Hello, as stated I am looking at buying my first EMTB. I am struggling a bit because it's been very hard to find models to test. In fact, I haven't been able to find a single one of the models I am interested in with the spec I am looking for. That said, I have enjoyed the test rides I've done. I think I am primarily interested in low weight/mid power bikes and have tentatively narrowed to the Norco Fluid VLT C1 130 or 140, Orbea Rise SL or LT M10, and the Pivot Shuttle SL or SL/AM. I might also check out the Trek Fuel EXe if I can find one. So any thoughts on those bikes would be welcome. I am US east coast. Thanks!
New and looking to buy first EMTB
- Thread starter rcarpen22
- Start date
Paulquattro
Meet & Greet Elite
Welcome to the forum 
Welcome to the forums.
Cheers.
I settled for the Fuel EXE 8…and then upgraded the heck out of it. I’m sure other SL EMTB’s are good
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I still like my Rail 9.7 625wh…but it’s a “Tank”. I’m probably 60/40 between the two.
Cheers.
I settled for the Fuel EXE 8…and then upgraded the heck out of it. I’m sure other SL EMTB’s are good
. I still like my Rail 9.7 625wh…but it’s a “Tank”. I’m probably 60/40 between the two.
Avoid any bike with the Fazua ride 60 would be my suggestion
the new fuel+ will be released soon, there’s an LX version coming that’s 170/160 travel. The new bikes will have the newest 60NM TQ motor too. Another option would be the Yeti MTE, if I were in the market for a SL bike that would most likely be the one I’d buy.
the new fuel+ will be released soon, there’s an LX version coming that’s 170/160 travel. The new bikes will have the newest 60NM TQ motor too. Another option would be the Yeti MTE, if I were in the market for a SL bike that would most likely be the one I’d buy.- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks everyone! Yeah, I have not heard great things about Fazua from a reliability standpoint or warranty standpoint. Shame, because there are some really compelling bikes that use it - Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Shuttle SL, etc. I feel pretty good about Bosch as a company, but I don't love the high cadence required by the SX. I don't really care as much about battery life because most of my rides are in the 2 hour range, so plenty of battery. Especially if I pick up a range extender. I'm going to a Pivot demo day soon and am hoping to get a little time on the SL and the SLAM.
I'm surprised that nobody so far has given this advice to someone new to e-bikes.
If possible, buy your first emtb from somewhere local.
I know that "local" means different things depending upon where you live. But for me it means within less than one hour's drive, and preferably less. You don't want to have to face packing up the bike and posting it. You don't want to be faced with returning from a four-hour round trip to receive a text saying that your bike is now ready for collection! And even worse, upon arrival to collect it, finding that it hasn't been fixed after all!!!!!
That is just logistics. But the big benefit in having someone local is that they are easily on the end of a phone, with no foreign languages, incomprehensible accents or just general poor communication to deal with. Better still, when they are truly local, you can take your bike in and demonstrate the problem while they watch!
If you are an experienced biker, and used to doing your own work on the bike, then mechanical problems will hold no fears for you. But what about software problems, firmware issues, wiring difficulties (crushed wire anyone?), error codes, dodgy updates, motors bricking, charging problems........... (there's much more!) If you are unlucky, they will drive you to distraction. Especially when that intractable issue is fixed within minutes of arrival at the bike shop after a two-hour drive. Never be in a rush to set off back home after a long drive, insist that they take a first look straight away. Sometimes a software reset is all that may be required and that can take the time whilst you are having a coffee and a pee break before setting off back home.
If possible, buy your first emtb from somewhere local.
I know that "local" means different things depending upon where you live. But for me it means within less than one hour's drive, and preferably less. You don't want to have to face packing up the bike and posting it. You don't want to be faced with returning from a four-hour round trip to receive a text saying that your bike is now ready for collection! And even worse, upon arrival to collect it, finding that it hasn't been fixed after all!!!!!
That is just logistics. But the big benefit in having someone local is that they are easily on the end of a phone, with no foreign languages, incomprehensible accents or just general poor communication to deal with. Better still, when they are truly local, you can take your bike in and demonstrate the problem while they watch!
If you are an experienced biker, and used to doing your own work on the bike, then mechanical problems will hold no fears for you. But what about software problems, firmware issues, wiring difficulties (crushed wire anyone?), error codes, dodgy updates, motors bricking, charging problems........... (there's much more!) If you are unlucky, they will drive you to distraction. Especially when that intractable issue is fixed within minutes of arrival at the bike shop after a two-hour drive. Never be in a rush to set off back home after a long drive, insist that they take a first look straight away. Sometimes a software reset is all that may be required and that can take the time whilst you are having a coffee and a pee break before setting off back home.
- Thread starter
- #7
This is an excellent point, because I definitely cannot solve these issues myself. The problem is that some of the bikes I'm looking at are available for up to $1000 less online than they are at local shops. Especially 2024 models. The only bike I'm looking at that is "new" is the Shuttle SLAM. So that one I could get locally and probably get the same price as the big online retailers. It's definitely worth a few hundred dollars extra to give the business to a local shop, so hopefully I can find one nearby. Thanks!
I have a 2024 orbea rise h30 with about 500 miles on it I bought couple months ago I have had 2022 Giant Reign e+2 for 3 years with about 2500 miles.
The rise is a trail bike and reign is an enduro beast and is 10 lbs heavier than rise. I enjoy both for different reasons. That being said a perfect emtb for me would be an enduro 46 ish lbs full power etmb.
The rise I took a chance buying it online from Jenson as it was $3179 down from $5400. I did have an issue with linkage that Jenson and Orbea sorted me with new evo link took about a week to get.
I bought my Giant in local store for warranty which I ended up not needing. I also work on my bikes.
The rise is a trail bike and reign is an enduro beast and is 10 lbs heavier than rise. I enjoy both for different reasons. That being said a perfect emtb for me would be an enduro 46 ish lbs full power etmb.
The rise I took a chance buying it online from Jenson as it was $3179 down from $5400. I did have an issue with linkage that Jenson and Orbea sorted me with new evo link took about a week to get.
I bought my Giant in local store for warranty which I ended up not needing. I also work on my bikes.
- Thread starter
- #9
I rode the long travel alloy Rise and it was pretty nice. I don’t think they had the RS motor tuned up because it was much less powerful than a Bosch CX, but my understanding is that it can be tuned to the full 85Nm.
The reason that the on-line people are cheaper is that they don't have the overheads that the local bike shops do. They also don't deliver the service that the LBS does either! Yes, I know, $1000 is a big chunk of your hard earned. But if you are an average buyer (ie no more lucky than the next guy), then it (a warranty claim) WILL happen to you.
At least you are not looking at a Specialized bike. Those guys boast of being on their fifth motor (the highest I've seen). Imagine, with motors that unreliable/unsuited to my riding style, I would never be sure whether I'd get back from a trip!
New Reign E+ is just around the corner...
Also, even if owners take their bike to a dealer that sells and supports them, unless they bought the bike from them, the dealer will not process a warranty claim for them without a charge. Why should the dealer spend all day emailing back and forth to a foreign country when they made no money from the initial sale? They will rapidly go out of business if they did that with everyone. Owners cannot take their potential profit away from the dealer by buying their bike on-line and still expect the dealer to process warranty claims for free.
If and I hope I never need to, have to take my Rise I bought online to a local store I fully expect the shop to charge me for whatever they need to process my warranty. I would hope Jenson or Orbea might help me but not expecting it, this is the chance I took buying online.
Firstly - welcome! I purchased my first emtb in November 2024, and am so glad I did! The only model on your interest list that I have riden is my friend's Trek Fuel EXe, which is an amazing machine. Out of my price range, but a great build for sure. I opted for a 'full-power' model myself, in a now discontinued YT Decoy with Shimano EP6 and 540 wH battery. I do love my YT, and would recommend it, but financial straights, and a completely new build puts the new Decoy out of my price point, and an anxious future for the company. YT is worth a look though.
-Cheers
-Cheers
Hi, I've tested several bikes with powerful motors (85-95 Nm), which are therefore quite heavy. Personally, their considerable weight was the biggest drawback for me. And the unused power and battery reserve are a real bummer.
Two years ago, I bought a Scott Lumen with a 50 Nm TQ motor. It weighs about 18 kg, almost perfect. 30-40 km routes with elevation gains of up to 1200 m are the perfect option for this drive. Of course, on easier routes, the battery lasts me for 80 km. I mentioned almost perfect. Almost, because unfortunately, there wasn't enough power to climb some of the steeper hills.
So I bought an Orbea Rise 60 Nm for my wife. Carbon frame. It's fantastic, only 10 Nm more, but this bike climbs everywhere. However, it's noticeably heavier (about 19-20 kg) and the motor is louder. So, it's a trade-off.
You mentioned the Fazua drivetrain. My daughter has a WOOM bike with this drivetrain. The bike is OK, and at 30 kg, it rides like an Orbea Rise. But for an adult, I don't think it would be a satisfactory solution.
I saw that the TQ has a new 60 Nm motor. This might be the perfect solution.
hello, and welcome !
Before giving any advice, i've own 2 E-reign, and a turbo levo gen 3 carbon.
I think AMFLOW pl carbon (the grey model with 800WH battery) is the best deal / option, for all kind of rider.
It allows to ride like (or kinda) on a analog mtb.
Its super light, agile, nimble.
It's ultra responsive, progressive, natural pedaling / assist, ultra controlled (especially in auto mode).
And if you want / need, you can tune it down to ride it like a Light or semi light assist emtb.
But honestly, the assistance is so refined you dont need to touch it. It's just perfect.
The AMFLOW is the year zero from a new emtb era.
Every friend from ride club who test-ride mine, bought one in the week.
All those ppl are from different ages, skills level, practice, etc ... but all were riding Levo gen 3 with cascade link and 170 mm forks, on a territory 50% freeride, 50% enduro, 50% all mountain (yes, it's more than 100% in the end, but it's what E-mtb is all about ...)
Considering you can mullet it, and mount a 170 mm fork ... you can have the best of AM / enduro world.
And since AMFLOWs sell like hotcakes, if you dont like it, it will be easy to sell (before buying who knows, a prego bosch or levo tank ?)
Before giving any advice, i've own 2 E-reign, and a turbo levo gen 3 carbon.
I think AMFLOW pl carbon (the grey model with 800WH battery) is the best deal / option, for all kind of rider.
It allows to ride like (or kinda) on a analog mtb.
Its super light, agile, nimble.
It's ultra responsive, progressive, natural pedaling / assist, ultra controlled (especially in auto mode).
And if you want / need, you can tune it down to ride it like a Light or semi light assist emtb.
But honestly, the assistance is so refined you dont need to touch it. It's just perfect.
The AMFLOW is the year zero from a new emtb era.
Every friend from ride club who test-ride mine, bought one in the week.
All those ppl are from different ages, skills level, practice, etc ... but all were riding Levo gen 3 with cascade link and 170 mm forks, on a territory 50% freeride, 50% enduro, 50% all mountain (yes, it's more than 100% in the end, but it's what E-mtb is all about ...)
Considering you can mullet it, and mount a 170 mm fork ... you can have the best of AM / enduro world.
And since AMFLOWs sell like hotcakes, if you dont like it, it will be easy to sell (before buying who knows, a prego bosch or levo tank ?)
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- Thread starter
- #17
Yeah, the Amflow is compelling, especially the lower priced model. I agree it is likely to usher in a new era of e-bikes. I expect to see that DJI drive unit in a lot more builds in the future. I want to give them a little more runtime in the US to see how they handle warranty claims. To that end, I completely agree that buying from a local shop is ideal. I was able to attend a Pivot demo day at a local shop. I did about 15 miles each on a Shuttle SL and a SL/AM. I loved both of them. I liked the SL a little more, but do have concerns about the Fazua system. The shop is offering about a 10% discount off the SL/AM. I think I am going to go for it. I appreciate all the replies. This is a great forum.
