g-42

@cougar797: I think big ebikes are a hoot for bigger riders. And SL ebikes area hoot for lighter riders. At 200#, I don't mind the penalty on nimbleness of a big ebike, and I appreciate the traction and suspension performance benefits you get from the little bit of extra weight down low. My smaller riding buddies (think women under 5'5", for example) find big ebikes cumbersome - but find SL ebikes to be very much manageable (and then appreciate the same characteristics about those as I do about mine). And because they're so much lighter, it takes less motor power and battery to get uphill and crank out big days, so they end up being really well matched for climbing speed and overall range. That's for Pacific NW riding; when I went to visit New England and rode the Kingdom trails, I found an SL ebike I rented a great match for that sort of gentle rolling terrain - my bike would have felt like overkill out there. But the same is true with analog bikes - I would have preferred an analog trail bike over an analog enduro bike on those trails.

@mi-bike: I think it's pretty average in the male population (as I feel pretty average out there...), but it seems like when you look at people testing bikes for magazines/websites, or the pros who develop bikes at the manufacturers, they're mostly a very lean/fit/strong 5'8" through 5'11" or so.

As a 6'1" 200# rider, I'm stoked to see someone taller and bigger testing bikes. There's a big difference between the "average" bike tester/sponsored rider (most of them tend to be around 5'10" and 160" or so) and people on the larger and smaller end of the spectrum. Jessie is taking care of the smaller end of the spectrum, Stephane can carry the bigger dudes' flag.

Not to mention a bunch of "connected" features that not only cost you a ton. Of money for basic functionality of the thing you thought you bought, but then also sell your data to insurance companies.

For me as a 200# rider, yep. For my wife at 120#, 400Wh battery with a Fazua motor (same 60Nm as this) means about the same range and climbing assist as I get on my full fat bike, but with roughly 10# less bike weight to muscle around. She didn't enjoy any of the full power bikes she tried, she's ridden the hell out of her lightweight mid power one with a big shit eating grin.

My only issue with my "old" Timp Peak is range. The Shimano motor is apparently not as efficient as Bosch and Brose, and I'm a big dude. It's still plenty fun, but limits the once-in-a-while epic that I'd like to do. This looks promising, but my bike's only a year old and way too much fun to feel the need to upgrade yet.

@aceface17: perhaps because in most cases, it takes a while to het a replacement, and noone likes waiting. In my case, though, my local shop got Fox to give them a bunch of loaners, and that kept me riding during the two warranty replacements.

@finnspin: My FR Pros have an elastic loop on the tongue that lets you neatly tuck away the laces.

And that's where Jessie May's cost analysis breaks down. Sure, these may be only a little higher in MSRP, but FiveTens tend to be on sale all the time (last year's color ways and so forth). I think that's their way of squeezing a little extra revenue for folks who need shoes "now" and just get them at MSRP, but not losing the price-conscious folks planning ahead who simply stock up on discounted ones. I don't think I've ever paid more than 70% of retail on any FiveTen shoes over the past decade plus. But man, the BOA might be pay full pop for once.

@mtmc99: Yep, in the same neighborhood as hydrogen fuel cell cars supplied by cheap and ubiquitous green hydrogen, nuclear fusion reactors, and manned space travel to Mars and other planets.