Please help me choose between the Amflow & the Zendit!

[Donncha]

I have a few normal/analogue/meat-powered bikes but to be honest haven’t been riding them a lot over the past 18 months. I am keen to start again and make most of the summer so I would like to replace my e-bike.
I have a 2019 Vitus E-Sommet. I like the geo & suspension however I’m not fussed about the nest of cables, high seat tube & gate-like weight.

Of the current releases I have my eye on the similarly priced Amflow PX pro and the Mondraker Zendit RR S. I’d say 60% of my riding are at trail centres, 30% is longer mountain days (a mix of everything from very rough & steep to tarmac) and 10% enduro type trails.

The lighter weight and adjustability (would I really use it?) of the Amflow appeals to me.

I really like the look of the Zendit and reviews seem to mention it is a stable & confident descending bike; downhill, especially technical stuff, is a weakness of mine and an area I would like to improve. I’m less keen when reviews mention it has to be ridden full speed by confident riders, it’s heavy less-agile front end and can it really weigh the same as my aluminium Vitus from 7 years ago?

At 172cm and 68kg I would estimate I would be a medium in both bikes and would definitely want the much talked about (300W ish) range extender to fit on whichever bike I purchased for big mountain days.

I wonder more knowledgeable folk be so kind as to offer any insight or guidance?

Thank you.

 

[drive2race4fun]

Those are very different bikes. flow trails- Amflow. It’s more agile, poppy, playful easier to move around. Rough single trails, lots of rocks, roots- Zendit. It’s more stable, but on a flow trail not as playful and fun.

I had to return my Specialized levo sl2 after lease ended and replaced it with a kenevo sl, thinking both bikes will be somewhat similar (they are in terms of weight, power, etc) but those are two entirely different bikes. The kenevo is more like the Zendit. It’s too much bike for most of the trails I ride. It was boring unless I got to the really rough stuff. So I ordered the px pro, because it’s much more fun for me personally

 

[Donncha]

Thanks for the response.

I appreciate most of the reviews agree with you but with the Amflow’s adjustable geo is there really a huge amount of difference? The Zendit is 10% heavier & has 10% more travel.

 

[Donncha]

I know the best idea would be to test ride both bikes but this would difficult as I’m based in Belfast, N.Ireland.
I previously test the Amflow PL last year and really appreciated the control offered by the Avinox motor and lighter weight. I didn’t like the low front (felt perched on the bike and as if I was going to tip over the handlebars on anything steep), high seat tube (my short legs just about managed with the slammed dropper), and felt the rear shock tune could have been a little more supple. I think all these issues would be resolved in the Amflow PX & Mondraker Zendit.

 

[Trek-Rail-eBike]

Which trail centres are you riding at?

For me the Zendit is a bike park bike (Bike Park Wales, Windhill etc..), black tech trails and larger jumps & drops, where you don't want to pay for uplifts, or they are not available.
Riding 170/180 travel bikes at places like Coed Y Brenin etc... sounds like being massively over biked

For me, a Mondraker Crafty with 150mm of travel is more than enough for trail centres.

Comes down to : Do you want a magic carpet ride everywhere, or actually feel the trail and develop skills.

 

[zerofunds]

I think the Zendit is over biked for you, the amflow is an amazing bike, once that bike starts holding you back then it's time to get a zendit

 

[ElGrasslito]

I think the Zendit is over biked for you, the amflow is an amazing bike, once that starts holding you bike then it's time to get a zendit

I don't think that, when it comes to E-MTB's, to be over biked is a big issue. You always have the motor which compensates the weight and travel while pedaling. In that case I think it's better to have it and not to need it than vice versa. Above all he mostly does trail centers ...

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I was in a similar situation where I had/wanted to choose between all the new Avinox-equipped bikes. After my choice fell to the Zendit, also because I am currently riding the Crafty Carbon RR, which imo is the best rounded bike I ever owned.

I don't think that, when it comes to E-MTB's, to be over biked is a big issue. You always have the motor which compensates the weight and travel while pedaling. In that case I think it's better to have it and not to need it than vice versa. Above all he mostly does trail centers ...

Sure having a motor takes the edge away from having to pedal a bigger bike, but bigger isn't always better. Otherwise everyone just own a 170 mm sled.

It personal preference, some want the "correct" bike, other under-biked and some over-biked. There's no getting around that a smaller, shorter and lighter bike is easier to jib, pop and be very active on vs. just plowing through everything.

I how match the terrain to the bike, bike park/trail center or not... some folks just like greens and blues at the park. Don't really need a Zendit for that. Or if your primary focus is flow and jump lines, the Amflow will be more fun and maneuverable IMO.

 

[Toomanybikesnotenoughlegs]

I have a few normal/analogue/meat-powered bikes but to be honest haven’t been riding them a lot over the past 18 months. I am keen to start again and make most of the summer so I would like to replace my e-bike.
I have a 2019 Vitus E-Sommet. I like the geo & suspension however I’m not fussed about the nest of cables, high seat tube & gate-like weight.

Of the current releases I have my eye on the similarly priced Amflow PX pro and the Mondraker Zendit RR S. I’d say 60% of my riding are at trail centres, 30% is longer mountain days (a mix of everything from very rough & steep to tarmac) and 10% enduro type trails.

The lighter weight and adjustability (would I really use it?) of the Amflow appeals to me.

I really like the look of the Zendit and reviews seem to mention it is a stable & confident descending bike; downhill, especially technical stuff, is a weakness of mine and an area I would like to improve. I’m less keen when reviews mention it has to be ridden full speed by confident riders, it’s heavy less-agile front end and can it really weigh the same as my aluminium Vitus from 7 years ago?

At 172cm and 68kg I would estimate I would be a medium in both bikes and would definitely want the much talked about (300W ish) range extender to fit on whichever bike I purchased for big mountain days.

I wonder more knowledgeable folk be so kind as to offer any insight or guidance?

Thank you.

You find the early E Sommet heavy ?!?

I had the 2019 E Escarpe and was weighed by us at 21.8kgs which is still light now for a decent powered bike. !

On the terms of Zendit vs Amflow , I’ve had a couple of 150/160 travel bikes , my E Sommet was set up 170/170-180 occasionally I can with all seriousness say I REALLY enjoyed the bigger travel bike and had most fun on it .

But , I think as an every use bike a 160 travel bike suits all my needs ( I’ve now got a Megamo Reason) I can ride with my usual mates who have 140-150 travel bikes on single track and forest roads ….then meet up with my southern pals and ride the crap out of the bike in the Lakes and Bike parks and never feel under suspended …

But that’s just me , and unless you try a bike physically for fit ( Amflows for me are very short and I’m only 5’8 ! ) and rode them in similar conditions it’s a difficult decision.

A demo day is a very good way to do that …it made my decision this year easier …

 

[Paul F]

I have a few normal/analogue/meat-powered bikes but to be honest haven’t been riding them a lot over the past 18 months. I am keen to start again and make most of the summer so I would like to replace my e-bike.
I have a 2019 Vitus E-Sommet. I like the geo & suspension however I’m not fussed about the nest of cables, high seat tube & gate-like weight.

Of the current releases I have my eye on the similarly priced Amflow PX pro and the Mondraker Zendit RR S. I’d say 60% of my riding are at trail centres, 30% is longer mountain days (a mix of everything from very rough & steep to tarmac) and 10% enduro type trails.

The lighter weight and adjustability (would I really use it?) of the Amflow appeals to me.

I really like the look of the Zendit and reviews seem to mention it is a stable & confident descending bike; downhill, especially technical stuff, is a weakness of mine and an area I would like to improve. I’m less keen when reviews mention it has to be ridden full speed by confident riders, it’s heavy less-agile front end and can it really weigh the same as my aluminium Vitus from 7 years ago?

At 172cm and 68kg I would estimate I would be a medium in both bikes and would definitely want the much talked about (300W ish) range extender to fit on whichever bike I purchased for big mountain days.

I wonder more knowledgeable folk be so kind as to offer any insight or guidance?

Thank you.

If you like bike parks and their downhill riding then get a Whyte. 180mm of travel plus all the other benefits of Avinox. Although they are heavy and I disagree with you about not worrying about weight.