Battle of the Budget Full Suspension Bike

[FlatSix911]

The Hal you have indicated in your post comes with the e7000 mid-drive motor.

Will you be missing additional needed torque as you would get from the e8000 motor, or are they close in overall performance for your riding style?

Perhaps this is a typo in the comparison table below?

eBike Compare​	Motobecane HAL e27PLUS​	Trek Powerfly Plus​	Specialized Turbo FSR Levo 6​
Price​	SALE $2699* (List $7295)​	$4999 +Local Tax​	$9500 +Local Tax​
Frame Material​	Hydroformed Aluminum​	Hydroformed Aluminum​	Hydroformed Aluminum​
Electric Motor System​	Shimano e6100 MidDrive​	Bosch Performance CX MidDrive​	Specialized Branded MidDrive​
Motor/Battery​	Shimano 250W/ 418WH​	Bosch 250W/ 500WH​	Specialized 250W/ 504WH​
Derailleur/Shifters​	Shimano SLX/M7000 11sp​	Mix Shimano XT / SLX 11sp​	SRAM XX 11sp​
Suspension Fork​	Rockshox REVELATION​	Rockshox Yari​	Rockshox Pike​
Front / Rear Travel​	140mm / 140mm​	130mm / 130mm​	140mm / 140mm​
Brakeset​	Shimano M6000​	Deore​	SRAM Guide RSC​
Crankset​	Shimano E8000M/E7000 DRIVE​	Miranda Delta​	House Brand​
Wheels​	WTB TCS Tubeless​	House Brand​	House Brand​
Tires​	Maxxis REKON+ 120tpi TLR3C​	House Brand​	House Brand​
Price​	$2699+ FREE Ship 48*​	$4999 + Local Tax​	$9500 + Local Tax​

Thanks for your reply. The new HAL e27plus comes with the E7000 motor... it appears that they did not update the comparison page.

I am fine with the E7000 60nm of torque vs. the E8000 70nm based on the additional range provided at the lower torque values.

 

[emtbdude]

Thanks for your reply. The new HAL e27plus comes with the E7000 motor... it appears that they did not update the comparison page.

I am fine with the E7000 60nm of torque vs. the E8000 70nm based on the additional range provided at the lower torque values.

That's a good point that I hadn't considered: less power = greater range. Could it actually close the 80 or 90 watt hour gap? Based on torque values alone (12.5%), maybe you'll get that much extra range? That would be an extra 50 watt hours or so: perhaps the gap in range is under 10% rather than 20%?

I also wonder if the 8000 battery is compatible with the 7000 system? I've seen the 8000 battery for around $600, for a total of $3K and nearly double the range if you are willing to return to the trailhead and swap out batteries...

 

[FlatSix911]

That's a good point that I hadn't considered: less power = greater range. Could it actually close the 80 or 90 watt hour gap? Based on torque values alone (12.5%), maybe you'll get that much extra range? That would be an extra 50 watt hours or so: perhaps the gap in range is under 10% rather than 20%?

I also wonder if the 8000 battery is compatible with the 7000 system? I've seen the 8000 battery for around $600, for a total of $3K and nearly double the range if you are willing to return to the trailhead and swap out batteries...

I understand that the 418Wh and 500Wh batteries are interchangeable... I have not verified in person yet.

 

[LimboJim]

Thanks for the input! Does your bike have 27.5 or 29 wheels? All my mountain bikes are 27.5 I think I'm due for a 29er. I'm thinking of grabbing a 2018 Meta Power only it's a Rockshock bike with an awesome price. Selection is limited and your version is no longer available. Does yours have the SRAM EX1 eight speed?

One reason I picked the Race Fox was the EX1 drivetrain, another was the 27.5" wheels. Add DPX2 & 36/Fit4 suspension, e8000 motor, and a geometry that looked just right and I just couldn't resist it, especially at overstock pricing...

 

[Feliz]

One reason I picked the Race Fox was the EX1 drivetrain, another was the 27.5" wheels. Add DPX2 & 36/Fit4 suspension, e8000 motor, and a geometry that looked just right and I just couldn't resist it, especially at overstock pricing...

How do you like the 8 speed? There's a 2018 on the Canadian site at a really good, for Canada, price, if it's there after Xmas I'll grab it.

 

[LimboJim]

How do you like the 8 speed? There's a 2018 on the Canadian site at a really good, for Canada, price, if it's there after Xmas I'll grab it.

I already had about a year's worth of EX1 experience on my 2017 Haibike Xduro Allmtn 8.0, now nearly a year on the Commencal, and I love it on both bikes (CX and e8000).

The $25 EX1 chains, which are actually 10-sp width, have lasted more than 2x as long as my 11-speeds did. It's weird that Commencal stocks their EX1-equipped bikes with PC1051 chains - the EX1 chain is cheaper and lasts longer... for me at least. It's a tad heavier, but I'm no weight weanie!

The XG-899 cassette's expensive (lists at nearly $400), but both of mine have held up nicely thus far with several hundred miles and 10s of thousands of feet of elevation gain on each. Seemless shifting with a nice spread and a great 48t climbing gear.

Anyway, I looked at the 2018 MetaPower 29 on their Canadian site - looks sweet! While there, I saw a 10% offer that expires midnight this Monday, bringing its price to well under $4kUSD... Still gonna wait til after Xmas?

 

[Feliz]

Thanks for all the insight on your EX1 experience, I think I'll grab the 2018 MetaPower 29. The other one I'm considering is the 2019 Race but it's not discounted as much as the 2018 and it doesn't have the EX1 system. Thanks again for your response.