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Just debating a significant outlay as a gift...hopefully this topic doesn't get seen and give the game away 🙂
Other half has other hobbies and can't devote loads of time to keeping 'bike fit' so this means the MTB has been gathering significant amounts of dust, and the road bike is the usual bike of choice if she wants to ride with me. Off road riding is generally hilly downlands, the occasional trail centre on holiday and woodland.
Leaning towards a lower power but lighter Fazua based hardtail rather than a heavier but more powerful Bosch or Shimano full suss...however both styles start at about the same budget of £3500, so I'd welcome thoughts from those who have tried the Fazua motor or a hardtail e-bike.
I also like the Fazua concept due to being able to ride battery free and lower resistance when not powered or flat, but if the weight is the only benefit, a full suss would be a better all rounder...
Stock levels are obviously another headache!
Bump as my topic isn't showing in the forum index?!
Bump!
I think there are a few threads where people have talked about the lighter weight systems, which might help.
I've got a Kenisis Rise, a Fazua "hardcore" hardtail 29er with 130mm forks. I like it, but to be completely honest a lot of that is because I really like that kind of hardtail and I live in the South East. It's great - for my riding - and I bought a spare battery (Halfords was the best price) which I can carry to address any range issues of the 250 battery size.
I lent it to my wife for a few rides (advantage of the short steep seat tube / long reach geometry) and she loved it enough to buy her own ebike. But she got a hybrid style Orbea Vibe instead, which suits her much better.
The Fazua system works for me, but I rarely ride without the battery (I have other XC type bikes so why would I except racing?). Fazua isn't that light really compared to many other ebikes and if you want plenty of boost the battery will drain quickly, so it needs to suit a style of riding where you are just getting say 100w of boost steadily over the ride, which basically for me compensates for the heavier bike and draggy tyres. Some of the extras you will end up wanting to buy will cost you over time, so allow for that - spare battery is £350, blanking plate to ride motor-free is about £75. There's a Fazua Riders group on facebook that people use to share issues. Mostly, they seem far more reliable than the "big" motors and most people only struggle with getting the initial frame/motor fit perfect and some manufacturers have maybe been a bit lax there.
I'd still rather have the Fazua than a big bike with "xxxx" torque, battery and weight, but you have to accept the cons as well as the pros. Money no object, I think the lighter systems from Specialized and Orbea are probably better for me, but there is a price element there and the Fazua is very good.
I bought my OH a Trek (Bosch) HT last year - it's fab.
We test rode a Fauza motor (granted, was a gravel bike) and a Bosch FS..
TBH - we were both underwhelmed by the Fauza motor 'if you're looking for an e-bike'... It's more a bit 'E assist' if you see what I mean.
There is a STRIKING difference in the capabilities of a bosch driven bike, and I'd suggest that the extra weight is worth the torque/battery/range..
DrP
What about a conversion kit to her existing bike like a bafang or a Swytch kit?
Might be better for someone who doesn't ride that much.
I'd suggest the main decision would be full sus or HT, rather than a specific motor. But I'd agree with DrP that Fazua is more "assist" than "boost".
Fazua HTs are "lighter" than a emtb with enduro kit and a 700 battery. But they aren't "light". For me, I'm 6'2 and robustly built (steady now!) and I can still enjoy riding the Rise HT as it needs to be ridden. I can see this not working for small or light riders though, muscling a heavy e hardtail around and spending lots of time sat down would be very hard work - it isn't just about pedalling. If she's more likely to be fighting the bike weight, go FS every time.
i would love fauza motored hardtail.
i do however already have a fullfat ebike full suss so to have the HT ebike on its own would be like teasing
pedalling uphill sucks. (although i`m generally not that bad at it when i try/get fit)
i am well over motored on the full fat ebike for summer days. i rarely go out of eco (im on the mid range of my e8000 (or whetever shim motor ref is - not ep8)) setting on eco). If i lived somewhere like wales that may be a bit different but if the gradient is not totally bonkers you dont need trail or boost.
Thanks for comments, you have swung me back to a 'full fat' version. I'm not sure she would ride hard enough to get the range out of the Fazua type, also one of her friends has an ebike and it sounds like she may be be left playing catch up on a less powerful motor.
I'll look into the retro fit kits, however I don't think her frame will take a battery (an old Lapierre Zesty, small) and a Switch style handlebar battery I think would probably not survive for off-road riding...she is a pretty capable but occasional rider and I can't help but think a bar battery and front hub motor would result in an almighty over the bars moment next time she barrels into something a bit quick!
Went into a bike shop earlier for the first time this year and it's quite sobering to see all the bikes spread out and lonely, there was a Liv ready to go in the right size but over £5k. I think she'd be quite cross if I spent that much 😂 i know I could get finance but it's still a huge outlay even if it does get her riding alot more...I think she'd rather spend it on her main hobby.
I’ve got 2 full sus ebikes one with fazua and one with Bosch. I’ve had HT ebikes and for me they don’t work with the weight and extra speed. If there’s any riding with a normal ebike the fazua will struggle to keep up if both riders are the same fitness. I’m growing to like my fazua as it feels more like a normal bike and you have to put more effort in for the same speed. Put the same effort into the Bosch and it is quicker.