What's The Best EMTB To Buy? | How To Choose The Right Fazua EMTB For You!

We're in perhaps the most one of the most exciting times for E-Bikes and the variety of tech on offer is truly mind-blowing! However, because there is so much choice, it can often be a challenge to find the best EMTB for you. Do you go for a bigger battery & accept the potential weight gains, or stick to the smaller battery capacities for that super lightweight feeling? Join Steve Jones as he guides you through some key factors to look out for when choosing your next EMTB!
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[@embn]

What do you look for when choosing an EMTB? Let us know down below! 👇

[@VacantInside]

Personally I'm looking for quality and performance over price. If it's good, it can take the punishment and retain some of the value for resale later. Some sports/hobbies are just expensive.

[@embn]

@@VacantInside This is really great thinking, Love the fact you're thinking about future value of the bikes aswell, Great comment! 🙌

[@emtbtrailrider539]

Full Powered

[@jefgroff8998]

When are you going to do a proper review of the “relay” since no one else has one and transitions website is very minimal regarding the bike. Very interested! Do you guys have a good free ride rider that can really ride the bike for a solid review! Cheers 🍻

[@robbief1]

How does is compare to the TQ motor?

[@PaulMoody]

Love the low profile of this SL motor/battery. I do find I’m rarely using more than 80nm on my full fat Turbo Levo - so I can imagine this system being perfect to add that uphill thrill ebikes provide.

[@martind5596]

Not much info on the power delivery and noise. It would be good to have a comparison with the TQ motor used in the Trek Exe..

[@wackawacka12345]

For comparison videos we might have to wait until those bikes are in shop and small independent KZbinrs will challenge those drive systems. The Pivot Shuttle SL and Trek Fuel EXe have very similar travel and geometry. Perfect bikes for comparison! Even the Fazua drive system is a bit heavier than the TQ drive system due to higher power and battery capacity, I wouldn't be surprised if the Pivot bike is the lighter one. This Pivot Shuttle SL frame looks really slim

[@embn]

We'd be really interested to see how it compares to the new Trek Fuel EXe!

[@stevedzurilla2436]

I currently own a Rise and was really liking this bike. The 132mm rear travel is a downer, which I think will be echoed by a lot of others.

[@AJFixie]

Great video, nice location, good info and damn good looking bikes. Well done. I like the minimalist cockpit but do prefer a display with more than a bunch of LEDs! The Specialised Mastermind TCU is still the benchmark.

[@embn]

Thanks for the support! We really enjoyed making this one! We also love how minimalistic the cockpit looks! Seeing data on a head unit is always great, but sometimes bringing everything back to basics looks so clean! Also, the Fazua system is compatible with Garmin and other brands of bike computer units.

[@davefreeman9347]

Ive only had my Trek fuel exe for a couple weeks, and yep I’m definitely riding more even if its grabbing a power hour, its so addictive, what a bike

[@markcosens1]

They both look great. Finally other manufacturers have caught up with specialized integrated controls rather than stupid great controls and displays on the handlebars.

[@embn]

Hey Mark! We agree they both look amazing! It's super cool to see brands like Fazua moving towards minimalistic designs to give that acoustic MTB look. 👍

[@md.moinulislam9467]

Very good video....!

[@finbox1000]

Great work Steve! Living the dream 👊 Is the Pivot a fixed battery or removable?? Any idea of range extenders from Fuza?

[@chadsperry853]

It's basically fixed. Have to remove the motor to get to it

[@cedricgtrable]

I Love that pivot shuttle sl

[@embn]

We love the look of the Pivot Shuttle! The colour is so insane! 👍

[@stephenbrown5844]

Cheers Steve, 😉👍❤️🇬🇧

[@jaselikesbikes]

Great video but you should really be comaparing the Relay to the Sentinal 14.5kg 150/160 which has closer travel and will probably ride more similar then the Spire 15.3 at 17/170 so around 4kg difference.

[@JamesSmith-pn3yq]

@Electric Mountain Bike Network, What is the largest battery capacity you know of? I’ve found Kettler Quadriga Duo CX12 FS has 1250Wh in downtube (2x625Wh Bosch PowerTubes in frame) Looks great in all black.

[@johnorange3797]

Hi I noticed you mentioned the weight of the transition but what is the weight of the pivot ?, only asking as I have a rise m10 at 19kg thanks.

[@CarlosAntunesMTB]

Hi guys, I'm very interested in the Transition Relay. Still I have a question, compared with the Orbea Rise Carbon which is the one that will have higher range? Just Wondering because to me the Orbea downside is precisely the 360watt battery. Therefore I wonder what would be the difference in range?

[@lolothecrosserdude]

Idea? Do an episode about uphill trails and which Parks have adopted to this E-advantage.

[@brakingbumps]

I ride a SC Bullit mostly for shuttle rides and discovering new ride spots (or when i'm i'm tired or lazy and don't want to get on the analogue bike). A low power emtb isn't for me. The Bullit is so capable downhill that the extra weight doesn't bother me at all...I'm comfortable doing any feature on the ebike as I am on the analogue one. Perhaps as an only bike this might be cool for those who want/need something in between.

[@Shakshuka69]

I don't think anything really beats the Rise yet because it's got a bigger battery and more power than the competition while weighing about the same

[@jamsxr]

It’s also has a frame snapping feature to stop you sending it.

[@Shakshuka69]

@@jamsxr Not the alloy ones

[@jayvkman]

@@jamsxr evidence?

[@Roaming50]

Pivot killed it with the Shuttle SL. I might have chosen that over my Orbea RiSE had it come out sooner.

[@eslstinkt]

why?

[@Roaming50]

@@eslstinkt I'm thinking better build quality to start with (too many creaks in my RiSE), a quiet motor (EP8rs suffers from annoying rattle) and it is more stealth again. That last one is the biggest consideration. eMTB laws are still convoluted and ambiguous in the US. Beyond the creaks and the rattle, I otherwise love the RiSE.

[@Shakshuka69]

@@Roaming50 I haven't heard of or seen any EMTB law enforcement in the US whatsoever. Also not typical of a Rise to creak. Mine certainly doesn't. Try to spray a little silicone lube in the linkages.

[@Magoo71]

Hey Stevie....Were you an MX guy before Mt Bikes? The reason I ask is I see you like the front Brake to be operated by your right hand...Moto Style...as the Clutch is always operated by your left hand because the throttle is on the right.

[@PeskyEmu]

The two best dual suspension emtb’s within my price range (available in Australia) seem to be the Giant Trance E+1 and the Trek Rail 7. I am having a hard time deciding what to buy, if anyone reading this has an opinion I’m keen to hear it! Thanks 😊

[@AJFixie]

Plenty of Turbo Levo’s finally available in Aus now, worth a look.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I have an two year old Merida e160 8000 with 4800km. Replaced one chain, hasn't missed a beat. I would like one with an EP8 though. The e8000 motor is great but if you can get more power, why not.

[@steveash8651]

I have tried the 35Nm Specialized Levo SL and the 90Nm Levo full fat bike. The 90Nm is wonderful and the 35Nm is terrible, but I don’t want a 50Lb bike nor do I need 700W battery. So, I have been waiting for the Transition Relay to become available, my question is will the Fazua @ 60Nm be the sweet spot I have been looking for or should I just go buy the Turbo Levo full fat and live with the weight??

[@chrish8871]

Rise is the Daddy….Hard tail immediately limited by no rear suspension. Just lock it out if needed but if the suspension is set right you won’t need to.

[@fernandopena3531]

what about the Focus Jam2 SL? , great bike at a good price.

[@bikeninja956]

@5:40, can we recognize the fact that he's giving his presentation from.....heaven...literally. TF lol.

[@islandaerial3414]

Has anyone put 10,000km on one of these DUs? Problems? Warranty issues?

[@falksturmfels2737]

This video has one thing: hilarious face impressions of Sreve Jones in slow motion.

[@embn]

Slo-mo Steve Jones is golden! 😂

[@amritbhupal8514]

I’m fairly certain that fazua is still heavier then the specialized turbo Levo SL

[@mejne]

For me, price is more important than weight. These bikes are twice the price of my Cube Stereo H 160 and probably just about as much fun.

[@matthewlazanich2790]

I haven’t seen pricing for the transition? Is it posted?

[@chucknoob7041]

@@boblatkey7160 I built my own ebike using an older downhill bike. The build price is probably 1/4 to 1/3 the price of these bikes and I promise I’ve had as much fun on it as I would on these, probably more fun.

[@larsandersson5974]

True

[@cedricgtrable]

@@matthewlazanich2790 10k €/$...

[@matthewlazanich2790]

@@cedricgtrable that’s what I was afraid of

[@barry9559]

Did I miss the part on battery size and range?

[@andreyhello2367]

Plz add spec in metric system

[@mercuriomichael]

Contemplating on an ebike. Will I want to sell my analog bike after getting an ebike?

[@wesleyseymour8857]

The most important question to ask when buying a emtb is. Is the motor serviceable, can parts be got and replaced. Because a lot of em don't. And an emtb with a fecked motor is as much use as a chocolate teapot.

[@sadfortheworld4937]

Very true! Shimano just throws away any motor without any repair/service...a huge disappointment... And a new motor will cost you... a lot... Anyone knows people who service shimano motors?

[@wesleyseymour8857]

@@sadfortheworld4937 the bearings can be replaced but if the torque sensor goes your fecked. Yeah I won't be getting the Shimano motor again that's for sure.

[@sadfortheworld4937]

@@wesleyseymour8857 ok, thanks for the information... My E8000 starts to produce painful scratching noises when pedalling uphill at ~10.000km, same happened to it's precessor which soon later just died😢

[@wesleyseymour8857]

This guy has a video of the bearing replacement.enjoy😉

[@sadfortheworld4937]

@@wesleyseymour8857 sounds interesting, thanks, but sorry for the dumb question, which guy....? 😯

[@onemanmob6756]

Nice infomercial

[@dit4963]

Does anyone know the geometry of the Transition Relay?

[@Georgios_Makrogiannelis]

Will Pivot launch a longer travel bike like Transition or their SL will be only trail bikes?

[@LastAphelion]

Haven't heard any rumor outside of this one no, but I feel like it'd be criminal of them not to release an E Firebird. I want the Relay since I was set on trying a Transition but honestly if they released a Firebird SL sooner I'd have to consider it and they'd be missing a big selling opportunity as I'm sure other people would bee keen on that as well

[@joeldsaint]

Which US dealer can we buy this Relay?And can we buy frames with motor and battery only?

[@tomcagle5324]

I called Transition last week and asked this question on frameset +battery/motor. He said it's possible but late Fall ad release would offer more official info...so not "no" yet...maybe?😜🤞I've got AXS componentary, Onxy/Nextie Carbon wheel set, and my Zeb fork, so would be nice NOT to have swap out for OEM lower-end full bike spec. That's $1500-2000 USD that could be a full spare battery purchase.🤟💸

[@323johnnybravo]

waiting at least a couple more years before I consider buying an ebike , they are evolving too quickly to get stuck with an outdated 10k bike in a mere two years.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

@@boblatkey7160 yeah. You can be dead in two years. I worked with two now dead, wealthy guys. Sad, but that's life and death.

[@dougg4633]

Not everyone is old and many of us can still pedal just fine

[@dougg4633]

@@brianbotts1267 Wife has one and yes they are fun. I'm just not there yet. Waiting for a good hard tail to come out. So far all the good ones are duel suspension. So like the original post, I'm waiting

[@Sjzinn]

What are the prices for these two bikes?

[@nickwraith312]

Now you’ve ridden the pivot shuttle sl, how does it compare to the Giant exe?

[@nickwraith312]

Trek exe 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@riddlediddle598]

did they mention price?

[@86yd]

We know basically nothing about that Transition Relay and you get to ride one and show it to the world like everyone knew..?! 🤷🏻‍♂️ How?! 🤣 I like that Bike and the ghost path riot full Party as they're the only light e-enduros competing the KSL but deliver slightly more power. Might be the sweetspot for me..

[@finroddd]

The competition to Trek Exe. I am sure very soon we will have more like these.

[@embn]

The EMTB market is starting to see a gradual rise in lightweight e-bikes! It's super exciting to see!

[@finroddd]

@@embn yes, I think this is the future. If the weight of the emtbs is reduced to around 20kg, with 60-70Nm motor and at least 625Wh battery with option of battery extender - this could be the perfect product. And I feel it will be available soon. Fazua and TQ are on this track.

[@Tahydrahel]

A year or two, my E8000 is a light emtb too with its 70 Nm?

[@lakaldrak]

🤣👍. I think less Then 20 kg is SL

[@Sir-Kay]

Well, a few questions to EMBN or anyone who might know their way around e-bikes. First off, I know how much I need when it comes to seatpost angles but, 76-77ish ° but, how much slackness is the minimum I should go with head/fork angle 66,65,64 or even downhill angles? Secondly, how thick should the fork be, 35, 36 or 38? how much travel do I need? and lastly, are these batteries and motors swapable or we are forever stuck with the motor and battery capacity that came with our e-bikes? I've never seen any video of someone actually displaying how these things are used, they only show how they're ridden. I ride trails, enduro/all mountain mixed with XC fire roads. 6"3 110kg ish rider. And please, no you-should-have-known-it type of passive-aggressive response folks, if you aren't passionate about answering, stay the f away.

[@gingerb36]

They both look sic!!

[@embn]

100%

[@Independent-Revolutionary]

I'd still take the Hardtail don't like or get on with full suss bikes (just not my thing). PS: As for the screens everytime iv'e test ridden an EMTB i never look at the screen don't need it really.

[@embn]

Yeah, the hardtail does look super sleek and lightweight! That's the great thing about Fazua. The minimalistic head unit and selector switch make it look like any other acoustic MTB. 👍

[@brittnyevans8035]

Enough Power for Hills

[@hrdtduck]

Why is it I see that when going downhill fast or even slow I see so many people ...standing on the pedals.. what do you have rear suspension for if you aren't going to take advantage of it? No matter the steepness or speed of a downhill I stay on the saddle as much as possible not only does this keep my center of gravity lower but I actually use the rear suspension as it should be used, gosh you paid for it use it!... yes I know you are going to say standing on the pedals IS using the rear suspension, but it isn't the same as staying in contact with the saddle as much as possible..

[@KarlWalkerRides]

try hitting a jump sitting down see what happens

[@ilionatroya7129]

You’re joking,right?

[@kigna1234]

I prefer the term analogue mtb than acoustic. It’s not a guitar and represents the difference better in my opinion. Otherwise love the channel great content

[@embn]

Thanks for the support! Glad you enjoyed!

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

I got stranded 17 miles from our van with a 500 and 550 error code.. No power. Thee BIG drawback.

[@islandaerial3414]

OUCH! So far all of my 'ERROR codes' have happened at home before my rides

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

@@islandaerial3414 Stranded in at Ben Alder in the pissing rain with a 1500 foot climb in front of me with no assist. Still waiting on the motor being replaced under warranty. These guys never really touch on the real negatives of ebiking.

[@ghostdog6471]

I'm new in the bike world but a fun fact when you mentioned Kitzbühel is the unfortunately the Austrian laws about the ebikes are pretty stupid like to most other ones, like you are not allowed to drive an ebike with more than 630w batterie, wich I find this absolutely ridiculous.

[@francisdee9955]

so its 20kg? 🥵

[@AJL200]

"acoustic bikes" 😂😂😂 (do you play guitar by any chance?)

[@k______________________]

Trek EXe is typing...

[@ardi585]

42? kg

[@WeMakeLaw]

Hardtail EMTBs should not even exist in my opinion. They probably are made for people who want to spend less. If you ride offroad you will regret a hardtail soon enough and get a full suspension next.

[@embn]

We believe hardtail EMTBs have a place in mountain biking, just like traditional hardtails do. They're brilliant for riders that use the road and for general exploring on forest tracks and trails. 👍

[@O1D4]

why compare the weight to the alloy GX Spire when the Relay is a carbon bike? The carbon Spire is actually under 34lbs (I know several people with one) and according to transitions website at least even the alloy is only around 36.5lbs. I understand the point trying to be made here but it doesn't help if the facts are fudged, only makes it seem like you are trying to push an agenda... ;)

[@byronswogger]

Just to show an ebike can be the same weight as a manual bike. whether it be carbon or aluminum it's still a manual bike, and they still weigh the same!

[@O1D4]

@@byronswogger a really heavy MTB though. Most people that don't ride e-bikes are not riding 38+ lbs bikes.

[@O1D4]

@@byronswogger if you're going to compare weights compare similar builds/materials at least. It's not a very impressive comparison. Now if the E-Bike weighed less than 32lbs that would be something truly impressive!

[@ofacefan]

Completely agree, they flash a picture of the top end carbon spire but state an inflated weight for the lowest spec alloy.. kind of lose credibility. And my 32lb carbon spire climbs like a mofo.

[@LastAphelion]

@@ofacefan Did you get to compare the Sentinel to Spire? I've been torn between the two, half the people tell me Spire is too big to have fun anywhere but bike park but the other half tell me they're glad they went Spire over Sent. and love the sht out of it

[@onyabike9281]

Yet another video which describes the SL as light, but doesnt tell us what it weighs!

[@embn]

At the time this video was released we weren't allowed to talk about the exact details too much as the bikes weren't released. No though, there's all the details on the manufacturers websites

[@jimmyguitar9873]

you simply cant do a video like this and not mention price and give us metric as well come on guys its not hard

[@gill_withers]

The word "acoustic" does not apply to bikes despite the fact ebikes have noisy electronics

[@DenisKz]

There is no such thing as an acoustic bike unless you are referring to a motor bike which makes a lot of noise, it sounds stupid when referring to an ebike versus a non ebike. please stop it!

[@Roaming50]

I'm now referring to regular bikes as "Amish" bikes. LOL.

[@LastAphelion]

"Ahhh no it's not an ebike it's an... assisted carriage!"

[@DenisKz]

It might be easier to call a non ebike a push bike, like it has been called for almost a century!

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

Specialized named it that, take it up with them.

[@robhaskins3068]

Turbo Emtbs and Naturally aspirated mtbs but E=Mtb² 😉

[@aberdeendeltaforce]

I totally regret buying an e-bike, they are all restricted to just 15.5mph, absolutely useless really. Just get a normal bike.

[@ttengineer404]

stop calling them Acoustic bikes! They have zero to do with sound. Call them traditional or "trad" bikes just like you you would when talking about trad climbing.

[@webster169]

Another Jones hardtail hater video, getting boring now!!

[@jroase1658]

Sad you must own a hard tail . Boring

[@tomordr]

PLEASE stop promoting abuse of the trails with the constant skidding of the rear tire through turns. You will get ebikes banned and destroy the trail systems in the process. I already went through this with motorcycles off road. It's irresponsible how you promote bad behavior. I love riding ebikes but they do destroy the trails much quicker especially with bad behavior. Respect the trail!!