Trouble deciding!

[Growler]

Im in New Zealand and range of bikes is some what restricted compared to our Euro and US friends!

I have it down to a few bikes but I am really stuck on picking one out, all of them ride nice, I like em all, service and support for all listed is local!
I am 43, 95KG, fit and been biking trails and tracks since I was 15, but now riddled with arthritis, bone grafts in my ankles and screws everywhere, the uphills just hurt too much to enjoy it anymore, hence going to a emtb to take that pressure/strain of the climbs. I mainly ride hills and bike parks.

Bikes I am considering, all are round the same price here in NZ.

2020 Trek Rail 7 - XT, Bosh Gen 4 625WH, 160/150mm travel, 29 x 2.6"
2020 Giant Reign E+ 1 Pro - XT, Yamaha 500WH, 170/160mm travel, 27.5x2.6"
2020 Giant Trance E+ 0 Pro - X01 Eagle, Yamaha 500WH, 150/140mm travel, 27.5x2.6"
2020 Turbo Levo - NX, Specialised 500WH, 150/150, 29x2.3"

I'd love any feedback or input from riders, the only other bikes available here in the price range are the Rocky Mountain A30 and the Meridia 5000.

Thanks in advance

 

[Beezerk]

Bosch Bosch Bosch Bosch...

That is all

 

[The Claw NZ]

Whyte E-150? NZ distribution out of Wanaka. There's a fleet of them at Bike Glendhu if you want to try 1 out

 

[Growler]

Whyte E-150? NZ distribution out of Wanaka. There's a fleet of them at Bike Glendhu if you want to try 1 out

I am up in Chch, what sort of price is on the Whyte?

 

[The Claw NZ]

I am up in Chch, what sort of price is on the Whyte?

I'm not sure on the pricing sorry. Close to $9k for the E-150 s and $10k for the rs model I would say. Torpedo 7 is a stockist so might have some in Chch?

 

[PDX_ExPat]

Same boat here and nearly the same bikes! 52, arthritic, 5’10”, New Zealand. Originally was looking for a commuter/cargo (Riese & Muller Supercharger 2 Rohloff) Heart said MTB head said I can only justify if I can get groceries. found the small Thule rack that I can make an mtb work for my short commute. Spent 5 years living on my MTB in the 90s. My big downhill days are done. I love technical riding over speed.

My shortlist In current order of preference:
Trek Rail 7: because my star days are past and my riding abilities have faded the 29s scare me for handling tight technical. I really want nimble. (would consider the 9 if it wasn’t for that god awful blue) might make the stretch for the 9.8...again head days 7 is perfectly fine and it’s on sale

Levo Comp: the only one I’ve had on trails. bigger battery, love the motor, love the app. But the rider compartment just didn’t feel right. Not sure it would be comfortable on the short commute. I don’t have a big enough data set to compare suspension. Can’t really justify the price tag.

Giant Trance 0/1 : jumped on it for a few
Minutes and more comfortable for me than Levo for me..”feels” more enduro and I’m looking for all around. Price point is nice, yami motor better than expected but it *really* wanted to engage with hardly any pressure on pedals. Annoying at stop lights. Adjustable?

And now the mention of the Whyte 150- s! Man that may be worth a day trip to Wanaka for a go. Love the motor/battery config and low center of gravity. But I literally cannot find it for sale anywhere down here.

Big part of me wants to make the jump to the Levo. I like the shop and techs have been super supportive. But at the moment I’m solidly in the Trek 7 camp. Big wheels good for commute and speedy downs but worried about tight switchbacks with my average riding skills these days.

 

[Nicho]

Giant Trance 0/1 : jumped on it for a few
Minutes and more comfortable for me than Levo for me..”feels” more enduro and I’m looking for all around. Price point is nice, yami motor better than expected but it *really* wanted to engage with hardly any pressure on pedals. Annoying at stop lights. Adjustable?

I have had a Trance SX E+0 Pro for a year now and have never had this problem.
Infact I see the instant power of this bike to be a very big plus-point, as it means at junctions you can get a flying start when the road clears / light change.

Also, if you stop on a steep off-road hill, you can easily start off again as you have instant power (far more easily than on any other bike i have ever ridden).

 

[Growler]

I have had a Trance SX E+0 Pro for a year now and have never had this problem.
Infact I see the instant power of this bike to be a very big plus-point, as it means at junctions you can get a flying start when the road clears / light change.

Also, if you stop on a steep off-road hill, you can easily start off again as you have instant power (far more easily than on any other bike i have ever ridden).

I am a bit gutted I didn't bite the bullet last year on the SX last year when they were on fire sale

Everything for me is leaning at the 7 unless something magical happens and the levo drops in price. With the 7 on sale at $7500 it takes some beating on spec/$$

 

[PDX_ExPat]

Exactly. Waiting for the medium frame show up here. The shop is going to let me have a nice ride on. That sale and price point, it’s hard to say no. I’d be fine on the Giant but the smaller battery is a big negative. If the Giant ride app was ready for prime time it would be a big plus.

In the end us old arthritic guys are splitting hairs and gonna have a blast on whatever we end up on

Since you are up in ChCh, I’ll note that I did go and have a look at the Moustache Samedi Game 8(?) on sale (2019?) for $9k at ChChElectric. Did not get on it though. The owner willing to let you test ride his.

 

[Growler]

Since you are up in ChCh, I’ll note that I did go and have a look at the Moustache Samedi Game 8(?) on sale (2019?) for $9k at ChChElectric. Did not get on it though. The owner willing to let you test ride his.

Interesting thing popped up last night to throw a spanner in the works, Bikebarn do a price match - 5% if you find cheaper.

Merida 2020 160 800 SE, normally $7999 is $5999 which will be matched to $5699 @ bikebarn !

That's some seriously good value right there! Choices choices

2020 Merida eOne Sixty 800 SE

2020 Merida eOne Sixty 800 SE Gloss Blue with Matt Black - Bike Barn

 

[Bomble]

If you are worried about the 29’s on the 7 the Levo also runs 29’s.
I’ve rode both and found the rail felt a lot more agile, I found the 29’s on the Levo a bit cumbersome on tight stuff so put a 27.5 on the back.
I demoed the rail and obviously only rode it a day but I felt like I could have lived with the 29’s on that.
Hope that makes sense and helps?

 

[Growler]

I demoed the rail and obviously only rode it a day but I felt like I could have lived with the 29’s on that.
Hope that makes sense and helps?

Thanks mate, I have another spanner in the works now, I can get $2000 off the Giant Reign E+1 Pro, makes it the same price last the Rail 7 here. All these people having sales in NZ due to Crankworx being here!

 

[PDX_ExPat]

Interesting thing popped up last night to throw a spanner in the works, Bikebarn do a price match - 5% if you find cheaper.

Merida 2020 160 800 SE, normally $7999 is $5999 which will be matched to $5699 @ bikebarn !

That's some seriously good value right there! Choices choices

2020 Merida eOne Sixty 800 SE

2020 Merida eOne Sixty 800 SE Gloss Blue with Matt Black - Bike Barn

That seems like a damn nice deal. My only issue is that with an eBike I want to support local and local support. Dunners is fairly limited. I’ll still look for sure.

 

[PDX_ExPat]

If you are worried about the 29’s on the 7 the Levo also runs 29’s.
I’ve rode both and found the rail felt a lot more agile, I found the 29’s on the Levo a bit cumbersome on tight stuff so put a 27.5 on the back.
I demoed the rail and obviously only rode it a day but I felt like I could have lived with the 29’s on that.
Hope that makes sense and helps?

Well that certainly explains a lot. Can’t believe in all my excessive research that it didn’t click that the Levo Comp was on 29s. Explains *a lot*. And folks at the store once again set me head to ease with the 29s.

Pretty much bailed on the Levo now anyway. Support is good but too many stories about the Brose.

Right now pretty solidly in camp Rail 7. Not my ideal choice but damn close. I have a demo lined up for a trail ride on Sunday. Just looked at rail 9 again to see if I can live with the color. I’m not obsessed with asthetics but that blue is just awful. maybe I should like it as it is probably going to save me a good chunk of change

Love all of the input! Will keep folks posted.

 

[Orangie]

I have a rail 7. Absolutely love it. Geo sport on

 

[Flatslide]

I bought my XL C50 Powerplay from Evo Cycles here in Dunners. It was "on special" for $8700. I see Evo have a 2019 A50 in Large for $8500. That same bike was on actual special a month back for $6500.

 

[Rusty]

nuff said.

 

[PDX_ExPat]

nuff said.

Thanks mate, I have another spanner in the works now, I can get $2000 off the Giant Reign E+1 Pro, makes it the same price last the Rail 7 here. All these people having sales in NZ due to Crankworx being here!

Just noticed that after Torp 7 sales ended Tuesday they are back with even steeper discounts. The Rail 9.8 is $2k (18%) off.

I started to look at Scott...

 

[PDX_ExPat]

I bought my XL C50 Powerplay from Evo Cycles here in Dunners. It was "on special" for $8700. I see Evo have a 2019 A50 in Large for $8500. That same bike was on actual special a month back for $6500.

Yeah I'm trying my best to work with Evo. Support will be better there than with T7. Seeing if they will get closer to T7 discounts. Right now.

How do you like the powerplay?

 

[Growler]

Yeah I'm trying my best to work with Evo. Support will be better there than with T7. Seeing if they will get closer to T7 discounts. Right now.

How do you like the powerplay?

Evo price matched the Rail 7 for me, and even dropped more of a bike rack to bring the cost down more, can't complain about that!

 

[Shane(NZ)]

Im in New Zealand and range of bikes is some what restricted compared to our Euro and US friends!

I have it down to a few bikes but I am really stuck on picking one out, all of them ride nice, I like em all, service and support for all listed is local!
I am 43, 95KG, fit and been biking trails and tracks since I was 15, but now riddled with arthritis, bone grafts in my ankles and screws everywhere, the uphills just hurt too much to enjoy it anymore, hence going to a emtb to take that pressure/strain of the climbs. I mainly ride hills and bike parks.

Bikes I am considering, all are round the same price here in NZ.

2020 Trek Rail 7 - XT, Bosh Gen 4 625WH, 160/150mm travel, 29 x 2.6"
2020 Giant Reign E+ 1 Pro - XT, Yamaha 500WH, 170/160mm travel, 27.5x2.6"
2020 Giant Trance E+ 0 Pro - X01 Eagle, Yamaha 500WH, 150/140mm travel, 27.5x2.6"
2020 Turbo Levo - NX, Specialised 500WH, 150/150, 29x2.3"

I'd love any feedback or input from riders, the only other bikes available here in the price range are the Rocky Mountain A30 and the Meridia 5000.

Thanks in advance

Some good options in your list,T7 have a great price on the Reign E+1 , really like the spec on this with the XT 12 spd,XT brakes, fox suspension also has 6 amp charger. My wife has the Trance E+0 2019, the Yamaha motor is very torque'y and has a few upgrades now. Would be great at CAP.
Trek Rail 7 nice also with the new gen 4 motor and big battery at the price of a lower spec than the giant for similar price, big wheels, reviews say they are quit nimble for 29'er.
Levo is very popular, I see quite a few round when riding, there spec is lower for there price point IMO

Best of luck with your decision, you well be stoked with any of those bikes

Trek LT9 owner also from chch

 

[Shane(NZ)]

I somehow missed your last post, congrats on the Trek Rail 7
You could give a update once you have a few rides under your belt.

Enjoy?‍

 

[PDX_ExPat]

Some good options in your list,T7 have a great price on the Reign E+1 , really like the spec on this with the XT 12 spd,XT brakes, fox suspension also has 6 amp charger. My wife has the Trance E+0 2019, the Yamaha motor is very torque'y and has a few upgrades now. Would be great at CAP.
Trek Rail 7 nice also with the new gen 4 motor and big battery at the price of a lower spec than the giant for similar price, big wheels, reviews say they are quit nimble for 29'er.
Levo is very popular, I see quite a few round when riding, there spec is lower for there price point IMO

Best of luck with your decision, you well be stoked with any of those bikes

Trek LT9 owner also from chch

Would proba ly prefer to go Giant Trance/Reign. But the 500 battery and the yami motor are making me pause.

Got on RAIL 9.8 yesterday and it fit me so damn well! With the 20% off its hard to say no. I really want to snub my nose at Trek but it is just ticking all the boxes right now. Put a deposit down to hold it.

Will have one more look/ride of the reign before making the jump.

 

[Flatslide]

Yeah I'm trying my best to work with Evo. Support will be better there than with T7. Seeing if they will get closer to T7 discounts. Right now.

How do you like the powerplay?

I love it. Ridden 3500km in 7 months and just changed from 11 to 10 speed. For me it was a choice between a KLX250 or the Powerplay - same price pretty much. I find the Altitude to be basically a KLX250 with pedals - which is why I refer to it as a trail bike. The Dyname 3 drive works a treat, so far has been reliable, is quiet and responsive.

 

[Shane(NZ)]

Would proba ly prefer to go Giant Trance/Reign. But the 500 battery and the yami motor are making me pause.

Got on RAIL 9.8 yesterday and it fit me so damn well! With the 20% off its hard to say no. I really want to snub my nose at Trek but it is just ticking all the boxes right now. Put a deposit down to hold it.

Will have one more look/ride of the reign before making the jump.

Tuff choice, there is quite a price differance which is for the carbon frame and big battery i guess. Trek getting good reviews
29'r vs 27.5.
Giant is good value
I think Giant well have a big battery next model

Good luck with your choice