Is There A No-Brainer Upgrade for eMTB

Wheelie_King

Wheelie_King

The Spirit Level ?️
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On a road bike, the no-brainer upgrade in terms of benefit vs cost is a wheel upgrade.
I don’t think such an upgrade exists for eMTB assuming you’ve started with a half decent bike. If there is please tell me.
Tyres (and indeed running tubeless) are a personal preference. Motors/batteries impossible to change. Forks and shocks often too expensive to consider vs performance benefit.
I have a 2019 Levo carbon with 700Wh battery.
There’s nothing on it that isn’t up to the job but I have no idea if I’m missing a trick?
Thoughts?
 
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A dropper is as mandatory as suspension, so I don't think I would consider it an upgrade in this day and age. I think tires are the most important place to spend money, good rubber compounds and a tread pattern that works well in your local. I pull OEM tires off of a new bike and sell them and put on what I like. After that, suspension rebuilds and tuning. Unless some of the bits are junk on your bike (I'm looking at you Specialized) pretty much everything is competent, and unless you are a part nerd, won't hold your riding back. Even basic suspension forks are really pretty good, and if they get some custom work, are usually better than stock $1000 forks.
 
I don't see the point in "upgrading" my levo comp carbon as everything works a treat. It handles everything I want it to do and makes a good job of it.
 
One good thing about Specialized bikes are that they are pretty well sorted from new. You sort of choose upgrades when you buy it depending on what model you get. It can be a false economy to go for a lower model with the intention of upgrading later as you can end up spending more money as you’re getting the same part twice. On a test ride, I could not get on with the saddle that came with my Kenevo and the shop was happy to swop it for another Specialized one which they said most of them found comfortable. I’m glad to say that this has been the case. I think a good addition, if not an upgrade as such, is a decent gps computer, especially one on which one can add fields to show battery percentage and which mode you’re in. It’s also interesting to have your rides tracked, with all the statistics of power use, temperature etc recorded.
 
Tyres and brakes. I done the tyres just need to get me some Magura Mt7's and MDR-P rotors and I'm done.........for now :ROFLMAO:
 
Slowroller said:
A dropper is as mandatory as suspension, so I don't think I would consider it an upgrade in this day and age. I think tires are the most important place to spend money, good rubber compounds and a tread pattern that works well in your local. I pull OEM tires off of a new bike and sell them and put on what I like. After that, suspension rebuilds and tuning. Unless some of the bits are junk on your bike (I'm looking at you Specialized) pretty much everything is competent, and unless you are a part nerd, won't hold your riding back. Even basic suspension forks are really pretty good, and if they get some custom work, are usually better than stock $1000 forks.
Click to expand...
As a returning MTBer am loving the dropper having never had one, and wouldn’t be without now!
I have previously used TF Tuned in the UK to tube rear shocks. I wonder if the stock Fox on the Levo is tweakable?
 
pgtips said:
Tyres and brakes. I done the tyres just need to get me some Magura Mt7's and MDR-P rotors and I'm done.........for now :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Brake upgrades were definitely worthwhile many years ago. Now, again, so long as what you’ve got is above basic and specced to the bike should be fine. Keeping the pads clean is far more important than Hope/Magura bling. Unless certain brakes offer better pad wear. That’s another thread I’m sure!
 
Wheelie_King said:
On a road bike, the no-brainer upgrade in terms of benefit vs cost is a wheel upgrade.
I don’t think such an upgrade exists for eMTB assuming you’ve started with a half decent bike. If there is please tell me.
Click to expand...
A wheel upgrade.
 
Personally the one upgrade I would make to any EMTB, provided the forks are rated for it and you have four pot brakes, is fit a 220/223mm front disc (several options for these now from the likes of SRAM, Magura, Trcikstuff and Galfer, Hope etc etc). Simple upgrade that's easy to do, and makes a big difference to braking performance no matter what brand of 4 pot brakes you are running.

We are seeing more bikes come with them as standard, and next year you will see a big takeoff with them specked as original equipment on a lot bikes.
 
No upgrades required for my Levo 2020 but I did invest in a Heart Rate Monitor and rugged phone to run Strava, Viewranger, Spez-Mission Control etc. Makes the e bike experience complete in my opinion.
 
Wheelie_King said:
Go on....
Weight and aero don’t matter like on a road bike. If they’re strong enough not to break then.....
Click to expand...
Weight does matter.
Lighter wheels turn and accelerate better and a reduction in unsprung weight helps the suspension.
 
Wheelie_King said:
On a road bike, the no-brainer upgrade in terms of benefit vs cost is a wheel upgrade.
Click to expand...
It's actually not.
it's fitness (and weight loss if you're overweight)
The exact same applies to emtb

Wheelie_King said:
I have a 2019 Levo carbon with 700Wh battery.
Click to expand...
So you really don't *need* any "upgrades.
But if you must spend money. Tyres are the most cost effective and noticable difference to performance you can make to any bike.

IME most cyclists who use the word "upgrade" or "mod" rarely have a clue what they're talking about and in reality just want to spend some money to make themselves feel better. just like those of us with too many pairs of shoes and handbags ;)
 
R120 said:
Personally the one upgrade I would make to any EMTB, provided the forks are rated for it and you have four pot brakes, is fit a 220/223mm front disc (several options for these now from the likes of SRAM, Magura, Trcikstuff and Galfer, Hope etc etc). Simple upgrade that's easy to do, and makes a big difference to braking performance no matter what brand of 4 pot brakes you are running.

We are seeing more bikes come with them as standard, and next year you will see a big takeoff with them specked as original equipment on a lot bikes.
Click to expand...
Sounds sensible!
 
Doomanic said:
Lighter wheels turn and accelerate better and a reduction in unsprung weight helps the suspension.
Click to expand...
although all of that is true the science won't really help a weak, unfit, 18st rider with lower skill levels trying to control a set of 24 spoke 1400g wheels in a rock garden or in the air.

Not that all Emtb owners fall into that category.
 
Gary said:
It's actually not.
it's fitness (and weight loss if you're overweight)
The exact same applies to emtb


So you really don't *need* any "upgrades.
But if you must spend money. Tyres are the most cost effective and noticable difference to performance you can make to any bike.

IME most cyclists who use the word "upgrade" or "mod" rarely have a clue what they're talking about and in reality just want to spend some money to make themselves feel better. just like those of us with too many pairs of shoes and handbags ;)
Click to expand...
Yeah assuming I’m already optimised in the weight fitness department!!
I’m happy that the answer is no there isn’t a no-brainer upgrade. I have an open mind..... and wallet ?
 
Gary said:
It's actually not.
it's fitness (and weight loss if you're overweight)
The exact same applies to emtb


So you really don't *need* any "upgrades.
But if you must spend money. Tyres are the most cost effective and noticable difference to performance you can make to any bike.

IME most cyclists who use the word "upgrade" or "mod" rarely have a clue what they're talking about and in reality just want to spend some money to make themselves feel better. just like those of us with too many pairs of shoes and handbags ;)
Click to expand...
Hang on . . you told me those anodised crank bolts you gave me the link for on eBay would make my bike better by x to the power of rad! You telling me its all BS! They cost me £3.99!!
 
A bicycle that still has the same number of crank arms at the end of a ride as it did at the start?

bucket
 
Gary said:
I assumed you're not.
none of us here are.
Click to expand...
I’m trim and fit and the point of the question is getting to know if there’s something I’ve not discovered only having had the bike a few months and having spent 10 years away from MTB. Is the fat & middle-age a given assumption then for eMTB riders?
 
Nope.
But a truely fitness/weight optimised rider wouldn't be asking on a forum.
 
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