Hello from Croatia

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

Hello everyone from sunny-as-hell Croatia!

I regularly watch Robs YT channel where I enjoy the reviews and vlogs.
In Croatia, I ran an ebike tours and rent business with my Cube Acid Hybrid 400 fleet, but for the next year plan is to invest into full suspension ebikes.
My shortlist bikes are Thok Mig ST and Cube Stereo 120. What do you guys recommend?

Anyway, glad to be a part of this community and if you ever consider multi day ebike tours through Croatia, hit me up, we can arrange something.

Cheers!

 

[Doomanic]

Hi. Whereabouts in Croatia are you?

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

Hi. Whereabouts in Croatia are you?

I am situated in the little town called Kutina, just 80km from Zagreb to the east.

 

[Zimmerframe]

The Thok's seem like a really nice bike and their support always gets really good feedback on here. I've spoken with them a few times about various things and they've always been fast and helpful on their replies.

Routrax recently bought one and did three weeks in Europe with it and wrote about his experiences here :

An Alpine Roadtrip with a Thok MIG - EMTB Forums

Maybe you could also become a Thok point (demo person) Not sure if this would lead to a discount ?

Živjeli !

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

The Thok's seem like a really nice bike and their support always gets really good feedback on here. I've spoken with them a few times about various things and they've always been fast and helpful on their replies.

Routrax recently bought one and did three weeks in Europe with it and wrote about his experiences here :

An Alpine Roadtrip with a Thok MIG - EMTB Forums

Maybe you could also become a Thok point (demo person) Not sure if this would lead to a discount ?

Živjeli !

Regarding the Thok Point - I have discussed this option with them as well. I wouldn't mind since it is great business opportunity for the future.
What I'm concerned is the service - there aren' any Shimano service centers near the place where I live so for any faults I would have to send the bikes.
Cube, on the other hand has a service spot in my town.
Someone would say it*s a nobrainier, go with the Cube, but the opportunity to develop business out of it is tempting.
I'll see, have few months to decide where to invest.

 

[wepn]

What I'm concerned is the service

Nice bikes but service proximity is definitely a factor. Have you considered the Greyp G6? They're near Zagreb.

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

Nice bikes but service proximity is definitely a factor. Have you considered the Greyp G6? They're near Zagreb.

I have considered Greyp G6 but it is way above my budget. For rent&tours purposes all that technology has no sense.
For private use, yes, wouldn't mind owning a CRO premium ebike. But the €, uh...

 

[wepn]

Wow yes I didn't realise. Makes sense - Cesc Fàbregas, Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué are customers. Their cars are no doubt Rimacs too.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Regarding the Thok Point - I have discussed this option with them as well. I wouldn't mind since it is great business opportunity for the future.
What I'm concerned is the service - there aren' any Shimano service centers near the place where I live so for any faults I would have to send the bikes.

I'm probably hugely overly simplifying things, but if you were a Thok Point you'd probably have some flexibility and support from Thok. I'm sure once you've read through some of the Shimano threads or spent some time with the bikes, you'll find there's not that many things to go wrong/diagnose and it's generally either reset the battery, change a cable, adjust the battery support or change the motor. If you're running tour and rent you'd want to keep most of the basics in stock anyway, such as cables and a spare switch, speed sensor and so on to minimise your downtime and costs - a lot of things might break from usage damage rather than being warranty, so you wouldn't want to be giving your profits to a repair shop if you don't have to - or loose out on peak season rental if the bikes off waiting for repair.

If the problem is a broken motor, as a Thok point I'd hope you'd be allowed to just drop the motor - very simple, especially once you've done it once and send that back for an exchange motor. It would depend on what you negotiate, but Thok might provide you with a spare motor in case yours or another thok client in the area needed a motor swap out.

As I say, I might be over simplifying things. I think they're on holiday at Thok at the moment so replies probably aren't as quick as normal.

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

I'm probably hugely overly simplifying things, but if you were a Thok Point you'd probably have some flexibility and support from Thok. I'm sure once you've read through some of the Shimano threads or spent some time with the bikes, you'll find there's not that many things to go wrong/diagnose and it's generally either reset the battery, change a cable, adjust the battery support or change the motor. If you're running tour and rent you'd want to keep most of the basics in stock anyway, such as cables and a spare switch, speed sensor and so on to minimise your downtime and costs - a lot of things might break from usage damage rather than being warranty, so you wouldn't want to be giving your profits to a repair shop if you don't have to - or loose out on peak season rental if the bikes off waiting for repair.

If the problem is a broken motor, as a Thok point I'd hope you'd be allowed to just drop the motor - very simple, especially once you've done it once and send that back for an exchange motor. It would depend on what you negotiate, but Thok might provide you with a spare motor in case yours or another thok client in the area needed a motor swap out.

As I say, I might be over simplifying things. I think they're on holiday at Thok at the moment so replies probably aren't as quick as normal.

You got a good point there.
I know they are on vacation, but in the next week I'll have a chat with them for sure.
Once I decide where my money shall fly over, I'll let you and everybody here know. Why not come to Croatia and enjoy lovely sights and awesome bikes, right!?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Why not come to Croatia and enjoy lovely sights and awesome bikes, right!?

I know it's 300km's away and not the same country anymore, but I went to kranjska gora about 30 years ago .. was stunning and great people. Well, except for "DJ" - a local who obviously had a good sense of humour and whilst I can't remember exactly, taught me something like "yepsin"? was "hello" and "pet a curas"? was "how are you"..... I offended a lot of people over the next few days ....

It's a shame Thok were on holiday ... I went to buy one as it was my bike of choice, but impatience won over and I bought a Kenevo.

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

I know it's 300km's away and not the same country anymore, but I went to kranjska gora about 30 years ago .. was stunning and great people. Well, except for "DJ" - a local who obviously had a good sense of humour and whilst I can't remember exactly, taught me something like "yepsin"? was "hello" and "pet a curas"? was "how are you"..... I offended a lot of people over the next few days ....

It's a shame Thok were on holiday ... I went to buy one as it was my bike of choice, but impatience won over and I bought a Kenevo.

I have to admit, those phrases are not familiar to me, maybe it was some Slovenian slang or something.

You were aiming for MIG RR I suppose?

 

[Zimmerframe]

I have to admit, those phrases are not familiar to me, maybe it was some Slovenian slang or something.

You were aiming for MIG RR I suppose?

I wanted the RR. But the budget was a base mig.

Found the kenevo expert on lordgun for less than the base mig !???

It's gone up in price since last week, but still good value.

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

Now I am in headache dilemma I want to share with you - I got a really, and I mean really nice offer for Kenevo Comp 2019. So nice I'm considering go with it for my fleet instead of Thok.

I wanted to go with Thok Mig ST which is a base model, and the guys at Thok will upgrade the bikes with dropper posts, different suspension, throw in some accessories and we will sign Thok point agreement. And for sure the price will rise with all those upgrades.

Is it a no brainier to go with Kenevo? its a 460w battery model 2019.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Is it a no brainier to go with Kenevo? its a 460w battery model 2019.

I wouldn't say I'm in the same position as you, but there are some similarities.

I was pretty much 100% on a Thok, but when it did actually come time to order I did question myself and wonder if a levo/kenevo would be the way to go - would it be better ?? Would it have better support ?

This year started with a Decathlon emtb. Had lots of electronic/water problems and whilst Decathlon were helpful, they didn't stick to their promised repair times and I lost faith in the bike after numerous breakdowns.. So that went.

Bought an E8000 bike from the local bike shop next so I'd have better support and a far better bike. The e8000 was great, but the bike shop support was worse than none existent (they'd break more things than they fixed - which I had to pay for) and the bike manufacturer offered zero support - so I basically had a bike with no warranty despite being bought from a shop. I was fed up with the bike because of this and also had outgrown it's abilities .. so that went..

So by this point I was more than happy to buy a direct to customer bike, because I figured the support couldn't be any worse and if there were problems I was now happy to just fix these myself.

Thok looked perfect .. I got over my Spesh/Thok doubt and contacted Thok to purchase ... Unfortunately, no reply (their holiday) and then spotted a Kenevo Expert - New - for less than the price of the Mig. It was a no brainer really .. Less money for a Kenevo and I'd have worry free support for two years from Spesh ..

So back to your question. The Kenevo is amazing .. But I've not ridden a Thok.

I think the comp has the 1.2 motor and not the 1.3 motor, so you'll be down on power slightly.

I'd say from comparisons riding and strava times, the Brose 1.3 is slightly quicker than the E8000 , so the 1.2 Brose would be slightly slower. For what you're doing though, this is probably irrelevant.

The 460w is only 10% smaller than the 500w .. yes, we all want more ... but is that enough ? If the 1.2 pulls less power than the 1.3, then in theory a 1.2 with a 460 probably has the same range as a 1.3 with a 500.

You won't have your Thok point, so I'm not sure how that will work out with your other ideas with regard to your business .

So the final part is support. IF you do go with the Kenevo, make sure you have full warranty support. I bought mine through an internet Specialized dealer. My battery seems to have a weird power fault so I took it to a spesh dealer just to have it tested - they wouldn't touch it because I'd purchased from the internet. I think I've been written off by specialisedridercare on here as mad because my battery fault isn't consistent and other than an acknowledgement email from the seller that they've had my problem request, I've not heard anything .. So it looks like I'm pretty much stuck with another bike with no warranty. Fortunately, it's a great bike so I don't care - though it would be nice to be able to ride more than 35km's without having to turn the motor off or ride flat.

Your question is a difficult one !!!!! not sure if any of that helps with your thoughts.

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

I've read your thread on battery issues, hope this turns out well for you.
I'm thinking long term - eventually I will try to sell those for new ones - for sure I'll manage to sell Spesh rather easily than Thok.
Regarding business dev with Thok - well, what can you do. Maybe I can still go with them if I consider to buy more bikes. Who knows how business will grow.

The offer I got is from respected Spesh dealer just 2h drive near me. So the warranty issue is not a problem for me.

I have to sleep it over for sure.
Appreciate your thoughts @Zimmerframe I owe you a beer when you come to Croatia!

 

[Zimmerframe]

The build quality and the attention to detail on the Kenevo is impressive. Its also built like a tank and designed to take a beating ! (within reason) So ideal for a rental/tour fleet

I suspect you're right about your resale theory too. In 12/24/36 months, I'd imagine a Kenevo will sell for more than a Thok, so your actual cost of ownership should be lower.

Having access to Support only a 2 hour drive away is going to give you peace of mind and hopefully lead to less down time, so money saved.

The Comp can also be ungraded in the future to 500w battery and/or 1.3 motor. It gives a really good expandable platform for an enduro bike either for you or future owners.

It's pretty much a buy it and ride it bike.

Decisions Decisions ...

 

[omittones]

Pozdrav iz Splita

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

Pozdrav iz Splita

Pozdrav!
Šta voziš?

 

[omittones]

Pozdrav!
Šta voziš?

I'll switch to English Nothing yet. I bought Specialized Levo Comp Carbon and am waiting on a delivery. It should be any day know (fingers crossed). I got a good deal on it, and decided to treat myself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNnJT5ripC0

 

[Zimmerframe]

You two need to get together over a beer and Janje na ražnju...

 

[omittones]

You two need to get together over a beer and Janje na ražnju...

I wonder how an e-bike would fare in this situation...

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

I'll switch to English Nothing yet. I bought Specialized Levo Comp Carbon and am waiting on a delivery. It should be any day know (fingers crossed). I got a good deal on it, and decided to treat myself

Congrats!
Hopefully We'll be doing MTB tours round Split so you can join us for a ride!

 

[omittones]

Congrats!
Hopefully We'll be doing MTB tours round Split so you can join us for a ride!

Thank you. Looking forward to it

 

[Zimmerframe]

I wonder how an e-bike would fare in this situation...

This is actually why ebikes were invented. Just tape down the walk button(or spitt speed) and change gear to adjust turning speed.

As great crowd pleaser at the end of the day on Marija tours... ?

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

Verdict is here: Spesh Kenevo Comp 2019. it is!
One has already arrived today, 4 more next week!
The rush is amazing, looking forward to test the beast out!

 

[Zimmerframe]

Verdict is here: Spesh Kenevo Comp 2019. it is!
One has already arrived today, 4 more next week!
The rush is amazing, looking forward to test the beast out!

Congratulations !!! A whole pack of beasts to play with !!!! Looking forward to reading about your first ride experiences.

 

[maranjo]

One more regards from Split.
If I can say for Spesh ( with my limited knowledge / experience ) You have made a good choice.Best wishes for business.

 

[Matija eBike.pdl CRO]

One more regards from Split.
If I can say for Spesh ( with my limited knowledge / experience ) You have made a good choice.Best wishes for business.

Thanks mate! Hope to have some rides together sometimes!
If you are somehow in any kind of tourism business, hit me up via social to get in touch. We are crafting multy day tours via Croatian coast for the next season.

 

[maranjo]

Unfortunately I am out of Croatia until December, but bike tour in Moslavina region looks very interesting, hope some time I will get opportunity. Actually, it is my idea of bike moments to see/experience also, not only to ride.
Croatian coast, yes not only Islands but coast line region.Nice places too.Anyway, now I know where to find you.
Thanks and best wishes.