E-MTBs

MelonFan123
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MelonFan123
Edited Date/Time 9/8/2021 9:16pm
Who’s got one? What brand? Any advice?

Been torn between the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp and YT Decoy Shred...if I can ever find one to buy!
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Kyle978
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Kyle978 11/8/2020 12:24am
11/8/2020 12:24am Edited Date/Time 11/8/2020 12:24am
Palm Springs Cyclery in Palm Springs has the best selection of Specialized e-bikes I’ve seen since the pandemic, and I’ve been to lots of shops on the west coast in the last 6 months. Most are cleaned out.

They had about 15 or so on hand, from low end to high in most sizes. I’d give them a call if you’re having trouble tracking one down.
Bigoldbeef 11/8/2020 6:45am
11/8/2020 6:45am
I’ve got a 19 Levo expert. No complaints here. Never ridden any other models so I can’t compare.
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MelonFan123
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MelonFan123 11/8/2020 8:58am
11/8/2020 8:58am
@kyle978 thanks I’ll give them a try! Believe it or not my local Moto shop (Thousand Oaks Powersports) actually carries Specialized e-bikes now. Been getting the run around from them for a few weeks about getting one in stock in my frame size
1
crowe660
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crowe660 11/8/2020 10:00am
11/8/2020 10:00am
I’ve been watching all kinds of YouTube videos to try and figure out which bike to buy, and I’m lost. Really wanted to find something better than the Tazer, but Intense might end up being the way I go. Some bikes, like Specialized are priced so crazy, I just can’t. I just want one to fart around on. Hit a few booters, bomb some trails and call it a day.

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Dropbear
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Dropbear 11/8/2020 12:09pm
11/8/2020 12:09pm
I’ve got a Merida 160 900e. Very popular in my part of the world. Fantastic bike. Merida’s are probably best thought of as the emtb with the most regular bike feel.
alphado
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alphado 11/9/2020 5:36am
11/9/2020 5:36am Edited Date/Time 11/9/2020 5:37am
I got to demo a Rocky Mountain Hardtail E-Bike over the weekend. Man that was incredible! You start pedaling and it just goes. Made the hills flat. It was an entry level bike, so the brakes sucked and it was heavy, but you really don't notice the weight when riding it. The bike shop was really trying to get me to buy it too.

https://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/growler-powerplay/2020
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Falcon
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Falcon 11/9/2020 10:49am
11/9/2020 10:49am
cjmx wrote:
I don't have one but 3 of my friends do. 2 have the commencal and one the taser. Check out Commencal if you haven't already. Amazing...
I don't have one but 3 of my friends do. 2 have the commencal and one the taser. Check out Commencal if you haven't already. Amazing prices and quality bikes

https://www.commencalusa.com/meta-power-29-ride-c2x29149304
X2 on Commencal. I don't have a Meta Power, but my pedal bike is a Meta AM. No complaints.
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crowe660
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crowe660 11/9/2020 5:30pm
11/9/2020 5:30pm
Motobecane Hal a no go?
Crush
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Crush 11/10/2020 6:44pm
11/10/2020 6:44pm Edited Date/Time 11/10/2020 6:48pm
Had the 2017 Levo and now a 2019 Kenevo. Levo was nothing but trouble. Fair play to specialized they backed it up but fuck me it was annoying. They are immensely fun though.

Kenevo has been fairly trouble free. Just the battery replaced. I'm nearing the end of the warranty period so slightly concerned....

If you're fast or heavy you'll find you'll break shit and chew parts... tyres chains etc. Don't worry about expensive e-bike chains, just use the cheap PC1110 and change it regularly, cheaper and your expensive cassette will last longer.

Cushcore is an absolute must. The weight of you and the bike will burp standard tyres... suggest you look at DH casing or EWild tyres etc...

If your trails are flowly/pumpy/pedally, for sure get the Levo or similar air suspended at around 150mm. Only go Kenevo if your trail warrants it, as its a bit of a pig on the flats.

My next bike will definitely be a long travel 29er with the shimano or bosch motor... they've had less motor trouble for sure than the Brose in the Specialized. I'd also like 160mm+ air suspension, and a battery extender to get to 1000wh for long ass rides.

I like the new commencal, but after breaking the shock on my kenevo I want do that suspension design again. The new Merida or Focus Jam are great trail options. Our crew has a few generations of those and a Mondraker too.

Currently the Norco Sight VLT29 is almost what I want, but old shimano motor... and the Bosch powered Focus Sam doesn't have an extender. I live in hope.

Fun as fuck overall, but not trouble free. Kinda like moto in the late 80s, early 90s. You will break it!
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MelonFan123
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MelonFan123 11/11/2020 9:44pm
11/11/2020 9:44pm
Crush, your last statement is why I’m leaning toward a Specialized. Stuff does break. The help and any possible warranty issues you get from purchasing through a dealer seems like it’s worth paying a little more.

I don’t know fuck all about Mtn bikes. Slack, head angle...all that stuff might as well be a foreign language. I just want to ride something and have fun. I’m coming off two broken legs (one pretty severe) so pedaling will be my main source of excercise for the foreseeable future. I used to run and hike consistently, did a few triathlons...but not anymore.

I’ve also eliminated entry level bikes. Some of the ones mentioned seem to fit that criteria. I plan on keeping this for a while so I’d rather spend a little more to reap the benefits of better components and suspension. Still having trouble finding my preferred Turbo Levo Comp (XL frame).
Crush
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Crush 11/12/2020 2:19am
11/12/2020 2:19am
MelonFan123 wrote:
Crush, your last statement is why I’m leaning toward a Specialized. Stuff does break. The help and any possible warranty issues you get from purchasing through...
Crush, your last statement is why I’m leaning toward a Specialized. Stuff does break. The help and any possible warranty issues you get from purchasing through a dealer seems like it’s worth paying a little more.

I don’t know fuck all about Mtn bikes. Slack, head angle...all that stuff might as well be a foreign language. I just want to ride something and have fun. I’m coming off two broken legs (one pretty severe) so pedaling will be my main source of excercise for the foreseeable future. I used to run and hike consistently, did a few triathlons...but not anymore.

I’ve also eliminated entry level bikes. Some of the ones mentioned seem to fit that criteria. I plan on keeping this for a while so I’d rather spend a little more to reap the benefits of better components and suspension. Still having trouble finding my preferred Turbo Levo Comp (XL frame).
No doubt Specialized have been pretty good about their warranty, but that's totally because they've had to be. The motor is legit full of plastic parts.

I'm definitely getting a shimano for the next one, with the caveat being that it comes via a solid dealer. You're absolutely right to want that security – if you're on an XL or you ride hard (we're on a moto-forum afterall) you can bet you'll break shit. I literally just imploded a wheel!

I don't have any regrets about purchasing it, just wish they were more durable. So much fun though, honestly combined with the accessibility, I think they top Moto – I've got sick trails 15 minutes from my house. The amount of fun I can have compared to a full day of driving too and from the track, it's hard to beat.
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nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 11/21/2020 10:21pm
11/21/2020 10:21pm
I have a 19 YT Decoy Pro Race, I love it. For a long travel bike it’s still immensely fun on mellow trails. It’s more fun than my DH bike on flow/jump trails at the bike park. It eats up steep fall line all day long and makes pedalling up the fire road to access the downs a nice option rather than shuttling. I wish it had a bigger battery, that’s my only complaint. YT says a 700wh battery is under development but it’s been over a year and I’m still waiting.
1
alphado
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alphado 11/23/2020 8:20am
11/23/2020 8:20am
I went to the bike shop on Saturday ready to buy the Rocky Mountain but he sold them all. Won't have anything until March.
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 11/25/2020 5:26am
11/25/2020 5:26am Edited Date/Time 11/25/2020 5:27am
I rode my buddies specialized Levo the other day for the first time and was blown away with how fun it was. There was a 200 ft hill at the local bike park that I could just fly up on it and I could only go about 20 ft on my regular bike.
If I didn’t have a transition sentinel frame on order I would definitely be in the market for a specialized Levo. That will be my next bike for sure unless transition comes out with something. There are a ton of cool ebikes now, and they’re only going to get better within the next couple of years. You know these motorcycle manufacturers are going to be coming out with some cool stuff soon as well. Yamaha already has.
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LAWLESS23
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LAWLESS23 11/25/2020 9:33am
11/25/2020 9:33am
I just bought a Santa Cruz Heckler. It is so damn fun to ride! A lot of hate from the local Denver Colorado diehards - I was one of them too until I rode one. I still have my Transition Patrol for when I am feeling acoustic. But, almost all of the trails here on the front range are a looooong climb and a loooong decent. This bike allows for twice the fun. I find myself riding in ECO or Trail mode rather than boost mode. It still gets the heart rate up and breaks a great sweat. But, my legs aren't as pumped.

If you get a chance to ride one, do so. Just be prepared that you will want one!
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Falcon
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Falcon 11/25/2020 3:17pm
11/25/2020 3:17pm
My buddy just bought a Commencal. Ugh. He says I absolutely have to try it and it is a game changer. I guess I'd better start saving!

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Pit Row

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LAWLESS23
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LAWLESS23 11/25/2020 7:45pm
11/25/2020 7:45pm
Here’s a couple of my new Heckler and one of my Patrol. Both super fun!


kevinr
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kevinr 12/2/2020 4:07pm
12/2/2020 4:07pm
Spent 3-4 hours on a Trek Rail 7 in Arizona last weekend and the geometry and power was amazing. Heavy, but out west the extra front traction really helped. Maybe the lighter Levo would be better in the sloppy MidWest.
Crush
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Crush 12/3/2020 2:22am
12/3/2020 2:22am Edited Date/Time 12/3/2020 2:23am
The new Bullit looks bad as fuck!

EP8. 630WH battery. Quality build components and Santa Cruz's lifetime frame and bearing warranties... You're paying for it but this might be the leader IMO.

If it had a battery extender option it'd be close to perfect!




crowe660
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crowe660 12/3/2020 7:38am
12/3/2020 7:38am
alphado wrote:
I just ordered one of these. I got the Comp. Pretty cool company! I got to customize it some.

https://www.fezzari.com/wirepeak
Was just watching/reading reviews about that last night. Love to know what you think with some time on it. Sounded like they build and set it up specific to you when you order it.
alphado
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alphado 12/3/2020 8:22am
12/3/2020 8:22am
When you order they make you supply several measurements. A rep from there called me shortly after and went over everything. Several options you can add to the build. They take the bike from the crate, set it up how you want it, then ship it off to you. I have a 3-4 week lead time for mine. Customer service is pretty impressive so far.
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alphado
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alphado 12/22/2020 5:54am
12/22/2020 5:54am
It showed up yesterday. Can't wait to hit the trails with it.


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gt80rider
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gt80rider 12/22/2020 8:09am
12/22/2020 8:09am
after using electric MTB... I am back to old school leg power on my MTBs.... IMO, an E-MTB is just a really bad motorcycle... LOL... whenever I would use an E-MTB... there was always a much better motorcycle choice for the same terrain... although it was fun screwing with the hardcore road bike guys with electric... LOL... "Yo old dude on the 15k Cannondale, you suck, this hill is sooo easy!!!"... LOL
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MelonFan123
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MelonFan123 12/30/2020 10:33pm
12/30/2020 10:33pm
After lot of searching I finally got my Turbo Levo. They are near impossible to find here in CA - especially in the color I wanted. Ended up buying it from Rock River Powersports in WI and having it shipped.

Showed up on Christmas Eve and got a ride in the other day. Sure is a blast!


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sandman768
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sandman768 12/31/2020 5:53am
12/31/2020 5:53am
I been looking for a new mtn bike to replace my 29er Specialized ...I just thought these e bikes were cheating... can you still get a good cardio workout on these bikes?
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 12/31/2020 4:40pm
12/31/2020 4:40pm
sandman768 wrote:
I been looking for a new mtn bike to replace my 29er Specialized ...I just thought these e bikes were cheating... can you still get a...
I been looking for a new mtn bike to replace my 29er Specialized ...I just thought these e bikes were cheating... can you still get a good cardio workout on these bikes?
Absolutely. You just go faster.
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