One of the best benefits of working at a bike shop is getting to demo all kinds of very cool bikes.

We are in the process of deciding whether or not to carry GASGAS e-bikes at the shop so our rep let us borrow a MXC-5. This bike is mid tier in the MXC line up and costs a cool $9,000. The top tier version costs $11k

The bike has a SRAM transmission and Brose motor that was built with input from SRAM and is fully automatic. Of course you can still shift it manually if you don’t like how it is shifting on its own. It is also wireless so the shifter pod on the bar uses Bluetooth.

If the auto shift function isn’t your cup of tea you can easily turn it off and shift it manually like a normal mountain bike. I found myself using the auto function on commutes to the trail that I live two miles from but on the trail I preferred the auto shift function turned off.

It is a strange sensation when you hit the brakes and the bike automatically downshifts on its own. On the trail I found I would sometimes upshift or downshift a gear or two more than the bike was doing on its own but for the most part it was a very neat experience.

It’s going to be great when this tech has been out for a few years and becomes more accessible as well as more intelligent/intuitive.

This is hands down the fastest and most fun ebike I have ever ridden. The suspension was tuned by a motocross race team. The power is excellent, the overall design is brilliant and I fail to find many flaws with this machine. It even has faux radiator shrouds that give it kind of a dirt bike appearance. This is a nod to GasGas’s dirt bike history. The shrouds also protect the carbon frame in the event of a crash and can be removed easily. When you pull the shrouds off it reveals text that says “hey look I’m naked!”

The price is up there yes but I can tell you I like riding this thing more than ALL OF MY MOTORCYCLES. It’s hands down the most fun I’ve ever had on two wheels. The handling, power and speed this bike carries on the trail is mind blowing.

Link to GasGas specs and info





This is the first bike my son has literally begged me to buy. Tempting, especially considering I can get it at a significantly discounted price thanks to my job.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:


The price is up there yes but I can tell you I like riding this thing more than ALL OF MY MOTORCYCLES.

Oof. The price is more than my two current cars/trucks and all the motorcycles I've ever owned combined. lol

quote:

Originally posted by cas:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:


The price is up there yes but I can tell you I like riding this thing more than ALL OF MY MOTORCYCLES.

Oof. The price is more than my two current cars/trucks and all the motorcycles I've ever owned combined. lol

My employee discount would shave almost half off that price tag.

Brose is a motor typically found on Specialized E-bikes almost exclusively. Those Specialized bikes are fast as hell and the bane of my existence during races.

I race and only own Bosch powered electric mountain bikes currently. There is a Pivot bike I like that has the incredibly rare high performance Bosch race motor but unfortunately it costs $15k . There are elements to that bike’s design that I don’t like compared to the GasGas such as having to remove the motor first before you can remove the battery. On this GasGas it has a cover you can remove in a few seconds to gain access to the battery if you wanted to swap it out.

I like being able to change out a battery very easily as I do have a spare battery for my race bike and it comes in handy as these batteries take about 5-6 hours to charge when they are drained down to less than 20% charge.


My current bike, a Cannondale Moterra Carbon 1 has a lifetime warranty on the frame and it’s competitive so I am not sure I’ll spring for the GasGas but it is a fun bike.

Hold off buying one for a couple of years and Walmart will have a Chinese clone for $159.99.

Funny thing is a Chinese company with DEEP POCKETS that is well known for making high quality drones did just come out with a ebike/ ebike motor that appears to blow all the current stuff out of the water.

Their motor is significantly smaller, lighter and quite a bit more powerful than all the stuff on the market right now.

It makes sense that a drone company would be good at making light, powerful electric motors.

There is some kind of embargo currently in the US for this company but the reviews from Europe of their electric mountain bike are surprisingly positive.

They're out of their mind price wise. As a frame of reference:

Honda Rebel 1100 DCT (i.e. Honda cruiser with 1100 cc engine and automatic transmission) is $10,149.

Honda Africa Twin DCT (i.e. Honda onroad/offroad tourer with 1100 cc engine and automatic transmission) is $15,599

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

You have to keep in mind these are to e-bikes what Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche are to cars. But they don’t hold their value anything like the exotic cars.

When it comes to racing things expect to pay tons of $$$$$$ and the more you get into it the less financial sense it makes.

There are very capable electric mountain bikes to be had from reputable companies for just a little over $3k on upway.com and there are a hell of a lot more places I can ride my E-MTB legally compared to a dirt bike in my area. I’ve ridden my Cannondale to work many times.

I've fallen out of shape because of life-in-progress issues. Find myself considering an ebike, but the price tag for a good one is just too much. When the time comes I'll probably have to step back down to an aluminum frame. That model Trek is less than 3k.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:

My employee discount would shave almost half off that price tag.

With that much mark up no wonder they retail for so much.

Looks like a nice e-bike but these little Hondas sell for less that 1/2 that price. Actually this one was slightly used with 200 miles and I paid less than 1/3 the price of that bicycle.





But... I know any state of the art bicycle will be very expensive compared to a run of the mill little motorcycle.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
But... I know any state of the art bicycle will be very expensive compared to a run of the mill little motorcycle.

Honda MiniMOTOS are so much fun. We have a 2023 Grom with a 5 speed gearbox. It's a blast to ride.


I understand top competitors looking for the latest technology. For everyone else, not so much. IMO, some of these electric bikes are outrageously priced for what you get.

I prefer three pedals.

$9k...hmmm...

If I really wanted to splurge, for $7k I could buy a Nighthawk 2011 BDS9 with a Tricon RHR HD.

For about $8k or so, my local 'smith could build me a Defiance/Bartlein/Manners precision bolt action rifle, topped off with Nightforce ATACR glass. And have 1/2 MOA accuracy capabilities to 800 yards, maybe even 1000 yards or more.

For $8k to $9k, with a little shopping, I could buy a lightly-used Beretta DT11 over-under sporting clays shotgun.

The engineer in me thinks “that’s cool!” Sensors, firmware, algorithms. The mechanic in me says “no thanks”.

The mountain biker in me says “shut up and take my money”.

I had a hard time spending $6k on my e-bike. Not that I couldn’t afford it, it just seems like such a ridiculous first-world luxury .

Having fallen in love with mountain biking all over again I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

I love new tech. I also hate new tech.

For example, my riding partner forgot to charge his derailleur battery, and was stuck in 3rd gear.

I mean, how cool is it that we have wireless battery powered shifters? And how stupid is it that we have wireless battery powered shifters?

Automatic shifting sounds cool. This stuff is getting so amazing. The suspension, the motors, the precision shifting under load.

When I first started shopping for an e-bike the prices were shocking. It’s like any other industry. After a while the price shock wears off and you start buying $9k bikes and then immediately replacing all the parts with more expensive versions.

When I grow up I want Stickman's entertainment budget.

On a serious note, in the process of relocating to a MTB hot spot. I've started researching options. Damn they are expensive for what they appear to be to me. Entry level hardtails about $800, full suspensions at least $1000.

@Stickman428

How reliable are those Brose motor/drive system? I am considering one on a new recumbent trike. Tho other option in the same price range is a Shimano 8000 series. I ask as I am quite sure Shimano will be in business in the future but know very little about the Brose company. Also curious as to longevity of the belt in the Brose.

quote:

Originally posted by bettysnephew:
@Stickman428

How reliable are those Brose motor/drive system? I am considering one on a new recumbent trike. Tho other option in the same price range is a Shimano 8000 series. I ask as I am quite sure Shimano will be in business in the future but know very little about the Brose company. Also curious as to longevity of the belt in the Brose.

The early Brose motors had issues with water/mud intrusion which would lead to belt failures. The current crop of motors are pretty solid. Shimano motors are fairly solid as well. There have been a few teething issues with firmware and batteries but for the most part both motors are top tier.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
They're out of their mind price wise. As a frame of reference:

Honda Rebel 1100 DCT (i.e. Honda cruiser with 1100 cc engine and automatic transmission) is $10,149.

Honda Africa Twin DCT (i.e. Honda onroad/offroad tourer with 1100 cc engine and automatic transmission) is $15,599

Yup. I have a Zuma 125 scooter for a pit bike at the track. But these days it gets used more for hooligan bs around my neighborhood. I paid $1500 slightly used, it’ll do 60 mph, and it gets 82 mpg if I’m not whacking the throttle open all the time, which if I’m honest, it’s about all I do on it so I don’t get that mpg. Point is, it’s cheap and reliable and super easy to maintain. I honestly paid less for my R1 than these things cost in the OP. I’ll stick to my American made Cannondale frame hybrid and stationary bike. These E bikes are all overpriced imo.

I used to feel the same way. Then I got into riding single track trails. I dabbled in building my own high powered e-bikes but they were not able to handle as good as a proper full suspension bike. When I first rode a proper class 1 E-MTB on the trails I understood I was wrong.

I’ve already lost 15 lbs riding a damn ebike almost exclusively and now that I’m not having gnarly crashes as often I’m getting a hell of a lot faster on the trail too. MTB is fun E-MTB is absolutely addictive and it gives me more of a workout than any of my motos ever did with far less risk.

Deciding to start racing E-MTB’s has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s fun, far more physical than I ever expected and one hell of a challenge.

A decent E-MTB that is even suitable for racing can be had for close to the cost of a used SV650 and far less than a new one. I got my first podium on a Niner RIP E9 that can be purchased brand new for about $500 more than a nice used SV650 (which is a solid track bike).

Hey I get it stick. I’ve been on 2 wheels my whole life. 2 previous friends were big into the E bikes. I’ve ridden all flavors of them. They both have the expensive Specialized versions now. But you have to understand different strokes for different folks. I’m in the gym every week when I’m not injured. 4 day splits, every muscle. I train hard when I’m not injured and eat like a nutritionist. All so I can slide into that suit and whack that throttle open. Bicycling is done also, for cardio, as I’m not into bashing my knees into oblivion running. So the exercise part of it has no allure. I already do that on my own.

I have National Forest trails all around my rural land and have been on them extensively. I already have a CRF450X picked out as well as an ATV and SXS. Alpinestars came out with their off-road version of their airbag earlier this year and a new version for the suit that breathes 1000X times better than the past versions and I’m buying that over the winter when my funds allow. Been waiting for both to come out for years now. Outside of work, being on 2 wheels, well a big chunk of my life revolves around it because it’s my favorite thing to do. And I’ve been doing it for decades and nothing will change. The E bikes are cool. If they were less expensive I’d be game but when I’m spending that kind of coin I’m burning gasoline. It’s in the veins. Even my rural land was purchased for gearhead/motorsports reasons at the top of the list.

Dude you have the most expensive job ever! You should probably quit.

Stick goes to work and then owes his boss money, it's almost indentured servitude.