revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Okay then cycling gurus, I've got upto £3K that I may want to spend on an electrically assisted mountain bike, I'm really not into heavy exercise, the bike will be used like a trail motorcycle, I don't want to be constantly cleaning it either, solid and reliable is more important than super duperness, what I'm looking for is the DRZ400 of the EMTB world.

Start with what comes with a Bosch motor.....

Remove, Specialized due to being flakey motors

I think the Trek models will be right up your street as will the Scotts.

https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/e-b ... ly-4-2020/

https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/e-b ... fs-4-2020/

Hardtail or full suspension?

I ended up spending £3100 on a FS Haibike xduro allmtn 3, which at the time listed at £4k so I was happy with the deal. Bosch motor, albeit last yrs model.

The new 2020 bosch motors are smaller/ lighter and more powerful and efficient, a load of the 2020 models are coming with 600kw+ batteries as opposed to my 500kw which gives a longer range rather than any more power.

If £3k is your limit, I'd probably look for last years FS model. Scott, haibike (which is german even though it sounds asian made), trek, cube and I actually like the specialised ebikes.

I could go on....

i LOVE the specialized Ebikes, but the number of failures i've read about mean i'd never even consider one.

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 2:35 pm, I'm really not into heavy exercise, the bike will be used like a trail motorcycle,

I've had three road legal e-bikes. All limited to 240W by law. In the real world it's a nice help on the flat but show them a hill and you are back to grunting.

I've no experience of non legal higher wattage ones.

I've got a hardtail ordinary MTB and never found the lack of rear suspension a big problem, on the flat I could get this up to around 15mph on the hard trails in the forest near me (Rendlesham for anyone interested), I have to say I do see rear suspension as just something else to go wrong and unnecessary on something as light as a MTB, I'm too old for doing big jumps and have no intention of doing fast downhill stuff.

The Trek does look good, other choices would be good, I've got an Evans, a Thomas Cycle Centre and an independent cycle shop called Pedal Power near me, I'm also friendly with someone who sells Haibikes, is it worth going to a physical shop or is mail order okay given the considerable cost savings using mail order?

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 4:47 pm I've got a hardtail ordinary MTB and never found the lack of rear suspension a big problem, on the flat I could get this up to around 15mph on the hard trails in the forest near me (Rendlesham for anyone interested), I have to say I do see rear suspension as just something else to go wrong and unnecessary on something as light as a MTB, I'm too old for doing big jumps and have no intention of doing fast downhill stuff.

The Trek does look good, other choices would be good, I've got an Evans, a Thomas Cycle Centre and an independent cycle shop called Pedal Power near me, I'm also friendly with someone who sells Haibikes, is it worth going to a physical shop or is mail order okay given the considerable cost savings using mail order?

If i were buying an Ebike i'd buy it from a dealer i can get to easily, they fuck up, the motors break etc.... (bit harsh maybe) but i'd like the option to take it back to a shop for repair.

weeksy wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 4:50 pm
If i were buying an Ebike i'd buy it from a dealer i can get to easily, they fuck up, the motors break etc.... (bit harsh maybe) but i'd like the option to take it back to a shop for repair.

Thanks, that's very helpful, I've got quite a good choice locally

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 4:47 pm I've got a hardtail ordinary MTB and never found the lack of rear suspension a big problem, on the flat I could get this up to around 15mph on the hard trails in the forest near me (Rendlesham for anyone interested), I have to say I do see rear suspension as just something else to go wrong and unnecessary on something as light as a MTB, I'm too old for doing big jumps and have no intention of doing fast downhill stuff.

The Trek does look good, other choices would be good, I've got an Evans, a Thomas Cycle Centre and an independent cycle shop called Pedal Power near me, I'm also friendly with someone who sells Haibikes, is it worth going to a physical shop or is mail order okay given the considerable cost savings using mail order?

The thing about FS and even big meaty tyres is that on an Ebike they don't matter, you get the extra comfort from both, but because you have the motor, they don't have the downsides of weight... well, they do, but not in the same way.

Me, i personally don't like ebikes, they ride like a fucking barge, they jump like an ocean liner and have the feel of a jelly balanced on a snowboard... but, i would still go Full Suspension if it were me for the comfort.

I tend to stand on the pedals through the rough bits on a normal bike, so I could do the same on an ebike, my mate has FS mountain bikes and seems to be getting the shocks rebuilt every year and he's mega keen on maintenance (he stripped his RD125LC down to the frame to clean it) so that puts me off.

I agree it's going to ride like a barge compared with a normal bicycle, but compared with a trail motorcycle it's going to float like a butterfly, and I'm considering it as an alternative to something like an 80cc trail bike, I know it won't be as powerful but things like DT80s are shockingly useless off road.

Any opinions on Haibikes as there's a dealer near me and they're considerably cheaper than what's available from other local dealers (like £1K cheaper) and remember I've been using a Halfords Carrera Vengeance locally with no problems and nothing breaking.

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 5:27 pm I tend to stand on the pedals through the rough bits on a normal bike, so I could do the same on an ebike, my mate has FS mountain bikes and seems to be getting the shocks rebuilt every year and he's mega keen on maintenance (he stripped his RD125LC down to the frame to clean it) so that puts me off.

I agree it's going to ride like a barge compared with a normal bicycle, but compared with a trail motorcycle it's going to float like a butterfly, and I'm considering it as an alternative to something like an 80cc trail bike, I know it won't be as powerful but things like DT80s are shockingly useless off road.

Any opinions on Haibikes as there's a dealer near me and they're considerably cheaper than what's available from other local dealers (like £1K cheaper) and remember I've been using a Halfords Carrera Vengeance locally with no problems and nothing breaking.

They're impressive bikes and well respected.

hilldweller wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 3:55 pm

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 2:35 pm, I'm really not into heavy exercise, the bike will be used like a trail motorcycle,

I've had three road legal e-bikes. All limited to 240W by law. In the real world it's a nice help on the flat but show them a hill and you are back to grunting.

I've no experience of non legal higher wattage ones.

eMTBs are designed to assist with the hills, you still have to put a fair bit of effort into climbing if you want the battery to last the ride, but if you are really want to you can get it into the easiest gear, put it into turbo and just spin your way to the top with minimal effort. The down side of riding like that is that your battery will be flat in 10 miles.

my eMTB has just gone back to rutland cycles for a new motor, once the warranty had been agreed with bosch they sent me a big box by courier, the next day the same courier came and picked up the bike.
In ordinary times, I would have taken it to a place local to me who would have dealt with the bosch paperwork, and I would have dropped the motor out of the frame to do the swap.

as for the handling, I'm faster and more confident riding on any terrain than I am on my non motorised mtb, one mans handling like a barge can be anothers 'very stable' and confidence inspiring. I don't ride big jumps on either bike but I am happy on drops. I ride for fun and having the grunt to climb back to the top of the hill more than twice means I get more smiles pre ride

I read in the press that the sales of eMTBs have gone through the roof so stock levels are low right now with the knock on effect being not so many deals to be had, but there must be some out there.

Cheers for answers so far.

What do people think of Giant emtbs?
Also if you were in between frame sizes, would you go slightly smaller or slightly larger, I'm bang on the middle of most manufacturers small and medium frames.

How are Rutland Cycles for service, they're within driving distance of mine and have some reasonable deals.

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 6:48 pm How are Rutland Cycles for service, they're within driving distance of mine and have some reasonable deals.

good.

What about this

https://www.e-velo.uk/e-bike-brands/hai ... -2020.html

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 6:58 pm What about this

https://www.e-velo.uk/e-bike-brands/hai ... -2020.html

It's OK.... but it's not a £3k bike because it's not a £3k bike. LOL.

everything is.... fine... OK, competent.... but that's it... Think of it as a Ford Focus base model of bikes. All the parts are on the cheaper end of the market, that doesn't mean they don't work.. but they're.... just OK.

Would i buy it for me.... No...

Should you buy it for you, maybe... no reason why not.

FRAME FAMILY
Haibike, SDURO HardSeven, Aluminium 6061, Thru-axle M12 (1.75) x 148mm, Disc brake Post Mount

FORK
SR Suntour, XCM34 LOR, Lockout, Steel spring, Travel= 120 mm, Aluminium steerer tube 1 1/8" - 1 1/2" tapered, 15 x 110mm thru-axle Boost

CRANK ARM
Haibike Components, The Crank +, Aluminium

BRAKE (FRONT)
Tektro, M275, 180 mm, 2-piston disc brake

BRAKE (REAR)
Tektro, M275, 180 mm, 2-piston disc brake

TUBE
Presta valve

RIM
Rodi, Tryp 35, with eyelets, hollow rim, Aluminium

CLAMPING RING
Quick release, 34.9 mm

REAR DERAILLEUR
Shimano, Altus M2000

SHIFT LEVER
Shimano, Altus M2010, Rapidfire, 9 speed

BOTTOM BRACKET
integrated in the motor

SPROCKET
Shimano, HG200, 11 - 36 teeth

CHAIN
KMC, X9

CHAINRING
Steel, 38 teeth

CHAIN GUIDE
Nylon directmount

BRAKE LEVER
Tektro, M275, Aluminium

BRAKE DISC (FRONT)
Tektro, TR180

BRAKE DISC (REAR)
Tektro, TR180

TYRE
Schwalbe, Smart Sam Active , 65-584, 27.5" x 2.60"

FRONT WHEEL HUB
Haibike Components, TheHub ++, 6-bolt standard

REAR WHEEL HUB
Haibike Components, 6-bolt standard

SPOKES
Sapim, Leader, black

HANDLEBAR
Haibike Components, TheBar+, 740 mm

GRIPS
Haibike, MTB grips

STEM
Haibike Components, The Stem +, A-head

HEADSET
Feimin, A-Head Tapered, ball bearing

SADDLE
Haibike Components, TheSaddle

SEAT POST
Haibike Components, The Seatpost +, Patent, 31.6 mm, Aluminium

PEDALS
Freeridepedal, Aluminium, with Reflector

WEIGHT (KG)
24.2 kg

weeksy wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 4:58 pm
... they ride like a fucking barge, they jump like an ocean liner and have the feel of a jelly balanced on a snowboard...

Rubbish.

That's what I thought before I actually rode one.

as weeksy says, Rutland have been pretty good to be fair, I bought the bike a year ago for pretty much half rrp and the service when I picked it up was good.

at the moment comms have taken a bit of time to sort this warranty claim, but the person that I've been dealing with has been really good all things considered

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 6:46 pm Cheers for answers so far.

What do people think of Giant emtbs?
Also if you were in between frame sizes, would you go slightly smaller or slightly larger, I'm bang on the middle of most manufacturers small and medium frames.

I was going to buy a Giant right up to the point where I saw the advert for the one that I bought. They have a really good reputation for quality kit

hilldweller wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 3:55 pm

Julian_Boolean wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 2:35 pm, I'm really not into heavy exercise, the bike will be used like a trail motorcycle,

I've had three road legal e-bikes. All limited to 240W by law. In the real world it's a nice help on the flat but show them a hill and you are back to grunting.

I've no experience of non legal higher wattage ones.

You are aware how e-bikes work? They're effort multipliers. If you don't put the effort in they won't.

I've got a Trek Powerfly 9 FS LT and I'm blowing out of my arse on climbs, but I'm going up them faster than I have been able to in the last 25 years and I'm able to concentrate on picking lines and using "Body english" to get up the technical stuff because I'm not spending all of my physical and mental energy on simply turning the pedals.