Older Rider 55M 200+lbs - which bike?

[Gaboon Viper]

Hello all!



55M here 6’ 230lbs- i’ve been riding a few years, but would still consider myself an average rider. I can ride most blacks and do drops within reason but I don’t do jumps, can’t manual (yet but trying) but I’m fairly comfortable on my bike. I ride mostly in South Florida trails like Markham Park, Alfia, Virginia Keys, etc. I’m currently riding a 2023 ibis Ripley AF SLX. It’s my first full suspension and I do like it although I came from a Santa Cruz 27.5 and I’m still trying to adjust to the 29 inch wheels and sometimes they just feel gigantic to me. The bike does ride great and is very squishy and probably above my rider skill level, but that’s OK. I took a couple of years off from riding with some life stuff and lost a little fitness. My current rides are generally one to two hours on the weekend anywhere from 6 to 8 miles but I do get worn out fast plus it’s super hot in South Florida.



Looking for my first E-bike my budget is 5K and under. As I mentioned, most of my riding will be South Florida sometime central Florida - no huge climbs… Some punchy climbs some decents, a lot of chunk, cool features, drops, skinny’s, etc..



Obviously, you hear a lot about Amflow and the PR carbon is right at 5K but it also has a weight limit of 125 kg/275lbs. I don’t carry a lot of gear and I’m likely going to lose 10 to 20 pounds this year from eating cleaner and riding more‎ but even at 215 pounds with the bike I’m close to the weight limit. I don’t know if this is going to significantly increase the wear and tear of the bike over time.



Also looking at the specialized Turbo levo 4 alloy, which is the same price. The other consideration is that the PR carbon is not going to be ready or out until September and that’s a long time to wait but I hate to get impatient and pull the trigger, especially spending so much money. It’s also the first version 1.0 and the support worries me a little bit I can change the chain, keep it lubed, change my tires, but I’m far from a bike mechanic so if something goes wrong with the bike, electronics, etc., not having true local support is a little worrisome.



The Turbo Levo 4 gets good reviews, but it’s also much heavier, but it also has much better local support if needed. Both of these bikes are probably above my rider level, which is OK but that’s also why I have my budget where it is because I don’t think going any higher in price is going make a difference with how I ride which is not super fast lol. My goal is to be able to ride more each time I ride and not bonk out in the heat at 8 miles when my heart rate is 170 BPM the entire ride lol! I do think I have the capacity for a little more fitness… I have done multiple IronMan‘s and a couple of ultramarathons but that was in my early 40s but I was still 220 pounds not super fast but fit. Those days are gone, and I just don’t see a need to have my heart rate so high all the time.



What do you guys think… Should I drop a few pounds and wait for the PR carbon from Amflow or pull the trigger with the turbo levo 4 alloy… Or perhaps there’s another bike out there that might be just as enjoyable?

Thanks for taking the time to read this!



GV

 

[skizzian]

Hello all!



55M here 6’ 230lbs- i’ve been riding a few years, but would still consider myself an average rider. I can ride most blacks and do drops within reason but I don’t do jumps, can’t manual (yet but trying) but I’m fairly comfortable on my bike. I ride mostly in South Florida trails like Markham Park, Alfia, Virginia Keys, etc. I’m currently riding a 2023 ibis Ripley AF SLX. It’s my first full suspension and I do like it although I came from a Santa Cruz 27.5 and I’m still trying to adjust to the 29 inch wheels and sometimes they just feel gigantic to me. The bike does ride great and is very squishy and probably above my rider skill level, but that’s OK. I took a couple of years off from riding with some life stuff and lost a little fitness. My current rides are generally one to two hours on the weekend anywhere from 6 to 8 miles but I do get worn out fast plus it’s super hot in South Florida.



Looking for my first E-bike my budget is 5K and under. As I mentioned, most of my riding will be South Florida sometime central Florida - no huge climbs… Some punchy climbs some decents, a lot of chunk, cool features, drops, skinny’s, etc..



Obviously, you hear a lot about Amflow and the PR carbon is right at 5K but it also has a weight limit of 125 kg/275lbs. I don’t carry a lot of gear and I’m likely going to lose 10 to 20 pounds this year from eating cleaner and riding more‎ but even at 215 pounds with the bike I’m close to the weight limit. I don’t know if this is going to significantly increase the wear and tear of the bike over time.



Also looking at the specialized Turbo levo 4 alloy, which is the same price. The other consideration is that the PR carbon is not going to be ready or out until September and that’s a long time to wait but I hate to get impatient and pull the trigger, especially spending so much money. It’s also the first version 1.0 and the support worries me a little bit I can change the chain, keep it lubed, change my tires, but I’m far from a bike mechanic so if something goes wrong with the bike, electronics, etc., not having true local support is a little worrisome.



The Turbo Levo 4 gets good reviews, but it’s also much heavier, but it also has much better local support if needed. Both of these bikes are probably above my rider level, which is OK but that’s also why I have my budget where it is because I don’t think going any higher in price is going make a difference with how I ride which is not super fast lol. My goal is to be able to ride more each time I ride and not bonk out in the heat at 8 miles when my heart rate is 170 BPM the entire ride lol! I do think I have the capacity for a little more fitness… I have done multiple IronMan‘s and a couple of ultramarathons but that was in my early 40s but I was still 220 pounds not super fast but fit. Those days are gone, and I just don’t see a need to have my heart rate so high all the time.



What do you guys think… Should I drop a few pounds and wait for the PR carbon from Amflow or pull the trigger with the turbo levo 4 alloy… Or perhaps there’s another bike out there that might be just as enjoyable?

Thanks for taking the time to read this!



GV

I'm about the same weight as you - a touch under 6' - I'm generally fine with my carbon SL bike with 29" wheels
but it sounds like you might be happier with a mullet set-up from the get go
also Alloy for increased weight allowance
having a local dealer will allay fears somewhat

 

[F4Flyer]

You should get a light lower-power eMTB, especially if you prioritize handling on trails and fitness. I ride a Shuttle AM full power, am slightly older than you, and also ride an Ibis Ripmo and Trek Top Fuel. The full power is way too much power and weakens my legs if I leave it on default settings, to the point where I simply cannot even ride with my regular-MTB cycling buddies or my road cycling buddies. So I have it tuned WAY down to 30NM and -5 Assist. I'd be better served with a lower-power much lighter bike and keep my strength. We also have steep mountains here, which you do not.

So it depends on what you want- did you wants good handling? Do you want to increase/maintain your leg strength and cycling fitness or is basic cardio fitness fine? I personally dislike how 50+ lb bikes handle as well.

 

[Gaboon Viper]

I'm about the same weight as you - a touch under 6' - I'm generally fine with my SL bike with 29" wheels
but it sounds like you might be happier with a mullet set-up from the get go
also Alloy for increased weight allowance
having a local dealer will allay fears somewhat

I agree about the mullet. I wasn’t even sure what that was until this year. Definitely sounds like more my speed I do like lifting and moving my backend around a bit around the trail. SL stands for slightly lighter?

 

[skizzian]

I agree about the mullet. I wasn’t even sure what that was until this year. Definitely sounds like more my speed I do like lifting and moving my backend around a bit around the trail. SL stands for slightly lighter?

mid to low power & Lighter weight - although that is getting a bit blurred nowadays
I think it was originally Super Light
as F4flyer recommended above
(so a carbon mullet sub 22kg with around 80Nm power)

n.b. my skills have improved greatly since getting my emtb - you have more strength left (and impetus) when hitting trail features - you will definitely find your skill set improving (I'm 57 in July)