Making The Right Choice

[SVRACER295]

Hello Best and Brightest!!

I am, as many of you were at one point trying to choose what E-Bike is the best for me. I am a somewhat aggressive rider, I am short, 5'7" and will be off road, mostly back range roads not the usual bike path. Many hills and I will be carrying gear for hunting sometimes.
I want to stay in a the 4k range and and want a mid drive system.
My current short list is:
1. Jubbernaut FS
2. Eunorau Spectre S
3. Himiway Cobra Pro
4. Sondor Rockstar

Please let me know if you have any input, experience or feedback on any of these and if I should be aware of a bike that is not listed to add to the list. I am all ears... this is a big purchase and want to feel confident I put in all the effort to learn and make a educated decision. Thank you in advance.

 

[Taylor57]

Frey CC would be a contender if you dont mind a long wait and 70 lbs

 

[dmark]

Juggernaut is a good choice, but I wouldn't get rear suspension if planning to carry gear. Fat tires are enough cushioning for me.

 

[SVRACER295]

Juggernaut is a good choice, but I wouldn't get rear suspension if planning to carry gear. Fat tires are enough cushioning for me.

This is a good point, thank you dmark. I have no idea what those big tires will be like. My initial intent was to get this for scouting land ect. This will be my first ebike and I find myself watching YouTube videos and getting a little hooked on what looks like a lot of fun. I foresee myself riding more than I probably think I will just for fun.
The sondors has smaller tires, probably not good for boondocking Backcountry, fat tires will most likely work better.
I looked at the frey Liberty hunter, looks great but everything is an add on.
Thanks for the advice

 

[rich c]

The Rockstar is big and very heavy. I'd remove that from the list. The rest I know nothing about. In my experience, if you don't ride them all, you'll have no idea which is right for you. Might be right for someone else, but I never buy without riding. You might narrow your region down to something smaller than USA, and you can find someone to let you ride.

 

[dmark]

This is a good point, thank you dmark. I have no idea what those big tires will be like. My initial intent was to get this for scouting land ect. This will be my first ebike and I find myself watching YouTube videos and getting a little hooked on what looks like a lot of fun. I foresee myself riding more than I probably think I will just for fun.
The sondors has smaller tires, probably not good for boondocking Backcountry, fat tires will most likely work better.
I looked at the frey Liberty hunter, looks great but everything is an add on.
Thanks for the advice

If you won't be carrying gear often and really want the full suspension, appartently the Juggernaut Ultra FS works with the Quietkat trailer, but no rear suspension is more practical if you want to carry more on a rear rack, and the plain Juggernaut Ultra comes with more battery capacity plus included rack and fenders.

 

[SVRACER295]

Thank you again for the helpful input.
I've narrowed it down between two:
M2S Ultra FS
Juggernaut Ultra FS with hub upgrade
Both land around 4300

Still scratching my head though on components of each and which is better.. doing a lot of googling but being a novice this is difficult stuff

 

[dmark]

I have SRAM on my Juggernaut Ultra and Deore on my analog bikes. With the Deore, you use the pointer finger to shift one way and the thumb to shift the other. With the SRAM, you use the thumb to shift both ways. The SRAM feels a bit clunkier, like I have to push it harder and further to do the shift. While I prefer the light touch of the Deore, I like the SRAM on my Jugg because I use the Jugg for winter riding, and SRAM can be operated while wearing heavy mitts, which wouldn't be able to squeeze under the brake lever to operate the Deore finger shifter. Also, I feel like shifting does not need to be as precise with ebikes as with analog bikes where you are trying to maximize the efficiency of your own muscles. I let my brother ride the Jugg while I rode a Rize Blade, and he left the Jugg in a middle assist/middle gear for the entire ride, including some steep inclines; he just used the throttle for a boost as needed.

 

[SVRACER295]

I have SRAM on my Juggernaut Ultra and Deore on my analog bikes. With the Deore, you use the pointer finger to shift one way and the thumb to shift the other. With the SRAM, you use the thumb to shift both ways. The SRAM feels a bit clunkier, like I have to push it harder and further to do the shift. While I prefer the light touch of the Deore, I like the SRAM on my Jugg because I use the Jugg for winter riding, and SRAM can be operated while wearing heavy mitts, which wouldn't be able to squeeze under the brake lever to operate the Deore finger shifter. Also, I feel like shifting does not need to be as precise with ebikes as with analog bikes where you are trying to maximize the efficiency of your own muscles. I let my brother ride the Jugg while I rode a Rize Blade, and he left the Jugg in a middle assist/middle gear for the entire ride, including some steep inclines; he just used the throttle for a boost as needed.

Good information, thank you. It's more of the operation more than the strength or quality between each?

 

[dmark]

I only ever broke Deore or SRAM components in accidents, not from regular use. I don't consider components expensive to replace in any case, and you will probably be replacing the bike for newer technology rather than from wearing the bike out. I have been riding one of my analog bikes for close to 30 years with replacement of wheels and chain from wear. Bicycle maintenance is another reason I am not in favor of rear suspension, or even front fork suspension (in addition to weight, steering handling, and use of racks). If planning on keeping the bike for a long time, I would get a spare battery, in case your battery becomes an antique and hard to replace, due to new technology. I expect that motor failure will ultimately be the reason that I junk an ebike.

 

[SVRACER295]

Thank you for the help with this decision. The choice is the Juggernaut Ultra FS.
Both companies were great to talk with, both took the time to review their products versus the competitor. The end result was fit and finish and the conversation with Clayton at Biktrix. Looking forward to the journey.