Any advice on an Emtb for under 4k

amadablam

Hi folks

I've been wanting to try electric mtb for a while and recently moved to a part of the country which has an abundance of trails unused.

I have had much more high spec bikes in the past but know nothing about electric mtbs.

Would anyone be able to recommend a decent spec E mtb for under €4k?

Really would appreciate any guidance as I'm completely out of touch with group sets for these bikes as well.

Thanks in advance!

fatbhoy

YT are finishing off their 50% off sale at the moment.

Are you planning to do proper MTB trails, or just use it on fireroads and roads?

Group sets don't really matter that much in eMTBing because they're highly consumable (cassette, chainring, chain), so you'll be replacing those once a year if you're doing a fair bit of biking.

Brakes, wheels and suspension are what to look out for.

Radon have good value eMTBs too.

sparrowcar

I bought a Trek Rail 7 recently. Amazing bike with a Bosch motor, decent battery and finishing kit. Can be had for 4k no problem if buying a generation 2 or 3 version new.

amadablam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123584976#Comment_123584976

Thanks a million

I am planning to do proper trails and fire tracks (where I live, there are fire trails leading to the more fun stuff.) but no road on the mtb. Used to do a lot of XC on high end hard tails but haven't ever went full suspension due to the weight.

Only returning to mtb after injuries so will ease myself into it (comfort is going to be a consideration at the state) and I no longer want to ride on the road as its gotten pretty dangerous with cars.

That's a great tip on the group sets, Thanks!

I hadn't thought of it as a consumable but makes sense that some components will wear out quicker on an E bike.

Will check out those two brands as well.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123585082#Comment_123585082

Nice bike! You having fun on it? Have you been on E bikes long?

They are totally new to me. But the power of YouTube is turning my head towards E Mtb and Gravel bikes :D

sparrowcar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123589770#Comment_123589770

New to it myself having only bought the bike at Christmas just gone. Mountain biking for 30 years and raced enduro for a few years so know my way around bikes. It's a game changer and I'm just sorry i didn't buy one earlier. The smiles it puts on your face 😃 do it

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123589770#Comment_123589770

If you think a full suss MTB is heavy, it's nothing compared to the weight of a sub €4k ebike…

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123590593#Comment_123590593

heavy fcukers alright, all of them, been told still no comparison to a non emtb though

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123590656#Comment_123590656

Double the weight basically yea…

amadablam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123590593#Comment_123590593

Lol I can only imagine, haven't had a proper play with one yet. They look like a lot of fun but maybe I'll have to up the budget if I go with the Emtb. Going to seem very heavy to me compared to the road bikes as well but keen to try something different.

Tenzor07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123590760#Comment_123590760

Try hire one at a trailcentre before you consider buying one?

fatbhoy

Weight isn't really a problem unless its over 25kg. Full power ones are around 23-25kg, and super-lights are around 19-22kg.

Weight can be an advantage in that the bike becomes more planted and stable going over rough stuff and cornering.

In terms of motors, the most reliable seems to be the Bosch. Bosch CX Gen4 has been out for the past 5 years or so, and that is supposed to do 50,000KM. My ebike has that gen4 and it's on 6500KM and going strong. Gen5 has been released this year, and it's smaller, quieter and has better water ingress protection. I hear good things about the Yamaha motors in terms of reliability. Shimano, and the older Brose (used in Specialized) aren't as reliable as far as I can see. There's a few new entries into the motor market too now but they're unproven at the moment I think, but probably okay (especially DJI).

fatbhoy

Nice light one, entry spec, good brakes though €3,249.00 (one size L left, it seems):
https://www.yt-industries.com/E-MTB/Enduro-Mid-Support-DecoySN/CORE-2/?number=103816

Lightweight, great spec, €5000:
https://www.yt-industries.com/E-MTB/Enduro-Mid-Support-DecoySN/CORE-4/?number=103819

Nice full powered ones €3,699:
https://www.yt-industries.com/E-MTB/Enduro-Full-Support-DecoyMX/CORE-2/

amadablam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123590801#Comment_123590801

Thanks very much for the advice, I'll see if I can get my hands on one for a few hours.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123591001#Comment_123591001

Thanks Fatbhoy,

Great info too. Sounds like the motors are pretty solid if they are capable of that kind of life span! Impressive. Been reading a bit on the motors and Bosch seem to be highly regarded. Spotted Shimano are supposed to do a decent one too. Seems like a bubbling market if DJI are dipping their toes in it!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123592512#Comment_123592512

Cheers for those links.

The decoy core 4 looks like the perfect balance between power and practicality on the trails.

Looks like YT are direct to customer sales. Which is normally ideal for me but I'm Going to avail of the bike 2 work scheme to offset a bit of the pain and give me a better budget. Not sure if they let you use it on online sales outside of Ireland, does anyone know? Pity because that bike looks amazing value for the spec. .

😎

rodderss

I bought a decathlon stilus but if buying again I'd use discount bike.eu. you will get a full suspension bosch powered or better bike there no problem. Radon are a good brand.

Top Dog

I don't know where in the country you are, but some of the trail centers have e-mtb rentals which would give you an insight. Biking.ie rent out Trek e-xe bikes in both Ticknock and Ballinastoe which are a lightweight, low power, small battery option. Then Trailriders in Ballyhoura have Cube ONE44 rentals which are a full fat Bosch motor/battery and trail geometry.

I myself have a Cube ONE77 since the end of May, which replaced a 2022 Stereo Hybrid 160. Both are more enduro focused. Newer one cost me €4k with the Bike2Work scheme (retail was €5200). I sold the old bike to a buddy, and another friend has a 2024 Stereo Hybrid 140.