Test debut of the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel – An affordable eMTB with a feel-good character?


The 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel guarantees to be a premium eMTB with loads of path efficiency. Regardless of top-end elements, it ought to come at a low value too, as could be anticipated from Decathlon. Can the French model make the leap into the eMTB scene and provide a viable various to the massive gamers?

Decathlon E-Really feel 900S Workforce Version | Shimano EP801/630 Wh | 160/150 mm (f/r)
24.76 kg in measurement L | € 5,999 | Producer’s web site

It doesn’t matter what sport you play, you’ll be able to nearly all the time discover appropriate tools at Decathlon, whether or not you’re on the lookout for new trainers, a climbing harness, or swimming goggles. A couple of aisles additional in, and within the on-line retailer, additionally, you will discover gear for canyoning, wakeboarding, and all types of martial arts. So, it’s not shocking that Decathlon even have a big biking phase, with an MTB division. Nevertheless, with eMTBs just like the Stilus 29″, Decathlon haven’t but supplied an interesting choice for performance-oriented riders. Nevertheless, that’s set to vary with the € 5,999 Decathlon E-Really feel (additionally known as the Rockrider E-Really feel in some markets), which guarantees to be a succesful eMTB for demanding use. It depends on an aluminium body, providing 160/150 mm journey, and rolling on 29″ wheels. Due to a Shimano EP801 motor and 630 Wh battery, the 24.76 kg aluminium eMTB ought to make simple work of the climbs.

The 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel intimately

The 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel seems to be understated, with its black body and lack of conspicuous decals. Decathlon go their very own means with the design, particularly contemplating the bent high tube, and the battery cowl with its built-in fenders and Rockrider inscription.

As all the time, magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, and we predict that the Decathlon E-Really feel is the most effective trying eMTB we’ve seen from the French model so far. In comparison with established opponents presenting bikes just like the 2024 SCOTT Voltage, it nonetheless seems to be a bit dated and considerably tough across the edges.

The decals are saved inconspicuous all through, contributing to the bike’s discreet look.
🤘Rock ‘n’ roll: The battery cowl has built-in fenders, with “Rockrider” inscribed into the perimeters.

The down tube has bottle cage bosses, however house contained in the entrance triangle is moderately restricted because of the placement of the piggyback rear shock – you’ll be able to solely simply match a small 600 ml bottle on the scale L body. That is much less of an issue on the 2 extra reasonably priced variants, for the reason that shocks they arrive specced with don’t have exterior reservoirs. You’ll additionally discover a instrument mount somewhat additional up the down tube, which could be very handy for attaching a spare tube or instruments to the body.

The cables on the Decathlon E-Really feel are routed internally through cable ports behind the pinnacle tube. The routing seems to be clear, and the cables don’t rattle. Nonetheless, the E-Really feel isn’t utterly silent – the chainstay protector is product of exhausting rubber, which does little to cut back noise. We’d advise remedying this with a little bit of protecting tape, like VHS Slapper Tape.

Due to the instrument mount, you’ll be able to all the time maintain your necessities with you, even once you don’t really feel like carrying a backpack.
The exhausting rubber chainstay protector solely dampens the chain to a restricted extent.
Our small 600 ml bottle solely simply suits into the entrance triangle with out touching the shock’s reservoir.

The motor system of the 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel 900S Workforce Version

Along with your legs, the Decathlon E-Really feel can also be powered by a Shimano EP801 motor. Serving to you crest the summit in a relaxed method, it affords 85 Nm of torque and 600 W of most help. The motor, in flip, is powered by a detachable 630 Wh battery. Nevertheless, taking it out is sort of time-consuming, and reserved extra for emergencies. The battery cowl is secured with 4 small screws, for which you want a 2.5 mm hex key. Additionally, you will want a 4 mm hex to loosen the battery. Nevertheless, it’s placing the quilt again on that’s particularly fiddly, since you’ll must get 4 small screws into equally small holes. To make issues worse, the quilt doesn’t seal off very effectively, and we discovered traces of grime and moisture on the battery after simply the primary few rides. After all, you too can depart the battery within the bike for recharging, due to the simply accessible charging port. Nevertheless, the rubber cowl of the charging port is a bit fiddly too. The small Shimano SC-EN600 show is nestled securely subsequent to the stem, indicating the battery cost standing, pace, and help mode.

Due to the mix of the Shimano motor and digital XT Di2 drivetrain, the bike additionally advantages from Shimano’s FREE SHIFT operate. This lets you shift gears with out having to pedal, so long as the rear wheel is spinning. This lets you maintain the cranks within the horizontal place for optimum floor clearance, whereas deciding on the suitable gear for an approaching impediment or climb. It doesn’t matter for those who’re slamming by means of a rock backyard or ploughing over roots – all it’s important to do is contact the shifter along with your thumb.

You’ll want the regular arms of a mind surgeon to reattach the battery cowl to the down tube with its 4 small screws.
Shimano motor plus Shimano drivetrain leads to FREE SHIFT performance.
Decathlon depend on the Shimano EP801 motor.

The elements of the 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel 900S Workforce Version on take a look at

When speccing the 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel on take a look at, the French model tried to mix affordability with most path efficiency. That is evident when contemplating the high-end suspension, consisting of a RockShox ZEB Final fork and Tremendous Deluxe Final shock. Each may be fine-tuned to fulfill your wants, and ship a first-class path efficiency. The gears are taken care of by a 12-speed Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain, which is powered by the built-in battery of the 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel.

For the fork and shock, the French model depend on high-end suspension from RockShox.
You may shift gears electronically due to the Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain.

The TRP Path EVO brakes present ample stopping energy and good modulation, paired with 203 mm rotors. The brake levers are bolted to a 780 mm large, aluminium house-brand handlebar. Decathlon additionally provide the 170 mm dropper put up, permitting ample freedom of motion.

The sturdy Mavic E-Deemax wheelset is shod with Decathlon Rockrider Grip 500 tires. We’re recognized to complain about tires, however the criticism is justified right here greater than ever. The in-house rubber supplies zero grip, not to mention “Grip 500”. We swapped them out instantly after the primary take a look at trip, permitting us to evaluate the eMTB’s true potential with out being hindered by the tires. Even for those who solely trip trails often, we’d advocate upgrading this eMTB with a extra succesful set of tires, just like the Schwalbe Magic Mary and Massive Betty, or Continental Kryptotal Entrance and Rear, for instance. Nevertheless, for those who stick with asphalt and average gravel roads, the inventory Decathlon tires will do wonderful, providing pretty low rolling resistance.

Paired with 203 mm rotors, the TRP brakes present ample braking energy.
The in-house tires are product of a tough rubber compound. Whereas they roll effectively on asphalt and gravel roads, they’re woefully missing in off-road grip.

Decathlon E-Really feel 900S Workforce Version

€ 5,999

Specs

Motor Shimano EP801 85 Nm
Battery SHIMANO BT- EN806 630 Wh
Show SHIMANO SC-EN600
Fork RockShox Zeb Final 160 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Tremendous Deluxe Final 150 mm
Seatpost Rockrider Dropper 170 mm
Brakes TRP TRAIL EVO 203 mm
Drivetrain SHIMANO XT 8150 Di2 1×12
Stem Potence aluminium 45 mm
Handlebar Cintre aluminium 780 mm
Wheelset Mavic e-Deemax S 29″
Tires ROCKRIDER GRIP 900 2.4″

Technical Information

Measurement S M L XL
Weight 24,76 kg

Particular Options

Instrument Mount

The completely different construct variants of the 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel

Along with the flagship mannequin on take a look at, there are two extra reasonably priced builds out there, beginning with the Decathlon E-Really feel 700S, priced at simply € 3,999. This construct is powered by a lower-end Shimano EP600 motor, and depends on Shimano’s price range CUES groupset. The suspension of the E-Really feel 700S consists of a RockShox 35 Gold fork and Deluxe Choose shock.

For € 1,000 extra, you will get the € 4,999 Decathlon E-Really feel 900S, which boasts the identical Shimano EP801 motor as our take a look at bike. The groupset stays Shimano CUES, however you get a slight improve on the suspension, with a RockShox Area fork, although paired with the identical RockShox Deluxe Choose shock.

The geometry of the 2024 Decathlon E-Payment

The 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel is out there in 4 sizes, accommodating riders from 150–195 cm tall. The attain is moderately conservative, measuring simply 465 mm in measurement L. Nonetheless, the E-Really feel has a relatively lengthy wheelbase of 1,263 mm, which is partly because of the 465 mm chainstays. At 65°, the pinnacle angle is just about on a par with fashionable path bikes, and the seat tube is a brief 420 mm. Sadly, the seat put up insertion depth is considerably restricted, stopping the 170 mm dropper put up from being inserted all the best way into the body, which is a disgrace.

Measurement S M L XL
High tube 567 mm 589 mm 611 mm 633 mm
Seat tube 380 mm 415 mm 420 mm 460 mm
Head tube 110 mm 118 mm 125 mm 135 mm
Head angle 65.0° 65.0° 65.0° 65.0°
Seat angle 76.5° 76.5° 76.5° 76.5°
Chainstays 465 mm 465 mm 465 mm 465 mm
BB Drop 30 mm 30 mm 30 mm 30 mm
Wheelbase 1,217 mm 1,240 mm 1,263 mm 1,288 mm
Attain 425 mm 445 mm 465 mm 485 mm
Stack 632 mm 639 mm 645 mm 654 mm

The 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel 900S Workforce Version on the path

Hopping aboard the Decathlon E-Really feel, you’ll end up in an upright using place, thanks partially to the quick attain. Nonetheless, it feels considerably hand-heavy, which comes at the price of long-distance consolation. That mentioned, the hand-heavy using place proves to be a bonus on the climbs, holding the entrance wheel planted and in management even when issues get steep. The rear suspension stays lively, bobbing barely as you pedal. As such, the E-Really feel generates loads of traction (except you’re working the inventory tires) and luxury.

Whenever you determine to heed gravity’s name, you’ll really feel properly built-in with the bike, and also you’ll rapidly really feel at residence due to the intuitive dealing with. That is additionally because of the tall entrance finish, stopping you from feeling such as you would possibly go over the bars on steep terrain. Regardless of this, we had sufficient weight on the entrance tire to trip slalom by means of the timber, with out having to actively shift our weight forwards, instilling us with confidence.

This sense is underlined by the plush suspension, successfully absorbing bumps from rocks and roots. It additionally absorbs a few of your enter when pumping the bike over rollers and thru berms, requiring somewhat extra effort to get the bike airborne off small obstacles or jumps. However, the suspension generates a great deal of grip on pure trails, offered you’ve swapped the inventory tires. Freshmen, and superior riders particularly, additionally profit from the FREE SHIFT operate, so you’ll be able to all the time be in the correct gear for an approaching impediment, or to pedal out of a nook. The 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel does an important job of cornering and altering path, although you’ll discover the bike’s comparatively lengthy wheelbase and excessive weight when issues get very tight.

You’ll discover the lengthy wheelbase when issues get tight, requiring an lively using type.
You would possibly even need to do a small nostril pivot to get the again wheel round.

If the path will get extra demanding, strewn with giant rocks and drops, the Rockrider E-Really feel will begin feeling nervous and require an skilled hand to maintain the bike beneath management. Due to the plush rear suspension, the rear wheel conforms to the path and isn’t simply thrown astray by lateral impacts. The truth is, the Decathlon’s rear finish is simply too gentle, which leads to imprecise dealing with.


Who’s the 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel 900S Workforce Version for?

The 2024 Decathlon Rockrider E-Really feel appeals most to newcomers who’re on the lookout for a beginner-friendly eMTB that’s specced with top-end elements at a good value. The Rockrider E-Really feel is equally appropriate for riders who get pleasure from tackling steep climbs. Nevertheless, superior riders and racers will need extra help from the suspension, and extra agile dealing with.

Our conclusion on the 2024 Decathlon E-Really feel 900S Workforce Version

The brand new Decathlon E-Really feel boasts a formidable record of elements, particularly contemplating the worth. Due to its beginner-friendly dealing with on the paths, it would additionally instil newcomers with confidence, making it a good selection for many who are new to the scene. It performs effectively on the climbs too, although you’ll discover the considerably hand-heavy using place on longer excursions. Extra skilled riders will need extra help from the suspension, and extra agile dealing with.

Tops

  • high-end elements at a good value
  • instrument mount
  • intuitive dealing with

Flops

  • tires aren’t appropriate for path using
  • lack of help from the rear finish

For extra info, go to decathlon.com


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Phrases: Sebastian Dirscherl Photographs: Mike Starvation

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