New bike choice, which one of these 2...

[iainc]

I had an Orbea Wild FS MTeam but had to sell it a month or so back due an accident and long term injury to my shoulder. If I get enough recovery I may be looking to buy a new eMTB in the autumn, so maybe a 2020 or 2021. I am not going to have the shoulder strength or mobility for any gnar riding, so it’ll be scenic natural singletrack around the west of Scotland and the highlands, with both wheels firmly on the ground at all times !

I already have a few gravel bikes which cover a lot of the bases.

I could get another Wild but am also going to get demo rides on both a Heckler and a Levo SL once lockdown passes. I suspect the heckler is a bit lighter and more playful than the Orbea. I like the idea of the SL but wonder if I’d hanker after more power for hills and big days out. I have ruled out bikes I cannot buy from local shops, and ones with geometry that I know doesn’t work for me (Cube has too long a seattube for the reach I want) . I could be tempted by a regular Levo too..

keen for thoughts and experiences.

 

[MrBrownstone]

Heckler

 

[iainc]

My heart kinda says that too, but me head says wrong motor and wrong wheel size !

 

[Zimmerframe]

Doesn't an S-works Levo weigh in at just over 20kg's in Medium ?

Not much more than the Orbea probably went for, hardly used :

2019 Specialised S-Works Levo: £6500 - EMTB Forums

Might give you the lighter weight for less upper body strain, but with the FF motor power so you're not straining early on ? You could up "shuttle" at the same time whilst you're re-rehabilitating to make things even easier still at the start ?

And body armour !!! Assuming you have the mobility to put it on ? Maybe a fox titan - has a front zip, but you will look like a stormtrooper ninja. Which I find is better than looking like a small lost child crying on the trail side.

 

[iainc]

^^^^ lovely looking bike, however I’ll be going brand new for warranty and I’m fortunate to not be too financially constrained on it. I have a shoulder brace that I’ll be using and can just about get it on now ! I wonder if there will be more bikes like the Levo SL in the 2021 line ups ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Not sure about SL variants .. It's possible. There is interest, but interest doesn't necessarily convert to enough sales to cover development. Plus, there might be covid setbacks.

You can up the SL to 180mm front and rear if you wanted more rock rolling comfort

Levo SL Custom Builds - EMTB Forums

 

[MrBrownstone]

My heart kinda says that too, but me head says wrong motor and wrong wheel size !

Can’t beat the Shimano motor. Yup wrong wheel size. Would love to see an E-megatower...

 

[iainc]

I think the overall package of the heckler is what attracts me too it. A bit worried it will be a heavy lump with my reduced shoulder strength and mobility... Guess I need to ride them both before deciding...

 

[R120]

The new Shimano motors and batteries come out later this year, so if you are looking at purchasing later in the year I would hold off until the new bikes hit the market, when you can either get one of them, or get a 2020 model heavily discounted (that's if there are nay left in stock, lockdown bike buying is meaning stock are running very low or totally sold out of some models.)

 

[thebarber]

I'm thinking spesh will fetch the new enduro out wi added sparks, that'll be a SC copy in my mind.

 

[MrBrownstone]

I'm thinking spesh will fetch the new enduro out wi added sparks, that'll be a SC copy in my mind.

Was fondling a carbon enduro today. VERY nice bike.?

 

[iainc]

Thanks for all the ideas. Have lined up a test ride with a Levo SL in the first instance with LBS. will be a few weeks away as still in lockdown here in Scotland.