Lightweight but mid-travel Ebike recommendations
Discussion
Back in the 00s I rode freeride bikes that were getting on for 50lb and Dear god they were hard going even on descents if you weren't on it.
I'd prefer to avoid this heavy, motorbike in idle whilst descending feel if possible.
This isn't a troll. I tried a friends Giant and it felt leaden unless I was going at it 100%. Who does that all the time?!
To the expense of range I don't mind - price wise probably 4-5.5k and travel wise similar to my 2020 Santa Cruz 5010.
Your experiences please!
I'd prefer to avoid this heavy, motorbike in idle whilst descending feel if possible.
This isn't a troll. I tried a friends Giant and it felt leaden unless I was going at it 100%. Who does that all the time?!
To the expense of range I don't mind - price wise probably 4-5.5k and travel wise similar to my 2020 Santa Cruz 5010.
Your experiences please!
I've gone through a fair few bikes, analog and leccy over the last 2 years trying to find the "right one".
I've just sold a Cube touring hybrid ebike. Bosch mid motor, 500wh battery and fully loaded with lights, guards, rack the lot. That bike was comfy, could climb anything and had a good 50 mile+ range. But it was 26kg unlaiden. It felt like a tank and lifting it over stuff was a real pain.
Now in comparison I have a analog gravel bike that is 11kg. Its a joy to ride, light and nippy and fast under the right circumstances. That is until its cold windy and rainy and your climbing against the wind with a backpack. On those days the ebike just make more sense.
My current ebike is also a gravel, its one of the Fazua powered ebikes so its about 17kg, still a bit heavy, but manageable. Range isn't quite as good but that's the trade off for less weight. The cool thing about the Fazua bikes is the drive pack is removable, so you can actually use it as an analog bike if you want to. Mines about 13-14kg without the drive pack.
I've just sold a Cube touring hybrid ebike. Bosch mid motor, 500wh battery and fully loaded with lights, guards, rack the lot. That bike was comfy, could climb anything and had a good 50 mile+ range. But it was 26kg unlaiden. It felt like a tank and lifting it over stuff was a real pain.
Now in comparison I have a analog gravel bike that is 11kg. Its a joy to ride, light and nippy and fast under the right circumstances. That is until its cold windy and rainy and your climbing against the wind with a backpack. On those days the ebike just make more sense.
My current ebike is also a gravel, its one of the Fazua powered ebikes so its about 17kg, still a bit heavy, but manageable. Range isn't quite as good but that's the trade off for less weight. The cool thing about the Fazua bikes is the drive pack is removable, so you can actually use it as an analog bike if you want to. Mines about 13-14kg without the drive pack.
Mate has just bought a Specialized Levo SL (150mm travel, basically an electric Stumpjumper) for the same reasons, he wanted an e-bike thats light enough to feel more like a regular bike on the trail and is more feasible to still pedal when it runs out of juice. Half the power of their full fat ebikes and smaller battery, but much lighter - they claim around 17kg, no doubt thats for the most expensive carbon spec though.
His hasn't been delivered yet though so no feedback on how good it is.
His hasn't been delivered yet though so no feedback on how good it is.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 28th October 00:08
Check out the latest Singletrackworld mag for a review of the Orbea Rise.
It is, in my opinion, by the 'pick' of E-bikes available and pretty much the only one I'd consider. Potentially a Levo SL but the geo and looks are a bit....
The Orbea Rise is an E-bike done right. Its even pretty keenly priced.
It is, in my opinion, by the 'pick' of E-bikes available and pretty much the only one I'd consider. Potentially a Levo SL but the geo and looks are a bit....
The Orbea Rise is an E-bike done right. Its even pretty keenly priced.
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