What bike should I get?

[Hunter86]

This has been a very frustrating season to buy a bike. I decided to get back into mountain biking. I have tried a bunch of different bikes. My Dad bought a current and he loves that but I wanted something different. Than I heard the new amflows are coming out but when is another story. I almost bought a Norco slight Vlt. I just don't like that px motor as much. My local bike makes Ari is suppose to be releasing a new version of the Wire peak but they are saying just Fall. I am guessing. Late fall like October which the season could be over. I have another shop that is having some Forbidden Druids come in but nothing with the m2s motor just the m2. Which I dont know if that is a big deal. Another bike shop near me in Utah told me today that a new bike is coming to the market but couldn't give me any info because it is secret. Wish I knew if it is worth waiting until July to get. Sorry I am just frustrated with the bike market right now. Any guidance will be great. The only bikes in the sub 8k range available in Utah right now is specialized levo or norcos it seems like. Everyone else is on a waiting game. I am know I can get a bike late this year but really would like to use it this season.

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Servicepoint]

This has been a very frustrating season to buy a bike. I decided to get back into mountain biking. I have tried a bunch of different bikes. My Dad bought a current and he loves that but I wanted something different. Than I heard the new amflows are coming out but when is another story. I almost bought a Norco slight Vlt. I just don't like that px motor as much. My local bike makes Ari is suppose to be releasing a new version of the Wire peak but they are saying just Fall. I am guessing. Late fall like October which the season could be over. I have another shop that is having some Forbidden Druids come in but nothing with the m2s motor just the m2. Which I dont know if that is a big deal. Another bike shop near me in Utah told me today that a new bike is coming to the market but couldn't give me any info because it is secret. Wish I knew if it is worth waiting until July to get. Sorry I am just frustrated with the bike market right now. Any guidance will be great. The only bikes in the sub 8k range available in Utah right now is specialized levo or norcos it seems like. Everyone else is on a waiting game. I am know I can get a bike late this year but really would like to use it this season.

I now have a Scott patron, had it for over a year and despite it being a decent bike its not as good as my previous and more basic Trek I had before. The frame and paint work are no where near the same quality.

 

[steve_sordy]

@Hunter86 How about considering a Santa Cruz? They have a few different bikes to choose from.

PS: I had to read the whole of your post before I knew what country you are in. Do yourself a favour and put USA, or at least Utah. Better still both (Utah, USA). We don't all live in the good ol' USofA.

 

[Hunter86]

@Hunter86 How about considering a Santa Cruz? They have a few different bikes to choose from.

PS: I had to read the whole of your post before I knew what country you are in. Do yourself a favour and put USA, or at least Utah. Better still both (Utah, USA). We don't all live in the good ol' USofA.

I got that edit done. Sorry I didn't realize until the more I got into this that this forum was more international it seems like which is cool. Also I have found that it seems like ebikes are more available in other countries than the usa. It has been a frustrating thing because bike shops keep on saying certain bikes are coming in just no delivery date. I will have to check out the Santa Cruz. There is not much options with th avinox motor unless you have a lot of money. I might just end up with a Bosch motor.

 

[steve_sordy]

.......................... There is not much options with th avinox motor unless you have a lot of money. I might just end up with a Bosch motor.

"end up with a Bosch motor" Wow! End up with, sounds like you believe that it is second best in some way.
I have had two emtbs since Jan'19 and both had Shimano motors, 1st one an e8000, 2nd one an EP8 (I had that for 5 years). Both motors were flawless and faultless. No aches, no pains, no water-related issues and I live in the wet UK. Very wet indeed compared to UTAH!

Last month I bought a bike with the latest Bosch gen 5 motor. How it will be for longevity and water-related issues I cannot say yet. But the motor performance is a massive WOW! My riding buddy has an Amflow with the Avinox motor and although the motor has more max power and torque than the Bosch, he very seldom uses it. In fact after almost 5000 miles he has toned it down quite deliberately.

I suspect that you are looking for your first emtb, but do not just go for the highest numbers. The Amflow is a fine bike, but it does not float my boat and I've ridden one. Ride as many different emtbs as you can before you spend your hard-earned cash. The good news for those who do want the big numbers is that more and more smaller volume bike are coming oiut with the Avinox motor, so if you are prepared to wait you will have more choice. But why wait, there are lots of great non-Avinox bikes out there!

 

[Hunter86]

"end up with a Bosch motor" Wow! End up with, sounds like you believe that it is second best in some way.
I have had two emtbs since Jan'19 and both had Shimano motors, 1st one an e8000, 2nd one an EP8 (I had that for 5 years). Both motors were flawless and faultless. No aches, no pains, no water-related issues and I live in the wet UK. Very wet indeed compared to UTAH!

Last month I bought a bike with the latest Bosch gen 5 motor. How it will be for longevity and water-related issues I cannot say yet. But the motor performance is a massive WOW! My riding buddy has an Amflow with the Avinox motor and although the motor has more max power and torque than the Bosch, he very seldom uses it. In fact after almost 5000 miles he has toned it down quite deliberately.

I suspect that you are looking for your first emtb, but do not just go for the highest numbers. The Amflow is a fine bike, but it does not float my boat and I've ridden one. Ride as many different emtbs as you can before you spend your hard-earned cash. The good news for those who do want the big numbers is trhatb more and more smaller volume bike are coming oiut with the Avinox motr, so if you are prepared to wait you will have more choice. But why wait, there are lots of great non-Avinox bikes out there!

That was th wrong verbage. I like the Bosch cx motor not a fan of the px motor. I guess in a way I am getting kind of sick of all the hype with avinox motor. I have tested like 6 plus bikes. One place told me it might be hard to get warranty work on the avinox motors because they are having a hard time keeping up with demand. Thanks for this info it. It will help me .

 

[Euro]

I was in a similar position, been out of the room for a few years due to illness. Over the past few months have managed to back get out on my regular bike to see how I got on. During my recovery I had hoped an ebike would permit me to get back up the hills so I started looking. Just as avinox flooded the market. It appeared that I started getting healthier at the perfect time. Until I tried to buy one. The Amflow PX pro was paid and patiently waited for. It never showed and is unlikely to show any time soon. After dealing with Amflow via email I cancelled. I get the impression that the demand for the M2s has far exceeded supply and if Amflow can’t get their own brand to market, I doubt they’ll be prioritising other brands with the motor. It could be a longer wait that you’re expecting. As an aside, I’ve worked in production, when the whip is cracked, quality suffers. I conversed with Amflow support, it was bad. I’d hate to have a warranty issue with them, and with the factories under pressure? No ta.

Despite working in marketing, I fell for their marketing Thankfully I’ve had time to think on it and decided that as it’s my first ebike i didn’t need the fastest, lightest, Chineseiest bike or their motor. My Levo Expert is due in a couple of weeks

 

[JRitt]

I was in a similar position, been out of the room for a few years due to illness. Over the past few months have managed to back get out on my regular bike to see how I got on. During my recovery I had hoped an ebike would permit me to get back up the hills so I started looking. Just as avinox flooded the market. It appeared that I started getting healthier at the perfect time. Until I tried to buy one. The Amflow PX pro was paid and patiently waited for. It never showed and is unlikely to show any time soon. After dealing with Amflow via email I cancelled. I get the impression that the demand for the M2s has far exceeded supply and if Amflow can’t get their own brand to market, I doubt they’ll be prioritising other brands with the motor. It could be a longer wait that you’re expecting. As an aside, I’ve worked in production, when the whip is cracked, quality suffers. I conversed with Amflow support, it was bad. I’d hate to have a warranty issue with them, and with the factories under pressure? No ta.

Despite working in marketing, I fell for their marketing Thankfully I’ve had time to think on it and decided that as it’s my first ebike i didn’t need the fastest, lightest, Chineseiest bike or their motor. My Levo Expert is due in a couple of weeks

Congrats on the new Levo! I'm in a similar boat. I thought long and hard about my new bike purchase. I've been riding a Levo SL for a couple of years but wanted to pick up a full-power bike for a variety of reasons. After all the Amflow/Avinox bombardment here on the forums, YouTube, etc., I was almost dead set on getting something with an Avinox motor. I had been convinced that the Levo was too heavy, was older tech, wouldn't handle great, etc. At the eleventh hour I stumbled across a fantastic deal on a brand new Levo 4 Pro in my size. I've gotten it out on the trail a couple times this week and the bike is amazing! It is a giant leap forward in capability over the SL. The suspension is super plush, it gobbles up roots and rocks, it's extremely fast, has a super quiet motor, it handles awesome, has great battery range, auto mode is something new that I'm really liking...it's everything I hoped it would be and likely more.

Maybe I'm just stupid and naive and don't know what I'm missing, but I can't imagine needing more power or more capability than what the Levo 4 can provide. I'm super stoked about seeing what this thing can do as I re-ride familiar trails and explore some new ones. It's a bad@ss machine, and I could care less if someone else on the trail has something with more power, weighs two pounds less, has a touchscreen instead of a button to push, etc. My ego is fine with that, and I could buy another bike with the money I saved. Best of all, I have the bike now and can ride it all summer and fall.

I also wrestled with the warranty/service situation, and I decided my odds were likely better with Specialized. I've had a fantastic ownership experience with my Levo SL2 (also one of the best bikes I've owned), and I'm hoping for more of the same with my new one. Best of luck with your Levo 4 Expert!

 

[Hunter86]

Congrats on the new Levo! I'm in a similar boat. I thought long and hard about my new bike purchase. I've been riding a Levo SL for a couple of years but wanted to pick up a full-power bike for a variety of reasons. After all the Amflow/Avinox bombardment here on the forums, YouTube, etc., I was almost dead set on getting something with an Avinox motor. I had been convinced that the Levo was too heavy, was older tech, wouldn't handle great, etc. At the eleventh hour I stumbled across a fantastic deal on a brand new Levo 4 Pro in my size. I've gotten it out on the trail a couple times this week and the bike is amazing! It is a giant leap forward in capability over the SL. The suspension is super plush, it gobbles up roots and rocks, it's extremely fast, has a super quiet motor, it handles awesome, has great battery range, auto mode is something new that I'm really liking...it's everything I hoped it would be and likely more.

Maybe I'm just stupid and naive and don't know what I'm missing, but I can't imagine needing more power or more capability than what the Levo 4 can provide. I'm super stoked about seeing what this thing can do as I re-ride familiar trails and explore some new ones. It's a bad@ss machine, and I could care less if someone else on the trail has something with more power, weighs two pounds less, has a touchscreen instead of a button to push, etc. My ego is fine with that, and I could buy another bike with the money I saved. Best of all, I have the bike now and can ride it all summer and fall.

I also wrestled with the warranty/service situation, and I decided my odds were likely better with Specialized. I've had a fantastic ownership experience with my Levo SL2 (also one of the best bikes I've owned), and I'm hoping for more of the same with my new one. Best of luck with your Levo 4 Expert!

I was also caught up in I have to get an amflow and I have to get the new and greats. I like the levo also. The one part I do not like is the fat down tube. It makes me laugh when people are looking at emtb for weight. The carbon version of a bike is 3 to 5 pounds less which is not much. Maybe I will go look at the levo again and just don't care about the down tube.

 

[johnnystorm]

Hi there!
I've got a 2019 Levo I picked up in 2023. Aside from geometry perhaps I reckon that if I bought it in 2026 not having ridden an eBike before I'd still be impressed. Would I like to get an Amflow PR, yep! Will I be really gutted if they all sell out, probably not!

If you're just getting back into riding after a decent break almost anything is going to feel like an improvement. If you've got a good store nearby then you probably can't go far wrong if you get something with enough power and range to get you around your rides and in a colour you like.

 

[JRitt]

I was also caught up in I have to get an amflow and I have to get the new and greats. I like the levo also. The one part I do not like is the fat down tube. It makes me laugh when people are looking at emtb for weight. The carbon version of a bike is 3 to 5 pounds less which is not much. Maybe I will go look at the levo again and just don't care about the down tube.

Agreed on the downtube. It looks chubby. My Levo 4 is black, and would probably look like an orca whale if you painted some spots on it. That said, you can't see the downtube while riding it though (usually ). Once I sent it down the trail the first time, all thoughts of the porky downtube immediately left my mind...funny how that happens!

 

[Euro]

Congrats on the new Levo! I'm in a similar boat. I thought long and hard about my new bike purchase. I've been riding a Levo SL for a couple of years but wanted to pick up a full-power bike for a variety of reasons. After all the Amflow/Avinox bombardment here on the forums, YouTube, etc., I was almost dead set on getting something with an Avinox motor. I had been convinced that the Levo was too heavy, was older tech, wouldn't handle great, etc. At the eleventh hour I stumbled across a fantastic deal on a brand new Levo 4 Pro in my size. I've gotten it out on the trail a couple times this week and the bike is amazing! It is a giant leap forward in capability over the SL. The suspension is super plush, it gobbles up roots and rocks, it's extremely fast, has a super quiet motor, it handles awesome, has great battery range, auto mode is something new that I'm really liking...it's everything I hoped it would be and likely more.

Maybe I'm just stupid and naive and don't know what I'm missing, but I can't imagine needing more power or more capability than what the Levo 4 can provide. I'm super stoked about seeing what this thing can do as I re-ride familiar trails and explore some new ones. It's a bad@ss machine, and I could care less if someone else on the trail has something with more power, weighs two pounds less, has a touchscreen instead of a button to push, etc. My ego is fine with that, and I could buy another bike with the money I saved. Best of all, I have the bike now and can ride it all summer and fall.

I also wrestled with the warranty/service situation, and I decided my odds were likely better with Specialized. I've had a fantastic ownership experience with my Levo SL2 (also one of the best bikes I've owned), and I'm hoping for more of the same with my new one. Best of luck with your Levo 4 Expert!

Thank you JRitt. I’ve missed the last two summers so im ultra extra excited

Great to hear your loving yours. Many happy miles dude!

Ugly things can be beautiful

 

[JRitt]

Thank you JRitt. I’ve missed the last two summers so im ultra extra excited

Great to hear your loving yours. Many happy miles dude!

Ugly things can be beautiful

Thanks man, I hope you have a blast on yours!

 

[franciscoasismm]

Best technical value for money: Teewing Flux One A.
Safest premium high-pivot option: Forbidden Dreadnought E.
Safe European purchase: BH iLynx+ DL Enduro.
Most refined option: Pivot Shuttle AMP’d.
Best balance of brand/price/aggressive build: YT Decoy X.
Most versatile and technological option: Amflow PR/PX.
Best budget breaker option: Crussis e-Full.
Ranking Top 12 Avinox M2S

 

[Hunter86]

Best technical value for money: Teewing Flux One A.
Safest premium high-pivot option: Forbidden Dreadnought E.
Safe European purchase: BH iLynx+ DL Enduro.
Most refined option: Pivot Shuttle AMP’d.
Best balance of brand/price/aggressive build: YT Decoy X.
Most versatile and technological option: Amflow PR/PX.
Best budget breaker option: Crussis e-Full.
Ranking Top 12 Avinox M2S

View attachment 186605

This is an awesome list. Now I got to see what is available in the USA.

 

[Hunter86]

This is an awesome list. Now I got to see what is available in the USA.

Thanks for this

 

[franciscoasismm]

This is an awesome list. Now I got to see what is available in the USA.

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