Long Term Review
I used to enjoy the Dos Equis ads where the international man of mystery would say, “I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.” This line lends itself to my segue into eMTB.
I don’t always ride electric mountain bikes but when I do my reasons fall into one or more rationalizations; I want to enjoy the nice weather and pedal from home; I have been driving a lot so I want to pedal from home/skip the shuttles; the guys I am riding with want to motor assist; my body is tired and or sore so I want a break from the meat machine; I am riding in snow; I am testing a bike for review; I am trail building and want to save energy on the pedal up; and, occasionally, I think I am short on time and want to max out my vert (this emphasis on more is beautifully analyzed by Mike in his latest piece).
Regardless of the reason for hopping on the eMTB, the Ari Timp Peak Pro has performed exceptionally well over the long-term test (about 5 months, over 30 rides covering 817 km). I have ridden the bike mostly with the 600Wh battery, but I have had 5 or 6 rides with the 250Wh extender. I have tested the bike as a 29er and a mullet with most of my rides in the latter setup. I tried all four GA link configurations in both wheel setups. I only made a few tweaks to the initial suspension numbers that Tyler at Ari set up for me. The RockShox ZEB Ultimate RC2 fork has been flawless while the Vivid Ultimate RC2T shock has been performing well, but is showing a small amount of grease and goo on the stanchion. I’ll go into settings, tweaks and ride impressions below.
The Timp Peak jumps well, despite the pilot.
Ari Timp Peak key features
- 170mm travel front and rear
- 63.6° head angle, 77.6° seat angle in sizes S and M, 77.7 in L and XL
- Choice of dual 29″ wheels or mullet setup
- Bosch Gen. 5 Performance CX motor with 100Nm/750W max output
- Full CleanCast carbon frame
- Accessory mount for a bolt-on tool kit or gear dock under the top tube
- 4-way adjustable TetraLink suspension platform with adjustable leverage rate chips (4 settings)
- Choice of 800Wh battery or 600Wh battery
- Compatible with Bosch 250Wh range extender
- 49.8 lbs claimed (size large, Mx wheels, 600Wh battery, DH and DD tires)
- Bosch Kioxx 400C full colour display
The Timp Peak corners well (unlike me) in all flip chip setups.
I tried all four BB height and chainstay length configuations in 29er and mullet setups.
The Bosch 250Wh extender came in handy on my long rides and one day when I did a double header and needed some extra juice.
I prefer the smooth and supple feel of RockShox over Fox (usually). On the Timp Peak the Vivid and Zeb have been working well and providing those smooth and supple feels.
Tweaks and twists: GA links for ups and downs
Before I get into the ups and downs on the bike, I want to get into how I arrived at my favourite setup using the 4-way adjustable GA Link flip chips. Ari created four options for bottom bracket and chainstay length. Headtube angles range from 63.6° to 64.4° and chainstay lengths can be adjusted between 437mm and 443mm. The changes are fractional but noticeable on the trail.
For the first several rides on the Timp Peak, I rode with the GA link in the high bottom bracket setting and the chainstay length set to short, using a mullet wheel setup, hoping for a snappy, playful ride. On the day I rode 7 back-to-back laps, I explored the other settings using both a 29 and a 27.5” rear wheel.
After all these laps and changes, I found the 29″ setup gave me a good feeling by sitting me a little higher on the climbs. It also felt slightly better at speed on the chunky section of the test lap. I thought the bigger wheel would give me better results on the technical steep climb, specifically, keeping the front wheel down more than in the mullet setup and reducing pedal strikes. However, I did not notice any significant differences in those factors between the two wheel sizes while climbing.
The best overall performance on the test was in long chainstay/low bottom bracket mullet mode. The only difference between the high and low BB settings was a slightly more stable, plush feel on high-speed descents in low. The smaller rear wheel felt much better than the 29er in corners, which is no surprise for me since I have tested many bikes in both setups and come away preferring mulleted rides. After settling on this setup, I ran the Timp Peak Pro as hard as I could on several mountains on many different trail styles and in a myriad of weather conditions.
Tipping the Ari into corners in mullet mode is easy and stable.
Other than a well-worn rear tire (and my skills), the traction coming out of corners was excellent.
Downhill
I find that the added weight of eMTBs gives me more stability and traction than my Specialized Enduro. The weight also makes EEBS harder to pop and play on than meat machines. Everything is a trade-off, but within the eMTB sphere, the Ari is a good combination of stability, traction, composure in the rough and a bit of pop and play. I was usually able to control speed in rough, steep sections and even in my least favourite, loose, rocky crap conditions. The Timp Peak’s stability gave me confidence going into steep, nasty sections because I knew I could stay in control (for the most part). The Vivid Ultimate, combined with the TetraLink platform, produced a smooth, responsive feel on the many different trails I rode. The Vivid is an air shock, but it has a very coil-like feel. I found it very responsive, with excellent mid-stroke support.
The suspension set up Ari product manager, Tyler Clowdard, dialled in on my first ride worked well for me for the rest of the test period. I played a bit with pressure and rebound, but came back very close to the original settings he gave me.
RockShox Ultimate 170mm fork: 72 PSI, rebound 10 out, LSC 6 out, HSC open
RockShox Vivid Ultimate shock: 225 PSI, rebound 8 out, HBO middle, LSC 1 out , HSC 1 click open
I usually struggle to get good distance on this air but I managed to pop and fly longer than ever on this occasion. My new theory is that not wearing gloves gave me more pull power, though it was most likely Kodak Courage.
Pops and drops work well within my devolving jump-o-sphere.
As far as air, while popping and playing the 49ish-pound beast performed adequately. Having the 600 Wh battery (3 kg/6.6 lb) lightens the load compared to an 800 Wh (3.9kg/ 8.6lb). The 250Wh range extender battery weighs (1.5kg/3.3lb), making for a total of . This is an eMTB, and while I don’t expect it to pop as easily as a pedal bike, it was easy to pull on bumps and jumps.
I feel the same way about this bike’s smooth and supple feel as I did in my first impressions article. The bike is stable rolling through chunder, it irons out holes on the trails and provides stable traction on high speed rooty trails
Another area where the Ari performed well was in chundered sections of trail. Its stability makes it easy to point and shoot, change direction and even drift (for me, this may or may not be on purpose). I do not need to worry about where I place my wheel as much as I do on the Enduro because I have the confidence that the Ari will plow through most of the trail. I found the long chainstay setting provided excellent traction on steeps, roots and berms.
I think all mountain bikes ride well in fluffy loam, but the bomb holes that loamers create after the masses find these ‘secret’ trails need a bike (and rider) that floats over the holes or absorbs them while travelling at loam-eating grin speeds. The Ari was more of an absorber than a floater.
On some low-angle chunder, the bike rolled through smoothly.
Rolling into a new-to-me loamer.
This steep climb I used on my test lap let me assess the bike’s technical climbing ability. The Timp tracks well on uphill turns, provides ample traction and stays balanced on most sections of the climb.
I heart tech uphill climbs on all bikes but especially on eMTBs.
Climbing
From my first rides on eMTBs, I have learned to adapt my climbing to prevent front wheel lift. When I first jumped on the Ari, I had to adapt even more to keep the wheel down. It has not been a problem since then, even in my favourite mulleted long chainstay/low bottom bracket setting, as long as I inch forward on the saddle for the steepest climb sections. The Timp Peak tips into uphill switchbacks easily, climbs steep technical sections well and feels comfortable on long gravel and paved road climbs.
The Timp Peak Pro’s component spec. performed admirably during the test.
Component Performance
This is the first bike I have ridden with Mavens, and I am very impressed with their strength, feel and lack of arm pump and elbow pain. The brake pads are finally due for a change after my 817 km of riding. Halfway through the test, I dinged the rear HS2 rotor and have been trying to keep it straight with my gentle adjustments ever since.
The DT Swiss HX 1700 Spline wheels have stayed true and ding-free. The RockShox Vivid Ultimate has a small amount of grease on the stanchion, but the performance has not changed. The Zeb Ultimate has been smooth and supple the entire time. The OneUp V3 dropper understandably got a little sticky this winter, but a bit of lube and some air solved the issue. I have smashed the AXS XO derailleur countless times, and other than two AXS adjustments on the shifter pod, this fine piece of tech has shifted excellently.
I had issues with Eco+ turning off and on during uphills.
This is what I think of Eco+. Eco worked just fine.
Motor and battery performance
According to the Bosch app, I rode 51% in Turbo, 33% in eMTB, 13% in Auto and 3% in Eco.
I thought I would enjoy riding in Auto the most because of the purported ability of the motor to “automatically adapt to your speed and riding situation.” Auto is described by Bosch as “independent of own power: automatic and optimal adaptation of the support to the riding situation with up to 340 %. The idea is that with Auto, there is no need to switch modes. It should keep you riding at the same speed, within the abilities of the motor, whether you find yourself battling a headwind or climbing a steep hill.” As much as I like the idea of keeping it in one mode, the motor lagged several times while riding in Auto. I am assuming the system takes a moment to recognize the changing trail characteristics. I preferred the consistency of eMTB and Turbo over Auto due to these lags.
Another element of eMTB mode that I appreciated is that it will continue to drive the motor for a moment after you have stopped pedalling. The ‘Extended Boost,’ is particularly helpful on technical climbs or getting over obstacles.
Eco+ was definitely an Eco- for me. I was really looking forward to using this mode to get a bit of the cardio burn feelings I receive from non-motorized riding. Instead, the Eco+ mode would work for a short interval and then lag like the motor was turned off. I tried a variety of speeds and gearing to no avail. Deniz experienced the same problems during some of his test rides on other Bosch-powered bikes, which probably led to his quote, ”Fuck Eco+!” When I switched to Eco, I had a smooth response from the motor the entire time. I have a few rides where I stayed in Eco for at least 90% of the time, and I came close to the cardio-burning feelings I get from riding my Enduro, but nothing beats a non-motorized bike for a full body and cardio burn.
The Walk mode is excellent. Compared to my experiences with Shimano and Dyname 4 walk modes, the Bosch version is much better.
When asked by Ari if I wanted the 800Wh or the 600Wh battery, I chose the 600Wh with the extender battery because I knew the 600Wh would be enough juice for almost all of my 1 to 2-hour rides. For big days, I knew I could rely on the extra 250Wh from the extender. I was not wrong. The lighter 600 was perfect. The extender takes a few minutes to set up, but it worked flawlessly on my extended play rides. I did not mind carrying a pack with water for those days (the water bottle cage gets swapped out for the extender mounting plate). I forgot how convenient a hose next to my mouth is; I definitely drank more water than I do with a bottle.
Battery removal is not a problem, but getting it back in is a real bitch. I tried for 45 minutes to get the frame to battery bolt holes lined up and could not get it to work until I brought it over to Cam’s, where our 4 hands took about 20 minutes to get it mounted back in. I think the 800 would be easier since its girth would get the bolt hole inserts closer to the frame. Battery removal is usually only an issue for riders who cannot charge their bike where they store it. I happen to be one of those, since my strata is paranoid that my charging will cause a fire and that the 2 to 3 cents per charge isn’t covered by my fees. My workaround is to remove the wheels (bicycles are not permitted in the elevator) and bring the frame upstairs to charge.
One other feature I like on this bike is the wireless handlebar controller that can be easily rotated when I flip my bike upside down for wheel removal. In addition, the rear wheel sensor is covered by a plastic encasement and attached to the wheel valve. I prefer this to the exposed magnets I have experienced on other bikes, which are usually fine unless I am snow/mud riding and the exposed magnet needs a good cleaning.
This goofy happy grin Deniz captured reveals my feelings about the Timp Peak Pro’s performance.
Summary
The Ari Timp Peak Pro has performed excellently throughout the entire test period. It is a powerful, versatile eMTB that rides with a supple feel, carves in and out of turns well, blasts through chunder with ease, and handles the steeps, providing traction and control. It even has a bit of pop and play (for a 50-pound bike). It comes in either mullet or 29er set up and has four configurations using the GA link flip chips. The Timp Peak Pro specs are all I would want in a high-end eMTB; although an AXS Reverb seatpost would be the icing on the cake. Whenever I test a product I like to think Woodja? As in, would ya buy it? Based on the spec, the performance and the comparable price point, I think I would consider owning one.
In my First Impressions article, I mentioned that Ari is a direct-to-consumer company (DTC) with service centers in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Lindon, Utah. In the world of eMTBs, where problems with motors and batteries occur regularly,* a local bike shop is a real advantage if you need support. This issue has to be weighed against any cost savings DTC may provide. Ari has customer reps who were quick to respond to any questions I had (texting as a potential buyer). These reps are also available to help with bike setup. Most riders I know, including myself, have had to replace batteries and or motors on their eMTBs. Clearly, the technology is not quite up to the standard it needs to be, especially when selling these sleds for the premium dollars the companies are asking for. Ari has a lifetime warranty on the frame and one year on parts. Unfortunately, most battery and motor defects happen after a year.
*I haven’t had any problems with the Ari, which is my first Bosch-powered eMTB long term tester.
The model I am testing, the Ari Timp Peak Pro with Bosch 400c display, extender battery, and Powertube 600Wh battery, would retail for 11,230 USD (shipping to B.C. is 900 USD). The price drops to 9,600 USD + shipping without the extender but with an 800Wh battery. Non-US citizens might get hit with a tariff when they order. My tester was slapped with a 25% tariff, which Ari paid to get the bike released to me.
Comparables in the recent NSMB test fleet include the Orbea Wild (about 12K USD) and Yeti LTe (about 13K with an AXS Reverb post), Cam tested, and the Salsa Notch Deniz reviewed.