What other 170mm + travel e-bikes are out there.

[irie]

My aim was to have one bike that I could ride anywhere and everywhere. I think I have come very close to achieving that

For your conditions perhaps, but your "anywhere and everywhere" conditions are not the same as many other rider conditions.

 

[Chairman]

For your conditions perhaps, but your "anywhere and everywhere" conditions are not the same as many other rider conditions.

Granted that is very true and I will admit to not taking other riding areas into consideration with this build

 

[Plummet]

For your conditions perhaps, but your "anywhere and everywhere" conditions are not the same as many other rider conditions.

My conclusion is that it really depends on what the upper end of your riding is and what you enjoy the most. If the upper end is 160mm style of trail then that's the maximum you need and a 160mm bike will be all you want. If you are pushing further into the gnar then you may want more travel to handle the upper end of what you ride.

Alternatively, some people will enjoy more or less travel on the same trails. I have a mate with a Trek Rail and he cant fathom that I want more than 150/160mm bike. Our riding overlaps quite a bit. But I enjoy more travel on the those same trails and then I hunt more tech and sillyness than what he typically rides. So in his world 150/160 is perfect. In mine 150/160 is not enough because I really enjoy the super tech and find the 150/160 bike undergunned in that terrain.

 

[cappuccino34]

Suspension has to partly control and partly convert energy.

If you look at it from an energy perspective, and tune accordingly, it's possible (even desirable) to make 'less' do more.

The same goes for tyres, you're asking the contact patch to control and convert energy (absorb=convert into heat)

Too much suspension travel for a given energy level and you get poor control, too much pitch etc.

 

[Rocketb]

Ok so I’m over the ditch is Aus and can vouch for the Scott eride ransom 180/180, mine is a mullet.
I’m coming from a carbon devinci Troy and spartan analogue bikes and don’t miss it.
The weight only makes you stronger.

 

[Robstyle]

"I wish I had less travel" said literally no one out riding an emtb. I'm surprised there's not more in the higher range ie 180mm.

That's pretty good buying for the voima @Plummet.

 

[Plummet]

"I wish I had less travel" said literally no one out riding an emtb. I'm surprised there's not more in the higher range ie 180mm.

That's pretty good buying for the voima @Plummet.

Yeah, at the moment its hard to beat. You get a botique mega travel charger for the price of a giant reignor a yt decoy.....

 

[Moshe]

Specialized has some really good sales at the moment. I paid $9,000US for my Kenevo SL Comp 1 1/2 years ago and now it is on sale for $6,749US. It is light and has 170mm travel, front and back.

 

[cabbynate]

I would seriously consider this. I have a lower speck in aluminum and I really like it. Set up the motor and spring how you want it and your good to go..

 

[Plummet]

I would seriously consider this. I have a lower speck in aluminum and I really like it. Set up the motor and spring how you want it and your good to go..

I have seriously considered it. The BB is too low to Mullet. Plus it doesn't have enough travel. But I am a rocky slut. I have 2 slayers and my boy has an altitude. If it met the grade I would definitely been keen.

 

[Chairman]

Gotta say I've been super impressed with how my Cannondale has held up over the last couple of years. You could do worse than looking into the new LT when they get here.

 

[Robstyle]

I can chirp in here as I own one currently.

Awesome bikes, really enjoyed mine.
The carbon models can have a mx link bought for the shock forward mount to mullet.
They accept a 65mm travel shock for 166 rear travel (Heck I managed to make a 9.5x3 fit in mullet with use able 180mm or so travel, just a play around project wasn't quite perfect)
I know DVO NZ has a 5mm longer shock eye that will let you run an alloy one mullet. I've measured.

 

[Plummet]

I can chirp in here as I own one currently.

Awesome bikes, really enjoyed mine.
The carbon models can have a mx link bought for the shock forward mount to mullet.
They accept a 65mm travel shock for 166 rear travel (Heck I managed to make a 9.5x3 fit in mullet with use able 180mm or so travel, just a play around project wasn't quite perfect)
I know DVO NZ has a 5mm longer shock eye that will let you run an alloy one mullet. I've measured.

Do you happen to live in Rotorua and frequent the Electric bike Rotorua? If so I might have talked to you about the mulleted Cannondale about 6 weeks ago in the bike shop.

I'll be honest, i'm less interested in a project change the suspension around bike and more interested in one built fit for purpose.

 

[Robstyle]

Haha nah, must've been another Rocky nut.
Yeah, feel you there. That's why I decided to get something exactly as I'd build it out of the box rather than tinker and modify.

 

[cabbynate]

I have seriously considered it. The BB is too low to Mullet. Plus it doesn't have enough travel. But I am a rocky slut. I have 2 slayers and my boy has an altitude. If it met the grade I would definitely been keen.

They make a link to fix that . I no 10mm short of a perfect solution. Darn!

MX Mount

With the new Altitude MX Mount installed, you’ll be able to use a 27.5” rear wheel to help corner faster, ride more playfully, all while giving you a bit more clearance when you’re behind the saddle on a steep, technical line.

bikes.com

 

[Plummet]

They make a link to fix that . I no 10mm short of a perfect solution. Darn!

MX Mount

With the new Altitude MX Mount installed, you’ll be able to use a 27.5” rear wheel to help corner faster, ride more playfully, all while giving you a bit more clearance when you’re behind the saddle on a steep, technical line.

bikes.com

30mm short.....

 

[rod9301]

Absolutely believe more long travel bikes are needed. Currently riding my Moterra with a 200 mm boxer and modified pick up linkage which gives 185 in the rear. Huge improvement on standard 160 front and rear and that was with a well sorted suspension setup.

Is the boxer coil?

How is it in really tight switchbacks?

 

[Chairman]

Nope airsprung. Steering lock is definitely decreased but not really an issue. It's very rare that ever feel restricted once you get your technique sorted

 

[Bac]

Yoll, just bite the Bullit and get a Santa Cruz You'll never be disappointed in the $$$ spent, such an awesome riding bike it's well worth every penny and you'll pick up the extra $$$ with resale (if you ever want to sell it!). I'm on my second now, and they've both taken an absolute smashing and are hardly cared for, but they've never missed a beat.

Also Crestline does ship to NZ, hit up Troydon +1 646 643 7662 on Whatsapp he'll sort you out a deal, and get it shipped to NZ for a reasonable price. I got one of their RS205's it's an absolutely wicked bike, they're finished very nicely on par with SC and ride sweet!

The Crestline is actually a better e-Bike than the Bullit, as you've got a bit more travel, and the ability to run a dual crown on the front end (which are my only bug-bears or the Bullit). Also the Bosch race is a better motor than the EP8. You can get the cascade link for the Bullit to bump travel up a bit, but I'd not want the BB any lower in rock gardens

If you want performance go Crestline. If you want resale/brand go Santa Cruz would be my recommendation. You only live once, buy the best

 

[Chairman]

Yeah that Crestline sure has my attention.

 

[NicoMTB]

So Ive come from A combo Mondraker dune XR and canyon sender Cf 9.0 a dh race bike. I went for a Full power weight , Ebike.
The mondraker was fast strong descender and climber,light approx 14 the Canyon Sender DH bike is around 17 Kg.
I live in the French alps so long climbs steep rocky descents , hike bike ect. I looked at climbing and descending performance first. weight was secondary. As you can see i changed a number of things on the bike. Its not far off my dh bike in speed and times. Blows the mondraker out of the water on down hills and ups. more comfortable climbing position. I've done hike bikesn carried it on my back pack, but that will really depend on ones fitness.. I did ensure i have to spec tunned suspension adapted to my weight style area of riding with internals rebuilt. It makes more sense than having extra 20 mm of travel that is uncontrolled. DTswiss Fr will be my last change. the geometry is slack and when flipped in to the low mode it is really slack 63 just like my canyon sender. And you can have a 625 750 or 800wh battery, so plent of riding options , even more with the 250 wh range extender.

My mates have the Orbea Wild previous carbon model highly tweeked 170 160 MX wheels. and a Trek rail 180 160 Mx wheels. they made changes to adapt and correct the geometry with the longer forks ect. Where I see a limit in these big Ebikes is hitting a lot of bike parks brake bumps day in day out theres more to get loose with all the chatter. but they can follow for sure.

 

[Motoxfreak]

Hey team,

As you can see in a couple of my first posts on this forum I'm interested in a Pole Voima which is 190/190mm travel. Before I hit send on ordering one of these i'd like to explore if I missed any other bikes on the market that I should look it.

To begin with I am a carbon slut and a weight weenie. I prefer a lighter bike and will go to reasonable lengths to make a bike as light as practical. However I will not compromise performance for weight savings.

My perfect wish list would be a a mullet set up 180/200mm travel e-bike appropriately slack in the 20-23kg range with carbon frame with removable battery with battery options 600-750wh.

I do a lot of hikeabike and lift over many fences. So lighter is better. My daughter has an Orbea Rise and at 20kg which is easily chuckable over a fence. 25kg bikes are just that much heavier. That said have decided than I want full power and the option to replace batteries midway through the day and I see little point having a 20+kg bike that has less descending ability than my 14kg slayer.

I typically ride super steep tight natural tech as a preference. I'm also chasing my 14yo boy on jumps and drops on flow trails. some of that stuff is getting BIG. Like crankworks DH track big.

The bike I get in the perfect world can run down a world class dh track and hit super tight steep tech.

What I have discovered is that most of the carbon options sit in the 160mm range and are Typically full 29er with a bb too low to then mullet it.

These are the bikes I have considered thus far.

YT Decoy. Almost ideal. It is mullet and carbon, Battery to small however. I'd like more travel. Pricing is competitive.

Uno Mith, Wont ship to nz. I really like this bike, but it is a bit light on rear travel, Its also getting into dentist pricing to import.

Orbea wild 2023 was at the top of the pile for a while. But the non removable battery, high price and its only 160 rear kind of kill it for me. I'd want to 180 the front and mullet the back which which make the geo go out of kilter.

Yeti, santacruz, pivot are dentist prices $20+k nzd for decent build so they our.
A bullet really appeals. But it's just too pricey.

Whyte is too heavy and alloy. I was interested in a Scott Ransom Eride. Reviews are good. But they are discontinued and not available in NZ. Plus its a bit heavy.

The closest option I have found is the Specialized Kenevo and then slap a 29er fork and wheel on the front. These are still pricey in NZ and made more so by the time i slap an extra fork/wheel on. But i've been, by several people, advices against specialized e-bikes because of repeated motor failures. Plus I really don't like the yoke style suspension design.

So I come back to the Pole Voima, 190/190 with a dh rating.
It's alloy which isn't my preference. But reviews are good and the funky looks , CNC machined 2 piece construction appeal to the engineer in me.

I must admit, I'm watching the failed switch arm warrantee claim closely. If I do purchase the Voima I will be riding it full pace down downhill tracks. It wont be getting a sedate life of trail riding. One of the reasons I like carbon is that I can repair carbon frames if I break them. Glued 7075-T6 frames.... no so much.

Your thoughts and ideas appreciated

I have been through 17 e-bikes in the last two or three years and what I ended up with is what I started with, specialized Levo. If ya want some travel, put a 170mm air shaft in it and there ya have it. I also put the cascade long shock link in back and the bike handles drops and jumps like a dream. Both my bikes are carbon Levos. They are more powerful and quieter than almost anything else out there. Good luck!

 

[Plummet]

Yoll, just bite the Bullit and get a Santa Cruz You'll never be disappointed in the $$$ spent, such an awesome riding bike it's well worth every penny and you'll pick up the extra $$$ with resale (if you ever want to sell it!). I'm on my second now, and they've both taken an absolute smashing and are hardly cared for, but they've never missed a beat.

Also Crestline does ship to NZ, hit up Troydon +1 646 643 7662 on Whatsapp he'll sort you out a deal, and get it shipped to NZ for a reasonable price. I got one of their RS205's it's an absolutely wicked bike, they're finished very nicely on par with SC and ride sweet!

The Crestline is actually a better e-Bike than the Bullit, as you've got a bit more travel, and the ability to run a dual crown on the front end (which are my only bug-bears or the Bullit). Also the Bosch race is a better motor than the EP8. You can get the cascade link for the Bullit to bump travel up a bit, but I'd not want the BB any lower in rock gardens

If you want performance go Crestline. If you want resale/brand go Santa Cruz would be my recommendation. You only live once, buy the best

View attachment 110180

OK, i'll give him a bell with my wishlist and see what spits back.


I have to admit the RS 75/50 looks pretty freaken awesome on paper.

PS, I'm performance over resale.

 

[Plummet]

I have been through 17 e-bikes in the last two or three years and what I ended up with is what I started with, specialized Levo. If ya want some travel, put a 170mm air shaft in it and there ya have it. I also put the cascade long shock link in back and the bike handles drops and jumps like a dream. Both my bikes are carbon Levos. They are more powerful and quieter than almost anything else out there. Good luck!

I'm really interested to know what these 17 e-bikers were and, if you can be farked, What the advantages and disadvantages ere.

 

[Chairman]

I'm really interested to know what these 17 e-bikers were and, if you can be farked, What the advantages and disadvantages ere.

Also very keen to hear from people who have experience many ebikes and @Plummet It may have been me you were talking to about long travel Cannondale at Electric bike Rotorua

 

[Plummet]

Also very keen to hear from people who have experience many e-bikes and @Plummet It may have been me you were talking to about long travel Cannondale at Electric bike Rotorua

Hehehe, bloody small world.

 

[Dirtnvert]

Mondrakker has a 180 bike. My buddy has one with ohlins suspension.. bosch motor. Nice bike and a decent price as well. Full 29 though
I like mullet though. Id pick the whyte e180 my self

 

[Chairman]

The Whyte 180 seems to have a real low bb height, 130mm I think, which I'm not a fan of although I am sure it would work well on jump and flow lines. Also the way the battery goes way down in front of the motor makes me feel it would be a bit susceptible to the bash. At least the way I ride it would.

 

[Plummet]

Yoll, just bite the Bullit and get a Santa Cruz You'll never be disappointed in the $$$ spent, such an awesome riding bike it's well worth every penny and you'll pick up the extra $$$ with resale (if you ever want to sell it!). I'm on my second now, and they've both taken an absolute smashing and are hardly cared for, but they've never missed a beat.

Also Crestline does ship to NZ, hit up Troydon +1 646 643 7662 on Whatsapp he'll sort you out a deal, and get it shipped to NZ for a reasonable price. I got one of their RS205's it's an absolutely wicked bike, they're finished very nicely on par with SC and ride sweet!

The Crestline is actually a better e-Bike than the Bullit, as you've got a bit more travel, and the ability to run a dual crown on the front end (which are my only bug-bears or the Bullit). Also the Bosch race is a better motor than the EP8. You can get the cascade link for the Bullit to bump travel up a bit, but I'd not want the BB any lower in rock gardens

If you want performance go Crestline. If you want resale/brand go Santa Cruz would be my recommendation. You only live once, buy the best

View attachment 110180

Chatted to Troydon and got some costings into NZ. Bloody freight and dutys/tax is a killer.
It does look ideal. But i'd be into min of $22k for the base spec that ships and by the time bought and sold parts to get to my spec would be height 20's......

That's just too much cash for a Bike.

 

[Robstyle]

If I had read this post before I'd purchased my recent bike rack I'd have 100% bought one of you to help the cause

Troydon is a super legit dude, it's great dealing directly with one of the company owners.