I get up to 3 hours of riding on an Elite 2 in level 2 power mode in Colorado. I have the extender, but rarely switch over unless my ride is over 3 hours. I believe most XC riders will favor level 1 & 2 power and therefore will get plenty of ride from the standard battery. The low center of gravity and excellent suspension makes this bike super fun. The Elite 2 build is excellent. My only mod was a longer 90mm stem to match my XC race bike. The ebike allows me to keep my HR in zone 1 or 2 and ride more trails instead of road biking for recovery rides.
I have the Elite 1 and ride it almost exclusively in level 2 as well. It’s definitely a fun bike and will likely make a few adjustments as I go along. Coming from a Specialized Epic XC, this bike feels like a totally different sport. It’s so plush but still climbs as well as my Epic even in its lowest support setting.
I feel like this solves a need for some, as you guys acknowledged. I'm down to have less batt and add a range extender since I'm never going for rides longer than a couple hours long. And 90% of the guys I ride with are on acoustic bikes, so I'm more included to keep it to the lower assistant modes. That's well worth a 15IBS tradeoff for my full fat aluminum Trance X!
Great review! How tall are you all and what sizes did you test? I am looking at this bike and it seems large is the size I could get more easily and a better deal on. I am 5' 11" and 163 pounds that puts me right in the middle for the stated size from Giant but looking at the reach and top tube lengths they are a little longer than the Santa Cruz Hightower I ride for analog. Do you think I'd be ok with the large?
I have an upgraded Elite 3 (suspension, shifters , brakes, fork,) I agree that the upper tier levels have a l lot of weird parts choices that many experienced riders wouldn't want. Should be specced more as a ripper, and less like a high tech wonder bike. I haven't really needed to use my range extender yet and can get 2 hours plus being sensible with the power levels. With acoustic bikes I could ride all day on Eco and level 2. The nice thing is that it lets you ride it as an SL, or rip laps like you would a full power bike.
Agree completely on the lousy switch. Very often, pushing the down button to lower levels of assist from 5 to 4 to 3 is unresponsive. Buttons look good but very frustrating to use, terrible ergonomic.
I have the elite 2 and really like this bike. At the 40nm to 50nm settings the battery lasts more than I need it and gives plenty of assist, I would not recommend this bike for fat / unfit riders, they would be better off with the heavier bigger battery bikes.
I get up to 3 hours of riding on an Elite 2 in level 2 power mode in Colorado. I have the extender, but rarely switch over unless my ride is over 3 hours. I believe most XC riders will favor level 1 & 2 power and therefore will get plenty of ride from the standard battery. The low center of gravity and excellent suspension makes this bike super fun. The Elite 2 build is excellent. My only mod was a longer 90mm stem to match my XC race bike. The ebike allows me to keep my HR in zone 1 or 2 and ride more trails instead of road biking for recovery rides.
I have the Elite 1 and ride it almost exclusively in level 2 as well. It’s definitely a fun bike and will likely make a few adjustments as I go along. Coming from a Specialized Epic XC, this bike feels like a totally different sport. It’s so plush but still climbs as well as my Epic even in its lowest support setting.
90mm stem?! 🤮
I feel like this solves a need for some, as you guys acknowledged. I'm down to have less batt and add a range extender since I'm never going for rides longer than a couple hours long. And 90% of the guys I ride with are on acoustic bikes, so I'm more included to keep it to the lower assistant modes. That's well worth a 15IBS tradeoff for my full fat aluminum Trance X!
Great review! How tall are you all and what sizes did you test? I am looking at this bike and it seems large is the size I could get more easily and a better deal on. I am 5' 11" and 163 pounds that puts me right in the middle for the stated size from Giant but looking at the reach and top tube lengths they are a little longer than the Santa Cruz Hightower I ride for analog. Do you think I'd be ok with the large?
How does this compare to the Reign E +
I have an upgraded Elite 3 (suspension, shifters , brakes, fork,) I agree that the upper tier levels have a l lot of weird parts choices that many experienced riders wouldn't want. Should be specced more as a ripper, and less like a high tech wonder bike. I haven't really needed to use my range extender yet and can get 2 hours plus being sensible with the power levels. With acoustic bikes I could ride all day on Eco and level 2. The nice thing is that it lets you ride it as an SL, or rip laps like you would a full power bike.
Agree completely on the lousy switch. Very often, pushing the down button to lower levels of assist from 5 to 4 to 3 is unresponsive. Buttons look good but very frustrating to use, terrible ergonomic.
I have the elite 2 and really like this bike. At the 40nm to 50nm settings the battery lasts more than I need it and gives plenty of assist, I would not recommend this bike for fat / unfit riders, they would be better off with the heavier bigger battery bikes.