New to this forum and looking for advice--and experience--with the bikes I'm considering but also VERY open to other suggestions that meet my criteria.
Background on me: turn 50 this year (hence my eBike purchase
) and have been biking since a child. Mostly enjoy mountain biking on moderately difficult trails where my objective is a balance between healthy workout and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and areas I couldn't/wouldn't get to on foot. Live in Minnesota (SW area) where there are tons and tons of trails but MN does not have really high hills/mountains. Current bikes include a Giant XTC 29lb hardtail and Framed Alaskan Fat Tire 40lb.
Criteria: lightweight (Carbon Fiber frame seems best option), ideally non-fat tire for less rolling resistance and maneuverability, powerful mid-drive as I would like to reap the benefits of both PAS and straight full-throttle (fun-factor), higher-end components (Deore or Eagle equivalents) and full-suspension. Range is less important as I target probably 20-25 miles for a ride and would plan to pedal at least half of that (if not more).
Bikes I've researched (including tons from this Forum) and considering include: Luna Z1 Enduro (https://lunacycle.com/z1-enduro-ebike/), Motobecane HAL eBoost M600 (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...s-hal-eboost-m600-electric-mountain-bikes.htm), Nireeka Nyx (https://nireeka.com/configurator/nyx), and Watt Wagons Hydra Black (https://wattwagons.com/collections/hydra-black/products/hydra-black#build_product_direct). So price range for me is in the $3500-$4500 with expectation I'll end up on the higher end.
I have only ridden an eBike once and on mostly flat ground but am convinced a mid-drive is the ONLY way to go as I plan to use this in hilly areas and don't want to be limited by a rear-hub.
Much thanks in advance!!! This is a VERY difficult decision as I continue to monitor all the various blogs and forums on these different bikes--since most are from companies that are basically your "started and still working out of a garage"--even if their garage grew in size.
Background on me: turn 50 this year (hence my eBike purchase
) and have been biking since a child. Mostly enjoy mountain biking on moderately difficult trails where my objective is a balance between healthy workout and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and areas I couldn't/wouldn't get to on foot. Live in Minnesota (SW area) where there are tons and tons of trails but MN does not have really high hills/mountains. Current bikes include a Giant XTC 29lb hardtail and Framed Alaskan Fat Tire 40lb. Criteria: lightweight (Carbon Fiber frame seems best option), ideally non-fat tire for less rolling resistance and maneuverability, powerful mid-drive as I would like to reap the benefits of both PAS and straight full-throttle (fun-factor), higher-end components (Deore or Eagle equivalents) and full-suspension. Range is less important as I target probably 20-25 miles for a ride and would plan to pedal at least half of that (if not more).
Bikes I've researched (including tons from this Forum) and considering include: Luna Z1 Enduro (https://lunacycle.com/z1-enduro-ebike/), Motobecane HAL eBoost M600 (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products...s-hal-eboost-m600-electric-mountain-bikes.htm), Nireeka Nyx (https://nireeka.com/configurator/nyx), and Watt Wagons Hydra Black (https://wattwagons.com/collections/hydra-black/products/hydra-black#build_product_direct). So price range for me is in the $3500-$4500 with expectation I'll end up on the higher end.
I have only ridden an eBike once and on mostly flat ground but am convinced a mid-drive is the ONLY way to go as I plan to use this in hilly areas and don't want to be limited by a rear-hub.
Much thanks in advance!!! This is a VERY difficult decision as I continue to monitor all the various blogs and forums on these different bikes--since most are from companies that are basically your "started and still working out of a garage"--even if their garage grew in size.
