Hiya, my name’s Pete

[Pete Hanauer]

I’m on the hunt for an electric mountain bike hybrid and have been looking at the Focus Aventura2 6.7 2021 Electric Hardtail,, Cube Hybrid Pro 625, Trek Powerfly Sport 4 2021 and both the Focus Thron2 6.8 EQP 2020 and the Trek Powerfly FS 4 EQP 2021 (both much more expensive).

I live off the beaten track in the Surrey hills so expect some track and path use and limited road use, being 74 I’m looking for something to help keep me fit!

At present I’m laid up with a torn calf muscle, so getting out to check bikes first hand is impossible, but a good chance to look at bikes on line.

Any advice or experience from owners of these bike or riders who have tested them would be most welcome.
Cheers
Pete

 

[paul-g]

good on yer buddy at 74

 

[Voluptua]

I've not got an eMTB yet, but am in a similar position to you - but with the advantage of having had a (very) good test of a Trek Rail.

I found I could climb any hill (within common sense, but up to 24% on the road) without using the biggest rear cogs of the 12-speed. And up several rocky bridleways. So I'm thinking that a 10-speed would work fine for me. I don't plan "technical" climbs.

I rode sometimes with a backpack (with the charger borrowed for the duration of the test and heavy lock etc). OK, but I'd rather not - so I'm attracted to the idea of a rack, or some other way of carrying stuff. As well as hooning round the countryside, I'd like to go to the shops etc. So the fitted Powerflys are on my list, too.

The bike was enormously heavy. I did manage to get it over a couple of gates and a stile, but it's not to be recommended. I also want my bike to fit in the back of my car. It does - with the front wheel off and the centre seat removed, it goes in upright, just. So I plan to have a plank with a front axle mount just inside the tailgate. Certainly something to be thought about.

I got a puncture during my test - I was giving it a good test! My first experience of tubeless tyres. It took an age to seal itself, losing air for a couple of days, but rideable with pumping up. But it did seal itself. So I expect to be going tubeless, probably asking the supplier to arrange this on delivery.

Hope that helps.

 

[Pete Hanauer]

I've not got an eMTB yet, but am in a similar position to you - but with the advantage of having had a (very) good test of a Trek Rail.

I found I could climb any hill (within common sense, but up to 24% on the road) without using the biggest rear cogs of the 12-speed. And up several rocky bridleways. So I'm thinking that a 10-speed would work fine for me. I don't plan "technical" climbs.

I rode sometimes with a backpack (with the charger borrowed for the duration of the test and heavy lock etc). OK, but I'd rather not - so I'm attracted to the idea of a rack, or some other way of carrying stuff. As well as hooning round the countryside, I'd like to go to the shops etc. So the fitted Powerflys are on my list, too.

The bike was enormously heavy. I did manage to get it over a couple of gates and a stile, but it's not to be recommended. I also want my bike to fit in the back of my car. It does - with the front wheel off and the centre seat removed, it goes in upright, just. So I plan to have a plank with a front axle mount just inside the tailgate. Certainly something to be thought about.

I got a puncture during my test - I was giving it a good test! My first experience of tubeless tyres. It took an age to seal itself, losing air for a couple of days, but rideable with pumping up. But it did seal itself. So I expect to be going tubeless, probably asking the supplier to arrange this on delivery.

Hope that helps.

I've not got an eMTB yet, but am in a similar position to you - but with the advantage of having had a (very) good test of a Trek Rail.

I found I could climb any hill (within common sense, but up to 24% on the road) without using the biggest rear cogs of the 12-speed. And up several rocky bridleways. So I'm thinking that a 10-speed would work fine for me. I don't plan "technical" climbs.

I rode sometimes with a backpack (with the charger borrowed for the duration of the test and heavy lock etc). OK, but I'd rather not - so I'm attracted to the idea of a rack, or some other way of carrying stuff. As well as hooning round the countryside, I'd like to go to the shops etc. So the fitted Powerflys are on my list, too.

The bike was enormously heavy. I did manage to get it over a couple of gates and a stile, but it's not to be recommended. I also want my bike to fit in the back of my car. It does - with the front wheel off and the centre seat removed, it goes in upright, just. So I plan to have a plank with a front axle mount just inside the tailgate. Certainly something to be thought about.

I got a puncture during my test - I was giving it a good test! My first experience of tubeless tyres. It took an age to seal itself, losing air for a couple of days, but rideable with pumping up. But it did seal itself. So I expect to be going tubeless, probably asking the supplier to arrange this on delivery.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for your feedback, it’s encouraging to hear of your experiences on the Trek Rail, and that you are in the same boat, looking for a bike too! Quite a number of people I’ve spoken with have recommended the Trek as a well constructed and reliable machine so it’s certainly high on my list. However there seems little to separate similar bikes from Cube, Focus or Trek! I missed out earlier in the year because of the sudden rush for bikes nation-wide, so don’t want to miss out with the 2021 bikes becoming available. I know that there is nothing like a test ride so may have to bide my time on that front. Thanks also for the useful info on tubeless tyres.
Cheers Pete

 

[HowieG]

I’m on the hunt for an electric mountain bike hybrid and have been looking at the Focus Aventura2 6.7 2021 Electric Hardtail,, Cube Hybrid Pro 625, Trek Powerfly Sport 4 2021 and both the Focus Thron2 6.8 EQP 2020 and the Trek Powerfly FS 4 EQP 2021 (both much more expensive).

I live off the beaten track in the Surrey hills so expect some track and path use and limited road use, being 74 I’m looking for something to help keep me fit!

At present I’m laid up with a torn calf muscle, so getting out to check bikes first hand is impossible, but a good chance to look at bikes on line.

Any advice or experience from owners of these bike or riders who have tested them would be most welcome.
Cheers
Pete

I have my experience with my hard-tail 2022 Cube Reaction 750EXC, 18 months and c6500k of faultless riding. Bought from new, I just put better pedals and grips on it and a drop post, recently moved to tubeless tyres and had to replace cassette and chain but other than that it is mint. I can get 120km or so from a full charge that is with plenty of effort from me. It does eat brake pad and whether I buy good or mediocre it makes little different so I go for mediocre, Sheffield is full of many big, long hills so I put the high pad usage down to that.
Its great for climbing hils on and off road and has pleanty of power modes to accommodate most anyone, emtb mode is exceptional off road and turbo well, sit back and chill, I stick in mainly eco or tour+ and that gives great battery usage whilst making a ride pleasant.

 

[Paulquattro]

Hello Pete
Welcome to the forum

 

[Zimmerframe]

Hello Pete
Welcome to the forum

You know your tardy response caused him to never come back after that first time 3.5 years ago....

 

[Paulquattro]

You know your tardy response caused him to never come back after that first time 3.5 years ago....

I hadn't even noticed his post date
Brilliant