H15 or M20 - paralysed by indecision!

[Phoenix]

Well most of my thoughts are just semi-informed speculation. Frustrating that I can't find any H series ride reviews even though the bike, or at least the H30 has been out over a month.

Have you seen this?

New Orbea Rise H 2022 first ride review – Is a Light eMTB with plenty of power and a big battery possible?

Orbea Rise H 2022 first ride review: is a Light eMTB with plenty of motor power and a big battery too good to be true? We have the review and all the info here.

ebike-mtb.com

20.8kg for H10 in Large is a bit more than I expected

 

[Longfellow78]

Have you seen this?

New Orbea Rise H 2022 first ride review – Is a Light eMTB with plenty of power and a big battery possible?

Orbea Rise H 2022 first ride review: is a Light eMTB with plenty of motor power and a big battery too good to be true? We have the review and all the info here.

ebike-mtb.com

20.8kg for H10 in Large is a bit more than I expected

Chill. If you read that it is a non-standard bike. They upgraded to the 36 fork which is 250g plus a 2.5 assegai which is close to 500g heavier and a dhr2 on the back with is 250g+ more, and 4 pot XTs which is maybe 30 grams, the longest dropper post 50g+, which and it's an XL - not sure what that adds over the medium (100? 200?) which is what they weigh for press quotes. So thats 1.3 to 1.4kg more than stock, 19.4kg is close to what I'd expect for the H10.

It was pretty lame of them to not test the bike in stock config, seeing as they spent about £400 on extra upgrades, all of which are heavier and arguably go against the point of the bike.

 

[Phoenix]

Not sure where you're getting XL from, I'm seeing L, but I see what u mean about the upgrades. Also they confusingly quote 20.8kg 3 times and 20.26kg twice so take your pick ...

 

[Longfellow78]

Not sure where you're getting XL from, I'm seeing L, but I see what u mean about the upgrades. Also they confusingly quote 20.8kg 3 times and 20.26kg twice so take your pick ...

Oh my bad, L not Xl.

 

[mvtomas]

Great info everyone. Have an H15 on order and should arrive in about a month. Main reason was for the Fox 36 fork for the descents I ride. The larger H series battery is a plus because those long climbs are rough on my joints as I get older.

 

[Longfellow78]

Great info everyone. Have an H15 on order and should arrive in about a month. Main reason was for the Fox 36 fork for the descents I ride. The larger H series battery is a plus because those long climbs are rough on my joints as I get older.

Much more decisive than me. Still leaning to h15 tho.

 

[Tonybro]

If you don't hurry up and make a decision Longfellow, the 2023 bikes will be coming out and you'll have to start all over again! ;-)

 

[Longfellow78]

If you don't hurry up and make a decision Longfellow, the 2023 bikes will be coming out and you'll have to start all over again! ;-)

Haha! Its close but i have decided on the h15 and been told it arrives next month. I have paid a deposit to the shop. A bit annoying as I have seen m20 in stock now at other places and a bird in the hand and all that. but my deposit is not refundable. I am at least 51% sure it is the h15.

 

[Roc]

very interesting discussion here !!!
I'm like many of you, thinking about the right bike for me between H15 and M20.
My first EMTB was a Cube, and the current one is an Orbea Wild FS (well, ... always a FF) and I wanted to have more fun with a more agile bike. The M series. but I was very doubtful about the battery capacity.

Episode 1 : Last year, my reseller proposed me to test a M20 !
I tried it, first of all to remove the doubt about the battery. That's why I tried to run on the same places I used to go.
Conclusion : Wow ! Agility is awesome compared to the Wild FS, the 360W battery is enough for my usual ride tripes ! Therefore, Go for a Rise M20

Episode 2 : My reseller told me that a new member in the Rise familly will be available in 2022 ; the Hydro, for a contained price and weight and best configuration !!
Conclusion : Wow ! OK ! GO for a H15 ....

Episode 3 : When I saw this video my opinion changed about the H version because the weigh is much more around 21 kg than 20kg and the motor torque is always the same.
Conclusion : I thought that I will change several elements and try to reduce the weight.
Yes but If I can do that on the H15 I can do the same on the M20. Then go back to the first decision ; M20 because my ride don't exceed 40km and when I tested it few weeks ago my battery was enough...

Episode 4 : I found this post in order to confirm my decision. but all of you have a lot of valid and strong arguments.
Conclusion : Each of us has to find the feature who fit his needs or the more important for him (the Weight, power to weight ratio, agility, battery capacity etc.) and go... because the main important thing is to ride and have fun...

 

[Longfellow78]

very interesting discussion here !!!
I'm like many of you, thinking about the right bike for me between H15 and M20.
My first EMTB was a Cube, and the current one is an Orbea Wild FS (well, ... always a FF) and I wanted to have more fun with a more agile bike. The M series. but I was very doubtful about the battery capacity.

Episode 1 : Last year, my reseller proposed me to test a M20 !
I tried it, first of all to remove the doubt about the battery. That's why I tried to run on the same places I used to go.
Conclusion : Wow ! Agility is awesome compared to the Wild FS, the 360W battery is enough for my usual ride tripes ! Therefore, Go for a Rise M20

Episode 2 : My reseller told me that a new member in the Rise familly will be available in 2022 ; the Hydro, for a contained price and weight and best configuration !!
Conclusion : Wow ! OK ! GO for a H15 ....

Episode 3 : When I saw this video my opinion changed about the H version because the weigh is much more around 21 kg than 20kg and the motor torque is always the same.
Conclusion : I thought that I will change several elements and try to reduce the weight.
Yes but If I can do that on the H15 I can do the same on the M20. Then go back to the first decision ; M20 because my ride don't exceed 40km and when I tested it few weeks ago my battery was enough...

Episode 4 : I found this post in order to confirm my decision. but all of you have a lot of valid and strong arguments.
Conclusion : Each of us has to find the feature who fit his needs or the more important for him (the Weight, power to weight ratio, agility, battery capacity etc.) and go... because the main important thing is to ride and have fun...

Haha, very similar to my thought process. I think that both bikes will be awesome. The H is just having the price put up though by 8% or so. Some sellers have already increased, some next week. I don't know if the m bikes will increase too.

 

[Mamshi]

very interesting discussion here !!!
I'm like many of you, thinking about the right bike for me between H15 and M20.
My first EMTB was a Cube, and the current one is an Orbea Wild FS (well, ... always a FF) and I wanted to have more fun with a more agile bike. The M series. but I was very doubtful about the battery capacity.

Episode 1 : Last year, my reseller proposed me to test a M20 !
I tried it, first of all to remove the doubt about the battery. That's why I tried to run on the same places I used to go.
Conclusion : Wow ! Agility is awesome compared to the Wild FS, the 360W battery is enough for my usual ride tripes ! Therefore, Go for a Rise M20

Episode 2 : My reseller told me that a new member in the Rise familly will be available in 2022 ; the Hydro, for a contained price and weight and best configuration !!
Conclusion : Wow ! OK ! GO for a H15 ....

Episode 3 : When I saw this video my opinion changed about the H version because the weigh is much more around 21 kg than 20kg and the motor torque is always the same.
Conclusion : I thought that I will change several elements and try to reduce the weight.
Yes but If I can do that on the H15 I can do the same on the M20. Then go back to the first decision ; M20 because my ride don't exceed 40km and when I tested it few weeks ago my battery was enough...

Episode 4 : I found this post in order to confirm my decision. but all of you have a lot of valid and strong arguments.
Conclusion : Each of us has to find the feature who fit his needs or the more important for him (the Weight, power to weight ratio, agility, battery capacity etc.) and go... because the main important thing is to ride and have fun...

Great input - I am really going back and forth between the two bikes. As a heavy rider 95 kg, I am a bit worried about flex in the fox 34 I might go for the M20, since H15 isn’t available until September or October here in Denmark. Also, M20 is currently the same price as the H15.

 

[Smeer]

very interesting discussion here !!!
I'm like many of you, thinking about the right bike for me between H15 and M20.
My first EMTB was a Cube, and the current one is an Orbea Wild FS (well, ... always a FF) and I wanted to have more fun with a more agile bike. The M series. but I was very doubtful about the battery capacity.

Episode 1 : Last year, my reseller proposed me to test a M20 !
I tried it, first of all to remove the doubt about the battery. That's why I tried to run on the same places I used to go.
Conclusion : Wow ! Agility is awesome compared to the Wild FS, the 360W battery is enough for my usual ride tripes ! Therefore, Go for a Rise M20

Episode 2 : My reseller told me that a new member in the Rise familly will be available in 2022 ; the Hydro, for a contained price and weight and best configuration !!
Conclusion : Wow ! OK ! GO for a H15 ....

Episode 3 : When I saw this video my opinion changed about the H version because the weigh is much more around 21 kg than 20kg and the motor torque is always the same.
Conclusion : I thought that I will change several elements and try to reduce the weight.
Yes but If I can do that on the H15 I can do the same on the M20. Then go back to the first decision ; M20 because my ride don't exceed 40km and when I tested it few weeks ago my battery was enough...

Episode 4 : I found this post in order to confirm my decision. but all of you have a lot of valid and strong arguments.
Conclusion : Each of us has to find the feature who fit his needs or the more important for him (the Weight, power to weight ratio, agility, battery capacity etc.) and go... because the main important thing is to ride and have fun...

Haha! I did the same, decided on the M20 as that is available next week and the others not until summer. I am also a relatively light rider so I think it will be perfect!

 

[Mamshi]

So I finally went ahead and bought a M20
Thx so much for the various inputs and insights. It really helped, now I just need to find the time to actually ride the darn thing

 

[Longfellow78]

So I finally went ahead and bought a M20
Thx so much for the various inputs and insights. It really helped, now I just need to find the time to actually ride the darn thing

Congrats. The m20 is a great bike. Kind of jealous. Only thing I'd change from stock are the wheels. They weight 2285g, incredibly heavy same as the ones on the H15 and h30. I have already ordered a custom pair of 30mm rims which are 1715g. Even though I have no bike yet! Haha.

 

[Mamshi]

Congrats. The m20 is a great bike. Kind of jealous. Only thing I'd change from stock are the wheels. They weight 2285g, incredibly heavy same as the ones on the H15 and h30. I have already ordered a custom pair of 30mm rims which are 1715g. Even though I have no bike yet! Haha.

Great suggestions on the wheels. So are you still undecided or just waiting for new stock? At the moment I’ll ride the bike stock to get a feel for it before considering upgrades

 

[Longfellow78]

Great suggestions on the wheels. So are you still undecided or just waiting for new stock? At the moment I’ll ride the bike stock to get a feel for it before considering upgrades

I'm still waiting. I've been told February. But nothing more. Honestly the choice between m20 and H15 was harder than choosing my kids names! I've gone on a bit of a spending spree already. A flite carbonio saddle saving 90g, a next sl bar saving 170g, a funn stem 45g, the wheels saving 580g, plus a garmin 530 and the remote. But no bike! Ordered the grey and blue.

I'm not sure if I actually need the fox 36 as a 145lbs rider who doesn't jump, but the float x should be awesome.

 

[Longfellow78]

Great suggestions on the wheels. So are you still undecided or just waiting for new stock? At the moment I’ll ride the bike stock to get a feel for it before considering upgrades

Did you weigh your m20 yet? You should save close to 300g going tubeless BTW.

 

[Shjay]

The rims aren’t too bad on the M20 it’s the hubs that are heavy & poor! I rebuilt the wheels with different hubs I had but am running XD as had the hubs & spare wheelset already

 

[Longfellow78]

The rims aren’t too bad on the M20 it’s the hubs that are heavy & poor! I rebuilt the wheels with different hubs I had but am running XD as had the hubs & spare wheelset already

You're right the rims are solid. They must be using breeze blocks for spokes tho.

 

[Roc]

So I finally went ahead and bought a M20
Thx so much for the various inputs and insights. It really helped, now I just need to find the time to actually ride the darn thing

Congrats !!! good choice.
Last week-end I found a white M20 with the 2021 price ! I've reserved it bu I have to sell my Orbea Wild FS first.

I have already ordered a custom pair of 30mm rims which are 1715g.

I would like to change my wheels as well. Which wheels do you choose to have 1715g ? My reseller suggest me the DT SWISS 1501

 

[Longfellow78]

Congrats !!! good choice.
Last week-end I found a white M20 with the 2021 price ! I've reserved it bu I have to sell my Orbea Wild FS first.


I would like to change my wheels as well. Which wheels do you choose to have 1715g ? My reseller suggest me the DT SWISS 1501

They are custom made by dcr wheels in the UK. Bitex 212 hubs, dt Swiss dlight spokes, and a 30mm 490g 29er rim. Cost only £400 built and delivered. Lifetime guarantee and free trueing.

 

[Roc]

They are custom made by dcr wheels in the UK. Bitex 212 hubs, dt Swiss dlight spokes, and a 30mm 490g 29er rim. Cost only £400 built and delivered. Lifetime guarantee and free trueing.

And you get a 1715g with these components. Don’t you ?

 

[Longfellow78]

And you get a 1715g with these components. Don’t you ?

That's what their quote says. They also offer CX-ray spokes for £80 more which reduces the weight to 1685g which is crazy for alloy 30mm wheels. For reference, Race Face Turbine R wheels are 1815g and double the price. They get the rims direct from a large OEM supplier in Taiwan and the rims are £60 each and welded. Bitex are one of the oldest hub manufacturers in the world and also are oem suppliers for larger name brands. The hubs are highly respected and are reviewed favourably compared to DT swiss and Hope. They are extremely good on the phone and have stellar reviews from the small number of mentions I have found online. The main guy David I think has been building wheels since the early 2000's so must be doing something right.

 

[Snowrydr01]

That's what their quote says. They also offer CX-ray spokes for £80 more which reduces the weight to 1685g which is crazy for alloy 30mm wheels. For reference, Race Face Turbine R wheels are 1815g and double the price. They get the rims direct from a large OEM supplier in Taiwan and the rims are £60 each and welded. Bitex are one of the oldest hub manufacturers in the world and also are oem suppliers for larger name brands. The hubs are highly respected and are reviewed favourably compared to DT swiss and Hope. They are extremely good on the phone and have stellar reviews from the small number of mentions I have found online. The main guy David I think has been building wheels since the early 2000's so must be doing something right.

I love custom wheel builds. When you find "a guy" that does them the knowledge they have for what you actually need and what they can do for a budget are invaluable. I think the biggest factor in buying/building a wheel and its weight is being honest with yourself. Theres typically two way to add strength money or weight. But if you arent smashing square edge rocks over 15mph, you can get away with a lighter thinner walled hoop. Or if you are a sit a spin type of climber, you can get away with a lighter hub.

 

[Roc]

That's what their quote says. They also offer CX-ray spokes for £80 more which reduces the weight to 1685g which is crazy for alloy 30mm wheels. For reference, Race Face Turbine R wheels are 1815g and double the price. They get the rims direct from a large OEM supplier in Taiwan and the rims are £60 each and welded. Bitex are one of the oldest hub manufacturers in the world and also are oem suppliers for larger name brands. The hubs are highly respected and are reviewed favourably compared to DT swiss and Hope. They are extremely good on the phone and have stellar reviews from the small number of mentions I have found online. The main guy David I think has been building wheels since the early 2000's so must be doing something right.

I'll contact him and hope I'll have a proposal and an option to receive the wheel-set here, in Belgium... thanks so much for the information

 

[CB_MTB]

Would love to know which you went with in the end please and your conclusion etc as I'm in the same dilemma right now

 

[Roc]

Would love to know which you went with in the end please and your conclusion etc as I'm in the same dilemma right now

On my side, I received my M20. I changed
- my Rims by the Raceface Turbine R,
- the Handlebar by a Raceface Next
- Schwalbe hans-dampf SUPER TRAIL front and rear.
Now the bike weights 18kg (without pedals).
Don’t need the extender so far. The longest journey I've made was 51km with 980 D+ and remain less than 30% of battery : using eco, trail and turbo mode when needed and without restriction. I Think that I made the right choice (as I said in my previous post) because the bike is lighter then the H version and it is very playful

 

[Longfellow78]

Would love to know which you went with in the end please and your conclusion etc as I'm in the same dilemma right now

I bought the medium h15. Upgraded to custom handmade wheels around 1750g, next sl bars, funn 35mm stem, rear dissector, xt cranks, slx 4 pot brakes, flite carbon saddle, tubeless.

Weight about 20.2kg if bathroom scale is believed. Definitely made the right choice for me. I don't think the 2kg I'd save on an m20 is worth the smaller battery, much higher price, and fears about carbon resilience (many horror stories of weak carbon or weird cracks and damage from low speed falls, no such worries about alloy).

My conclusion was why do you want an ebike: to go fast downhill (h15 has better fork and shock) to go fast uphill (h15 has bigger battery that vastly overcomes small weight penalty and allows significantly more and longer boost) to spend less effort getting to the trail (h15 again bigger battery) to enjoy the flat/sibgletrack at speed (m20 lighter and "maybe" slightly more fun, but offset by the worse suspension, and again smaller battery. H15 is a no brainer for my needs. Yes a lot of people feel the m battery is good enough, but then they also have no option, accept the battery or be pissed off. The h15 gives you the option at only a minor weight penalty which is almost meaningless on an ebike, plus cheaper, stronger, with better range, sustained power, and suspension.

 

[CB_MTB]

I bought the medium h15. Upgraded to custom handmade wheels around 1750g, next sl bars, funn 35mm stem, rear dissector, xt cranks, slx 4 pot brakes, flite carbon saddle, tubeless.

Weight about 20.2kg if bathroom scale is believed. Definitely made the right choice for me. I don't think the 2kg I'd save on an m20 is worth the smaller battery, much higher price, and fears about carbon resilience (many horror stories of weak carbon or weird cracks and damage from low speed falls, no such worries about alloy).

My conclusion was why do you want an ebike: to go fast downhill (h15 has better fork and shock) to go fast uphill (h15 has bigger battery that vastly overcomes small weight penalty and allows significantly more and longer boost) to spend less effort getting to the trail (h15 again bigger battery) to enjoy the flat/sibgletrack at speed (m20 lighter and "maybe" slightly more fun, but offset by the worse suspension, and again smaller battery. H15 is a no brainer for my needs. Yes a lot of people feel the m battery is good enough, but then they also have no option, accept the battery or be pissed off. The h15 gives you the option at only a minor weight penalty which is almost meaningless on an ebike, plus cheaper, stronger, with better range, sustained power, and suspension.

Wow! that's a good summary thank you.

My Orbea will be my first ebike, and I don't suppose I'll truly know which might suit me better until I've been out on one of them for a least a few rides.

I have some concern over getting it over gates/carrying it if I get H15, but as you say the bigger battery takes out any range anxiety.

Both M and H models have their pros and cons. I'm somewhat reluctanly buying a ebike due to health/respiratory issues so I still want a work out, hence not buying full fat.

I like the fact the H has the display, although I think at one point upgraded displays were available on the M models, although that doesn't show on the Orbea site now- likely suppy issues I guess.