Hi from Oregon (Willamette Valley)

[tipsword]

Hey there,

I'm an older rider (62), I've been on an MTB since 1987 and now looking at going EMTB for my next bike.

I'm excited at the new lightweight bike offerings and hope to get educated on the in/outs of eMTB so I can make an informed choice & enjoy my favorite places (Alsea Falls, Black Rock, Mac Forest) even more.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[Mabman]

As a fellow ORtucky resident, and older as well, out on the coast I would suggest that if you want a lightweight eBike you just ride the one you have that is without a motor and battery. Just embrace the fact that eBikes have them and are going to weigh more and go for one that has some oomph. Sticking with a Class 1 model is a good idea probably unless you have outlaw tendencies like I do.

I would suggest checking out the Yamaha Moro 07 deal going on at the moment? A full fledged Emtb for a great price that while not the latest and greatest tech wise is a good platform to get started with.

 

[ScottWest]

Welcome Brian!

 

[RustyIron]

I'm an older rider (62),

Hey, Brian.
I know that old geezers tend to dismiss the thoughts of young pups like me (I'm only 61) -- but forget about that "Lightweight eMTB" nonsense.

Many of us started off thinking that manly men ride acoustic bikes, but conceded that it might be ok to ride an eMTB if it was one that was light and underpowered. I used to think the same thing about hardtails and full suspension bikes. But once you've ridden a full-powered eMTB with a reasonably sized battery, you'll see the light. Trust me on this.

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome to the site

 

[Hotrod]

Welcome! I am 62 as well but still consider myself "young"... Lol. The area you live in is so beautiful you are fortunate. I would agree with Rustyiron don't limit your search to lightweight lower power bikes. I thought exactly the same until I rode several different bikes. I went with a Rail 9.7 as the power availability and range made all the difference on long rides with elevation involved. The weight is not that noticeable if you don't jump, which I have quit doing after my last big crash. So I recommend trying several different bikes before you buy. Good luck!

 

[Bill in Tomahawk]

Jones e-bikes are headquartered in Oregon.
At least check out what they offer. Their approach is unique.

I ride a Jones, love it, never looked back.

Jones LWB HD/e e-bike with BBSHD Motor V2

This Is the Only Bike You'll Ever Need

jonesbikes.com

https://photos.smugmug.com/Jones-Ebike/i-p5RWzGn/0/MFTjr8Wrtj7B3WZH3KJfhQdp6hfgtqSvdDXvbZWKc/X4/IMG_2756-X4.jpg

Bill

 

[Mabman]

Jones e-bikes are headquartered in Oregon.
At least check out what they offer. Their approach is unique.

I ride a Jones, love it, never looked back.

Jones LWB HD/e e-bike with BBSHD Motor V2

This Is the Only Bike You'll Ever Need

jonesbikes.com

https://photos.smugmug.com/Jones-Ebike/i-p5RWzGn/0/MFTjr8Wrtj7B3WZH3KJfhQdp6hfgtqSvdDXvbZWKc/X4/IMG_2756-X4.jpg

Bill

Bill, I am quite familiar with Jones bikes and his particular, and somewhat peculiar philosophy regarding bicycles over the years and can't say I've ever personally been a fan. While I am glad you have found your forever bike it seems the fact that he is taking Bafang DIY systems and tacking them onto his made in Asia branded bikes with shark batteries and cadence sensing PAS is not exactly forward thinking technology as compared to what else is available on the market today at a comparable cost. Certainly will not fit into any category as "lightweight" either as the BBSHD and Shark pack are notoriously heavy as well as Jones steel frames.

The one good thing I can say is that if you are interested in a future proof system the Bafang systems with external batteries will be around when cockroaches are in charge as they are very simple and unencumbered by proprietary gimics as made popular by the big manufacturers.

 

[Bill in Tomahawk]

The Jones ebike is not from a tech standpoint like anything else. Instead of making his bicycle package lighter he made it heavier and longer. The frame is not blown aluminum, it is heat treated chro-mo and the bike rides like what it is. Big and tough. The wheels/tires are 29X 3.25. They hold the trail and hold the line. You have to ride the bike to understand it. Reading the spec sheet just doesn't do it. Jones does have some video content on his site where he shows off the bike and plows through everything.

The Jones Plus LWB HD/e for e-bike commuting, day rides, and touring. – Still Out Riding

stilloutriding.com

No hydraulic front suspension, run the tires under 10 psi. This is not a racer. I installed Old man mountain racks front and rear and bought an additional battery. The Jones bar speaks for itself, the geometry of the frame is in all ways self correcting. Honestly riding the bike is more like riding a small motorcycle than a bicycle. You sit upright.

Love or hate or accept there is a third way. The Jones, as you say, will be here 10 years in the future after many of todays latest and greatest models have faded in luster. The Jones is a bike packers dream. Load it up, it will have good range and it will be reliable. It is hard to make an ebike that is "the only bike you will ever need." but that is the Jones philosophy.

Others will come and go but this Jones bike will endure. There is a fall sale on now, save around $1000.

IMHO.

Bill

 

[eDirt]

My first e-bike was a full fat Giant Trance weighing in over 55 pounds. Great bike and Rides fine as long as you’ve got power but you really feel that weight if you run the battery flat or if you need to hike a bike around or over gates. I then got a 23 Orbea Rise weighing about 45 pounds and it feels soooo much nicer in those situations and can even be ridden with the motor off without too much effort.

I’d definitely recommend the lighter bike and if you go with the new Rise it has a full fat tune that will let you keep up to others no problem if you plan to ride in emtb groups. Or, you could look at the Amflow bike with the new DJI motor. I don't Think they’ll be available for a few months but supposedly blow away all the competition on power.

 

[Bill in Tomahawk]

I went from a blown aluminum framed, 27.5 wheels, Shimano motor with torque sensing, hydraulic fork to the Jones.
The Jones is far superior ride on everything but tight mountain bike trails(maybe). It sits somewhere between a Gravel bike and a mountain bike. Have a look at the Jones videos.

Please ride a Jones ebike before you condemn the machine based on specs and pictures. They really don't tell the entire story. I can't recommend unassisted pedaling of an ebike, they are not designed for that except in a power failure situation.. As for hikeabike, the Jones has a throttle.

Bill