Is There A No-Brainer Upgrade for eMTB

[Wheelie_King]

Hmmmm but one who asked the question as a noob to eMTB. Feel free to keep missing the point though!
Can I get a link the those anodised crank bolts, they sound awesome!

 

[Russell]

A good and comfortable saddle...

Is there such a thing ?

 

[Gary]

Feel free to keep missing the point though!

Don't worry. I totally get that shoes and handbags don't fill that void for you.
Which is why I suggested tyres.

Those crank bolts won't fit a LEVO

 

[galaga187]

As a returning MTBer am loving the dropper having never had one, and wouldn’t be without now!
I have previously used TF Tuned in the UK to tube rear shocks. I wonder if the stock Fox on the Levo is tweakable?

Just booked my fork and shock into TF tuned - I called them to discuss tuning options but they didn’t offer any so just getting a service.

 

[mas]

I prefer ESI chunky grips and riser bars to get me more upright.

 

[MattyB]

IMO the best value “upgrade” as a recreational rider is improving your skills, be that reading/following YouTube based coaching or booking a course with an experienced rider. Practice and coaching never reduced anyone’s enjoyment!

 

[wepn]

Whatever it takes to lose the derailleur.

 

[iXi]

The thing that made the biggest difference for me was a good set of pedals. The ones that came on the bike were garbage. Everything else was decent or manageable.

 

[Akiwi]

When I got my new Emtb in December, I immediately invisiframed it. (Or at least I put a protective foil on it). And I installed a set of good lights that run off the built in battery. Best things I could do. The paint is matt, so the invisiframe helps a lot, and the light gets so much use as I am often on trails till it is dark.

 

[Konanige]

Saddle that's comfy for you and your preferred pedals. Nowt else. Just ride it and wear stuff out!

 

[B1rdie]

Saddle, grips and pedals, for my contact with the bike. Tyres for my contact with the world. About the bike... well I consider moving away from specialized things the best upgrade one could get.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have been transferring my DMR Vaults from one bike to the next for years now, otherwise decent pedals would be the first upgrade. (Do bikes even come with pedals these days?) Then it's grips (Ergon GP1). Then it's going tubeless, then it's tyres if I can't get on with the original equipment. Finally the saddle, but only if I can't get on with the OE.

I would prefer never to ride an MTB without a dropper. So they either come with one, or get fitted with one asap. I don't really see that as an upgrade though, more of an essential.

I always replace the cheap black plastic dust caps for something in machined alloy and coloured to match the bike. But that's not an upgrade as such.

 

[deksawyer]

I'm glad people eventually mentioned pedals. Get some good pedals. I use Stamp 2's and they're pretty damn grippy with my Ion shoes.

 

[Akiwi]

Here you can see them visually.
And after this picture I went tubeless.
Since them I have added a Fidlock bottle holder and a GUB phone holder on the center stem.

 

[Jdog]

I have a Kenevo and made 3 modifications/upgrades that changed the bike for me are:

- Minions front and rear (personally think the spesh tyres are meh)
- Tubeless is essential (noted you already have that)
- Aftermarket brake pads (personally think stock pads from all brands are average at best)

In my very early days of riding I was given some great advice to always have the contact points suited for you (grips, pedals, saddle) so I always change grips and pedals as a personal preference although that isn't a performance mod per say but the 3 mods above have been done on my bikes for years (unless the rubber is maxxis to start with) and afterwards it has made a noticeable difference.

 

[arawa]

Is the fat & middle-age a given assumption then for eMTB riders?

No! Some of us are fat and old

 

[Wheelie_King]

IMO the best value “upgrade” as a recreational rider is improving your skills, be that reading/following YouTube based coaching or booking a course with an experienced rider. Practice and coaching never reduced anyone’s enjoyment!

I’d second that! Our UK lockdown has given me time to play in the garden. It’s amazing how everything is so different due to the weight and power of the ebike, so re-learning handling and moves/tricks has been challenging but fun!

 

[Wheelie_King]

The thing that made the biggest difference for me was a good set of pedals. The ones that came on the bike were garbage. Everything else was decent or manageable.

Good call. I ride clipped in so took my Time pedals off old MTB. They work well but are probably a bit over the hill!

 

[Wheelie_King]

I have a Kenevo and made 3 modifications/upgrades that changed the bike for me are:

- Minions front and rear (personally think the spesh tyres are meh)
- Tubeless is essential (noted you already have that)
- Aftermarket brake pads (personally think stock pads from all brands are average at best)

In my very early days of riding I was given some great advice to always have the contact points suited for you (grips, pedals, saddle) so I always change grips and pedals as a personal preference although that isn't a performance mod per say but the 3 mods above have been done on my bikes for years (unless the rubber is maxxis to start with) and afterwards it has made a noticeable difference.

Original tyres weren’t great so swapped those early on. Contact points is a repeated good call. I’m good with the saddle, I am looking for grips as the supplied ones aren’t great. Cheers

 

[Wheelie_King]

As a first time dropper user I love what came on the Levo as the basic functionality is simply a riding game changer. Do people rate the supplied dropper? I’m more than happy with it, but I wouldn’t know any better!

 

[RickBullotta]

Most important upgrade is the rider. Eat better, workout more, don't smoke, and drink less.

Next (IMO) is suspension. A well tuned suspension can transform a bike. A rear shock isn't that expensive, and many forks can have their internals upgrade. You can do both for less than a nice set of wheels.

After that would be better brakes (4 piston brakes with adjustable modulation). When trying to bring a 50 lb MTB being pushed by 250 extra watts to a stop, brakes matter. A lot.

 

[Gary]

As a first time dropper user I love what came on the Levo as the basic functionality is simply a riding game changer. Do people rate the supplied dropper? I’m more than happy with it, but I wouldn’t know any better!

Having worked on tons of droppers. the Specialized own brand droppers are one of my least favourite from a servicing POV. While it's working and if you're happy with it I wouldn't worry too much. But there are tons of better designed, more reliable, easier to work on droppers out there.

I am looking for grips as the supplied ones aren’t great.

Do you ride gloveless or with gloves?

 

[Jpzeroday]

Cushcore, Rear

 

[hypa]

My Devinci AC is a nice build to start with, although I had to upgrade my rubber right away. The new Michelin e rubber is a very nice option. No regrets there at all.

Aside from the rubber change, which was necessary for where I ride, I changed up the saddle to a more comfortable one.

I'm noticing that I'm accelerating far too quickly in the lower gears, and running out of top speed, so a larger front gear is next on the list.

One of my favorite pastimes is working on my many bikes and making them better. Don't trust the guy who mocks you for wanting to change up your grips. He's just an asshole. You know who I'm talking about...

 

[RickBullotta]

Original tyres weren’t great so swapped those early on. Contact points is a repeated good call. I’m good with the saddle, I am looking for grips as the supplied ones aren’t great. Cheers

I like the Ergon GE1 grips a lot. Very "grippy", good ergonomics for my hands.

 

[Gary]

I like the Ergon GE1 grips a lot. Very "grippy", good ergonomics for my hands.

You Sir, have never used those gloveless in the wet or on a hot day.
They're truely dangerous combined with bare hands and moisture.
Anti-grip would be a better description.

 

[RickBullotta]

You Sir, have never used those gloveless in the wet or on a hot day.
They're truely dangerous combined with bare hands and moisture.
Anti-grip would be a better description.

Ha. Fair enough. I always ride gloved (never understood how Sam Blenkinsop could ride pro level without them), but I've ridden them in plenty of wet including monsoon style rain and they've done fine for me. Cheers.

 

[R120]

I had the Erogns for a while and found they gave me blisters (with gloves) at the webbing of my thumb - I liked the shape and concept though, just couldn't get on with them.

Currently running Deity knuckledusters on all my bikes, great with and without gloves, they are kind of like a fatter stickier Deathgrip

 

[Gary]

Ha. Fair enough. I always ride gloved (never understood how Sam Blenkinsop could ride pro level without them), but I've ridden them in plenty of wet including monsoon style rain and they've done fine for me. Cheers.

Yeah, control points (Tyres, grips, pedals saddle) are the most important parts of your bike for... er... well.. .control (obvz) but personal pref, rider size/type and riding style means there's no absolute right choice for everyone or even every condition.
Gloveless gives you waaay more feel and understanding of what the bike is doing. I find the material a barrier to this and the bunching that all gloves have unbearable. I absolutely hate riding with gloves on and I'm a way better and more confident rider without them.
I've always felt sorry for Blenki when he has been forced to race in France and those dumbasses insist on gloves to race. It's basicall handicapping the guy.
Your own countryman, DH world champ and all round biking legend Dave "Cully" Cullinan used to race gloveless and to get round the stupid rules would cut the fingers and palms out of his "gloves". Not sure anyone could get away with that trick these days.
I like the overall shape, size and design of thre GE01 but for a grip to work without gloves with wet or sweaty hands it needs channels (ribs work best, but flile patern and dimples can too) to wick away that moisture from between the skin and the rubber. otherwise it'll become a slippy no grip nightmare.

 

[Mtbvkk]

A light connected to the e-bike battery so you have it there when you need it