Hardtail emtb up to £4.5k

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Martinp

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Newbie looking for my first emtb. I live 5mins from the South Downs Way so that’s where all my riding takes place. Just turned 60yrs old so no whippet but have been riding regularly for 20 yrs.
Range of say 4hrs/50miles would be enough
Recommendations for a hardtail emtb up to £4.5k anyone?
 
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Martinp said:
Newbie looking for my first emtb. I live 5mins from the South Downs Way so that’s where all my riding takes place. Just turned 60yrs old so no whippet but have been riding regularly for 20 yrs.
Range of say 4hrs/50miles would be enough
Recommendations for a hardtail emtb up to £4.5k anyone?
Click to expand...

Rise LT M20 630Wh Electric Mountain Bike - 2025

The Trail Shredder´s eBike. Ride hard and explore further. Rise LT has a 160mm fork paired with 150mm of supple rear travel. Your best ride. That perfect trail. You feel connected to the dirt, pushing hard and in perfect control. These feelings are pure, and you live more brightly in these...
www.electriclife.co.uk www.electriclife.co.uk
if you can find one of these in your size
M is the Carbon and 630W gives plenty of range with it's tuned / restricted motor - light enough to not be a ball ache and it's unlikely to be phazed by the south downs
Sorry just realised you wanted a hard tail
erm go full sus instead I'd say...
 
skizzian said:
just realised you wanted a hard tail
erm go full sus instead I'd say...
Click to expand...
I would suggest the same. If rolling resistance is a concern, install suitable tires for the type of terrain. (Road, gravel, DH trails).

I had a hardtail EMTB but sold that for a full suspension Fuel EXE. When I need more speed or distance I simply lockout the shock. Less grippy tires help also.
 
full suspension will quite often get you out of trouble if you land badly (intentional flight or not)
going electric will help your skills increase - you just have more energy and speed for features
hard tail might hold you back not just in terms of skills but also places to visit...
I'm 56 not a spring chicken either
 
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Martinp said:
Newbie looking for my first emtb. I live 5mins from the South Downs Way so that’s where all my riding takes place. Just turned 60yrs old so no whippet but have been riding regularly for 20 yrs.
Range of say 4hrs/50miles would be enough
Recommendations for a hardtail emtb up to £4.5k anyone?
Click to expand...
You’re in the price range for a decent EMTB. Don’t worry about the components at this time. That will come. Soon you’ll be upgrading things that are important to you. After a few months of riding you’ll get the itch to change the grips, seat, bar, etc.

The expensive stuff (brake systems , shock, forks, hubs, rims etc, may not be that important.…or will it?🤔
 
Same age as you and did the same thing and bought a hardtail. It was ok but a bit dead feeling off road. Got a full suss and it’s a world better for an E-Bike. The hardtail been relegated to spare bike for visitors and pub run status
you’d get a nice full suss for 4.5k
 
The Orbea Rise LT looks great but the more I looked into it, the more the negative stories of headset cable routing concerned me.
So that’s put me off!
 
Martinp said:
The Orbea Rise LT looks great but the more I looked into it, the more the negative stories of headset cable routing concerned me.
So that’s put me off!
Click to expand...
Whyte Kado S 600 is £3k at Winstanleys. UK designed for UK conditions, lifetime bearing warranty iirc, latest Bosch motor, you could do a lot worse! If your budget was lower I could understand a hardtail but the positive outweigh the negatives once you're spending a decent amount of money.
 
Martinp said:
The Orbea Rise LT looks great but the more I looked into it, the more the negative stories of headset cable routing concerned me.
So that’s put me off!
Click to expand...

I just got the H10 LT and it's an amazing bike. I certainly wouldn't let the headset cable routing put you off it.

I'd also echo what the others have said about hardtail emtbs being not worth it.
 
Martinp said:
The Orbea Rise LT looks great but the more I looked into it, the more the negative stories of headset cable routing concerned me.
So that’s put me off!
Click to expand...
I'd still be looking at the lightweight mid power category type eMtb - the Trek Fuel exe mentioned above is an example
Yes the headset cable routing is a ball ache
We have 2023 model Rises and they had a stainless bearing at the top and a loose rusty nitrided bearing on the bottom
which meant I only had to change the bottom out for a Stainless bearing
which was relatively simple as long as you tape together the headset assembly and take pic's prior or follow the blue paper...
no need to undo any cables
the other thing with internal routing through the headset is the handlebars need to be the type that can take cabling under the grips.
other than that our Rises have been impeccable.
Mid power Light Weight I reckon is the way to go
 
Martinp said:
Newbie looking for my first emtb. I live 5mins from the South Downs Way so that’s where all my riding takes place. Just turned 60yrs old so no whippet but have been riding regularly for 20 yrs.
Range of say 4hrs/50miles would be enough
Recommendations for a hardtail emtb up to £4.5k anyone?
Click to expand...
I think that depends on your preferences. I would also go with a fully for the comfort.
Cube has quite affordable bikes and there's a dealer near you: South Downs Bikes

If you want a very easy to handle bike and don't need mega power/range the AMS Hybrid ONE44 is a great bike - starts at GPB 3799 and only weighs 18kg - Cube AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:62 Pro 400X blackline My father has last years version of this bike and loves it.

If you need more range/power I would go with the Stereo Hybrid One44 HPC (I know they all sound the same). They start at 3999 - seems like it's available SouthDownBikes: Cube Stereo Hybrid One44 HPC Race 800 E-MTB In Dried Herbs/Black

Just saw they also have the AMS Hybrid: Cube AMS Hybrid one44 c:62 Pro 400x eMountain Bike in Blackline
 
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derkoe said:
I think that depends on your preferences. I would also go with a fully for the comfort.
Cube has quite affordable bikes and there's a dealer near you: South Downs Bikes

If you want a very easy to handle bike and don't need mega power/range the AMS Hybrid ONE44 is a great bike - starts at GPB 3799 and only weighs 18kg - Cube AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:62 Pro 400X blackline My father has last years version of this bike and loves it.

If you need more range/power I would go with the Stereo Hybrid One44 HPC (I know they all sound the same). They start at 3999 - seems like it's available SouthDownBikes: Cube Stereo Hybrid One44 HPC Race 800 E-MTB In Dried Herbs/Black

Just saw they also have the AMS Hybrid: Cube AMS Hybrid one44 c:62 Pro 400x eMountain Bike in Blackline
Click to expand...
Arrrgh! How on earth do choose which one to go with??!!
Some great suggestions derkoe 👍
 
Martinp said:
Arrrgh! How on earth do choose which one to go with??!!
Some great suggestions derkoe 👍
Click to expand...

I faced a similar dilemma between SL or full power bikes recently. In the end it came down to asking myself, do I want it to still feel a bit like a normal bike or I do I want a tank with maximum power/range/battery life? I decided on the former, and with the Orbea Rise you still get almost full power from the RS+ mode. The Bosch SX equipped Cube was a strong contender too though.
 
VWsurfbum said:
Which one is the nicest colour.
Click to expand...
That's easy: the 2025 model that my dad has: Cube AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X SLX 400X deepcobalt´n´black

1769437721948.png

 
Canyon a respected German mail order company also have very good bikes
e.g.
www.canyon.com

Spectral:ON CF 7

Simply the best value in trail e-MTBs today. Full carbon frame, stellar components, and a price that just can’t be beat.
www.canyon.com www.canyon.com
 
skizzian said:
Canyon a respected German mail order company also have very good bikes
e.g.
www.canyon.com

Spectral:ON CF 7

Simply the best value in trail e-MTBs today. Full carbon frame, stellar components, and a price that just can’t be beat.
www.canyon.com www.canyon.com
Click to expand...
I would never give my money to a company which treats its customers this way:

Important safety note from Canyon: the Spectral:ON CF / CFR and Torque:ON CF models may have damage to the battery

But after going through the above thread you will reach your own conclusions, of course.
 
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irie said:
I would never give my money to a company which treats its customers this way:

Important safety note from Canyon: the Spectral:ON CF / CFR and Torque:ON CF models may have damage to the battery

But after going through the above thread you will reach your own conclusions, of course.
Click to expand...
oof just had a quick look!
I'm a design engineer - my guess is they've used PBT poly butyl terepthalate and inserted the brass bushes cold
needs to be a hot mould insert - which probably isn't compatible with batteries...
 
skizzian said:
Leisure lakes has a Whyte bikes sale just started
a wee bit more
but looks very nice - in the light weight mid power category
Click to expand...
Thanks skizzian. I just wouldn’t do a bike like that justice and I’d be over-biked for the rolling XC I ride.
I’m still edging towards a hard tail since it’s what I’ve been riding for twenty years and is perfect for the type of terrain I cover.
However the choices of hard tails seems limited so if I do go FS I’d want limited travel and nothing too bouncy.
I’m still looking and appreciate everyone’s input to date.
 
Martinp said:
Thanks skizzian. I just wouldn’t do a bike like that justice and I’d be over-biked for the rolling XC I ride.
I’m still edging towards a hard tail since it’s what I’ve been riding for twenty years and is perfect for the type of terrain I cover.
However the choices of hard tails seems limited so if I do go FS I’d want limited travel and nothing too bouncy.
I’m still looking and appreciate everyone’s input to date.
Click to expand...
On a general note....

Between 2011 and 2016 I did a lot of xc racing around thetford forest, mostly on a rigid bike, occasionally on an 80mm suspension bike. Fast forward to 2021 and despite not having raced for years I was beating some of my strava PBs on my new 150mm travel bike.

Throw in fact that a motor means you are less likely to feel the weight and your pedalling is smoother (so less bobbing) and suspension isn't such a burden.

The Trek fuel exe are on sale in a lot of places. More of an SL bike if you can live with less power and smaller battery. Loads spare in your budget for an extra battery or range extender.
 
Martinp said:
Thanks skizzian. I just wouldn’t do a bike like that justice and I’d be over-biked for the rolling XC I ride.
I’m still edging towards a hard tail since it’s what I’ve been riding for twenty years and is perfect for the type of terrain I cover.
However the choices of hard tails seems limited so if I do go FS I’d want limited travel and nothing too bouncy.
I’m still looking and appreciate everyone’s input to date.
Click to expand...

If you're set on a hardtail then the Orbea Urrun 10 might be worth a look. Just over £4k for the 2025 model, or £3k for the 2024. Looks to be a well designed bike unlike many electric hardtails. Spec wise, I wouldn't go for the 20 or 30.

A full suss doesn't have to be bouncy though, and they are kinder to your body. I bought a (non electric) hardtail in 2024 after years of riding full suss bikes and it was great, but after a big day out I'd always feel like I'd be beaten up by the time I got home. I've got a full suss now and my back and knees are thankful for it, especially since it has a motor :)
 
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For shorter travel FS bikes consider the Orbea Rise SL which is 140mm front and rear. Suspension can be set to "firm" using the dials on the fork and shock.

Here's a good deal on one from MTB Monster. I got my Rise LT H10 from them recently and couldn’t be happier with the service they provided:

mtbmonster.com

Sale - Orbea Rise SL H30 2026 (Mk 4) 540Wh - Bumblebee Yellow/Black

Orbea Rise SL H30 2026 (Mk 4) 540Wh - Bumblebee Yellow/Black available with 0% finance up to 48 months & free UK delivery! Spread the cost with Klarna & V12. (T&Cs apply)
mtbmonster.com mtbmonster.com

Other colours available:)
 
You know, I get the hardtail preference - there's something pure about that direct connection to the trail. But MeatBike and johnnystorm make good points about modern suspension not being as "bouncy" as you might think.

If you're really leaning hardtail, the Orbea Urrun 10 is probably your best bet in that budget. The geometry looks spot on and it's one of the few eMTB hardtails that doesn't look like an afterthought. The EP8 motor is solid too.

That said, if you do consider going full sus, look at bikes with around 120-130mm travel rather than the 150mm+ enduro monsters. Something like the older Levo SL or even a Trek Fuel EXe would give you that XC feel but with a bit more comfort on longer rides. The motor actually helps with the "over-biked" feeling since it smooths out your power delivery and makes the bike feel more planted.

Have you had a chance to test ride any of these? I found that what I thought I wanted on paper was quite different from what felt right on the trail.
 
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