Still Looking

[Pybo]

Hello all, Pybo here.

I’m that much of a newbie that I haven’t got an Ebike.....yet.

Been doing some seriously heavy research over the last few weeks.
Six of us were out Saturday, all on ebikes... three of us on spesh demos,
2018 Levo
2018 Kenevo
2019 Levo

And other three on their own bikes
2018 Focus Jam2
2018 Orange Factory LE
2019 Carbon Levo

22 miles and 3800ft.... a bit of everything, XC, tech climbing, tight off piste trails, and some proper mud. All up Guisborough hills.

What a cracking day..hard work but a proper eye opener for some of us Ebike virgins.

I’m now about to pull the trigger on a Pivot Shuttle....although the Intense Tazer was a very very close second choice. Wish they weren’t direct order as I value the LBS relationship as a must.

Anyway,
Rather than lurking I thought it was time to join up.

When I commit to my new purchase I’ll put up a review of my experience.

Cheers peeps

 

[R120]

The Pivot is a lot for what it is, and be aware its fidly to get the battery out, which will be a PITA if you need to remove it to charge it. In many ways the Intense is almost like a Shuttle MK2, very similar but some better resolved issues with day to day things.

 

[Pybo]

The Pivot is a lot for what it is, and be aware its fidly to get the battery out, which will be a PITA if you need to remove it to charge it. In many ways the Intense is almost like a Shuttle MK2, very similar but some better resolved issues with day to day things.

Agreed
But intense only do direct sales which for me is a non starter.
The Tazer was up there jostling for my ££. It ticks every box including a bottle cage.
Another possibility is the Trek 9.9 Powerfly

 

[R120]

Dont get me wrong the Pivot is an awesome bike, especially if you like to ride hard, and obviously looks amazing, just a lot of cash. Most of the top Shimano engined bikes are direct sales at the moment, otherwise I would suggest looking at the Commencal or Vitus ranges which are probably some of the best Emtb's out there right now regardless of price.

The Trek is a very different beast, about 4kg heavier and with longer chain stays making it less nimble, plus the Bosch motor.

If you like to ride hard and fast, then the Pivot is one of the best bikes. Rob did a good review of it:

 

[More-read-than-ride]

I’m now about to pull the trigger on a Pivot Shuttle....although the Intense Tazer was a very very close second choice. Wish they weren’t direct order as I value the LBS relationship as a must.

When I commit to my new purchase I’ll put up a review of my experience.

Cheers peeps

Pivot shuttle! . Great Spec and looks! (big $$$, though). I hope you got a discount . Looking forward to pictures and experiences.

 

[Pybo]

Dont get me wrong the Pivot is an awesome bike, especially if you like to ride hard, and obviously looks amazing, just a lot of cash. Most of the top Shimano engined bikes are direct sales at the moment, otherwise I would suggest looking at the Commencal or Vitus ranges which are probably some of the best Emtb's out there right now regardless of price.

The Trek is a very different beast, about 4kg heavier and with longer chain stays making it less nimble, plus the Bosch motor.

If you like to ride hard and fast, then the Pivot is one of the best bikes. Rob did a good review of it:

Excellent review from Rob! I’ve just watched it for the second time lol. Good point on the Trek...4kg and much longer chainstays. Better for climbing no doubt. The nimble geometry of the Tazer and Pivot, along with the lower weight is pulling me that way.
I’ll check the Vitus and Commencal too.
Back to the Pivot...looking at the motor control/dropper lever.... looks very clunky. Think the E6000? Control, along with a wolftooth dropper lever would be an immediate upgrade.
The Intense went the same way after feedback I think?
Isn’t the Vitus online only?

 

[R120]

Yes the Vitus and Commencal are online only.

If you get the Pivot, you would probably want to allow for the following upgrades.

E7000 Controller, this is the latest one release by Shimano, and the best version yet, pic attached and link below. You simply unplug the e8000 one and plug in the new one. This allows any dropper lever to be used. I have used both the Woolftooth and the PNW Loam Lever, and for me the Loam lever has the edge in build quality, and adjustability. In the pic of my bike I have a One Up lever on a SRAM mmx mount.

SW-E7000-L

Potentially shorter cranks, various options out there.

I personally would ditch the tyres and go to a 2.6, but that's personal preference.

Does it only have a 180mm rear rotor? I think it may, if so you would want to consider using it to a 200mm.

 

[Pybo]

Pivot shuttle! . Great Spec and looks! (big $$$, though). I hope you got a discount . Looking forward to pictures and experiences.

Not pulled the trigger as yet...?
My LBS can do £450 off and only two week delivery, that’s for the small as I’m 5’5”. Being able to have the post right out of the way is a very very big must have for me.
If I jump for the pivot I’ll give some feedback and maybe some footage.

It is a BIG lump of ££ and hopefully the pain will be eased by selling my beloved Patrol (fully blinged up).

 

[Pybo]

Yes the Vitus and Commencal are online only.

If you get the Pivot, you would probably want to allow for the following upgrades.

E7000 Controller, this is the latest one release by Shimano, and the best version yet, pic attached and link below. You simply unplug the e8000 one and plug in the new one. This allows any dropper lever to be used. I have used both the Woolftooth and the PNW Loam Lever, and for me the Loam lever has the edge in build quality, and adjustability

SW-E7000-L

Potentially shorter cranks, various options out there.

I personally would ditch the tyres and go to a 2.6, but that's personal preference.

Does it only have a 180mm rear rotor? I think it may, if so you would want to consider using it to a 200mm.

View attachment 9952

Spot on! That’s brilliant info, thanks.

Yeah, rotor on rear...god knows why a 200 isn’t already on. Agree 100% with tyres and the cranks. Also would have been sweet to see the Grip2 fork as well.
The control will be upgraded before I pick it up...if I drop the ££ that is?

 

[R120]

I know you can get good price on them - depending on where you are based, try Freeborn Bikes in Haslemere, West Sussex - I can't remember the discount they gave one member, but it was a lot off the RRP.

 

[Doomanic]

Freeborn offer 15%, so 3 times what your LBS have offered...

 

[Pybo]

Freeborn offer 15%, so 3 times what your LBS have offered...

15% off the Pivot? That would be £1350 reduced ?
I’m offeted 5% as the shop will only get one in.
I’ll check that out, thanks so much

 

[Pybo]

I know you can get good price on them - depending on where you are based, try Freeborn Bikes in Haslemere, West Sussex - I can't remember the discount they gave one member, but it was a lot off the RRP.

Thanks ??

 

[Rorhound]

Too bad you don’t have a LBS for the Tazer, I love mine. Comes with the Grip 2 which, IMO, is way better than the FIT 4 . It feels like my MRP Ribbon Coil on my 2016 Carbon Patrol (which I’m keeping since I can’t get anywhere near what I have into it).

It’s a good spec. I just changed the bars and front tire (personal preference for where I ride). Everything else is stock.

 

[Pybo]

Too bad you don’t have a LBS for the Tazer, I love mine. Comes with the Grip 2 which, IMO, is way better than the FIT 4 . It feels like my MRP Ribbon Coil on my 2016 Carbon Patrol (which I’m keeping since I can’t get anywhere near what I have into it).

It’s a good spec. I just changed the bars and front tire (personal preference for where I ride). Everything else is stock.

Spoken to LBS and they said they’ll still look after/service the Tazer, only the warranty stuff may be more problematic. I’ve also rang Intense again today and they told me that warranty claims etc should be pretty straight forward...as long as bike is kept in good order and serviced regularly. ..which it will be.
I’m excited now as I could very well be ordering in the next day or two ?.
The Grip2 is defo a plus as I’ve got that on my Patrol. The front tyre may need swapping to a 2.5 Shorty maxxi grip for where I ride.
Thanks for the info ??

 

[R120]

When speaking to intense, ask them what controller the bike comes with - in a lot of the intense vids you can see they are running the e6000 or e7000 controllers, but on the press launch bikes they had the stock e8000 controls and na older style dropper lever. Jeff Steber himself cam on the forum and said that they liked the other controllers and would be fitting them, so you should check

 

[Rorhound]

Spoken to LBS and they said they’ll still look after/service the Tazer, only the warranty stuff may be more problematic. I’ve also rang Intense again today and they told me that warranty claims etc should be pretty straight forward...as long as bike is kept in good order and serviced regularly. ..which it will be.
I’m excited now as I could very well be ordering in the next day or two ?.
The Grip2 is defo a plus as I’ve got that on my Patrol. The front tyre may need swapping to a 2.5 Shorty maxxi grip for where I ride.
Thanks for the info ??

They have great warranty service.

I understand your concern about warranty service. I tried to buy a different brand but the shops order got cancelled twice by the company (I saw the emails). I thought if they don’t even want to sell me a bike what will happen if something breaks??? So glad I spent an extra $1200 for the Tazer!

Good luck! You’ll have fun on whatever you end up with!

 

[Pybo]

When speaking to intense, ask them what controller the bike comes with - in a lot of the intense vids you can see they are running the e6000 or e7000 controllers, but on the press launch bikes they had the stock e8000 controls and na older style dropper lever. Jeff Steber himself cam on the forum and said that they liked the other controllers and would be fitting them, so you should check

I’ll give them another ring.
I saw the same reviews and interviews. Think they swapped it out for E6000 with a Raceface dropper lever.
I will check though.

 

[Pybo]

They have great warranty service.

I understand your concern about warranty service. I tried to buy a different brand but the shops order got cancelled twice by the company (I saw the emails). I thought if they don’t even want to sell me a bike what will happen if something breaks??? So glad I spent an extra $1200 for the Tazer!

Good luck! You’ll have fun on whatever you end up with!

How long have you had your Tazer?
Did they change out the controller to the E6000 and also dropper lever to underbar raceface?

Another person on this thread advised to check.
Ive just rang Intense but they must have closed for the day.

Could you please tell us what size you are riding? I’m pretty sure the seat tube will allow full post insertion?

Cheers

 

[Rorhound]

I’ll give them another ring.
I saw the same reviews and interviews. Think they swapped it out for E6000 with a Raceface dropper lever.
I will check though.

That’s what mine came with, E6000 and RF dropper lever

 

[Pybo]

That’s what mine came with, E6000 and RF dropper lever

Spot on thanks ??

 

[Rorhound]

How long have you had your Tazer?
Did they change out the controller to the E6000 and also dropper lever to underbar raceface?

Another person on this thread advised to check.
Ive just rang Intense but they must have closed for the day.

Could you please tell us what size you are riding? I’m pretty sure the seat tube will allow full post insertion?

Cheers

Yes, E6000 RF lever. Mine is a large. I can not verify your seat tube question on a med or small. I’ve never pushed mine all the way down. It’s exposed about 4”.

 

[Rorhound]

Oh, and you called too early. Give it another 30 minutes. It’s 8:50am here! I live about 15 miles from them but have never been there.... sad huh? Haha!

 

[Pybo]

Yes, E6000 RF lever. Mine is a large. I can not verify your seat tube question on a med or small. I’ve never pushed mine all the way down. It’s exposed about 4”.

Thanks again.

 

[Pybo]

Oh, and you called too early. Give it another 30 minutes. It’s 8:50am here! I live about 15 miles from them but have never been there.... sad huh? Haha!

Haha I’m in the UK and their based in Bristol I think.

 

[Pybo]

I’ve just been out again with my mate, me on 2018 Levo and him on the 2019 29ner Levo. Tried them both.

The new model was night and day better than the older version. ECO matched TRAIL on the 2019 compared to the older one.
My mate has now ordered the Carbon Expert... the £6k model.

Great fun today but Baltic

 

[Rorhound]

Haha I’m in the UK and their based in Bristol I think.

Oh, duh, I was thinking you were contacting the factory..... my bad. Lol

 

[Doomanic]

My mate has now ordered the Carbon Expert... the £6k model.

For £6K? That's a hefty discount.

 

[Pybo]

For £6K? That's a hefty discount.

Maybe I’m mistaken? It’s defo a carbon one though

 

[R120]

Carbon comp