Same questions, different day.....

[Uncle Fester]

Apologies if this sort of thing gets asked all the time but looking for advice/opinion on what bike to go for please....
55+ yr old male, unfit and beer gut but wanting to get this under control (105kg)
Current riding rail trail and little bit of exploration on FLX f/susp emtb but its absolute budget entry level.
Would like to do a bit of bike park and single track and gain confidence/skills.

Bikes I'm considering are....
2021 Focus Jam2 6.8nine
2021 Giant Trance X E+1 Pro 29
2021 Merida eOne Sixty 700

Ive seen and read heaps of reviews and tests on these bikes so fairly aware of their prowess in the hands of a 20yr old shredding downhill, jumping, etc but its actually quite hard to find info on general comfort for more gentle trail riding.
I know the bikes are all well above what I need but they are what I want
Any comments on general rideability for myself would be much appreciated....esp from people that own any of them
Thanks in advance

 

[davarello]

I reckon any of these bikes will do the trick, but of those I'd go for the Merida - it looks like the EP8 motor is more tunable. Which ever you choose make sure you're confident in the shop you buy from - any warranty issues on these bikes are pricey (as a Levo owner I know - all sorted promptly though)

 

[Muzza]

My choice would be the Merida, arguably a bit more agile than the other 2? But either way, none of them will be more than you need if like myself & many others, you will be seeking out harder trails the more time on the bike you spend.
Bike parks are super fun and you will slowly make your way up through the higher grade trails

 

[Nicho]

I know the bikes are all well above what I need but they are what I want

It is far better to buy a bike 'above your needs' than one you will grow out of in a few months as you get used to it and do harder rides, as you are much less likely to have wasted your money!

 

[RAZOR]

Hi Uncle, whereabouts in NZ are you?
Any of those 3 are will be great, I'm on a Merida E-120 and it's great for what I need and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Merida.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Hi Uncle, whereabouts in NZ are you?
Any of those 3 are will be great, I'm on a Merida E-120 and it's great for what I need and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Merida.

Hi Razor
I'm Tauranga so quite a lot of biking options within an hour or so. I'm keen as on the Merida but going totally by online info as they're not here yet so its great getting feedback like this thanks.
If I go with the eOne-Sixty 700, its a long wait - not due until Sept. Mad world aye!
Appreciate your comments (and the other guys too)

 

[Rusty]

Personally I would go for the Giant (I am 112 kegs). I prefer the Fox suspension and the Giant Maestro suspension system works bloody well.

Saying that, the Focus has the Bosch motor and I really like the CX in my Scott eGenius.

If you haven't been out on one yet then you have a few rental options. Rotorua MTB rent out Giants & Planet Bike rents out Scotts with the Bosch CX motor. Electricbike Rotorua used to rent Focus but I think they only rent Haibike this year even though they sell Focus.

 

[RAZOR]

Hi Razor
I'm Tauranga so quite a lot of biking options within an hour or so. I'm keen as on the Merida but going totally by online info as they're not here yet so its great getting feedback like this thanks.
If I go with the eOne-Sixty 700, its a long wait - not due until Sept. Mad world aye!
Appreciate your comments (and the other guys too)

What size bike are you looking at? I have a mate looking to sell his soon.

 

[Uncle Fester]

What size bike are you looking at? I have a mate looking to sell his soon.

I think I would be a medium. (Sort of between small and med with short legs but dont want to be cramped and most people go up a size rather than down)
What has your mate got - I'm a bit scared of 2nd hand but still consider it if it was right bike.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Personally I would go for the Giant (I am 112 kegs). I prefer the Fox suspension and the Giant Maestro suspension system works bloody well.

Saying that, the Focus has the Bosch motor and I really like the CX in my Scott eGenius.

If you haven't been out on one yet then you have a few rental options. Rotorua MTB rent out Giants & Planet Bike rents out Scotts with the Bosch CX motor. Electricbike Rotorua used to rent Focus but I think they only rent Haibike this year even though they sell Focus.

Thanks Rusty - good to know there is the chance to have a better look and maybe a ride on some of them. I have started looking a bit more closely at the Giant as well. Has a lot of good gear for the money and Torp 7 have reasonable sale price on the three Trance models at moment

 

[RAZOR]

I think I would be a medium. (Sort of between small and med with short legs but dont want to be cramped and most people go up a size rather than down)
What has your mate got - I'm a bit scared of 2nd hand but still consider it if it was right bike.

His is a large so probably too big. At least with an e bike you can see how many km the motor has done, but they are pretty thin on the ground at the moment.

 

[Uncle Fester]

His is a large so probably too big. At least with an e bike you can see how many km the motor has done, but they are pretty thin on the ground at the moment.

Thanks for that but would def be too big. I'm thinking Merida will be the way I go but better get my name in or I'll miss out on the Sept ones!