Looking for ebike for rough gravel and road

[Stella63]

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

 

[simonsays]

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.

 

[Stella63]

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.

 

[Stella63]

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.

 

[Yak]

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.

 

[Yak]

If that isn’t enough there are some great new seat posts with some sus built in

 

[soundwave]

most air shocks have a lock out but if you can afford it and want to hammer the trails your ass will thank you for it

if you got a spare 10k kicking about this has active suspension and will auto adjust.

Spectral:ON CFR LTD

A premium E-trail bike with incredible power and incredible performance. Built around a lightweight, cutting-edge frame, and rounded out with the best components the market has to offer, this is one of the very best E-MTBs on the scene.

www.canyon.com

 

[Nealh]

Agree unless hammering trails fast sus isn't really needed, the extra weight multiplies the bumps where as a lighter bike with volume tyres will ride them much better.
My gravel bike is approx. 15kg all up weight and runs on tubes 42mm tyres 42psi F & 48/50 psi R.

 

[Stella63]

Can't afford 10k unfortunately .

 

[soundwave]

Can't afford 10k unfortunately .

a new batt for it is £1145

 

[Stella63]

I am not a serious biker - I'm doing it for exercise and enjoyment and to get out more. After some health issues last year and because I want to do more than just hire one on holiday. On the other hand I still want a good bike I enjoy riding And prefer off road on trails - but will do short trips locally as well.

 

[soundwave]

Haibike AllTrail 4 27.5 Electric Bike 2022 Yamaha – E-BikeShop UK

The all new Haibike AllTrail 4 27.5 2022 Yamaha electric mountain bike. Available today from the UK's premier Haibike eBike dealer. Learn More »

www.e-bikeshop.co.uk

if you want a dongle then id go with something like the above if it is in budget my haibike will be 8 years old this year.

 

[Stella63]

What's a dongle?

 

[soundwave]

removes the speed limit

 

[Stella63]

Ah ok. Hadn't thought about that!

 

[soundwave]

Badass eBikes Tuning für Bafang Bosch Brose Fazua Giant Kalkhoff Panasonic Pendix Shimano Specialized Yamaha Polini Bafang Sachs TQ

www.badassebikes.com

i had a dealer update few weeks ago and forgot it was on my bike and the bosch software cant see them

 

[Stella63]

Ok so any more recommendations for electric hardtail mountain bikes please? What do people think about that cube? It's hard finding things in stock as well so that might determine a few things.

The other thing I'd looked at was the Specialized Turbo Tero 4,0 but it seems expensive when there are some full suspension bikes the same price. I liked the idea of the stepthrough version but that only comes as an "equipped" version and although equipped might be good it really makes it a lot heavier - 26kg - when most electric full suspension bikes are only about 23kg,

 

[soundwave]

nothing wrong with the cube but id avoid anything with a brose motor or shimano

 

[Stella63]

Thanks.

 

[AndyBike]

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

Sounds a bit of a dumb article given hardtails were the bike to have x number of moons ago, and just about every course from a day out to full on pro rode a hardtail on them. So some article claiming only bike is sus or nothing isnt worth the ink taken to print such nonsense out.
Full sus history is really centered around the concept and development of downhill, then FS became more user friendly with companies offering shorter travel(100mm) for cross country(XC) and general trail riding and its went on from there, the only developments were increased wheel diameter to roll better over larger rocks and roots as the technical skills of the riders developed. As time went on, travel increased, touted as the rider being able to take on more terrain and ride faster and harder.
Plus it made it easier and less demanding on the rider with the ability to soak up the hits without increasing fatigue becoming a chore.
But everything XC/trail started on HT's, as such they still have a place offroad, only maybe not as hard/fast or aggressive as the magazines like to wax lyrical about.

A HT has other benefits. Depending on which it can adapt to road, offroad, commuting, touring, its better for a rack and panniers, and if its just down to comfort then plenty of suspension seatposts available.

Heres a vid of an obviously skilled and experienced rider of suss riding an HT.
We can see its certainly a capable ride, and while I get the impression you arent going to be entering the megavalanche in the coming years, it does suggest that the type of offroad trail riding you're possibly associating with offroad its more than capable of achieving.