Newbie with a dodgy knee

[foggie]

Hi all,
Another newbie and live in Frodsham, Cheshire, England.
I currently ride a non E bike Specialized Stumpjumper carbon FSR but because at 57 I'm trying to put off a knee replacement, I have started looking at E bikes.

These days I can just about manage a 1 hour ride before the knee pain stops me. My normal route has a couple of large road hills early in the ride and I think if I could get some assistance on them I would be able to ride longer and strengthen the knee.

I am naturally looking at the Levo, but also trying to get my head around Brose/Bosch/Shimano and what bike manufacturers use what motor. The Brose & Bosch sound like better motors so far.
Whatever I buy, I won't be changing it every year and interested in a bit of longevity!

Anyway, I will read the posts with interest and speak to you again on the forum.

Gary

 

[HORSPWR]

Hi all,
Another newbie and live in Frodsham, Cheshire, England.
I currently ride a non E bike Specialized Stumpjumper carbon FSR but because at 57 I'm trying to put off a knee replacement, I have started looking at E bikes.

These days I can just about manage a 1 hour ride before the knee pain stops me. My normal route has a couple of large road hills early in the ride and I think if I could get some assistance on them I would be able to ride longer and strengthen the knee.

I am naturally looking at the Levo, but also trying to get my head around Brose/Bosch/Shimano and what bike manufacturers use what motor. The Brose & Bosch sound like better motors so far.
Whatever I buy, I won't be changing it every year and interested in a bit of longevity!

Anyway, I will read the posts with interest and speak to you again on the forum.

Gary

Why are you naturally looking at the Levo, is that all they sell in the UK?
There’s heaps of good bikes out there and can you point me to the info you used to decide that the Brose and Bosch motors are better than the Shimano. Personally after reading these forums for a few months I’m so happy I didn’t go anywhere near a Levo, these forums are constantly littered with Levo problems.

 

[jabi]

From another man with a dodgy knee. I got osgood-schlatter's in my youth when I played soccer and 18 years later it's better but knee gets pain after long hard use.

Do you happen to do leg strength exercises? I would sure recommend starting to search information what kind of good leg exercises there are to strengthen the small muscles that support knees.

I can manage 3 hours of emtb in our trails before I start sensing irritation on my knees. After that it's turbo to home.

 

[Rusty]

can you point me to the info you used to decide that the Brose and Bosch motors are better than the Shimano. Personally after reading these forums for a few months I’m so happy I didn’t go anywhere near a Levo, these forums are constantly littered with Levo problems.

I have both. The Levo is a better motor in my mind - quieter, puts the power down more naturally and better range for me.
Sadly there are more than a few haters that talk all sorts of crap about the Levo with nothing but hearsay. The dealer I bought my Levo from sells Yamaha and Shimano powered bikes and has had more problems with both than with the Levo over the past 3-4 years. After the initial BS allowing water into the motor cover they actually designed their own fix until Specialized came up with something. When there is a problem it is rectified pretty quickly but with Shimano it can be a mission unless the bike is shipped back to the service centre. With the Yamaha it is abysmal - 4 bikes been sitting for several weeks waiting for parts.

Saying that - value for money aspect of the Levo is crap. For an equivalent priced Giant or Scott you have to go down to the base model before you see the crap components Specialized fit. Has been that way forever and I truly begrudge paying a premium for what is to me a sub-standard piece of kit.

 

[HORSPWR]

I have both. The Levo is a better motor in my mind - quieter, puts the power down more naturally and better range for me.
Sadly there are more than a few haters that talk all sorts of crap about the Levo with nothing but hearsay. The dealer I bought my Levo from sells Yamaha and Shimano powered bikes and has had more problems with both than with the Levo over the past 3-4 years. After the initial BS allowing water into the motor cover they actually designed their own fix until Specialized came up with something. When there is a problem it is rectified pretty quickly but with Shimano it can be a mission unless the bike is shipped back to the service centre. With the Yamaha it is abysmal - 4 bikes been sitting for several weeks waiting for parts.

Saying that - value for money aspect of the Levo is crap. For an equivalent priced Giant or Scott you have to go down to the base model before you see the crap components Specialized fit. Has been that way forever and I truly begrudge paying a premium for what is to me a sub-standard piece of kit.

Fair enough, I’m only going on what I read here with all the “my Levo is broken” threads, I don’t own any others apart from Shimano. My bike is a Merida e160 900e and I can’t fault all the high end components that are fitted albeit it’s not a base model but even then I’ve changed my bars to higher rise bars, changed out my assist switch and changed my dropper lever to an under bar one. Kind of reminds me of when I used to own a Harley, first rule of owning a Harley is “thou shalt customise”.

 

[Rusty]

Kind of reminds me of when I used to own a Harley, first rule of owning a Harley is “thou shalt customise”.

I always thought it was 'Organize a roadside pickup service' ;-)

 

[steve_sordy]

Take a look at this thread "Still a Sceptic, but..."
Still a sceptic but.... :) - EMTB Forums

 

[Thardin]

Bad knees and old = emtb, lol. Right there with ya. I'm trying to resurrect my antique downhill bile for use so I can get some time in the trails with my 12yo boy. I bought him a fat bike and he is showing some skills / interest. So converting the bikes to ebikes so I can join him.

I'm pretty messed up physically, so really looking forward to getting back out there. If I can pedal some, great, but even if throttle only ill be getting out there with my kid. I have been missing it terribly. Funny my gear all fits differently now...

Anyway, good luck with the bad knees and congrats for making it work.

 

[Tim22]

They make new knees every day. Get one and don't look back. Best things (2) I ever did.