pmcdonald
Well-Known Member
With a deposit down on a different bike, sight unseen, I relate to that FOMO feeling.Hello Everyone
I’m a newbie to Ebikes as well as this forum, been most enlightening reading, so thank you for the reads.
I’m in the market for an XS frame e-bicycle for mostly scenic paved paths but must also be able to handle some “non technical off-road” riding (eg uneven rough firetrails or a mild trail up in the Snowy’s eg old Kosciusko Road or the Thredbo Valley Trail to Crackenback) A local bike store tracked down one Amiti e+1 (2021) which looked really good on the website. I’ve been assured it handles off-road as well but some websites list it as a Road Ebike. Hence be helpful to hear firsthand user experience if anyone has done the 2021 model or previous (if there are no spec changes)
In real life, the 2021 Amiti is missing that awesome embedded integrated running daylight (a selling point for me), the bike also felt really heavy, looked chunk instead of sleek with rude welding welts at the joints (not something I expected from a model with a AUD5k price tag. It’s marketed by Giant as an adventure bike (what’s that mean) and has tire grips with the word “gravel2” on it (a heartening observation).
The prior year models look quite different.
I’ve noticed some changes in the 2021 Amiti model and wondered whether the (compromises?) changes are due to covid supply constraints or whether a change in manufacturing site. There also appear to be quite a few available left in stock (other sizes) on the bike exchange. Reviews have been limited and hard to find.
I’m wondering if it is too heavy or frame agile enough to manage some occasional surprises on the trail.
Also, speed is not something I need and by Australian law, there is a speed cap at 25km/h. That said, then would the 70-80N torque be wasted (physics is not my forte). I am 60kg and sometimes bring my 9kg mutt for a ride.
I’ve actually already done a down payment yesterday, as stocks are ltd, I was a little hasty for FOMO. . Your experience/ knowledge / feedback would be appreciated. Ta.
I can't help with Amiti specific experience but I ride the Explore E+1, so essentially the Giant-branded Amiti. They're great bikes for the money. Mine has seen a lot of use lately on firetrails and even some single track (hence the deposit on something more suitable). The bike has done great on unsealed trails, but if you encounter anything more technical - drops, steps, tree roots, rocks, badly graded roads - I'd consider that the limit of the Amiti/Explore's application.
The Sport motor is a fantastic performer with immense low down torque. It'll see you handle steeper firetrails in the Snowies no problem. I weigh similar to you and the bike will loose traction before the motor reaches its limit. The electronics have a reputation for reliability and I've certainly had no errors in my 18 months of ownership (the water sealing on my EVO display is rubbish, but your model has the newer display so hopefully that's a thing of the past).
The Cross Cut Gravel 2 tyres offer good width and cushioning, and okay grip (not great, not horrible). I did find them wafer thin though, so quickly switched them for something with more puncture protection for the daily commute. I'd recommend carrying a puncture repair kit, getting Tannus Armour inserts installed or consider a tubeless setup if straying far from base. (The tyres are tubeless ready.)
The weight is the weight Consider what that looks like for transporting the bike though - even with the battery off it's a lot of weight to heft onto a car rack. That weight is pretty universal for this price point and spec. I also find the Giant/Liv designs lacking somewhat in the looks department - the lines are bulging and disproportionate - but they generally are well built, reliable and very competitive spec-wise. I'd be at peace with the down payment and I think you'll really enjoy the bike. If it's your first ebike it opens up so much more exploring. I ride longer and further than I ever did since switching to an ebike.
For a sanity check the obvious competitors are: Trek Verve or Allant, Specialized Vado or Como, some form of Merida eSpresso, and various Cube offerings if you can find a dealer. As left-field options Lekker make a mid drive with belt drive and internal gear hub for $4k, and XDS are about as cheap as you'll get for a mid drive - both with Bafang motors. Momentum (yet another Giant brand) have a few options too, but these tend to be more sealed or city bikes with less power. With the big names you'll get something similar for similar dollars with Merida. Specialized and Trek will cost more to get to similar or better specs (a lot more in the case of Specialized). The elephant in the room is availability. There are huge wait times on many bikes at the moment (I was quoted an 11 month wait on a Merida emtb I'm looking at). It's really a brutal marketplace, so if a dealer has stock then that ain't nothing, as they say. It could potentially mean many months of enjoying riding instead of sitting on a waiting list. The Amiti is competitive and a great package - it sounds like it'll suit your riding needs well. And the fact that its in stock is a huge bonus.