2023 Mondraker Crafty Carbon XR E-Bike
The Good
Ohlins is amazing now
Bosch system Fit and finish.
Handling and stability
Warranty
The Bad
Stock Stem and seat post collar seemed to be machined to large
Factory dropper lever.
Battery spacer maybe to thick from the factory.
Overall Review
The Mondraker Crafty xr is an amazing beast. Long fast and very stable. The Bosch system is tops of all the others. The Ohlin's suspension feels amazing once dialed in. you fill need to order spacers for the rear shock none are included. the list of cons may seem long but they are very small and easily fixed. The seat post collar and stem seem to be machined a few mm to larger. no matter the torque or amount of fiber grip both would slip. replacements fixed the issue instantly. The Factory
2023 Mondraker Crafty Carbon XR E-Bike
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2022 Specialized Turbo Levo S-Works E-Bike
S3 S Works Levo
The Good
MX setup up makes for a easier to flick bike.
Easy motor tuning with app.
Tunable suspension.
The Bad
Rear Tire needs a thicker casing.
Brakes are great but always howling.
Overall Review
Over all this is one of the best e-bikes I've ridden. The brose System is on par with the best of bosch with a slight nod to bosch with a more powerful feel. Only upgrade needed is to the tire casing needs a dh casing or an insert in the rear at least. Magura breaks feel amazing but always howl no matter the bleed, or setup. Bike feels way lighter than its weight.
2022 Specialized Turbo Levo S-Works E-Bike
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2022 Transition Repeater Carbon NX E-Bike
The Good
Bought this bike at the height of E-Bike prices. $8K w tax and shipping for a NX bike? It's my first E-Bike and it killed my Evil Wreckoning, which now hangs in the garage devalueing itself on the daily.
The Bad
NX build sucks. I should of bought the GX or the better build. Since I bought the bike, I've changed EVERY thing on the bike except the seatpost and frame. New...EVERYTHING. That ain't cheap.
Overall Review
Honestly, the only thing I would of done different in buying this bike is to buy it sooner and to buy the better bike. Like I said, I've changed everything. Carbon wheels, X01 drivetrain, One Up Carbon bars, 45 stem, dampener and MRP in the fork, new MRP coil in the rear, Saint brakes and 220 rotors. 2,000 miles on the EP8 engine and no (knock on wood) error codes. I love how this rides and to me, it rides WAY better than my Evil Wrecker. In my dream world, this bike would have a Bosch motor and
2022 Transition Repeater Carbon NX E-Bike
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2022 Giant Reign E+ 1 E-Bike
The Good
Absolute bruiser of a bike - can ride anything and have taken it to Maydena and Derby in Tasmania where it had no limits. Great spec for price - I paid $8k AU on a run out model. Fox performance elite kit.
The Bad
Heavy - i own and XL so that doesn't help but compared to friends Levo's and even kenovo with Boxxers this bike is heavy.
The Giant brand wheels are brutl to ride, vey harsh. My frame developed a crack on bottom shock mount - frame replaced under warranty.I also find it quite noisy - The Yamaha motor has a lot of free play / clutch, and coupled with the slow engagaement hub tere tends to be a drivetrain clunk when under power. Noticeable on rough tracks where suspsension compresses and you pedal hard for instance out of a corner. The large downtube enhances the noise - find some foam asap.
Overall Review
My first e bike - I aslo own a Nukeproof reactor trail bike and megaenduro bike so figured e bike purchase go big or go home. Absolute beast of a bike and actually rides pretty well even on flatter stuff. I find the weight is manageable, but i do weigh 102kg + kit so large guy. If you were 80kg or lighter could be hard to muscle bike around. The weight means this thing rails corners and rough trail like nothing - yes it can pluogh through most things but the Gaint brand wheels will make you pay
2024 Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS T-Type E-Bike
The Good
The Fuel EXe has been a staple in the lightweight category for a few years thanks to its sleek frame design and natural motor feel, but how do its abilities fair against the latest SL bikes?
Overall Review
Trek's Fuel EXe is part of the SL e-bike club that strives to strike the lowest bottom line when it comes to weight by utilizing a smaller battery and motor. Like Specialized's Levo SL or Orbea's Rise, the Fuel EXe aims to give riders enough juice to get up climbs with moderate input, matched with a riding experience that mirrors a regular mountain bike ride. And it manages to achieve this in a frame design that nearly hides the fact it's an e-bike. Highlights OCLV Carbon frame 29-inch wheels
2024 Santa Cruz Heckler SL GX AXS Carbon C E-Bike
Overall Review
For their debut into the lightweight e-bike category, Santa Cruz aimed to blend stability with a high fun factor to create the Heckler SL. Being early adopters of Fazua's Ride 60 system helped bring that vision to life, allowing Santa Cruz to optimize range and power from a lightweight system while keeping weight to a minimum. Highlights C & CC level carbon frame Mixed wheels 150mm of rear wheel travel // 160mm fork travel VPP suspension design 430 Wh battery 60 Nm FAZUA Ride 60 motor Integrated
2023 Transition Relay Carbon GX AXS E-Bike
Overall Review
Of all the bikes in this year's Test Sessions, Transition's Relay presented a unique proposition. It might use the same compact yet powerful Fazua motor as the Santa Cruz Heckler SL and Ari Bikes' Nebo Peak, but it's the only bike that encourages riding without assistance if desired. Highlights Carbon frame (alloy models available) Two travel configurations: 160mm rear wheel travel (air) // 160mm fork (tested) 170mm rear wheel travel (coil) // 170mm fork Mixed or dual 29-inch wheels GiddyUp
2023 Giant Trance X E+ Advanced Elite 1 E-Bike
Overall Review
Giant's Trance X Advanced E+ Elite is more than just a mouthful. It was one of the first e-bikes to offer riders a full-power motor in a lightweight package, delivering 85 Nm of torque at a 400% support ratio while weighing in at just 46.12 pounds. Highlights Giant's Advanced-grade composite frame Mixed wheels 140mm of rear wheel travel // 150mm fork travel Maestro suspension design 400 Wh Giant EnergyPak Smart battery (200 Wh Energy Pak+ range extender available) 85 Nm Giant SyncDrive Pro2
2024 Cannondale Moterra SL 1 E-Bike
Overall Review
The Moterra SL is Cannondale's first dive into the SL eMTB category. Freshly released in February, they took the same approach as Giant and Karbon Bikes, delivering riders full power in a lighter package. The caveat: they've created a true 'full size' e-bike, meaning it pairs an 85 Nm motor with a 601 Wh battery and has a claimed achievable weight of less than 45 pounds. Highlights Cannondale Series 1 carbon frame Mixed wheels (dual 29-inch compatible) 150mm of rear wheel travel // 160mm fork
Northwave Tailwhip ECO EVO Flat Pedal Shoe
Vital Review
Tested: Northwave Tailwhip ECO EVO
Overall Review
Northwave is on an eco-journey, looking to minimize their impact on the planet as they continue to produce cutting edge apparel and equipment for life on boards and bikes. To help them do so, they’ve teamed up with “ACBC” – short for “Anything Can Be Changed” - a leading B Corporation consultancy in applied sustainability for fashion and textile industries. The project with ACBC had the main goal of producing a new bike shoe model that introduces Northwave on the universe of circular materials
Northwave Tailwhip ECO EVO Flat Pedal Shoe
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