Hi. Bob from NorCal. I don't own an E bike yet.

BondoBob

BondoBob

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Been riding MTB's for a long time. A blown L3/L4 disc has sidelined me for the last 8 months. Just getting back on the bike on mellow rides lately and now looking at E bikes for the first time. I will keep my Transition Spur and ride it regularly but looking for an E bike to cover all mountain rides (interested in SL bikes). Mid 50's and was fit before my back injury.
Lot's of great info here and I have a lot to learn. Thanks for a great place to learn.
 
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Hi Bob 👋
You should seriously consider a bike with the Avinox M2 motor, it's so powerful that's it's already covered infinity miles more than once
 
BondoBob said:
Been riding MTB's for a long time. A blown L3/L4 disc has sidelined me for the last 8 months. Just getting back on the bike on mellow rides lately and now looking at E bikes for the first time. I will keep my Transition Spur and ride it regularly but looking for an E bike to cover all mountain rides (interested in SL bikes). Mid 50's and was fit before my back injury.
Lot's of great info here and I have a lot to learn. Thanks for a great place to learn.
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If you like Transition and are looking at SL builds, try the Regulator SX. With a few modifications including carbon wheels, you can get the weight down around 41 lb (with pedals), and the Bosch SX has a very good power (60 nM) to weight ratio. The assist isn't overpowering, and the increase in weight is manageable in moving to an eMTB.
 
MTcycler said:
If you like Transition and are looking at SL builds, try the Regulator SX. With a few modifications including carbon wheels, you can get the weight down around 41 lb (with pedals), and the Bosch SX has a very good power (60 nM) to weight ratio. The assist isn't overpowering, and the increase in weight is manageable in moving to an eMTB.
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This bike is on my radar and makes sense in my situation. Currently reading up on the SX motor. I'm at the point where I need to do some demos which starts this weekend. Thanks!
 
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BondoBob said:
Been riding MTB's for a long time. A blown L3/L4 disc has sidelined me for the last 8 months. Just getting back on the bike on mellow rides lately and now looking at E bikes for the first time. I will keep my Transition Spur and ride it regularly but looking for an E bike to cover all mountain rides (interested in SL bikes). Mid 50's and was fit before my back injury.
Lot's of great info here and I have a lot to learn. Thanks for a great place to learn.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum Bob. Mid 50’s and a back injury hmmmmm, that sounds awfully familiar. I think it’s a smart move getting an e-mtb. I should have bought one years ago (63 now). Think about what kind of riding and what distances you’d like to cover. A full power bike may suit your needs in the long run and you can always decrease the assist on these motors to get whatever workout you’re looking for. Good luck with your back rehab.
 
Gila Man said:
Welcome to the forum Bob. Mid 50’s and a back injury hmmmmm, that sounds awfully familiar. I think it’s a smart move getting an e-mtb. I should have bought one years ago (63 now). Think about what kind of riding and what distances you’d like to cover. A full power bike may suit your needs in the long run and you can always decrease the assist on these motors to get whatever workout you’re looking for. Good luck with your back rehab.
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Thank you!
 
BondoBob said:
Been riding MTB's for a long time. A blown L3/L4 disc has sidelined me for the last 8 months. Just getting back on the bike on mellow rides lately and now looking at E bikes for the first time. I will keep my Transition Spur and ride it regularly but looking for an E bike to cover all mountain rides (interested in SL bikes). Mid 50's and was fit before my back injury.
Lot's of great info here and I have a lot to learn. Thanks for a great place to learn.
Click to expand...

You don't own an eMTB‽ That doesn't make you a bad person... just... misguided. First thing, your Transition is not appreciating in value. Dump it now before it depreciates further. Once you start riding a modern bike, the Transition will just sit there in the garage. How many Conestoga wagon drivers ended up buying Model T's, and then went back to horse drawn buggies? NONE! Your eMTB will be the same way. What manufacturers are supported by retailers in your area? That's important.
 
BondoBob said:
Been riding MTB's for a long time. A blown L3/L4 disc has sidelined me for the last 8 months. Just getting back on the bike on mellow rides lately and now looking at E bikes for the first time. I will keep my Transition Spur and ride it regularly but looking for an E bike to cover all mountain rides (interested in SL bikes). Mid 50's and was fit before my back injury.
Lot's of great info here and I have a lot to learn. Thanks for a great place to learn.
Click to expand...
Judging from your avatar it looks like you are riding just above Devil's Slide, nearly over the tunnel - an area I'm quite familiar with having spent like 15 years years just a few miles South by the Moss Beach Distillery. I think if you can tell me what trails nearby there you are fond of and I can perhaps recommend a bike that best fits. If you are riding The Crack, One Mile, Boy Scout, or mild Gray Whale Cove (above the nude beach) that would give me a better idea. I would have loved to have had an EMTB back when there was no tunnel and Devil's Slide, well slid, and I had to ride my bike over Montara Mountain just to get to the BART for like a half a year.

That said, if you can demo a bike first, I would highly recommend it. You can guess what you want, but until you ride and EMTB for a bit you start to find the things you want more out of it. The shuttle dimension is huge - you could hit Boy Scout like 9 times with a full size battery. An All Mountain ebike would work there an provide enough pop, but there is tendency to want to do more enduro-esque riding because the enduro weight penalty is manageable now and sprung weight can work as an advantage during downhills, and that means getting an enduro rig. Again, demo or borrow an ebike if you can.
 
BondoBob said:
Been riding MTB's for a long time. A blown L3/L4 disc has sidelined me for the last 8 months. Just getting back on the bike on mellow rides lately and now looking at E bikes for the first time. I will keep my Transition Spur and ride it regularly but looking for an E bike to cover all mountain rides (interested in SL bikes). Mid 50's and was fit before my back injury.
Lot's of great info here and I have a lot to learn. Thanks for a great place to learn.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum!
Since 1994 I have blown L2/L3 to L5/S1 with L2/L3 and L3/L4 the latest in 2020. My wife wanted me to get an E-Bike to get out of the house. Best thing I have done.
 
Sea Otter isn't far away — both temporally and physically — from you and there are gonna be a lot of Avinox bikes released. I'm not sure if they do demos there. But at least you can get a view on most bikes on the market in one space.

The TQ bikes intrigue me (Propain, Yeti, Trek, Norco).

Also have to ask yourself if you're gonna be riding with people and what they ride. They may influence if you go SL or full fat.

I have an SC Heckler SL that I'm selling for a good price. Size L and across the bridge from you.
 
Deciding between SL and full-power depends on the trails you ride and how you get to them. SL mtb are obviously the closest to analog, making the transition easier. You gain support to ride hills you previously avoided, ride to/from your destination faster and with less fatigue, and require less recovery between rides. Maybe most important, SL's retain a lot of fun factor in turns, jumps, and drops. If you need to load the bike onto a carrier, 40 lbs is manageable (particularly if you're rehab'ing after an injury/operation). Full-power will expand your uphill capacity, including speed to keep up with a ride group with full-power bikes; however, there is, literally, a heavy price to pay for the additional power and capacity. Demo'ing some bikes in both categories certainly will give you a clear idea of which you prefer.
 
mike_kelly said:
I will speak for the opposite group. I love my SL bikes. I am not an enduro rider so I actaully ride up hill sometimes. Light and playful with a little assist is all I want and need. Under 40lbs is heaven.
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I like em too and I demo'd both types. For me the full fat was the one for me.
 
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I am a fan of my edruid. Maybe not the most plush bike out there but changes lines very quickly and if you like going fast it's quite the weapon. Aquits itself pretty well in the steeps also. Welcome aboard whichever you choose I'm sure you will enjoy. Another vote for full fat. If you can man handle 40 ibs ok what's another 8 or 10😁
 
SL bikes are fine for solo rides or with others on a similar bike. The problem is, if you’re riding with friends on full power ebike, you’ll wish you had the bigger bike. I learned that with my Trek EXe, now I’m on an Evil Epocalypse and will never look back.
 
Before I bought an ebike I was 95% sure I was buying an SL - until I rode both types. My buddy and I demo'd a bunch on a demo day. The first pair we rode, of course I chose the SL and he went full power. Though the SL was amazing on climbs he left me in the dust. After that I figured if I want to keep up with anyone on a full power bike I need one too. I still ride with my buddy though he rides a muscle-powered bike. I keep it in eco mode and sometimes turn off the power. It's perfectly fine riding with him but I have other friends on full power e and I can keep up with them too.
 
BondoBob said:
Been riding MTB's for a long time. A blown L3/L4 disc has sidelined me for the last 8 months. Just getting back on the bike on mellow rides lately and now looking at E bikes for the first time. I will keep my Transition Spur and ride it regularly but looking for an E bike to cover all mountain rides (interested in SL bikes). Mid 50's and was fit before my back injury.
Lot's of great info here and I have a lot to learn. Thanks for a great place to learn.
Click to expand...
Welcome aboard my friend
I’ve got an SX powered bike as it suits what/where I ride (solo) and despite not being as torquey everywhere as a full power it’s LIGHTER everywhere to ride and physically manhandle inc into your vehicle or home etc
This makes sense imho if you’ve got back issues or maybe someone less strong/capable shares it with you?
Full power bikes can be more fun but remember whatever the power,the motor only provides assistance up to the local govt speed restriction laws,and you will STILL get smoked on the downs,flats or road sections by cyclists on any (read much cheaper)non electric powered bikes.
Trying to break through that invisible “barrier” to go faster is much harder work than with a non electric bike despite what you read on the internet as you’re now trying to accelerate the weight and drag of 2 (normal?)bikes without any motor assistance!
Prioritise one with a removable battery to let you charge it up anywhere rather than having to bring a filthy/wet bike indoors with all the hassle that entails.
Hope this helps your decision👍
 
The undecided said:
Welcome aboard my friend
I’ve got an SX powered bike as it suits what/where I ride (solo) and despite not being as torquey everywhere as a full power it’s LIGHTER everywhere to ride and physically manhandle inc into your vehicle or home etc
This makes sense imho if you’ve got back issues or maybe someone less strong/capable shares it with you?
Full power bikes can be more fun but remember whatever the power,the motor only provides assistance up to the local govt speed restriction laws,and you will STILL get smoked on the downs,flats or road sections by cyclists on any (read much cheaper)non electric powered bikes.
Trying to break through that invisible “barrier” to go faster is much harder work than with a non electric bike despite what you read on the internet as you’re now trying to accelerate the weight and drag of 2 (normal?)bikes without any motor assistance!
Prioritise one with a removable battery to let you charge it up anywhere rather than having to bring a filthy/wet bike indoors with all the hassle that entails.
Hope this helps your decision👍
Click to expand...
This is excellent advice regarding a removable battery. I chose the Specialized Turbo Levo Gen 4 due to the removable battery. My garage can reach close to 100 degrees during the summer in Arizona and heat is not friendly to batteries. I can bring the battery into the house for charging and/or storage when our desert temperatures are consistently 105+. I also remove the battery for loading and transport which removes close to 10 pounds from the bike.
 
The undecided said:
Welcome aboard my friend
I’ve got an SX powered bike as it suits what/where I ride (solo) and despite not being as torquey everywhere as a full power it’s LIGHTER everywhere to ride and physically manhandle inc into your vehicle or home etc
This makes sense imho if you’ve got back issues or maybe someone less strong/capable shares it with you?
Full power bikes can be more fun but remember whatever the power,the motor only provides assistance up to the local govt speed restriction laws,and you will STILL get smoked on the downs,flats or road sections by cyclists on any (read much cheaper)non electric powered bikes.
Trying to break through that invisible “barrier” to go faster is much harder work than with a non electric bike despite what you read on the internet as you’re now trying to accelerate the weight and drag of 2 (normal?)bikes without any motor assistance!
Prioritise one with a removable battery to let you charge it up anywhere rather than having to bring a filthy/wet bike indoors with all the hassle that entails.
Hope this helps your decision👍
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That's funny!
 
Thank you all for the replies, I appreciate your input! I'll make a long post short:
I like to cover ground these days (before I F'd my back). Big days out, 7 hours 8k feet from my door around SSF to Montara and back.
I demoed a Norco with the TQ60 w/580 battery last week and was impressed with the drive unit. I thought the middle mode was enough and only tried "turbo" to see what it felt like and thought it was more than enough and went back to middle mode for the remainder of the ride. I have no idea why/what the 1k plus watts and 100 plus fig newtons would serve.. not for me. I sold my KTM ten years ago. Next demo is a Transition Regulator SX and see how low I can tune assist and how many feet I can milk from the Bosch SX w/400wh battery.
So far, I think my ultimate Ebike would be the Transition Sentinel with the new TQ40 that's in the Orbea Rallon RS with just enough assist and battery for 8k feet and weighing in at 38ish pounds.
Thanks again,
Bob
 
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The TQ60 is a cool system. Think it will be superior to the SX you’re gonna demo (range and noise).
Full power is a neat party trick but for my use case, turbo is the bailout “it’s getting dark and I gotta get back quick” mode. Otherwise, i mostly ride it detuned down to SL territory.
 
ShapeThings said:
The TQ60 is a cool system. Think it will be superior to the SX you’re gonna demo (range and noise).
Full power is a neat party trick but for my use case, turbo is the bailout “it’s getting dark and I gotta get back quick” mode. Otherwise, i mostly ride it detuned down to SL territory.
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Rode the Reg SX today and you are spot on. Loved the frame/bike/weight but had to baby it to get over 4k of climbing and dealt with whine on the way up and rattle on the way down. I did like the TQ60 better.
 
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