The Conflict Is Over ~ Orbea Rise M-LTD With Enve 15Oct21

The debate I was having with myself is over. I was conflicted as to which eMTB to buy but there's now an Orbea Rise M LTD with Enve carbon hoops bound to COS for me. The Rise edged out the new Yeti 160e primarily on anticipated feel. I still like mountain bike riding and the Rise is more like that while the Yeti is designed closer to a full power eMTB. The Orbea is 35# with 360wH battery and a rider synergy (RS) tuned EP-8 motor. The Yeti is 50# with a 630wH battery and a "full power" EP-8. Rider Synergy means you gotta spin it like you mean it to get the power. So... while I may need the extra juice in several years, since I am not young, the Orbea should suit well now. I like the idea of it more anyway. Good biking friends tend to roll tech fairly often and I thought, so can I, if needed. We'll soon see if there is enough power to let me keep pace with the youngsters. Even if not, I'll be able to climb stuff I no longer can under my own human power, at least not readily or even often. Woohoo.

Update 27Oct21 - Kitsuma delivered the Orbea today! I need to put the armor on before I venture onto the trails but I did ride it... holy F$c4 power assist is very cool. And, how often does your bike talk to your phone to allow tuning. So cool. I gotta set it up a bit and I didn't expect the tires F&R they installed... I expected the Rekons but got DHFs all around. The ENVE AM30 rims are almost a weight wash with alloy (known) but the big tire in the rear is a surprise. My bike weighs 39# with pedals ~ a little heavier than I expected. I don't know if that's work to do or just fine; I'll see.

Update 30Oct21 - A custom fit (to the Rise) protection film set arrived from Ride Wrap and I spent about a day all up affixing it to the bike. The instructions and videos are all very good, as are the film sheet and fit. However, this is a bear of a task and getting the tricky spaces to adhere is tough and time consuming. I am pretty technically adept and it gave me fits ~ perhaps I should've outsourced it. That said, in the end, it's good enough and the Rise is covered.