Pukmeister - thanks for your quality reply. I too, am an Norfolk import, originally from the East Mids. Although I doubt I've singlehandedly raised the IQ in the area, however I can only try, lol.. I agree a DH would be wasted for sure. A nice little trial bike, with a little damping either end is probably the direction I will go.. I appreciate the offer of your test ride however I'm a little too distant at present, sadly. With respect to LBS, if you know Thetford, you'll appreciate that I'm not flushed with them. My closest one, only wanted to sell high end carbon, and anything else 'seemed' to be below him. I was racing against his favoured vet chequebook warriers though! Some of which I enjoyed smashing, xc, to prove the point, it's not all about the money. Maybe this is the reason their winter series fell into demise, and left so many fun riders looking to compete elsewhere. Little support! Sporting politics I guess, lol.. as for maintenance, I'm happy to get my hands dirty doing my own stuff and have previously sourced upgrades online, usually way cheaper than my LBS (see above). But an ebike is somewhat different and I'd welcome dealer support having read some horror stories regarding motors etc. Some things, you can't fight alone without them, should the need arise. I'm looking to go to Rutland cycles (Histon) this weekend, for a chat/sizing blah blah, on my way through to Nottingham to visit friends. If time allows, there's also a couple of shops there I'd like to get along to. However if they are any kind of decent salesperson, they will all want to guide me down the routes of all things 2020, where the bigger batteries, smoother, stronger motors are, of which I'm fully becoming aware of, lol.. My thinking could be, looking at a priced to clear 2019 model, with more wiggle room for upgrades perhaps. Again, you are correct, I need to get aboard a few, to see what suits me best. I'm in a fortunate position that I don't need credit, although it wont be disregarded, should it benefit me financially.. Mushrooms?
of the magic variety?!
33red - my current steed is an anologue HT with rockshox support up front. As was my previous Cube. Completely agree with how you ride, as it's similar to how I've pedalled previously. I love the bike to bits (now..) and for sure won't be retiring it, should I go down the electricary route. I've never ridden +tyres, as being a weight conscious xc rider, weight was always a premium, as I'm not exactly a racing snake! I never found the need to run a dropper, as I found a frame that allowed me to mostly remain seated for pedalling, but found enough room to avoid it, should the need arise, even in emergencies..
billwarwick - You are in my mind too. Given the added weight of an ebike, I'd be looking at FS to soften the ride for sure. Over time, I've learnt to 'float' over obsticles on my HT, however on a 20+kg bike, I don't think I'm that strong a boy to do it all day long, so it's cushions for me.. even with plus sized rubber! I will probably return to platforms (pedals, not shoes) and ditch the spd's too, as I feel that they helped my climb on an analogue..
Another q for you FS guys, lockout. I've always utilised the lockout on my airsprings, is this something that is used commonly on ebikes or is it installed, yet mostly ignored? Coming from a world of pedal bob, right or wrong, this is the reason I went back to HT. Direct drive gave me more speed I felt uphill, however not many reviews talk about it. Is it because technology has advanced, or the additional weight absorbs this giving a more direct drive, locked out or not? Or is it simply not noticed because you all have pedal assistance, to make all the climbs somewhat less lung bursting? Weirdly, when I was once fitter, I enjoyed that burn. However my lower back has told me to reign things in a little, hence the cushion requirement.
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Yep, racing motorcycles! Although not quite daft enough to go full on mx or enduro, like yourself, my disciplines have taken me europe wide and still do. Mountain bikes are a means to keeping fit to help with the racing, however due to mainly work, and age, this is sadly decreasing. so I'm hoping emtb's will plug that void..
.. Is this because the Levo's rear triangle is too stiff, that you feel it's a bad design, transferring additional loads/energy through the top tube? Or just a poor pivot design? Perhaps to someone less experienced, the ride 'quality' is surpassed by simply getting out and riding. Clever marketing has created the specialized 'tax' I feel.. 20 years ago I has a FS Marin and no matter how much compression/rebound was dialled in, it hopped regardless, however I was 20 years younger back then...
