GRIME TIME
TECH Q&A
DC POWER
I’m a 50-year-old who started riding in the late ’80s. After being injured while serving, I was told I’d never ride again, but I dabbled with hand-powered bikes, then got my first e-MTB in 2017. I’ve ridden every Ard Rock since, along with Mountain of Hell, TwentyFour12 and others. My problem is this – my 170mm(ish)-travel Vitus E-Sommet 297 makes me ride stuff that my legs and back just can’t cope with anymore! It’s going to have to go.
What I’m looking for is a lightweight, short-travel, ‘downcountry’ e-MTB. Do you guys know of anything that might fit my needs? I love the look of the Trek Fuel EXe, but at 140/150mm, it’s got a bit more travel than I want. The BH iLynx Race looks ideal, at 120/120mm, but they’re like rocking-horse poo over here and I’ve no idea what the Spanish brand’s customer care is like. The Orbea Rise squeaks into this category, too, at
