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E bikes are for anyone who wants to have a blast riding bikes! PERIOD!

Rode my first ebike a few days ago in the hills around Lake Tahoe. I was on a family vacation and didn’t want to be gone for the usual 5-7 hour ride. In the big picture IMHO… it’s about TIME! We’re only given so much and whatever gets in your way.. work,family,illness recovery or age, our ability/time to do things is reduced bit by bit. The ebike will allow me to still have the time to see the things I love being out on the trails in less time and get back to other things that are just as important to me. I honestly don’t think my climbing muscles will stay as strong because I’m not pushing as hard but the smiles will be just as strong. At 74 my doc tells me I’m more fit than many 40-50 year olds and ask what’s my ‘secret’…. Only one… KEEP MOVING!!! Ordering my ebike today!!! Cheers.

I’m 70 and purchased the X01 SL a month ago and absolutely love it. It’s like I’m 15 years younger. I ride mainly in eco because the trails I ride (powder mtn snow basin etc) that’s really all I need. But my SB115 still gets ridden. Just a different riding experience. Great video!

Great video, Jason. E-bike is a life changer for me and it got me back into mtb after 15 years not riding and gained from 170lbs to 225lbs and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I tried to get back into mtb but it was so hard. I was dying on a trail I used to ride as a warmup. I bought a hybrid e-bike to commute to work and gradually started lose weight. Dropped back down to 170 within a year. I started riding with highest assist and gradually lower the a assist. Once the low assist got easier, I started analog road biking with my friends and gotten stronger doing endurance ride them. Then I took my old XC Santa Cruz Superlight out the trail I was dying, but this time I am riding it like I was 15 years ago. I still use my e-bike to commute to work and on the weekends, I do mtb on Saturday and road riding on Sunday. I went from type2 diabetes to pre-diabetic. Never thought I'd be riding again at 51 years old, but to be able to mtb on an analog bike with your own power is liberating. I even bought a Pivot 429 trail earlier this year. My Santa Cruz Superlight is sitting in my shed collecting dust. I didn't want to get a MTB ebike because there are certain parks in my area don't allow e-bike. But when I bomb down the mountain I feel like I earned it.

Personally, I’ve never ridden an e-bike, but I’d own one in a heartbeat. As a MTB community we really need to get over the e-bike stigma. Stop caring what other people think. You don’t need to explain or justify why you ride an e-bike. Thanks for testing the waters with your review, Yum Yum. I look forward to seeing more e-bike content.

Jason, this is the best MTB video I have seen! I’ve been riding more than 30 years and thinking about these light e-MTB’s. When I was your age I could ride your route. Today I can do it but it is very tough. You hit all points right on. Great job. I need one of these now!

So glad you put this review up, so nice. I’m 71 and riding a Specialized Levo SL. Love it.

I’m 36 and fit, ride 2-4 times a week and found a basically new heckler on marketplace and pulled the trigger, with kids, work, homeowner work etc, I can leave it in eco and still get a fairly good workout because of its weight, but mostly I have shit to do, I can’t go do a 25 mile ride and be exhausted the rest of the day, that’s where these bikes excel for me. Also they are amazing fun.

I've had a Fuel EXe for about 6 months. Before that I've had a few Ripmo's, a Mojo 4, a couple of Evils, Santa Cruz, etc. The EXe is the most fun out of all of them. I thought I would ride both pedal and e, but I doubt I'll go back to a regular pedal bike. And... Lab Austere Hip Pack is the best pack!

I have watched a lot of your videos and never seen the dirt looking so perfect. I love having an ebike and a normal bike as a combo, for all the reasons you mentioned. Its also opened up new trails that were miserable hike a bikes before but are now a tech climbing challenge. more variety is more better 🙂

Ebikes are for the pussified society we live in. My father is 85 years old and still rides north of 250 miles a week on the road. I plan to do the same under my own power.

I can relate to getting your Dad out on one of the ebikes. I lost my Dad 3 yrs ago and there is nothing I wouldn't give to spend another day with him. Enjoy your Dad while you can!! Hope he can hit the trails with you soon.

Thanks for the e-bike content. Look forward to more. It’s all about using good trail etiquette and respect. No matter what you ride! Love the point about getting your dad out there. Also keeps people with certain medical conditions active. Thanks Jason

Glad to see you showing some love to e bikes. I own 2 e-bikes and 2 analog bikes. Love them all for different reasons. I’m 53…pretty solid rider, but nowadays…I don’t want to suffer as much as I used to..just wanna ride and have fun. Other days I enjoy suffering a bit more. Still enjoy my regular pedal bikes. I really think more people should give them a chance B4 hating on them. Keep riding 🤙🏽

I watch your Ripmo videos many times before I buy. Still in love with it. But I am about to have my first ride on E-bike today, and I see your video pop out. lol

Thanks for this video speaking as someone who has been on the fence for an e-bike. You cover a lot of the considerations including the benefit of just riding TO the trail on road that isn’t usually mentioned. You have convinced me it’s time to sell my n+1 analog for an e-bike!!

Very enjoyable vid , Jason . Looking fwd to the review .

Enjoyed hearing your real time first impressions. I can see one of these in your future..(or present)

Best part of that review was you talking about dad! Ebikes are a blast! When I can afford to own a 2nd bike,, I'll get one. I gave the ebike a very solid try and still prefer a standard pedal bike.

Now thats how a proper e-bike review is done. That downhill run looks cool af

Good stuff Jason ! I’m looking at that new Heckler SL as well !

Great vid and interesting listening to your thoughts bc you and I are in about the same place in our emtb journey, although I night be slightly ahead of you in figuring some of this e stuff out. Lol. Im 51 and decided it was emtb time over the 4th when I was on an mtb/camping trip where I was camping and riding a different location each day up in the mountains. So we’re talking big climbs, rocky gnar, and big downs, the kind that are as exhausting as climbing. By day 3 I was already fatigued when I woke up. Even the first two days I wanted to ride more each day, but I just didn’t physically have anymore climbs in me, and the downs were getting dangerous as the fatigue was building and the skills were deteriorating. That’s when I made the decision to get an emtb. Not getting rid of my Bronson, and not planning on using the emtb for my local stuff, but rather trips like I had over the 4th, big mountain climbing days to access out of reach trails, riding shuttle places alone when I dont have someone to ride with and shuttle, and hitting and trying to clean just some janky stuff that is unrideable on analog bikes. At first I thought I wanted a lightweight emtb- something like my Bronson but with a motor. Just enough motor to allow me to get more runs in. But then I demoed a SC Heckler and a Specialized Levo at a fest in some WV gnar. Both were full power emtbs. And what I realized is that emtbing with them is a different experience altogether. The weight is actually beneficial in gnar with the right sus and a motor to allow you to overcome it. And re sus, and components in general, for the type of riding I want to do you can just go big and burly and not worry about adding a few lbs bc you have the motor. So go 38, DD tires (maybe cushcore too), 220 rotors etc. I killed the rear tire on the Spec on my demo ride, and can totally see me doing that and to a lot of other lighter component parts also on emtbs given how I want to use it (plus at 205-210 lbs Im not the lightest rider in the world). I just rode an Ibis Oso in a parking lot when I dropped off my bike for service and wow, was blown away. It’s full power but actually not that much heavier than a similarly spec’d lightweight bike and pretty lively. A Large Oso weighs 53 lbs but that is with all the big burly stuff, including DD tires. For comparison, a Transition Relay at the same price point (8K) alloy GX (cable) PNW version weighs 50 lbs medium. The new SC Heckler SL, which I suspect will ride like my Bronson but with a motor, in Medium and with the S build with cable GX wieghs 43 lbs. BUT, compare the specs- EXO front and EXO + rear, smaller rear rotor, 36 up front. Start adding similar components spec and the weight difference becomes a lot less. And then there is the difference in motor power between the Fazua (the Pivot SL, Heckler SL, Relay) and the TQ (Trek exe) and a full power motor. Watch Jeff Kendall Reed’s vid for the difference when you really start tackling emtb climbs which I’ll link. The lighter bikes with less powerful motor’s don’t have enough power for some the emtb stuff one might want to try to clean. Now add on a heavier rider like myself. So now Im leaning more full power emtb bc I think it suits how I want to use it more. I think for riders looking to ride kind of the same trails they do with their analog bikes but be able to squeeze in rides in shorter times, or people who maybe don’t have the fitness or arenolder and want to ride less steep and gnarly trails and more machine groomed flow stuff, emtbs with lighter component spec can be a good solution. For what I am looking for though I think maybe full power with the burliest build might be better. And re fitness, one thing I realized on the full power is that if I wanted a more analog bike workout, just ride it in eco mode. In fact I really liked eco mode and found it was plenty for riding the trail, then I would kick it up when I hit an emtb feature. Of course the higher modes were also a blast to go into to just hammer a trail- take a trail you might ride at like 9 mph on an analog and hit it at like 18 mph on the emtb. A totally different experience. I think one can get better at high speed stuff too bc you can ride at DH type speeds on non-DH trails. So your reaction times and skills have to sharpen for that. The other thing to think about with emtbs that is huge for me is whether you can charge the battery off bike or not. If all of your charging will be done in your garage, then a non removable battery is not a big deal. But if you are traveling, what a pain in the butt to have to bring your bike in a hotel every day or take it to an electric outlet at the campground (if there even is one which isnt the case if you are boondocking). And if removable you can charge the battery in your car or truck while driving. I keep my mtb in the bed of my Gladiator with an Alucab cap on it. With a removable battery I leave the bike and just pop out the battery to charge wherever. Also with a removable battery you can fly with your emtb and just ship the battery to your destination. You cannot fly with an emtb without a removable battery. And lastly I think it would be nice for versatility sake to be able to ride without the battery. Not that I’d be doing it much, but having the structural integrity to do so would be nice, say if battery dies or other issue with power while on trail, or if at lift assist DH park on a trip that doesnt allow emtbs on the lift etc. I hate renting bikes- I spend 80% of my day getting the bike dialed and used to it and just as I do my day is pretty much over. So those are my thoughts. I’ll link Jeff’s vid and my vid of hammering a Heckler in a ricky pedal trail. Cheers and have fun. 🤙

First E-bike review nice! Would love a comparison to Levo SL Gen2 next, its basically a Stumpy Evo, love mine. Coming from a Switchblade which I love not sure if I will ride it much anymore though here in FL Levo too much fun, having fun up hill is amazing.

Those trails 😍. That’s it, I’m moving to Draper.

I own that bike and i absolutely LOVE IT

Welcome to the Party Jason. We’ve been waiting.👍😉 What you experienced at the top of Rush about finding flow everywhere is what Bosch initially coined “Uphill Flow”. Ebikes are just fun! Welcome to the dark side.😁🤘

The problem isn't people riding ebikes. The problem is people who haven't tried them. I've listen to some people thinking they are like a 250 cc motorcycle that looks like a mtb. Ebikes should go where ever mtb's go, like all of europe does.

+50yrs here, no e-bike...BUT, a buddy of mine had a heart attack and got an eMTB. He rides the trails now twice as far before work as i can in the same amount of time. He still gets a workout, watt and calorie wise, just gets to go further in a shorter amount of time. It does get me to thinking...

I wouldn’t ride one personally but I do ride with guys that use them, gets them out with faster riders and gives me a workout ❤

I have an Orbea Rise Hydro. Bought it to recover and ride with a knee injury. Now I ride on recovery day as well. For the $ its still a great machine! I often ride it with the motor off when riding with my analog riding group......

I love my EMTB. Full sized Kenevo Expert with a dual crown. I’m fit but instead of doing a 11 mile 2 hour ride with 2k vert I do a 20 mile 4K vert ride after work. So much more descending and still getting great workout in. All about the full size tho. Love the range and power. I’d only look at an SL if I could only have one bike.

I am so happy you did not say "acoustic bike". lol Pedal bike, traditional bike all acceptable terms. Great review Jason!

Thanks for touching on e bike / trail etiquette. As a die hard analog guy, there’s really cool people on eBikes…but there are a some that really aren’t. Hopefully in time the etiquette on trails will improve.

Was a hater until I rode a Transition Relay, now I want one. The Relay would be perfect for Jacob's!

Nice video again ! Wait till you try the Relay

I have been an e-bike advocate for years. As long as they are allowed on those particular trails enjoy. My wife was able to ride until 8.5 months pregnant on her E-MtB, and after her knee injury and surgeries. I ride an SL sometimes and love the thing. Whatever you ride have good etiquette and make sure it’s legal for those trails, especially if there are equestrians on them lol.

You on the SL and your dad on a full power would be the way to go!

I’ve owned a full power 53lb Ebike (YT Decoy), then Went to a 42lb Mid Powered Ebike (Orbea Rise), then went the other way to a 57lb Pole Voima, and now back on a 38.5lb Specialized Levo SL. I have decided light weight is the way to go.

Fox has e-tuned or e-optimized, one is only slightly modified from a regular fox fork and the other has more changes. I think the e-forks also have different pressure charts since on them since the bike+rider weight is significantly higher.

I'm in my mid 60s. Riding since the days of Gary Fisher. The SL emtb are on my radar. I've got both analog - Revel and emtb -Specialized. I've got a bad hip and even though I pedal the bike with the motor off much of the time, I'm thinking I could go with just one bike that will be easier on my hip without assistance, and there for when I need it to take some of the pressure off. I never use the motor to go faster.... Just to take some load on the steeper or longer sections. I usually only burn 5 percent of the battery an hour. Never come close to needing it's 700 Wh It's funny, the heavier bike does some things better due to its inertia. At 40lbs with a motor could be the best compromise

I was lucky enough to find a Shuttle SL in the early spring of this year, long before the trails were ride-able in northern Utah. Previous bike was a Trail 429 but I got way out of shape over the long miserable depressing winter we had, and the doc warned better be careful getting my legs back with my age(55) and family history. I have ridden the wheels of the Shuttle SL in gentle breeze mode, and found that it is absolutely perfect for 3 to 4 hour low intensity sustained state workouts. You mentioned that its kind of like a long road ride and that's exactly how I feel about it. Roadies are crazy fit, and their secret is just lots of saddle time. That's exactly what the Shuttle SL allows. Though I can climb a bit faster with gentle breeze assist its definitely not so fast that its a danger at all to other trail users. This hasn't been the slightest issue. I've ridden twice in river and rocket assist levels. Both times were to get out of heavy thunderstorms in a hurry. And yes... the bike does absolutely fly if you need it too. In terms of fitness its been an absolute game changer. So much more saddle time. I've lost 30 pounds over the summer and I am stronger now on my "analog" bikes then I have been in decades. I currently trade off between the Shuttle SL and a gravel bike which I actually run on the singletrack. So the haters scoff when I'm on the e-assist bike, and then they think I'm bad ass when they see me crushing it on the same trails on the gravel bike. Its all very confusing for the haters ROFL. One interesting thing about the Shuttle SL is that it actually peddles just fine without e-assist turned on at all. Though obviously much heavier it climbs just like the Trail 429... comfortably and efficiently. So if you start to feel like a more intense workout after your warm up you can just turn off assist and suffer to your heart's content. I'm looking forward to your full review. I wonder if you'll notice the one thing on the Shuttle SL that absolutely sucks. I won't give it away, but I hear/hope they're working on a recall.

That "clunk" during shifts is normal even with SRAM, you have to slightly ease up on pedal pressure for a second and you can really minimize the clunk. Once you get used to it its no big deal.

These days at the end of my ride back to my car and feeling tired. I go man I wish I had an e bike.

Good on sight review. Not convinced to switch to electric, yet. It is making bike too complex and too expensive too;) totally get it that e-power make your ride faster and this can open sport to some riders. This tech needs lighter, longer lasting battery and this will be a huge change. Anyway your video makes me want to ride 😀

The real underrated feature of an e-bike is the ability for the Specialized Mastermind system to set a target heart rate and have the power assist adjust to maintain that heart rate. It's an absolute game changer. Do other manufacturers offer that option?

I don't think you need a reason or excuse to own an e bike other than If you want one to have fun is all you need.

Which dishwasher or dryer you should buy. 😂 Love it!

That loose right hander at the bottom of Jacob's is definitely more exciting this year. Can't really commit until the end where the rut is. Seems like I almost crash each time. Also, the lip may be trashed, but there is just enough with a couple of pedals to send you to the transition😛

off topic question: Have you ever ridden the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands? If so, what tires did you run? Any other set up tips? Thanks!

My favorite part of this video is when you were going to explain what’s different with the E tuned fox fork and then said “ I don’t know what it has man” 😂 If I had the budget for a second bike I’d love one of these. Don’t think they are allowed in park city anyway though.

Interested in if you decide to go to your standby Enve setup or keep it as is. I'm guessing the weight isn't as much a factor now. Also noticed in the video it's quieter than other e-bikes, don't really hear that distinctive whirl while spinning the pedals.

Everyone talks about more mileage for a given effort. To me, that means accelerated wear on trails and features. This is the rule no matter the activity. Increased ease of access = increased wear and deterioration of the natural environment. This means trail management budgets need to increase proportionally to the increased traffic. I've seen this throughout Utah as National and State Parks have struggled to keep up with increased foot traffic, not always from those who know how to respect the trails. Not trying to be a downer, I just hope as a community we adequately help support local trail organizations and exercise good etiquette no matter what type of bike we ride.

Man that bike would look sweet on the back of my Cement colored Tacoma!

Where in SoCal are you? Looks like good riding.

I purchased my '17 429 trail with advice from your review, and still enjoying it. Sure would love the SL, but I can't get past the price! Not to mention the depreciation value in just a few years. Just ridiculous how expensive this sport has become, and the ever changing technology that makes a 4 or 5 yr old bike obsolete.

Have you had the chance to try a size small? If so how does it compare?

God I want one. Ideally a 140-150 29er with the fazua, hopefully SC makes a 29 version

Are your trails open to pedal assist bikes? Here in Colorado USFS is not very accomadating for ebikes.

Francis Cebedo just timed a Bosch CX Race motor up a road climb in the max setting and with him applying 200 watts measured through his power pedals and he averaged 12.7mph. His mph up the same climb and same conditions with the Fazua 60 equipped Relay was 8.4mph. In short, you were not going even close to 20mph uphill and likely were not even going half that. On my technical steep climbs I went from averaging about 3mph up to about 4.5mph up on my own Relay. Not, enough speed difference to make any safety difference.

Only thing I'm worried about if i bought an Ebike would be that. I would never grab my regular bike again! An lose all my Torque/ Beastness that took soo many years to build. 🎉

My friend If you wanna E MTB bike, that’s going to live up to your expectations you’re gonna have to get the most expensive best equipped no expense spared ones on the market

How’s the real life range? Great vid! Thanks YumYum!

Can you cancel the governed speed limit on it? I would love to go 40mph going uphill

Let’s see ebike reviews! Specialized Turbo Levo?

Ebikes should always yield to descending bikes. Around here - Ebikers are clogging up the downhill route by climbing them. Regular bikes would be too hard to go that way (no motor). So regular bikes take the regular routes of climb the mild climbs and bomb down the fun fast sections, it's a natural human powered route. Here come the ebikes now climbing up the gnarly tech downhill sections asking for right of way. Thus ruinging the downhill fun for the normal bikes that "earned" the descent.

First ebike review ?!?!? Keep em coming

Absolutely perfect, logical assessment of EMTBs. It’s far too easy to pigeonhole things but the reality is EMTBs could fit into most riders’ lives if they aren’t too closed-minded to admit it. Of course, there are some non-MTB people who have jumped onto EMTBs and charge around the trails like absolute wankers, but let’s be honest, there are plenty of normal bikers that ride like that on the descents! 🤷🏼‍♂️😂 Keep up the good work 👍🏻 P.S. I am similar height to you and I would 100% be going for a small on the Shuttle SL - I want a short travel trail bike (E powered or not) to be sharp and more agile and at 5’8 you and I are right at the low end of a medium but top end of a small.

So when you say a very “different experience” on that trail you’ve ridden 100s of times…pretty sure that “different experience” is what most of us would describe as whats that word???………oh yeah FUN. Wait I think you did say it, “so freaking fun”. Welcome to the wonderfully bright dark side🤪

What time do you guys start work in the U.S?

📣 @yumyum, will love to see your review on a current gen Jet 9 RDO.

Love it Jason but you keep refering to a normal bike as "pedal" bike but they are both pedal bikes. One is jus more fun :).

Sounded like you were gonna cream your jeans on rush! 😂😂

Would you size down, size medium seams too long for 5'7"

I don't always watch MTB content but when I do, its not about e-bikes :)

I think the new Orbea Rise would be a great fit for you , it’s very light and 60 Nm motor 140mm and 160mm front and about 22kg , it’s amazing but the spec you usually go for is about £9500 GBP so it’s not cheap but I actually think you would love it 👍🏾

Wowowow 195 max heart rate for a 41yr old?!?! Im 36 and i consider 189 my max HR.

I think this is the SL EMTB for me, but why is it so expensive. It’s $2k more than competitors Rise & Exe for example. When are we likely to see some deals? Also SRAM instead of Shimano?

Neighbor said she is going to go ride Draper, does that refer to Corner Canyon?

Zero mtb specific trails that allow e-bikes in a three hour radius from my place here in western Colorado. I’d love one, but all I’d be able to ride would be Moto trails. I have a Moto for that. Colorado, although sells the crap out of e-bikes has almost no mtb trails to ride them on. It’s a bummer

What are the rules in Utah for the e-bike and trail?

dun dun dun... Loam Wolf names Transition Relay top dog SL e-bike!!!!!! Joking aside, I would love to try one of these types of emtbs

Zone 2 . What are 80?

I’m 46 and just bought a mountain bike but I wish I’d bought an ebike instead

I liked the vid but no need to justify who its for. If someone wants one, thats enough reason. People need to stop assuming their idea of “mountain biking” applies to everyone.

Only Exo on an ebike. You crazy :)

That suspension looks harsh.

Fitness or activity level have nothing to do with the decision to buy an ebike. For 9/10 ebike owners Ive talked to it’s entirely about getting the most for the time you have to spend riding. Doesn’t matter if I enjoy a climb and want to get that sort of exercise - that’s going to burn a LOT of time and a LOT of energy resources. That time and energy burns through a lot of what I have to spend. It usually means I get one up and down, whereas with the ebike I can get a couple or more laps in for the same time and energy. THAT is the motivator. I only have so much time and energy and want to get in more fun. Then there’s the other 1/10 ebike riders who have had injuries, have a limitation, are aging and not as strong as they used to be. Even the younger guys say same - get in more laps, have more fun for the time they have. I have encountered innumerable ebikers on all kinds of trails when I’m pedaling my acoustic bike and not once has there been anything different about how they ride or what their ebike is doing on the trails beyond faster climb. That’s the ONLY difference. They climb faster. So what???? It would be great if everyone would get over that and be honest about the “impact” of ebikes to trails or other riders. The truth is that there is zero impact. Nothing negative. Nothing for anyone to accept other than seeing someone having more fun because they get in more laps.

I am a very fit 36 year old and MUCH prefer E biking to analog bikes in every scenario and every day. Park days I like a heavy DH bike and an E bike rides more similar to that. Also, downhill mountain biking is just more fun than sloggin uphill. life is short, do what you love while you can.

no yumyum don't go to the dark side :)

Et tu Brute?

From my experience the subset of MTB elitists that rag on ebikes are speaking from pure ignorance and have never even been on one.

Just looked at the prices of pivot bikes,I certainly won’t be getting one

You lost me buddy😢

Cheating….now anyone can fly around..without even trying or getting better, stronger and can eat a bag of chips while doing it.

The BLM and the US Forest service is totally wrong on theiir e-bike position. Everyone is ignoring their moronic position.

haha wow, moped mode

Lame

So are you getting one to keep?! @mtbyumyum