Talk some sense into me (HT vs FS)!

cjm_wales

Member
Mar 19, 2019
102
86
Cardiff
Here's the dilemma.

I used to have a cube HPA race 500 hard tail for commuting up until about a year ago. It was great, and pretty handy off-road on gentle singletrack stuff.

Then my Daughter arrived and I found I didn't have time to ride for fun anymore. And I rarely used it for commuting, so I sold it.

My new job is about half the distance, commute wise, and it looks like as a household we're going down to a single car (My Nissan Leaf). So now I'm on the hunt for an eMTB again.

If I'm honest, 75% of the time the bike will be used for commuting 9 miles a day, with a serious 2 mile hill on the return leg - Geraint Thomas actually uses that hill for training occasionally!

This weekend I'm going to look at what seems to be a bargain, a 2017 HT Levo that's been barely used. It's well within my budget (betweek £2k - 2.5k). But I can't shake off the desire to own a full suspension bike.

I have some cool trails near me (Tyn Y Coed woods) that would be fun on a full suspension bike. In fact, where I live, there are loads of awesome places to ride.

Do I go with the cheap hardtail option that would suit the mission profile, or do I blow my budget and get something with a rear shock? Or do I go nuts and get a brand new Levo on finance, and lie to my GF about how much it cost? :D

TL:DR - Cheap but good HT or spend more on Full suspension?
 

davarello

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2018
305
360
New Zealand
Go for the FS. I got my Levo on 0% finance which will take a while to pay off, but I'd rather be riding now than sitting at home saving for a year or more.
 

Jaygam

Active member
Feb 14, 2019
100
101
Hampshire
That looks awesome, but I can't find a UK stockist!
It's direct sales.
I bought a thok mig, did consider it a risk having not tried one but its everything id hoped it would be and do love it.
The st model it seems has a more relaxed geometry and a more casual spec.
I'm 5'11" and a large fits well. 4 days live tracked dhl delivery from Italy.
The brakes are orientated LHS front in Europe, they are happy to swap them over but imo its better to do it yourself and get the tube length spot on.
 

Jaygam

Active member
Feb 14, 2019
100
101
Hampshire
I was in the same boat and went FS, blew my budget well and truly, first time I've ever owned a FS. No regrets, best decision.
I agree. FS with the assistance of a motor does not tend to suffer the pedal bounce a regular FS does don't even consider my shock needs a lockout.
 

Thomas

Well-known member
Aug 29, 2018
248
254
Europe
If I'm honest, 75% of the time the bike will be used for commuting 9 miles a day, with a serious 2 mile hill on the return leg - Geraint Thomas actually uses that hill for training occasionally!
?
I got FSR and I'm using it 100% on the road. Looking back, when I was seriously considering HT, that would be a "big" mistake. :LOL:
Comparing new FSR Levo with HT Levo, would be like comparing this two: :p
1999-ferrari-360-modena-15-1.jpg

2019-ferrari-f8-tributo-00001_vowxmx.jpg
 
Last edited:

cjm_wales

Member
Mar 19, 2019
102
86
Cardiff
I got FSR and I'm using it 100% on the road. Looking back, when I was seriously considering HT, that would be a "big" mistake. :LOL:
Comparing new FSR Levo with HT Levo, would be like comparing this two: :p
View attachment 12132
View attachment 12133

Nowt wrong with a 360 modena!

My head is starting to override my heart. I can't make the man maths work ?

The ht is almost new. I might have to spend another £150-200 on a dropper post but that still leaves me with a wedge of cash to clear off my credit card bill....
 
Last edited:

Couchy

Well-known member
Nov 15, 2018
139
155
Nottingham
I've got both, both with the bosch system in.
The HT picks up speed quicker and is faster on smoother stuff and it also gets slightly better range. I do use the FS more as I prefer the comfort and it just doesn't matter on an ebike that the rear suspension saps some power :) But if budget dictated a HT I wouldn't be too bothered
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,185
Surrey
If you are looking at hardtail, then get one that's a bit more trail focused, most of them are very basic spec - I have a Vitus E-Sentier and its a great bike, though I have put it through the pimp wash in terms of upgrades. Rocky Mountain have just released some the Growler Powerplay EMTB hardtail, that look very well thought out, no idea on pricing though.

Growler Powerplay

Web_Growler_Powerplay_50_Hero.jpg
 

cjm_wales

Member
Mar 19, 2019
102
86
Cardiff
If you are looking at hardtail, then get one that's a bit more trail focused, most of them are very basic spec - I have a Vitus E-Sentier and its a great bike, though I have put it through the pimp wash in terms of upgrades. Rocky Mountain have just released some the Growler Powerplay EMTB hardtail, that look very well thought out, no idea on pricing though.

Growler Powerplay

View attachment 12137

Reported to admin for pornographic content

?
 

Russell

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2018
211
149
Iow
we're going down to a single car (My Nissan Leaf). So now I'm on the hunt for an eMTB again.
I would go full suspension if you have somewhere secure to put the bike at work. If not secure or ride through rough area I would build a hub driven commuter and then have a ready built beast full sus for play, that would also save on chains and cassetts for the commute. How are you getting on with the Nissan leaf? I fancy getting one when the shogun dies
 
Last edited:

cjm_wales

Member
Mar 19, 2019
102
86
Cardiff
I would go full suspension if you have somewhere secure to put the bike at work. If not secure or ride through rough area I would build a hub driven commuter and then have a ready built beast full sus for play, that would also save on chains and cassetts for the commute. How are you getting on with the Nissan leaf? I fancy getting one when the shogun diesel

Loving the leaf. It's my second. Been driving electric for over 5 years now & won't go back :)

No point being the richest man in the grave yard, F/S all the way :ROFLMAO:

I opted for an FS & bought Russ's Jam2 that was advertised on here. Yolo indeed ?
 

Ross1137

Member
Sep 8, 2018
117
72
Australia
Here's the dilemma.

I used to have a cube HPA race 500 hard tail for commuting up until about a year ago. It was great, and pretty handy off-road on gentle singletrack stuff.

Then my Daughter arrived and I found I didn't have time to ride for fun anymore. And I rarely used it for commuting, so I sold it.

My new job is about half the distance, commute wise, and it looks like as a household we're going down to a single car (My Nissan Leaf). So now I'm on the hunt for an eMTB again.

If I'm honest, 75% of the time the bike will be used for commuting 9 miles a day, with a serious 2 mile hill on the return leg - Geraint Thomas actually uses that hill for training occasionally!

This weekend I'm going to look at what seems to be a bargain, a 2017 HT Levo that's been barely used. It's well within my budget (betweek £2k - 2.5k). But I can't shake off the desire to own a full suspension bike.

I have some cool trails near me (Tyn Y Coed woods) that would be fun on a full suspension bike. In fact, where I live, there are loads of awesome places to ride.

Do I go with the cheap hardtail option that would suit the mission profile, or do I blow my budget and get something with a rear shock? Or do I go nuts and get a brand new Levo on finance, and lie to my GF about how much it cost? :D

TL:DR - Cheap but good HT or spend more on Full suspension?
I had a 2017 turbo levo HT and it was ok on the trails until I rode a demo levo dual suspension, once I got back to the bike shop I ordered my 2019 turbo levo FSR (full suspension range apparently) it was chalk and cheese off road, but for commuting on my hard tail I dropped the psi in the tyres and didn't lock out the front suspension and used the motor a bit more, and to be honest on bitumen roads you can't tell the difference in comfort, but off road I'd NEVER go back to a hard tail. (plus a dual suspension ebike looks cooler!)
 

cjm_wales

Member
Mar 19, 2019
102
86
Cardiff
Just took it out for a semi serious ride in my local woods with my dog (!). It's now got mud on it.

Having never ridden a full suspension MTB, let alone one with big-ass tyres, I was astounded by how sure-footed it is over tricky stuff, even if the surface is loose. The bike is certainly way more capable than me. I wussed out of several steep drops that I reckon the bike would have laughed at. The dog nailed those anyway....

And on the return uphill leg eco was plenty. This thing is a blast.

I'm glad I listened to the FS gang ?
 

Lee67

Active member
Nov 21, 2018
195
205
Yorkshire
Ive both fs and ht emtbs.... yes the fs is comfy but i prefer the ht... massive range 80+ miles on eco ‘ very nippy and direct and above all a good spec

90407C7A-D09A-488C-B1CA-024122F60CC0.jpeg


298239B3-E09A-47F7-9484-63ACEF31642A.jpeg
 

Swissrob

Well-known member
Sep 4, 2018
326
298
Switzerland
My boys have always had Hardtails they are 9 and 12, thinking about a 2017 Levo HT for them so they can keep up with me! Budget is an issue but any imput would be appreciated. Or will the HT be too heavy for them?
 

Swissrob

Well-known member
Sep 4, 2018
326
298
Switzerland
Thanks they look like good options. I saw a cheap 2017 during the week and was thinking it solves my 29^ wheel issue (want to fit to 2018 Levo) and I have a spare battery. I thought they were sub 20kg so not hard to drop it kilo with stuff i have lying around. But search as i may I can't find a HT weight.

I have booked Livigno and Les Gets for a week each over summer so dragged my old Specialized Enduro out for a service, damn it feels light and fast.
 

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