Having a nose, narrowing it down

[Pabs]

Hey. I'm a 38 year old MTB rider that is slowly getting more and more tempted to make an e bike purchase in the near future. Just doing my research watching EMTB and Rob's channel on youtube amongst others. Also took a Levo hardtail on a little spin the other day. Not exactly what I'm looking for, but that was all the shop had, so it was a little insight.

A few bikes are on the radar already, don't think I want to spend out masses as the tech is changing swiftly but right now. I think my list currently looks like this:

1. Vitus E Sommet VR (not in stock)
2. Canyon Spectral
3. Norco Sight
5. Specialized Levo
6. Specialized Kenevo
7. Whyte E-150 RS
7. Commencial Meta Power SX
8. Ducati Mig RR
9. Mondraker Level RR

As you can see the older less integrated generally cheaper bikes are at the top of the list. first and foremost I like the idea of a bike that can assist me to the top for the downs, but also want something that can handle average trails OK enough and have a fair range. Secondly though, I would also like to consider being able to go on a bit of bikepacking adventure with a second battery possibly.

Ideally I'd prefer an integrated larger capacity battery but this time round I can forgo it. I think my second e-bike purchase in 3 to 5 years time should come with that along with a increased range and hopefully lighter weight.

If you think I've missed a bike shout, hope to see you on the trails sometime.

 

[Pukmeister]

Giant Trance E/Stance E
Scott Genius

Be careful with direct-to-consumer brands like Vitus and YT, check the warranty terms before you buy eg you may have to do the legwork and visit a Shimano dealer, pay upfront for repairs and then submit a warranty claim for a refund, as opposed to giving the bike to Specialised or Giant etc and letting them sort it.

Also haggle over a 2019 bike as newer ones are due out soon. I just got a cracking deal on my Giant 2019 Trance E +2 Pro from my nearest Giant store, which was already a discounted bike, due to buying outright so no awkward finance deals involved.

 

[Lee Dove]

You need to ADD the YT Decoy to the list if availability is no an urgent priority. I have a Decoy but my Number 2 was the Spectral (wife has Neuron).

 

[steve_sordy]

Watch this review from Guy Kesteven (massively experienced and highly respected bike tester) and you will put the Whyte at the to of your list.

 

[Lee Dove]

Watch this review from Guy Kesteven (massively experienced and highly respected bike tester) and you will put the Whyte at the to of your list.

Guy can be a BIT biased sometimes as well Remember his reviews are based on his riding style and experience (both very high)

 

[steve_sordy]

His enthusiasm is infectious. I have never heard or read anything by him to date that was as relentlessly positive.

 

[Lee Dove]

Just watched the Video and he seems to conclude the same as for most of the latest Whyte bikes. Great when ridden really hard. That is my experience of them ( my local dealer has them so I have ridden a few. Can be a bit dead and barge like at lower speeds.
That said it should absolutely be on the list as it it a bang up to date EMTB.

 

[33red]

Hey. I'm a 38 year old MTB rider that is slowly getting more and more tempted to make an e bike purchase in the near future. Just doing my research watching EMTB and Rob's channel on youtube amongst others. Also took a Levo hardtail on a little spin the other day. Not exactly what I'm looking for, but that was all the shop had, so it was a little insight.

A few bikes are on the radar already, don't think I want to spend out masses as the tech is changing swiftly but right now. I think my list currently looks like this:

1. Vitus E Sommet VR (not in stock)
2. Canyon Spectral
3. Norco Sight
5. Specialized Levo
6. Specialized Kenevo
7. Whyte E-150 RS
7. Commencial Meta Power SX
8. Ducati Mig RR
9. Mondraker Level RR

As you can see the older less integrated generally cheaper bikes are at the top of the list. first and foremost I like the idea of a bike that can assist me to the top for the downs, but also want something that can handle average trails OK enough and have a fair range. Secondly though, I would also like to consider being able to go on a bit of bikepacking adventure with a second battery possibly.

Ideally I'd prefer an integrated larger capacity battery but this time round I can forgo it. I think my second e-bike purchase in 3 to 5 years time should come with that along with a increased range and hopefully lighter weight.

If you think I've missed a bike shout, hope to see you on the trails sometime.

I think you buy a ton of marketing.
For range, reliability, intstant power and value Yamaha is tough to beat. If you like long chainstay Giant is worth a test. Haibike should be on your list. Their enduro 2.0 is a steal but not for me too much suspension. They have many models with Yamaha. I demoed a Norco, liked the handling but not the fixed battery.

 

[MattyB]

You need to add in the Thok Mig (the Ducati Mig is just an up-specced version); they are great value and unlike most of the direct sales brands have a great reputation for customer service. If I were buying now it would be between one of those, the Whyte or the new Commencal Meta. YMMV.

 

[Pabs]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Yeah the Thok is also worth considering, isn't the stock bike shorter travel though?

Could be wrong, but on the latest Norco I think the battery is removable.

I've seen the Whyte video. I really like the bike but the bottom bracket height may well cause me issues and its new so therefore expensive,, so those two reasons have it further down the list than it would otherwise be. I do have a local Whyte dealer so will check one out in person soon .

The YT is nice, but again quite new so no discounts to be had just yet.

Liking Haibikes, new motor looks interesting

Giants have never really done it for me for some reason, dunno why.

Scotts Geo and numbers I don't think works for me.

Few other caveats I have are bottom bracket height of ideally over 340mm, my current bike is 344mm and with shorter than stock cranks I still have one to many strikes for my liking. At 6ft 2 I'll be getting a Large, and another measurement is a top tube of at least 630mm, I like that amount to move about on the bike. Other measurements like chainstays I'm flexible on but those are the numbers I like to check out first.

Currently on a 650b but I'm liking the idea of a 29 front, ideally would like to keep the rear 650.

 

[33red]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Yeah the Thok is also worth considering, isnt the stock bike shohrter travel though?

I've seen the Whyte video. I really like the bike but the bottom bracket height may well cause me issues and its new so therefore expensive,, so those two reasons have it further down the list than it would otherwise be. I do have a local Whyte dealer so will check one out in person soon .

The YT is nice, but again quite new so no discounts to be had just yet.

Giants have never really done it for me for some reason, dunno why.

Few other caveats I have are bottom bracket height of ideally over 340mm, my current bike is 344mm and with shorter than stock cranks I still have one to many strikes for my liking. At 6ft 2 I'll be getting a Large, and another measurement is a top tube of at least 630mm, I like that amount to move about on the bike. Other measurements like chainstays I'm flexible on but those are the numbers I like to check out first.

Currently on a 650b but I'm liking the idea of a 29 front, ideally would like to keep the rear 650.

You know lots so now it is testing. My Ebike came with 175 arms, now with 165 it is realy more to my liking. Maybe 160 would be perfect for me? Ya i have seen some 29/27 and that might be my next pick or 29x2.6 hopefully i will try each.

 

[Zimmerframe]

There are obviously a cluster of bikes which fall into certain "desire/catch/requirement" zones.

I started a thread to list the Decoy alternatives as they kept coming and going in various threads and everyone seemed to be going round in circles. Give or take a few, your list - with peoples suggested additions seems to fit that profile :

Decoy or Detour - EMTB Forums

 

[Eckythump]

Knock the Level RR off your list. It's a super long, big trail slayer and with the coil on the back you wont be able to just pump up the shock to account of the extra weight for you bike packing trips.

 

[HORSPWR]

Also don’t discount Merida, they have some great ebikes.

 

[Pabs]

Well, I seem to have developed a bit of crush on the Decoy. I'd go for the base model, as sadly I've experience snapping carbon chainstays

Visited the local Whyte dealer, they should have a demo 150 in large to try in about a months time. If I've not pulled the trigger by then I can give it a go on a few local trails with some log overs and check that BB height out.

New revised list:

1. Vitus E Sommet VR (not in stock)
2. YT Decoy
3. Canyon Spectral
4. Specialized Levo
5. Whyte E-150 RS
6. Merida e160
7. Focus Jam2
8. Ducati Mig RR
9. Commencial Meta Power SX
10. Specialized Kenevo