First EMBT.

[Pedwarpimp]

As the title states im looking for a New EMBT. My last bike I bought was a whyte T-120 but stopped riding about 13 years ago, so looking to get something to encourage me back into it, looking for a decent spec as I doubt I'll want to spend money upgrading, and once I forget about the price I'll probably regret not getting what I wanted in the first place. will likely keep it a long time, buy right buy once so to speak. and fortunate enough to benefit from a tax break to encourage new over 2nd hand.

I've narrowed it down to 2 bikes, whyte Kado rsx gen 1, orbea wild Probably M10. Similar price, like the look of the Orbea more, and the Kiosx 400 as standard looks like a nice addition, but whyte with its Automatic shifting sounds good but limited to what colours I can get. size wise I'm 178cm 90kg with apparently oddly short wingspan compared to height according to AI. Fitness wise is up and down being middle aged and office job, on whyte sizing im bang in the of the middle of Medium and large, orbea I seam to be more the middle for a Medium.

I guess both bike will be far more capable than I am, most of my rides won't be on too much steep stuff but would like the option to when I get the chance. not in a place I can easily test ride either, Thetford is my nearest trails, but would like to visit FOD and Wales. like the idea of doing some longer natural trails rather than trail centre's. Any downsides to having too much bike for skills?, apart from price, but either way still can't believe I sold a motorbike for less than a push bike is going to cost. probably a reason I stopped years ago.

interested to hear others thoughts and opinions.

 

[TMF2510]

Don’t worry about the display, I immediately took mine off for a clean bar and just check info in the app, also do not do what I did and mess with the setting of the power, sent the bike up in the air with me and cracked 4 ribs and was walking like a cowboy for weeks! Enjoy whatever you end up getting

 

[Pedwarpimp]

oh cricky, are they that powerful? that's why I liked the idea of the kiosk 400 being neatly positioned in the top tube of the bike.

Don’t worry about the display, I immediately took mine off for a clean bar and just check info in the app, also do not do what I did and mess with the setting of the power, sent the bike up in the air with me and cracked 4 ribs and was walking like a cowboy for weeks! Enjoy whatever you end up getting

,

 

[TMF2510]

oh cricky, are they that powerful? that's why I liked the idea of the kiosk 400 being neatly positioned in the top tube of the bike.



,

Yea, knocked all the wind out of me, the Kiox only shows current speed, range etc but depending on which version can do the turn by turn navigation, I haven’t seen one that mounts to the top tube, I’m probably going to replace my cycle computer for a Garmin once I have seen some reviews of how they connect to the Bosch system

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Gila Man]

The price on an emtb is definitely hard to swallow given that they often rival motorcycle prices. Just as I did, you'll just have to "suck it up" and pay the piper to get want you want. People throw out the term "over-biked" and in my opinion, it's a ridiculous term. Higher level components are not going to degrade your riding experience but depending what we're talking about, could cost you more money in the long run. As far as suspension components, it probably isn't worth the extra money to get the most advanced/adjustable for your type of riding. Electronic shifting isn't a necessity however, once I experience it, the additional cost was worth it and I won't go back to cable actuated shifters. Higher-end drive components (more expensive) like cassettes, are often made of lighter aluminum rather than heavier steel. Aluminum drive components wear-out quicker than steel and since your bike will have a motor that generates more torque, the extra weight of the steel won't matter but the expanded lifespan may matter. Something else to consider is do you want/need an easily removable battery? Batteries don't like extreme temperatures (hot or cold). If you are going to store your bike during winter (or summer), it is easier to bring a battery into the house than the whole bike. My last consideration would be warranty work/bike maintenance. Do you have a shop that can service a "direct-to-consumer" bike or would you be better off with a bike that is carried by a local bike shop.

What did I get? I purchase a Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon Comp.
Why?
It has an easily removable battery. I live in the Phoenix Metro area in Arizona and summer days exceed 100 degrees everyday for months. It's not unheard of to have several days/weeks exceed 110 degrees. Storing the battery inside my house, which is air conditioned, should help extend the battery's life. This could be advantageous to those that live where the temperature are extremely cold for months.

There are at least 10 local bike shops in my area that carry Specialized bikes and provide maintenance and warranty work.

It came in a color that I like. The same color was available in the lowest tier but had the cheapest suspension components (I wanted fox suspension). Also, even though it came with electronic shifting and I was skeptical, it turns out I really like it.

I plan to keep the bike for a number of years. I'm frugal with my money and I've never been one to "chase" the latest thing in anything.

I'm 64 years old and I ride trails (20-40 miles) with technical, rocky climbs and descents. I'm not a bike park jumper at all.

I hope this helps (long-winded that it was). Emtb's are expensive but damn, they are fun! Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pedwarpimp]

The price on an emtb is definitely hard to swallow given that they often rival motorcycle prices. Just as I did, you'll just have to "suck it up" and pay the piper to get want you want. People throw out the term "over-biked" and in my opinion, it's a ridiculous term. Higher level components are not going to degrade your riding experience but depending what we're talking about, could cost you more money in the long run. As far as suspension components, it probably isn't worth the extra money to get the most advanced/adjustable for your type of riding. Electronic shifting isn't a necessity however, once I experience it, the additional cost was worth it and I won't go back to cable actuated shifters. Higher-end drive components (more expensive) like cassettes, are often made of lighter aluminum rather than heavier steel. Aluminum drive components wear-out quicker than steel and since your bike will have a motor that generates more torque, the extra weight of the steel won't matter but the expanded lifespan may matter. Something else to consider is do you want/need an easily removable battery? Batteries don't like extreme temperatures (hot or cold). If you are going to store your bike during winter (or summer), it is easier to bring a battery into the house than the whole bike. My last consideration would be warranty work/bike maintenance. Do you have a shop that can service a "direct-to-consumer" bike or would you be better off with a bike that is carried by a local bike shop.

What did I get? I purchase a Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon Comp.
Why?
It has an easily removable battery. I live in the Phoenix Metro area in Arizona and summer days exceed 100 degrees everyday for months. It's not unheard of to have several days/weeks exceed 110 degrees. Storing the battery inside my house, which is air conditioned, should help extend the battery's life. This could be advantageous to those that live where the temperature are extremely cold for months.

There are at least 10 local bike shops in my area that carry Specialized bikes and provide maintenance and warranty work.

It came in a color that I like. The same color was available in the lowest tier but had the cheapest suspension components (I wanted fox suspension). Also, even though it came with electronic shifting and I was skeptical, it turns out I really like it.

I plan to keep the bike for a number of years. I'm frugal with my money and I've never been one to "chase" the latest thing in anything.

I'm 64 years old and I ride trails (20-40 miles) with technical, rocky climbs and descents. I'm not a bike park jumper at all.

I hope this helps (long-winded that it was). Emtb's are expensive but damn, they are fun! Good luck with your decision.

Thanks they are useful points to consider, although I like the idea of the removable battery, I don't need to as the bike will be kept in a pretty well insulated garage, and in uk we are not subject (most of the time) to such extreme weather ranges.

I would prefer to get a bike from my LBS and although they can supply whyte bikes, they don't carry any and can't compete with the price of the discounted older models I'm looking at. Out of the bikes I'm looking at, the Whytes battery can be removed, but still need tools by the sounds, while the Orbea, is not removable.

When 1st looking I thought to my self if I could justify the Whyte gen2 kado RSx that had everything I could want, but sadly the price was getting silly for me, I'm now seen a Orbea, M-Team which is a massive spec, cheaper than the gen2 whyte. but still more than I was hoping to spend. oh decision, decisions.