Which electric mountain bike

[Stella63]

Hello. Following on from my initial introductory message, I've given more thought to my biking needs and decided I want full suspension and pay a bit more than I'd been considering as a result.

I've been hiring ebikes while on holiday the last few years and have used a Specialized Turbo Levo and a Trek Powerfly 5. The Trek was ok but a really bad ride on rough ground. The Levo is too expensive and they've changed a lot since I last rode one so not sure how different they are now.

I have a lot of good trails in the area and although I don't do heavy mountain biking, do like to get out into the wilderness and some trails are a bit hilly and rough.

I've kind of narrowed it down to Trek Powerfly 4FS and Trek Rail 5 and wondered what opinions there are on these two bikes. The Powerfly 4FS seems to fit my needs. But wondering if it would manage hilly trails as well as the Rail 5. The Rail 5 is probably more than I need but presumably it will still ride well on level trails.

 

[soundwave]

the rail 5 has better spec parts and 12 speed but that is the bottom of the range for a eagle group set.

but the front chain ring is limited to 34t where on the power fly its 46 so if you want a dongle then power fly is best to change up the gearing.

both bikes have a purion display but you can upgrade to a kiok display on both for about 200 quid

bigger batt means more heavy bike and harder to throw it about and why i use clipless peddles

 

[Stella63]

Thanks. I'm not sure I understand all the technicalities there Not bothered about a dongle. Just wondering if the Trail 5 is overkill or the Powerfly 4FS is underkill

 

[soundwave]

well both have the cx gen 4 motor so id go for the bigger batt on the Powerfly 4FS as anything over 150mm of front fork is for full down hill runs and at 15mph cut off you wont make the jumps lol.

 

[Stella63]

Cheers. Didn't realise the 4FS had a bigger battery.

 

[AndyBike]

I'd much prefer an RS fork on the rail 5 to the suntour one on the rail FS4. I admit to being a suntour critic, but criticism where criticism is due, its not a good fork by most accounts, and the RS 35 gold and RS deluxe select+ are considerably better, The important parts on a suss frame are of course the suss bits.

The rail 5 is also available flavoured in 625wh

 

[Stella63]

Thanks. Yes I did think it didn't have the best fork. I assume the lower travel is because it's meant to be more of a "do all" bike rather than just a mountain bike.

So the Rail 5 - would the fork travel of 160 be an issue when doing lighter trails or not? I've ridden the turbo levo on country roads (150 travel I think) with no issues. But assume the riding position is also different on the rail 5 to the powerfly fs4?

 

[soundwave]

my bike is 150mm front and rear and can pretty much do everything on it over the years and if needed can lock out the front and rear sus.

problem is in this price range is you get a bigger batt and pay the price with naf forks and the cheapest group sets, shifter cassette and rear mech.

tho these can be change you cant add more travel tho you can fit a bigger front fork but this will push the bottom bracket up the more travel you add i did try a 200mm fork on my bike that a m8 had and was off the bike after 5 mins of trying it.

 

[Stella63]

Thanks - so 160 is probably ok - and suspension can be locked out for road use if wanted. Sounds good. Wish I could find somewhere near enough to try bikes out (hardly any in stock and not in my region). Do any online sellers do a 30 day trial period? I know rutland cyling do but they don't stock Trek.

 

[soundwave]

160 is about in the middle and will also help if you have to sell the bike down the road and hold its value better over time.

with a dongle and the right gearing i have blasted past every road bike round here and in the past took all the kom on strava when there was no ebike option lol.

 

[Stella63]

Thanks. All this talk about dongles lol. I'm not looking into that, but appreciate the help on the forks and bikes .

 

[Stella63]

I think ideally I need to see both bikes - which is not easy when there's very little stock and none in my area. Rutland cycling do a 30 day trial period but they don't stock Trek bikes. Does any other online seller do that do you know?

 

[soundwave]

my local ebike shop does test rides but thats about it from what i can see on there site but dont stock trek bikes anyway.

i had to got to the shop today and have sold over 100 bikes in just 4 weeks since they opened and stock is also very low in some frame sizes but the 2023 bikes will start to come out in September why there is not much left anywhere.