Will light eMTBs soon be history? – The 6 most important findings from our 2024 light eMTB comparison test
We put 9 of the most popular gentle eMTBs by the wringer to learn how they fare in probably the most numerous using conditions. What do you must know earlier than shopping for? Do gentle eMTBs actually have a future? We’ve collected 6 of probably the most fascinating findings from our 2024 gentle eMTB comparability check for you!
Gentle eMTBs are one of many hottest tendencies of latest years. Whereas the number of completely different eMTB and motor ideas is really spectacular, it may also be complicated. That’s why we determined to pack 9 thrilling gentle eMTBs, every with completely different ideas, into the again of our van and put them by the wringer on the paths of the Paganella Bike Park, Trentino, to learn how they examine with one another. Not solely did we discover the perfect gentle eMTB of 2024, however we additionally gained some very fascinating insights. Spoiler alert! Devoted gentle eMTBs could quickly be historical past, however the brand new technology of light-weight eMTBs might be cooler, extra enjoyable and extra highly effective than ever! Nonetheless, there are additionally some dangers that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Gentle eMTBs are useless: Lengthy stay light-weight eMTBs
Gentle eMTBs with weak motors and small batteries are going through increasingly competitors from the newest technology of full-power eMTBs. That’s as a result of highly effective full-fat motors are getting smaller, lighter and extra environment friendly – identical to the batteries! Evidently, this enables producers to design lighter full-power eMTBs. For instance, the Orbea Rise, which depends on a robust 85 Nm Shimano EP801 motor and 420 Wh battery, suggestions the scales at simply 19.3 kg, whereas the SCOTT Voltage, which comes outfitted with the compact 50 Nm TQ-HPR50 motor and smaller 360 Wh battery, is simply barely lighter at 19.14 kg.
One main downside of sunshine eMTBs is that the lightest fashions are normally the costliest flagship fashions. When you attain down a shelf or two and select a less expensive spec variant, you’ll get a motorbike that weighs at the very least 21 kg, as a result of the spec isn’t trimmed in the direction of weight financial savings. Weight is necessary, however not essentially a deal breaker, whereas the precise weight distribution and suspension setup are essential to a motorbike’s efficiency. True to our motto: it’s a few harmonious total idea, not particular person elements.
Gentle eMTBs are additionally underneath strain with regards to value. Given the considerably greater portions of full-power motors and batteries produced and bought by bike producers, in addition to the decrease growth and manufacturing prices, full-power eMTBs are sometimes way more inexpensive than gentle fashions with comparable specs. Regardless of turning into more and more fashionable, the variety of gentle eMTBs at the moment produced doesn’t even come near the excessive portions of full-power eMTBs.
A great service community is extra necessary than ever!
The number of eMTB and motor ideas is spectacular, however developments are transferring so quick that producers are sometimes releasing merchandise that aren’t totally prepared for the market but. In consequence, speccing new ebike motors additionally has its dangers. One instance is the FAZUA Experience 60 motor system, which has had a number of issues since its launch again in 2022. Though the newest software program replace has addressed lots of its issues, we will’t blindly suggest the system, or bikes which depend on one. That’s although bikes just like the YT DECOY SN and the Santa Cruz Heckler SL delivered an incredible efficiency on the path on this comparability check. A decisive issue when shopping for an ebike is the reliability of the motor and the service community behind it. There’s no level in rocking the newest motor system in the event you can’t pay money for spares shortly and simply. The bigger and extra widespread a motor producer is, the better the probabilities of getting assist with issues at house or on the highway.
Efficiency beats user-friendliness
All bikes on this check depend on a completely built-in battery. Whereas many bikes in our large eMTB group check nonetheless had detachable batteries, with light-weight eMTBs, the development is in the direction of completely built-in batteries – no matter whether or not they depend on a full-power or gentle motor system.
Completely built-in batteries allow slimmer body designs and will be seamlessly built-in into the body. This permits builders to optimise the place of the battery, and thus the bike’s total weight distribution. However, the cut-out within the body that permits you to take away the battery is a continuing problem for body designers. The completely built-in battery will increase body stiffness, and removes the necessity for complicated battery mounts and covers, which improve the failure fee and growth effort.
In fact, completely built-in batteries even have their drawbacks. Whereas they make it simpler for producers to design their bikes, they’ve a number of disadvantages for finish customers. For instance, to cost the battery, you must have a socket in your storage or bike cave, in any other case you’ll should schlepp your muddy bike into your home, or up the steps into your residence. Changing a defective battery is tougher too.
Much less is extra – Connectivity and light-weight eMTBs
4 out of the 9 bikes on this check resign a show altogether, with a lot of the rivals counting on compact, minimalist options that solely present probably the most essential using knowledge, just like the battery cost standing and assist mode. This strategy clearly exhibits that the final focus is on minimalism and efficiency. When you want extra data, you should utilize further connectivity options by way of the apps of the respective motor techniques, similar to post-ride knowledge evaluation, customisation of using modes and navigation capabilities.
Nonetheless, with the Turbo Levo SL, Specialised present {that a} excessive stage of connectivity and a classy, refined integration of the motor system aren’t mutually unique with gentle eMTBs. The show of the Turbo Levo SL is seamlessly built-in into the highest tube and affords a transparent consumer interface, regardless of offering a considerable amount of data. TQ take an identical strategy, enabling tremendous clear integration of your entire motor system on the SCOTT Voltage. On the opposite facet is the Mondraker Dune RR, which comes outfitted with the biggest show in your entire check area: the Bosch Kiox 500 show, which doesn’t fairly match the sporty orientation of the eMTB, and sits in a weak place on the entrance of the stem.
Carbon vs. aluminium with gentle eMTBs
Whereas a few of the full-fat rivals in our large eMTB group check nonetheless relied on an alloy body, all the bikes in our gentle eMTB group check make use of a carbon body. There are just about no gentle eMTBs with aluminium frames – you don’t go to the ballet carrying a go well with of armour. Jokes apart, the primary cause is clear: carbon is lighter than aluminium, which suggests a decrease total system weight with the identical diploma of stiffness and energy. Nonetheless, you’ve got to remember that the carbon body is just one a part of the general system. The motor system and different elements have at the very least as a lot affect on the bike’s weight. Carbon additionally affords extra freedom by way of design and integration. This provides bike designers loads of freedom with designs and permits them to create extra complicated body shapes. Bikes just like the SCOTT Voltage eRIDE, with its built-in shock and clear, futuristic look, showcase the probabilities clearly. In fact, carbon additionally has its drawbacks, like greater manufacturing prices and extra complicated restore choices in case of harm. If you wish to delve deeper into the topic, you must take a better take a look at the Carbon Myths article from our sister journal ENDURO.
Our conclusions in regards to the 2024 gentle eMTB comparability check
Gentle eMTBs have made spectacular progress lately and have considerably superior eMTB growth. Sadly, nevertheless, some motor techniques are nonetheless vulnerable to failure, so a great service community is vital. As well as, competitors from lighter full-power eMTBs is consistently rising, threatening the top of sunshine help eMTBs. Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply that there might be no extra light-weight eMTBs sooner or later. Quite the opposite: the long run guarantees even lighter e-mountainbikes, with full-power motors.
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Phrases: Mike Starvation Photographs: Mike Starvation, Peter Walker
