The electric mountain bikes (e-MTB) trend has come in 2021 with countless newcomers and innovative technologies. Our electric mountain bikes reviews below are ready to help you consider using an e-MTB and choose the best one.
- Part 1: Why is an Electric Mountain Bike
- Part 2: 5 Requirements for The Best Electric Mountain Bike
- Part 3: How about the Frame Size and Geometry
- Part 4: Safety Rides
- Part 5: Special Features of Electric MTB
- Part 6: Best Electric Mountain Bike Reviews
Part 1: Why is an Electric Mountain Bike?
Before scrutinizing our electric mountain bikes reviews, you may ask, “Why do I need an electronic mountain bike when I already have my favorite mountain bike?”
Some mountain bikers do think that mountain biking is supposed to be hard, so why do we make it easier with electric bikes? Well, it will still be hard even with an electric bike, but an e-MTB can add the fun factor while mountain biking. Apart from health, you want to have fun while mountain biking, right?
Here are some factors that might be a consideration for riding an e-MTB:
1. It is Challenging
Yes, you can set the e-MTB assistance level to the maximum one, but other levels give you minimum assistance. Let us take a look at Bosch e-MTB’s level assistance:
Off mode: no support, but you can access all on-board computer functions
Eco-mode: effective, optimally efficient support for maximum range
Sport mode: immediate, powerful support for sporty riding, either for mountain biking or road riding
Turbo mode: direct, maximum support to the highest beat for ambitious and athletic riding
If you want a challenge, just stick it in Eco assistance mode on a long hill.
2. No Need to Uplift
Tired of uplifting every weekend? Therefore, the e-MTB will suit you. It will get you to the mountain top without uplifting So, just save your money and enjoy more time on the trails.
3. Short Recovery Time
In every learning, there must be a failure, including on mountain biking. However, biking can get your body healthier and get your knees stronger over time, as it is a low-impact sport. If anything bad happens, an e-MTB speeds up your recovery. The assistance allows you to keep up with your fellows without being too pushy to yourself.
4. Good Geometry
As time goes by, the electric bike producers have improved greatly, as well as with the electronic mountain bikes. Therefore, riding an e-MTB will feel similar to riding a normal bike. The e-MTB producers have worked smart to combine the motor while staying with the bike design.
5. Ride Longer and Further
Have you ever needed to head back to the car after an amazing trail with your bike as your body is screaming for you to stop? Well, we all might have experienced that awful feeling. By riding an electric mountain bike, you can ride longer and further, even go for the long route without any meaningful pain.
Part 2: 5 Requirements for The Best Electric Mountain Bike
Choosing an electric mountain bike may be tricky. Here are some requirements that you need to look for an electric mountain bike:
1. Motor
How a motor handles don’t rely on its peak output only but also how easily it can be controlled, such as the software tune, which has influenced handling significantly.
Less motor power means less power consumption, therefore you need less battery capacity for the same riding time or distance. Therefore, they would prefer light e-MTBs, such as Specialized S-Works Levo SL and Rotwild R.X375 Ultra.
Not sure about your needs? Then you should try e-MTB with smart automatic modes, like Bosch’s, but bear the possible noise on the downhills when the suspension is loaded.
2. Battery Concept
Instead of considering the biggest range bike, you should consider which battery concepts fit you the best. Some of you may be able to ogle the battery watt-hours. However, always consider the battery size for your bike’s actual consumption and choose the battery concept that fits your riding style.
3. Suspension
The suspension must match the bike character and works in any riding scenario. Most suspensions can only do a thing well, either trail performance, efficiency, or uphill comfort. But the best suspension is the one that can bridge the gap between all of them, like the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 C:62 SLT 625 27.5 Kiox.
You may adjust the control, support, and progression after purchasing, but the kinematics are defined by the producer while framing. Therefore, you should know where a bike can be ridden before buying.
A good setup suspension can make a massive difference. All suspension producers provide nice online setup guides that make it easy for you to find a good basic tune.
4. Dropper Post
The dropper post-travel is ideally based on the rider size and is not limited by the frame’s seat tube length.
More drop means easier mounting and dismounting, movement freedom, and safety while riding the trails. In some cases, you can eke out more travel with compact dropper post designs.
Each bike larger than M size should have at least 150 mm travel. Rotwild is the only brand that fits an integrated EightPins dropper post with more than 200 mm travel, but the seat tube is on the long side at 470 mm, so the travel is partly usable. To be trouble-free, pair the dropper with a good remote to actuate it.
5. Wheel and Tires Size
The best wheel size is determined by the handling and bike quality. Every wheel size concept has pros and cons that need to be considered. Whether the bike rolls on 27.5″, 29″, or on a front 29″ and rear 27.5″ wheel (MX), it makes little difference.
However, there is a recommendation when it comes to tires. On the front wheel, 2.6″ tires ensure lots of grips and well-defined handling. In addition,on the rear wheel, the increased grip of 2.8″ tires is enough.
Run them at lower pressure to use them to the fullest strengths. To do that, you need a strong casing that offers puncture resistance and stability.
Tire pressure is highly important and depends on the rider’s weight and style, the ground type, and the tire casing. For flow trails, a lightweight one is enough, but for more demanding tracks, you need more robust tires with a stronger casing, like Schwalbe’s Super Gravity.
Part 3: How about the Frame Size and Geometry?
Before diving into the electric mountain bikes reviews, you may ask about the frame size and geometry.
Well, the right size is chosen based on its reach rather than the seat tube length. Short seat tubes allow you to choose between several sizes as a long dropper post is fitted to the bike. Santa Cruz, Mondraker, and Stevens follow that trend and allow free choices on the frame size.
Not only the size, but you need to consider the bike characteristics as well. Do you want it to be more stable or agile and an upright or a stretched-out riding position?
Part 4: Safety Rides
In any MTB e bike reviews, good performance is nothing without safety. It does not matter how ambitious or great you are in riding, you always need to put safety first. All bikers need powerful brakes. The rotors of 200 mm should be the absolute minimum. Do not choose the one with inconsistent bite points and reduced braking power as it will get you frustrated and also pose a safety risk. Use the Shimano or Sram brakes to keep you safe.
Besides the brakes, you also need to consider the maximum weight and payload. Just like a car, an electric mountain bike is also designed with a specific maximum weight. The producer guarantees that the e-MTB and all the components will stand up to those specific loads. Unfortunately, take off the e-bike weight itself, there is only 95 kg left for you and your equipment.
Worry not, as you can still find e-MTB with larger payloads. For example, the GIANT Trance X E+ 1. With a permissible maximum weight of 156 kg, it leaves 130 kg for you and your equipment. It is slightly different from Centurion, Mondraker, and Cannondale which offer a permissible maximum payload of 150 kg.
Heavier riders surely reach the limit of suspension kinematics and shock quickly. To tune the suspension optimally for the maximum payload, you need to exceed the maximum pressure of the shock. If you exceed the maximum permissible payload, then get ready with your private insurance.
The last thing for safety is service. In any vehicle buying, including e-MTB, you need to make sure about the regular service as one annual inspection will not be enough.
Part 5: Special Features of Electric MTB
The next thing on the electric MTB review is the display. You are now spoilt for choice, from the minimal solutions without a single display to a comprehensive onboard computer. Despite your choice, a display position and remote must be protected in case of crashes.
If you would prefer a minimal solution, then you should go for Specialized or Shimano which offers clever and versatile options as they have strong mounts. If you need navigation, you can connect your e-MTB with GPS. For those who would prefer an onboard computer, you should go for the Bosch Nyon as it provides range-based navigation, a large touch display, and anti-theft features.
Other than the display, all motor producers offer smartphone apps that include route tracking and placeholders. Furthermore, you can upload the data to Strava and Komoot to adjust individual motos settings. Specialized or Shimano motors provide the adjustable assistance modes via an application. With Shimano EP8 motor, you can even store 2 separate motor profiles.
Not just the display, the sound also matters. Many things on a complex e-MTB can make annoying sounds. The frame resonance plays a big role as it can amplify the annoying sound. To avoid this, find yourself a good acoustic damping motor system.
Part 6: Best Electric Mountain Bike Reviews
Above all, we are heading to the MTB e bike reviews. After all considerations above, here are some recommended electric mountain bikes for you:
1. Merida eONE-SIXTY 10K
Price: €9.899
Weight: 22.96 kg
Travel: 160/150 mm
Wheel size: 29″/27.5″
Motor: Shimano EP8
Torque: 85 nm
Battery capacity: 630 Wh
Changing the old motor with the brand new Shimano EP8 and adding a bigger 630 Wh Shimano battery take Merida eONE-SIXTY 10K to number 1 of the best electric mountain bike reviews list. The integrated new battery into the elegant carbon front triangle gives a clean look and quiet ride.
All cables and connections are unnoticed as they are routed inside the handlebar. A soft ribbed chainstay protector keeps chain slap in check without eliminating the EP8 motor signature clunking noise. Meride even discreetly integrated a standard Lezyne headlight into the cockpit and a hidden multi-tool under the saddle.
2. SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910
Price: €6.999
Weight: 25.14 kg
Travel: 180/180 mm
Wheel size: 29″
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
Torque: 85 nm
Battery capacity: 625 Wh
Next on the MTB e bike reviews, there is Ransom eRIDE 910. This time Scott invests in the riding performance components and saves in other areas. The FOX 38 Performance Elite fork with GRIP2 damper performs smoothly and the 180 mm suspension is top-notch.
The 2.6” Maxxis EXO+ Assegai at the front and a Dissector at the rear offer good traction, but the thin casings struggle to keep up with the Ransom eRIDE potential.
Even on high-speed bike park laps, the undercarriage is well protected against any impacts. A ribbed chainstay protector, smart internal cable routing system, and additional cable clamps indeed reduce the background noise without eliminating the signature Bosch clunking noise.
3. Whyte E-150 RS 29ER V1
Price: €6.599
Weight: 24.94 kg
Travel: 150/150 mm
Wheel size: 29″
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
Torque: 85 nm
Battery capacity: 625 Wh
The third-best on this e MTB bike reviews is Whyte E-150 RS 29ER V1. As the battery sits low in the frame, it allows a central and gravity low center, which improves the bike handling. Instead of running on a bigger battery, the Whyte front end lifts with its similarly central center of gravity.
On the trail, this Whyte high weight will go unnoticed. The neatly integrated saddle clamp into the frame and the Bosch speed sensor are the plus points. However, the functional numerous zip-ties and electrical tape for cable bundling are not pretty.
4. Moustache Samedi 29 Trail 8
Price: €6.399
Weight: 23.68 kg
Travel: 150/150 mm
Wheel size: 29″
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
Torque: 85 nm
Battery capacity: 625 Wh
The last one on these e MTB bike reviews is the French brand, which Moustache. Combining the Bosch speed sensor with a brake rotor developed for Shimano systems creates a faultless drive system integration. The most interesting features are the ‘reversed’ bottle cage-mount on the top tube underside and the 150 mm travel rear end with its unconventional shock. And the chainstay also drops low enough to prevent chain slap.
Relying on a mixed suspension setup, Moustache combines a 150 mm FOX 36 GRIP2 fork with its in-house Magic Grip Control shock, which is specifically designed for the Samedi’s rear end. The sag indicator simplifies setting up the shock so much.
In conclusion, after reading the guide and e mtb bike reviews above, now choose your e-MTB wisely. Good luck!
