Thinking about getting an analogue bike, how do they compare to an emtb?

[mtbexpress585]

I quit mountain biking about 15 years ago, finally got back into it a few years ago with a 2021 Turbo Levo and have been loving it.

But I'm thinking about getting an analogue bike, something with more travel and lighter. I don't live near any shops that will let me test ride an analogue mountain bike.

How does analogue bike compare to a full power ebike like the Turbo Levo? When I turn the power off while climbing it feels nearly impossible. Anyone with an analogue bike know if it will be the same? I just don't want to waste my money getting a non-powered bike only to find out that I hate the climbing.

 

[Stihldog]

I'd love to join in this conversation but haven't a clue what these analog / acoustic bikes folks keep mentioning are ?
If you were considering whether or not to get an mtb to go with an emtb ..I wouldn't bother ..it'll be a crap experience after being used to the ebike ..

The only “real” climbing I’ve ever done is on a Cervelo gravel bike. And it SUCKED!

Climbing on an eMTB is the challenge and fun now… Period. For me anyway.

 

[ChuckK]

I quit mountain biking about 15 years ago, finally got back into it a few years ago with a 2021 Turbo Levo and have been loving it.

But I'm thinking about getting an analogue bike, something with more travel and lighter. I don't live near any shops that will let me test ride an analogue mountain bike.

How does analogue bike compare to a full power ebike like the Turbo Levo? When I turn the power off while climbing it feels nearly impossible. Anyone with an analogue bike know if it will be the same? I just don't want to waste my money getting a non-powered bike only to find out that I hate the climbing.

I ride both a Turbo Levo and my old Giant Anthem cross country bike on Colorado Front Range trails. The Levo without the motor definitely requires more work to ride uphill than the lighter Anthem. I would say they take about the same amount of work with the Levo set at only about 5%—that’s how powerful the motor is. (I typically ride mine at 10-25% to keep my heart rate up and get a workout while still having an enjoyable ride, but I get a much better workout on the Anthem.) If you’re riding the Levo at one of the typical motor settings, then when you ride a conventional bike uphill you will probably feel very out of shape at first. I like the quicker handling of the Anthem, and riding it (which I mostly do on trails that don’t allow e-bikes) helps me stay in shape, but riding the e-bike is definitely more enjoyable. I suspect it would take you a bunch of rides to get used to a regular bike, but it would improve your fitness. So it depends what your goal is.

 

[Stihldog]

Based on my iwatch reading and having reached 190bpm many times while riding to the entrance of our trail network, I don’t think I’m outta shape on an eMTB. But I probably average 160bpm each time I go out during a climb. The technical terrain on the trails slows me down during a climb and a new challenge begins. Then gravity becomes my friend again.

 

[Plummet]

Of course the mtb will suck going up hill. But it will be more playfully and fun downhill.

If you are the kind of guy that pushes hard on the e-mtb to go fast and maxes your heart rate out hammering then you would find the mtb fun.

If you are the type of ebiker that uses the Motor so you dont have to put in effort to go uphill without bresthing hard then you will hate the mtb.

 

[irie]

Of course the mtb will suck going up hill. But it will be more playfully and fun downhill.

If you are the kind of guy that pushes hard on the e-mtb to go fast and maxes your heart rate out hammering then you would find the mtb fun.

If you are the type of ebiker that uses the Motor so you dont have to put in effort to go uphill without bresthing hard then you will hate the mtb.

It's not as simple as that. For given effort riding range on an eMTB is far further than with an analogue MTB. Different bikes.

 

[Mario Antony]

I'd love to join in this conversation but haven't a clue what these analog / acoustic bikes folks keep mentioning are ?
If you were considering whether or not to get an mtb to go with an emtb ..I wouldn't bother ..it'll be a crap experience after being used to the ebike ..

Of course the mtb will suck going up hill. But it will be more playfully and fun downhill.

If you are the kind of guy that pushes hard on the e-mtb to go fast and maxes your heart rate out hammering then you would find the mtb fun.

If you are the type of ebiker that uses the Motor so you dont have to put in effort to go uphill without bresthing hard then you will hate the mtb.

Agree 100% with Plummet.

Just to add

One thing will in fact influence the MTB experience, and it's weight!
You can have some fitness, but if you have some kg, you'll notice a lot!
Depending on the season, I can have between 77kg and 81kg (yes, it's quite a gap!).

When I'm closer to my lower limit, I like to climb, I even look up new climbs, harder, longest. It's really a challenge that brings joy!
With the extra kg... I need to pace, and normally chose wisely my fights uphill.


The only climbs I enjoy doing on an ebike, are hard, technical climbs.
A bit like doing Hardenduro with pedals (it's quite hard really! Not having a trottle... it's really hard sycronize Body Position, pedal stroke, and power stroke)

The shuttling thing on an ebike, is more social, but without any challenges... spinning, and having the motor support you.
And this shuttling thing, was one of the reasons to stop doing the usual rides...
Ebikes are more than shuttling devices

 

[Stihldog]

I headed out this morning for a quick 2 hour ride. I covered 20+ km and even cleared a few trails. The roots were slick so an uphill climb was difficult. Other DH trails were nice.

I don’t think I would have been able to do that on an analog. But the most important thing was that I made it back home on time for the grocery trip.…maybe I’ll wear my full face for that.

 

[MTB BUM]

Whether you like the analog bike will depend on your willingness to train. I had an analog Hardtail that I liked riding but I didn’t ride much so climbing was painful. Bought a ‘21 Levo and MTB became allot more fun. I did training days where I set the assist to 30% on the Levo and rode it at least twice a week at that level.. It began to enjoy the analog Hardtail allot more so I bought an analog FS (Stumpjumper). Now I use both the Levo and SJ the same amount and love both.

 

[TankCommander]

If fitness is an aim then I think having an analogue bike in addition to your ebike is a good thing.

My first MTB was an E-bike and I loved it as it allowed me to do something I wouldn’t have been able to do (being not really fit), and being on that bike regularly improved my fitness.

After a while I started lowering the assistance on the ebike’s ECO mode to increase range and found that I could still get around pretty well on just ECO. Once I got down to ECO on 8% (took about 9 months to get there) and I could do a 2 hour trail ride I pulled the pin on an analogue bike, feeling confident I could do 2hr rides. It also gave me a spare for when the ebike needs maintenance, or I smashed something.

If found on the analogue I was able to get up the climbs I would do on the ebike in 8% ECO, the bike is lighter and has more gears than the ebike. Steeper climbs are more challenging, but I actually get a buzz of achieving it. Both uphill and downhill feel different on an analogue

So now I have a rule where if I’m going somewhere I don’t know, or I know I will be doing some very steep climbs or it going to be more than 2hrs, I will take the e-bike, otherwise it’s the analogue.

If fun is your aim and hill climbing doesn’t sound like fun to you then stick with just your ebike!! Or get another.

Either way having an extra bike is essential, unless you are a great mechanic with lots of spares that can repair any damage overnight …

And always the best bike to have is one you will use !!

 

[TankCommander]

I built an Enduro from frame up to go with my EMTB.

It’s a pretty ornament now. Used it a handful of times. It’s boring compared, limited laps so difficult to session. Unlike the Kenevo which is like a portable shuttle for me!

View attachment 130047

you need to photoshop out that wooden stand ... I love that bike!!

 

[Christurbo]

you need to photoshop out that wooden stand ... I love that bike!!

It’s a great MTB … long travel but nice and light.

 

[Streddaz]

I'd love to join in this conversation but haven't a clue what these analog / acoustic bikes folks keep mentioning are ?
If you were considering whether or not to get an mtb to go with an emtb ..I wouldn't bother ..it'll be a crap experience after being used to the ebike ..

It's not crap to everyone, just different. It's also a personal preference.
I ride both and don't feel that my regular MTB is crap.

 

[The Hodge]

It's not crap to everyone, just different. It's also a personal preference.
I ride both and don't feel that my regular MTB is crap.

I agree..but having ridden a regular mtb ( Gary FisherWahoo, Gary Fisher Big Sur , Santa Cruz Nomad gen1, Whyte T130rs) for 23 years ..getting my emtb 3 years ago was a complete game changer and made me feel like a 20 year old again ( although I'm probably fitter now than then as chasing women and hammering booze was more of a priority 46 years ago )...no going back for me ..

 

[irie]

Do stuff on my eMTB that would be impossible on an analog bike. No going back. Only use for an analog bike would be for uplift days but it would be sitting around gathering dust for most of the time. Gave my Gary Fisher Big Sur to a son who rides analog with his young kids.

 

[2WHLFUN]

Poorly

 

[guile80386]

For the past 3 years I've only owned and ridden eMTBs exclusively - my main ride is a 2022 Kenevo Expert. Before that 25 years had passed since I last rode my 90s steel 18 or 19kg mountain bike). Last month I finally pulled the trigger on a Santa Cruz 5010 (good price, for a SC, that is, from Bike Discount). I bought it mostly because of its looks and the Santa Cruz branding, which is my thing, but I was afraid I'd never actually pick it up for a ride, even for the short 30 min. rides. Well, turns out that I've only used the new non-powered 5010 so far and I've actually been enjoying it a lot. Here are some random notes on the subject, not feeling like writing up a long prose:

• where I ride the only choices are steep uphill or steep downhill first (paved or otherwise) - and then back home, no chairlift option;
• the Specialized is 400% you and I found that accurate for steep climbing sections - I take roughly 4 times as much time on the 5010 -, but in the end, on average, each route only takes me around twice as long;
• I found it very easy to adjust to the slower climbing speeds and, so far, I've been enjoying the extra planning (choosing the more efficient climbing paths, slowing down on purpose to conserve energy on longer rides);
• looks like I'm one of those guys who enjoys climbing as much as descending; who knew?! I would never have guessed it hadn't I tried the 5010;
• basic "wannabe trials" like climbing stairs and small objects, jumping, etc., are much easier on the 5010; the first time I picked up the bike I couldn't believe how light it was (and I know 14-15kg isn't that light for a non-powered bike);
• the Kenevo is faster downhill, as expected, but the short travel 5010 is surprisingly comfortable and not that far back; I'm not a good rider, though.

In conclusion I've been enjoying the non-powered bike a lot more than I had anticipated and the Kenevo's Cannibal tires have now lost all their pressure at their usual 1 PSI per day rate. I hope this changes soon - I don't want to sell the eMTB, it looks so good too with that Boxxer.

 

[reno464]

I quit mountain biking about 15 years ago, finally got back into it a few years ago with a 2021 Turbo Levo and have been loving it.

But I'm thinking about getting an analogue bike, something with more travel and lighter. I don't live near any shops that will let me test ride an analogue mountain bike.

How does analogue bike compare to a full power ebike like the Turbo Levo? When I turn the power off while climbing it feels nearly impossible. Anyone with an analogue bike know if it will be the same? I just don't want to waste my money getting a non-powered bike only to find out that I hate the climbing.

I took a huge break like you and when I came back I was riding a 1998 FSR stumpy and it was pure punishment. A year later I took a trip to MOAB and rented a 29er for me and the wife and we LOVED IT! If you have been out long enough to go from 26 to 29 it feels completely different. Climbs still killed but we able to do things we couldn't before. You should rent a bike and just find out if you are still able to go backwards in riding.

You can also adjust the power setting in your Levo to only give you 30% power and that should make up for the weight of the bike and use mostly use your own power. If you can handle that on a climb then maybe you can go back with a smile.

I have the same bike as you and just finished upgrading brakes, drivetrain, and suspension. Due to a massive life changing injury I new I needed a softer ride to keep my legs from getting beat up by the base suspension. I upgraded to a 180 Bomber Z1 Coil and a Rockshox Vivid coilover rear shock. This gives me plenty of suspension so far. But, I think the 2nd biggest change to bike feel was moving to Maxxis DH tires. I am very happy with all the changes so far. Even though I have to ride fix seat downhill, I feel more stable and confident than before the injury. But, I do love how a DH bike rides and I am looking at a Canyon Torque On: CF8 I LOVE LONG TRAVEL!