Help choosing an eBike for £4K

MeatBike

MeatBike

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Evening all,

I'm considering getting an ebike soon and whilst I've more or less decided on full fat I keep coming back to the alloy Orbea Rise LT with the EP801 RS motor and 630W battery. It's seems to offer almost FF power but with considerably less weight. All the reviews seem very positive but the only thing putting me off it is the rattle/clunk that the Shimano motors are known for... but is it that big of a deal? Can any Rise owners comment?

If not the Rise I'd be after a Bosch CX Gen 5 bike, and the two currently on my list are an Orbea Wild H20 and a Cube Stereo One44 Race. The Whyte E-160 RS ticks all the boxes too but it's fugly.

I did consider an alloy Levo SL as I am partial to the big S and their support is great, but it's perhaps somewhat under powered.

So... as per title, budget is 4K max and I need 4 pot brakes and no less than a Fox 36, Marz Z1 or RS Lyrik... so no Suntours, RS 35s or Psylos etc. I also prefer Shimano drivetrains on analog bikes but not averse to SRAM.

Cheers!
 
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MeatBike said:
but is it that big of a deal? Can any Rise owners comment?
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I'm not the owner, but I rode the Rise. After my Levo, the rattle is enormous — it sounds like it's broken or something. I'm probably too sensitive to bike noises, but for me it would be a deal breaker.
 
MeatBike said:
Evening all,

I'm considering getting an ebike soon and whilst I've more or less decided on full fat I keep coming back to the alloy Orbea Rise LT with the EP801 RS motor and 630W battery. It's seems to offer almost FF power but with considerably less weight. All the reviews seem very positive but the only thing putting me off it is the rattle/clunk that the Shimano motors are known for... but is it that big of a deal? Can any Rise owners comment?
Click to expand...
Depends on you; I've had a Rise for 3yrs and don't notice it, same as most owners. OTOH there's some like above post who don't like it, so I doubt you'll get a definitive answer. The sell loads and reviews rarely mention it - I'd definitely get another.
 
TimC7 said:
Depends on you; I've had a Rise for 3yrs and don't notice it, same as most owners. OTOH there's some like above post who don't like it, so I doubt you'll get a definitive answer. The sell loads and reviews rarely mention it - I'd definitely get another.
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There are occasional mentions in the reviews, for example a month ago Loam Wolf highlighted this exact problem on the Rise — time code: 13:19 — Motor rattle. Most interviews nowadays are marketing material, so it’s not surprising that it’s mentioned so rarely.

Maybe the rattle differs from unit to unit or depends on internal wear. The unit I rode rattled on flow trail, I didn’t even get to ride it on the chunk.
 
I was in a similar position to you a couple of months ago and all I will say is test ride before you buy.

Pre test ride, the Orbea ticked a number of boxes but when I rode the motor rattle wound me up to a point that I knew I could not own one.

I went with a Trek in the end which I do not regret one bit.
 
linkqwd said:
There are occasional mentions in the reviews, for example a month ago Loam Wolf highlighted this exact problem on the Rise — time code: 13:19 — Motor rattle. Most interviews nowadays are marketing material, so it’s not surprising that it’s mentioned so rarely.

Maybe the rattle differs from unit to unit or depends on internal wear. The unit I rode rattled on flow trail, I didn’t even get to ride it on the chunk.
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The rattle in that^^^ video would drive me crazy. 🤯
 
Appreciate all the replies so far, thank you.

@Hawk13 Unfortunately I'm not in a position to test ride anything. Only Trek, Cube and Specialized dealers local to me and none offer demo rides.
 
MeatBike said:
Appreciate all the replies so far, thank you.

@Hawk13 Unfortunately I'm not in a position to test ride anything. Only Trek, Cube and Specialized dealers local to me and none offer demo rides.
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Then buy whatever will have the most reliable motor with local LBS support.

Which (IMO) would be a Trek eMTB with a Bosch CX motor. 😉

Edit: but don't know what your local Trek dealer is like.
 
MeatBike said:
Appreciate all the replies so far, thank you.

@Hawk13 Unfortunately I'm not in a position to test ride anything. Only Trek, Cube and Specialized dealers local to me and none offer demo rides.
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That's a shame. I know many own and have no issues with motor rattle ... but I do and could not live with it.
 
I kinda coming round to the idea of either a Wild ST H20 or ex-display Trek Rail 8 Gen 5 from Balfes after spending the afternoon reading reviews. Both Bosch CX and both within budget.

The Trek is pretty much the same spec as my Roscoe 9 which I'm happy with, and there's no cable tourism so I can easily swap over my Deity carbon bars and UniteCo stem without any dicking around. I have dealer nearby too, should there be any issues down the line.

The Wild does seem like it would be more fun though, and it's a bit lighter.
 
MeatBike said:
I kinda coming round to the idea of either a Wild ST H20 or ex-display Trek Rail 8 Gen 5 from Balfes after spending the afternoon reading reviews. Both Bosch CX and both within budget.

The Trek is pretty much the same spec as my Roscoe 9 which I'm happy with, and there's no cable tourism so I can easily swap over my Deity carbon bars and UniteCo stem without any dicking around. I have dealer nearby too, should there be any issues down the line.

The Wild does seem like it would be more fun though, and it's a bit lighter.
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That's a good deal if that's a 2026 Trek Rail+ 8 for £4k on Balfes website.
 
PeeJay1 said:
I think I would want a test ride spending that sort of money😳
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It would cost me a pretty penny in bus/train fares and hotels to go anywhere that I could test anything.

irie said:
That's a good deal if that's a 2026 Trek Rail+ 8 for £4k on Balfes website.
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It is indeed. I might have to call them find out of it has any obvious scuffs or scrapes.
 
@MeatBike - I went with an Orbea Rise LT H10 about a month ago. It’s been a fantastic bike so far and really don’t notice any rattle. Great bike and app to customise to your preference and power. So many people comment For some reason after never riding one. Also in Aberdeen here.
 
IMG_5450.jpeg
 
jareedo said:
@MeatBike - I went with an Orbea Rise LT H10 about a month ago. It’s been a fantastic bike so far and really don’t notice any rattle. Great bike and app to customise to your preference and power. So many people comment For some reason after never riding one. Also in Aberdeen here.
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That looks awesome, and glad to hear you're enjoying it?

Furry boots in Aberdeen?
 
It’s great mate, been out with friends on a Santa Cruz with a Bosch and Forbidden with a DJI motor and not been left behind, the Orbea is lighter thought at about 20kg. All motors make a noise to some degree. You really don't notice when you’re pinning it downhill thinking about the next berm or rock-drop, you’re thinking about staying on. MTB Monsters have a deal on for the Rise LT at just under 4k. Cycle Highlands and 20Twenty would give you demos of SC and Trek if you want to try. I’m out Culter way. Good luck on your hunt 👍
 
jareedo said:
It’s great mate, been out with friends on a Santa Cruz with a Bosch and Forbidden with a DJI motor and not been left behind, the Orbea is lighter thought at about 20kg. All motors make a noise to some degree. You really don't notice when you’re pinning it downhill thinking about the next berm or rock-drop, you’re thinking about staying on. MTB Monsters have a deal on for the Rise LT at just under 4k. Cycle Highlands and 20Twenty would give you demos of SC and Trek if you want to try. I’m out Culter way. Good luck on your hunt 👍
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Good stuff! I'm definitely still thinking about the Rise.

I'm city centre, although ride at Blacktop most weeks, which spits me out at Miltimber onto the Deeside Way when riding home. Otherwise Kirkhill is my "local".

Going back to the full fat bikes... I saw this, and whilst it not a brand I'd ever normally consider, it's hard to look past the spec and price. Bosch CX, Lyriks, wireless SRAM, MT5s which could be changed to Shigura:





E-BIKESHOP.CO.UK "https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/products/electric-bike-haibike-allmtn-cf-9-2025"
Haibike AllMtn CF 9 2025 Electric Bike
– e-bikeshop.co.uk
Take your trail riding to the next level with the 2025 Haibike AllMtn CF 9 – a true all-rounder built for power, control, and confidence.


It certainly doesn't look as hideous as most Haibikes! Not sure what warranty/after sales support is like for Haibike though.
 
The Cube 144/177 SLX is a bit above your budget at £4500 but in my view has a much better spec than the £4000 Race - Fox suspension, Shimano XT brakes, Kiox 400C display. You should be able to negotiate a discount to bring it down to your budget.
 
I'd avoid the Shimano motor as they're prone to going bang.

Other alternatives are Mondraker Crafty or Chaser

Lapierre overvolt 7.8 or 7.7

I'd also be looking at the Orbea Wild ST
 
I've owned an Orbea Rise for close to 4 years with no rattle or any other motor issues whatsoever. Just recently changed the main electrical harness so hopefully get another few years.
 
just a wee bit of motor noise from mine and the missus' Rides - both in the 2023 carbon frame
I think some ebikes (any brand) are built with cables smacking the inside of the frame - which should be sortable
absolutely love ours
my skills have leapt since we made the change
 
Well... drum roll please... I've just ordered a nicely discounted 630Wh 2025 Rise LT H10 in black/olive. Also added shop fitted Invisiframe protection as I regretted not doing it on my current bike when it got scuffed by a rogue Thule clamp.

I could go back and forth between bikes until the cows come home but it was one of the first bikes that made me really want an eMTB and I think it will suit my needs perfectly, despite some known foibles.

The Cube One44 and 77 were strong contenders for full fat bikes but I think perhaps overkill for the majority of my usual riding. I can always get a range extender if needed for trips or bigger days out.
 
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MeatBike said:
Well... drum roll please... I've just ordered a nicely discounted 630Wh 2025 Rise LT H10 in black/olive. Also added shop fitted Invisiframe protection as I regretted not doing it on my current bike when it got scuffed by a rogue Thule clamp.

I could go back and forth between bikes until the cows come home but it was one of the first bikes that made me really want an eMTB and I think it will suit my needs perfectly, despite some known foibles.

The Cube One44 and 77 were strong contenders for full fat bikes but I think perhaps overkill for the majority of my usual riding. I can always get a range extender if needed for trips or bigger days out.
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That's a good choice.
 
Love the look and ride of the rise 2?/LT i rode one at ard rock as a demo and all the bearings where shot so i couldnt get a full feel of it. It was a shame as if it was kept in better condition by orbea demo team i would have probably gone with one.
Great choice @MeatBike and the price on the current one is a steal.
 
It arrived in a Mondraker Dune RR box which worried me for a moment (nice bike, but not what I ordered!), however a quick rummage through the packaging put my mind at ease that it was indeed the Rise H10!

I'll need to wait until after work and the kids are in bed to build it, but at least it's here now!
 
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