Got a Question: Why did you buy the Specific bike you bought?

[steve_sordy]

During the pandemic so no test rides and (as I discovered), mostly no bikes. So my old one sold very quickly and for more than I thought possible.

I wanted more travel than my previous bike (tick), I wanted a bigger battery (tick). I wanted a bike that had five-star reviews everywhere I looked (tick). The geometry had to be good for me (tick). Not a crap colour combo (tick). No Shimano motor (fail).

I had experienced zero problems with my previous Shimano powered bike, but I wanted to vote with my wallet about their customer service, and their "no repair" design ethos. But bikes were in short supply and I believe that I bought the last Merida eOne-Sixty 9000 in the UK. The retailer didn't even know that they had one in stock (at their warehouse in another city) when I rang them. I found it after running repeated searches over three weeks, coming up negative every time - except for those who led me along, harvested my details and then said "sold out!" and tried to sell me something else.

Despite having to compromise about the motor, it has been flawless over the last 3200 miles.

 

[rod9301]

Bosch, 180/180 travel 64 degree hta, aluminum frame and not a new company.

 

[RustyIron]

This was my second eMTB, so I wasn't in a rush and could be selective. I had a few criteria for a new bike, and the first criterion was the same reason I was tired of the old bike: battery size. I wanted something over 700 wh. This was non-negotiable.

I like bikes from local manufacturers. I'm not racist, xenophobic, or nationalistic. It's a matter of pragmatism. If there's a problem, I want to be able to get on the phone and get the problem resolved immediately. I don't want to have to call someone in another time zone who speaks a different language, who has parts that take two weeks to get here. That leaves Santa Cruz, Ibis, and Pivot. Although my existing Santa Cruz with the Shimano motor was fine, I wanted to try out a Bosch. That left Ibis and Pivot. The Ibis bike is distinctive, for sure, but their big ugly handlebar mounted contraption was kind of weird, not to mention their unconventional swing arm. That left the Pivot Shuttle AM.

The AM had the motor and battery I wanted. The geometry was right in my sweet spot. The rear travel seemed a little short, but it's a DW-Link, so I didn't write the bike off. The aluminum wheels and Fox dropper were a concern, but they're parts that can be replaced if I don't like them.

To summarize, the reasons I got this bike were local support, battery, motor, geometry... and the bike is really pretty.

 

[PierreZA]

Had to be a bike from my LBS. They stock Trek, Cannondale and Giant EMTB's.
Trek was having a sale so got a Rail 7 G3(625Wh), no regrets at all, this bike is a blast to ride. Have had both wheels replaced under warranty, easy process.

 

[JonnyManc]

Another ride who wanted to use their LBS here.... As I've used them for all my previous bikes are they are excellent.

That gave me options for Whyte, Giant and Merida.

My previous 2 bikes were Whyte (901 and S150), and I love riding then, so it was a no brainer for me really.... And they got a decent deal (within £150 of the best online price I'd seen).

I looked at so many awesome bikes, but the idea of any troubleshooting being done locally is great, and I'm lucky that the bike was on my top 5 picks anyway

 

[michael_bc]

It was heavily discounted (50% off).

And that's why we ride Orbea Rise EMTBs.

No but seriously. It was my second bike so I knew quite well what I was looking for: ±150mm travel, lightweight, long range. I looked with some envy at other people's Rises, so when it dropped to 50% off I pulled the trigger. H10 for 4000 euros can't complain!!