Trek FX+ 2 or Trek Marlin+ 8 2nd gen?

[modern]

@Jeremy McCreary an example of one of the steeper hills around is about half mile length and 19% incline.

Interesting how your wife can ride a different bike with the same riding position, but feel much more comfortable with a different geometry. I felt the same twitchiness on the Verve+ and assumed it was due to weight, but now I see it could be something else. I enjoyed both the FX+ and Marlin+ when I test rode them, but again it was just around the parking lot. The Marlin+ was especially nice when it came to reducing vibration in my hands.

 

[PedalUma]

@Jeremy McCreary, In most cases you are correct. But there are some outliers. The new motor from X-Labs is one, another are mid-drives from Bafang. Both allow for throttles on mid-drives. And cadence is independent of chainring speed. Which I find disconcerting and unnatural. I personally like the tires in the middle of @Gionnirocket's chart. Those Hurricanes are sweet. Most people do not need a mid-drive and I agree that if you can afford one, get it. 19% is a lot and likely requires an 11-50 cassette with a clutch like a bear trap and an extra-long cage derailleur. Those don't come with normal bikes. Only true mountain bikes that are big bucks and not comfortable come with gearing like that.

 

[modern]

I went out to test ride some bikes today, but didn’t have much luck. My first stop was a locally owned store to try out Velotric. Well, the store stopped selling that brand and switched over to Aventon. Interesting because I was just there a few months ago and they had plenty of Velotric stock. Anyway, the Soltera didn’t have any suspension, tires were too skinny, and was not a good fit for my needs. They didn’t have a level 4 ADV that I could try. I then went to a Specialized store to check out the Turbo Vado. None in stock (besides the carbon fiber SL) and was told that I would need to put half down so they could order it, get it in, then I could go for a test ride. If I didn’t like it, I could get a refund of my deposit. This doesn’t seem practical at all so I left and don’t think I’ll be back. I’ve had much better experiences with Trek.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

@Jeremy McCreary an example of one of the steeper hills around is about half mile length and 19% incline.

Definitely mid-drive territory.

I enjoyed both the FX+ and Marlin+ when I test rode them, but again it was just around the parking lot. The Marlin+ was especially nice when it came to reducing vibration in my hands.

Tire width can definitely help there. Recently upped my tubeless gravel tires from 38 to just 40 mm. Even at the same 40 psi pressure, the improvement in compliance and vibration on cobble was quite noticeable.

But the 40s are rated for 30 psi minimum, and that pressure, they're vastly more comfy than the 38s at 36-40 psi.

I'll keep the 40s at 38-40 psi for routine riding, as I worry about punctures at 30 psi. But it's nice to know that I could air down to 30 psi if the going gets too jarring.

Carrying a small electric mini-pump (Cycplus) means that I can air up or down anytime I like.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Don't know if this would interest you but one other buying option is not new
Upway has many overstock and minimally used at deep discounts. Many with less than 100 mi on them and many more with less than 1000 mi.
You'd have to check with your local shop if they'd service a bike they didn't sell.
Obviously this is only viable if you know what you want and you wouldn't be able to use your gift card. But it is a cheaper way to get in the game.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Definitely mid-drive territory.

Full power mid-drive, a hardtail or Full Suspension MTB. Perhaps a Specialized Levo 4, the least expensive model.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I went out to test ride some bikes today, but didn’t have much luck.

Sorry it turned out way. Easy for me to say test, test, test, but the sad reality is that it's getting harder and harder to test bikes before you buy.

Specialized offered me the same test scenario when I bought my Vado SL 1. Had to sweet-talk them into letting me ride just one nearby hill to see if 240W was enough for my 78 years and bird legs.

The test was encouraging, but I knew I'd face lots of tougher climbs. In the end, took the plunge, and sooooo glad I did!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You are a strong rider, Jeremy (your "bird legs" produce some 150 W, mine are closer to 50). @modern is probably not in the same shape as you. I'd say a person like me wouldn't ever dare riding a 19% ascent on an SL e-bike while I could do it on the full power Vado with alpine gearing.

 

[Gionnirocket]

That would be my plan in your environment, too. Detachable battery it is, then.



There are hub-drives and hub-drives, and not all hills are the same. Comes down to what your hills are like.

Let's talk real-life experience, not online opinions — many of which are knee-jerk or parroted or just plain irrational when it comes to the mid- vs. hub-drive debate.

Our hills are commonly up to 8% but usually under a mile in length. My wife's 48 lb, 750W Velotric Breeze hub-drive handles all of these with ease. She and the Breeze can out-climb me and my 36 lb, 250W Specialized Vado SL on any of them, and I'm the stronger rider by a good margin.

Ditto on our many steep 1-block ramps at 12-16%. But my old 70 lb, 500W Surface 604 hub-drive struggles on some of these ramps.

How would the Breeze do on a 5 mile climb at 6%? Can't say, but pretty sure the SL would be fine.

The climb up Double Peak ends in ½ mile of 20%. The SL is fine on this climb, but my neighbor's 65 lb, 500W Aventon hub-drive went into thermal shut-down near the top and had to cool before he could finish. The Surface 604 made it but was fading fast at the top. I bet the Breeze would make it, too — probably with less fade.

How do your hills compare?

I have to disagree with you on the motor power going through the gearing. Yes your wife may be able to out climb you but her motor also has 3x the nominal rating. As mentioned I live in a hilly area as well and I often ride with a friend who has a comperable 1000w hub to my 1000w mid drive. At the end of a +35 mile ride I still have +50% battery and he's running on empty. Battery size is also comperable. So yes a hub may be capable but at a high cost of inefficiency. It's also noticeably louder.
So again a hub is workable... but if someone is asking for advice for a hilly area I have a hard time recommending one especially when they want a light bike with a small battery.
ymmv