This bike gets up to speed quickly and stays there. Bike Perfect is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The Bullit has been in Santa Cruz's range since 1998, but after 2011 the Californian brand put the model on hiatus.
Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Look for robust suspension and a fork with at least 36mm stanchions for proper trail riding. Likewise, the Commencal Meta Power TR has ample power for grinding uphill, but the bike's length gives it more of a monster truck feel and is best at powering up and over things and less about finesse. For more details on how theYT Decoy Eliteperformed during testing, read our full review.
The offset is that more radical riders who are hitting things hard might find that the suspension is overall eager, but ultimately we found the Jam2 stayed calm when the trail became chaotic. Shimano's BT-E8036 630Wh battery is powered by a Shimano EP8 motor attached to a 34T chainring. This rock climber turned mountain cyclist loves huge rides covering obscene distances. Each tester rode every bike numerous times and formulated their own opinions of each model, considering how factors like the component spec, geometry, and frame design play a role in its downhill performance. While the eONE-SIXTY is pegged as an enduro bike and certainly has the travel and clout to back it up, we had the most fun exploring areas and zones that we wouldnt have otherwise explored on a regular bike. Colin has worked at Bikeradar and is a regular contributor to Australian Mountain Bike and Cyclist magazines. Our testing regime puts each bike through a multi-point performance analysis to rate its performance as a true mountain bike and its ability as an e-bike. Our tester rode the Canyon for 38.5 miles with 5,292 feet of elevation gain/loss. Again, it worked better than expected, but concessions were clearly made to keep the price down. In Australia, e-bikes are split into throttle operated and pedal assist. Much like the Specialized Levo SL and Canyon Spectral:ON models, it feels like a trail bike with responsive handling, agility, and the ability to get after it when the mood hits or the trail gets rowdy. There are many places in the U.S. where you can legally and responsibly ride e-MTBs and take it from us; they are a heck of a lot of fun. Read more about this bike in our fullMerida eONE FORTY 9000 review. Capable suspension alongside grounded geometry figures means that, whether the trail back down is flowing singletrack or littered with technical features, you are aboard a bike that can not only handle almost any track with composure but encourages playful riding that squeezes as much fun as possible from the returning descent. The Whyte E-150 S seriously impressed us with its outstanding handling, a well-performing Bosch drive system, and a great build kit of Shimano components which is why we gave it 5 stars when we reviewed it. All of the e-bikes we tested are Class 1 with a top supported speed of 20 mph and have several support modes offering varying levels of pedal assist support. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Are you searching for the best electric mountain bike? The 700Wh battery carries over from the previous version, and gives the bike a very impressive range, while the revised motor pumps out some serious torque with three customizable support settings. Again, the flip-chips were a nice feature to dial in the geometry to your preferences, and we generally found the high setting to be better for climbing and everyday trail riding. When a compelling new model hits the market, we buy it for testing and add it to the review. While a lighter bike with less power output is the whole point of the Levo SL, it might not be the e-bike experience that many riders are looking for. Testing electric mountain bikes on moto legal trails near Lake Tahoe, CA. Rides: BMC Team Machine SLR01, Trek Top Fuel 9, Ibis Ripley. We tested electric mountain bikes from Specialized, Canyon, Commencal, Trek, and more to find the best. The distance range of an electric mountain bike refers to the distance you can travel on a single battery charge given a specific set of circumstances. The Levo is powerful, and the geometry lends itself well to scrambling up just about any climb while remaining very maneuverable. Each bike's geometry, handling, and power output all played a role in how well these bikes performed on the ascents, and we had plenty of time to test them while rallying back uphill for more downhill laps. While it is impressive that they've managed to squeeze 900Wh of battery into the frame, the resulting bulge at the bottom of the downtube reduces clearance quite noticeably. It makes the rider work harder, and it may be preferred for some riders. We rode it 13 miles and 2,858 vertical feet, plus an additional 5 miles and 964 vertical feet with the Range Extender battery. According to Scott, that should be enough to give you 2,000m of climbing in ECO mode. All of the pedal-assist drive units we tested also have smartphone apps that can be used to customize your support settings, and such changes may allow for more or less range on your electric mountain bike. Chris McNamara spends a whole lot of time in the saddle. He continues to race mountain bikes and has racked up some impressive results at the Downieville Classic and the Lost and Found Gravel Grinder. The new Shimano EP8 on the Decoy 29 works very well. It really comes alive at speed and feels confident and composed in aggressive terrain, yet it's still fun to rip around on mellower trails. The result is a shockingly well-balanced bike that remains impressively maneuverable and lively despite its heavy weight. It is important to note that all of these systems work pretty well; their differences are relatively subtle but noticeable. He got more serious in college and started racing bikes in 1999. NY 10036. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers.
Due to the Levo's adjustable geometry, however, this may not always be the case as its handling can be altered so dramatically. We scored them on several rating metrics, downhill performance, climbing performance, distance range, power output, and e-bike controls to gain the knowledge to help you in your e-bike buying quest. The addition of a large battery and a small motor adds significant weight to an e-bike, and they generally weigh in the neighborhood of 50 lbs, approximately 20 pounds heavier than non-e-bikes. In the US, rules for e-bikes vary from state to state; with 30 states classifying e-bikes as ordinary bicycles, while the remaining 20 label e-bikes as mopeds, scooters or something else altogether. Improvements in design and geometry mean that the best electric mountain bikes are extremely cable and fun to ride off-road. You decide how you want the Levo to ride.
If you head to the bottom of the page, there is even more useful information, such as what to look for when considering buying an electric mountain bike and important geographic regulations. A 630Wh battery is also a nice touch, and the Meta Power TR has a pretty impressive distance range. He is a former singlespeed rider, and his alter ego is known as the Angry Single Speeder. It is important to note that adding a motor, battery, controls, wiring, and sensors to a mountain bike creates additional potential for these components to have issues or fail altogether. To make things more confusing, state regulations can supersede the federal statute. The suspension is handled by Fox's Performance line, with 150mm of travel in the rear and 160mm in the front. A powerful motor, excellent range, and a highly capable and versatile ride keep the Turbo Levo at the top of our list of the best electric mountain bikes. Both systems must be limited to 25kph, and the throttle-operated motors can only output 200 watts while pedal assist is legal up to 250 watts. An exception to this rule is the Turbo Levo SL Comp, a lower-powered and lighter-weight model that tips the scales at just 41 lbs and 10 oz. The build of the Comp alloy model we tested is mostly great for the price and contributes to its overall performance. The wide downtube of the Spectral:ON houses a whopping 900Wh battery that gives it the longest range of any model we've tested. 
Otherwise, torturous access is made possible with the eONE-SIXTYs determined climbing ability which makes exploration fun rather than a hardship. The adjustable geometry is a real highlight, giving the rider the ability to set the bike up in six distinct configurations through adjustable head cups and flip chips in the chainstays. With roughly half the power output and torque of the full-power models, it makes you work a fair bit harder on the climbs. Its long and slack geometry is reminiscent of an enduro bike, and it felt great at speed and in rowdy terrain. Again, the new Turbo Levo SL falls into a different category than the other bikes in this review. The YT Decoy 29 is s uper versatile model that won't hold you back on the descents. Batteries will be described in Watt-hours or Wh, taking both output and capacity into account a bigger number means the battery will take you farther on a single charge, but those with more capacity are heavier which will impact the ride characteristics. To test this, we rode the bikes downhill a lot and took them down various terrain, from fast and flowing open trails to tight low-speed technical and everything in between. Many e-mountain bikes come with robust aluminum framesets, but brands are rolling out more carbon options as they get the hang of this new segment of bikes. That's because speeds, line choice and the types of trails ridden are hugely different from the average rider. Now it's back in a completely new format: a burly, long-travel e-MTB. The trustworthy Shimano EP8 motor has been angled slightly to accommodate the large battery which has been specially designed to keep the weight as low as possible in the frame. Focus has looked to cater for new and intermediate riders with the Jam2 which means the 150mm of forgiving suspension adds comfort and control. It features Shimano's ergonomically friendly and low-profile shifter, as well as the SC-EM800 handlebar mounted digital display that is easy to read. Using a mix of trail and turbo modes, our testers were able to complete 30+ mile rides with 6k of vertical before draining the battery completely. The Fox 36 Rhythm fork does a pretty good job at the front of the bike, but we found it to be a bit flexy under braking and in rough terrain at speed. It isn't just a one-trick pony, however, as it was also quite fun to rip around on flow trails and mellower terrain. We test these e-bikes for countless hours on the trail along with head to head testing for direct comparison. Specialized recently introduced the Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp, a line-blurring e-bike that splits the difference between the non-powered Stumpjumper and the full-power Levo.
The new crop of pedal-assisted mountain bikes has reliable drive systems, great components, and excellent suspension, making them a blast to ride. Want to know more? Redesigned for the 2022 model year, this bike rolls on mixed wheel sizes with 155/150m of travel, a modern trail riding geometry, and a full carbon frame that houses a massive 900Wh battery. The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy returns to our electric mountain bike test and claims the top step on the podium for the fourth year in a row. We didn't go easy on them. Should come stock with tougher casing tires. This unprecedented level of adjustability really allows the rider to set the bike up to suit their riding style, terrain, and preferences, taking the Levo's versatility to another level.
Canyon really impressed us with the new Spectral:ON CF 8. No ads. Instead, we treated them all as if they were our own, putting them through the wringer to identify their strengths and weaknesses. This native New Englander started mountain biking in 1992. The most common type is Class 1, or pedal assist, bikes that have motor units activated by pedaling and are limited to lower speeds. E-MTBs come with a range of battery storage capacities, most in the range of 625-700Wh, with a few exceptions. That said, there are probably some great customizable features of the display that we didn't fully examine. Bump taming is handled byFox's DPX2 Elite shock and 38 Elite forks, both measuring in at 160mm of travel. On the climbs, it is comfortable with just enough power to help you scramble up just about anything.
While it's about half as powerful as a full-power model, it still roughly doubles your output to help you ride faster and farther, albeit with a little more effort.
However, this isn't always the case as the Commencal Meta Power TR Ride costs less and performs nearly as well as its more expensive competition. The YT Decoy 29 Core 4 is a very competent climber. Pedal assistance sure does make those climbs easier, and in some cases, just as fun as the descents. Our testers rode each of these electric mountain bikes for hundreds of miles, countless hours, and an absurd number of vertical feet. Additionally, the highly adjustable geometry allows the rider to dramatically alter the bike's character and handling to suit their style, terrain, and preferences. If you ride a bicycle for recreation, fitness, sanity, or Mountain bike tires have the ability to make or break the Are you searching for the best dropper seatpost for your Searching for a new mountain bike helmet? The result is a superbly well-rounded bike that climbs and descends with composure and confidence, vital when you are tackling big days out and are likely to experience a wide variety of terrain. We recommend doing some research about warranty coverage and buying from a knowledgeable local dealer whenever possible to ensure that you will be taken care of if problems should arise. Perhaps the only thing missing that would make this a near-perfect e-MTB are slightly smaller tires to improve handling precision - which can be easily swapped out if you want.
It's also pretty heavy at 53+ lbs, and it can feel like a bit of a handful at lower speeds and in tight spots on both the climbs and descents. The different motor systems are all pretty good but differ slightly. For more details, check out our Focus Jam2 7.0 review. Shimano's dependable Deore groupset handles the drivetrain and braking. Did we mention it has a 900Wh battery? It impressed us with its damp, ground-hugging feel, and it seemed eager to get up to speed. The Rail's flip-chips also give the rider the ability to adjust the geometry to their terrain or preferences. Riding an electric mountain bike is anything but cheating, and you can still finish a ride on an electric mountain bike just as gassed, if not more so, than on a standard mountain bike. Check out our Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 review. With a geometry that is nearly identical to the Stumpjumper along with the reduced weight, the Levo SL is more nimble and handles a lot more like a normal trail bike than any other e-MTB we've tested. Supplying the power is a Shimano EP8 motor with a full-size 630Wh battery so you can cover lots of ground. Shimano provides the drivetrain and braking as well, with an XT derailleur and SLX shifter providing dependable performance that is synonymous with the brands benchmark groupset. Range anxiety is pretty much a thing of the past as the Spectral:ON packs enough juice to make sure you run out of energy before it does. Of course, there is still room for improvement, but we found little not to like about the Turbo Levo Comp. To compare the distance range of the models in our test, we had the same tester take each bike out in their highest support setting and do laps on roughly the same course until the batteries ran down from fully charged to completely dead. Heres why you can trust us. We don't feel the apps are necessary for using any of these e-MTB's, but those with an affinity for technology or personalizing your ride may be inclined to use them. The new Shimano EP8 motor works well and is a particularly nice spec on the least expensive build in the range. The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association has proposed a three-class system that divides electric bikes up based on their maximum assisted speed: For all three classes, the motor can only put out a max of 750 watts, and the class needs to be clearly labeled. Combined with a relatively low bottom bracket height means that bottoming out on the skid plate may occur in some situations. The somewhat moderate trail riding geometry lends itself to responsive handling, while the power of the EP8 motor helps you blast up climbs once considered impossible. Bike Perfect is supported by its audience. E-bikes are a ton of fun to ride. Kurt Gensheimer is a bike industry veteran and freelance writer. We tested this metric primarily based on feel instead of scientific measurement, and our testers could all notice the differences between the various models. This impressive performance also translated to real-world trail rides where it easily handled 30+ mile rides with over 6,000 feet of climbing, and we never once drained the battery or even worried about it dying on a ride. It's worth noting this statute defines the maximum assisted speed of the bike propelled solely by the motor, not when it's being pedaled. One downside is that Canyon is a direct-to-consumer brand, so it's not possible to look at one in person before you buy it, but it will be shipped right to your doorstep. Downhill performance is our most highly weighted rating metric because we feel that the most important element of an e-bike is how well it performs out on the trail, especially when bombing down the hill. On the integration front, a one-piece bar and stem that routes all the gear, brake, motor and Twin-Loc suspension controls into the frame. The 2021 Trek Rail 9.7 comes with a 625Wh battery. During testing, we analyzed each bike's design and build and rated them on their uphill and downhill performance, distance range, power output, and user-friendliness of the e-bike controls and interface. The all-mountain bike features 160mm of travel front and rear and is powered by a Gen4 Bosch Performance CX motor with 85Nm of torque and a 750Wh. At the same time, it's very stable with enough travel to confidently handle just about anything most people would consider riding down without feeling like a handful in mellower terrain. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. It took more effort on the part of the rider, but we were still impressed with the range regardless. This 29er has 140mm of travel with a 150mm fork and a seriously long and slack geometry. The Decoy's powerful Shimano EP8 motor is one factor, but its dialed trail riding geometry is another. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. While the controls are intuitive, their ergonomics weren't the best. If you are looking for the cutting edge in e-MTB features then Scott's newest Patron E-Ride should be top of your list. Then again, it could be the ticket for the rider who still wants to push some watts of their own and is seeking a more agile, playful, and "normal" feeling ride. This bike is surprisingly nimble and lively given its weight, yet it remains super stable and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds and in steeper terrain. The battery storage capacity is also a bit less than half at 320Wh, although you can add 160Wh with the optional Range Extender battery. Overall though, the Specialized still proved to be the test team's favorite for its enhanced versatility through adjustable geometry, well-rounded performance, and very impressive range and efficiency. The power output is impressively smooth, although it doesn't deliver the oomph of the full power models.
The overall geometry is pretty neutral as well with a 65-degree headtube, 76-degree seat angle and 480mm reach (large) to make the bike predictable and easy to handle on the trail.
We researched the latest and greatest e-MTB models and purchased 6 to test and compare side-by-side. Find out more about why we awarded the Whyte E-150 S a full five stars out of five.
If you have a smaller price range, we also have a guide for the best budget e-MTBs. After riding some of the best electric mountain bikes currently on the market, the Bike Perfect team has been thoroughly impressed.
The motor and battery are the heaviest parts of the bike, and with this weight between the wheels and close to the ground, it doesn't throw your center of gravity out of whack. Lighter weight and less powerful, the Turbo Levo SL still doubles your effort and handles a lot more like a traditional mountain bike than its full-power, heavyweight counterparts. Check with local land management agencies to find out where you are allowed to use an electric mountain bike before taking it to the trails. Specialized is no longer winning the battery size wars (for now), but the Turbo Levo Comp is still very competitive with its 700Wh battery. It's not often he pins on a number nowadays, and you'll likely find him in search of flowy singletrack, gravel roads and hairpin corners. There are lots of great models on the market, and we hope this detailed comparative review helps you find the right e-MTB for your needs and budget. Theoretically, the larger the battery, the longer and farther you should be able to ride, but external variables like rider weight, pedaling input, terrain, trail conditions, and weather conditions may all affect the length of time or distance that a battery charge will last. This battery fits into the same amount of space as the 500Wh battery in the older models while adding only 2 lbs to the overall weight. Likewise, the consumer-direct YT Decoy 29 Core 4 is no drop in the bucket, but it comes with a carbon frame and a fantastic build for much less than a mainstream brand. No sponsored content. It's not all gold stars for the Spectral:ON CF 8. The mullet setup of 29er front and 27.5in rear wheels use DT Swiss rims and Maxxis tires.
Privacy | Cookies | Terms. The handling of the Crafty comes alive in the most technical terrain, and the drive system is smooth and efficient. We rode the Decoy 29 for over 24 miles and 4,000+ vertical feet on multiple singletrack test rides and finished with gas in the tank. Read review: Commencal Meta Power TR Ride. The heavyweight of these bikes makes them significantly more difficult to ride without the support of the pedal-assist motor. Let us know! Centrally Scott has focussed on lowering the center of gravity as much as possible by rotating the motor and dropping the battery as low as possible in the downtube. At first glance, the outdated geometry and motor on the YT Decoy Elite e-MTB would be easy to overlook.
Over the years, we've tested a variety of different electric bikes, including the best budget e-bikes, and our full review of the top electric bikes, giving us a broad spectrum of electric biking products to gain knowledge from. Joshua Hutchens has spent decades in the bike industry. The brakes are Shimano XTdisc brakeswith 203mmrotors. The Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 also proved to be a competent climber. After moving to Tahoe, Jeremy continued his obsession with riding.
The Turbo Levo Comp and its 700Wh battery is a good choice. With the Crafty R, Mondraker has brought its signature geometry and handling characteristics to an e-MTB with an industry-leading Bosch motor and battery.
Read our detailed review of theSanta Cruz Bullit 101 to see how it earned a spot in this guide. The shock is hidden within the top tube, keeping it away from dirt penetration and maintaining the futuristic look. A mullet setup with a 29er front wheel and 27.5in wheel in the back means you can flow through twisty trails with ease while still gobbling up rock gardens and roots. Beyond those concerns, we think you'd have a hard time finding a better electric mountain bike, especially at this price. Overall, the Spectral is a lightweight e-MTB with a solid drive system, components, and suspension. Over several months, our team of professional mountain bike testers rode each of the electric mountain bikes in our test selection on various trails and terrain in a range of weather conditions. In the US, Class 1 electric bikes, the type tested and reviewed here, are limited to a top speed of 20 mph, and their motors are designed with a speed governor to regulate it. Electric bikes (and riders) that meet these standards have the same legal standing as regular bicycles and are allowed on roads, bike paths and singletrack.
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