Hello... just joined and thinking about my first EMTB

[MasterDabber]

Originally a roadie but moved across to MTB a few years ago... initially a Calibre Bossnut (which I've still got) and about 18 months ago a Kona Hei Hei CR/DL which I love. I'm getting on a bit now (76) but still riding the trails and enjoying it. I recently borrowed my son's girlfriends EMTB (Kona Remote) and took it over to Tunnel Hill, Swinley and then the Surrey Hills.... I enjoyed it a lot although the bike was a bit too small for me.
It's got me tempted to get an EMTB and the prospect of a Levo Alu Comp quite appeals. The worrying aspect is reliability especially motors... Specialized seem to offer pretty good after service and warranty but it does seem that the Brose 2.2 isn't without failure problems. I do have the benefit of having a very highly rated LBS near to me... Berkshire Cycles... which is encouraging. Apart from that can I get another bike past SWMBO?

 

[#lazy]

The Levo is a great bike and as you’re near Berkshire bikes it would be my choice if I was you ! However the kenevo is my 1st choice and is considerably cheaper and is also a great allrounder !
Could always hire a Levo for the day to test at

The Riders Hub

Surrey Hills leading mountain bike rental companies offering Specialized Mountain bikes and e-bikes for all abilities

theridershub.co.uk

 

[James_C]

berkshire keep motors on the shelf. If you turn up unannounced you will probably have a new motor installed within the hour!

 

[#lazy]

He’s got loads of cranks to James

 

[James_C]

He’s got loads of cranks to James

actually I turned one into a banana shape the other night. Straightened it but wasn't happy with the force applied to do so.

Got 2 new 160mm cranks from upgrade bikes, praxis. £85.

 

[ilostmypassword]

berkshire keep motors on the shelf. If you turn up unannounced you will probably have a new motor installed within the hour!

I would not buy an Ebike with an attitude of oh well they have spare motors and ready to go because it's going to fail. WTF is that all about? What a waste of money and time. There are more reliable bikes that won't fail mid adventure like Specialised. Ridiculous attitude to a 10 - 16 k bike purchase.

 

[Christurbo]

My advice is buy the bike you will grow into otherwise it could be expensive changing at a later date when you progress.

 

[MasterDabber]

The Levo is a great bike and as you’re near Berkshire bikes it would be my choice if I was you ! However the kenevo is my 1st choice and is considerably cheaper and is also a great allrounder !
Could always hire a Levo for the day to test at

The Riders Hub

Surrey Hills leading mountain bike rental companies offering Specialized Mountain bikes and e-bikes for all abilities

theridershub.co.uk

Thanks #lazy. Whilst the kenevo looks a nice bike I think it's more than I need in some respects. 180/180 each end is more than I need and the 160/150 of the levo looks more suitable. I also like the idea of a mullet and would prefer to keep the front end as 29. Additionally the levo alloy comp comes with a 700Wh battery. The standard Kenevo and the Levo alloy comp (2022) both seem to be priced the same at Berkshire Cycles. All food for thought though.

 

[MasterDabber]

I would not buy an Ebike with an attitude of oh well they have spare motors and ready to go because it's going to fail. WTF is that all about? What a waste of money and time. There are more reliable bikes that won't fail mid adventure like Specialised. Ridiculous attitude to a 10 - 16 k bike purchase.

This is the crunch. It would appear to me that all ebikes are vulnerable in the area of the motors. From what I've read Shimano seem to be a particular problem especially post-warranty. Brose and Bosch seem to be potentially repairable. However, whilst it's good to know that a LBS like Berkshire Cycles provide good service and that in-warranty replacement motors seem to be readily available from them it's still off putting to hear of the rate of failure although I appreciate that you tend to hear more about those which fail rather than those with no problems.
Away from motors it would seem to me that Specialized have a generally good warranty service. I have heard of big problems from Giant though.

 

[MasterDabber]

My advice is buy the bike you will grow into otherwise it could be expensive changing at a later date when you progress.

I'm at an age where I'm not going to get better. I already ride mtbs 3 or 4 times a week ..... something like a Levo (or similair) is all I'm ever going to need...... at 76 getting up the hills is becoming harder.... I still do it but I'd rather spend a bit more time just playing.

 

[Christurbo]

I'm at an age where I'm not going to get better. I already ride mtbs 3 or 4 times a week ..... something like a Levo (or similair) is all I'm ever going to need...... at 76 getting up the hills is becoming harder.... I still do it but I'd rather spend a bit more time just playing.

Great attitude. I didn’t get an EMTB to get fit. I go to the gym. I bought one to easily session the downhills without needing a shuttle!

 

[ilostmypassword]

This is the crunch. It would appear to me that all ebikes are vulnerable in the area of the motors. From what I've read Shimano seem to be a particular problem especially post-warranty. Brose and Bosch seem to be potentially repairable. However, whilst it's good to know that a LBS like Berkshire Cycles provide good service and that in-warranty replacement motors seem to be readily available from them it's still off putting to hear of the rate of failure although I appreciate that you tend to hear more about those which fail rather than those with no problems.
Away from motors it would seem to me that Specialized have a generally good warranty service. I have heard of big problems from Giant though.

Well, based on online forums and talk on the trails Specialised have had and seem to continue to have the biggest issues when it comes to ebike reliability. Best of luck.

 

[maynard]

Get 1 , you won't regret it

 

[Paulquattro]

I'm not recommending any make just make sure you have good local support

 

[GDAS]

I ride in Surrey with a bunch of fellow retirees all on Levos, we've generally been riding them three times a week for the last three years. From memory three of us (including me) have had motor failures on a ride, luckily these were local rather than 'away' rides, replacement motors at Berkshire Bikes the same or following day. We've also had a number of replacement motors where there wasn't a complete failure but some sort of misbehaviour. We've had no issues recently and I'm sensing that the latest motors are more reliable. I don't think the experience has been enough to put us off buying Levos again. However, I don't get the feeling that Specialized are ahead of the field, in the way that they were when they introduced the Gen1 Levo back in 2016.

 

[MasterDabber]

I appreciate all the comments. I think if i want go this EMTB route I just need to consider the options and take my chances. Although I'd done a bit of research prior to even considering doing this, coming on here and reading not only this thread but many of the other ones it seems to me there are no real options that will guarantee I will have no problems. Each brand has positives and negatives and one I read today had several people saying they were going back to regular MTBs and give up EMTBs altogether.
Having said all that, I'll probably dip my toes and get one but I'm in no rush. I absolutely take on board that I need to buy from a good and supportive LBS, and fortunately I think I'm well placed to achieve that.

 

[MasterDabber]

I ride in Surrey with a bunch of fellow retirees all on Levos, we've generally been riding them three times a week for the last three years. From memory three of us (including me) have had motor failures on a ride, luckily these were local rather than 'away' rides, replacement motors at Berkshire Bikes the same or following day. We've also had a number of replacement motors where there wasn't a complete failure but some sort of misbehaviour. We've had no issues recently and I'm sensing that the latest motors are more reliable. I don't think the experience has been enough to put us off buying Levos again. However, I don't get the feeling that Specialized are ahead of the field, in the way that they were when they introduced the Gen1 Levo back in 2016.

Thanks GDAS.... your post arrived just as I was posting.

 

[JayGoodrich]

Originally a roadie but moved across to MTB a few years ago... initially a Calibre Bossnut (which I've still got) and about 18 months ago a Kona Hei Hei CR/DL which I love. I'm getting on a bit now (76) but still riding the trails and enjoying it. I recently borrowed my son's girlfriends EMTB (Kona Remote) and took it over to Tunnel Hill, Swinley and then the Surrey Hills.... I enjoyed it a lot although the bike was a bit too small for me.
It's got me tempted to get an EMTB and the prospect of a Levo Alu Comp quite appeals. The worrying aspect is reliability especially motors... Specialized seem to offer pretty good after service and warranty but it does seem that the Brose 2.2 isn't without failure problems. I do have the benefit of having a very highly rated LBS near to me... Berkshire Cycles... which is encouraging. Apart from that can I get another bike past SWMBO?

I had a Levo as my first bike. I still think it was an awesome bike. I would go with the cheapest carbon version if you can afford it instead of aluminum. The carbon frame is the same throughout the lineup just different components. Never had a single issue with that bike in the 1000 miles that I rode it.

 

[rtrounday]

Jay, like you I am new to this forum and electric mountain bikes. Trying to absorb what I can to make the best decision on a EMTB that I can. I am here in the USA and again welcome any and all suggestions on things that I should be considering before purchase. I also have a limited budget <$2000. I would like a bike that will allow to offroad potentially single track nothing too extreme.

Thanks in advance,
Ray

 

[GDAS]

worth considering if the right size (medium)? can't be that far from you For Sale (BIKE) - Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 625 2020 Bosch Medium: £1500

 

[rtrounday]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, it appears that the bike is the UK and I am in the USA. But, the bigger question what is it about the EMTB that is especially good. Thanks in advance!

 

[MasterDabber]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, it appears that the bike is the UK and I am in the USA. But, the bigger question what is it about the EMTB that is especially good. Thanks in advance!

I don't think the suggestion was made at you but for me (the OP) as I'm in Surrey, UK... the same as the seller.

 

[rtrounday]

I don't think the suggestion was made at you but for me (the OP) as I'm in Surrey, UK... the same as the seller.

My bad. Apologies

 

[MasterDabber]

My bad. Apologies

No problem. Good luck with your search and decisions.

 

[Idlefrog]

I recently bought my first E-MTB after quite a long break from riding. I bought a Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 SLX and so far I am very pleased with it. I am 57 and ride around the bridleways in the Cotswolds. I am not an adrenalin junkie and like to keep my wheels on the ground. I can do a 30 mile ride and have about 40% of the battery (750kwh) remaining. It has a Bosch motor which was recomended to me by several bike shops. You can also get the 160 version if you want more of an enduro bike, but 140 was enough for me. You seem to get some very good deals on these at the moment. Very good spec for the money with XT brakes and gears.
Getting this bike has been a revelation. Where I live I am surrounded by hills and every ride starts with a big climb. Having the motor makes getting up the hills a breeze and means you get to do more of the fun stuff. But you still get exercise and you can set the assistance level so that you pedal as hard as you want to. I still get home feeling like I have had a work out, but with a big grin on my face.

 

[MasterDabber]

I recently bought my first E-MTB after quite a long break from riding. I bought a Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 SLX and so far I am very pleased with it. I am 57 and ride around the bridleways in the Cotswolds. I am not an adrenalin junkie and like to keep my wheels on the ground. I can do a 30 mile ride and have about 40% of the battery (750kwh) remaining. It has a Bosch motor which was recomended to me by several bike shops. You can also get the 160 version if you want more of an enduro bike, but 140 was enough for me. You seem to get some very good deals on these at the moment. Very good spec for the money with XT brakes and gears.
Getting this bike has been a revelation. Where I live I am surrounded by hills and every ride starts with a big climb. Having the motor makes getting up the hills a breeze and means you get to do more of the fun stuff. But you still get exercise and you can set the assistance level so that you pedal as hard as you want to. I still get home feeling like I have had a work out, but with a big grin on my face.

You've timed your post just right. Earlier this evening I started at looking at other options and I started looking at the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 SLX . It seems to tick a lot of boxes. I was looking on the ebikeshop.co.uk website. They seem to be located in Farnham in Surrey and seem to have full servicing facilities. I wondered if anyone had any experience of them. Reviews look good but it would be good to know more.

 

[juditolleson]

Impressive you're biking at 76! eMTB could boost trail fun. Specialized Levo Alu Comp interests you, but motor reliability concerns matter. Specialized's good service and warranties offer reassurance.

 

[MasterDabber]

Impressive you're biking at 76! eMTB could boost trail fun. Specialized Levo Alu Comp interests you, but motor reliability concerns matter. Specialized's good service and warranties offer reassurance.

Thanks... I've been lucky (so far) to have been able to be pretty active. Getting on for 2 years ago I fractured my pelvis when I crashed on a trail at Porridgepot (for anyone that knows it). Luckily I recovered well and was back riding in about 3 months.
The newly acquired motivation to go the emtb route is that I'm becoming more aware that I'm starting to ride more laterally than straight downhill to avoid too much climbing back to the top again. When I then climb back up I'm taking easier, more circular routes rather than facing the climbs head on..... I think an emtb would help me here and let me do more of the fun stuff.