Just browsing opinions before buying.

[JoshuaSharpe]

Hi,

Don't own eMTB yet, just analogue. Going to browse through people's opinions before parting with very hard-earned cash.

J

 

[steve_sordy]

You need to give a bit more information than that to get some useful recommendations.
What sort of riding do you do? What mtb(s) do you ride now? What is your budget? Wheel size preference, if any? That sort of thing.

 

[Reactive]

Don't overthink it. You will probably ride 5x more, 10x longer and smile 20x more. I have the base Specialized Turbo Levo as it was the best option from the local bike shop with a reasonable price. I believe any of the entry level bikes from the manufacturers listed here will be great.

 

[maynard]

Test ride . I rode cube, trek, specialized ended up with specialized. Go too some bike shops . Try atleast 3 models

 

[Rubinstein]

I was completely new to EMTB and any form of cycling when I started 18 months ago. After much research and thought (and my lack of knowledge) I went with Giant because of the high street backup, which I have to say has been excellent. It seems nobody really makes a bad bike these days so you’ll probably be ok with whatever you buy, just make sure it correct for the majority of the rides you do. That way your getting best value for money. Knowing what I do now I would also consider used EMTB. Some very good 1-2 yr old examples available that would save ££££. Also some new 2021-22 models being discounted by manufacturers with the 2023 line ups coming in

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome and happy Hunting

 

[steve_sordy]

Test ride . I rode cube, trek, specialized ended up with specialized. Go too some bike shops . Try atleast 3 models

100% agree with that. Do it if at all possible, not so easy now.
Before I bought my first emtb (Jan'19), I was lucky enough to be able to test ride seven different bikes that covered not only different brands, but different motors, wheel sizes, mode changing methods, display types, suspension travel, no of gears, carbon vs alloy frames, and budget. The one I chose was the sixth (Focus Jam2) and the Speccy Levo was no 7 (no like).

The reason I chose the Focus was that it was the first bike that I just rode and enjoyed. I forgot it was an emtb and just had a fantastic ride. No having to think about what mode I was in, or what mode I should be in. The bike fitted me like a glove and felt amazing (after I had made all the usual adjustments to bar layout, bar height, saddle position, tyre pressures, and suspension set up). The bike was just so much fun and I had zero concerns about anything about it.

Despite my enjoyment of the bike, this is not a recco for the Focus, nor a downer on the Levo. It is a recco to try as many as you can.

For your first emtb, the consensus (with which I agree) appears to be "buy from the nearest physical location that you can", or at least within an easy commute. I bought my Focus from an LBS that was a 3-hour round trip away. That is a lot less than many who have posted on here. But it's a right bugger when you get home to find a message saying that the mysterious electrical fault has now been fixed and the bike is ready for collection!

 

[JoshuaSharpe]

Thank you for all the very valuable advice. I currently ride a Cube hardtail and have "test ridden" a couple at a bike shop but the test rides consist of a few meters outside the shop with a shop owner staring at you like you're about to steal his bike (which of course is completely understandable). It gave me an idea of what feels comfortable in terms of size but little else.

I guess my usage would be fairly average - I won't be signing up for Rampage. I barely get a few inches off the floor when riding a trail (obviously I would love to but hey-ho) but I do enjoy it and just want more power, more enjoyment and more time before I'm exhausted. In short, fun and power.

As actual riders of eMTBs, what do you consider the most important feature(s) to just have lots of enjoyment?

Weight? (am a bit concerned about bike weight, as well as my own of course)
Torque?
Battery Watt Hours?
Suspension Travel? (assuming full sus is to be purchased)

(If you had to prioritise the above, from 1 to 4, what would be your choice?)

Is brand name that important or just access to service, spares and repairs?

 

[Rubinstein]

1, Torque- min 80nm
2, battery- min 625
3, Travel- Trails, min 130-150
4, weight- max 25kg

Not saying this is the best order, just how I’d rate it. If your mostly trail riding, don’t get hung up on weight. My bike is 25kgs, I’ve tested 22, and 19kgs bikes and didn’t feel a noticeable difference on the trails I ride, so I stuck with my fatty. Once your 80nm + on the motor weight becomes less of an issue.
I would take back up/service over brand name all day long.

 

[maynard]

1 bike store let me borrow a levo overnight for 150$ I think that's why I got Levo . The rail I rode just around a car park so couldn't really get a feel for it . I think if I had borrowed a rail I would of purchased that . I also owned a cube hardtail mid powered motor 50nm . Which got me wanting a full suspension bike .
For me important factors are.
1. How bike rides
2. How sexy bike Looks
3. Cost
4 . Weight battery motor frame etc

 

[weihlac]

Hi,

Don't own eMTB yet, just analogue. Going to browse through people's opinions before parting with very hard-earned cash.

J

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[jeanmarc]

I would definitely go full suspension and not hardtail for emtb.
Brand name and local LBS over boutique and online…
Then geometry and sizing. Start from your existing bike and compare the numbers with what you’re looking at. Next would be components and $/value ratio.
Enjoy the shopping, you’re in luck as inventories are getting back to normal and bike availability should not be an issue for 2023 !

 

[kringle]

new e-bike purchaser here that did NO research other than knowing i wanted a mid drive. went to a local shop, they had a Diamond Back Union on sale and it fit me perfectly--test rode it against a Specialized, and for the price I chose my DB. My only regret is that i do not have front suspension, but I can live with that for now as I am doing mostly urban trails and errands/etc. I really did not want to spend more than $3000... and I'm happy with my purchase. The fit of the bike is unreal--never been more comfortable, and it has the Bosch system which I like. Having a shop to take bike for service or just answer questions is key.

 

[TommyC]

Having collected my bike from about 80 miles away, due to stock shortages, I’d say buying local would be a priority.

Leisure wheels have been cool sending me stuff on warranty but it’s still a faff. Luckily it hasn’t needed to go back to the shop for anything. My local bosch dealer will cover parts on warranty but not labour.

 

[greg_p]

Riding position matters above all, the rest can be modified.

Don't overthink it. You will probably ride 5x more, 10x longer and smile 20x more

absolutely right

 

[jonmat]

Thank you for all the very valuable advice. I currently ride a Cube hardtail and have "test ridden" a couple at a bike shop but the test rides consist of a few meters outside the shop with a shop owner staring at you like you're about to steal his bike (which of course is completely understandable). It gave me an idea of what feels comfortable in terms of size but little else.

I guess my usage would be fairly average - I won't be signing up for Rampage. I barely get a few inches off the floor when riding a trail (obviously I would love to but hey-ho) but I do enjoy it and just want more power, more enjoyment and more time before I'm exhausted. In short, fun and power.

As actual riders of eMTBs, what do you consider the most important feature(s) to just have lots of enjoyment?

Weight? (am a bit concerned about bike weight, as well as my own of course)
Torque?
Battery Watt Hours?
Suspension Travel? (assuming full sus is to be purchased)

(If you had to prioritise the above, from 1 to 4, what would be your choice?)

Is brand name that important or just access to service, spares and repairs?

Weight is pretty much irrelevant for general use, your battery and motor take care of that.

Torque is key if you are riding uphill on a steep incline, so 85 nm is ideal.

Suspension travel, is personal choice, mines 160/160mm but I wouldn't get too hung up about that unless you are riding something severe or are in a competition. My now retired hard tail EMTB could tackle anything my full suspension bike can.

Battery watt hours is another personal choice. Based on my own experience I'd say 625wh is optimal. I have run out of battery on a 504wh Shimano and also on 500wh Bosch battery. I discovered that the Shimano used to gobble up the last two bars on the indicator and meant it was time to get home asap before it was flat. The newer Shimano batteries may have a more accurate battery state indicator than my retired 2020 model. You need to consider you will be riding uphill instead of pushing the bike uphill which is a game changer on itself.

In order

1. Torque
2. Battery range
3. Suspension travel
4. Weight

This is just my personal preference and yours may differ.

Brand name is irrelevant, but spares and service under warranty are vital. The chances are, a big brand name may get you more accessibility to spare parts under warranty, that is not always the case.

If you don't know how to replace a chain and cassette I'd suggest you learn as EMTB's can devour them quickly. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving my bike at a dealers for a week to get a chain replaced.