New Bike Options - Help me make my choice
- Thread starter VWsurfbum
- Start date
Humanbeersponge
Active member
It’s ugly.
- Thread starter
- #35
A frame only a mother could love.
- Thread starter
- #37
- Thread starter
- #39
If i was to go that way, i'd go with the Giant Trance Elite with the full power motor 400 battery with extender.
still very interested in that route.
Lol, that’s basically a Giant
- Thread starter
- #43
Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 1 (2023) | bike | Giant Bicycles UK
www.giant-bicycles.com
Rando_12345
Active member
Hi, a lot of strong opinions in this thread.
Based on your list, I would offer a bit of feedback as a Giant Reign owner.
The normal (full fat) Trance gets not so hot reviews, specifically the geo is quite outdated. It isn't a bad bike, but for the budget you are discussing, probably not the best option.
The trance Elite is most likely a good bike, geo is sorted. But it is very expensive for a Giant and of all your list I would be the most concerned about resale value. Last sunday I emptied 100% of my 630Wh battery in 2h02mins despite being in the 3rd mode out of 5 with the same motor. So go in knowing that without an extender, you might be limited to 1h rides with no way to replace the battery (worst case scenario). Add an extender and you are still only going to get around 2h ride time and the weight will probably go into the 21kg range.
Reign: this is one of the best value bikes you can buy from a shop, some versions are relatively good looking in the darker paint schemes. I just paid €5k for my 2022 e+2 with little to upgrade, wouldn't bother going for the highest end versions (+1 or +0). Again, if you have over 8k to spend, there are nicer options. They tend to weigh between 25-26kg depending on build.
Personal opinion from reviews:
Privateer kinda missed the boat: the bike is heavy, despite having the light shimano motor and small battery. The geo isn't that special anymore. Again, most likely a great bike, but it could have come out 4 years ago, it is really similar to my old commencal meta power. Getting only a 630Wh battery in 2023, with no upgrade possible with a full power motor is a bit disappointing
Pole: pretty ugly but great reviews, really unique and some builds end up being quite competitive on price. Some risk associated with the fact that their similar construction MTBs had major cracking issues (well ungluing to be strictly accurate).
Orbea Wild: seems to be the best rated bike from most reviews, it will definitely not weigh under 21kgs. Having followed the threads on this forum, people are pretty angry with the paint finish for such an expensive bike and they end up in the 22 to 23kg range with the larger battery (which I would highly recommend due to non-removable nature.). Older version had snapping issues. Their "entry level" i.e. 7K, builds have terrible components, but if you have the budget to go higher, on paper this is one of the best bikes around.
Based on your list, I would offer a bit of feedback as a Giant Reign owner.
The normal (full fat) Trance gets not so hot reviews, specifically the geo is quite outdated. It isn't a bad bike, but for the budget you are discussing, probably not the best option.
The trance Elite is most likely a good bike, geo is sorted. But it is very expensive for a Giant and of all your list I would be the most concerned about resale value. Last sunday I emptied 100% of my 630Wh battery in 2h02mins despite being in the 3rd mode out of 5 with the same motor. So go in knowing that without an extender, you might be limited to 1h rides with no way to replace the battery (worst case scenario). Add an extender and you are still only going to get around 2h ride time and the weight will probably go into the 21kg range.
Reign: this is one of the best value bikes you can buy from a shop, some versions are relatively good looking in the darker paint schemes. I just paid €5k for my 2022 e+2 with little to upgrade, wouldn't bother going for the highest end versions (+1 or +0). Again, if you have over 8k to spend, there are nicer options. They tend to weigh between 25-26kg depending on build.
Personal opinion from reviews:
Privateer kinda missed the boat: the bike is heavy, despite having the light shimano motor and small battery. The geo isn't that special anymore. Again, most likely a great bike, but it could have come out 4 years ago, it is really similar to my old commencal meta power. Getting only a 630Wh battery in 2023, with no upgrade possible with a full power motor is a bit disappointing
Pole: pretty ugly but great reviews, really unique and some builds end up being quite competitive on price. Some risk associated with the fact that their similar construction MTBs had major cracking issues (well ungluing to be strictly accurate).
Orbea Wild: seems to be the best rated bike from most reviews, it will definitely not weigh under 21kgs. Having followed the threads on this forum, people are pretty angry with the paint finish for such an expensive bike and they end up in the 22 to 23kg range with the larger battery (which I would highly recommend due to non-removable nature.). Older version had snapping issues. Their "entry level" i.e. 7K, builds have terrible components, but if you have the budget to go higher, on paper this is one of the best bikes around.
- Thread starter
- #45
Cheers for that, very interesting.
- Thread starter
- #46
OK, I think I'm there?
Orbea M-Team Wild Cat 2023 in the gloss clear coat red carbon. (Ox Blood for us Santa Cruzers) with the a custom build (no rush as I'm still broken) All I would need to do is build up some nice rims and order up some #PurpleBling
@Zimmerframe Is this choice OK with you? it's a bit mainstream?
Orbea M-Team Wild Cat 2023 in the gloss clear coat red carbon. (Ox Blood for us Santa Cruzers) with the a custom build (no rush as I'm still broken) All I would need to do is build up some nice rims and order up some #PurpleBling
@Zimmerframe Is this choice OK with you? it's a bit mainstream?
Am intrigued by the WTB carbon rims on CRC sales, what they would build up like as a wheel set have a rear 28h hub
- Thread starter
- #48
I've had the WTB rims before, very stiff. Not sure if want a 28h on the rear of a 29er at my weight for cornering and casing.
I'll probably go with a set of Nobl on i9's or build another set of Nexties on i9's again.
It's a really really really nice bike .. almost bought one ..
The thought of you on one just makes me want to vomit (in spectacular luminescent colours......!) My dog just did in the bar, so I'm guessing he has a forum implant I'm unaware of and saw your post.
It's just so Meh (amazing yeah ! but, but meh) ... I think the Mythique is way more interesting as you could play with it a bit more and I suspect it would be just as fast or faster descending. You can probably buy 2 for the same money, or one and have a full Ohlins Mythique and live in a world of bliss and excitement.
But, we're all different. You can ride. I can't ! I'm still on downtime after the other weeks 45kph multiple OTB flamboyant death roll. I might be broken, but the alloy bike is ok. I suspect a carbon bike would have been toast (might be when I ride the Kenevo next I find it's better in one direction than the other.....)
Just buy a cheap bike and throw can's of yellow and purple paint at it .. PERFECT !
- Thread starter
- #50
Is the Mythique the Vitus?
As you say I could go two different routes, but in absolute fairness I think my days of trying to get down big stuff fast is rapidly coming to an end (or so the FPO keeps telling me)
Yup !
Just buy it to be spiteful !! :-D
I hate to say it, but I think I'm heading in the same direction (even if the last off wasn't when being stupid).
I honestly think the Vitus will be just as fast going down as any luxo barge ! If you're faster, you'll feel like a god. If you're slower, you have an excuse, it costs the same as a 24 pack of baked beans.
Just say no to plastic bikes. I demoed most of the bikes on your list and I bought a Specialized Kenevo. 180 mm travel, 95nm brose and 451 mm chain stays make the bike a climbing monster. On my group rides I am the rider the clears the tech climbs while they are looping out or popping wheelies into the woods. You do you but my advice is the Kenevo.
He won’t buy an Audi, trust me I have tried. He rides with three mates all with a Levo, he knows how good they are and how far you can ride on one, he also has a local Spesh shop just a few miles away from his house for same day warranty issues, but no mater how much I go on and on and on about it, Ian refuses to see the light. They are simply too wonky.
- Thread starter
- #54
And Finally you get it LOL
Tubby G
❤️🔥 Hot Stuff ❤️🔥
In my mind the Orbea Wild is easily the most desirable bike on your list, BUT, I’d also be considering the new Levo SL. You could always remove the decals or have the bike vinyl wrapped 
23.6 kg
The best eMTB for under € 7,000 – Our 2023 group test of 7 mid-range eMTBs
E-mountainbikes are damn expensive, and we aren’t all able to just fork out € 10,000. But do you really need the top end model with all the bells and whistles? What are eMTBs for under € 7,000 capable of, where do you get the most for your money, and what should you look for when […]
ebike-mtb.com
- Thread starter
- #58
Interesting looking thing, not sure who or where i would get it from or get it serviced by but its definitely well spec'd
Berkshire sell and service them. They also repair the motors.
@cappuccino34 runs one I think. Or used to.
EMTB Forums
Latest articles
-
2025 M1 Sporttechnik EN 8.0 review
The M1 EN is one of four M1 models built on the same frame. Well, it’s... -
Bosch-powered Merida is here – the eOne-Sixty SL and eOne-Eighty intro and test
Merida has used Bosch-motors for years, but not on the emtbs. The full...- Knut Nes
- 10 min read
- Views: 5K
- Reaction score: 5
- Comments: 9