Hi all.
I thought I would start a sort of build thread like I did for my car once I started messing with it to keep track of how it started and how it's going.
After a lot of reading and deliberations, I settled to get a Trek Rail 4 in red with the latest gen Bosch motor last year. @Rob Rides EMTB video about his Trek Rail purchase was what swayed me along with my friend Alan who used to be a Scott bike dealer recommendation for the Bosch eco system over others. Found a very helpful local bike shop and given that I needed a Small frame bike, bought the bike without testing that particular model out. I had riden a Cube and Scott bike on the trails with the same motor and was happy with how it responded to my riding style and weight (I am a small light rider). The main reason why I ended up with an EMtb was because we have 2 bigger boys aged 12 and 8 along with a 4 year old in our family and the 2 big lads love mtb, but hate the tough climbs. I thought with the Emtb I could tow them up with a bit of assistance up the hills and we can all enjoy the downhill bits. This way I was still putting a fair bit of effort while they get the benefit of a lift. Along with that I needed to figure out how to transport all our bikes to and from the trails with the cars we had in our family. My better half has a Seat Leon Cupra 4drive ST (estate) which was the perfect vehicle for this endevour in my head instead of my small Golf GTI. After a fair bit of looking into, I managed to get a place to find and fit a removable swan neck tow bar to her car such that with the Thule bike carrier system, it could comfortably carry 4 bikes (1 Etmb and 3 other regular bikes). This setup proved to be perfect for our needs and last year we even managed a trip across to France with the bikes.
When I got the bike, and knowing what I am like, I made a point in my head not to launch into any upgrades straight away. Not even pedals! I used the bike in it's original form for most of summer 2023 and even a bit during the winter. I learnt about it's advantages and also things I didn't like that much.
Speaking a pedals, for Christmas, Santa was very good to me and got me a set of Sam Hill Enduro pedals. They made a significant difference over the oem plastic ones.
Last 2 things added was a front mudguard as it was horrible cycling in wet muddy conditions and today went on a set of Continental Kryptotal Downhill tyres (front supersoft and rear soft compounds). The bike has a 29'' wheel setup with 2.6 tyres from factory. I found it quite lazy on the Bontrager tyres and it just didn't gel with my riding style. After a good bit of reading, I decided to trial out the Continental tyres. I went with a slightly less wide tyre in 2.4 (Continental doesn't do 29 x 2.6 in Kryptotal Downhill by the looks of it) and I think it should suit me well. Updates to follow.
I will attach a few pictures of the bike and car setup below. I will try to keep updated the thread with my experience etc such that others might get something from it. I am now really looking forward to the weather getting better such that I can go out on more rides with the kids and properly test out the bike.
I thought I would start a sort of build thread like I did for my car once I started messing with it to keep track of how it started and how it's going.
After a lot of reading and deliberations, I settled to get a Trek Rail 4 in red with the latest gen Bosch motor last year. @Rob Rides EMTB video about his Trek Rail purchase was what swayed me along with my friend Alan who used to be a Scott bike dealer recommendation for the Bosch eco system over others. Found a very helpful local bike shop and given that I needed a Small frame bike, bought the bike without testing that particular model out. I had riden a Cube and Scott bike on the trails with the same motor and was happy with how it responded to my riding style and weight (I am a small light rider). The main reason why I ended up with an EMtb was because we have 2 bigger boys aged 12 and 8 along with a 4 year old in our family and the 2 big lads love mtb, but hate the tough climbs. I thought with the Emtb I could tow them up with a bit of assistance up the hills and we can all enjoy the downhill bits. This way I was still putting a fair bit of effort while they get the benefit of a lift. Along with that I needed to figure out how to transport all our bikes to and from the trails with the cars we had in our family. My better half has a Seat Leon Cupra 4drive ST (estate) which was the perfect vehicle for this endevour in my head instead of my small Golf GTI. After a fair bit of looking into, I managed to get a place to find and fit a removable swan neck tow bar to her car such that with the Thule bike carrier system, it could comfortably carry 4 bikes (1 Etmb and 3 other regular bikes). This setup proved to be perfect for our needs and last year we even managed a trip across to France with the bikes.
When I got the bike, and knowing what I am like, I made a point in my head not to launch into any upgrades straight away. Not even pedals! I used the bike in it's original form for most of summer 2023 and even a bit during the winter. I learnt about it's advantages and also things I didn't like that much.
Speaking a pedals, for Christmas, Santa was very good to me and got me a set of Sam Hill Enduro pedals. They made a significant difference over the oem plastic ones.
Last 2 things added was a front mudguard as it was horrible cycling in wet muddy conditions and today went on a set of Continental Kryptotal Downhill tyres (front supersoft and rear soft compounds). The bike has a 29'' wheel setup with 2.6 tyres from factory. I found it quite lazy on the Bontrager tyres and it just didn't gel with my riding style. After a good bit of reading, I decided to trial out the Continental tyres. I went with a slightly less wide tyre in 2.4 (Continental doesn't do 29 x 2.6 in Kryptotal Downhill by the looks of it) and I think it should suit me well. Updates to follow.
I will attach a few pictures of the bike and car setup below. I will try to keep updated the thread with my experience etc such that others might get something from it. I am now really looking forward to the weather getting better such that I can go out on more rides with the kids and properly test out the bike.
