Leaning towards an emtb

[Jonesy]

Hello there, i currently ride a specialzed enduro comp which is a great bike but i am really looking at buying an ebike for trails cross country etc. What do people recommend ?

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

I recommend you go on a day demo or get to take out a few bikes. As just like MTB, not all Emtb are made equal. Depends on what you want, what you like, where you ride, how you can charge, budget. The field is massive.

 

[More-read-than-ride]

All the major brands have great bikes in the segments you are looking for, you can see most of the brand names here on the main page. Check their webs and find a price vs. spec you like and then test them out. You can also go factory direct and save a few bucks, but be careful, ebikes need service and support.

 

[Akiwi]

Hope you lean so far you fall ;-)
As said, if you get a chance to demo bikes, then it is a great way to see what fits you. But I wasn't able too, and frankly was too impatient.. My first bike I got because it was an extremely good price.
Basically if you get one of the main brands (By that i mean not a no-name or Chinse import), you can't go too far wrong.
The main thing to decode as said is what do you want to use it for.
Hard tail or Fully. How much suspension etc.
If you can afford it, go for a fully. Spend a little more and you won't be wanting to upgrade after only 1 year.
And if you are in the Northern hemmisphere, now is the best time to buy. you can get some pretty good bargains on last years stock.

 

[akarob]

I'd narrow down the field by finding out what your local bike shops will support. As said, it's hard to go wrong with any of the major ones.

Have you ridden one before? I'll quote a post I read here recently by saying "the hills seem to flatten". Normal grade hills become a LOT easier on a medium assist level and almost disappear on full assist. It's pretty incredible.

 

[dirt huffer]

What would you think of having a Specialzed Enduro with an assistance motor as a do it all fast XC bike? Take your mind off the weight of the bike, or the inefficiencies of having so much travel... What would you think of the geometry of the bike for what you're looking to do?

Reason I ask is because I don't think you can go with too much suspension travel on an eBike so don't let that sway your decision... A 180mm Kenevo will go as fast (or faster if the uphill climb is technical) compared with a 150mm Levo. So i'd look closely at geometry specs to get a sense of the handling you'd like - and test ride as many eBikes are you can.

Also look at direct-order bikes if you're handle and can do your own wrenching. You can save quite a bit... enough in some cases that you could buy a spare battery or replace a motor by the time you reached the cost of a similar spec'd LBS eBike

 

[Mavik]

Hello there, i currently ride a specialzed enduro comp which is a great bike but i am really looking at buying an ebike for trails cross country etc. What do people recommend ?

Also don't forget to check if your local trails allow emtb as I did see some threads going on where they purchased an emtb only to find out that they can't ride it on some of their favourite trails.

 

[Jonesy]

Well I've tried the specialised levy and that was ok, been on a Scott can't remember the model and that was pretty good, Bosch motor etc. Test rode a Cube today for £3899 WITH XT, FOX SHOCKERS ETC, 20" IT WAS EXCELLENT. Lets be honest here, I'm no pro but I love to ride I'm knocking on 50's door and have gearing up for my 3rd hernia op, no spring chicken. I love the idea of the climbs becoming fun, less reluctancy to just hop on the bike and do 30miles because I can and doing all that with a cheeky grin.Really appreciate your input guys.

 

[Quantock Explorer]

Go to E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine - The leading E-Mountainbike Magazine, download the app and read their latest issue cover to cover. Their article on the best bike of 2019 will give you loads of insight. It's based on the best bikes out there, but as they summarise, you don't have to buy the high-end bikes to feel the benefits of a particular brand and model.
Stop leaning and dive in.

 

[steve_sordy]

Try bikes that have different motors to the ones you have already tested. I discovered that they delivered a different ride and had different features. If you have only ever ridden a Brand X, then all Brand X motors are fantastic because you are equating the emtb experience with Brand X motors.