We have one ebikemotion and one Fazua. The short version of how they compare is:
The Boardman is a marginally better design overall, IMHO, but at a correspondingly higher price.
The Orbea is better than I expected. I bought it nearly-new as an experiment - expecting to sell it again, but I love it.
Just supposing they were the same price, I'd buy a Boardman/Fazua, but it's not that much better that I'd swap over now.
Even though the bikes are the most basic models available, compared to a 20 year-old steel tourer neither will disappoint. They're close to the weight of a Dawes Super Galaxy (maybe 1-2Kgs more), and they basically let you tackle rides you would have done, well, 20 years ago.
The long version:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/orbea-gain.229793/page-63
The only update to that is that the 2021 Orbeas are even tidier with hidden cables and built-in lights, with a £100-150(?) price hike. I'd probably pay for that - it's sweet.
And if you're going Fazua, try and get a model with the latest battery retention clip. If not, it can be retro-fitted for £130-150. You might be able to argue for the bike shop to help on that cost.
The Boardman is a marginally better design overall, IMHO, but at a correspondingly higher price.
The Orbea is better than I expected. I bought it nearly-new as an experiment - expecting to sell it again, but I love it.
Just supposing they were the same price, I'd buy a Boardman/Fazua, but it's not that much better that I'd swap over now.
Even though the bikes are the most basic models available, compared to a 20 year-old steel tourer neither will disappoint. They're close to the weight of a Dawes Super Galaxy (maybe 1-2Kgs more), and they basically let you tackle rides you would have done, well, 20 years ago.
The long version:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/orbea-gain.229793/page-63
The only update to that is that the 2021 Orbeas are even tidier with hidden cables and built-in lights, with a £100-150(?) price hike. I'd probably pay for that - it's sweet.
And if you're going Fazua, try and get a model with the latest battery retention clip. If not, it can be retro-fitted for £130-150. You might be able to argue for the bike shop to help on that cost.