Sales of electric bikes have increased dramatically recently. In 2020, 4.6 million e-bikes were sold in the EU and UK, a 52% rise year on year. In the UK, nearly one in three adult bikes sold are now electric.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Seven Running sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here.
As a specific category of e-bike, e-mountain bikes can increase the accessibility of the outdoors for riders who would otherwise be socially or physically excluded. They can also help to equalise the cycling competencies of different riders.
But they are also the subject of much controversy, as e-bikes allow riders to go much further and faster in the countryside. This has led to an intense debate between cyclists, horse riders and walkers about what constitutes acceptable levels of speed, noise and erosion from this new technology.
Indeed, on social networking sites and various internet forums, there is also a widespread perception that e-mountain bike riders are selfish, lazy and anti-social. These riders are also accused of being overly reliant on the motor and of travelling at speeds that are unsafe for other users of the countryside – which is said to result in damage to biking trails and the wider environment.
The introduction of a motor and a battery to an all-terrain bicycle may create the potential for many more cyclists to access the great outdoors. But the heavier components, wider tyres and added torque raise concern among many riders about the potential environmental impact.
Our research shows that traditional mountain-biking involves a complex relationship between riders, bikes and terrain. Through careful experimentation and progression, riders learn to be attentive to the limits and abilities of their body and their bike. And in doing so, they gain a deep appreciation for both the feel of the trail and the topography of the landscape.
This has been shown to influence their encounters with other user groups, as mountain bikers make concessions for walkers and horse riders based on a mutual understanding of the terrain. Riders will often give way to walkers travelling uphill and may choose to wait before passing horses on rugged trails to avoid dislodging objects that may strike or startle the animal.
The fear with e-bikes is that the addition of a motor makes users complacent about the demands of the terrain, and the needs of other people – with riders prioritising getting uphill as quickly as possible, or going as far as they can on a single battery.
But while a lot of these fears and complaints may well be valid, most are based on anecdotal evidence rather than any actual research. So as part of our latest project, that hasn’t yet been published, we’ve spoken with 30 e-bike riders in England to find out more about why people choose e-bikes and how they actually ride them. What our findings indicate so far is that electric mountain bike users are often more responsible than perceptions might suggest.
Participants we have spoken to so far have told us how they constantly ask other (non-e-bike) riders how tired they are or how difficult the terrain is to ride, to accommodate the pace and energy levels of the group.
When cycling with non-e-bikers, participants also told us that they position themselves at the back to avoid “rubbing other people’s noses in it”, while some have said that they have swapped bikes with others when they are too tired to go on.
E-bikes also seem to have a wider social role in relation to crime, ill-health and social exclusion. One participant – a disabled former soldier – said his e-bike has been the springboard for a new social enterprise that tackles youth offending through cycling. We’ve also heard from several older participants who said purchasing an e-bike has led to vast improvements in their physical and mental well-being.
On the other hand, we’ve also had reports of riders barging through groups of walkers. And one of our participants, who works in the bike industry, was aware of two instances where e-mountain bike riders had gone too far into the wilderness, run out of battery, and needed to call the air ambulance.
This concern is further illustrated by some of the riders’ relationships with the battery and on-board computer. Even though our research is still ongoing, numerous participants have described how the Bluetooth link between their bikes and GPS tracking apps such as Strava allowed them to “compete” more effectively against their friends.
These are isolated incidents, but they reinforce existing studies that illustrate how tracking devices can be enrolled with other forms of technology in sport and physical activity to enable immoral, disrespectful and irresponsible forms of behaviour. The use of Strava to encourage fast and competitive riding has also been linked with increased trail damage and surface erosion.
To quote the popular mountain bike commentator Rob Warner, “electric mountain bikes represent the most significant thing to happen to mountain biking since mountain biking”. They allow people to overcome a range of social and physical barriers and engage in more outdoor exercise.
But questions remain as to whether the risk to the environment outweighs the potential gains for culture, health and society. More research is needed to ensure that future conversations are informed by evidence, rather than anecdotes.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app .
The electric-mountain bike market has grown exponentially in the last decade, and this year’s options are better than ever. Whether you’re looking for an option that feels the same as a regular mountain bike or you want a hard-charging chop-crusher, we singled out the best four of the year.
We tested eight bikes this year from Bellingham to Squamish, and these four performed the best.
All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.
(Photo: Courtesy Orbea)$12,999 at Jenson USA
Build: M-LTD
Weight: 49.8 lbs (size L)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Extremely calm and composed
⊕ Powerful Bosch motor with wireless controller, display
⊗ No mixed wheel options in any sizes
Orbea’s new Wild eMTB arrived at the party with revised geometry, a stiffer frame, and Bosch’s latest CX Race motor. All of the models roll on 29-inch wheels and have 160-millimeters of rear travel, but Orbea’s MyO program allows for a wide range of configuration options. Riders can select from a 160 or 170-millimeter fork, a 625-watt-hour or 750-watt-hour battery, the option to add on a display or light package, and to customize the paint scheme.
Orbea did a great job eliminating any unnecessary bells and whistles on the Wild. All too often, e-mountain bikes have big displays, awkward remotes, and a rat’s nest of wires cluttering the cockpit. With the Wild, there’s a small wireless remote on the left-hand side of the handlebar, Bosch’s System Controller integrated into the top tube—and that’s it. It’s clean, effective, and there aren’t any vulnerable delicate parts waiting to get smashed to bits in a crash.
A series of LED lights indicate the battery level, and another light at the top of the display shows what mode the bike is in. There are four levels: Eco, Tour+, eMTB, and Race. It’s possible to add on Bosch’s Kiox display for riders that want to see more information at a glance, but I’m a fan of the less is more approach—knowing what the mode and the battery percentage is all the information I need.
The Wild will blast up short, punchy climbs with ease, but it’s also possible to creep up extra-steep, technical sections the way a rock crawler would. Grab some brake here, a half-pedal stroke there, top it off with a final out-of-the-saddle lunge, and the Wild will get up some seriously awkward sections of trail. The high-end Bosch motor plays a large role in this equation, but the geometry shouldn’t be overlooked. The seated climbing position is upright and centers the rider between the wheels, reducing the number of times you’ll need to make dramatic weight shifts to maintain traction. When it is time to stand up, the higher front end makes it easier to lift the front end up and over obstacles.
Bigger jumps and drops didn’t pose any problems, and even when I used all of the travel there wasn’t any unwanted clanking or harshness at the end of the stroke. It’s the sort of bike that makes you want to go fast, just to see what will happen.
The new Wild may have been designed with racing in mind, but there’s no need to go near a race course to enjoy it. It’s fast, powerful, and incredibly composed while climbing and descending, making it an excellent all-rounder for riders who prefer their trails on the trickier, more technical side.
Sales of electric bikes have increased dramatically recently. In 2020, 4.6 million e-bikes were sold in the EU and UK, a 52% rise year on year. In the UK, nearly one in three adult bikes sold are now electric.
You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here.
As a specific category of e-bike, e-mountain bikes can increase the accessibility of the outdoors for riders who would otherwise be socially or physically excluded. They can also help to equalise the cycling competencies of different riders.
But they are also the subject of much controversy, as e-bikes allow riders to go much further and faster in the countryside. This has led to an intense debate between cyclists, horse riders and walkers about what constitutes acceptable levels of speed, noise and erosion from this new technology.
Indeed, on social networking sites and various internet forums, there is also a widespread perception that e-mountain bike riders are selfish, lazy and anti-social. These riders are also accused of being overly reliant on the motor and of travelling at speeds that are unsafe for other users of the countryside – which is said to result in damage to biking trails and the wider environment.
The introduction of a motor and a battery to an all-terrain bicycle may create the potential for many more cyclists to access the great outdoors. But the heavier components, wider tyres and added torque raise concern among many riders about the potential environmental impact.
Our research shows that traditional mountain-biking involves a complex relationship between riders, bikes and terrain. Through careful experimentation and progression, riders learn to be attentive to the limits and abilities of their body and their bike. And in doing so, they gain a deep appreciation for both the feel of the trail and the topography of the landscape.
This has been shown to influence their encounters with other user groups, as mountain bikers make concessions for walkers and horse riders based on a mutual understanding of the terrain. Riders will often give way to walkers travelling uphill and may choose to wait before passing horses on rugged trails to avoid dislodging objects that may strike or startle the animal.
The fear with e-bikes is that the addition of a motor makes users complacent about the demands of the terrain, and the needs of other people – with riders prioritising getting uphill as quickly as possible, or going as far as they can on a single battery.
But while a lot of these fears and complaints may well be valid, most are based on anecdotal evidence rather than any actual research. So as part of our latest project, that hasn’t yet been published, we’ve spoken with 30 e-bike riders in England to find out more about why people choose e-bikes and how they actually ride them. What our findings indicate so far is that electric mountain bike users are often more responsible than perceptions might suggest.
Participants we have spoken to so far have told us how they constantly ask other (non-e-bike) riders how tired they are or how difficult the terrain is to ride, to accommodate the pace and energy levels of the group.
When cycling with non-e-bikers, participants also told us that they position themselves at the back to avoid “rubbing other people’s noses in it”, while some have said that they have swapped bikes with others when they are too tired to go on.
E-bikes also seem to have a wider social role in relation to crime, ill-health and social exclusion. One participant – a disabled former soldier – said his e-bike has been the springboard for a new social enterprise that tackles youth offending through cycling. We’ve also heard from several older participants who said purchasing an e-bike has led to vast improvements in their physical and mental well-being.
On the other hand, we’ve also had reports of riders barging through groups of walkers. And one of our participants, who works in the bike industry, was aware of two instances where e-mountain bike riders had gone too far into the wilderness, run out of battery, and needed to call the air ambulance.
This concern is further illustrated by some of the riders’ relationships with the battery and on-board computer. Even though our research is still ongoing, numerous participants have described how the Bluetooth link between their bikes and GPS tracking apps such as Strava allowed them to “compete” more effectively against their friends.
These are isolated incidents, but they reinforce existing studies that illustrate how tracking devices can be enrolled with other forms of technology in sport and physical activity to enable immoral, disrespectful and irresponsible forms of behaviour. The use of Strava to encourage fast and competitive riding has also been linked with increased trail damage and surface erosion.
To quote the popular mountain bike commentator Rob Warner, “electric mountain bikes represent the most significant thing to happen to mountain biking since mountain biking”. They allow people to overcome a range of social and physical barriers and engage in more outdoor exercise.
But questions remain as to whether the risk to the environment outweighs the potential gains for culture, health and society. More research is needed to ensure that future conversations are informed by evidence, rather than anecdotes.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app .
The electric-mountain bike market has grown exponentially in the last decade, and this year’s options are better than ever. Whether you’re looking for an option that feels the same as a regular mountain bike or you want a hard-charging chop-crusher, we singled out the best four of the year.
We tested eight bikes this year from Bellingham to Squamish, and these four performed the best.
All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.
(Photo: Courtesy Orbea)$12,999 at Jenson USA
Build: M-LTD
Weight: 49.8 lbs (size L)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Extremely calm and composed
⊕ Powerful Bosch motor with wireless controller, display
⊗ No mixed wheel options in any sizes
Orbea’s new Wild eMTB arrived at the party with revised geometry, a stiffer frame, and Bosch’s latest CX Race motor. All of the models roll on 29-inch wheels and have 160-millimeters of rear travel, but Orbea’s MyO program allows for a wide range of configuration options. Riders can select from a 160 or 170-millimeter fork, a 625-watt-hour or 750-watt-hour battery, the option to add on a display or light package, and to customize the paint scheme.
Orbea did a great job eliminating any unnecessary bells and whistles on the Wild. All too often, e-mountain bikes have big displays, awkward remotes, and a rat’s nest of wires cluttering the cockpit. With the Wild, there’s a small wireless remote on the left-hand side of the handlebar, Bosch’s System Controller integrated into the top tube—and that’s it. It’s clean, effective, and there aren’t any vulnerable delicate parts waiting to get smashed to bits in a crash.
A series of LED lights indicate the battery level, and another light at the top of the display shows what mode the bike is in. There are four levels: Eco, Tour+, eMTB, and Race. It’s possible to add on Bosch’s Kiox display for riders that want to see more information at a glance, but I’m a fan of the less is more approach—knowing what the mode and the battery percentage is all the information I need.
The Wild will blast up short, punchy climbs with ease, but it’s also possible to creep up extra-steep, technical sections the way a rock crawler would. Grab some brake here, a half-pedal stroke there, top it off with a final out-of-the-saddle lunge, and the Wild will get up some seriously awkward sections of trail. The high-end Bosch motor plays a large role in this equation, but the geometry shouldn’t be overlooked. The seated climbing position is upright and centers the rider between the wheels, reducing the number of times you’ll need to make dramatic weight shifts to maintain traction. When it is time to stand up, the higher front end makes it easier to lift the front end up and over obstacles.
Bigger jumps and drops didn’t pose any problems, and even when I used all of the travel there wasn’t any unwanted clanking or harshness at the end of the stroke. It’s the sort of bike that makes you want to go fast, just to see what will happen.
The new Wild may have been designed with racing in mind, but there’s no need to go near a race course to enjoy it. It’s fast, powerful, and incredibly composed while climbing and descending, making it an excellent all-rounder for riders who prefer their trails on the trickier, more technical side.
Read the Full Review
(Photo: Courtesy Santa Cruz)$9,699 at Backcountry $9,699 at Competitve Cyclist
Build: GX AXS
Weight: 42.6 lbs (size L)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Relatively light, making it easy to handle
⊕ Quiet and unobtrusive motor
⊗ Smaller battery limits max ride length
The Heckler SL is powered by Fazua’s Ride 60 motor and a 430-watt-hour battery, a relatively light system that keeps the bike’s weight in the low 40-pound range. The frame has a much slimmer look than the full-powered Heckler, and from a distance, it doesn’t immediately stand out as an e-MTB. All models roll on mixed wheels, with a 160-millimeter fork and 150 millimeters of rear travel.
Climbing on the Heckler SL is a calm and quiet affair, especially in the lower two motor modes. The noise increases slightly with the highest level of assistance, but it’s still pretty subdued. The maximum level of assistance is similar to the middle “Trail” mode of a full-powered eMTB, which gives it a less frantic feeling on singletrack, and means there’s less chance of inadvertently pedaling yourself off the trail.
On the descents, the Heckler SL delivers a very impressive level of grip, especially when it comes to maintaining traction on slippery, off-camber sections of trail. It sticks to the ground incredibly well when necessary, but it’s also a good jumper. It’s noticeably easier to bunnyhop or pop off natural lips compared to a heavier, full-powered e-MTB, and its composed nature in the air is reminiscent of how a downhill bike feels.
Choosing between a mid-power e-MTB and a full-power option really comes down to what sort of ride experience you’re looking for. The handling of a bike like the Heckler SL feels much closer to a non-motorized mountain bike, and it could be the ticket for riders looking to squeeze more miles during a lunch or after-work ride.
Read the Full Review
(Photo: Courtesy Canyon)$8,099 at Canyon
Build: CFR LTD
Weight: 50.9 lbs (size L)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Relatively light, making it easy to handle
⊕ Quiet and unobtrusive motor
⊗ Smaller battery limits max ride length
Canyon’s new StriveOn has a penchant for racing, with an unabashedly full-powered 85Nm of torque and a maximum 600-watt power output delivered by the Bosch CX motor. The highest-end model can be equipped with Bosch’s CX Race motor, which is 150 grams lighter and provides extra overrun in Race mode for an additional climbing boost.
The geometry of the StriveOn isn’t too far off from its non-electric counterpart but with the notable omission of the Strive’s adjustability. Starting from the Strive’s downhill position, the Strive:On gets longer chainstays and a steeper seat tube angle to better navigate tech climbing, plus a shorter reach in the handlebars to keep the bike maneuverable.
With four size options, and a reach range from 450 to 525 millimeters, the fit of the StriveOn is definitely biased towards bigger riders. Canyon’s reach numbers are generally pretty aggressive for how long they are per size, but riders looking to size down for more agility will hit the low end of the range pretty quickly. Looking at the StriveOn as a standard enduro bike, it’s simply a well-sorted machine, with great geometry and handling characteristics. Where the head angle and reach might seem a bit extreme relative to current high-level pedal bikes, the extra system weight makes that long reach and slack front end feel calmer than you’d expect.
All told, the StriveOn proved to be an excellent bike for tackling gnarly terrain. The Strive is eager to remind you that you’re on an ebike on the climbs, but there were plenty of moments on the descents where the extra bulk faded away, making for some truly excellent runs.
Read the Full Review
(Photo: Courtesy Specialized)$14,000 at Specialized
Build: S-Works
Weight: 39.3 lbs (size S4)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight for a 50Nm eMTB
⊕ Adaptable for most riding zones or style
⊕ Plush suspension is the right amount of active
⊗ Expensive
⊗ Main battery isn’t easily removable
In my mind, the Levo SL is the pinnacle of what e-bikes could be—or all bikes, for that matter. First, it weighs as much as some enduro bikes, which includes its motor. This S-Works model is shod with the cream of the crop components; Fox Factory suspension that is tuned specifically by Specialized, SRAM’s bulletproof XX Transmission shifting, and carbon nearly everywhere possible on the bike.
As for that tiny motor, it’s gained 15Nm of torque over the previous generation (50Nm up from 35). A tidy display screen that can be personalized using the straightforward Specialized app is built into the top tube. On the handlebars, you can shuffle through a few of the chosen screens, toggle the assist, and activate the walk mode with ease. A 320Wh battery is located in the downtube. If you’re looking for extra juice, a 160-watt-hour range extender nestles into the bottle cage and firmly locks onto the charge port.
Its impeccable FSR suspension handles everything from stutter bumps to eroded downhill tracks. The whole time we rode it, the chain and motor clutch barely made a peep. That’s perhaps the best part of all—the silence and buttery suspension make it easy to forget that you’re ripping downhill with a motor hidden in the frame.
Bottom Line: It can be as aggressive as current downhill bikes, or as upright as some cross-country mountain bikes. It works for hauling down the steeps or remaining sharp in rolling terrain. Overall, it’s just about as adaptable as its motorless sibling, the Stumpjumper Evo.
Read the Full Review
Electric bikes have evolved at a break-neck speed in the past five years or so, transforming from huge, bulky beasts into much more refined and svelte electric machines. Though there is still ample room for progress, many of the problems with the first couple of generations of ebikes have been smoothed out. However, buying an e-mountain bike has become even more of a project thanks to all of the new tech that has come out to solve said problems.
For a full rundown on how to buy an e-mountain bike in our current market, check out PinkBike’s guide. Managing tech editor Mike Kazimer provides tips by asking questions like: what are you friends riding? How far do you typically go? What type of riding are you planning on doing? How much money do you want to spend? Of course, you can opt to go for a regular mountain bike that isn’t motored, but if you’re set on going electric, make sure you’re paying close attention to these factors.
The bikes included in this roundup are the result of rolling testing done in Whistler, Squamish, and Bellingham throughout the year by the Pinkbike crew. We also rode some bikes at Crankworx Whistler, one of a multi-stop series of mountain bike festivals put on at multiple locations around the world every year.
Conditions ranged from dusty, rutted-out downhill trails to muddy, technical rides in the rainforest of Squamish. We took some bikes out for over six months and tested them in as many different types of trails as possible. Testers particularly considered the electric mountain bike’s climbing prowess, descending abilities, and sound levels.
Mike Kazimer: Managing tech editor for Pinkbike, alien skeptic.
Dario DiGiulio: Tech editor for PinkBike, based in Bellingham, WA.
Matt Beer: Tech editor for Pinkbike, former World Cup Downhill racer.
Read the Full Review
(Photo: Courtesy Santa Cruz)$9,699 at Backcountry $9,699 at Competitve Cyclist
Build: GX AXS
Weight: 42.6 lbs (size L)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Relatively light, making it easy to handle
⊕ Quiet and unobtrusive motor
⊗ Smaller battery limits max ride length
The Heckler SL is powered by Fazua’s Ride 60 motor and a 430-watt-hour battery, a relatively light system that keeps the bike’s weight in the low 40-pound range. The frame has a much slimmer look than the full-powered Heckler, and from a distance, it doesn’t immediately stand out as an e-MTB. All models roll on mixed wheels, with a 160-millimeter fork and 150 millimeters of rear travel.
Climbing on the Heckler SL is a calm and quiet affair, especially in the lower two motor modes. The noise increases slightly with the highest level of assistance, but it’s still pretty subdued. The maximum level of assistance is similar to the middle “Trail” mode of a full-powered eMTB, which gives it a less frantic feeling on singletrack, and means there’s less chance of inadvertently pedaling yourself off the trail.
On the descents, the Heckler SL delivers a very impressive level of grip, especially when it comes to maintaining traction on slippery, off-camber sections of trail. It sticks to the ground incredibly well when necessary, but it’s also a good jumper. It’s noticeably easier to bunnyhop or pop off natural lips compared to a heavier, full-powered e-MTB, and its composed nature in the air is reminiscent of how a downhill bike feels.
Choosing between a mid-power e-MTB and a full-power option really comes down to what sort of ride experience you’re looking for. The handling of a bike like the Heckler SL feels much closer to a non-motorized mountain bike, and it could be the ticket for riders looking to squeeze more miles during a lunch or after-work ride.
Read the Full Review
(Photo: Courtesy Canyon)$8,099 at Canyon
Build: CFR LTD
Weight: 50.9 lbs (size L)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Relatively light, making it easy to handle
⊕ Quiet and unobtrusive motor
⊗ Smaller battery limits max ride length
Canyon’s new StriveOn has a penchant for racing, with an unabashedly full-powered 85Nm of torque and a maximum 600-watt power output delivered by the Bosch CX motor. The highest-end model can be equipped with Bosch’s CX Race motor, which is 150 grams lighter and provides extra overrun in Race mode for an additional climbing boost.
The geometry of the StriveOn isn’t too far off from its non-electric counterpart but with the notable omission of the Strive’s adjustability. Starting from the Strive’s downhill position, the Strive:On gets longer chainstays and a steeper seat tube angle to better navigate tech climbing, plus a shorter reach in the handlebars to keep the bike maneuverable.
With four size options, and a reach range from 450 to 525 millimeters, the fit of the StriveOn is definitely biased towards bigger riders. Canyon’s reach numbers are generally pretty aggressive for how long they are per size, but riders looking to size down for more agility will hit the low end of the range pretty quickly. Looking at the StriveOn as a standard enduro bike, it’s simply a well-sorted machine, with great geometry and handling characteristics. Where the head angle and reach might seem a bit extreme relative to current high-level pedal bikes, the extra system weight makes that long reach and slack front end feel calmer than you’d expect.
All told, the StriveOn proved to be an excellent bike for tackling gnarly terrain. The Strive is eager to remind you that you’re on an ebike on the climbs, but there were plenty of moments on the descents where the extra bulk faded away, making for some truly excellent runs.
Read the Full Review
(Photo: Courtesy Specialized)$14,000 at Specialized
Build: S-Works
Weight: 39.3 lbs (size S4)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight for a 50Nm eMTB
⊕ Adaptable for most riding zones or style
⊕ Plush suspension is the right amount of active
⊗ Expensive
⊗ Main battery isn’t easily removable
In my mind, the Levo SL is the pinnacle of what e-bikes could be—or all bikes, for that matter. First, it weighs as much as some enduro bikes, which includes its motor. This S-Works model is shod with the cream of the crop components; Fox Factory suspension that is tuned specifically by Specialized, SRAM’s bulletproof XX Transmission shifting, and carbon nearly everywhere possible on the bike.
As for that tiny motor, it’s gained 15Nm of torque over the previous generation (50Nm up from 35). A tidy display screen that can be personalized using the straightforward Specialized app is built into the top tube. On the handlebars, you can shuffle through a few of the chosen screens, toggle the assist, and activate the walk mode with ease. A 320Wh battery is located in the downtube. If you’re looking for extra juice, a 160-watt-hour range extender nestles into the bottle cage and firmly locks onto the charge port.
Its impeccable FSR suspension handles everything from stutter bumps to eroded downhill tracks. The whole time we rode it, the chain and motor clutch barely made a peep. That’s perhaps the best part of all—the silence and buttery suspension make it easy to forget that you’re ripping downhill with a motor hidden in the frame.
Bottom Line: It can be as aggressive as current downhill bikes, or as upright as some cross-country mountain bikes. It works for hauling down the steeps or remaining sharp in rolling terrain. Overall, it’s just about as adaptable as its motorless sibling, the Stumpjumper Evo.
Read the Full Review
Electric bikes have evolved at a break-neck speed in the past five years or so, transforming from huge, bulky beasts into much more refined and svelte electric machines. Though there is still ample room for progress, many of the problems with the first couple of generations of ebikes have been smoothed out. However, buying an e-mountain bike has become even more of a project thanks to all of the new tech that has come out to solve said problems.
For a full rundown on how to buy an e-mountain bike in our current market, check out PinkBike’s guide. Managing tech editor Mike Kazimer provides tips by asking questions like: what are you friends riding? How far do you typically go? What type of riding are you planning on doing? How much money do you want to spend? Of course, you can opt to go for a regular mountain bike that isn’t motored, but if you’re set on going electric, make sure you’re paying close attention to these factors.
The bikes included in this roundup are the result of rolling testing done in Whistler, Squamish, and Bellingham throughout the year by the Pinkbike crew. We also rode some bikes at Crankworx Whistler, one of a multi-stop series of mountain bike festivals put on at multiple locations around the world every year.
Conditions ranged from dusty, rutted-out downhill trails to muddy, technical rides in the rainforest of Squamish. We took some bikes out for over six months and tested them in as many different types of trails as possible. Testers particularly considered the electric mountain bike’s climbing prowess, descending abilities, and sound levels.
Mike Kazimer: Managing tech editor for Pinkbike, alien skeptic.
Dario DiGiulio: Tech editor for PinkBike, based in Bellingham, WA.
Matt Beer: Tech editor for Pinkbike, former World Cup Downhill racer.
The company is the world’s best Electric Motorcycle Made in China supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.