Yes, agreed that battery drain can vary though in a setting with a max, it will not vary significantly unless lots of milder fire roads are used versus another ride that is consistently uphill where you are hitting that setting max. I do not know where you ride. I'm in Colorado. There are very few sections I have had to walk in my 15-20 years of riding here. If a section is too steep it is also probably too loose. I have ridden my regular MTB here for all these years. By Colorado standards, I am not a strong rider. Riders here seem to be exceptionally strong compared to other places I have been. However, I can produce bursts of power to get over steep rocky stuff over and over. I do not need the Turbo/Boost setting, for example. On the road bike I can produce 500-700 watts over and over with 800-1000 watts in short bursts but in general riding, my power is much lower. I think a lot depends on fitness, but I have noticed that I can pedal and even climb on the Levo SL without the motor whereas the full-power bikes are really impossible for me to pedal uphill. They seem so boggy and heavy and sink into their travel. I can actually pedal my Levo SL for miles if needed. On some steep sections, even my 46 lb Shuttle was almost impossible to get over. The full-power Levo was even more of an anchor. I can do that on the Levo SL with Eco or even no power. These are just my initial observations but I am a regular cyclist too. It isn't like I just jumped on the e-bike after years of eating pizza, drinking beer, and going to the gym once a month. I have paid my climb-suffering dues for years and years.
Hi
I live in South Wales where the Geometron is tested (my other bike) and Dirt Mag did their testing and ride mainly hand cut trails …not often bike parks of which there are many and mainly climb around 6-700ft at a trot.
On week days when it’s quiet I climb back up the DH stuff a bit like trials.
I don’t road ride any more.
Been on mtb since late 1980’s and still ride a non Ebike to enjoy the feel and pain of climbs ;-)
I have mtb‘ around Durango in the past and Moab. Some great biking around where you are along with skiing, paragliding and general fun. Jealous !
Because I have a non Ebike that is a capable all mountain slayer I wanted a different for when not on it, not one that was a bit like it hence the full fat approach to ebikes. Have to say that after a while you do get used to the additional weight, takes a while so if you jump off a non Ebike straight onto 23-24 kg it can feel a handful. Why perhaps many then try an18kg light Ebike and immediately gel with it as it’s similar to their non Ebike.
However as you learn more, the low down weight in a full fat Ebike makes the suspension super plush yet supportive and facilitates great grip. I’m far faster down even technical stuff on my Ebike than non now. Slow in absolute terms but relatively faster ;-)
In my mind ebikes (motors) are not really fit for purpose in our muddy gritty world here however they are utterly addictive, fantastic fun and a real worthy addition to the mtb world. All eMtb from lightweight to the external battery versions. They are all great fun and given I’m now late in 50’s, with knees getting a bit worse from a life of smashing due to flying having an Ebike is fantastic. However I still very much enjoy being with my non eeeb mates on the Geometron.
sounds like you are far more cycling fit…the Lycra crew are very cycling fit and If you want one bike and are very fit the SL type is excellent.
Dont forget the Orbea Rise, that’s 60nm EP8 RS that’s light and can be mapped to deliver the full ep8 power. Also Fazua 60 motors.
More and more options. Great !
Enjoy it out there…
