eMTB Options For 2024

[Browneye]

Seems like the direct-to consumer Motobecane is a bargain. HAL, right?

IMO, part of what you get with the higher cost bikes is latest and greatest componentry. Wheelsets, drivetrain, and the newest trends in ergos and geometry. And of course, really good suspension. There is quite a difference between the low end and the high end forks and shocks, in how well they really work offroad. The high end is better than what we had on the vintage dirtbike motorcycles. Tires are now similar in size as well.

I'm completely happy with the Stance we got, but we had to pay full-boat list. My Trance was a better deal at almost $600 less, but that was right before the covid storm hit, when they were still offering discounts on overstocks and leftovers. The bikes are more similar than different, both really fun to ride with a good level of performance. My Trance has proved extremely durable. It really takes a beating at speed on offroad trails. Rocks and pedal-strikes, hard g-outs, surfaces that will rattle your teeth out - it just sails through.

I also think there's value in buying from a reputable dealer, should you need repairs or warranty assistance. You're kind of on your own with a direct-to consumer brand, which isn't so bad with a pedal-bike, but for an ebike there is greater incidence of failure, and potential complications - there's a lot of extra parts that could break. You surely pay a premium for that assurance.

A lot of casual trailriders can get by with a hardtail such as offered by the 'big-3', and those models get within spitting distance of the lower-cost bikes. Instead of encouraging people to find the cheapest bike, I recommend they start at their local dealer first. Although that plan can be a challenge in our current economic climate. Unfortunately, I don't see that getting better for another year or two.

Gnarly offroad singletrack near Payson AZ...

 

[Catalyzt]

Ya getting old...LOL..
61 years old
degenerative disc disease
Stage 2 prostate cancer
Bicep rupture
Both knees repaired
Fat...

Here is my go to trail I ride at least once a week.
Smarter and take less chances but every ride is a joy.
And life is too short to waste it on a shitty bike!

Yow. Awesome ride! And nice eclectic sound track.

I think the fiddle tune you start with is "Billy and the Lowground." (I am partial to the Merle Haggard and Doc Watson version.)

Some day, I'd love to be able to ride trails like that, taking the same approach I use when I play that song on guitar: Slower, and skipping or cheating the tough sections, but with few noticeable mistakes!

That's a great example of where an emtb becomes functional , it'll be interesting to see what parts ( if any) you replace over time.

Thanks! So far, just the tires and seat-- tubeless Maxxis Ikons and some off-brand CF saddle.

I don't think I'll go CF with a seat post or handlebars. Magnesium fork might be interesting, but expensive.

CF rims would also be interesting, but I'd have to learn a lot more about them, and would not go off-brand.

 

[RandallS]

Seems like the direct-to consumer Motobecane is a bargain. HAL, right?

IMO, part of what you get with the higher cost bikes is latest and greatest componentry. Wheelsets, drivetrain, and the newest trends in ergos and geometry. And of course, really good suspension. There is quite a difference between the low end and the high end forks and shocks, in how well they really work offroad. The high end is better than what we had on the vintage dirtbike motorcycles. Tires are now similar in size as well.

I'm completely happy with the Stance we got, but we had to pay full-boat list. My Trance was a better deal at almost $600 less, but that was right before the covid storm hit, when they were still offering discounts on overstocks and leftovers. The bikes are more similar than different, both really fun to ride with a good level of performance. My Trance has proved extremely durable. It really takes a beating at speed on offroad trails. Rocks and pedal-strikes, hard g-outs, surfaces that will rattle your teeth out - it just sails through.

I also think there's value in buying from a reputable dealer, should you need repairs or warranty assistance. You're kind of on your own with a direct-to consumer brand, which isn't so bad with a pedal-bike, but for an ebike there is greater incidence of failure, and potential complications - there's a lot of extra parts that could break. You surely pay a premium for that assurance.

A lot of casual trailriders can get by with a hardtail such as offered by the 'big-3', and those models get within spitting distance of the lower-cost bikes. Instead of encouraging people to find the cheapest bike, I recommend they start at their local dealer first. Although that plan can be a challenge in our current economic climate. Unfortunately, I don't see that getting better for another year or two.

Gnarly offroad singletrack near Payson AZ...

I'm one of those guys that went HT with my Giant Fathom Pro. Suits me 98% of the time, but some climbs with rock strewn or root ridden tracks demand a very careful choice of line. Most of fhe time I am fine, but there are times my choices and performance require a dismount and push. I find no shame in that but next bike will FS.

To be honest, when i chose the HT, my eyes were decidedly wide open to the compromise i was making. But I wasn't sure how much i was going to gravitate to singletrack rides. My brother and a good friend have talked a lot about the same compromise, and they are choosing HT Giants as well. We all ride quite a bit of urban paths with our less MTB oriented friends, and these all-rounder bikes are a good value proposition for the budgets we all have. But, back to the current situation of supply and demand, even if me or they wanted a FS bike, it's unlikely we'd find any locally anyways.

 

[PDoz]

Thanks! So far, just the tires and seat-- tubeless Maxxis Ikons and some off-brand CF saddle.

I don't think I'll go CF with a seat post or handlebars. Magnesium fork might be interesting, but expensive.

CF rims would also be interesting, but I'd have to learn a lot more about them, and would not go off-brand.

You'll notice a massive improvement with upgraded forks, but you don't necessarily need to go magnesium - just decent dampening and reasonably stiff legs. Look for a new second hand set of 34 + mm forks that someone with cash to burn is upgrading from. The guy I just bought my levo sl from took his brand new fox 38's off his kenevo sl and was offering them to me as an upgrade on the stock fox 34's . I know fox 34's are good enough for me so so didn't bother. He was also offering the new fox dpx 2 rear shock - that was VERY tempting, but I'm trying very hard to stay sensible with this bike.

Same with wheels - you can get reasonably strong but still light weight second hand wheels from people who think they need carbon fibre. Your rims look to be very narrow which might make that a bit more difficult?

Carbon bars are more about feel than weight improvement - it's subtle, and I doubt you'd notice the difference with the rest of the components on that bike - save your $ and get a light new second hand set of alloy bars from someone upgrading? Giant alloy bars are very light and have a reasonable feel.

Seatpost - forget carbon fibre, spend the $ on a dropper post. You won't regret it! It's one of those things that once tried, always appreciated.

 

[PDoz]

New bike psychology.

I like to tell myself fugle cost $5 k ( aus - that's $3.9 us) , and 3 years ago that felt like a fortune- now it feels like a bargain! The truth is, fugle wears another $1.5 k in bling - and that's starting from an already high spec bike! A lot of those parts were swapped across from bikes I already had - the carbon bars , shorter stem, even the first set of pedals, but other parts were purchased as I became more fussy - before the ebike, I never spent a full day riding so didn't realise how important a decent seat is , my riding has advanced so better pedals seemed like a good investment, then upgrading the dropper post was an investment in self gratification. It's sensual , trust me, every time that post pops back into the right spot rather than creaking slowly into place....

Yesterday I brought home my new to me ( second hand) levo sl. Every component on that bike is more than good enough for my needs. Everything is brand new. Yet before even riding it, I've been out in the shed dressing her up / swapping bits between bikes.

She came with a spare bar / stem combination - renthal stealth carbon fatbars and a renthal stem. That's $400 worth of bling and incredibly light, but I know the stem is too short for me and the bars don't have enough sweep. Do you think I could resist fitting them? I'm pretty sure they will end up on sprogettes genius and I'll be using my trusty bars from fugle. Nothing wrong with the stock bars....thus is pure self indulgence.

Now I just had to buy new pedals.... about 80 gms lighter than the ones on fugle and they spin better . New bikes deserve new pedals....Once I finish this coffee I'll be swapping the trusty set off fugle. The last thing I need is to be adapting to new contact points AND a new bike.

The bloody stock seat feels comfortable! ( it's off his kenevo sl , I guess $16 k bikes come with nice seats ?) I'm tempted to leave it on but know vanity will win and I'll fit MY seat from fugle. Watch this space.

I have a cunning plan of dropping 300 gms from the drive line , only my desire to ride the bike has allowed me to resist this temptation..... The stock levo sl has sram nx 12 sp , in my shed is a brand new set of shimano xt 11 sp. ( spares bought for fugle when it looked like bikes / parts were going to unobtanium) . I'm thinking about fitting that 11 sp xt on the levo - apart from the 300 gm saving and less fussy shifting , I'd then be able to convert fugle to 12 sp using the sl's equipment , which means the wheels from fugle can be directly swapped to sprogettes scott genius any time we like. The genius is actually designed to be able to swap between 27.5 and 29 using a flip chip , and the smaller wheels would be great for tight down hill days. At least, that's what I'm telling myself - the truth is, I just want an excuse to undress the new bike and try on some different underwear.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Sounds perfectly normal to me! Nothing to see here, folks, move along…

 

[PDoz]

Henceforth, the sl shall be named subtle.

 

[Catalyzt]

Seems like the direct-to consumer Motobecane is a bargain. HAL, right?

IMO, part of what you get with the higher cost bikes is latest and greatest componentry. Wheelsets, drivetrain, and the newest trends in ergos and geometry. And of course, really good suspension. There is quite a difference between the low end and the high end forks and shocks, in how well they really work offroad. The high end is better than what we had on the vintage dirtbike motorcycles. Tires are now similar in size as well.

I'm completely happy with the Stance we got, but we had to pay full-boat list. My Trance was a better deal at almost $600 less, but that was right before the covid storm hit, when they were still offering discounts on overstocks and leftovers. The bikes are more similar than different, both really fun to ride with a good level of performance. My Trance has proved extremely durable. It really takes a beating at speed on offroad trails. Rocks and pedal-strikes, hard g-outs, surfaces that will rattle your teeth out - it just sails through.

I also think there's value in buying from a reputable dealer, should you need repairs or warranty assistance. You're kind of on your own with a direct-to consumer brand, which isn't so bad with a pedal-bike, but for an ebike there is greater incidence of failure, and potential complications - there's a lot of extra parts that could break. You surely pay a premium for that assurance.

A lot of casual trailriders can get by with a hardtail such as offered by the 'big-3', and those models get within spitting distance of the lower-cost bikes. Instead of encouraging people to find the cheapest bike, I recommend they start at their local dealer first. Although that plan can be a challenge in our current economic climate. Unfortunately, I don't see that getting better for another year or two.

Gnarly offroad singletrack near Payson AZ...

Yup, one of many HAL variants. The rear shock mount is different from any of the others in the lineup-- some kind diesel punk thing going on there.

I cannot tell the grade from your photo, but if it's around 10-12%, the part before the log looks only a hair worse than the hardest sections of double track I'm currently riding. But those sections are short, where it briefly narrows to single due to a rock fall or just general neglect. I wouldn't even try to go over that log at my current skill level!

My biggest issues right now are psychological, mainly overthinking when I have to negotiate a very narrow line with rocks on either side. It's like shooting pool, I get psyched out and can't hold the line (or make the shot) even though I can see it. (Strangely, I never have this problem skiing, maybe because I started when I was young.) Solving that problem is my first priority, components next.

You are correct in that I had very few options buying bikes this spring, almost nothing was in stock, and that did influenced my choice. My experience at the LBS was a surprise. When I was shopping, they let me ride a couple of bikes, and said, "All we have in stock right now is Aventon, that's what we service, we don't service mid-drives."

But after I paid them for some work on the kit bike, and for setup of the Moto, I asked if there was a local dealer who would work on the mid-drive, the owner grinned and said, "We are Shimano dealers. We'll take care of any problems you have."

 

[Catalyzt]

You'll notice a massive improvement with upgraded forks, but you don't necessarily need to go magnesium - just decent dampening and reasonably stiff legs. Look for a new second hand set of 34 + mm forks that someone with cash to burn is upgrading from. The guy I just bought my levo sl from took his brand new fox 38's off his kenevo sl and was offering them to me as an upgrade on the stock fox 34's . I know fox 34's are good enough for me so so didn't bother. He was also offering the new fox dpx 2 rear shock - that was VERY tempting, but I'm trying very hard to stay sensible with this bike.

Same with wheels - you can get reasonably strong but still light weight second hand wheels from people who think they need carbon fibre. Your rims look to be very narrow which might make that a bit more difficult?

Carbon bars are more about feel than weight improvement - it's subtle, and I doubt you'd notice the difference with the rest of the components on that bike - save your $ and get a light new second hand set of alloy bars from someone upgrading? Giant alloy bars are very light and have a reasonable feel.

Seatpost - forget carbon fibre, spend the $ on a dropper post. You won't regret it! It's one of those things that once tried, always appreciated.

New bike psychology.

I like to tell myself fugle cost $5 k ( aus - that's $3.9 us) , and 3 years ago that felt like a fortune- now it feels like a bargain! The truth is, fugle wears another $1.5 k in bling - and that's starting from an already high spec bike! A lot of those parts were swapped across from bikes I already had - the carbon bars , shorter stem, even the first set of pedals, but other parts were purchased as I became more fussy - before the ebike, I never spent a full day riding so didn't realise how important a decent seat is , my riding has advanced so better pedals seemed like a good investment, then upgrading the dropper post was an investment in self gratification. It's sensual , trust me, every time that post pops back into the right spot rather than creaking slowly into place....

Yesterday I brought home my new to me ( second hand) levo sl. Every component on that bike is more than good enough for my needs. Everything is brand new. Yet before even riding it, I've been out in the shed dressing her up / swapping bits between bikes.

She came with a spare bar / stem combination - renthal stealth carbon fatbars and a renthal stem. That's $400 worth of bling and incredibly light, but I know the stem is too short for me and the bars don't have enough sweep. Do you think I could resist fitting them? I'm pretty sure they will end up on sprogettes genius and I'll be using my trusty bars from fugle. Nothing wrong with the stock bars....thus is pure self indulgence.

Now I just had to buy new pedals.... about 80 gms lighter than the ones on fugle and they spin better . New bikes deserve new pedals....Once I finish this coffee I'll be swapping the trusty set off fugle. The last thing I need is to be adapting to new contact points AND a new bike.

The bloody stock seat feels comfortable! ( it's off his kenevo sl , I guess $16 k bikes come with nice seats ?) I'm tempted to leave it on but know vanity will win and I'll fit MY seat from fugle. Watch this space.

I have a cunning plan of dropping 300 gms from the drive line , only my desire to ride the bike has allowed me to resist this temptation..... The stock levo sl has sram nx 12 sp , in my shed is a brand new set of shimano xt 11 sp. ( spares bought for fugle when it looked like bikes / parts were going to unobtanium) . I'm thinking about fitting that 11 sp xt on the levo - apart from the 300 gm saving and less fussy shifting , I'd then be able to convert fugle to 12 sp using the sl's equipment , which means the wheels from fugle can be directly swapped to sprogettes scott genius any time we like. The genius is actually designed to be able to swap between 27.5 and 29 using a flip chip , and the smaller wheels would be great for tight down hill days. At least, that's what I'm telling myself - the truth is, I just want an excuse to undress the new bike and try on some different underwear.

Yow. A lot here I'd never considered. Hope I can PM you when I get to the fork stage. Great thoughts on wheels as well and overall strategy for sourcing parts.

I know weight is not the most important thing, but now that I've gone from 49 pounds and change to 46 pounds and change, I'm wondering if 45 or 44 could be in Seeker's future. And do we think Seeker is an acceptable name? His older brother, the Trek kit bike, is Survivor b/c he's been around since the mid '90s and he helped me get through the pando. At least so far. The Moto and I are always hunting for trails in the middle of the city, so Seeker seemed to fit.

I'm guessing Sprogette refers to offspring, but could be other family.

God, the SL is just gorgeous. I love all things ultralight. (My first sports car was a CRX, which I still own, and which still out handles some cars which cost an order of magnitude more, and gets better mileage than some hybrids. And my MX5 isn't exactly a tank, either, but when someone asks me which car I'll be driving, and I answer "I'm taking the big car," I mean the MX5, which cracks people up. If I could rip out the power windows and swap the steering so it was only power assist, and not power-only, I'd like it even more.)

 

[PDoz]

I'm guessing Sprogette refers to offspring, but could be other family.

God, the SL is just gorgeous.

Sprogette 1 is daughter 1 , she's 16 and I gave up trying to keep up 2 years ago. This is a screenshot from todays ride - steeper than it looks!

Her scott genius beside my levo. Both are gorgeous bikes, if I was fit enough I'd be riding one myself.

 

[PDoz]

Looking at that drop from below

 

[reed scott]

Looking at that drop from below

View attachment 89655

You have really really good health insurance, right?

 

[PDoz]

You have really really good health insurance, right?

AND a tame orthopaedic surgeon who rides.

The other day, I was riding with a surgeon, anaesthetist, and ed nurse. Looking around, I decided to invite the cardiologist next time!

I'm still looking for the right psychiatrist, though......

 

[Art Deco]

AND a tame orthopaedic surgeon who rides.

The other day, I was riding with a surgeon, anaesthetist, and ed nurse. Looking around, I decided to invite the cardiologist next time!

I'm still looking for the right psychiatrist, though......

You don't need a psychiatrist, you have an ebike for therapy. And if you're crazy enough to ride that drop, a psychiatrist isn't going to be much help anyway...Big Grin.

 

[PDoz]

You don't need a psychiatrist, you have an ebike for therapy. And if you're crazy enough to ride that drop, a psychiatrist isn't going to be much help anyway...Big Grin.

Can you just imagine a self help group session with a psychiatrist, cardiologist, anesthetist , a trauma team, perhaps a bike mechanic.......

The drop back into the care of your colleague takes on a whole new meaning when it's a psychiatrist selecting the drop
"who's waiting to catch me ?"
"The palliative care doc"

 

[ruffruff]

There is no doubt about it, some of this stuff lives in your head.

I have a couple features on a trail that catch me by surprise every time!

My spchinter slams shut and I bail! Then I look back and say WHY!! It's not that hard!!!!

 

[Browneye]

I would rather carry the bike up or down the super-gnarly sections than endo-it and land on my head. BTDT got the t-shirt.
Wife on a road trip, I was riding dirtbikes with the guys, "Honey, I need to go to ER for xrays, I may have broken my neck."
Her "Do I need to come home?"
"If they keep me then yeah." LOL
Nurse, "It's not broken, but it's gonna be a little sore for a month or two."
Cracked a Shoei racing helmet on that one.

Fifty years offroading, and the three years I spent competing in OBSERVED TRIALS provides for an innate ability to pick a line, know where your tires will get traction, for up or down really tough obstacles. Lots of seat time is what gives you confidence in the really difficult sections. I don't hesitate to get off and carry the bike now - a new-found option with the ebikes.

A riding buddy was a IT Tech at a hospital, he brought his two kids in on two consecutive weekends with broken arms, then crashed himself, broken collar bone. His doctor said if he didn't know better he would be calling child protective services. LOL

Out of the fifty to a hundred different guys I rode with over the years, I can't think of a single one that DIDN'T break something. Some of them really got busted up... or worse.
I'm over all that - why I finally quit riding motorcycles. Them things will kill ya.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@PDoz, can you name the cylinder at the rear wheel hub to which the cassette is attached? (I don't even know the Polish name for that...)

When Jacek went in Warsaw Giant LBS with the Trance E+ rear wheel with wobbly cassette, he had the following talk with the store people:
Jacek: Hi! Can you fix that?
Sales assistant: Sure! Give us several minutes! (Disappearing with the wheel at the service section). After some time, the sales guy and the mechanic approach my brother:
-- Did you buy that bike from us? -- Indeed! -- When? -- Well, a year and a week ago? -- Oh. So warranty is not valid anymore... -- Didn't you offer a two year warranty on e-bikes?! -- Is your bike an e-bike?! --Yes, it is! -- What model?

And now Jacek proudly points at Giant Trance X E+ on the store display. The sales guy lost his speech for a while
-- Well... Do you have the warranty card with you? -- Hmm... I need to check. The house in which the card was stored went on fire... Let me make a phone call.

And yes, all e-bike documentation (by sheer luck) went intact from the fire. The Giant people told Jacek that the "cylinder" fell apart and it was very difficult to get a replacement. The reason given was the rear hub was the most modern Shimano part, and what worse, for 32 spokes, a rarity. Valid warranty allowed Giant LBS to shift the responsibility on Shimano (that are expected to fix the issue). We'll see.

 

[Art Deco]

I would rather carry the bike up or down the super-gnarly sections than endo-it and land on my head. BTDT got the t-shirt.
Wife on a road trip, I was riding dirtbikes with the guys, "Honey, I need to go to ER for xrays, I may have broken my neck."
Her "Do I need to come home?"
"If they keep me then yeah." LOL
Nurse, "It's not broken, but it's gonna be a little sore for a month or two."
Cracked a Shoei racing helmet on that one.

Fifty years offroading, and the three years I spent competing in OBSERVED TRIALS provides for an innate ability to pick a line, know where your tires will get traction, for up or down really tough obstacles. Lots of seat time is what gives you confidence in the really difficult sections. I don't hesitate to get off and carry the bike now - a new-found option with the ebikes.

A riding buddy was a IT Tech at a hospital, he brought his two kids in on two consecutive weekends with broken arms, then crashed himself, broken collar bone. His doctor said if he didn't know better he would be calling child protective services. LOL

Out of the fifty to a hundred different guys I rode with over the years, I can't think of a single one that DIDN'T break something. Some of them really got busted up... or worse.
I'm over all that - why I finally quit riding motorcycles. Them things will kill ya.

Yes indeed they will. I sold my motorcycle as soon as my wife told me she was pregnant with our first child, and I used the money to buy a life insurance policy.

 

[RandallS]

And don't forget the helmet...