Sommet or decoy

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From my experience and from what I have read on these forums, definitely go Shop Purchase.
When / if it breaks, you just take it back.
Look on pinkbike ads and see how many are saying. "motor replaced "or "new battery".
I got a Trance. it did have issues from new, but took it back to shop and its all fixed f.o.c. and no hassle.
I wouldn't get caught up in the "better spec for less cash from internet" point of view either.
when the bike is weighing in at 45lbs +, its irrelevant. Just make sure you get decent forks and shock and you'll not go wrong.
Hope that helps!
Dave
 
I agree with part of dbag's statement. Get the bike with the best components. That is by a big margin, the DECOY.
 
dbag said:
From my experience and from what I have read on these forums, definitely go Shop Purchase.
When / if it breaks, you just take it back.
Look on pinkbike ads and see how many are saying. "motor replaced "or "new battery".
I got a Trance. it did have issues from new, but took it back to shop and its all fixed f.o.c. and no hassle.
I wouldn't get caught up in the "better spec for less cash from internet" point of view either.
when the bike is weighing in at 45lbs +, its irrelevant. Just make sure you get decent forks and shock and you'll not go wrong.
Hope that helps!
Dave
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cheers, have noticed a lot of specialised levo / kenevos on pinkbike with new motors within 2 years i had a derestricted 2015 haibike thats lasted over 4 years used regularly
 
Personally I wouldn't get another direct to consumer eBike. Mostly due to the motor and having to return the whole bike (At least for the Vitus) to Wiggle. Although I am currently talking with Leisure Lakes who can apparently do warranty work on the motor even if I didn't purchase via them so we'll see how that goes. Dealing with Wiggle warranty can be a pain at times.

Everyone I know with a Specialized just goes to their point of purchase and generally get the bikes fixed whilst they wait. Even if a motor swap is required.
 
06z said:
Get the bike with the best components. That is by a big margin, the DECOY.
Click to expand...
Eh?

the Base Decoy is a grand more than the Esommet VR and has a Yari. groupset/finishing kit is similar (although slightly better on the VR)
Wheels are better on the VR

As for the weight. The Sommet is actually lighter. Neither are anywhere near 45lb though.

Sommet has the better descending geometry too

The only places the Decoy wins over the sommet is the battery technology and looks. (and possibly cable routing).

I'll likely be dealing directly with Madison with my next motor warranty claim so the direct sales vs. shop argument doesn't really hold any value for me anymore. (No shops anywhere in Scotland are authorised E8000 service centres).
 
AverageJoeMTB said:
Although I am currently talking with Leisure Lakes who can apparently do warranty work on the motor even if I didn't purchase via them so we'll see how that goes.
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I'll be interested to hear how you get on; they wanted to charge me 3 hours labour to do the motor on my Trek.
 
Unless you're doing them frequently 3 hours for diagnosing the issue, dropping the motor. opening it up, fathoming out what's causing the issue, replacing whatever parts are needed, rebuilding it and then refitting everything doesn't sound unrealistic to me.
If you bought the bike there and it was a manufacturering/wear issue/fault rather than misuse or crash damage and it was still under warranty the labour would be free? No?
 
Gary said:
I'll likely be dealing directly with Madison with my next motor warranty claim so the direct sales vs. shop argument doesn't really hold any value for me anymore. (No shops anywhere in Scotland are authorised E8000 service centres).
Click to expand...

I'm trying this right now. I'll let you know how I get on ?
 
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Imo unless you are a carbon fanboy, or insist on an integrated battery, the Vitus is the better bike. If you like going fast downhill, but still want a playful bike, then I dont think there is a better bike out there than the Vitus, and I would take The RS suspension on the VR over the Fox Factory on the YT all day long
 
Gary said:
Eh?

the Base Decoy is a grand more than the Esommet VR and has a Yari. groupset/finishing kit is similar (although slightly better on the VR)
Wheels are better on the VR

As for the weight. The Sommet is actually lighter. Neither are anywhere near 45lb though.

Sommet has the better descending geometry too

The only places the Decoy wins over the sommet is the battery technology and looks. (and possibly cable routing).

I'll likely be dealing directly with Madison with my next motor warranty claim so the direct sales vs. shop argument doesn't really hold any value for me anymore. (No shops anywhere in Scotland are authorised E8000 service centres).
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Hey Gary,

I understood that Nicholson's Cycles in Dundee was an official Shimano service centre (another one in Grantown too apparently).

My Sommet is currently with them at Dundee for motor issue (and so was another customers apparently).

Fraz
 
I was in a similar position and ended up going the discounted Commencal route. Fox factory all round, XT’s etc.. for 4k.

Personally I’ve found the direct route (YT and now Commencal) just as easy as dealing with a bike shop...
 
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New #2
From my experience and from what I have read on these forums, definitely go to a decent shop with lots of e-bike experience, to purchase it from
When / if it breaks, you just take it back.
Click to expand...

FTFY
Having spent 8 week waiting for my bike back (& given a new bike in the end) I'd totally back this. 8 weeks was ok, as it was my 1st ebike so I didn't miss it, now I'd be trying to buying another if that happened!
 
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z1ppy said:
FTFY
Having spent 8 week waiting for my bike back (& given a new bike in the end) I'd totally back this. 8 weeks was ok, as it was my 1st ebike so I didn't miss it, now I'd be trying to buying another if that happened!
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I waited 4 weeks for my first e-bike to come back for repairs and eventually threw my toys out of the pram and received a refund. They'd promised it would be done for the Friday, it hadn't even been looked at .. I hate to say it, but I really missed it that much !! yes, I'm that sad ! :-)
 
Gary said:
If you bought the bike there and it was a manufacturering/wear issue/fault rather than misuse or crash damage and it was still under warranty the labour would be free? No?
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I assume so. The shop that did do the warranty work wasn't the supplying dealer and didn't charge me a penny because apparently Bosch compensate them for the work. A different dealer wanted £30 to cover any incidental work that Bosch didn't cover, although I'm not sure what that might be.
I was merely letting Joe know what my experience was when I approached that particular dealer.
 
frazerrobbo said:
Hey Gary,

I understood that Nicholson's Cycles in Dundee was an official Shimano service centre (another one in Grantown too apparently).

My Sommet is currently with them at Dundee for motor issue (and so was another customers apparently).

Fraz
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Thanks.
There are loads of Official Shimano service centres in Scotland. none near me (Edin/lothians/borders) are STEPS service centres though.
Are you saying Nicholson's is?
And more importantly. do they have a STEPs trained mechanic and the tools to replace main bearings? (this would be great news... other than having to visit Dundee ;) )
AFAIK any mechanic/shop who isn't and opens the motor will void the warranty.

Any decent bike shop (whether a Shimano service centre or not) can unbolt the motor and send it to Madison. As can I.
 
I just paid £85 for a new motor under warranty from a bike shop.
Been refunded £30 back from wiggle but emailed em for the rest.
 
thebarber said:
I just paid £85 for a new motor under warranty from a bike shop.
Been refunded £30 back from wiggle but emailed em for the rest.
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What do you mean?
Warrantied motor (FOC) and £85 labour and shipping charges?

how long from contacting your LBS to the new motor being replaced?
 
Yeah £60 Labour and £25 postage.
Took 2wks altogether.
Wiggle thought it was battery connection issues which they said they'd pay £30 towards but lbs sent it back after trying everything.
 
Just had an email from wiggle saying they're processing the rest of the money.
They've been great all along replacing a shifter, seat post and now this.
Hope this helps the OP in making a decision.
 
thebarber said:
Yeah £60 Labour and £25 postage.
Took 2wks altogether.
.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Good to know. I have bearing play and crank axle creak on my (4th) E8000. It's bearable ATM but i'm going to have to warranty it soon.
Luckily I can deal directly with Madison (Being a bike shop mechanic)
 
Quick update. Lesuire will do it but will charge to remove and refit the motor £40 per hour and they think an hour out an hour in. They don't warranty the bike so have to charge but the motor repair is covered. Currently waiting on wiggle/Vitus to see what would happen to my warranty if I removed it but think I know the answer. Also asked them if they'd refund if I got my local shop to do it.
 
Just make sure they don't send motor covers away with the motor. I'm waiting for mine getting sent back
 
It's still early days for these bike's and I've known more problems with specialized than other brands but I suppose specialized probably have the biggest share of the market.
As for motor covers I think the lbs haven't had that many Shimano faulty to know to remove the covers.
It's all sorted now tho.
 
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