Why do some people focus primarily on motor/battery as their deciding factor?

[raine]

I was reading some other threads and the thought popped into my head - I still wonder why people focus primarily on what brand motor/battery a bike has as their primary metric when deciding on an eMTB bike.

Hasn't it been established already that picking an eMTB simply based on motor/battery alone isn't the best way to go? Or is it just that it is the easiest way for people to compare ("oh that has a Shimano, this has a Bosch")?

I feel like there are those who only look at motor/battery because they might not understand all of the other many, many factors that determine the difference between bike A and bike B - you know, the regular "non-eMTB" specific details like frame design, geo, rear suspension type, axle spacing etc.

On the other hand I'm sure many people chose their first bike based only on if it had Shimano vs. SRAM... or Fox vs. Rockshox.

When I shopped for my first eMTB I took into consideration (in order): budget, brand, fork & shock spec, frame "standards" (i.e. boost spacing). Now that I think of it... the motor brand & battery spec was actually the last detail I looked at.

This thread isn't calling out anyone, it's just for the sake of discussion. How did you pick your first eMTB? What are your thoughts?

 

[Nichneven]

I picked my ebike after a test run on an Vitus E-Escarpe and also having some time on the regular Vitus Sommet 2017 (after dirt mags review) which ended up one of the most fun, capable bikes I have ever owned. The suspension platform works really well. The battery on the vitus bikes are not the biggest but I like the removable battery. Easy to get a spare. I like the lines on the frame. It is like the standard escarpe with just the motor and battery attached. No bloated downtube. Forward of the battery its lean. It is not trying to hide the fact that it is an ebike. IMO.

 

[Doomanic]

I was reading some other threads and the thought popped into my head - I still wonder why people focus primarily on what brand motor/battery a bike has as their primary metric when deciding on an eMTB bike.

Because it's the only thing you can't change once you've made your decision.

 

[Gary]

Can't speak for anyone else but there are definitely motors I wouldn't want.
I know exactly what I like and dislike in wheelsize, geometry and suspension so why waste time looking at bikes with motors I wouldn't like?

 

[Frankieboy]

Having thought about your question a little, motor and battery were the last things on my mind. Being quite shallow, I went for what I liked the look of. Next, could afford it. Then, knowing nothing about geometry or suspension I focused on maximising spec/£.

I think I’ve got something with top end components, middle to fair geometry (based on what I’ve gleaned from reading threads hear) and a more reliable than most motor / battery system.

Most of all though, I love riding the bloody thing, isn’t that where the focus should be?

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I researched all of than online and was happy to go with Shimano because of the local support, but my decision came down to a lot of things, including price. It still feels like a bit of a crapshoot but I've been happy with my choice.

 

[ScuzzII]

Spent hours researching specs and posting questions on emtb. Got many helpful responses . Test rode all the major brands top line bikes we had in my town at my helpful LBS.
Most helpful tips were ;
- e mtb s are about handling. Assuming the bike fits you , buy the best bike avail for your money .
- don’t worry about chain stay lengthS , head angle etc. All the major brands have engineers that design these things . We do not know better than them . All these parts lead to some strengths and weaknesses
- dont worry about motors - batteries .They all have a 2 year warranty
- go the extra yard and buy this years model , not last years

 

[MrBrownstone]

I chose my BMC after spending time riding other popular brands offerings. Having been a bike mechanic/manager and bike racer for 20+ years I dont get too hung up on components as anything higher than SLX is just fluff IMO. Unnecessary. Carbon wheels? Meh give me aluminum with lighter tires and decent casings. The bike MUST come Shimano brakes tho. My Deore hydros have been perfect. Fork? So long as it goes up and down when I hit shit I’m good, Revelation has been great. Well over 200 hours on it and only adjusted the fork once when I got it. same with rear shock. The BMC rode the best for me. Handling is ridiculously good and the fact that it came with full Shimano from the motor to the brakes to the drivetrain sealed the deal. A full package decision for me.

 

[Pdoz]

The truth is we're more worried about color...but scared to start the megathread " what color bike should I buy"

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

Motor first for me - performance characteristic and reliability (first hand user reviews ONLY, never store or channel reviews).

Bike suspension design and geometry second - I know enough to know what to look out for.

Brand loyalty LAST!

 

[CjP]

I chose my bike based on suspension travel. The 200mm haibike first caught my attention years ago but I couldn’t get past the ugly look.
Then specialised bought out the Kenevo and I was frothing for one as I love the enduro design. Motor didn’t make a difference to me as I live 20mim from the shop and they have a great warranty. Having a bigger battery is obviously a better option if one does long rides which I do.

 

[Flatslide]

I purchased my PowerPlay firstly on the design of the motor and the fact it is 48V. The 160/150mm travel next and C50 option because it was Shimano and Rockshox equipped.
A plus for me was a LBS is an RM dealer and had the bike in XL in stock.

 

[urastus]

I wanted aluminium, for an easy life. Wheels with a good spoke count. I'm not a hard rider. I thought shimano quality and engineering is usually pretty good. I didn't want something with hard to get battery or replacement parts. For an easy life battery and motor should be widely used and widely available. For example; if you air travel with your bike it will be easier to buy or rent a shimano or bosch battery. Also, the more widely available something is, the cheaper you're likely to get it. The paint job was an awesome bonus! Here in Australia, merida is very good value, and widely available / supported.

 

[Gary]

don’t worry about chain stay lengthS , head angle etc. All the major brands have engineers that design these things . We do not know better than them

Er... Speak for yourself.

All these parts lead to some strengths and weaknesses

exactly.. So choosing a bike with the wrong geometry for the rider and riding they do will yield very few strengths and many weaknesses

 

[Rusty]

I was reading some other threads and the thought popped into my head - I still wonder why people focus primarily on what brand motor/battery a bike has as their primary metric when deciding on an eMTB bike.

For many, as long as they basically fit the bike the motor and/or battery capacity is the most important choice. Pretty much you are buying a frame & motor that are as a package with the rest being able to be changed as required. Want 8 speed - buy and fit it. Want a different color then paint or wrap it. Brakes, suspension components, handlebars, crank arms - even batteries to a certain extent now with 504/700 W/h options for Spesh, 625/504W/h (adapter to make a 504W/h fit the 625W/h Bosch Powertube and now a 625W/h option for Shimano. Heck, on just about all of them you can get a bottle cage range extender battery.

 

[Motoride]

At the time, I didn’t know anything about ebikes, except never liked the look of external batteries .,.....saw an ad for free demo ride with pivot shuttle team (never even heard of the brand) the 2-hr demo instantly converted me , then read a few positive articles , great top end components, etc...discounted price and 0% interest for a year was definitely the item that made it a painless (got to have it) decision.

 

[ScuzzII]

Er... Speak for yourself.

exactly.. So choosing a bike with the wrong geometry for the rider and riding they do will yield very few strengths and many weaknesses

Exactly , thats the benefit of the formula of

Bike brand choice = lbs score ( out of 10 ) - (motor torque /10)+ csl + bike frame weight - frame colour light refraction factor + (year of manufacture ) squared all divided by suspension travel ( in cm )

Result to be cross referenced 4 dimensionally with the table for riders height /weight /continent /ability

 

[Pdoz]

Exactly , thats the benefit of the formula of

Bike brand choice = lbs score ( out of 10 ) - (motor torque /10)+ csl + bike frame weight - frame colour light refraction factor + (year of manufacture ) squared all divided by suspension travel ( in cm )

Result to be cross referenced 4 dimensionally with the table for riders height /weight /continent /ability

Now I'm confused, I can't find any numerical bike brands. Is this some sort of evil alphabetical perversion of maths thing?

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

The truth is we're more worried about color...but scared to start the megathread " what color bike should I buy"

Go on then... do it! I dare ya!

 

[Zimmerframe]

Now I'm confused, I can't find any numerical bike brands. Is this some sort of evil alphabetical perversion of maths thing?

I'm glad Pi didn't come into it ... that would have got me heading off for a snack ..

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

I'm glad Pi didn't come into it ... that would have got me heading off for a snack ..

As in a ‘meat Pi?’

 

[Zimmerframe]

As in a ‘meat Pi?’

Only available in packs of 3.142 (approximately).

 

[2wls4ever]

I was reading some other threads and the thought popped into my head - I still wonder why people focus primarily on what brand motor/battery a bike has as their primary metric when deciding on an eMTB bike.

Hasn't it been established already that picking an eMTB simply based on motor/battery alone isn't the best way to go? Or is it just that it is the easiest way for people to compare ("oh that has a Shimano, this has a Bosch")?

I feel like there are those who only look at motor/battery because they might not understand all of the other many, many factors that determine the difference between bike A and bike B - you know, the regular "non-eMTB" specific details like frame design, geo, rear suspension type, axle spacing etc.

On the other hand I'm sure many people chose their first bike based only on if it had Shimano vs. SRAM... or Fox vs. Rockshox.

When I shopped for my first eMTB I took into consideration (in order): budget, brand, fork & shock spec, frame "standards" (i.e. boost spacing). Now that I think of it... the motor brand & battery spec was actually the last detail I looked at.

This thread isn't calling out anyone, it's just for the sake of discussion. How did you pick your first eMTB? What are your thoughts?

A lot of the reason is the same reason analog bike fitness riders focus on HR and their body as the motor/battery. Motor/battery will determine distance and amount of climbing in a ride.

It also has to do with many e-mtb consumers have not come from a core analog mtb past. Their reference point for a wheeled vehicle is an automobile which focuses on motor/power/mileage.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

.

It also has to do with many e-mtb consumers have not come from a core analog mtb past. Their reference point for a wheeled vehicle is an automobile which focuses on motor/power/mileage.

I think the reference point can be more personal than just that. The Motor is like the person you have chosen to live with. The two of you had better be able to get along, plus adore and compliment each other when no one is watching. Imagine a spouse that you can only just tolerate... or can only just tolerate YOU! Ouch! Worse than that, a wayward temperamental partner could cost you half of what you own. Ideal would be one that can bring out the best in you because you think and sync in similar ‘circles’ (haha, pun intended).

The Battery is what they want and what you need to bring when you go out for a picnic. The skinny ones will get up the hill with just couscous. Others may need a box of chocolates for motivation... or maybe some beer. What? It’s just an analogy!

Everything else about the bike is about poise. The wardrobe, make-up, jewellery, endless pairs of shoes, gym membership, trips to the salon, etc... that’s all for show and tell.

Then you can join this forum and brag or bitch about ’the one’ you’re with! .

 

[CjP]

And just like real life most people want the hot porn star who will end up taking half your shit!

I’m guilty...Thank god I have a good lawyer!

 

[OldGoatMTB]

And once you get it, you start dreaming about the next one...

 

[R120]

I get why battery is a major consideration, but apart from that I would be looking at the basic geometry and components being what I want before I look at the motor. Buying the wrong bike but the "right" motor is pointless.

I still think the majority of emtb sales, and ebike sales in general, are more guided by aesthetics than anything else, and talking to my various LBS's tends to back that up.

 

[KennyB]

"The eye is a good judge of design", as they say.

 

[R120]

but no judge of being the right bike - when I worked in the snowboard industry we had the same issue, with a lot of people buying a board/skis just because they liked the graphic or thought the shape was cool, despite us warning them it would try to kill them if they didnt know what they where doing.

If I was a bike designer, designing a bike to sell in big volumes, vs designing the best bike, are two very different things, and we can see that in todays EMTB market where prioritising bikes that dont look like EMTB's results in a lot of compromise.

 

[Tony.OK]

Motor characteristics are a big decision factor for me, have ridden the major brands and all are different, even same brand newer versions differ in character to older ones.....best thing anyone can do is ride as many as possible, decide on budget and buy one you like....easy as ?