E-bike,anyone gone ...
 

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[Closed] E-bike,anyone gone to one as their only mtb

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Posts: 156
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Demoed a couple of specialized e-bikes recently and they were a lot of fun.has anyone got rid of their mtbs in favour of a e-mtb and  how are you finding it.

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 3:36 pm
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No, it’s great, but it’s different. (Specialized Levo here)

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 4:43 pm
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Agreed it’s a different buzz - my emtb actually inspired me to buy a new normal mtb

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 5:16 pm
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I'm about to, I actually wanted to get rid of the ebike and only keep the normal bike but it seems that's a non starter... For a long time it's been the bike I've used 95% of the time anyway. I do miss the feel of a normal bike downhill, personally I find them more fun to ride downhill although apparently I'm faster on the Levo even on non pedally stuff.

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 6:18 pm
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I'm going back up to grizedale tomorrow to demo a couple more at the specialized trail days event.really enjoyed the couple of times I've ridden them and am looking forward to taking a couple more out tomorrow to see if the novelty wears off😀

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 6:49 pm
 ton
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just got to the stage where i can no longer ride my proper mtb.

i was gonna call mtbing a day, but over the last few days i have had a few emails from folk telling me to give a e-mtb a go.

so i am looking for somewhere that i can hire a big full sus e-mtb and take it for a ride in some proper terrain.

any idea's greatly appreciated.

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 6:56 pm
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Specialized in Harrogate will let you borrow a Kenevo to demo for a weekend Ton. You aren’t going to get much bigger and burlier than that...

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 7:03 pm
 ton
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cheers Tom

i will contact them and see if i cant take one out for a trip up nidderdale or slaidburn.

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 7:23 pm
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I think Rutland cycles hire them for a couple of days they deliver and pick them up.

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 7:56 pm
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I think evens where doing 2 day demos for £50.hope e-bikes work for you ton be a shame to have to stop doing something you enjoy.

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 8:02 pm
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ayup Tony.

Allterrain hire out demos too  I borrowed 3 before taking the plunge .

you can take my Trek out anytime  its a large but might be a tad small for you but the offer is there

hope one keeps you on the trails  and healing vibes sent

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 8:06 pm
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I have one, and coincidentally, i have got rid of my other fs bike, but partly that’s because it has 26” wheels and I couldn’t be arsed spending any time/ money on new tyres etc.

it’s not my only bike though, i have a rigid surly karate monkey and a cx bike too.

currently getting most enjoyment from the surly.

i wouldn’t have an ebike as my only bike while i can still pedal a normal bike.

they don’t ‘respond’ like a lighter bike does, that may, or may not bother you of course.

 
Posted : 06/05/2018 8:17 pm
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Had my Spesh Levo Turbo nearly a year now

Its great for trail/xc if i didn't have it i wouldn't ride those disciplines, makes climbing so much more fun

Ive still got my Transition Patrol for bike parks/downhill use (anywhere little pedaling is involved)

Ive used the Levo for jumps and downhill and it just isn't as good as the Patrol, the Levo is heavy and cumbersome on fast downhill twisty trails

I couldn't beat any of my PB's on the Levo at Windhill bike park the other week

When you buy an e-bike find out from other people what the shop is like for any warranty issues

You will have an issue at some point, maybe battery or motor related (im on my 2nd motor)

Some shops take a week to fix an issue, others have no clue and have to send back to manufactuer

I'm lucky as the shop i use do a same day service on swapping motors and can help with most issues via the Levo/Kenevo Facebook page

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 6:51 am
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Its not my only bike as I still have my normal bikes but its the only bike I've been able to ride for a couple of years due to health reasons. I'm not allowed to ride even that at the moment while I'm waiting for a heart op. After my op my plan is to use it to get back into riding sooner and then switch back to a regular bike.

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 7:06 am
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I'm not sure I'd want one as an ONLY bike.. (at least not until way the other side of 65 - health permitting)

I did start having random thoughts though around a long travel bike and really wondering if its worth paying for a lighter (carbon) long travel vs an e-long travel. (It's not like I get to do stuff that really requires >140mm all that often and I'm not that good ...)

I took both the XC HT and trail bikes out yesterday .. and despite being at Swinley where any suspension is purely optional on the official routes the XC was just less fun and frightening on the tiny jumps...

I did for the first time feel there were too many eBikes (of course I chose to go to Swinley on a BH weekend) as we were doing some timed training loops with Jnr and it got quite annoying pulling over on climbs then having to repeat a loop ... and the same thing happening.

We gave up and went and rode the FS...

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 8:33 am
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I've got rid of 2 nukeproof's mtb's and run a Levo and a 29er full suss now. The ebike is used most of the time because its fun to use everytime.

Ton, if you are local to Earby you are welcome to try it out. Size XL.

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 9:38 am
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Went back to grizedale today to try another couple of bikes after taking a kenevo and a stumpy 29er out on Saturday,tried a levo and a stumpy 650b the levo was brilliant my favourite of the weekend and i was faster than on the kenevo.

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 5:02 pm
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Agreed re reliability issues if you’re not mechanically minded you need a good shop nearby.  I’ve got a Bosch overvolt sx800, and I have had to replace the remote for the power modes (crash damage) just bought a new intuvia display (also crash damage) and the speed sensor (got an error 503).  The speed sensor has just started playing up again but fixed itself when I wiggled the connector - so I cleaned up the (very small) connectors and so far so good - I suspect the original sensor issue may have just been a dodgy connector - I still have it so will try it again sometime...

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 7:08 pm
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I’ve still got my clockwork bike, but only because I haven’t got round to selling it yet.

I’m faster on the ebike, I go further on the ebike and most importantly I can still function after a ride on the ebike.

TL:DR it’s ace and I doubt I’ll ever ride a normal bike off-road again.

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 7:18 pm
 dab
Posts: 391
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Been riding a Merida E160 -700 since getting rid of my fat bike after a huge back op / recovery period

Had it since May 17 as my solo bike although  I have access to another e bike ( wife’s )

the Shimano motor has been (so far) flawless and the only thing I’ve changed has been the brake pads to some fresh Shimano sintered ones

love the hills, can go out with my mates and level peg them on the ups and downs, without it I wouldn’t do a fraction of the riding I do or the intensity of what I do now

only down side is hitting the 15.5mph power fall off and lifting it over deer fences

but it’s a small price to pay

do it !

ps I demod a Mondraker crafty , Turbo Levo, Trek Powderfly LT and a quick ride on the focus Jam2

Merida just felt the one

 
Posted : 07/05/2018 10:09 pm

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