To sell my Orange five for an eMTB or not!
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I made the mistake of taking an e-bike out for a test ride Saturday just gone and really rather enjoyed the pure effortlessness of the climbs on it.
I currently have a decent spec 2016 Orange Five pro, fox factory shocks, hope hubs, BB, V4's etc sat at around 29-30lbs but haven't done any park riding in over 18 months, partly because of COVID and partly because I've lost interest due to the amount of riding I get over half a day.
None of the bike parks within 90 minutes of me having any uplifts so I have to pedal/push back up. Last time I rode was at Wind HIll where I reckon I got maybe 3 runs in per hour due to 3 mins down 20 mins or so back up so over the total 4.5 hours from home, there and back I got 18 minutes or fun riding in!
This got me wondering whether an ebike / eMTB would provide much more fun for the time spent. Thinking I could get as much as an hours worth of runs over three hours on site.
My local bike shop has offered me a Moustache (yes you read that right!) game 6 for £4,500 brand new but despite the good deal I've still not pulled the trigger yet because I'm not sure whether I'll end up using it as I hope or whether it'll become a road/trail bike that the five has become in which case I may as well stick with that!
Anyone here made the jump to ebikes? What's your view - life changing decision or a bit 'meh'!
ETA
Sorry not allowed.
I made the mistake of taking an e-bike out for a test ride Saturday just gone and really rather enjoyed the pure effortlessness of the climbs on it.
I currently have a decent spec 2016 Orange Five pro, fox factory shocks, hope hubs, BB, V4's etc sat at around 29-30lbs but haven't done any park riding in over 18 months, partly because of COVID and partly because I've lost interest due to the amount of riding I get over half a day.
None of the bike parks within 90 minutes of me having any uplifts so I have to pedal/push back up. Last time I rode was at Wind HIll where I reckon I got maybe 3 runs in per hour due to 3 mins down 20 mins or so back up so over the total 4.5 hours from home, there and back I got 18 minutes or fun riding in!
This got me wondering whether an ebike / eMTB would provide much more fun for the time spent. Thinking I could get as much as an hours worth of runs over three hours on site.
My local bike shop has offered me a Moustache (yes you read that right!) game 6 for £4,500 brand new but despite the good deal I've still not pulled the trigger yet because I'm not sure whether I'll end up using it as I hope or whether it'll become a road/trail bike that the five has become in which case I may as well stick with that!
Anyone here made the jump to ebikes? What's your view - life changing decision or a bit 'meh'!
ETA
Sorry not allowed.
Edited by Big Al. on Wednesday 3rd November 15:24
Might be worth reading through that ebike thread on here.
For someone that is relatively fit, young and able bodied the general consensus is, why would you?
I've just made the switch at 33, relatively fit, able bodied and absolutely love it, its oddly more knackering than a normal bike is I think. Although Its taken me way further than an analogue bike ever could and gets me out riding after a crappy day at work when Im absolutely knackered. Normally ill have it in 15-20% assistance
Biking with analogue guys can be mildly irritating at times when it comes to going uphill - end up putting it in eco and just grinding it out with them otherwise you're at the top waiting for them (slackers)
Id not go back to a normal bike (MTB anyway) - still have the analogue road bike
Those moustache bikes look great and seem to be good value btw
For someone that is relatively fit, young and able bodied the general consensus is, why would you?
I've just made the switch at 33, relatively fit, able bodied and absolutely love it, its oddly more knackering than a normal bike is I think. Although Its taken me way further than an analogue bike ever could and gets me out riding after a crappy day at work when Im absolutely knackered. Normally ill have it in 15-20% assistance
Biking with analogue guys can be mildly irritating at times when it comes to going uphill - end up putting it in eco and just grinding it out with them otherwise you're at the top waiting for them (slackers)
Id not go back to a normal bike (MTB anyway) - still have the analogue road bike
Those moustache bikes look great and seem to be good value btw
Bathroom_Security said:
Might be worth reading through that ebike thread on here.
For someone that is relatively fit, young and able bodied the general consensus is, why would you?
I've just made the switch at 33, relatively fit, able bodied and absolutely love it, its oddly more knackering than a normal bike is I think. Although Its taken me way further than an analogue bike ever could and gets me out riding after a crappy day at work when Im absolutely knackered. Normally ill have it in 15-20% assistance
Biking with analogue guys can be mildly irritating at times when it comes to going uphill - end up putting it in eco and just grinding it out with them otherwise you're at the top waiting for them (slackers)
Id not go back to a normal bike (MTB anyway) - still have the analogue road bike
Those moustache bikes look great and seem to be good value btw
Thanks, I'm 41 and consider myself very fit and am happy to knock out 30-40 miles on the five without feeling too knackered at the end. For me it's whether it'll reignite my love of doing the more challenging (and fun) runs at bike parks and give me enough practice to go back to the alps this summer.For someone that is relatively fit, young and able bodied the general consensus is, why would you?
I've just made the switch at 33, relatively fit, able bodied and absolutely love it, its oddly more knackering than a normal bike is I think. Although Its taken me way further than an analogue bike ever could and gets me out riding after a crappy day at work when Im absolutely knackered. Normally ill have it in 15-20% assistance
Biking with analogue guys can be mildly irritating at times when it comes to going uphill - end up putting it in eco and just grinding it out with them otherwise you're at the top waiting for them (slackers)
Id not go back to a normal bike (MTB anyway) - still have the analogue road bike
Those moustache bikes look great and seem to be good value btw
The bike shop guys also said they'd never go back analogue now they've got ebikes but I didn't know how much of that was the rider talking and how much was the salesman!
They're conspicuously good value which is why it's peaked my interest. If I had a permanent job sorted (still contracting at the moment) I'd have bought one already I rekcon!
Did you descend on it?
For techy, drip and turns etc I hated it. I'm interested in 'lightweight' ones but a 50lb one? No.
The other issue is your bike is 5+yrs old. You'll take a sizeable hit depending on standards it uses/has.
When I find a 35lb ebike my 1yr old Santa Cruz will no doubt lose money.
For techy, drip and turns etc I hated it. I'm interested in 'lightweight' ones but a 50lb one? No.
The other issue is your bike is 5+yrs old. You'll take a sizeable hit depending on standards it uses/has.
When I find a 35lb ebike my 1yr old Santa Cruz will no doubt lose money.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Did you descend on it?
For techy, drip and turns etc I hated it. I'm interested in 'lightweight' ones but a 50lb one? No.
The other issue is your bike is 5+yrs old. You'll take a sizeable hit depending on standards it uses/has.
When I find a 35lb ebike my 1yr old Santa Cruz will no doubt lose money.
Good question, I didn't. But I also remember hammering around on a 45lb stinky 15 or so years ago and that thing flew downhill and as B_S has said I'd expect it'll take a few rides to get used to but then be the new 'normal'! I recall going out on my Orange blood for the first time, I hated it compared to the stinky as it was far more prone to getting airborne and far less forgiving on the landing, but I adapted!For techy, drip and turns etc I hated it. I'm interested in 'lightweight' ones but a 50lb one? No.
The other issue is your bike is 5+yrs old. You'll take a sizeable hit depending on standards it uses/has.
When I find a 35lb ebike my 1yr old Santa Cruz will no doubt lose money.
As for price of my five, I've listed at £2k but would settle for £1,700 which is reasonable for the spec it has. 11 speed sram GX drivetrain as well as the aforementioned fox 34's factory, fox float factory, hope most things etc.
Bike shop has literally just emailed me saying "come, buy, ride the future!" lol
I've got the Kenevo expert (the one with the boxxer forks).
I barely use it if I'm honest. I find the weight a pain on the very very steep tight tech trails that I ride locally. I generally take the Druid or Geometron in preference, even if I get fewer runs in.
On faster flowing trails it's great...sublime over big jumps.
Oddly - given it's a DH bike you can pedal - it gets used more for xc riding, especially now as the local trails are slippery as hell.
For bike park style flowy reds - get one ordered. They're brilliant. If you lprefer the likes of Inners tech blacks and oranges I'd stick with analogue or wait for weight to come down...
Or if you want a 40-50km xc bike that'll do bike parks as well, they're a great choice.
I barely use it if I'm honest. I find the weight a pain on the very very steep tight tech trails that I ride locally. I generally take the Druid or Geometron in preference, even if I get fewer runs in.
On faster flowing trails it's great...sublime over big jumps.
Oddly - given it's a DH bike you can pedal - it gets used more for xc riding, especially now as the local trails are slippery as hell.
For bike park style flowy reds - get one ordered. They're brilliant. If you lprefer the likes of Inners tech blacks and oranges I'd stick with analogue or wait for weight to come down...
Or if you want a 40-50km xc bike that'll do bike parks as well, they're a great choice.
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
I've got the Kenevo expert (the one with the boxxer forks).
I barely use it if I'm honest. I find the weight a pain on the very very steep tight tech trails that I ride locally. I generally take the Druid or Geometron in preference, even if I get fewer runs in.
On faster flowing trails it's great...sublime over big jumps.
Oddly - given it's a DH bike you can pedal - it gets used more for xc riding, especially now as the local trails are slippery as hell.
For bike park style flowy reds - get one ordered. They're brilliant. If you lprefer the likes of Inners tech blacks and oranges I'd stick with analogue or wait for weight to come down...
Or if you want a 40-50km xc bike that'll do bike parks as well, they're a great choice.
Thanks, I'm more of a flowing red / double red kinda guy these days. I'll even admit to loving Bluetopia at windhill as it's so fast and fun.I barely use it if I'm honest. I find the weight a pain on the very very steep tight tech trails that I ride locally. I generally take the Druid or Geometron in preference, even if I get fewer runs in.
On faster flowing trails it's great...sublime over big jumps.
Oddly - given it's a DH bike you can pedal - it gets used more for xc riding, especially now as the local trails are slippery as hell.
For bike park style flowy reds - get one ordered. They're brilliant. If you lprefer the likes of Inners tech blacks and oranges I'd stick with analogue or wait for weight to come down...
Or if you want a 40-50km xc bike that'll do bike parks as well, they're a great choice.
QuattroDave said:
Thanks, I'm more of a flowing red / double red kinda guy these days. I'll even admit to loving Bluetopia at windhill as it's so fast and fun.
Sounds like a good fit for you then. I'd rent one at a park first just to be sure as it's a lot of wedge.. But more than likely one would work well for you.
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
QuattroDave said:
Thanks, I'm more of a flowing red / double red kinda guy these days. I'll even admit to loving Bluetopia at windhill as it's so fast and fun.
Sounds like a good fit for you then. I'd rent one at a park first just to be sure as it's a lot of wedge.. But more than likely one would work well for you.
On a side note this would be the first bike I've bought new in my 30 years of riding! My last two came direct from Orange but one was a prototype and one was an ex demo!
I've got one and it's great for getting lots of laps in a short time. I can quite easily burn through the battery in a couple of hours though (625Wh) if I'm shuttling, so may be worth considering buying a spare if you want some big days.
I still ride my analogue bike when I'm with non-ebikers and prefer how nimble it is on most trails. On some techy trails the ebike feels very composed though and I'm actually faster (golfie/inners - although you can sometimes feel like a bit of a passenger when it gets very steep or slimy).
On flatter corners it can feel a bit like a boat (mines 27kg though) but it's still alot of fun!
I still ride my analogue bike when I'm with non-ebikers and prefer how nimble it is on most trails. On some techy trails the ebike feels very composed though and I'm actually faster (golfie/inners - although you can sometimes feel like a bit of a passenger when it gets very steep or slimy).
On flatter corners it can feel a bit like a boat (mines 27kg though) but it's still alot of fun!
Thanks all,
It's all following the consensus of my riding friends who all but one have said it's the right move and their next bike will be an eMTB.
Guess I'm calling the bike shop this afternoon (after the BoE announcement - just in case!)
Spec wise the bike comes with a decent frame/shock and fox 38 performance forks and bosch 625w motor, XT 12 speed running gear but deore shifters and 4 pot brakes. I will swap out the brakes for my Hope V4's which I love (though not as much as the enduro 4's they replaced!) and then I've got the £500 to spend in store. I reckon I've got £300 covered with kit (clothes, tools etc) so there's a £200 kitty to play with.
Finally I'm going to need to get a sticker made up for the top tube that reads "Can't stop...." As a dad I feel I need to given the bike brand 'Moustache' is emblazoned down the downtube!
Exciting times (hopefully!)
It's all following the consensus of my riding friends who all but one have said it's the right move and their next bike will be an eMTB.
Guess I'm calling the bike shop this afternoon (after the BoE announcement - just in case!)
Spec wise the bike comes with a decent frame/shock and fox 38 performance forks and bosch 625w motor, XT 12 speed running gear but deore shifters and 4 pot brakes. I will swap out the brakes for my Hope V4's which I love (though not as much as the enduro 4's they replaced!) and then I've got the £500 to spend in store. I reckon I've got £300 covered with kit (clothes, tools etc) so there's a £200 kitty to play with.
Finally I'm going to need to get a sticker made up for the top tube that reads "Can't stop...." As a dad I feel I need to given the bike brand 'Moustache' is emblazoned down the downtube!
Exciting times (hopefully!)
Hugo Stiglitz said:
They aren't for techy trails. Plus I always think at the back of my mind what if that comes down the trail after me after I've fallen off..
I ride some awful stuff on mine 160mm/150mm Levo, don't think they can get much more technical, blown out, rooty, rutted st natural trails. Really is just a case of adjusting to the bike. Jumping, moving the bike about, lifting the front end while moving. All fine just slightly different. Modern suspension is so good now you can have decent small bump, good mid support and decent bottom out even on a 24kg bike.Actually think I prefer the weight compared to a normal bike. I didn't like it for about 3 rides in fact I thought I'd made a big mistake at first. Smitten with it now. Ive been on my old stumpjumper and it just feels ridiculous, dont like it at all.
Don't fall off.... then the bike won't come after you
QuattroDave said:
Thanks, I'm 41 and consider myself very fit and am happy to knock out 30-40 miles on the five without feeling too knackered at the end. For me it's whether it'll reignite my love of doing the more challenging (and fun) runs at bike parks and give me enough practice to go back to the alps this summer.
The bike shop guys also said they'd never go back analogue now they've got ebikes but I didn't know how much of that was the rider talking and how much was the salesman!
They're conspicuously good value which is why it's peaked my interest. If I had a permanent job sorted (still contracting at the moment) I'd have bought one already I rekcon!
If you have a limited company I am sure you will be able to ride it to the station for commuting purposes... ahem....The bike shop guys also said they'd never go back analogue now they've got ebikes but I didn't know how much of that was the rider talking and how much was the salesman!
They're conspicuously good value which is why it's peaked my interest. If I had a permanent job sorted (still contracting at the moment) I'd have bought one already I rekcon!
maccas99 said:
If you have a limited company I am sure you will be able to ride it to the station for commuting purposes... ahem....
Alas on payroll as an FTC thanks to IR35 making most companies ultra cautious on determination. With previous contract being through umbrella the FTC actually offers much better benefits for almost no difference in take home.maccas99 said:
QuattroDave said:
Alas on payroll as an FTC thanks to IR35 making most companies ultra cautious on determination. With previous contract being through umbrella the FTC actually offers much better benefits for almost no difference in take home.
Alright, never mind..Afternoon all,
Just a little update on this. I decided to put a holding deposit down on the moustache and list my five both on pinkbike and facebook marketplace to see what interest I got.
Unfortunately I got a little too much interest.
Long story short had a message exchange with a potential buyer on messenger, checked out her profile etc, looks sparse but okay. We agree a price but to call me for directions. They didn't call. I got a message the following day whilst at work saying I can be to you in an hour if it's still available and that's where I dropped my guard and gave out my address. Instant regret.
No surprise that she/they didn't turn up as agreed. I tried backpedalling saying it's parents house and I'm taking the bike back with me. Nothing happened for a few days so I thought I was just being paranoid. However Four days later my garage and shed were broken into and not one but two bikes were nicked.
FB couldn't care less (I know it's circumstantial but literally only my bikes were taken). Police just gave me a crime reference number which I understand and am fine with as I'd rather they concentrated what little resource they have on more important crimes. My insurance company however have been great. Really supportive and it was only five days between submitting claim to having it approved and receiving payment.
Just a little update on this. I decided to put a holding deposit down on the moustache and list my five both on pinkbike and facebook marketplace to see what interest I got.
Unfortunately I got a little too much interest.
Long story short had a message exchange with a potential buyer on messenger, checked out her profile etc, looks sparse but okay. We agree a price but to call me for directions. They didn't call. I got a message the following day whilst at work saying I can be to you in an hour if it's still available and that's where I dropped my guard and gave out my address. Instant regret.
No surprise that she/they didn't turn up as agreed. I tried backpedalling saying it's parents house and I'm taking the bike back with me. Nothing happened for a few days so I thought I was just being paranoid. However Four days later my garage and shed were broken into and not one but two bikes were nicked.
FB couldn't care less (I know it's circumstantial but literally only my bikes were taken). Police just gave me a crime reference number which I understand and am fine with as I'd rather they concentrated what little resource they have on more important crimes. My insurance company however have been great. Really supportive and it was only five days between submitting claim to having it approved and receiving payment.
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