I picked up a Specialized Turbo Levo in a shop last year and was amazed how light it was for a full suspension eBike. The reality is though I might not sure another eBike on the road much, an off road machine will pretty much get zero usage. I've never really got into MTB and as some one the wrong side of 40, I doubt I ever will now. Any injuries take so much longer to heal, and I wouldn't have the skills or confidence to get any where near the potential of a full suspension MTB.
N+1 bike itch.....mid life crisis options
- Thread starter gzoom
- Start date
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I picked up a Specialized Turbo Levo in a shop last year and was amazed how light it was for a full suspension eBike. The reality is though I might not sure another eBike on the road much, an off road machine will pretty much get zero usage. I've never really got into MTB and as some one the wrong side of 40, I doubt I ever will now. Any injuries take so much longer to heal, and I wouldn't have the skills or confidence to get any where near the potential of a full suspension MTB.
ade towell
Über Member
- Location
- Nottingham
Fair enough although I’m 55 and was a roadie up until about 8 years ago when I got a gravel/adventure bike, loved escaping the increasing traffic and then got a full sus a few years ago and I’ve got to say it’s been the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike. It doesn’t have to be full on single track there’s plenty of gentle countryside to enjoy. Ha sorry I crave a full suspension e-bike for full big days out, think I’m probably just projecting…
fritz katzenjammer
Der Ubergrosserbudgie
- Location
- Canada eh! Your land of back bacon.
What a lovely thing… I wouldn’t last a week.
I tended toward more of a 70s cafe butchery approach to bikes.
And I’m still at it… these two were built over forty years apart.
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IanSmithCSE
Guru
- Location
- Worcester, Worcestershire
Good morning,
I see that the Scott is a Mahle X20 rear hub drive rather than a mid mount.
I have only ever ridden an X35 ebike and found that a real disappointment, a number of articles commented on the lack of torque with the X35 and I agree. I know that the X20 has a higher peak torque figure advertised, but I don't know what that means in riding experience, I have seen articles suggesting measured values of 23Nm.
As you are not going to be using it much this may not matter but I got down to 80% battery capicity in 120 charge cycles or one year, 250Wh down to 188Wh, added to this the last 40ishWh are of very limited assist leaving me with an effective 150Wh or £700-£800 replacement bill. The few CF ebikes I've looked at also require a BB removeal/replacement to replace the battery.
After a year of use I have come to the conclusion that the X35 is a very niche product and can't see why the X20 would be any different, fine if you fit into that niche. :-)
I've also had a very negative experience of Ribble when the freehub failed they were completely uniterested, they don't stock the part and it's a Mahle/eBikeMotion proprietory part and the motor cable is run along the inside of the chainstay and it not surprisingly got damaged. The battery/motor cable on the X35 and is not user replacable and the iWoc controller doesn't seem to be waterproof, leaving me with the impression that they jumped on the ebike bandwagon and hoped that the customer wouldn't actually ride the bike.
Bye
Ian
I see that the Scott is a Mahle X20 rear hub drive rather than a mid mount.
I have only ever ridden an X35 ebike and found that a real disappointment, a number of articles commented on the lack of torque with the X35 and I agree. I know that the X20 has a higher peak torque figure advertised, but I don't know what that means in riding experience, I have seen articles suggesting measured values of 23Nm.
As you are not going to be using it much this may not matter but I got down to 80% battery capicity in 120 charge cycles or one year, 250Wh down to 188Wh, added to this the last 40ishWh are of very limited assist leaving me with an effective 150Wh or £700-£800 replacement bill. The few CF ebikes I've looked at also require a BB removeal/replacement to replace the battery.
After a year of use I have come to the conclusion that the X35 is a very niche product and can't see why the X20 would be any different, fine if you fit into that niche. :-)
I've also had a very negative experience of Ribble when the freehub failed they were completely uniterested, they don't stock the part and it's a Mahle/eBikeMotion proprietory part and the motor cable is run along the inside of the chainstay and it not surprisingly got damaged. The battery/motor cable on the X35 and is not user replacable and the iWoc controller doesn't seem to be waterproof, leaving me with the impression that they jumped on the ebike bandwagon and hoped that the customer wouldn't actually ride the bike.
Bye
Ian
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@IanSmithCSE Thanks for the info, I personally prefer mid-drive, interestingly Scott also do a mid-drive bike, but it essentially is the same as my Creo, both on paper in terms of performance, and I suspect to ride in real life. @ade towell May well have another look at things like the Levo, but need to work out where I would use a full fat/suspension MTB in pretty flat Leicestershire !!
ade towell
Über Member
- Location
- Nottingham
I'm in neighbouring Nottinghamshire and have had a lot of fun over Rutland, Melton and Belvoir way, and day's out in the Peaks.
I am a sucker for British bike companies and for mountain bikes Whyte in particular, but as you mention Specialized I have also looked at their Tero with admiration - a more versatile full suspension with guards and rack which could do your commutes too, am sure with the state of the roads these days it would probably be the most comfortable ride you could get on and off road
https://www.cyclingelectric.com/reviews/specialized-turbo-tero-review
I am a sucker for British bike companies and for mountain bikes Whyte in particular, but as you mention Specialized I have also looked at their Tero with admiration - a more versatile full suspension with guards and rack which could do your commutes too, am sure with the state of the roads these days it would probably be the most comfortable ride you could get on and off road
https://www.cyclingelectric.com/reviews/specialized-turbo-tero-review
midlandsgrimpeur
Active Member
It's been a couple of years now since I bought my last bike, a Specialized Creo. Fantastic bike, much nicer to ride than my daily Boardman commuter ebike, but I'm now getting the itch again for another shiny 2 wheel companion.
Not really sure what I want, 100% don't need another eBike, so this would be a pure mid-life crisis buy. The budget is not that important, after all a fancy car or different wife during your 40s will have far worse financial ramifications.
Would anyone advocate one of these over the others......
The front runner is the Scott Addict eRide, it's a good 2kg lighter than the Creo, a 'proper' road bike versus gravel, and means I wouldn't feel bad putting a pannier and racks on the Creo to use it for commuting. However the reality it'll get ridden once in a blue moon.
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The Canyon Roadlite:ONfly CF 9 LTD is up there too. It's got the Fazua drive train that I love, a massive battery, and its a hybrid so essentially something perfect for my commute to work (2-3 times a week).
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The final outside choice would be a Canyon Grizl:ON CF9. I've taken my Creo on a few gravel rides and really enjoyed it, but cannot help feel some front suspension would be good. I've also never owned an eBike with a really beefy motor so not sure how I would get on with it? Might get used even less than the Addict!!
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I have a regular Scott Addict, not the eride. I think amongst the big brands Scott offer quite a lot of bang for your buck and tend to offer better spec for lower prices than a lot of the competition. My actual bike is also great to ride, so I am sure the eride version would be similar if you chose to go down that route.
