Upgrade current bike, or go new ebike

[californiagrown]

I have a 2017 RM slayer that i have ridden hard and put away wet for6 years now. It is fully clapped out now, and just barely limping along. Realistically, if it was to get it running nicely again for next season id have to put in around $1k-$1.5k (new wheels, full suspension and bushing rebuilds, new drivetrain, new tires, new brakes and rotors).

As a father to a 2 yr old, with a busy corporate job (for now) i can see the writing on the wall that an ebike is in my future for a number of reasons. Ive been holding out thus far to see if ebike pricing comes down and make sure all the kinks are worked out before dropping $5-6k on one. Should i just pull the trigger now, and if so, what the hell do i do with the slayer... id have to put in $500 or so just to get it sellable at this point.

[rideit]

Right this minute is the best time to buy an e-bike that I have ever seen. Five of my friends have bought them in the last two weeks, all up to 40% off. The industry is positively swimming in inventory.

You will probably only get about $5-700 for the Slayer for the same reasons.

[SchralphMacchio]

I had been eyeing e-bikes for a while. Motor and other electrical gremlins seem much improved, but I’m of the mindset that if you have a kid, you don’t have time for bike fuckery in the garage either, so I personally would buy the name on the front of the shop not the name on the side of the bike. I’ve been reluctantly having my shop do a lot more bike and ski upkeep in recent years, just don’t have the time disappear into the garage for hours and go over everything with a fine tooth comb like it was before kids.

Where do you live? Trail access is another thing to consider. Does your state and local parks system have ebike trail policies yet?

Where I live e-bikes make a lot of sense, we have lots of BLM trail systems which are de facto open (unless specifically closed), we have an ACE trail which has no policy, and about half of the narrow (and rad) USFS trails within 1.5 hours from here are actually motorized legal.

[californiagrown]

Right this minute is the best time to buy an e-bike that I have ever seen. Five of my friends have bought them in the last two weeks, all up to 40% off. The industry is positively swimming in inventory.

You will probably only get about $5-700 for the Slayer for the same reasons.

LBS, or online retailers? Have any good leads on a 160mm travel bike... unsure on if i want full power or a light bike, so it will probably come down to where the best deal is.

im in the WA state and while ebikes are technically illegal at most places, they are ubiquitous and no one cares.

[rideit]

What size?

[californiagrown]

What size?

XL. Ideally, id be getting a $6k specc'ed bike for around $4k.

Might just replace the rear wheel on the slayer, do the suspension servicing and keep it as a bike park bike, while i use the ebike for anything pedal related.

[Andeh]

^what Shcralph said

Motor issues have gotten a lot better, but I'd highly recommend getting an ebike brand that you've got a local shop that can help out with warranties, should the need arise.

Also, good brakes, big rotors, durable rims, and thick tires make a huge difference on quality of life for ebikes. Do not fuck around with those.

[rideit]

XL. Ideally, id be getting a $6k specc'ed bike for around $4k.

Might just replace the rear wheel on the slayer, do the suspension servicing and keep it as a bike park bike, while i use the ebike for anything pedal related.

Hmm...the cheaper ones are mostly gone. What I have seen are the $8k ones going for ~$6k.

[rudy]

Are most/all of the trails near you open to e-bikes? I love my e-bike but couldn't just have an e-bike as my only ride.

[XXX-er]

LBS, or online retailers? Have any good leads on a 160mm travel bike... unsure on if i want full power or a light bike, so it will probably come down to where the best deal is.

im in the WA state and while ebikes are technically illegal at most places, they are ubiquitous and no one cares.

The pink bike guy (kaz?) said " Mid power is like an ice cream cone with one scoop " and i am of the same opinion, having said that people are buying them

if you go full power e-bike its gona weigh 52lbs, get at least the 630W battery

I think you need social license to ride where ever you are expecting to ride so i asked and all the kool kids had e-bikes so localy I have social license

I have bought bikes from away and mechanical issues are no biggy with an acoustic bike cuz I can fix them but I have seen a blown motor from an out of town bike be an issue becuz the dealer who might fix a bike you bought from him him he has no way to chargeback time on a shimano motor

In my case an SC bullit is now 10% less MSRP than it was 2 yrs ago in the middle of Covid when i was lucky to get it and they will probably go on sale from there, buy local and try to get a brand that doesnt go under

if you end up with down level NX with all steel cogs don't sweat it cuz they shift OK, last forever and you got all the 85 nm of power to deal with a little extra weight

[nickwm21]

Is riding a bike a fitness activity for you or just a fun activity? That’s the question.


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[skaredshtles]

Are most/all of the trails near you open to e-bikes? I love my e-bike but couldn't just have an e-bike as my only ride.

This. And most of my friends still ride Amish bikes, and it would suck not to be able to ride the good stuff with friends because I've got a moped as my only bike.

Is riding a bike a fitness activity for you or just a fun activity? That’s the question.

Also this.

[rod9301]

Buy a bike with Bosch and you will not have any problems, same with Yamaha.
And get a full power, you'll regret the light versions

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[rideit]

Asked my local guy, He can do 25% off a brand new Rocky Powerplay (he would have to order it). Where are you? I think your local Rocky dealer could match that.

[californiagrown]

Hmm...the cheaper ones are mostly gone. What I have seen are the $8k ones going for ~$6k.

Hmm, $6k plus tax is going to be pushing it for me. Ive always been a run what ya brung kind of rider and dont need high end components... i just dont want super cheap shit that will break or let me down quickly either. Ill have to stay on the lookout around my local shops.

if you end up with down level NX with all steel cogs don't sweat it cuz they shift OK, last forever and you got all the 85 nm of power to deal with a little extra weight

Brakes/Wheels/Suspension is where i want mid tier stuff. Anything drivetrain i am totally fine with NX/GX level.

Is riding a bike a fitness activity for you or just a fun activity? That’s the question.

Little of both. The biggest reason i want to go ebike is so i can plop my toddler on a his shotgun seat and shuttle him in the coming years. As far as fitness, my experience has always been the old Lemond saying "it never gets easier, you just go faster/farther"... with limited time available it sure would be nice to get 1.5 or 2 laps in instead of racing to get 1 lap in. I plan to be just as cooked at the end of the ride.

[toast2266]

Little of both. The biggest reason i want to go ebike is so i can plop my toddler on a his shotgun seat and shuttle him in the coming years. As far as fitness, my experience has always been the old Lemond saying "it never gets easier, you just go faster/farther"... with limited time available it sure would be nice to get 1.5 or 2 laps in instead of racing to get 1 lap in. I plan to be just as cooked at the end of the ride.

As the father of twin 3 year olds, I don't find myself riding my ebike very often. Given that I only get out for 3 or maybe 4 (or maybe 1) not-particularly-long rides a week these days, the ebike just doesn't really give me any kind of a workout. I was talking about this with Eluder (another guy with young kids) the other day and he summed up my thoughts nicely: the ebike just kind of feels like giving up on yourself. Yes it's fun. Yes you can do more vert in a given amount of time. But it doesn't do much of anything to delay my slide into being fat(ter) and weak(er).

Not trying to turn this into yet another ebike debate. Ride whatever you want. Just adding my $.02 from an analagous family situation.

[skaredshtles]

<snip> the ebike just kind of feels like giving up on yourself. Yes it's fun. Yes you can do more vert in a given amount of time. But it doesn't do much of anything to delay my slide into being fat(ter) and weak(er).

Nice job... Tubby.

[rideit]

I plan to be just as cooked at the end of the ride.

Trust me, you won't be. Even if the ride is four times as long.
The 25% off is for any Rocky, not just the spendy ones.

[toast2266]

Nice job... Tubby.

In fairness to ebikes, they don't make me nearly as fat as ski season. By April, I'll be an ambulatory pile of lard with a couple of pretty strong leg muscles that are fairly useless for biking.

[skaredshtles]

<snip> By April, I'll be an ambulatory pile of lard with a couple of pretty strong leg muscles that are fairly useless for biking.

I laft.

[AK47bp]

As a newcomer to the sport I realize some day I’ll have an e-bike too. I’d never only have an e-bike, both would be the goal.

Riding yesterday, climbing, legs burning, out of breath, I hear faint discussions in the distance. The discussions sound out of place in the forest, as if it were a living room discussion. Sure enough in a couple minutes I’m pulling over for a gaggle of e-bikers in full blown work conversation as if in the office, not a single strained breath.

Granted I’m a little out of (mtb) shape and a bit jealous but then I remind myself that I’m also riding to get into/stay in ski shape and then it doesn’t bother me.

[Andeh]

Yeah so I did a a 5,770 ft full turbo ride yesterday in 2 hours, not riding with anyone so moving at a good pace and trying to get done quick - my Apple Watch (all of 4 readings) says my average heart rate was 99. I was sweaty, but I was breathing harder after the descents than the climbs. So don't kid yourself about it being a great workout unless you run it in Eco or get a low/mid-power one.

[XXX-er]

yeah I ride a full power in boost only at a local area which is on a hillside and I get that same^^ 100bpm,

it is zone 2 which is the fat burning zone and on a extended period of e-biking I dropped 3 lbs lower than I had in many years, lower than a lot of ski touring training

[grinch]

^^zone 2 is indeed the fat loss zone also easier to recover and go again the next day and the next etc. Ive lost 15lbs this season because it sux driving around the city in a tundra and putting too much fuel in it.
Generally i'd agree with an lbs purchase but yt USA has been amazing to deal with. My first e8000 motor shit the bed at 1800km and yt tokd me to just take it to the shop of my choice and theyd pay the labour bill. Shimano canada were covid absent so yt jumped in and sent me a motor with return shipping paid label for my blown motor. Followed up with a couple calls just to check. Good people. Quick on email replies and shipping for other parts ive got from them as well(water bottle, derailleur hanger, pivots i thought i should replace but the originals were still perfect after a million vert ft). Not sure if Shaun(california/yt usa)still runs it but theyre still friendly and on it. Sales on now. The decoy mx core 3 has top level suspension and good parts spec with sensible slx drivetrain. Check the reaches on the xl and xxl. There is still stock in both those. Pm if you have any questions. I may have a phone number for you

https://us.yt-industries.com/product...coy-mx-core-3/

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[XXX-er]

yeah the dentists at TGR are all aiming for 160 bpm