smorgasbord
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
I've been in contact with a dealer that both sells name brand bikes like Haibike, M1, Bulls, and Yamaha, as well as does builds with frames from DengFu.
I'm looking for a multi-purpose bike, for 30-50 mile on-road rides with hills (sometimes steep and high), as well as for some off-road trail / cross country riding. Often, we'll bike to a trail head and go off road. I also have access to a 40 acre private parcel next door to me. I'm at a stage in my life (60 yrs old) where this could be the last bike I buy, and I'm not hurting for money, so I'm prepared to spend what it takes to have something I look forward to riding. For instance, I had briefly considered the Biktrix Juggernault Ultra FS, but at 75 lbs with battery, it's just too darn heavy, and equipped the way I'd like it's still over $5K, and even then I'd want to upgrade certain pieces. If I'm spending that, I'd rather spend more and not have the compromises.
There are a few "ready-made" bikes I could get: Riese & Muller, M1, Haibike, etc., but at these prices I want to explore what I can get from a custom build. The dealer does builds on a DengFu E09 full-suspension carbon fiber frame. I believe it's the same frame as in this Endless Sphere thread: http://52.25.253.50/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=96461&sid=2840134dea8a5a4134f9485b6400b89f . It takes the Bafang M620 motor (750/1000 watts, claimed 160Nm of torque) with Bafang's integrated battery (either 600wh or 720 wh, depending on which spec you read).
Given my aspirations for fast on-road and some off-road, I need a wide gear range. What I'm thinking is the SRAM Eagle AXS drivetrain. It's got a 10-50 cassette (almost as wide as the Rohloff!), and it's the coolest wireless setup I've seen, with a reduction in wires from the cockpit. It's pricey, but not as pricey as a Rohloff. BTW, I've test-ridden a couple of different bikes with the Rohloff (R&M Delite and Luna Apex) and honestly I don't like the shifting on either the cable nor electronic versions.
The dealer currently has the frame fitted with a Cane Creek Helm fort and a DTSwiss R535 ONE rear shock - they seem like good choices, but I'm open to suggestions.
For brakes, it's got Shimano XT, which are good, but part of me is thinking of keeping in the SRAM family and getting the Code RCS brakes. I've heard good things about the Hope Tech 3 E4 as well - anyone got experiences to share?
At my age I want a more upright position than most FS bikes are setup with, so I was thinking the SQLab 12 degree carbon bar with 45mm rise. When I swapped an aluminum handlebar for a carbon bar on my Seven Cycles road bike (which I still ride), it was like night and day in terms of arm pain.
Tire/wheels? I'm thinking 29ers (I'm 5'11", btw) and would be looking for nobby tires that have a mostly continuous set of nibs down the middle for on road behavior. The bike has DTSwiss 240s hubs with Racing Ralph/Ray 2.25" on them - maybe I should look for wider tires for both comfort and gravel/loose dirt trails.
This can be an open thread, but what I'm most interested in are:
Thanks!
I'm looking for a multi-purpose bike, for 30-50 mile on-road rides with hills (sometimes steep and high), as well as for some off-road trail / cross country riding. Often, we'll bike to a trail head and go off road. I also have access to a 40 acre private parcel next door to me. I'm at a stage in my life (60 yrs old) where this could be the last bike I buy, and I'm not hurting for money, so I'm prepared to spend what it takes to have something I look forward to riding. For instance, I had briefly considered the Biktrix Juggernault Ultra FS, but at 75 lbs with battery, it's just too darn heavy, and equipped the way I'd like it's still over $5K, and even then I'd want to upgrade certain pieces. If I'm spending that, I'd rather spend more and not have the compromises.
There are a few "ready-made" bikes I could get: Riese & Muller, M1, Haibike, etc., but at these prices I want to explore what I can get from a custom build. The dealer does builds on a DengFu E09 full-suspension carbon fiber frame. I believe it's the same frame as in this Endless Sphere thread: http://52.25.253.50/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=96461&sid=2840134dea8a5a4134f9485b6400b89f . It takes the Bafang M620 motor (750/1000 watts, claimed 160Nm of torque) with Bafang's integrated battery (either 600wh or 720 wh, depending on which spec you read).
Given my aspirations for fast on-road and some off-road, I need a wide gear range. What I'm thinking is the SRAM Eagle AXS drivetrain. It's got a 10-50 cassette (almost as wide as the Rohloff!), and it's the coolest wireless setup I've seen, with a reduction in wires from the cockpit. It's pricey, but not as pricey as a Rohloff. BTW, I've test-ridden a couple of different bikes with the Rohloff (R&M Delite and Luna Apex) and honestly I don't like the shifting on either the cable nor electronic versions.
The dealer currently has the frame fitted with a Cane Creek Helm fort and a DTSwiss R535 ONE rear shock - they seem like good choices, but I'm open to suggestions.
For brakes, it's got Shimano XT, which are good, but part of me is thinking of keeping in the SRAM family and getting the Code RCS brakes. I've heard good things about the Hope Tech 3 E4 as well - anyone got experiences to share?
At my age I want a more upright position than most FS bikes are setup with, so I was thinking the SQLab 12 degree carbon bar with 45mm rise. When I swapped an aluminum handlebar for a carbon bar on my Seven Cycles road bike (which I still ride), it was like night and day in terms of arm pain.
Tire/wheels? I'm thinking 29ers (I'm 5'11", btw) and would be looking for nobby tires that have a mostly continuous set of nibs down the middle for on road behavior. The bike has DTSwiss 240s hubs with Racing Ralph/Ray 2.25" on them - maybe I should look for wider tires for both comfort and gravel/loose dirt trails.
This can be an open thread, but what I'm most interested in are:
- Alternative component choices
- If I'm spending this kind of money on a bike, am I making a mistake building it around a Bafang motor?
- If I'm spending this kind of money on a bike, am I making a mistake building it on a "knock-off" carbon frame?
- Shoud I just suck it up and get the M1 Spitzing Evolution instead? Fabulous TQ motor, big 880 or 1010 wh batteries, great frame. Good components, but I'd have to replace the handlebar, and would wish I had the SRAM AXS Eagle given the money I'm spending.
- Alternative frame & motor choices
Thanks!
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