a super-73: it helps a bit during hill climbing: but otherwise it’s essentially just the motor doing all the work.... convenient at times, but not sure that’s what I want?)

2: Is it better to buy a new bike? Or invest in a kit (like the CYC or BBSHD) and convert a well-equipped bike?

3: what happens when you run out of juice? Are you now pedaling against the resistance of a dead electrical motor?

4: are emtb’s less maneuverable? (More difficult to hop obstacles?)

5: if I were to buy used: what should I be looking for?

 

[RichardGB]

1: Depends on mode and how far you want to go. On Eco I'm still pedalling hard and my heart rate is getting well into the cardiovascular zone. Even in Boost, you'll have to work at it if the gradient is steep enough.

2: Depends on budget. I'm not a fan of the aftermarket kits so I'd go for a ready made ebike.

3: The motors are getting better with decoupling now but essentially, yes you're pedalling against the motor resistance...it's not fun but manageable. Best to avoid by using lower support modes and working harder.

4: They're heavier than most trail bikes but my Merida handles brilliantly. The Pivot Shuttle was probably one of the best handling bikes I've ever ridden and the Levo feels like a more stable Stumpjumper. Tbh, I hardly notice. The pay off is that they roll through obstacles such as rock gardens and choppy ground so much better and hold their line because they're so planted.

5: servicing, battery charge cycles and condition, drive train wear, normal signs of abuse. Basically, if it looks like it's been looked after but ridden then it's probably fine. If the cassette looks nasty and the chain is floppier than a fish out of water then probably avoid.

 

[Gary]

1: What is an emtb like? Do they just take the edge off of pedaling? Or do they take over completely?

Depends on YOU really. most have some sort of finetuning available to raise/lower assistance levels to taste and various assistance modes to choose from on the fly

2: Is it better to buy a new bike? Or invest in a kit (like the CYC or BBSHD) and convert a well-equipped bike?

Buying new. with full 2 yr motor warranty is invaluable IMO.
MTB conversions are generally worse handling and often just plain terrible

3: what happens when you run out of juice? Are you now pedaling against the resistance of a dead electrical motor?

Depends on the motor, some have no resistance at all to pedalling when switched off/out of battery. others vary from brand to brand with the amount of resistance.

4: are emtb’s less maneuverable? (More difficult to hop obstacles?)

Yes. most are somewhere in the region of 15-20lbs heavier than the equivalent normal bike. this added weight obviously impacts on maneouverability. (they're getting lighter though and some are getting really close to normal bike weights). Hardtail emtbs feel even less maneouverable than FS because of the sprung/unsprung weight and the fact the suspension can be pre-loaded to help with maneouvers

5: if I were to buy used: what should I be looking for?

[/QUOTE]See answer No 2.
I wouldn't even consider a S/H Emtb unless it was so cheap it would account for the price of a new motor 3-6months down the line. Sellers of S/H Emtbs also generally expect far too much for them.