They don't weigh the same. The only way to get a full power bike to the weight of a genuine SL is to put flimsy components on it and a tiny battery.
Individual fitness v e-bike power expectation. Can you run 10k?
- Thread starter Rockhopper70
- Start date
They are getting a lot closer though.
I can see with improvements in battery energy density that a full powered bike will soon be as light as a current 18/19kg SL.
Will they will then make even lighter SLs? Will there then be a need for and SL?
Maybe.
The smaller battery Amflow is/was pretty close to the Fuel EXe for instance, but not near the 17 or so kilogram Levo SL, but once again the weight difference is mainly in the battery.
If fitness is the point, then its the amount of time and effort that you put on a ride that matters. Nothing to do with the bike that you ride. The only difference would be that on the ebike you gonna ride three times the distance and climb on the same time. As per wich bike to choose, if you have friends you want to keep up with… better ask them than on the internet, for sure.
I think I could put myself in the same place as you, I’m 55 in two weeks, been riding for 10+ years on normal bikes and I’ve been running for the last year.
I have really noticed my fitness dropping off since around turning 50. Lots of reasons and only one of them being age but it certainly happened. I struggled with it for a long time and didn’t really enjoy riding with others as much as i used to as this highlighted this more.
Back story of my ebike journey. I bought a Levo SL very reluctantly about 5 years ago, only due to my girlfriend and close friends all riding full fats but I was the only one who knew the trails. The SL closed the gaps and I could stay up front, none of them were fast riders. I would still go out on either my normal bike or the SL with the motor off. Then changed to a Kenevo SL and still rode it with the motor off when just XC riding on my own but really liked having it for when riding with fitter/faster riders Or just wanting to get back up easier.
I started running a year ago when I felt very unfit as I couldn’t get motivated to ride. Really enjoyed the running and built up from 5 to 10 to 20K, running 3 times a week. Fitness was good again and some triggered for riding again. Bought a Whyte E-Lyte last month as I felt something was missing on the Spesh SL’s. Loving this as I can still ride it with very low power or even off but it also gives me full fat power if I want it.
I think older riders who are coming to terms with fitness not being what it used to be but still still enjoy normal riding, really gel with the SL bikes. They handle and feel like a normal bike and can be ridden with the gentlest of assistance. Get the right one and they can bring the gap with the full fats. The Bosch SX powered bikes for me are the best currently. They are light enough that they handle really well but powerful enough (600w) to do most things a full fat will, with a bit more effort from the rider. You can’t just sit back and lightly spin the cranks and rely on the motor torque to take you up the hill, you need to put effort in.
People who have not ridden normal bikes and just come into this sport via emtb generally don’t get SL’s. Anyone who only rides in turbo mode won’t get SL’s. They are not for everyone but I do think they fit a certain type of rider well. Sounds like you could be one of those if you are still wanting to experience and normal ride but want assistance to lighten the load when required.
Go demo an E-Lyte or any other SL for that matter but I personally think the SX motor does a great job of letting you ride and/or giving you power if you want it.
Rockhopper70
Active member
- Thread starter
- #35
Thanks for that, well conveyed really what my position is. Coincidentally, it’s an elyte I’m thinking of.
They are great bikes. I like what they have done with the geometry, especially the higher stack height. Also focusing on placing the range extender location and low and central as possible so when you do use it, it has little no no effect on the balance of the bike. So many others place the RE high up on the bike and therefore you now have a completely different handling bike!
The only thing I think needs changing depending on your use of power is the chainring. Standard its 36T, which works well with the higher power modes but if you use Eco to keep it more natural riding, you run out of gears quickly on hills. yes you can just change modes for more power but if wanting a long ride with minimal assistance, or ever run out of power, a 36T isn’t the ideal.
But they do basically weight the same if they had the same battery capacity. The DJI Motor is 500 grams heavier than the Bosch SX.
