The end of the light eMTB era? – 9 lightweight e-mountainbikes in direct comparison

Hardly another comparability check has had (or will ever have) such a huge impact on bike improvement as this one. Mild eMTBs have been the pattern of latest years, however that’s starting to alter: the road between classes is turning into increasingly blurred, and technological boundaries are shifting. On this powerful comparability check with 9 thrilling mild eMTBs, we discovered what one of the best mild eMTBs are able to, what we are able to count on from the long run and which bike is the precise one for you.

Desk of contents

1. Are mild eMTBs turning into irrelevant?
2. What kind of ebiker are you?
3. Our mild eMTB check discipline
4. The motor methods of the eMTBs on check: which ebike motor idea fits you greatest?
5. How and the place did we check the e-mountainbikes?
6. Our e-mountainbike check crew
7. Our mild E-MTB check in numbers
8. What do you have to search for when shopping for an eMTB?
9. The tops and flops of our 2024 mild eMTB comparability check
10. An summary of all bikes in our mild eMTB comparability check
11. Greatest in check and Greatest Purchase tip: the Orbea Rise LT M-Crew

Over the previous few years, e-mountainbikers have been asking for extra energy and greater batteries – and so they all obtained what they wished! Vary anxiousness was a standard problem, and one which was exhausting to battle with rational arguments. The consequence was a brutal arms race between producers making an attempt to ship probably the most highly effective motor and largest battery, or the beefiest eMTB to indicate off outdoors the pub after a trip. Each motion has its counter-movement. Mild eMTBs quickly entered the scene.

A journey again in time reveals the primary approaches to mild eMTBs over 8 years in the past. FOCUS have been pioneers on this phase, and offered their first ideas as early as 2016 with the Venture-Y and 2017 with the SAM² Professional, which was step one within the course of sunshine eMTBs. Nonetheless, the idea by no means actually caught on.

The massive breakthrough got here with the primary technology of the Specialised Levo SL, which actually obtained the ball rolling. Since then, producers have launched numerous mild eMTB fashions with completely different motor ideas, just like the FAZUA and TQ methods. In 2023, Bosch unveiled the Efficiency Line SX drive, which shook up the phase as soon as once more, bridging the hole between mild and full-power eMTBs. As we speak, the number of eMTBs and motor ideas is actually spectacular, albeit a bit of complicated. Clear definitions, like these we created at E-MOUNTAINBIKE through the years for each the trade and our readership, have been repeatedly overturned by technological developments.

“Mild eMTB” has at all times been a controversial definition. Does it consult with the bike’s low system weight? Or the motor’s lowered torque? The smaller battery? Or is it the light-footed dealing with that makes an eMTB a lightweight eMTB, no matter its weight? Spoiler alert: in future, there can be no want for these definitions, as a result of basic mild eMTBs will die out over the following few years. Or on the very least, they’ll be relegated to a fringe existence. This group check units tendencies and impulses that can affect bike improvement within the upcoming years. However earlier than we inform you why these modifications are happening, let’s simply say that the newest technology of eMTBs is extra succesful, enjoyable and superior than ever. We travelled to northern Italy – extra exactly to the Paganella Bike Park within the breathtaking Dolomites – placing the bikes by all types of difficult checks whereas having a blast within the course of. Discover out why we pushed each the bikes and ourselves to the restrict!

Are mild eMTBs turning into irrelevant?

Is that this nonetheless a lightweight eMTB? Whereas placing collectively this check discipline, we had a number of heated discussions concerning the matter. Which e-mountainbikes are allowed to participate on this check and which of them aren’t? We shortly realised that no matter whether or not they match the sunshine eMTB description, they needed to be included. In spite of everything, we didn’t simply wish to discover one of the best mild eMTB cash can purchase, but in addition perceive the variations between light-weight and fashionable full-power eMTBs.

The instances of pigeon-holing are over! The boundaries between eMTBs and full-power eMTBs have gotten increasingly blurred, and what actually issues is a constant total idea. As we at all times say, it is unnecessary to contemplate particular person parameters akin to motor energy, suspension journey, geometry or weight in isolation. As an alternative, it’s about discovering a harmonious interplay between particular person elements to realize a smart stability between motor energy, battery capability and system weight, and mix all of this with the precise geometry, suspension kinematics and a smart spec. On the finish of the day, the enjoyable you could have on the path doesn’t rely upon a motorcycle’s key knowledge, however on its driving character and the feelings it awakes in you.

Though standard mild eMTBs will quickly grow to be extra area of interest, there are extra mild eMTBs than ever. The issue: mild eMTBs with weak motors and small batteries are dealing with increasingly competitors from the newest technology of full-power eMTBs. It’s because the large, highly effective full-fat drives have gotten smaller, lighter and extra environment friendly. One other pattern is that battery capacities are going again to affordable sizes. The consequence are light-weight, full-power eMTBs that basically shake up the market. All fashions on this check degree out at 20-22 kg and generate between 150 and 160 mm of journey. When it comes to weight, they’re now getting nearer to mild eMTBs, however depend on a strong motor and massive battery. That is partly because of the evolution of battery and cell improvement, which is permitting producers to supply lighter batteries than ever. Carbon frames have gotten lighter too, whereas detachable batteries have gotten a factor of the previous, at the least amongst most performance-orientated eMTBs. This simplifies body design, and saves a number of grams in additional brackets and lock mechanisms.

Mild eMTBs are additionally beneath stress when it comes to worth. Given the considerably larger portions of motors and batteries produced and bought by bike producers, full-power eMTBs are way more reasonably priced than mild fashions with a comparable spec. One main downside of sunshine eMTBs is that the lightest fashions are normally the costliest flagship fashions. When you attain down under the highest shelf and select a less expensive spec variant, you’ll get a motorcycle that weighs at the least 21 kg, as a result of the spec isn’t trimmed in direction of weight saving. This begs one query: why purchase a lightweight eMTB and sacrifice motor energy and battery capability?

After all, mild eMTBs had their raison d’être, and have strongly pushed bike improvement. Now, nonetheless, they’re steadily turning into irrelevant. Nonetheless, light-weight eMTBs are all of the extra essential, and each producer’s aim is to supply mild bikes, simply with loads of oomph and battery capability. Some bike producers will nonetheless depend on weaker motors and small batteries sooner or later, particularly with XC-orientated ideas just like the Thömus Lightrider and SCOTT Lumen eRIDE, in addition to within the gravel and street sector. However: “mild” eMTBs with little torque and small batteries are going to grow to be historical past.

What kind of ebiker are you?

Our interactive purchaser’s information will enable you discover an e-mountainbike that completely fits your wants and on the identical time permit you to uncover extra about your self and your preferences. With just some clicks, you’ll get personalised suggestions to grasp which eMTBs it’s best to took a more in-depth take a look at. You’ll additionally discover many different thrilling articles to dig deeper into the eMTB world.

Our mild eMTB check discipline

For our mild eMTB group check, we rounded up 9 thrilling bikes. However the check discipline might hardly be extra numerous: not solely are there very completely different ideas, but in addition six completely different motor methods. Alongside the basic mild e-mountainbikes with weak motors and small batteries, there are fashions with highly effective motors and loads of capability. This enables us to current you with a variety of various ideas and supply some in-depth shopping for recommendation with all of the strengths and weaknesses of the person bikes and ideas. This manner, you’ll know what to look out for when shopping for an eMTB, and keep away from making pricey buying errors.

In addition to the desk above, we wish to introduce the eMTBs in additional element:

Specialised joined the sunshine eMTB celebration early on and entered this comparability check with the second technology of the Specialised Turbo Levo SL, sending into the race the elegant S-Works flagship mannequin. What makes it so particular? The Californian producer not solely develops the bike and lots of of its elements in-house, but in addition the motor, battery and {hardware}, together with the show and remotes. At 17.9 kg, it’s the lightest bike in all the check discipline. However does the Turbo Levo SL’s low system weight additionally ship on the path?

With the YT DECOY SN, the German direct-to-consumer model lastly made its mild eMTB debut, counting on a FAZUA Experience 60 motor and 430 Wh battery. At € 8,500, it’s probably the most reasonably priced bike in all the check discipline and, at first look, it comes with a bunch of high-quality elements. However does YT’s new mild eMTB simply look thrilling on paper, or does it additionally crank it up on the path?

The Santa Cruz Heckler SL additionally depends on a FAZUA Experience 60 motor and 430 Wh battery. The promise: most driving enjoyable. In typical Santa Cruz trend, it comes with the Californian model’s unmistakable look and distinctive VPP rear suspension. However can it hold its promise on the path? That is the place the wheat separates from the chaff.

The SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned falls instantly into the attention with its polarising look and mind-boggling degree of integration. Each the compact TQ-HPR50 motor system and the shock are seamlessly built-in into the body. Is the Voltage only a trendy designer merchandise or an actual path weapon?

The Mondraker Dune RR is the one bike on this check with a Bosch Efficiency Line SX motor, which delivers 55 Nm of torque, and attracts its energy from a 400 Wh battery. With its sharp edges and straight traces, it seems to be quick even when stationary. However can it additionally break the sound barrier on the path?

Three bikes on this check depend on a Shimano EP801 motor. At 85 Nm, that is considerably extra highly effective than the sunshine motors on this check, which all ship between 50 and 60 Nm of torque. Every producer goes its personal manner:

Let’s begin with the Orbea Rise LT M-Crew, which lets you customise each the spec and look of the bike utilizing Orbea’s complete MyO on-line configurator. Does this make it the right eMTB for everybody?

The Cannondale Moterra SL1 depends on a Shimano EP801 motor and 600 Wh battery. It makes use of flex-stay rear suspension to cut back the load, in an try to create the right stability between two worlds: loads of energy and a low system weight. Does the idea work in apply?

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10 Ok comes geared up with a 600 Wh battery too, and goals to encourage each newbies and superior riders. It even comes with a number of sensible options, just like the lighting system and built-in multi-tool. Is the MERIDA the jack of all trades that makes everybody completely happy?

The GIANT Trance X Superior E+ Elite 0 V2 depends on the producer’s in-house SyncDrive Pro2 MG motor, which delivers 85 Nm of torque and attracts its energy from a 400 Wh battery. Large additionally depends on their very own {hardware}. With 150/140 mm of journey (entrance/rear), it has the least journey reserves within the comparability check. Is that this the GIANT’s curse?

The motor methods of the e-mountainbikes on check: which ebike motor idea fits you greatest?

As already talked about above, it’s pointless to match motors primarily based on their exhausting numbers. What’s the purpose rocking probably the most highly effective motor if it jolts ahead like a mad horse? Or if it’s paired with a small battery that drains quicker than a muscle automobile drains its gasoline tank? You guessed it, the precise total idea is essential. Energy, response behaviour, modulation, energy supply and the ecosystem across the motor make all of the distinction between frustration and pleasure. After all, reliability is essential too! Yearly, increasingly producers launch motors that also have clear teething points, just like the FAZUA Experience 60 motor system, which continues to be unreliable greater than 2 years after its introduction. The issues go from minor faults to finish system failures. However regardless of how dependable the motor system is perhaps, some of the essential elements is the producer’s service community. A well-developed service community is essential to your peace of thoughts, particularly if you happen to want a spare shortly and with out an excessive amount of problem. It will possibly make the distinction between having a smooth-running bike prepared for the start of the season, or spending your summer season arguing together with your bike store.

Wish to know which motor fits you and your necessities greatest? Then take a look at our massive e-bike motor comparability with the 13 most related motor methods. We’ll clarify all of the fundamentals, essential terminology and key figures, but in addition take a deep dive into the world of motors. We’ll additionally share some thrilling findings from our sensible and laboratory checks, and inform you why there’s no such factor as one of the best ebike motor.

How and the place did we check the e-mountainbikes?

Let’s be sincere, we anticipated the summer season to be a bit of higher. After all, you’ll be able to’t change the climate, however that didn’t cease us from giving these 9 thrilling e-mountainbikes a great beating. And the place higher to try this than on the Paganella Bike Park within the Dolomites? Right here you’ll discover not solely a slice of Dolce Vita with pizza, pasta and focaccia, but in addition an enormous number of trails with the best enjoyable issue and supreme testing circumstances. We lined over 45,000 metres of descent, driving over 800 km on the large Paganella path community – epic adventures and battery-powered parkour included.

Let’s be sincere: it was powerful! Our check monitor – a mix of the Giada Line and new Supernatural Path – not solely pushed the bikes to their limits, but in addition our skilled check crew. Mild eMTBs particularly are designed to stay most of their lives on the path, so that they should show themselves on all kinds of trails. Our check monitor is peppered with rock gardens and technical corners within the higher part, which ultimately give solution to a curvy movement part with numerous jumps and root carpets within the decrease part. Uphill, we put the bikes by the wringer on a mixture of steep forest tracks and tough path climbs.

Our e-mountainbike check crew

What do you have to search for when shopping for an eMTB?

Shopping for a brand new eMTB isn’t the identical as ordering a pizza, so that you’ll want a bit of cash to start out with. Shopping for an eMTB requires some thought, and you may hardly get sufficient data. Most bikes can solely realise their full potential in the event that they’re used correctly, and the road between pleasure and frustration is a really skinny one.

Large battery = lengthy vary?
It’s a widespread false impression that larger ebike batteries routinely translate into a much bigger vary. The vary depends upon numerous elements: before everything, the load and elegance of the rider, in addition to the facility of the motor. Furthermore, the selection of tires, tire pressures and terrain have an affect on the vary too. A weaker motor with a smaller battery can take you simply so far as a strong, thirsty motor with a much bigger battery – although providing much less assist and requiring extra of your individual energy.

No extra pigeon-holing! The appropriate total idea is essential!
The road between eMTB classes is steadily blurring. All of it depends upon the precise total idea. The sheer quantity of fashions and completely different approaches is making it exhausting to get a transparent overview of the eMTB world. There’s way more to it than simply the query of a strong motor and massive battery. In spite of everything, even one of the best electrical motor is just nearly as good because the bike it’s in! It’s not nearly having the precise motor and good battery integration, but in addition about discovering the precise body and elements to go along with it. Small modifications could make an enormous distinction. Reliability and a great service community are important elements too, in any other case you’ll shortly end up stranded in a lodge room with a damaged bike.

All of the gear, no thought? – Why even one of the best e-mountainbike could be ineffective
Even one of the best eMTB is ineffective if it isn’t arrange appropriately. In our checks, we spend plenty of time looking for the precise setup with every bike. The appropriate setup is the important thing to realising the complete potential of the elements and the eMTB. With our setup information, we’ll enable you discover the right setup to your eMTB with a number of useful articles.

The tops and flops in our mild E-MTB Check

Tops

Flops

An summary of all bikes in our mild eMTB comparability check

Cannondale Moterra SL1 in our mild eMTB comparability check

The Cannondale Moterra SL1 takes on the competitors with a trendy look and outperforms the vast majority of the check discipline, impressing in a variety of purposes – whether or not it’s movement trails or technical singletracks. The intuitive dealing with makes it enjoyable to trip for each newbies and seasoned path veterans.

GIANT Trance X Superior E+ Elite 0 V2 in our mild eMTB comparability check

The GIANT Trance X Superior E+ Elite 0 V2 depends on the Taiwanese producer’s highly effective, in-house SyncDrive Pro2 MG motor, which attracts its energy from a 400 Wh battery. This may be expanded utilizing the optionally available 200 Wh vary extender. The Trance X Superior E+ Elite 0 V2 is likely one of the strongest bikes on this check, however can’t switch the facility to the path, which is because of its harsh response behaviour and shallow-profiled tires. On the path, it’s held again by its personal spec and really tough to regulate. This places it within the final third of the check discipline.

MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K in our mild eMTB comparability check

At 22.58 kg, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K is perhaps the heaviest bike in all the check discipline however places lots of its rivals within the shade when it comes to dealing with. It’s predictable and intuitive to trip, and likewise probably the most composed bike in all the check discipline, making even newbies really feel comfy on technical trails. The MERIDA additionally skilfully integrates intelligent options such because the headlight beneath the stem and the multi-tool beneath the saddle.

Mondraker Dune RR in our mild eMTB comparability check

With its fashionable, modern body silhouette, the Dune RR is distinctly recognisable as a Mondraker. The Bosch Efficiency Line SX motor delivers sufficient energy to maintain up with the extra highly effective rivals on the climbs. On the path, it impresses with wonderful composure and killer suspension, though it lacks a bit of nimbleness in tight path sections with hairpin switchbacks.

Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV in our mild eMTB comparability check

The Santa Cruz Heckler SL options the Califiornian model’s typical look and confirmed VPP rear suspension. The American producer has managed to combine the FAZUA Experience 60 motor system seamlessly onto the body. Prior to now, we’ve had numerous issues with this motor system, and may’t due to this fact suggest the bike regardless of its wonderful path efficiency. The highest-tier spec fits the Heckler SL’s supposed use and ensures a excessive enjoyable issue for newbies and superior riders alike.

SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned in our mild eMTB comparability check

Like a magician, the SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned makes the shock disappear into the body, and impresses with a slim, neatly built-in TQ-HPR50 motor system. When it comes to efficiency, it shines notably on flowing trails. On rougher terrain, nonetheless, it requires an skilled rider to unlock its full potential.

Specialised S-Works Turbo Levo SL in our mild eMTB comparability check

With the S-Works Turbo Levo SL, Specialised delivered a well-rounded total bundle. It options stunning particulars, and it’s the cleanest-looking bike in all the comparability check. In comparison with the opposite bikes, you’ll should pedal the toughest on the climbs, however the Levo SL rewards you with an excellent pure trip really feel. Downhill, it’s one of many nimblest, most enjoyable bikes on this check and likewise impresses with intuitive, confidence-inspiring dealing with.

YT DECOY SN in our mild eMTB comparability check

The YT DECOY SN actually shocked us on the path, outclassing all the check discipline when it comes to path efficiency, whereas delivering most driving enjoyable with its predictable, confidence-inspiring dealing with. It comes geared up with a FAZUA Experience 60 motor system, which we examined numerous instances over the previous few years, that means that we’re extra than simply accustomed to it. Nonetheless, FAZUA’s drive has had a number of points for the reason that day of its launch, so we are able to’t suggest you to purchase this bike with out warning you concerning the points with its motor.

Greatest in check and Greatest Purchase tip: the Orbea Rise LT M-Crew

Its predecessor has already asserted itself towards the competitors in our comparability checks through the years. Now the brand new Orbea Rise strikes once more! On the path, it scores with potent suspension, intuitive dealing with and first-class efficiency in all conditions. The highly effective motor and wonderful pedalling place permit you to negotiate even steeper climbs, with out breaking a sweat. With its progressive idea, the brand new Orbea Rise is one step forward of the competitors and, retailing at a very reasonable € 9,989, secures not solely our Greatest Purchase Tip but in addition the coveted Greatest in Check badge!

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Phrases: Mike Starvation, Peter Walker, Robin Schmitt, Benedikt Schmidt, Julian Schwede Photographs: Mike Starvation, Peter Walker