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Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:39 pm
by formula400
I’ve got the go ahead to finally get a E MTB. Very exciting times, I’ll be using the cycle to work scheme.
Currently looking the Amflow bikes , serious power
Been a while since I’ve ridden a e bike,
Can’t wait
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:49 pm
by weeksy
For me, Amflow is a poor plan.
Lack of dealer support currently, warranty any good?
The bike itself is a bit meh in terms of being an actual decent bike. It's a bit Kia Soul.
As for the power, it means you hit 16mph a bit quicker, meh..
As you gather, I'm a no
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:57 pm
by Mr Moofo
Seriously, pick one based on a dealer being nearby - motors have got much better but you still may need dealer support.
The new Bosch CX motor seems to be holding up well
I have a Trek Rail, which i would highly recommend
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 6:21 pm
by Nordboy
If the dealer is local to you then the Amflow should be fine. Not sure what their warranty stuff is like?
Bosch are the most proven, generally a really good warranty and probably the most reliable, and there's nothing wrong with their power.
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 6:41 pm
by Mr Moofo
Nordboy wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 6:21 pm
If the dealer is local to you then the Amflow should be fine. Not sure what their warranty stuff is like?
Bosch are the most proven, generally a really good warranty and probably the most reliable, and there's nothing wrong with their power.
As Weeksy points out, all that more power does in the UK, it make you get to the restricted ceiling quicker.
Unless you intend to de-restrict.
Other manufacturers use dthe DJI motor - Forbidden is one other them
https://forbiddenbike.com/bikes/druid-core/
But dealers may be a bit thin on the ground
The Cotic e-rocket is meant to be very good - if ypu can live with the looks
https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/rocket? ... pOzqB0_ycW
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 7:01 pm
by crust
Hi, I bought my Trek Rail - Bosch motor, lifetime frame warranty - as used by Couchie and Moofo of this parish from Balfes bikes in Kingston.
Bike preparation wasn't brilliant but the deal was, plus you get customer points, I got £50 worth. They do cycle to work.
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 7:09 pm
by weeksy
I like Balfes too, used them a few times.
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 7:35 pm
by formula400
I’ve got a dealer just down the road in epsom
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 7:40 pm
by weeksy
formula400 wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 7:35 pm
I’ve got a dealer just done the rod in epsom
Of Balfes, Trek? Or Amflow?
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:50 pm
by formula400
Sorry Amflow
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:52 pm
by weeksy
formula400 wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:50 pm
Sorry Amflow
Interesting, I don't know many places that stock them yet. Have you asked about warranty etc?
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 10:39 pm
by mboy
"Dark side" means Road Bikes...
Getting eMTB is arguably seeing the light!
There's quite a lot of AmFlow dealers now... In fact, arguably that market is becoming quite saturated. The Avinox M2 motor is due for release quite soon, which I suspect will render anyone who's just bought a bike with the M1 motor envious (because let's face it, most people buying a bike with an Avinox motor out of choice, are buying for the excessive power and torque figures)... I'm not saying it's a bad bike, far from it, just as
@weeksy says it's a bit a bit Kia (albeit, with a big engine)... If you're spending many thousands of £'s on a bike it should really set your world on fire, not be something bland and middle of the road.
DEFINITELY try and buy from a dealer near you though... eBikes tend to have more problems than regular bikes, there's a lot more going on, and this can be overwhelming for a recent convert from regular MTB's who have just spunked a huge amount of wedge on a bike and are upset that it needs more maintenance and breaks down more often... So picking a local dealer that you trust, makes a lot of sense.
Do you have a budget
@formula400 ...? Where do you intend to ride it? What's your riding style? Do you ride with others with eBikes (and if so, which type) or not?
FWIW, if you're roughly the same height as me (5ft10) and want a really nice eBike for a whole lot less than new money (but not on C2W obviously) then with any luck, job interview pending next week, I'll have two to sell quite soon myself...
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:14 pm
by MingtheMerciless
My LBS sell a few DJI motored bikes and they pretty much fly out of the door. They have an UNO (large) in stock as a customer has decided he wants the V2 motor though LBS owner says info he’s received says it won’t be a massive leap over the first motor. Apparently it’s mainly a change in gear material to cope with a torque increase.
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:40 pm
by mboy
MingtheMerciless wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:14 pm
My LBS sell a few DJI motored bikes and they pretty much fly out of the door. They have an UNO (large) in stock as a customer has decided he wants the V2 motor though LBS owner says info he’s received says it won’t be a massive leap over the first motor. Apparently it’s mainly a change in gear material to cope with a torque increase.
Point proven...
The USP of the Unno Mith should be anything but the Avinox motor, but there we go...
Aside from the fact that mostly, the M2 motor is going to be cheaper to make and heavier (cheaper materials with less machining), it's also going to have less effective sealing to the elements too, meaning likelihood of more maintenance or repair work, as the general consensus is the M1 was a little over engineered for the market application...
The market has become like the Sports Bike market, where the 190bhp last year's bike has suddenly been rendered "useless" by middle aged men with 2" wide chicken strips on their tyres who insist that they now "need 200bhp" to "keep up with their mates" on the Sunday morning coffee run...
Which is your LBS
@MingtheMerciless out of interest...?
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:51 pm
by MingtheMerciless
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:59 am
by Felix
I went 2nd hand and bought a Decathlon Riverside 500e. Ridden it a handful of time and it started to piss down and never stopped. Hope to get the enthusiasm back soon or its getting passed on or sold.
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2026 7:14 am
by formula400
Right, frame is 5 years, motor 2 years,
Budget wise £7600
But need to be cycle scheme and need to be bought asap
All the reviews I’ve read have been positive,
Also my riding buddy has a trek rail and he was the one who pointed me there.
Riding will be the odd peaslake, odd swinley and then a few flat rides where I live.
Amount of use, not loads until the little man starts going longer distances
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2026 7:39 am
by formula400
I was looking at the Levo
But only the S-works has the better motor
And that’s slightly above what I havw
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2026 7:46 am
by weeksy
formula400 wrote: Sun Feb 08, 2026 7:39 am
I was looking at the Levo
But only the S-works has the better motor
And that’s slightly above what I havw
Mate, you're taking g your lad out towing. The motor power is insignificant.
Buy the best bike, not the best motor in terms or power.
That said, for your list above the Amflow will be perfectly fine
Re: Joining the dark side
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2026 7:47 am
by formula400
What’s considered the best bike at that price point?