Point me in the right direction

[Gillyske]

Hi everyone,

Very new to all of this ebike stuff. I am quite an avid mountain biker, I own a Commencal Meta AM 29 and like to do bike park riding.
With covid and having a baby my riding time as well as fitness has been cut down drastically.
I used to ride to work when i lived 10km out and it took 25 mins on my single speed, which was faster than public transport.
Now I live 20kms out and it takes over an hour because of added elevation, which is too much commute time since I work 12hr shifts.

I'm looking at options to replace both my commuter and mtb in 1 go.
A bike that can average 45kmh (28mph) would bring my commute back down to 30mins one way.
I'm drawn to bikes like the Frey EX that uses the Bafang Ultra, however that thing weighs 35kg (over 80lbs) and would be a terrible feeling mtb.
Another option is to get something like the Commencal Meta Power (24kg or 52lbs) and derestrict it, however I have concerns about the Shimano Ep8 as i can't see any tuning options. There are some models still around that use the E8000 which has lots of after market support but they use a smaller 504w battery.

So what are peoples recommendations for a bike that can commute at 28mph for about 1 hour (I would be able to charge the battery at my desk) but could also handle a double black diamond trail?

ps: Budget up to 6.5k usd

Thanks for reading.

 

[Dewey]

Given your budget and desire to ride on technical terrain I’d suggest looking at a high end full suspension speed pedelec like this one with a decent size 16.7ah/625wh battery, comes in 4 sizes, dropper seat post, and has a long travel 120mm air fork. Here’s the EBR review of the bike.

 

[EmotionLynx6Pro]

I think you would do better to look for two separate bikes. $1500 for a commuter and $5000 for a mtb, especially if you are on double black diamond trails. Ride1Up, Espin and others for commuter, a marked down mtb from CrazyLennys could work.

 

[rich c]

Averaging 28mph on a commute means you will have to ride some sections over 35+mph. Not an easy thing to do on a 55 pound eBike!

 

[CodyDog]

Challenging to meet your requirements. Typically EMTB's in the $6.5 range will be outfitted more to mountain bike riding than street. Great group sets and suspension with mid drives (20mph). If your wanting to ride "double black diamond trails" you'll need a true mountain bike, not a cross between a commuter and MTB. I ride my Specialized Levo Comp on the road for light commuting.

As far as Double Black Diamond trails you ride, Are they full of drops and jumps? If so, you may require a 150-160mm front fork. I ride with 160mm travel Fox Float 36 Rythm front fork for good size drops. Wouldnt ride with any less.

 

[Dallant]

May not be a class 3 but it checks most of your boxes I think.

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[TrevorB]

Challenging to meet your requirements. Typically EMTB's in the $6.5 range will be outfitted more to mountain bike riding than street. Great group sets and suspension with mid drives (20mph). If your wanting to ride "double black diamond trails" you'll need a true mountain bike, not a cross between a commuter and MTB. I ride my Specialized Levo Comp on the road for light commuting.

As far as Double Black Diamond trails you ride, Are they full of drops and jumps? If so, you may require a 150-160mm front fork. I ride with 160mm travel Fox Float 36 Rythm front fork for good size drops. Wouldnt ride with an less.

Cody is right, need to look at 160-170 travel, go for mid-high spec level it will save you money in long run. Entry level suspension isn't design for lot of this riding. Class 3 28mph emtbs aren't allowed in lot mtb parks and there isn't lot of choices in quality eMTB because of this. Can't derestrict new Bosch motors, they detect it and stop with error shop has to clear.

I'd get quality eMTB, and buy spare set of entry level wheels for commuting. They do cost bit to setup with rotors and cassette but better than wearing out knobby tires on road. You may not find that much difference in travel time between 28mph 20mph bike, unless your commute is dead flat straight run. Definitely won't be climbing at 28mph, typically less than 20mph. 28mph isn't any faster when waiting at lights.

For commuter look for 2nd hand old Bosch CX motor bike has small cog, can be destricted giving 40mph cutoff. Allows you mix it with 30mph traffic, 28mph is to slow. I can only do 30mph on flat with no head, other wise its mid 20s.

 

[Gillyske]

I'd get quality eMTB, and buy spare set of entry level wheels for commuting. They do cost bit to setup with rotors and cassette but better than wearing out knobby tires on road. You may not find that much difference in travel time between 28mph 20mph bike, unless your commute is dead flat straight run. Definitely won't be climbing at 28mph, typically less than 20mph. 28mph isn't any faster when waiting at lights.

For commuter look for old Bosch CX motor bike has small cog, can be destricted. Should be few 2nd hands now with people upgrading.

Yeah that's what I'm leaning more towards. I figure I will just get some quality wheels for MTB and chuck some slicks on the stock wheels.
I'm more leaning towards the Merida eONE Sixty 700 as it just seems like a lot of bang for buck. But it has the EP8 and its basically a mystery over whether that will be a desrestrict from anyone. I'm hoping since its one of the most common motors theres a high chance of a third party releasing something.

 

[EmotionLynx6Pro]

Consider the Luna Cycles X1 Enduro. Carbon frame, RS Yari fork, 6 inches of travel, good brakes, shifters and tires as well as a dropper post all for $3500 - it would leave room in your budget for a street bike as well.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A bike that can average 45kmh (28mph) would bring my commute back down to 30mins one way.

I haven't heard of a street legal e-bike that could average at 45 km/h yet. And, in Australia, top speed limit for e-bikes is 25 km/h. There are also issues with availability of e-bikes in the Land of Oz.

Regarding single-track e-MTB riding, send a PM to @PDoz, our Australian e-MTB expert. Regarding other types of e-bikes in Australia, @David Berry could tell you a thing or two.