I could use some help deciding between three eMTB options

[forestenjoyer]

I have narrowed by eMTB search to three options but I can't decide between them. I am also not very knowledgeable about bicycles in general but I have done some basic research about the parts.

All bikes are pretty much in the same price range so it comes down to which bike has better components? Unfortunately I cannot test drive any of these.

​	Canyon Torque ON 7​	Focus JAM2 7.8​	CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro 625​
Frame​	Aluminum​	Aluminum​	Aluminum​
Rearshock​	RockShox Super Deluxe Select, 250x70​	RockShox Deluxe Select, 210/55 mm, hardware: 25.0 x 8.0 mm, no Bushing​	RockShox Deluxe Select, 205x60 mm​
Fork​	Rockshox ZEB R, 180mm​	RockShox 35 Gold RL 29 Boost, 110×15 mm​	RockShox Recon Silver RL Air, Tapered, 15x110 mm​
Motor​	Shimano EP8​	Shimano EP8​	Bosch Drive Unit Performance CX Generation 4​
Battery​	Shimano BT-E8035​	720Wh​	Bosch PowerTube 625​
Rear Derailleur​	Shimano Deore, 12-speed​	Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed​	Shimano Deore RD-M5100-SGS, 11-speed​
Shift Lever​	Shimano Deore M6100 12speed​	Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed​	Shimano Deore SL-M5100​
Cassette​	Shimano Deore M6100 12speed​	RaceFace AR30 Offset and Shimano MT410 15×110​	Shimano Deore CS-M5100, 11-51T​
Disc Brake​	Shimano Deore M6120​	Shimano MT520​	203 mm/203 mm​
Brake Rotor​	Shimano Center Lock Bremsscheibe 220mm SM-RT64​	​	Magura MT Thirty​
Brake Rotor Rear​	Shimano EM600 STEPS rear rotor​	​	Magura MT Thirty​
Crank​	SHIMANO STEPS E-MTB​	Samox​	ACID E-Crank​

I plan to use this as a daily driver to get to work as well as occasionally (probably weekly) to go to a bike park or a trail.

 

[Bones]

That's a question we all face
I am a bosch man personally as I like the fact they are serviceable. I believe the shimano motors are not.
If you go with the shimano motor then the canyon has the better suspension which to me is better than having the better drivechain on the focus.
I know nothing about the canyon but a mate got rid of his focus and bought the cube which he loves.
Ideally you need to ride them.

 

[DJ57UMP]

I always look at the fork - a half decent fork is going to have way more of an impact on the quality of your ride than say XT over Deore mech.

Then motor... I'll get stoned but I still don't think Shimano is a sensible offering when you consider support.

So initially I'd have said the Canyon but on reflection, I'd probably go with the Cube.
The only thing I'd worry about with the Cube is aftersale value as they don't seem to be the most popular manufacturer.

Nah, I can't the fork on the Cube is that bad that I'd still go with the Canyon even though it's EP8.

Are you open to other suggestions? I'd consider a used Levo for example - carbon or ally...

 

[VWsurfbum]

As Mr Stump says, the fork is the deciding factor here.
Canyon is the right one from this list.

 

[forestenjoyer]

Thanks for the help. I have a price cap of around 4900 euros and it can't be used.
I am open to other options as well but from those I think that I would go with the Canyon

 

[Richywalker64]

There's some good deals around on Cubes at the moment, I've just bought the 160. Some models have been discounted by up to 1k, if you shop around and if you really don't like the fork you could change it using the money saved
It's also good to buy local in case you have issues as some problems can't be fixed at home

 

[Paulquattro]

Which one has your closest dealer is my first decider then motor ,geometry,spec etc etc
Problem is You are going to get a mixed array of answers here but ultimately you are the rider and if your that unsure you need a test ride .

 

[VWsurfbum]

I have no experience with this model but have always liked Scotts, this looks like a pretty good deal?

https://www.scott-sports.com/gb/en/product/scott-patron-eride-900-bike?article=290558010

 

[steve_sordy]

I have narrowed by eMTB search to three options but I can't decide between them. I am also not very knowledgeable about bicycles in general but I have done some basic research about the parts.

All bikes are pretty much in the same price range so it comes down to which bike has better components? Unfortunately I cannot test drive any of these.

​	Canyon Torque ON 7​	Focus JAM2 7.8​	CUBE Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro 625​
Frame​	Aluminum​	Aluminum​	Aluminum​
Rearshock​	RockShox Super Deluxe Select, 250x70​	RockShox Deluxe Select, 210/55 mm, hardware: 25.0 x 8.0 mm, no Bushing​	RockShox Deluxe Select, 205x60 mm​
Fork​	Rockshox ZEB R, 180mm​	RockShox 35 Gold RL 29 Boost, 110×15 mm​	RockShox Recon Silver RL Air, Tapered, 15x110 mm​
Motor​	Shimano EP8​	Shimano EP8​	Bosch Drive Unit Performance CX Generation 4​
Battery​	Shimano BT-E8035​	720Wh​	Bosch PowerTube 625​
Rear Derailleur​	Shimano Deore, 12-speed​	Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed​	Shimano Deore RD-M5100-SGS, 11-speed​
Shift Lever​	Shimano Deore M6100 12speed​	Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed​	Shimano Deore SL-M5100​
Cassette​	Shimano Deore M6100 12speed​	RaceFace AR30 Offset and Shimano MT410 15×110​	Shimano Deore CS-M5100, 11-51T​
Disc Brake​	Shimano Deore M6120​	Shimano MT520​	203 mm/203 mm​
Brake Rotor​	Shimano Center Lock Bremsscheibe 220mm SM-RT64​	​	Magura MT Thirty​
Brake Rotor Rear​	Shimano EM600 STEPS rear rotor​	​	Magura MT Thirty​
Crank​	SHIMANO STEPS E-MTB​	Samox​	ACID E-Crank​

I plan to use this as a daily driver to get to work as well as occasionally (probably weekly) to go to a bike park or a trail.

The key phrase from your post is your planned use - "I plan to use this as a daily driver to get to work as well as occasionally (probably weekly) to go to a bike park or a trail."
It is hard enough pedalling tarmac on a 160mm travel bike with my max grip tyres (2.5"F / 2.6"R). How hard is it going to be on the Canyon? At least I have a 29er up front.
I have never ridden a CUBE, but I too don't like the fork.
I have used Shimano motors for 4 years now, the old e8000 and the new EP8 and I have zero complaints. If you want a natural riding experience that's the motor to go for.
Therefore my vote would go for the Focus. Decent fork, 29er and 150mm travel, more Trail than Enduro, Shimano EP8 and a big battery! Don't forget to set up the motor with your eTube app. You can set it up in two switchable modes, one for commuting and one for the weekends. Get the dealer to illustrate or ask on here.

 

[VWsurfbum]

That’s a really good bike. But I’m only seeing an 8,000 £ and this dude is looking for around 4900€

Well, whats a few K between friends

 

[Spangoolies]

Don’t know if they ship to Europe but hell of a deal for current smart Bosch system and spec:

Sale - Mondraker Crafty R - (Emtb - Bosch 750 battery) Graphite/ Silver 2022

Mondraker Crafty R 2022 Gloss Graphite/Gloss Racing Silver is available to purchase with Free UK delivery and 0% Finance up to 48 months.

mtbmonster.com

 

[lockin]

Can't say anything much about other then focus. Got mine XL for around 1 month. Quality is good. Is very comfortable for trail. I hade made some mods. I replaced stock fork and damper also for RS but one thing to keep in mind. Focus use new standard steerer tube 1.8" taper. It can be switch to standard 1.5" taper by buying this part from acros - zs66 headset lower part, link below. Another thing focus use CIS system to keep kables route clean. I do not like it but it looks really clean. I also replace it with the part from acros. Next thing max weight permitted is 150kg, it also allow to connect the trailer and actually all is there fot it. Battery is removable and connection port and charger port is the same protected by rubber, magnet seal.

zs66 headset lower part

Semi-integrated headset (zs) for frames with 66mm head tube at the bottom. In our zs66-headset-bottom-part, the combination of angular contact ball bearings and well thought-out sealings ensure durability with minimum maintenance and...

acros-components.com

 

[mike_kelly]

I plan to use this as a daily driver to get to work as well as occasionally (probably weekly) to go to a bike park or a trail.

I think your use is the key factor. These are not commuting bikes. The huge travel is going to not be an asset commuting to work. Since your use is skewed heavily to daily commuting I would say none are ideal.
The 180mm travel Canyon is clearly an Enduro bike designed for dropping down steep technical downhills. A trail bike typically has 130-150mm of travel and a Cross Country bike 100-120mm of travel. A pavement commuter might not have any suspension at all.
So what kind of weekend riding do you do at the "bike park". Are you willing to sacrifice the best features for commuting for your weekend riding?

 

[rzr]

occasionally (probably weekly) to go to a bike park or a trail.

what bike park? what's your level and type of trails you're riding?