Chris, before you drop that much coin on a bike shop brand, look into some of the direct to consumer brands like YT and Canyon.
My wife and I have been running analog YTs (Jeffsy models) for years and they are great and 70% the price when comparing spec to spec with Specialized (and they go on sale for 10% - 15% off fairly often so we really were close to 60% for the same spec bike). YT makes an eMTB Enduro model called the "Decoy". This year, they have a second flavor of the Decoy, an All-Mountain to go with that existing Enduro/downhill model. And two specs/builds for each version for a total of 4 eMTB models. I've ordered one of the 29ers.
A quick comparison of the Specialized Levo Expert Carbon shows it at $8,275 and the similarly equipped TY Decoy Pro (which is actually equipped a bit better) at $5,499. Drop down to the Turbo Levo Comp at $5,975 and the comparable YT Base 29 is $4.399. That carbon framed YT is even a fair bit cheaper than the Specialized Turbo Levo ($4,975) with the alumimun frame and much lower spec equipment. And you are not settling for a subpar bike with the YT (or most other direct to consumer bikes). They are amazing builds with top notch name brand components. They can simply sell for a fraction of the bike shop price because they are direct to consumer so no bike shop middleman. Some people feel bike shop support is worth the higher price. I work on everything myself so no value there for me so why pay 30 - 40% more for something I won't use. Everyone is different and has to determine what they value. Heck, the top of the line YT Decoy Race is race spec and $6,599 vs specialized S-works Turbo Levo at $12,075. Amazing price point for the similar components on each.
For the Decoy, see this page. Then pick Enduro or All-Mountain to see the models/colors.
https://us.yt-industries.com/cat/index/sCategory/73537 I'm not affiliated at all. Just have loved the YT bikes we've used and continue to buy more. Canyon and other direct to consumer brands are worth checking into as well.
And yes, margins are thin on bikes just like they are getting slimmer in the powersports industry. I have a relative that manages a non-chain sporting goods shop and they carry Specialized. Was going to get the family and friends deal on a specialized analog bike a few years ago. That reduced the price down about 10% on a current model year bike which I thought was great since deals are few and far between. But I kept researching and the comparable YT model was more bike for about $1,500 less so that is when I took our first leap into direct to consumer brand...and never looked back. You can choose to spec the bike the same and get it for far cheaper, or if you want to budget and spend the same amount, get a bike that is speced at least 2 levels up from a bike shop brand and spend the same for much, much better components.
As for electric mountain bikes in general, there are lots of great uses for eMTB and they can be as much of a workout as you want despite was some hardcore analog bike guys say. You just cover 2 or 3 times as much trail for the same workout.
My wife and I will have two use cases for our one inbound eMTB as my wife and I both, luckily, ride the same size large frame. Sometimes she will ride the eMTB with me on the analog MTB. This so we can ride further and faster and she can keep up. Other use case is me riding the eMTB and her on either the atv or our little "Surron X" electric motorcycle. This should prove to be challenging training rides for me!
We'll still do rides with both of us on analog bikes, but this will allow me to work a lot harder with her keeping up. Should be a hoot.
www.specialized.com
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