There is a reason some of the top bikes are using this motor, pure power 160 NM equal 118 foot lbs. of torque, the Bosch is a very good motor but at only 75nm of torque that is only 55 foot pounds of torque, and really it's designed for the European market not the North American market. If you want to climb grade with weight you are going to be limited at some point. The bikes that are changing to the Gates Drive system have done so because aggressive riders that push this motor to it's limits are busting chains like crazy, one customer busting 5 within a year. Basically if the motor is tuned to 1600 watts plus, your chains life will be greatly reduced, if you are pushing it. The bikes that are using chains seem to be using KMC Ebike specific ones. As well Bafang knows this motor is good but it needs further software tuning, I was just watching a video from their factory, where they specifically had riders going out testing different software configurations to improve that aspect.
The list is by price highest to lowest, it's up to each person to discover what the best value is for them, links provided.
#1 Watt Wagon-Cross Tour $7299.00
Of note Titanium frame fully loaded and always improving, fat tire style, they also make a commuter but I wanted to pick just one from each brand.
Watt Wagon Cross Tour
#2 EXCESS From Germany $6965.00
Of note they are a one model only type company, carbon fiber frame with the upgraded G510 Excess controller which I included in the price, that controller is suppose to really improve the tuning.
EXCESS
#3 LUNA Cycle-Apollo $5550.00
Of note Carbon fiber frame with probably the very best battery of all these Ebikes 52V 21Amp/hrs with upgraded cells, batteries is their specialty, so this should be of no surprise, also they have also tuned their G510 to higher specifications.
LUNA Apollo
#4 FLX - Blade 2 $5269.00
Of note 2020 model has changed the frame and drive train, looks very good, I took the fully loaded price, as that is what I would buy.
FLX BLADE 2
#5 Biktrix Juggernaut Ultra 1000 $4229.00
Of note I put the upgrades in, they have had more time with this motor as they were one of the first to get it to market, getting more economical now for price under $5K
BIKTRIX Juggernaut Ultra
#6 FREY- EX PRO $4010.00
Of note this bike has duel 48 volt 14 amp/hr batteries one inside the tube and one outside, the ultimate long distance runner.
FREY EX PRO
#7 M2S Bikes All Terrain Ultra FS - $3499.00
The only reason it beat out the one below is because it has 29 reviews average 5/5 stars which I felt was worth capturing the 7th spot.
MS2 ULTRA FS
#8 Volton- A-Trail EMTB -$3499.00
Used the upgraded motor package to get to this.
VOLTON A TRAIL EMTB
#9 Rize - RX - $2799.00
Just changed from Sparks and re-branded to Rize, a very thrifty price for what you actually get.
Rize RX
#10 BPM F-1000 - $2395.00
This is the most economical of the bunch.
BPM F-1000
I know there are more out there, but I think this is a good list with high to low prices.
Edited in a #10 as per the posts below, top 10 sounds better anyways.
Some guy that ordered the FLX Blade 2.0 couple of months ago with August delivery date got notified that it's been delayed to October. He ended up buying the UC Pro. Even if all other components are the same, the WW Ultra with the ARchon X1 controller makes it a no brainer.FYI...I bookmarked this list months ago and continue to come back to it numerous times. Is it time to update? Are there more bikes out there? Thank you for making it - so helpful.
I found myself going through this cycle: (a) Anything Bafang mid-drive, (b) OK so Banfang but Luna made some nice modifications so definitely buy from Luna but that Ultra has more potential power available, and finally (c) OK Bafang Ultra now but maybe a Luna bike, but hmmm now the Watt Wagons Archon X1 mod sounds like an upgrade from Luna because it's the closest thing to the smoothness of a Bosch with the thumb throttle I demand and insano mode power I will want on uphill trails.
That puts me leaning towards the FLX Trail 2.0 with aftermarket upgrade to WW or (preferred) Travalanche. Also, need to factor in a divorce when my wife realizes I "spent $9K on a bicycle!!!???". "But honey...Bafang BBUHD with Archon X1."
Some guy that ordered the FLX Blade 2.0 couple of months ago with August delivery date got notified that it's been delayed to October. He ended up buying the UC Pro. Even if all other components are the same, the WW Ultra with the ARchon X1 controller makes it a no brainer.
Even though the WW name has the word "commuter", I don't think it's any less capable off road than the FLX Blade 2.0. You just need knobbies and you're good to go.I stopped by the FLX HQ since I work 5 miles away. Looks nicer in person.
Anyhow, I have zero need for a commuter. I want for eMTB-ing only. If I wanted a commuter the UC Pro is a fantastic option just for the dual batteries alone. I spent last night watching the Red Bull competition of analog MTB pros flying down mountain cliffs. Do commuter bike guys watch videos of people darting in and around city traffic?
@Ebiker33, what bike is that? It's not the Travalanch.@dunksalot
You might be interested in the Travelanche from WW, that bike is basically # 2 EXESS on my list check it out, Germany will only sell them in NA through WW.
WW TRAVALANCHE
But it doesn't have a gates belt or a IGH, but it is Carbon fiber and full suspension, a great bike for sure.
I told Pushkar he needs to try and make it work so he has it all, he said he might try, if he can pull that off it will be an even better Ebike, of coarse the price would go up too.
I think the only way is to replace the back half with maybe Ti so it has the slit, Eboxx has done it so it can be done, but it only has the Bosch motor so no throttle and not as much power.
You also need a mechanism to allow for suspension movement, since this has never been done with a high powered Ebike at any volume, it needs tons of testing first as well.
But the price is crazy too $10,000 Euro's.
If you scroll up I directly mention that as one of the nicest. Here's a fun question that probably deserves its own thread...@dunksalot
You might be interested in the Travelanche from WW, that bike is basically # 2 EXESS on my list check it out, Germany will only sell them in NA through WW.
WW TRAVALANCHE
But it doesn't have a gates belt or a IGH, but it is Carbon fiber and full suspension, a great bike for sure.
I told Pushkar he needs to try and make it work so he has it all, he said he might try, if he can pull that off it will be an even better Ebike, of coarse the price would go up too.
I think the only way is to replace the back half with maybe Ti so it has the slit, Eboxx has done it so it can be done, but it only has the Bosch motor so no throttle and not as much power.
You also need a mechanism to allow for suspension movement, since this has never been done with a high powered Ebike at any volume, it needs tons of testing first as well.
But the price is crazy too $10,000 Euro's.
10K to a Hollywood or sports guy is nothing or Arnold...anybody know what brand he is riding?
Not sure why FLX 2.0 is on your list. If you think Blade 2.0 is a capable emtb then might as well add the new UC Pro since it’s more capable than the Blade 2.0 especially with the Archon X1 controller.If you scroll up I directly mention that as one of the nicest. Here's a fun question that probably deserves its own thread...
WHAT is your "Mount Rushmore of eMTBs"?
(You can do the same for Commuters, Fat Bikes, or Step-throughs...and we in America use this as the "best 4 of all-time" standard term.)
Mine today:
- Watt Wagons Travalanche $8,200 (Archon X1 w/160 Nm torque and top grade components...negative points for external battery, coil rear shock and weird exposed rear frame looks cheap)
- GreyP G6 $8,000 (Built-in front and rear cameras and track & trace system will be a standard everywhere soon - love this for street rides! This would be my top choice if it had a thumb throttle - never heard of the MPF Drive motor - by far the most beautiful eMTB)
- YT Decoy CF Pro Race $6,300 (Shimano motor + battery = no thumb) - best non-Bafang pound-for-pound value
- FLX Blade 2.0 $6,000 [No rear suspension, alum. frame, but the only off-the-shelf {Bafang Ultra + Speedhub} is nice trade-off]. If I ran FLX, I'd reach out to Pushkar for that Archon X1 upgrade option.
Honorable mention:
- Luna X1 Enduro in Ludicrous Mode $4,200 (you can argue for Apollo but I prefer internal battery - carbon, best "pound-for-pound" value)
- Specialized Turbo Levo SL $12,500 (Costly for brand name and support) - I prefer the Kenevo for $3K less.
- Haibike Flyon Nduro 10.0 $10,690 (Yamaha engine outperforms Bosch bikes + battery)
- Mondraker Crafty Carbon RR SL $14,250 (all carbon, very lightweight, but expensive - Bosch motor)
- Cube Stereo 160 C:62 $7,400 (Bosch motor, carbon, nice design and color schemes)
- Zen Samurai $3,500 (when it comes out this will be a tremendous value with top value parts - may bump FLX off the mountain)
- KirbEbike Vapour $4,500 (Designed for speed - great value if you can do your own repairs)
I just don't think the UC Pro has a cool look for eMTB. However, for commuter biking that thing is great. It has lights and racks and dual batteries and a step through option and hauls.Not sure why FLX 2.0 is on your list. If you think Blade 2.0 is a capable emtb then might as well add the new UC Pro since it’s more capable than the Blade 2.0 especially with the Archon X1 controller.
Well, aside from the obvious looks and the point where I said you can always put together a Commuter list of your own, I'd guess you'd eventually be picking up parts off your UC Pro from the trails. Why even bother to offer the Travalanche when everyone can get a UC Pro? Do you keep a signed photo of Pushkar the Great above your mantle? Did you get a Watt Wagons logo tattooed on your lower back yet?
I'm being a wise ass so I hope you see the humor above. I just don't think the UC Pro has a cool look for eMTB. However, for commuter biking that thing is great. It has lights and racks and dual batteries and a step through option and hauls ass.
Nah you’re not wise. Just too ignorant to think that you have any sense.Well, aside from the obvious looks and the point where I said you can always put together a Commuter list of your own, I'd guess you'd eventually be picking up parts off your UC Pro from the trails. Why even bother to offer the Travalanche when everyone can get a UC Pro? Do you keep a signed photo of Pushkar the Great above your mantle? Did you get a Watt Wagons logo tattooed on your lower back yet?
I'm being a wise ass so I hope you see the humor above. I just don't think the UC Pro has a cool look for eMTB. However, for commuter biking that thing is great. It has lights and racks and dual batteries and a step through option and hauls ass.