[beerfriday]

Starting to think about my first eBike, but I definitely don't have an unlimited budget.

I'll concede that I have a preference for Fox suspension and how it rides 'off the top' (yes, I know about volume spacers on Rock Shox )

Looks like the bulk of the bikes that I would eye in my price range have Shimano motors.

Seems like a lot of eBikes that are in my price range will have E7000 motors with Fox... or EP8s with Rock Shox

I'm not averse to upgrading a year down the line on this component or that... but obviously the motors tend to be a little tougher to do that with... also seems like there isn't going to be much of a resale market for an E7000 take-off (like there might be on a take-off fork).

This ultimately may be a E7000 v EP8 question. i.e. is newer that much better to sacrifice on other components?

 

[RBoardman]

Yes, newer EP8 is noticeable improvement and I personally wouldn’t buy something that already out-dated.

But for me, having a bigger battery is more important than motor brand or model. I think 500wh batteries are also getting outdated, and if you ride with people on newer bikes they will likely have bigger batteries and the whole ride you’ll have range anxiety, and/or have to turn back sooner.

Components you can always upgrade and swap down the line. I would not worry too much about this.

 

[tom tom]

Do not get a E7000 motor, unless you drive a Yugo.....or ride a Huffy!!

 

[33red]

My suggestion is look at Giant/Yamaha.

 

[Gutch]

As others have mentioned EP8 over E7000 and biggest battery possible. Beefy fork, brakes, and tires and you are ready to party down!

 

[OneTrustMan]

My suggestion is look at Giant/Yamaha.

After test riding different bikes/motors I decided on a bike with the Yamaha motor.

I got a Giant Trance 2021.
While motor and battery are great, the bike is way too creaky. Have it now for half a year and rode 2500km. In order to keep it quite I had to clean and grease the headset, motor mounting bolts, seat tube and the pivots already 3 times.

I never had a bike that creaks so much.
Next bike won't be Giant for sure.

 

[Jack7782]

As others have mentioned EP8 over E7000 and biggest battery possible. Beefy fork, brakes, and tires and you are ready to party down!

Another factor is ease of routine battery removal. For battery health, it is best to take the battery inside when it is too hot or too cold outside. It is also nice to remove that extra weight when lifting or transporting the bike. I am digging the Trek/Bosch system that has a little handle that pops out which minimizes the risk of dropping it.

 

[Jack7782]

My suggestion is look at Giant/Yamaha.

Lets not forget Haibike if and when they are available

 

[Gutch]

Another factor is ease of routine battery removal. For battery health, it is best to take the battery inside when it is too hot or too cold outside. It is also nice to remove that extra weight when lifting or transporting the bike. I am digging the Trek/Bosch system that has a little handle that pops out which minimizes the risk of dropping it.

True, although I live down south and my bike is in my garage. I never take the battery out. The Trek-Bosch handle is very nice, had one!

 

[nilswalk]

I got a Giant Trance 2021.
While motor and battery are great, the bike is way too creaky. Have it now for half a year and rode 2500km. In order to keep it quite I had to clean and grease the headset, motor mounting bolts, seat tube and the pivots already 3 times.

I never had a bike that creaks so much.
Next bike won't be Giant for sure.

I wouldn't blame it on the Giant. I have an S-works Levo and it also requires constant maintenance to keep it running smoothly. I think it's just a combination of these things being so heavy and the fact that you're generally going much faster and carrying more energy - they just end up taking much more of a beating than a normal bike.

 

[Gutch]

I wouldn't blame it on the Giant. I have an S-works Levo and it also requires constant maintenance to keep it running smoothly. I think it's just a combination of these things being so heavy and the fact that you're generally going much faster and carrying more energy - they just end up taking much more of a beating than a normal bike.

I concur. My brother has a Giant and loves his. Pretty bulletproof really.

 

[Kootbiker]

Look at a Rocky Mountain Powerplay. They have an A30 model that is reasonably priced. You can upgrade the suspension, brakes and wheels at a later date if your not happy with the original component.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

Another factor is ease of routine battery removal. For battery health, it is best to take the battery inside when it is too hot or too cold outside. It is also nice to remove that extra weight when lifting or transporting the bike. I am digging the Trek/Bosch system that has a little handle that pops out which minimizes the risk of dropping it.

In the dead of winter, it’s so cold in my garage (and in sheds in Fernie) that the batteries in mine won’t charge (which is a good thing). I found a simple workaround though using electric battery blankets wrapped around the down tubes. Works like a hot damn!

EDIT: old school hot water bottles work just fine too. I was using those before I started using the battery warmers. The car battery warmers are perfect - they provide really low heat which won’t damage the battery or down tube finish, but which keeps the battery nice and toasty warm. I was really stressing about this issue at first but this has proven to be a 100% solution.

I am super stoked about the upcoming e-fat bike season. We had the bikes out last week for a 54km blast deep in the mountains. We each had 2 of 5 bars of battery power left at the end, and we were using Trail and Boost modes throughout (never ECO mode). On ECO mode, I bet we could get 7 or 8 hours of riding, no problem.

 

[_CJ]

Battery size and motor are the most important. E7000 is well known for issues due to it's plastic gears. EP8 seems to be doing well for most, but battery size is often compromised to keep cost down. Despite all the negative talk about Specialized and it's Brose motors, they're not all bad, and there are other brands with Brose and big batteries for reasonable prices. I've been very happy with my Bulls. The only failure on the bike in the year I've owned it has been the Fox rear shock.

.

 

[beerfriday]

Look at a Rocky Mountain Powerplay. They have an A30 model that is reasonably priced. You can upgrade the suspension, brakes and wheels at a later date if your not happy with the original component.

Who is making the motors on these?

 

[33red]

Who is making the motors on these?

RM his making their whole system. A few years back they bought the motor company and continue
the evolution. It is a canadian company who bought an other canadian company. You can check
their website.

 

[RickBullottaPA]

Top three priorities when selecting an eMTB should be frame design, motor/drive system, and battery.

 

[Macharza]

Top three priorities when selecting an eMTB should be frame design, motor/drive system, and battery.

Adding fourth reason.
- You have close support. Manufacturer Authorized Bike Service, where you can go to in case of problems

 

[33red]

I Totally agree with post # 18. I bought a 2020 Giant Ebike and also a 2021. I am close to one
and any other will do guarentee work. I would not buy an Ebike without close support.
I never needed it but it is important.

 

[RickBullottaPA]

I Totally agree with post # 18. I bought a 2020 Giant Ebike and also a 2021. I am close to one
and any other will do guarentee work. I would not buy an Ebike without close support.
I never needed it but it is important.

Great point. Even if you have a mainstream drive system/battery vendor but you bought from a direct-to-consumer company with crappy local support, you might be in for a bad experience if something goes wrong.