Looking for ebike for rough gravel and road

Hello. I've just joined. I did write a post earlier but it seems to have disappeared!

 

I'm looking for recommendations for an ebike that's comfortable on rough gravel off road trails (level, hilly trails mainly) but not too bad to use for general road use, locally in a hilly area.

Bike frame style ?

I'm not sure. For the past few years I've hired various electric mountain bikes while on holiday. A specialized turbo levo (which I can't afford), a Trek Powerfly 5 and some kind of hybrid bike - don't know the make - which I didn't find stable on rough tracks. So I'm thinking I'd like full suspension for off road, but also something that rides reasonably well on road. I quite liked the Trek Powerfly 5 but it was very bouncy at the back on rough surfaces and difficult to get on and off.

Just to add - there are so many more bikes since I first thought about getting one 4 or 5 years ago. It's a bit of a minefield.

Bouncy bikes are a night mare to ride as they sap your energy and waste it, for full sus one needs air suss front and rear where one cna pump them up to suit your weight to prevent the unnecessary bounce.

Edited April 8, 20224 yr by Nealh

I'm using a Cube Kathmandu for my commute on a mix of roads, cycle paths, grass, gravel and rutted chalk trail. 25 miles each way. It's a hardtail and was bumpy on the original road tyres despite a spring seatpost. I've just changed to tubeless tyres, run a lower tyre pressure and it's superb. Schwalbe G-one in 47mm width.

As above, hardtail or full suspension MTB if you plan to ride regularly on rough tracks.

 

However the good ones start at £2,000 or £3,000 for full suspension.

I'm using a Cube Kathmandu for my commute on a mix of roads, cycle paths, grass, gravel and rutted chalk trail. 25 miles each way. It's a hardtail and was bumpy on the original road tyres despite a spring seatpost. I've just changed to tubeless tyres, run a lower tyre pressure and it's superb. Schwalbe G-one in 47mm width.

 

Thanks - that's good to know changing tyres can help.

As above, hardtail or full suspension MTB if you plan to ride regularly on rough tracks.

 

However the good ones start at £2,000 or £3,000 for full suspension.

 

Yes I was thinking full suspension for the comfort. Can you recommend any please?

What about this?

 

https://www.infinitycycles.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/cube-reaction-hybrid-pro-625-2022-electric-mountain-bike--greygreen__46911

What about this?

 

https://www.infinitycycles.co.uk/bikes/electric-bikes/cube-reaction-hybrid-pro-625-2022-electric-mountain-bike--greygreen__46911

The Kathmandu is quite a similar bike, made commuter-friendly for a bit more money. Slightly different frame. Adds lights, mudguards, rack etc. It's very nicely done too, I'm impressed by Cube. I got the Kathmandu Pro 625 on a cycle scheme for ~half price.

Were the tyres the same on the Kathmandu as the one I linked?

Were the tyres the same on the Kathmandu as the one I linked?

Reaction has Schwalbe Smart Sams, my Kathmandu came with Big Bens. Much more roady.

Tubeless G-one left (the wheels are tubeless-ready) and Big-Bens right.

G-ones are so comfy, I had to keep stopping to check they weren't flat.

Thanks. So as the one I've linked has MTB tyres then presumably the hard tail ride would be ok on rocky gravel paths.

For my ha’penny’s worth, I think full sus is unnecessary unless you are hammering fast rutted descents. As Nealh says, they steal your energy As soon as you start pedalling. A hard tail with low-pressure tubeless will give plenty of give, but ride well (and pressures can be increased for road use). I’m riding a gravel Orbea Gain with 38mm tyres over terrible trails. Not ideal, but it works, then when you hit the tarmac you soar.

Thanks. Yes this is where I get confused. Full suspension seems more than I need, but I keep reading that hard tail on emountain bikes is a no go for anything other than smooth trails as not the same as a hard tail on a regular bike. I quite like the comfort of a full suspension bike generally but it's more to maintain. (And I know nothing about maintaining

My nearest hire centre/bike shop only deals with Orange bikes - we're out in the sticks many miles from big bike shops. Just wondering if there is an orange emtb that isn't too expensive.

That sounds silly. If they are talking about the extra weight, that

is meaningless as riders all weigh different amounts. If the bike is 4kg heavier because of the electric system, how does that effect me, at 120kg, and my mate, at 55kg? My Gain has zero suspension. I put 50psi in my 38mm tyres and ride bad trails. It works. I would be happier on bigger tyres, but Ikm not looking at suspension, at all, as I ride roads too.

Thanks. So as the one I've linked has MTB tyres then presumably the hard tail ride would be ok on rocky gravel paths.

Depends what you expect and your previous experience I guess. You can't escape the bike's weight, so as standard, I found the bike crashes over the bumps (rather than skipping over as a light MTB might). The Big Bens I had have similar volume to the MTB ones, but I punctured early on and planned to go tubeless anyway (with the lower pressures you can use without fear of puncturing).

You've certainly got options in big volume tyres, if you need a softer ride. The rims are quite wide.

My nearest hire centre/bike shop only deals with Orange bikes - we're out in the sticks many miles from big bike shops. Just wondering if there is an orange emtb that isn't too expensive.

Forget that - the don't do electric bikes :-) I'll have to look further afield

Thanks. Yes this is where I get confused. Full suspension seems more than I need, but I keep reading that hard tail on emountain bikes is a no go for anything other than smooth trails as not the same as a hard tail on a regular bike. I quite like the comfort of a full suspension bike generally but it's more to maintain. (And I know nothing about maintaining

I had a full-sus Marin MTB that cost £250 in suspension bearings 10 years ago, never again! Great fun though.

That sounds silly. If they are talking about the extra weight, that

is meaningless as riders all weigh different amounts. If the bike is 4kg heavier because of the electric system, how does that effect me, at 120kg, and my mate, at 55kg? My Gain has zero suspension. I put 50psi in my 38mm tyres and ride bad trails. It works. I would be happier on bigger tyres, but Ikm not looking at suspension, at all, as I ride roads too.

 

Thanks. Can't remember which article I read where it basically said hardtail electric bikes are pointless for rough tracks.

So basically I'm ok with an electric hardtail mountain bike even with rocky gravel trails? And if it's a bit hard and bouncy at the back like the Powerfly I can make that better with different tyres? It didn't exactly jacknife on rocky terrain but it did mean I had to stand up all the time on rough ground. Grass was ok but the trail was just a flat level trail with the odd lumpy bit of stone.

Thanks. Can't remember which article I read where it basically said hardtail electric bikes are pointless for rough tracks.

There’s a lot of trash out there. In a few hours there will be more guys on here with more experience of actual bikes on actual trails. My first thought for you would be a modern eMTB hard tail with a low stand over top bar (as all modern designs are) with lovely squishy tubeless gravel tyres that will roll well on the road.