It's 2025 Is an Emtb in your near future?

Is an Emtb in your near future?

  • Yes

    Votes: 10 7.8%

  • No

    Votes: 52 40.6%

  • Maybe

    Votes: 21 16.4%

  • Never

    Votes: 11 8.6%

  • Already own one

    Votes: 34 26.6%
  • Total voters
    128
Juggernaut said:
100% agree on the benefit of e-bike demos, even if it’s just for educational purposes. Going into Sunday’s demo I was pretty firmly in the F#ck No camp. I’ve tried e-bikes in the early days and absolutely hated pretty much everything about them. But… knowing just how much development has gone into them over the past few years, I figured, why not take one out on trails I had just rode a few days before and see what these new ones are all about.

First off, they are light years ahead of what I’ve previously ridden.
Ignoring the propulsion and weight (weight only noticeable in certain situations) What surprised me was the fact that the Pivot Shuttle AM rides almost exactly like a Switchblade or Transition Sentinel (both bike are familiar to me). It felt like a bike, something I could not say in good conscience about older e-bikes.

I think it was also important to demo the bike exclusively with others who I regularly ride with all on e-bikes (though all on different models), some with, while others w/out e-bike experience. Kinda helped with the learning curve (and there IS one) and to keep the dialog open and honest.

The verdict? These things are fantastic. The whole cheating thing is asinine. Who the f#ck is being cheated? That’s just a bunch of gate keeping nonsense, much like sock height or the number of spacers under someone’s stem. Pathetic.

Am I running out to get one? No. Not because of anything other than I simply do not like the way they pedal at this point in time. I don’t like the stock assist levels but those can be fine tuned in the app. Nor do I like having overrun, but that can be turned off too. Here’s the problem. Every MTB bike I own (and that’s several) have/has instant entertainment… that element is nonnegotiable. Regardless of whatever hub the wheel has, the motor itself has some built in “slop” and I simply can’t get past that… not unless I’m willing to retire all my other bikes (which is not an option for someone like me).

When they come out with a 140/150 or better yet a 130/140 full power bike with a long lasting battery (none of this just add a range extender nonsense) a full display on the top tube (none if this status bar crap, I want numbers, all the numbers) that weighs around 45lbs and has 6° or less of play in the cranks…I’ll be first in line.
Click to expand...
Haha
Sounds like you want an Amflow 😊
 
They all have that play as far as I’ve seen. I was learning how to pedal kick the Levo and timing the motor engagement was the toughest part. It’s like move the crank a little, count to 1, and kick. That’s the part I’d need to get down before I ever considered one. Walking a bike over a downed log is a non-starter for me as an ex-trials nerd. You absolutely can not bunny hop a full power bike. You have to catch the motor like a Trials Moto.
 
Anyone notice Cascade Components is already producing links for the Levo gen 4? They claim the new Levo has a 12% progressive suspension??!!! Guess that’s why they needed the Genie shock. Kinda cool they will make a long shock kit using a 230x65 shock with 30% progression and 170mm travel. A 170-170mm travel Levo would be nice.
 
Steve Vai said:
You absolutely can not bunny hop a full power bike.
Click to expand...
Gonna have to disagree there - at least a little bit.

I've hopped bunny hopped logs with my Heckler and that MF'er is 53 lbs, 14 ozs. (just weighed it with my Park scale). Now I'll admit that is with clipless pedals and the logs haven't been that big (maybe 18" diameter), but I've been able to get over them without touching them.

Granted, the Heckler isn't much heavier than some of the DH bikes I had 25 years ago and I could bunny hop those bike too - and with flat pedals.
 
Ian F said:
Gonna have to disagree there - at least a little bit.

I've hopped bunny hopped logs with my Heckler and that MF'er is 53 lbs, 14 ozs. (just weighed it with my Park scale). Now I'll admit that is with clipless pedals and the logs haven't been that big (maybe 18" diameter), but I've been able to get over them without touching them.

Granted, the Heckler isn't much heavier than some of the DH bikes I had 25 years ago and I could bunny hop those bike too - and with flat pedals.
Click to expand...

I’ll clarify that I don’t consider 18” a bunnyhop 😂
 
I’d also like to see that. I can get up onto picnic tables on my XC bike, but seriously can barely get a Levo onto a curb. This is also why the number one point of failure is the motor casing, and why the aftermarket bash guard market is alive and well.
 
stb222 said:
18”* is a solid bunnyhop at speed on a trail. I would honestly like to see a video of @Ian F doing that on an eheckler.

*assuming he isnt saying 18” in length.
Click to expand...
No. 18" high. It really depends on how I'm feeling on a particular day and how the log is placed on the trail. I generally use speed and suspension rebound to get over obstacles, so if I can't get a good run up then my chances of success are lower. But I've discovered that even as heavy as the Heckler is, if the conditions are right I can get it over sizable obstacles.

I've honestly surprised myself at some of the obstacles I've been able to get over. Sometimes without warning. I remember riding a trail blind up in NJ and the trail was shrouded in ferns. I came around a corner at speed and found a log about 2' off the ground. Purely on instinct I jumped over it. It was either that or die. And then scream back "log!!!" to my friend who was some distance behind me.

So, faster the better - which an ebike kind of helps with. Low speed trials moves I generally suck at.
 
Ian F said:
No. 18" high. It really depends on how I'm feeling on a particular day and how the log is placed on the trail. I generally use speed and suspension rebound to get over obstacles, so if I can't get a good run up then my chances of success are lower. But I've discovered that even as heavy as the Heckler is, if the conditions are right I can get it over sizable obstacles.

I've honestly surprised myself at some of the obstacles I've been able to get over. Sometimes without warning. I remember riding a trail blind up in NJ and the trail was shrouded in ferns. I came around a corner at speed and found a log about 2' off the ground. Purely on instinct I jumped over it. It was either that or die. And then scream back "log!!!" to my friend who was some distance behind me.

So, faster the better - which an ebike kind of helps with. Low speed trials moves I generally suck at.
Click to expand...
Please don’t. I’ve seen you ride , I know you have the skill set. When people go into “I’ll show’em” mode there’s a high probability of ending up on the “Boo-Boo” thread or “Friday Fails”. Just say’n.
 
Anyone that thinks people can’t bunny hop an e bike, please go to YouTube and search “ motorcycle trials”.
 
Juggernaut said:
Please don’t. I’ve seen you ride , I know you have the skill set. When people go into “I’ll show’em” mode there’s a high probability of ending up on the “Boo-Boo” thread or “Friday Fails”. Just say’n.
Click to expand...
Laughing because I had that EXACT thought last night while trying to go to sleep. 🤣

As mentioned, I tend to ride stuff like that when it's not planned and I'm simply reacting. I swear sometimes my best DH runs down a course were my first runs when I was riding it completely blind. My first (and only) run down Black Magic at Killington, for example. But once in a while it has bitten me - like during an enduro race at Glen Park when bike issues prevented me from pre-riding every stage on Sat and I completely mis-judged a feature on one of the stages, crashed hard and ended up a DNF.
 
Hmmm...late to the party here, but I imagine an E-bike is likely.

I've crossed the 60 threshold, two fake knees, head to toe arthritis (among other things), I don't live near "flat" and have *always* been a crappy climber anyway (even whilst in the shape of my life back in my 20s). I couldn't see myself zipping through the forest in "E-mode", but assist ala Pivot Shuttle or something on hills? Sure.

Yeah, if I can get time to ride regularly (4 y.o. twins, yeah, you heard that right) off road, it seems like something that would help me keep riding as the hill "suck" is big out here in Oregon. Maybe when the twins are a bit older and when (if?!) I "retire".

Plus, when my boy twin, Neal, gets older I'll need all the help I can get. Loves being outside, loves bikes and hiking, and is strong AF. Even with an e-bike, I'll have no chance keeping up with him once he gets somewhere around puberty...if that long (I'll be in my late 60s by then).
 
I'm 71. Just getting back into MTB after a long layoff. 10 years due to back surgery and a bout with cancer. I tried a Trek Rail. I figured the motor would be a big help in getting back into it, but the weight alone turned me off. I had issues with the speed sensor from day one. Sold it. I figured that at my age, jumping and serious downhill runs are not likely. I now have a Trek Fuel EX 9.8 and it's still heavy, but much easier to manage than an e-bike. Still getting used to the full suspension. I also have 3 hardtails. My favorite is my 1990 Klein Rascal which I built up from a frame and is in pretty good shape considering the abuse I put it through. E-MTB's might be for some, but not for me.
Now I just have to get my torn rotator cuff repaired and I'll be back in business. LOL
 
Anyone with a Bosch CX 5 install the new update with the new modes and torque adjustments yet?
 
Question about storage: my only option is an un-insulated garage (read: hot AF, except winter, when it’s cold AF)

Should I be removing the battery in between rides?
 
jmanic said:
Question about storage: my only option is an un-insulated garage (read: hot AF, except winter, when it’s cold AF)

Should I be removing the battery in between rides?
Click to expand...
If you can yes, hot I wouldn't worry but below freezing absolutely. If you can't remove battery because you need to drop the motor then buy a seed starter heating mat (Amazon)and wrap the battery when storing.

Edit. When storing for long periods, keep the battery at around 65% not fully charged as well.
 
jmanic said:
Question about storage: my only option is an un-insulated garage (read: hot AF, except winter, when it’s cold AF)

Should I be removing the battery in between rides?
Click to expand...
I take mine out in the winter only because I get an error message if I attempt to charge when it's too cold. If the bike is off the ground the battery slides right out once you disconnect the plug and remove the one bolt. Once you get good at it it takes 10 seconds.

And, welcome to the Dark Side.
 
mattybfat said:
If you can yes, hot I wouldn't worry but below freezing absolutely. If you can't remove battery because you need to drop the motor then buy a seed starter heating mat (Amazon)and wrap the battery when storing.

Edit. When storing for long periods, keep the battery at around 65% not fully charged as well.
Click to expand...
Bike N Gear said:
I take mine out in the winter only because I get an error message if I attempt to charge when it's too cold. If the bike is off the ground the battery slides right out once you disconnect the plug and remove the one bolt. Once you get good at it it takes 10 seconds.

And, welcome to the Dark Side.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys.
It looks pretty simple to drop it out (Levo) so I think I will take it out between rides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom