Newbie advice needed please.

[shawry]

Hi,

So after news that i have a dodgy knee and cant run, i need something to do for fitness, ive always wanted to get into mountain biking and a mate was talking about getting an ebike to do the same + commuting.

I dont want to get caught out getting something that i need/want to upgrade in 18 months as i wont be able to so ive been looking at full suspension, but i am hoping that in time ill be able to commute to work (16 mile almost exclusively tarmac each way) and concerned that a full suspension bike wouldnt be very good at this, a couple of bike shops have been in said it will be fine and not to worry, but i don't know if they are chasing a sale.

Is there a consensus that because its an ebike full suspension is ok for roads?

Tia.

 

[Rusty]

Don't have any issues with riding a full suspension bike on the road - been doing it for years.
Have a second wheelset with Serfas Drifter tires that I swap over in just a minute or two so I don't kill my knobbies.
Back on my analogue bike I have the dual lock and can lock-out both front & rear at the same time but never use it. The biggest difference was when I tried some narrow bars and found my average speed up by 1 - 1.5kph due to the reduced windage.

 

[33red]

a HT is good for everything.
a FS is heavier, more expensive, more down time. more maintenance

 

[Stefan-SS]

I have both. I bought a Haibike 29" HT when I was waiting for heart surgery since I wanted to ride but I had only about 50% function from the old pump. The year I spent riding changed, and probably saved, my life. It was quite expensive so I went with a hardtail. (about 2000 £) and I found a new passion. After a year I had commuted to work and started riding trails and I had 4000 kilometers under my belt.
After my surgery I descided to get a full suspension bike for my trailriding. It was so much more fun to ride over roots and rocks. I have not ridden anywhere where it would not be possible to go with my HT. Having said that, I´ve been at Isaberg trailcenter with both bikes I must say that I will choose the FS every time. If I could only choose one it would be the FS bike!

The extra weight of a FS is not a factor because you´ve got the motor, still aim for as close to 20 kg as possible. The day you find yourself with no juice in the battery you will notice the weight.

From my experience:
My HT (a HardNine 6.0) seem to have a more upright seating position. it is easier to find a rack to put on it if you plan to go touring with bags and such, due to the stiff frame. It requires less manitenance, checking gears, swapping chains and such. In short: a HT is cheaper to buy, can weight less and have fewer parts to service, therefor is cheaper to own.

My FS is a FullNine 10.0, a 29" bike at 21kg. I had the fork modified from 100 mm to 120mm. It is a joy on the trails and it´s so fast. I love it. However, I have to check the gears after each day of riding in order to keep changing gears smoothly. Yes I ONLY ride it in forests and twigs and whatnot get into the chain every now and then. Also, I need to check the bolts and screws in my linkage every now and then. The chain will only last about 1000 kilometers and that mean I need to swap the chain 2-3 times a year. And the cassette at least once. Still, it is a much more fun way to ride. (And it´s possible to mount a Thule rack on it for packing.)

If I started from scratch right now I would probably get only one bike with more travel. Like Haibikes allmountain 6.0 with the yamaha PW-X motor and 150/150 mm travel. Or the Canyon Neuron with 130/130.

I would also like to mention that an electric MTB in general will need chains and such spareparts in more regular intervalls that non-ebikes. The motor simply place extra wear on the parts. This is something not very often mentioned. I choose bikes from Haibike with two frontrings and a rather wellpriced casette in the drivetrain. I pay typically between 40£-70£ for a new casette for the rear wheel om my HT and FS. However, I notice that the newer models (2019) are sporting more expensive gears with one front ring and a 11 or 12 gear casette in the rear (like the Eagle). I have 10 gear casettes on both my bikes.
Please be aware that an Eagle casette 12 gear cost about 200£ each! And since each gear is made of thinner metal in order to fit inside the frame, it will wear out sooner rather than later. Also notice that with such large cogs, the geararm itself will be bigger, and therefor easier to accidentally bend or damage in the woods. Potentionally needing more service, more often.

Finally, go to a store and ask for a testride! Or go to a bikepark and rent a bike. Or ask a friend to test his. It will pay off in the end. It is hard to just buy a bike from a website.

With regards
Stefan in Sweden

 

[Beekeeper]

a HT is good for everything.
a FS is heavier, more expensive, more down time. more maintenance

I’ll have all eyes on the Cube product launch tomorrow. A couple of 625 Wh (fully integrated) hardtail bikes won’t cost the Earth and will give us years of enjoyment and fresh air I’m sure ?
2.6 wide tyres and a gel saddle, I’m sure we will be sorted.

 

[MitchF]

I ride on tarmac when I just want to get some mileage in after/before work and don’t have time to get off road , front and back suspension locked. No issues at all.
Had HT and now FS, wouldn’t go back.
??

 

[steve_sordy]

I bought my eBike because of increasing problems with my knees and it has been a life saver! So a 100% recco from me. But one thing nobody so far has picked up on is your requirement for a 16 mile commute on tarmac. The motor cuts out at 15.7 mph, after that you are on your own with a big heavy bike with big fat tyres! I have read elsewhere that this fact alone (no assist after 15.7mph) makes commuting dangerous because you can't keep up with traffic. I have never commuted by bicycle so I have no personal experience to offer. But check out this aspect before purchase.

 

[33red]

I bought my eBike because of increasing problems with my knees and it has been a life saver! So a 100% recco from me. But one thing nobody so far has picked up on is your requirement for a 16 mile commute on tarmac. The motor cuts out at 15.7 mph, after that you are on your own with a big heavy bike with big fat tyres! I have read elsewhere that this fact alone (no assist after 15.7mph) makes commuting dangerous because you can't keep up with traffic. I have never commuted by bicycle so I have no personal experience to offer. But check out this aspect before purchase.

That is a good point. Here in Quebec the legal max is 32kmh so it just helps us. I can accelerate faster be less annoying to motorists who are in a hurry. I use my Ebike for grocery, i have no car. I also pedal to the trails, play there than pedal back.

 

[shawry]

I bought my eBike because of increasing problems with my knees and it has been a life saver! So a 100% recco from me. But one thing nobody so far has picked up on is your requirement for a 16 mile commute on tarmac. The motor cuts out at 15.7 mph, after that you are on your own with a big heavy bike with big fat tyres! I have read elsewhere that this fact alone (no assist after 15.7mph) makes commuting dangerous because you can't keep up with traffic. I have never commuted by bicycle so I have no personal experience to offer. But check out this aspect before purchase.

I think, but open to correction, that maintaining a speed is easier than reaching a speed (thats my recollection from biking as a kid 30 years ago) and tbh im basing my commute on a 15mph ride, thinking its only on downhills ill exceed the google maps 12mph assumption.

 

[HikerDave]

Hi,

So after news that i have a dodgy knee and cant run, i need something to do for fitness, ive always wanted to get into mountain biking and a mate was talking about getting an ebike to do the same + commuting.

I dont want to get caught out getting something that i need/want to upgrade in 18 months as i wont be able to so ive been looking at full suspension, but i am hoping that in time ill be able to commute to work (16 mile almost exclusively tarmac each way) and concerned that a full suspension bike wouldnt be very good at this, a couple of bike shops have been in said it will be fine and not to worry, but i don't know if they are chasing a sale.

Is there a consensus that because its an ebike full suspension is ok for roads?

Tia.

I commute 4 miles each way on full suspension and it’s great but with 16 miles each way there are going to be windy days where you won’t make a round trip unless you slow down. Narrower tires and an aerodynamic riding position might help.

 

[Pukmeister]

I commute 12 miles each way, two to three times a week, mostly flat with a couple of steady inclines. I also have poor knees. I have an old Specialised Hardrock 29er hardtail with road tyres which is easy to ride on road, plus my Giant Trance E+2 with 27.5" Michelin E-Wild trail tyres. My EMTB just glides up the inclines without stressing my knees whereas the 29er takes a fair bit of effort.

The biggest problem for me is the wind, its always hits me full-on every day each way and saps my strength. This is where the E-bike smashes it for me, it takes the load off my knees and I can maintain a steady cadence and providing my speed is moderate I get assistance. If the wind drops and I pedal harder, my Yamaha motor suddenly drops off a cliff at high cadence.

On less windy days, I prefer the easy rolling on my 29er with road tyres. If only I had a spare set of rims for my Giant EMTB fitted with road tyres, and the ability to exceed about 15mph with assistance, it would be perfect.

 

[shawry]

Hi,

So after news that i have a dodgy knee and cant run, i need something to do for fitness, ive always wanted to get into mountain biking and a mate was talking about getting an ebike to do the same + commuting.

I dont want to get caught out getting something that i need/want to upgrade in 18 months as i wont be able to so ive been looking at full suspension, but i am hoping that in time ill be able to commute to work (16 mile almost exclusively tarmac each way) and concerned that a full suspension bike wouldnt be very good at this, a couple of bike shops have been in said it will be fine and not to worry, but i don't know if they are chasing a sale.

Is there a consensus that because its an ebike full suspension is ok for roads?

Tia.

I commute 4 miles each way on full suspension and it’s great but with 16 miles each way there are going to be windy days where you won’t make a round trip unless you slow down. Narrower tires and an aerodynamic riding position might help.

Do you mean the battery would run out? I will be charging at work if need be.

 

[shawry]

I commute 12 miles each way, two to three times a week, mostly flat with a couple of steady inclines. I also have poor knees. I have an old Specialised Hardrock 29er hardtail with road tyres which is easy to ride on road, plus my Giant Trance E+2 with 27.5" Michelin E-Wild trail tyres. My EMTB just glides up the inclines without stressing my knees whereas the 29er takes a fair bit of effort.

The biggest problem for me is the wind, its always hits me full-on every day each way and saps my strength. This is where the E-bike smashes it for me, it takes the load off my knees and I can maintain a steady cadence and providing my speed is moderate I get assistance. If the wind drops and I pedal harder, my Yamaha motor suddenly drops off a cliff at high cadence.

On less windy days, I prefer the easy rolling on my 29er with road tyres. If only I had a spare set of rims for my Giant EMTB fitted with road tyres, and the ability to exceed about 15mph with assistance, it would be perfect.

Is it too difficult going over 15mph? Once the assistance stops?

 

[HikerDave]

Do you mean the battery would run out? I will be charging at work if need be.

If there’s a stiff headwind it’s pretty easy for me to get to 400 watts consumed at 20 miles per hour, which means 20 miles of range on my 400 watt hour battery. On my bike with 100 percent assist I use about 6 percent of battery each way but on hot days with 200 percent assist I use 20 percent. If my commute was as long as yours I’d use 50-80 percent of my battery on a typical day which doesn’t leave much for a windy day.

You’ll be fine if you bring your charger to work on days that you might have a headwind.

 

[steve_sordy]

Or buy a second charger for the office. (And hope that both bike and charger don't get stolen).

 

[shawry]

Do you mean the battery would run out? I will be charging at work if need be.

If there’s a stiff headwind it’s pretty easy for me to get to 400 watts consumed at 20 miles per hour, which means 20 miles of range on my 400 watt hour battery. On my bike with 100 percent assist I use about 6 percent of battery each way but on hot days with 200 percent assist I use 20 percent. If my commute was as long as yours I’d use 50-80 percent of my battery on a typical day which doesn’t leave much for a windy day.

You’ll be fine if you bring your charger to work on days that you might have a headwind.

Thanks appreciate the info

 

[shawry]

Or buy a second charger for the office. (And hope that both bike and charger don't get stolen).

Bike would be stores in a restricted access room fortunately

 

[MattyB]

I commute 4 miles each way on full suspension and it’s great but with 16 miles each way there are going to be windy days where you won’t make a round trip unless you slow down. Narrower tires and an aerodynamic riding position might help.

The OP is in the UK rather than where you are in the US, so has a 15mph assistance limit. He should easily have a 32 mile range under any conditions with pretty much any ebike he chooses unless there is an exceptional amount of climbing on his route.

 

[33red]

Ya an average might be 7 watts / km but full assist can drain a battery depending on weight, hills, wind. Using our gears helps to improve range. My display shows in real time energy consumption and it varies from 1 to 10.

 

[shawry]

I commute 4 miles each way on full suspension and it’s great but with 16 miles each way there are going to be windy days where you won’t make a round trip unless you slow down. Narrower tires and an aerodynamic riding position might help.

The OP is in the UK rather than where you are in the US, so has a 15mph assistance limit. He should easily have a 32 mile range under any conditions with pretty much any ebike he chooses unless there is an exceptional amount of climbing on his route.

Nothing serious at all (apart from my lack of fitness) if this means anything.

 

[HikerDave]

The OP is in the UK rather than where you are in the US, so has a 15mph assistance limit. He should easily have a 32 mile range under any conditions with pretty much any ebike he chooses unless there is an exceptional amount of climbing on his route.

I thought that you all used dongles to defeat the speed limiter. Slowing down does make the bike a lot more efficient and use less power; here in Arizona if it’s hot (45 C) and I have a headwind I’ll back off a bit to keep the motor cool enough to touch and then jump in the swimming pool when I get home.

 

[shawry]

Hi guys,

Follow up to this, now that i know full suspension is ok for my purposes.

Do people have recommendations for an ebike in the £5k range that ill be able to go from unfit novice rider upwards.

Again, thanks for the patience and replies

 

[33red]

Hi guys,

Follow up to this, now that i know full suspension is ok for my purposes.

Do people have recommendations for an ebike in the £5k range that ill be able to go from unfit novice rider upwards.

Again, thanks for the patience and replies

Often the best buy is about the best fit.
Go to a shop you trust or ask around wich shop is trustworthy go talk there.
Try for at least 60 min. Some brand will never fit you but some will.
If you like it, you spend time not using too much assist, you will likely be fitter.
Try different places being fit is easy. Move often, so it is about doing what you enjoy.
Well not eating too much garbage also helps to be a healthy weight.
If it comes with a long list of ingredients there is no need to read, just reject.

 

[khorn]

Often the best buy is about the best fit.
Go to a shop you trust or ask around wich shop is trustworthy go talk there.
Try for at least 60 min. Some brand will never fit you but some will.
If you like it, you spend time not using too much assist, you will likely be fitter.
Try different places being fit is easy. Move often, so it is about doing what you enjoy.
Well not eating too much garbage also helps to be a healthy weight.
If it comes with a long list of ingredients there is no need to read, just reject.

Do you use Goggle translate from French to English?

I really hope the the above comment is based on a bad translation app.....Eat garbage like someone is eating directly from the bin

Btw what does eating habits has to do with buying a new bike?

Karsten

 

[Stefan-SS]

Is it too difficult going over 15mph? Once the assistance stops?

Hi!

If you speak about commuting and reaching the top speed limit of the motor assistance, I find it can vary a lot. I rented bikes in Austria on my vacation and they had the bosch motor CX powerline and the cutoff was terrible! It was not pleasant to be riding at 25 km/h and as soon as I dipped below that the motor jumped in with a jerk and started pulling until the exact speed it turned off. I heard the the new 2020 have much better decoupling and nearly no drag when you peddle yourself. My own bike at home is fitted with the Yamaha PW-X motor and that has a very soft and natural decoupling making it easier to peddle by myself above the limit for the assistance. This is one of the things you will feel for yourself when you try some bikes, and it is important that you like the way the bike handles this.

Cheers!
Stefan

 

[Beekeeper]

Yeah the Gen 4 motor is much better in so many ways but is there actually anything wrong with the older Bosch motor? Some great deals on 2019 bikes. Basically the older motor is no longer being made so would their be issues with spare parts running out?

 

[33red]

There is a good chance they will build some to put on budget models.

 

[Beekeeper]

There is a good chance they will build some to put on budget models.

From what I can see, the budget 2020 cube bikes which have the 400wh battery seem to use the Active Line motors with the large chain ring and direct drive. I’d be surprised if they keep the old Gen 2 with the small chain ring and the fact that it doesn’t decouple over the limit. Probably costs a lot to make as it contains so many parts and is very heavy.

 

[Stefan-SS]

A friend of mine have the 2018 Haibike Nduro Allmntn 8.0 ( if I remember correctly) and it´s equipped with the old Bosch motor. He let the shop upgrade the software for the motor and appearantly that helped a lot. A new E-mtb mode was added which adjust the assistance on the fly making for a smoother ride. It may be something to try if you have a bike with the older Bosch system and the motor have a rough cutoff at 25km/h.
Still, it is a really heavy bike to peddle without assistance, having 27,5 inch plustires (2.8").

 

[shawry]

Hi guys,

Follow up to this, now that i know full suspension is ok for my purposes.

Do people have recommendations for an ebike in the £5k range that ill be able to go from unfit novice rider upwards.

Again, thanks for the patience and replies

Often the best buy is about the best fit.
Go to a shop you trust or ask around wich shop is trustworthy go talk there.
Try for at least 60 min. Some brand will never fit you but some will.
If you like it, you spend time not using too much assist, you will likely be fitter.
Try different places being fit is easy. Move often, so it is about doing what you enjoy.
Well not eating too much garbage also helps to be a healthy weight.
If it comes with a long list of ingredients there is no need to read, just reject.

Id rather not have a lecture tbh, i dont recall saying i was overweight, or not eating properly?

Im very unfit due to ongoing knee issues, and the last attempt to sort didnt help, so i cant start running again, this is why im looking at starting to ride an e mountain bike.

Essentially in looking at bike that can take me from extremely unfit, and little more than able to ride a bike on the road, to eventually being able to use it to most of its potential

The bike im drawn to is the specialized levo as the reports ive read on the brose, it seems the most natural, most quiet, and doesnt have much resistance after 15.5km

I have concerns on the range, as i cant really seem to find anything that tells you potential ranges of it (i understand there are many factors) but it seems like i could get much more from the bosch/shimano going by shop websites, this based on seeing a video of someone getting about 40 miles on 1 battery.

This was the point of my post here, advice and insight really