Talk some sense into me (HT vs FS)!

[cjm_wales]

Here's the dilemma.

I used to have a cube HPA race 500 hard tail for commuting up until about a year ago. It was great, and pretty handy off-road on gentle singletrack stuff.

Then my Daughter arrived and I found I didn't have time to ride for fun anymore. And I rarely used it for commuting, so I sold it.

My new job is about half the distance, commute wise, and it looks like as a household we're going down to a single car (My Nissan Leaf). So now I'm on the hunt for an eMTB again.

If I'm honest, 75% of the time the bike will be used for commuting 9 miles a day, with a serious 2 mile hill on the return leg - Geraint Thomas actually uses that hill for training occasionally!

This weekend I'm going to look at what seems to be a bargain, a 2017 HT Levo that's been barely used. It's well within my budget (betweek £2k - 2.5k). But I can't shake off the desire to own a full suspension bike.

I have some cool trails near me (Tyn Y Coed woods) that would be fun on a full suspension bike. In fact, where I live, there are loads of awesome places to ride.

Do I go with the cheap hardtail option that would suit the mission profile, or do I blow my budget and get something with a rear shock? Or do I go nuts and get a brand new Levo on finance, and lie to my GF about how much it cost?

TLR - Cheap but good HT or spend more on Full suspension?

 

[steve_sordy]

Go for the FS, you will always be wondering about it if you don't.

 

[Jaygam]

Check out a "Thok mig st" , it's well priced all rounder.

 

[mark1a]

Does your new employer operate a cycle to work scheme? If so, get them to look at Green Commute Initiative.

The cycle to work scheme with no £1000 limit - Green Commute Initiative

Buy bike with salary sacrifice from pre-tax income, cheaper than financing.

 

[davarello]

Go for the FS. I got my Levo on 0% finance which will take a while to pay off, but I'd rather be riding now than sitting at home saving for a year or more.

 

[Jaygam]

Check out a "Thok mig st" , it's well priced all rounder.

Currently works out around £2843 +p&p (around £80)

 

[cjm_wales]

Check out a "Thok mig st" , it's well priced all rounder.

That looks awesome, but I can't find a UK stockist!

 

[Jaygam]

That looks awesome, but I can't find a UK stockist!

It's direct sales.
I bought a thok mig, did consider it a risk having not tried one but its everything id hoped it would be and do love it.
The st model it seems has a more relaxed geometry and a more casual spec.
I'm 5'11" and a large fits well. 4 days live tracked dhl delivery from Italy.
The brakes are orientated LHS front in Europe, they are happy to swap them over but imo its better to do it yourself and get the tube length spot on.

 

[iXi]

I was in the same boat and went FS, blew my budget well and truly, first time I've ever owned a FS. No regrets, best decision.

 

[Jaygam]

I was in the same boat and went FS, blew my budget well and truly, first time I've ever owned a FS. No regrets, best decision.

I agree. FS with the assistance of a motor does not tend to suffer the pedal bounce a regular FS does don't even consider my shock needs a lockout.

 

[Thomas]

If I'm honest, 75% of the time the bike will be used for commuting 9 miles a day, with a serious 2 mile hill on the return leg - Geraint Thomas actually uses that hill for training occasionally!
?

I got FSR and I'm using it 100% on the road. Looking back, when I was seriously considering HT, that would be a "big" mistake.
Comparing new FSR Levo with HT Levo, would be like comparing this two:

 

[cjm_wales]

I got FSR and I'm using it 100% on the road. Looking back, when I was seriously considering HT, that would be a "big" mistake.
Comparing new FSR Levo with HT Levo, would be like comparing this two:
View attachment 12132
View attachment 12133

Nowt wrong with a 360 modena!

My head is starting to override my heart. I can't make the man maths work ?

The ht is almost new. I might have to spend another £150-200 on a dropper post but that still leaves me with a wedge of cash to clear off my credit card bill....

 

[Thomas]

You Only Live Once...?

 

[Couchy]

I've got both, both with the bosch system in.
The HT picks up speed quicker and is faster on smoother stuff and it also gets slightly better range. I do use the FS more as I prefer the comfort and it just doesn't matter on an ebike that the rear suspension saps some power But if budget dictated a HT I wouldn't be too bothered

 

[R120]

If you are looking at hardtail, then get one that's a bit more trail focused, most of them are very basic spec - I have a Vitus E-Sentier and its a great bike, though I have put it through the pimp wash in terms of upgrades. Rocky Mountain have just released some the Growler Powerplay EMTB hardtail, that look very well thought out, no idea on pricing though.

Growler Powerplay

 

[cjm_wales]

If you are looking at hardtail, then get one that's a bit more trail focused, most of them are very basic spec - I have a Vitus E-Sentier and its a great bike, though I have put it through the pimp wash in terms of upgrades. Rocky Mountain have just released some the Growler Powerplay EMTB hardtail, that look very well thought out, no idea on pricing though.

Growler Powerplay

View attachment 12137

Reported to admin for pornographic content

?

 

[R120]

Reported to admin for pornographic content

?

Your just reporting my own porn back to me

 

[Russell]

we're going down to a single car (My Nissan Leaf). So now I'm on the hunt for an eMTB again.

I would go full suspension if you have somewhere secure to put the bike at work. If not secure or ride through rough area I would build a hub driven commuter and then have a ready built beast full sus for play, that would also save on chains and cassetts for the commute. How are you getting on with the Nissan leaf? I fancy getting one when the shogun dies

 

[Pug907]

No point being the richest man in the grave yard, F/S all the way

 

[cjm_wales]

I would go full suspension if you have somewhere secure to put the bike at work. If not secure or ride through rough area I would build a hub driven commuter and then have a ready built beast full sus for play, that would also save on chains and cassetts for the commute. How are you getting on with the Nissan leaf? I fancy getting one when the shogun diesel

Loving the leaf. It's my second. Been driving electric for over 5 years now & won't go back

No point being the richest man in the grave yard, F/S all the way

I opted for an FS & bought Russ's Jam2 that was advertised on here. Yolo indeed ?

 

[cjm_wales]

It's the obligatory 'look what I just bought' pic ?

 

[xcentric]

- very nice. No go and get it muddy

 

[Ross1137]

Here's the dilemma.

I used to have a cube HPA race 500 hard tail for commuting up until about a year ago. It was great, and pretty handy off-road on gentle singletrack stuff.

Then my Daughter arrived and I found I didn't have time to ride for fun anymore. And I rarely used it for commuting, so I sold it.

My new job is about half the distance, commute wise, and it looks like as a household we're going down to a single car (My Nissan Leaf). So now I'm on the hunt for an eMTB again.

If I'm honest, 75% of the time the bike will be used for commuting 9 miles a day, with a serious 2 mile hill on the return leg - Geraint Thomas actually uses that hill for training occasionally!

This weekend I'm going to look at what seems to be a bargain, a 2017 HT Levo that's been barely used. It's well within my budget (betweek £2k - 2.5k). But I can't shake off the desire to own a full suspension bike.

I have some cool trails near me (Tyn Y Coed woods) that would be fun on a full suspension bike. In fact, where I live, there are loads of awesome places to ride.

Do I go with the cheap hardtail option that would suit the mission profile, or do I blow my budget and get something with a rear shock? Or do I go nuts and get a brand new Levo on finance, and lie to my GF about how much it cost?

TLR - Cheap but good HT or spend more on Full suspension?

I had a 2017 turbo levo HT and it was ok on the trails until I rode a demo levo dual suspension, once I got back to the bike shop I ordered my 2019 turbo levo FSR (full suspension range apparently) it was chalk and cheese off road, but for commuting on my hard tail I dropped the psi in the tyres and didn't lock out the front suspension and used the motor a bit more, and to be honest on bitumen roads you can't tell the difference in comfort, but off road I'd NEVER go back to a hard tail. (plus a dual suspension ebike looks cooler!)

 

[cjm_wales]

Just took it out for a semi serious ride in my local woods with my dog (!). It's now got mud on it.

Having never ridden a full suspension MTB, let alone one with big-ass tyres, I was astounded by how sure-footed it is over tricky stuff, even if the surface is loose. The bike is certainly way more capable than me. I wussed out of several steep drops that I reckon the bike would have laughed at. The dog nailed those anyway....

And on the return uphill leg eco was plenty. This thing is a blast.

I'm glad I listened to the FS gang ?

 

[Pug907]

Woohoo, I love a happy ending .

 

[Lee67]

Ive both fs and ht emtbs.... yes the fs is comfy but i prefer the ht... massive range 80+ miles on eco ‘ very nippy and direct and above all a good spec

 

[Swissrob]

My boys have always had Hardtails they are 9 and 12, thinking about a 2017 Levo HT for them so they can keep up with me! Budget is an issue but any imput would be appreciated. Or will the HT be too heavy for them?

 

[R120]

Well its going to be a big old lump compared to anything else they have ridden - there are several kids specific Emtb's now, e.g this from KTM

Bikedetail - KTM BIKE INDUSTRIES

 

[R120]

And this looks like a cracking effort from Focus

Focus Bikes - JAM² HT JUNIOR

 

[Swissrob]

Thanks they look like good options. I saw a cheap 2017 during the week and was thinking it solves my 29^ wheel issue (want to fit to 2018 Levo) and I have a spare battery. I thought they were sub 20kg so not hard to drop it kilo with stuff i have lying around. But search as i may I can't find a HT weight.

I have booked Livigno and Les Gets for a week each over summer so dragged my old Specialized Enduro out for a service, damn it feels light and fast.