eMTB Options For 2024

[pmcdonald]

Idle musing question for the brainstrust: at what point does one upgrade?

I've been riding my emtb for about 18 months now. It's been a total blast. Got about 2000km on the bike, had a few memorable offs (no bones broken, touch wood), enjoyed seeing my skills develop from absolute MTB virgin to tentatively riding some light black trails, and absolutely loving the exercise, exhilaration, exploration and focus.

The bike is very entry level with basic OEM Rockshox Gold 35 fork and Deluxe Select + shock. The electronics and geometry are great. When is it time to start eyeing off upgrades?

I don't feel like any one component is holding me back. And I'm super happy with the performance of the suspension so far - definitely saved me many times from OTB moments and poor line choice! I've been intentionally keeping off mates better specced bikes to avoid knowing what I'm missing!

Is it just a case of being time when it's time? Very zen I know.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Idle musing question for the brainstrust: at what point does one upgrade?

I've been riding my emtb for about 18 months now. It's been a total blast. Got about 2000km on the bike, had a few memorable offs (no bones broken, touch wood), enjoyed seeing my skills develop from absolute MTB virgin to tentatively riding some light black trails, and absolutely loving the exercise, exhilaration, exploration and focus.

The bike is very entry level with basic OEM Rockshox Gold 35 fork and Deluxe Select + shock. The electronics and geometry are great. When is it time to start eyeing off upgrades?

I don't feel like any one component is holding me back. And I'm super happy with the performance of the suspension so far - definitely saved me many times from OTB moments and poor line choice! I've been intentionally keeping off mates better specced bikes to avoid knowing what I'm missing!

Is it just a case of being time when it's time? Very zen I know.

Great question...
Mine's kinda entry/mid level as well. Got a little over 3000kms on it so far.
Love it so far but I know the suspension could be better.
Late last year I decided that I'd keep it and upgrade components as needed/desired.
I started with a new 800wh battery, and that blew away any range anxiety.
Next up was adding a dropper. That has been beneficial in more than one circumstance.
Brakes seem fine (Tektro) so maybe I'd upgrade rear shock first. Something with a lockout methinks. Then a nicer fork.
I suppose I could fix all that with a newer bike (mine's a 2021 Stance E+2), but right now this path seems good.
Lighter would be better of course, and upgraded components could help there.

 

[RandallS]

Great question...
Mine's kinda entry/mid level as well. Got a little over 3000kms on it so far.
Love it so far but I know the suspension could be better.
Late last year I decided that I'd keep it and upgrade components as needed/desired.
I started with a new 800wh battery, and that blew away any range anxiety.
Next up was adding a dropper. That has been beneficial in more than one circumstance.
Brakes seem fine (Tektro) so maybe I'd upgrade rear shock first. Something with a lockout methinks. Then a nicer fork.
I suppose I could fix all that with a newer bike (mine's a 2021 Stance E+2), but right now this path seems good.
Lighter would be better of course, and upgraded components could help there.

Dave,
A dropper is such an important upgrade. I cannot imagine riding without one.

I think by including the dropper I got from Stefan on my Fathom, really sealed the deal for the purchaser.

On his test ride with the suspension seatpost (Suntour) he was smiling.
When I swapped in the PNW Coast (dropper w/suspension) he had a really big smile and made a very reasonable offer.

Which one did you install on your Stance?

 

[Nomad]

Idle musing question for the brainstrust: at what point does one upgrade?

I've been riding my emtb for about 18 months now. It's been a total blast. Got about 2000km on the bike, had a few memorable offs (no bones broken, touch wood), enjoyed seeing my skills develop from absolute MTB virgin to tentatively riding some light black trails, and absolutely loving the exercise, exhilaration, exploration and focus.

The bike is very entry level with basic OEM Rockshox Gold 35 fork and Deluxe Select + shock. The electronics and geometry are great. When is it time to start eyeing off upgrades?

I don't feel like any one component is holding me back. And I'm super happy with the performance of the suspension so far - definitely saved me many times from OTB moments and poor line choice! I've been intentionally keeping off mates better specced bikes to avoid knowing what I'm missing!

Is it just a case of being time when it's time? Very zen I know.

I just did an upgrade on my fork and now the rear shocks on the way just a warning if you upgrade fork to premium level u'll end up doing the same to the rear. If your happy with your current setup to the point where you're not craving more out of it, then waiting till it need refreshing or replacement to upgrade maybe your best option. On the other hand, I will tell you that fork upgrade on my bike is like wow! The problem with a truly good upgrade is once you do it you won't every go back.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Dave,
A dropper is such an important upgrade. I cannot imagine riding without one.

I think by including the dropper I got from Stefan on my Fathom, really sealed the deal for the purchaser.

On his test ride with the suspension seatpost (Suntour) he was smiling.
When I swapped in the PNW Coast (dropper w/suspension) he had a really big smile and made a very reasonable offer.

Which one did you install on your Stance?

Hi Randall, yes I was late to the party getting a dropper.
I got the Giant Contact S Switch.

 

[PDoz]

Idle musing question for the brainstrust: at what point does one upgrade?

I've been riding my emtb for about 18 months now. It's been a total blast. Got about 2000km on the bike, had a few memorable offs (no bones broken, touch wood), enjoyed seeing my skills develop from absolute MTB virgin to tentatively riding some light black trails, and absolutely loving the exercise, exhilaration, exploration and focus.

The bike is very entry level with basic OEM Rockshox Gold 35 fork and Deluxe Select + shock. The electronics and geometry are great. When is it time to start eyeing off upgrades?

I don't feel like any one component is holding me back. And I'm super happy with the performance of the suspension so far - definitely saved me many times from OTB moments and poor line choice! I've been intentionally keeping off mates better specced bikes to avoid knowing what I'm missing!

Is it just a case of being time when it's time? Very zen I know.

If you're happy and not noticing anything sketchy , enjoy.

BUT , at some stage, usually 12-18 months, those forks and shock will be due for a service. This can be a cost effective time to decide if an upgrade is justified . You'll notice a bigger improvement upgrading that shock than the forks - a super deluxe is very plush in comparison. After that, you'll know if it's time to replace the forks. New second hand forks can be a cost effective option - buy from someone upgrading from new.

I really enjoy riding bikes with top level suspension, but don't really consider myself good enough to make the investment on my bikes . I'm running a rochshox superdeluxe shock which is good enough for me, but the fox 36 performance forks could be a bit plusher. I'm not bothered enough to fit new dampening...except after I ride my sons bike with fox 38 elites....WOW !

 

[PDoz]

A bit more self reflection re settling on a suspension potential that is realistic for your expectations.

Once you're riding black runs, you will start noticing lots of different lines being taken. It took me a long time to realize this, but that more skilled rider who took a seemingly insane line was trying to make the black run more difficult! The top level xc racer on his short travel speed machine concentrates on picking the cleanest line, whilst the adrenaline junkie enduro rider is TRYING to launch off that pointy rock into chaos! At my age / injury acceptance level , there comes a point that I need to say, " nah, not today" , and I'm more likely to accept that with moderate suspension.

Don't get me wrong, it's important for the suspension to be good enough to be plush / consistent / have something in reserve for that " oh s*it" moment. But I NEED the bike to remind me occasionally that I'm an overweight, under skilled old man making a fool of himself.

Take home awareness moment from yesterday - if you look at a section of trail and decide it's too scary to walk , then move back up the trail to get speed for a clean run....it might be time to ride easier trails? I was on a hard black run that a week earlier felt dangerous in the wet - yesterday it was dry . The four guys in front of me had stopped , they were struggling to carry their bikes down ....and they're better riders than me. I've spent way too much time following my 14 yo through rock gardens......

 

[McCorby]

 

[PDoz]

Interesting options, I particularly like the " pre shift" option - the ability to change without pedalling - that'd be fantastic down hill.

Glad they retain full manual mode , plus the ability to pre shift if we recognise an upcoming need.

I once had an unexpected high torque situation that resulted in a quads muscle tear - riding my giant, I expected a level of support that didn't happen and SNAP. Imagine getting used to the gears automatically changing, but then your bike gets it wrong!

 

[PedalUma]

It will add something like three-grand to a bike. With layers of complexity come problems. There is gee-wiz factor. But, when it does go wrong it will be very wrong. Shifting is pretty easy on most bikes. I rode a Santa Cruz gravel bike that had the rear battery die. I had to swap batteries with the front to make it home. Simple is better. It is also all proprietary with no right to repair.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It is also all proprietary with no right to repair.

You meant "No right to screw the things up".

 

[PDoz]

It will add something like three-grand to a bike. With layers of complexity come problems. There is gee-wiz factor. But, when it does go wrong it will be very wrong. Shifting is pretty easy on most bikes. I rode a Santa Cruz gravel bike that had the rear battery die. I had to swap batteries with the front to make it home. Simple is better. It is also all proprietary with no right to repair.

If it was anyone other than shimano , I'd point out mechanical shifting has just as many failure points - eg cable failure, worn pulleys, grub screws coming loose, even mechanisms going out of adjustment

But I hear you on their right to repair ( and warranty) policies....

 

[PedalUma]

Windows 8. So many of these sorts of things are quickly obsolete and no longer supported. There will be a new one in two years.

 

[RandallS]

Not an upgrade thing, but while cleaning up the bike after some trail riding today, I noticed the tires are starting to show quite a bit of wear. The tires have 1900 Kms on them - not surprised.
So I had a look at my LBS online, the place I bought the bike, and low and behold the tires I have on it are on sale.

So a new set of Maxxis tires, Assegai (F) and Dissector (R), are getting installed, perhaps the next rainy day.
$215 for the pair.

For maybe the first time in my life (OK - in a long while) I haven't spent a hundred hours researching and agonizing over what to buy. The one's that came on it have served me well, and so why not put the same back on.
99.9% sure I will go tubeless now - it was my plan to do so when it was time to replace tires. I've got valves and sealant already.

 

[Browneye]

Those are a little odd, but if you like 'em run 'em.
The Minions are a very good all around tire, maybe about 40% less cost, I'm not sure. YMMV

Here's a Loam Wolf write up on the Assegai in case you didn't find it:

Review: Maxxis Assegai Tires

For us, this will continue to be a tire we look forward to riding and carving into oblivion, especially when we’ve got a motor helping us out. Read our full thoughts and experience with the Maxxis Assegai in our review here.

theloamwolf.com

And the Dissector with Rekon:

Review: Maxxis Dissector & Rekon combo

The Maxxis Rekon & Dissector combo is a solid choice for aggressive trail riders in dry and fast conditions.

theloamwolf.com

Rekon is a decent rear tire for hard pack and faster speeds. Knobs are less aggressive than a DHR.

You might price the minions front and rear, they're a great combo:

Review:Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR II

The gold standard of MTB and eMTB tires, the Maxxis Minion DFH and DHR II, are popular for a reason. Yet, ironically, in the flood of new tires on the market, we almost forgot about them. Read on to find our full review and why we recommend the Maxxis Minion tires.

theloamwolf.com

Tubeless is pretty slick - I run both, and both are easy to setup. Tubeless does require regular maintenance - should be broken down regularly and make sure your sealant is sufficient. It can be messy.

 

[Nomad]

Not an upgrade thing, but while cleaning up the bike after some trail riding today, I noticed the tires are starting to show quite a bit of wear. The tires have 1900 Kms on them - not surprised.
So I had a look at my LBS online, the place I bought the bike, and low and behold the tires I have on it are on sale.

So a new set of Maxxis tires, Assegai (F) and Dissector (R), are getting installed, perhaps the next rainy day.
$215 for the pair.

For maybe the first time in my life (OK - in a long while) I haven't spent a hundred hours researching and agonizing over what to buy. The one's that came on it have served me well, and so why not put the same back on.
99.9% sure I will go tubeless now - it was my plan to do so when it was time to replace tires. I've got valves and sealant already.

Going tubeless is a upgrade. If the Maxxis tires worked well for you than why not just run them again! I switched to a different tire from the stock Maxxis tires that came on my Stance E2 as I found tires that out preformed them for my needs and are longer wearing yet don't seem to offer any less traction.

 

[RandallS]

Thanks for the feedback - what I have seems to work for me and pricing is actually cheaper then the others here.
I just decided to go with what I know works - perhaps next time I'll dig deeper.

 

[Browneye]

I've bought a number of tires from these guys - worth checking out even for Canada...I think they do ship internationally:

BikeTiresDirect - Great prices on bicycle tires, components, apparel

Home to the world's best selection of bicycle tires, plus tons of other cycling gear. Explore our collection of complete bikes, components, apparel, accessories, computers and much more. BTD has been proudly serving cyclists of all disciplines since 2002.

www.biketiresdirect.com

EDIT: I see tires have gotten EXPENSIVE!!

 

[RandallS]

I've bought a number of tires from these guys - worth checking out even for Canada...I think they do ship internationally:

BikeTiresDirect - Great prices on bicycle tires, components, apparel

Home to the world's best selection of bicycle tires, plus tons of other cycling gear. Explore our collection of complete bikes, components, apparel, accessories, computers and much more. BTD has been proudly serving cyclists of all disciplines since 2002.

www.biketiresdirect.com

EDIT: I see tires have gotten EXPENSIVE!!

I've used Chain Reaction before, and I had a look as they normally have some impressive pricing.
On a few spot checks, I think they are cheaper than the store you suggested.

At Chain Reaction, prices are similar to what I can get locally ($CDN), maybe 10-12% savings, but limited or no stock at present.
In fact, if I were to go Minion, it would be more expensive,

I've had good service from LBS, so they'll get my $$ on this one.

Thanks

 

[Prairie Dog]

I ride on the stock tires that were installed on my Levo Mullet. a Butcher T9 and the T7 Eliminator on the rear. Up front, the supple T9 is a bit slow to rebound but offers quick aggressive grip on dirt. Perfect on the local trails that I ride. The Eliminator is a pretty solid fast rolling rear tire and is offered in a T7/T9 dual compound for a slight upcharge. I’ll be keeping an eye on these with respect to long term wear/lifespan particularly through punishing rock gardens but so far, they have been working out well for me. Love the tubeless setup but make sure you check the sealant every few weeks in case they require top ups.

Here's where I'll be riding on Thursday. It will be a solo out and back so wish me luck.

Moraine Lake Highline Trail

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/moraine-lake-highline-trail/