Newbie from Folsom, CA

[Tgianco]

Good Morning from the West Coast of the USA!

I am a newbie, and, frankly, my budget is not as high as most "purists" in the eMTB world like. In other words, I am spending between $2k-$4k on an eMtb, so that leaves out the Specialized Turbo Levo, the Canyon On, Santa Cruz Spectrals, etc.

The ones I am considering are:
1. Bulls EVO AM3 750 - $3,600 (can I post links? Well, here goes... COPPERHEAD EVO AM 3 750)
2. Cannondale Moterra Neo3 (local to me, but not sure I liked it as much...https://mikesbikes.com/collections/mountain-bikes-electric/products/cannondale-moterra-neo-3 at $3,995+ tax)
3. Aventon Ramblus (hardtail at $2,700, but thought about adding a PNW suspension dropper post... about $200... to make it quasi-full suspension)

Here's the thing. I'm in my 50s, a little on the heavy side, will be having knee surgery in June & other smaller maladies. I WON'T be doing any drops, big jumps or going down expert trails. I know my place, and it's not on extremely technical trails (or rock gardens). Most of my rides will be on, hopefully, very flowy trails... just want to have some fun without breaking my body too much (which will please my wife). I may use, actually more often than not, for city streets/ paved trails, too.

Any advice?

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome to the site

 

[Tgianco]

Update 8-9 months later.
First, I bought the Cannondale Moterra Neo 3 in April.
Then, I bought an Aventon Ramblas at a hugely discounted price in June.
THEN, I bought a Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon in September.
Guess you could say I'm kind of hooked. Went on 2 separate rides yesterday... one on the TL, one on the Cannondale. Great day!

 

[Paulquattro]

Your certainly trying some out

 

[RustyIron]

THEN, I bought a Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon in September.

Hahaha! Glad to see you finally came around.

 

[Tgianco]

Hahaha! Glad to see you finally came around.

All 3 come in handy. Had the Cannondale being serviced last week, so would do a ride on the TL and then more of a gravel ride on the Ramblas. I take the Ramblas in for service later today, so will ride the Cannondale today while the TL charges from last night's ride. I'm never (knock on wood) without a ride.

 

[irie]

All 3 come in handy. Had the Cannondale being serviced last week, so would do a ride on the TL and then more of a gravel ride on the Ramblas. I take the Ramblas in for service later today, so will ride the Cannondale today while the TL charges from last night's ride. I'm never (knock on wood) without a ride.

You is bonkers but having fun, what.its.all.about.