Help! Too many choices on FS eMTB.

[mr_reality]

Really struggling with my first EMTB purchase. Got it narrowed down to Orbea wild fs, trek powerfly 7 lt, or Specialized Levo. The Orbea is the most lively bike of the 3 I have ridden. I really like the idea of Shimano non proprietary system. Probably have best local dealer support with Trek but have concerns with the CX motor being replaced next year. Anyone have any wisdom to help me with this decision?

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

If you've ridden all 3 then you know which is best for you and where you ride

 

[Max-E]

I'd go with your heart not your head but it comes down to budget, which one you liked to ride the best and dealer support etc.

I would not buy a Bosch motor having ridden one for various reasons but if I did want Bosch then I definitely would not buy now with the new system imminent. Excited to see what they come up with.

 

[Russell]

Having only ridden my Bosch ebike I would be put off buying another because of the water ingress related bearing failure I have had, water ingress in battery and screen, stupid small tab on motor housing that has stripped the thread due to undersized bolt and now creaks unless I oil it with the chain, and the masses of drag with the power off/over the speed limit.

 

[dirt huffer]

Dealer support is overrated... Go with the best fitting and handling bike. Everything you need to learn about wrenching on your bike will be on YouTube or a forum

 

[Max-E]

Dealer support is overrated... Go with the best fitting and handling bike. Everything you need to learn about wrenching on your bike will be on YouTube or a forum

Im not sure - it doesn’t matter how good a wrench you are - under warranty when (if?!?) your motor/controller/cable/battery* fails it *has* to go back to the dealer. That’s when you see how good they are.

*delete as appropriate

 

[outerlimits]

You got to be happy with frame, motor, and battery as a package. Get the base right and the rest is workable. Sounds like the O fits you best from what you said.
I got a Levo, and my local dealer support sux ballz. It’s a 4hr round trip for any warranty work, but have only had to replace the forks and have the motor bolts tightened under warranty. I would not change my choice of the Levo however as it suits me the best. Get what is right for you and the rest will fall into place.

 

[MattyB]

Go with what you personally prefer, but know that the Orbea has some pretty weird borderline Dutch bike geometry - if you prefer gravity to XC type riding pretty much anything else will feel better on the downs, it is pretty short and steep...

2019 Orbea Wild FS - EMTB Forums