What bike for a newbie to MTB

[FLOCO]

I totally agree with Sam. Full power profile 2 boost (all 60 NM) on the Rise is plenty enough for me. Unless you’re trying to keep up with boosting full fat bikes it’ll likely be all you need. I like the lighter, more analog bike feel as well. You obviously have to pedal some, but for me that’s the point of a mountain bike.

 

[eMtb tours]

Trek seems overpriced compared to the competition- just my opinion however their dealer network is awesome.

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

On the full fat vs light e-mtb topic, it's not only about the power of the motor, but also about the range you get (for equivalent motor assistance). For example, for riding longer, doing more laps in a single day with a full fat. This comparison from the loam wolf touches on this.

 

[volts]

I sold my rise. Lovely bike, but even on that I rarely used the boost. Mostly rode it in trail mode. I have also had full powered ebike, but it isn't for me. I never use the full power and it feels like a super tanker and is way less playful and unfun to throw around.

But IMO be realistic about what you want in a bike. If you have terrain to ride 4 hours steep hills, get a full powered one with a big battery.
If you like me do 80% 2-3 hour rides and you don't do more than more than 1500m elevation on these hours, I'd always get a lighter bike. You can always get an extra battery or range extender for those other trips, but I see no point in buying a bike for the few times per year you go somewhere special and the rest of the year you have bike that could have been more fun.

 

[cappuccino34]

I consider arguments like: "its widely known" or "anyone ... knows" as biased, maybe I'm wrong, though.

Shimano are very famously bad at after sales, warranty and parts supply.
They've recently announced that they're stopping the supply of the e6000-8000 series of motors. There's loads of bikes not yet three years old with the e8000 and if the motor goes, they're knackered.

Fortunately, the E8000 is pretty reliable. However, the EP8 is very unreliable, and now that the EP801 is out, how long before EP8 support is pulled I wonder?

 

[Swede]

I sold my rise. Lovely bike, but even on that I rarely used the boost. Mostly rode it in trail mode. I have also had full powered ebike, but it isn't for me. I never use the full power and it feels like a super tanker and is way less playful and unfun to throw around.

But IMO be realistic about what you want in a bike. If you have terrain to ride 4 hours steep hills, get a full powered one with a big battery.
If you like me do 80% 2-3 hour rides and you don't do more than more than 1500m elevation on these hours, I'd always get a lighter bike. You can always get an extra battery or range extender for those other trips, but I see no point in buying a bike for the few times per year you go somewhere special and the rest of the year you have bike that could have been more fun.

Good talk!

In my area it is mostly trails so i guess a light bike would be pretty good here, i really need to try the Rise. On the other hand i liked the pull from the more powerful motor.

 

[FLOCO]

As Volt said, it totally depends on what you’re looking for the bike to be able to do. At my advanced age, 3 hard hours is about all my knees can take in a day without screaming, particularly if I’m going to ride several days in a row. On the Rise I’ve been able to do 30 miles and 4500 vertical feet in that time on a full battery. While Rise power may be slightly less than a full fat, I really don’t feel range constrained on the H30, plus you can add an extender if you really want to go far. For me the Rise is about perfect. Sure it could be a little lighter, but power, range and motor character are all great.

 

[Chairman]

My 10 cents worth.
If you are fit and strong go full power Bosch

 

[Swede]

I just found out about the coolest looking bike according to me. Pole Voima and it has bosch motor and seems to be a real cool thing to ride. I watched 10+ differen videos about it and some talks with the CEO and his vision. I like it!

 

[Nomad1]

I would like some tips and suggestions from you people with more experience than me.

I am about to get my first EMTB, i have no experience of mountainbiking at all.

I hav ebeen looking at some reviews and I do think Orbea Rise is what i should get.

Is there other bikes i should take a look at and compare to the Orbea?

Is the Rise a good option as a starter bike or is there other bikes that might be easier to handle for a newbie?

I weigh about 95kg/ 210lbs and I am 191cm/6,2ft

Is a carbon or alloy bike better for a bigger guy, i will gain weight the following year because i spend some time at the gym.

I have more questions but i start here and follow up with more as we go

Looking forward to learn alot here!

/Swede

I would lean a little towards The Alloy because the Alloy is a little more forgiving than the carbon and doesn't require the same care. That is not to say one is better than the other. Do you know what type riding you plan on doing?

 

[Swede]

I would lean a little towards The Alloy because the Alloy is a little more forgiving than the carbon and doesn't require the same care. That is not to say one is better than the other. Do you what type riding you plan on doing?

Where i live it is mostly trail so the most biking will happen there. I will take the bike to other places and bike parks a few times a year.

And i have pretty much decided for alloy and can spend the extra money on better upgrades

 

[Pdoz]

Yes i am pretty fit in cardio and strength, i do ride BMX with my son on race tracks so i have some knowledge.

Sorry to be moving backwards in the thread, but is it likely your son will be joining you?

I'm just thinking bigger picture, you're 6'2" and fit at the moment, surely a couple of non e mtb's would be a better investment? A year or two riding with him, then as his fitness / ability starts to peak he inherits your bike whilst you creep into the lazy leg phase and he inherits your bikes.

I've juggled 3 kids over 6 years and way too many $ worth of bikes....there was a sweet spot where I was towing them up hill and trying to keep up down....an even sweeter few weeks when they towed me....now I'm struggling away on a light low powered emtb so I have half a chance of tackling the terrain they like down hill., and the 6'4" athletes can beat me uphill even though I'm the only one with a motor

 

[Nomad1]

Where i live it is mostly trail so the most biking will happen there. I will take the bike to other places and bike parks a few times a year.

And i have pretty much decided for alloy and can spend the extra money on better upgrades

So what kind of trails as the terrain will have a part in what kind emtb will best suit you for instance if it's rough mountain terrain longer travel would be best.

 

[Swede]

Sorry to be moving backwards in the thread, but is it likely your son will be joining you?

I'm just thinking bigger picture, you're 6'2" and fit at the moment, surely a couple of non e mtb's would be a better investment? A year or two riding with him, then as his fitness / ability starts to peak he inherits your bike whilst you creep into the lazy leg phase and he inherits your bikes.

I've juggled 3 kids over 6 years and way too many $ worth of bikes....there was a sweet spot where I was towing them up hill and trying to keep up down....an even sweeter few weeks when they towed me....now I'm struggling away on a light low powered emtb so I have half a chance of tackling the terrain they like down hill., and the 6'4" athletes can beat me uphill even though I'm the only one with a motor

Good point. Son is playing soccer, Ice hockey, riding BMX so i don't think he has so much time over right now but i have been thinking of taking him in on that aswell one day

 

[Swede]

I ordered a Trek Rail 9Gx that i will pick up next week. After some research, help and calculation i ended up with this and I think it will be great.

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

I ordered a Trek Rail 9Gx that i will pick up next week.

That's an awesome bike! Enjoy your new ride when you get it next week !

 

[Swede]

Thank you to all who guided and helped with answering questions and coming with suggestions