Best E-Mountain Bikes 2024
We spent countless hours riding mixed terrain and varying frames from all around the globe – to spot the absolute must-haves in the e-MTB industry.
From the gnarliest downhill rides all the way down to the big range monsters-we rode all of them.
This one has been lots of fun for our reviewers, and we have some truly majestic bikes to reveal to you.
So buckle up, folks, as we’re about to go over the creme de la creme to settle this once and for all debate.
What type of e-mountainbiker are you?
So before you take the plunge and throw yourself into this group test, you need to understand what you’re going to need from your new bike – and we’re here to help you with that. Just take a look at our interactive buyer’s guide to find out more about yourself and your needs. And with the answers to some pretty easy questions, we shall lead you to the right choice and give you concrete bike recommendations along with a package of other articles that might interest you or otherwise.
Where and how did we test the e-mountainbikes?
Sun, beach, dry trails! Clearly the three top priorities for any mountain biker! We escaped the cold winter of Germany to celebrate the best conditions possible while testing the 27 eMTBs. This year’s e-mountainbike group test was full of highs and lows, emotional ups and downs that filled our days: endless laps, late-night wrenching sessions, and nervous marathons running batteries to their collapse at the point when the power grid collapsed! The finca we had rented sat on top of a hill, providing breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and the sea glinting on the horizon, but also a glimpse of the lush trail network of the area-we were pumped from the moment we woke up!
But where exactly did we go? We drove for around an hour north east of Barcelona in the direction of the small town of Santa Coloma de Farners. With countless trails, this region provided perfect conditions for such a major e-mountain bike comparison test. The local trail centre is a colorful and harmonious ensemble of fast, flowing trails with sharp corners, jumps, and nasty rock gardens. The test route – a hybrid of “Dragon Khan” and “La Llosa” – is pockmarked with roots, flowing berms, sandpaper-like rock slabs, and loose, sandy corners. The climb to the trailhead had a little bit of everything: wide gravel paths with potholes that could swallow you whole, tricky uphill chutes with steps and tight bends that tested not only the bikes and components but also our test crew.
Best lightweight e-MTB 2024
Orbea Rise M-LTD
Best lightweight electric mountain bike as an all-rounder
Good for – Enduro, descending, climbing
Price – $12,148
Peaks:
- Super light
- Playfulness
- Good climber
- Motor
- Very forgiving suspension
- Brake performance
Troughs:
- Expensive
- Display costs extra
- Range – extender available, but at an extra cost
Summary
The Rise M-LTD is one of the best-rounded and all-round e-MTBs available.
These are among the lightest, with tremendous climbing and descending ability – its versatilile and has a feather-light weight, which claimed it the title of our best lightweight e-MTB and our best electric mountain bike for 2024.
Weight/Frame
That M-LTD is one of the lightest full suspension e-MTBs available on the market. The whole package comes in at just 16.2kg.
Its weight is simply staggering, which makes this bike an absolute pleasure to ride, and its geometry isn’t far behind.
You feel completely in sync with the bike; it is agile, easy to handle, and super playful, downhill or up the climbs.
Battery
To shave a bit off the overall weight and retain that playful edge, Orbea haven’t gone huge on the electrics.
Nor have they tried to get too aggressive on the suspension front.
The M-LTD arrives with a 360Wh custom battery, capable of churning out up to around 50km on a varied route, with good slice of climbing.
That isn’t revolutionary and for a rider who requires a high amount of support, that won’t be enough – but for a fit rider, it does suffice – and there is an optional 250Wh range extender, if you want to lengthen your day’s play.
That doubles your day’s riding distance to around 35km, but that does come at an additional cost of just under $500.
Motor
The M-LTD delivers the goods in the motor department, with a Shimano EP801-RS motor churning out up to 60Nm of torque.
Alt All this makes it an very efficient climber more powerful than many other superlightweight e-MTBs.
You’ve got enough grunt at your disposal to manage anything you throw at it, but the package is slightly let down by no display as standard.
The bike can seat one comfortably, but that is another added expense.
Suspension
To be fair, the M-LTD is moulded specifically for the enduro market. It has a suspension allowing you to take on some pretty gnarly hits without making it too spongey on climbs.
Features
The bike features 140mm of travel at both the front and the rear and is paired up with FOX 34 Float Factory forks and FOX Float DPS shocks.
It’s a great setup, fit for some rumbling, rough-and-ready, a very fast pace on the descents but still reserved enough to maintain traction when you climb up the other side.
Wheels/Tyres
You get a lightweight pair of 29 inch OQUO wheels, with Maxxis Rekon tyres – this provides a stable footing on the trail when you’re pushing the bike hard.
And the OQUO compound provides lots of durability helping to soften the impacts.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The brakes and drivetrain complement the rest of top spec features of the bike-with a very efficient 12-speed Shimano XTR drivetrain and ultra-reliable XTR M9100 brakes.
These give you the confidence to push the bike hard-with responsive stopping power in the brakes and silky-smooth shifting ability, to allow quick speed changes.
Final Thoughts
This is the complete package-an adept climber, descender, very light, and with a suspension set-up capable of taking on some very wild terrain. It’s also well-stocked in the electrics department to offer a decent ride time without needing to recharge.
This kind of versatility is pretty hard to match, making it our best e-MTB for 2024.
S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL
Best lightweight electric mountain bike for downhill
Good for – Downhill, gnarly trails
Price – $11,249
Peaks:
- Downhill ability
- Handling
- Lightweight
- Adjustable features
- Plush suspension
- Gnarly terrain ready
- Adjustability
- Versatile
Troughs:
- Price
- Battery range
- Motor power
Summary
Among the best-in-class lightweight downhill e-MTBs, S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL performs at highly expected levels that rank it very high among the best full-suspension electric mountain bikes. The bike is geared up for seriously rough terrain and designed to try and mimic the qualities of the conventional e-MTB.
Weight/Frame
It comes with the company’s custom FACT carbon frame and has a total bike weight of 18.7kg.
At its heart is total adjustability, so you can tweak the set-up in many different ways to really suit your style of riding or, indeed, the demands of the day’s trails.
An advanced, aggressive geometry that can be the perfect tool to be flung around, a bike that feels nimble through very challenging terrain, with very light touch handling.
Not to be taken for granted, though, is the fact that it’s utterly clearly a bike geared up for a more advanced rider – the aggressive set-up would be too punishing for people in the early stages of their biking career.
Battery
The very modest S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL battery is a custom 320Wh SL1 model that gives a low level of range, around 50km.
This isn’t about offering limitless assistance all day and the approach is so the bike could mimic an e-MTB: focus on descending ability and handling rather than the level of assistance.
If you need plenty of assistance, this bike won’t cut the mustard. For a fit rider, however, it is an absolute top downhill bike.
Motor
The same applies to the motor; you get a custom SL 1.1 motor that can only kick out up to 35Nm of torque.
This means the bike stays light and, while it gives a little punch to get you up the climbs, it would be hard work on for a less fit rider.
That’s perfect for a fit downhill rider, of course who should spend the vast majority of their riding time with the nose down and get that bit of extra help getting up the other side.
Suspension
It’s in suspension and handling where the S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL really comes to life.
It’s very plushly set up with 170mm of travel at either end of the bike. This gets it geared up for heavy-duty riding.
You can throw gnarly terrain at it, and it still is pillow soft, coping majestically at big drops and impacts.
This is all thanks to the bike’s FOX components, with Float 38 Factory forks and Float X2 Factory shocks.
The rebound time is also very great, allowing you to quickly prepare for the next turn, drop, or challenge.
Wheels/Tyres
The adventure that it’s all capable of taking in will necessitate a strong set of wheels and happily, the bike arrives with a super lightweight and robust pair of Traverse SLs .
The 29 inch set-up brings a toothy pair of Butcher tyres, offering a firm foothold on the trail, gripping firmly into the corners.
Brakes/Drivetrain
It’s finished with a top spec pair of SRAM Code RSC brakes, completing the build of a bike that gives you loads of confidence when pushing the bike hard – and boasts a response time and reliability level that’s exceptional.
You’ll find the same in the drivetrain, 12 speed SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS gearing set-up, ultra responsive and offering silky smooth shifting – keeping you easy to shift speeds.
Final Thoughts
S-Works Turbo Levo
Good for – Long days in the saddle, enduro, gnarly terrain capable.
Price – $11,999
Peaks:
- Excellent electrics
- Best brakes available
- Suspension
- Versatility
- Drivetrain
- Riding experience
- Climbs and descends well
Troughs:
- Price
Summary
The S-Works Turbo Levo is a proper beast of an e-MTB, with no expense spared in any area – and if you need all the bells and whistles and a very good do-it-aller, this is one of the best you can get.
Big price tag, but if you want a chunky amount of assistance, not at the cost of ride quality, then you have to pay a premium.
Weight/Frame
It comes in 6 different sizes, and there’s a hell of a lot of adjustability you can do, with the choice of the head tube angle adjustment by 2.5 degrees and the bottom bracket height by 7mm.
It allows you to fine-tune your set-up and it helps craft a bespoke feeling ride, which works for the needs of the rider’s body and the demands of the trail.
The bike tips the scales at 22.36kg, keeping playfulness alive, but you do get some considerable electrics there.
Battery
We do, of course, notice that the S-Works Turbo Levo boasts a custom 700Wh battery, and with that, you can get upwards of five hours riding time on undulating trails.
Put in some chunky climbs, and that’s cut a bit back, but that’s still very impressive, with more than enough assistance for most riders.
And, of course, still a reasonably low overall weight so that you don’t have to be too hot on the assistance use.
Motor
This e-MTB is also blessed in the motor department, dishing out Specialized’s custom Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor with a maximum torque output of 90Nm.
It’s an obscene amount of pure brawn, to hurl you up the most improbable ascents.
It doesn’t feel jerky or unnatural though. There’s an amazing level of intelligence in the motor design that helps it run smoothly, and you always feel you’re in control.
Suspension
And you also get the heavy suspension setup: FOX Float 38 Factory forks with 160mm of travel and FOX Float X2 Factory shocks with 150mm of travel.
It feels really well balanced. Not a bike that’s going to take big hits and chunky impacts but being slow to climb or being slow on flats.
It is perfect. We believe it’s the best compromise towards giving a very excellent descending ability, but at the same time staying composed in other kinds of environments.
Wheels/Tyres
Brakes/Drivetrain
There are also the best of the best in the brake department – Magura MT7s, with unbeatable stopping power and response times.
This bike puts on full show with a highly-tuned, 12-speed SRAM Eagle AXS drivetrain. It provides very smooth shifting and a beautiful ride experience to round off this bike.
Final Thoughts
What an e-MTB bike. It makes you exclaim “wow” out loud. We thought we’d found the perfect package of a tremendous descender and climber, with bags of range on top of it, and rather playful when riding.
Trek E-Caliber 9.9 XX1 AXS Gen 1
Best lightweight cross-country e-MTB
Good for – Cross-country
Price – $9,749
Peaks:
- Ultra-lightweight
- Pacy
- Handles well
- Tyres
Troughs:
- Battery range
- Motor power
- Lack of travel limits terrain
Summary
The Trek E-Caliber 9.9 XX1 AXS Gen is, currently, the best cross-country e-MTB you can find.
It is, quite literally, designed to fly and one of the lightest e-MTBs around.
Weight/Frame
It tips in at just 16.35kg, making this bike incredibly nimble and pacy.
Riding it doesn’t feel dissimilar to being aboard a normal cross-country MTB and the geometry is set-up to maximise pedalling efficiency.
To hand, the thing feels basically light, and mixed with sporty geometry it makes it a real flier.
Battery
It’s still impressively ranged for a bike of its weight you can push out around 75km with the 250Wh Fazua battery.
It’s very efficient in its power delivery, conserving juice well, despite the size.
Motor
This e-MTB is powered by the motor; in this case, it has another Fazua component.
Ride Trail 50
The motor presents with an output torque of approximately 58Nm – for a bike of such weight, it is really impressive. It climbs like a beast.
The hard work on mountains is easily done, and the same applies to achieving high speeds on flat routes.
Fazua Evation Drive Pack
Suspension
You do not have a heavy-duty suspension set-up so ensure your bike performs well in the cross-country department.
60mm at the rear end and 120mm in the forks-this means you keep up traction and maintain pace well.
The RockShox SID Ultimate forks have some support for the vagaries of bumpy trails, but at this price, they’re just stiff enough to ride through rather than really ‘rein in’ anything big, and this e-MTB really can’t take big launches or heavy hits – it simply doesn’t have the protection to cope.
The Trek IsoStrut FOX Factory shocks are certainly under gunned for hitting heavy trails but remember, this is a bike made for pace and it does that very well.
Wheels/Tyres
You receive a well-designed pair of 29inch Kovee XXX wheels, by Bontrager, and the firm’s XR3 Team Issue tyres.
ßß Traction is the playmaker in this choice: brilliant balance of bite in the dirt, without offering too much friction makes you not feel slow.
Brakes/Drivetrain
It comes with a 12-speed SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS gearing set-up, one of the best in the market.
They shift really smooth and get you flying up and down through those gears without any clunkiness, perfect for a fast-moving cross-country bike.
And you get tremendous pair of SRAM G2 Ultimate brakes, it’s got mountain’s worth of power, and that’ll respond nicely.
Final Thoughts
It’s certainly one of the paciest you can find and the performance of its electrics for the overall weight is nothing but awe-inspiring.
Should you be after an electric cross-country bike, there aren’t any better than this beauty.
Santa Cruz Bullit 3 CC MX X01 AXS RSV
Good for – Downhill, climbing, long days on the trails
Price – $10,449
Peaks:
- Long range
- Powerful motor
- Excellent suspension
- Top brake/drive train performance
- Low weight for long range
Troughs:
- Motor ride experience
Summary
The Santa Cruz Bullit 3 is a big, burly stallion of an e-MTB which will take on the toughest of terrains and give you nearly a full day’s worth of fun.
It does so without compromising much on the weight and, overall, it’s a full powerhouse.
Weight/Frame
It’s very robust carbon frame really helps in soaking up impacts, without transferring that through to the body of the rider.
There are pretty aggressive geometries it offers, well-suited to hard and fast downhill riding.
At the same time, despite that sturdiness, you don’t lose out on playfulness-it feels really fun to handle and easy to manipulate.
It weighs in at 22.32kg – a respectable amount, especially taking the electrics into account.
Battery
The e-MTB comes with a generous 630Wh Shimano Steps battery, which offers great range; we got some rides in over 2,000m of climbing with enough juice to play with.
But out on the flats you can get over 80km in, and this is a bike for mountains, so you’ll be descending hard on it.
Fortunately, the motor power is also sufficient to tackle the steep ascents that come afterward.
This is one of the relatively few lightweight bikes you get which can also feature a long range on the climbs – this does.
Motor
You also get a hearty punch in the Shimano EP8 motor – one that dishes out up to 85Nm of torque, enough power to cart this 22.32kg bike up some very challenging climbs.
There’s also no shortage of options to use the motor liberally: safe in the knowledge the long-range battery will keep pumping out assistance for hours on end.
It doesn’t deliver the neatest power output though, which is worth remembering on technical climbs, as it can feel a bit jerky.
The motor’s raw power can’t be doubted, but its intelligence certainly can.
Suspension
The Santa Cruz is sublime on suspension, with a travel length of a whopping 170mm up front and at the rear.
Geared up to tackle the gnarliest of trails and wildest mountain terrain in your backyard, it soaks up heavy hits without so much as a whimper.
The FOX 38 Float Factory forks do a very good job, as do the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shocks – it is a setup ready to take on the beating.
Wheels/Tyres
Further added to the playful atmosphere of the bike is the mullet wheel setup.
there is a 29 inch front wheel to provide a good, strong, planted feel on the trail, and a 27.5 inch rear wheel that makes the bike easy to throw around.
this all comes together in the very twisty and technical sections.
Its got reserve supplies – the wheels, which also absorb the impacts well – and tremendous Maxxis tyres, which give you the kind of fighting ability you’ll need to handle hard and fast downhill riding.
Brakes/Drivetrain
It rounds out with a 12-speed SRAM X01 Eagle AXS drivetrain, which lays smooth shifting and does a good job to battle the jerkiness of the motor output.
Top-spec pair of SRAM Code RSC brakes delivers powerful fighting power and response times when you’re really pushing the bike hard.
Final Thoughts
If you want to ride hard and take on gnarly terrain, but need plenty of assistance, there aren’t many better bikes.
This one can take on the wildest of the wild and give you hours of fun, making it one of the best e-bikes for trails.
It’s only let down by the jerkiness in the motor, but it’s a manageable issue to cope with on this otherwise excellent e-MTB.
Orbea Wild M20
Good for – Enduro, mid-budget, long range, descending
Price – $7,299
Peaks:
- Powerful motor
- Long range battery
- Versatile
- Playful handling
- Natural power delivery
Troughs:
- Brakes
- Drivetrain
- Weight
Summary
The Orbea Wild M20 is a lightweight, mid-budget, trail slayer – which happens to be a great enduro option if you can’t stretch to some of the more expensive models in our list.
You won’t lose out much – the bike still retains an excellent riding experience and chunky electrics.
Weight/Frame
It comes with a carbon frame and playful geometry so that it feels like it would have fun on it, plus it can take so much challenging ground.
It doesn’t by any means have the level of adjustability that some of the more expensive bicycles do. Still, there are 4 sizes to the frames, and all of them feel ready to take on complex trails, with nothing feeling too aggressive for riders with a little less experience.
The bike weighs in at 23.27kg, it is not the lightest, but the playfulness is undeniable overall.
Battery
It is also, happily, very well supplied in terms of battery-too-a monster 750Wh Bosch PowerTube and with hours upon hours of fun in that.
On our review rides we found we could push out between 70 to 100km comfortably, without running out of juice and on flatter terrain it got well over 100km.
Lots are going to play in the range estimation here, but this bicycle could do a long ride either way.
Motor
The motor also is a winner-its Bosch Performance Line CX motor is among the best in the business when talking of complete performance.
It gives a supremely smooth power delivery and has got a fantastic level of intelligence with the battery, to conserve the power and deliver it steadily.
There’s a bit of punch to it, too-it’s pleasant and has some really nice kick-up to 85Nm of torque-and it’s enough to make quick work of all the climbs you put in its way.
Suspension
There’s also a whacking great suspension set-up onboard, with 160mm of travel at the front end and 160mm at the rear.
Orbea 165 onResponse MachineThis Orbea can shrug off most obstacles you throw in its path, including some gnarly drops and high impacts, without coming unstuck – but it doesn’t recoil quite as smoothly as some better spec options.
Provided by RockShox, the forks are fitted as standard with 35 Silver TKs, and you’ve got the FOX Float DPS Performance shocks, which are robust and very reliable.
Wheels/Tyres
To handle that extra poundage and big impact riding, you have a heavy-duty pair of 29er in Race Face AR 30c, which absorb pressure pretty well.
Maxxis Minion DH tyres – these are hard fighters at corners and when things start to get spicy on the trails, but they don’t quite shed as easily as some others.
Brakes/Drivetrain
It is here that you feel the actual difference as this bike and the elite e-MTBs on the market are involved.
It features SRAM DB8 brakes, which really feel a bit sluggish once you push them hard and don’t always fill you with the confidence needed.
The 12-speed Shimano CS-M7100 drivetrain feels a little slow, although it is passable and you can feel a pretty notable difference between this and some of the pricier bikes on our list.
Final Thoughts
If you are mid-range budget, this is one of the top-of-the-mid-drive electric full-suspension mountain bikes, especially if you’re thinking of taking on some aggressive trails and have plenty in the juice tank.
It climbs and descends nicely with approachable handling set-up, which suits many abilities, and it’s one of the best electrics packages out there.
A few drawbacks-the brakes and drivetrain come to mind, but you still get a solid e-MTB.
Pivot Shuttle SL Pro X01
Good for – Enduro, versatility
Price – $10,999
Peaks:
- Weight
- Motor power
- Suspension
- Versatility
- Drivetrain
Troughs:
- Can’t take on the gnarliest terrain
- Alloy wheels
- Brakes
Summary
The Pivot Shuttle SL Pro X01 is another very nicely balanced, full-suspension e-MTB, which attempts to balance low weight with reasonably sized electrics.
. It’s a great allrounder that can descend and climb professionally – perfect for enduro and playful e-MTB riding.
Weight/Frame
The bike weighs 18.7kg, with full carbon frame having progressive geometry laid out well for technical riding.
Light in the touch of handling and can easily get manipulated through tight sections-you never feel overfaced when things get the trails working complexly.
It feels responsive to bumpy terrain, and complex carbon compound in the frame soaks hits up well.
Battery
Powered by a 450Wh Fazua Ride battery, this bike offers a truly impressive range for its weight.
All that would suggest this is the best bike for short-to-medium distance rides on mountain paths. Then in rather odd contrast, the worst long cruises up and down rough and hilly routes proved disarmingly easy to make in it, provided there was enough juice to take on plenty of climbing – we found we could push out climbs of about 1,500m on one charge.
There’s even chatter of a range-extending battery planned for launch soon, which will further that ride time.
Motor
The bike is also well served in the motor department – it comes with a Fazua Ride 60, which can punch out up to 60Nm of torque.
It’s a powerful kick for a bike of only 18.7kg and that helps the bike climb excellently – it feels surefooted and nimble uphill.
And in delivering power, it is pretty smooth and natural, making the impression that you really ride a normal MTB.
Suspension
With 150 millimeters of travel at the front and 132 millimeters at the back, you get an excellent balance for an enduro set-up.
The rough stuff takes a hit from the FOX Factory 36 forks, but with the lesser travel in the FOX Factory Float X shocks, the bike gets to stay pacy.
That’s a great combination, let you up and down really well, but when things get really hairy sometimes it feels a bit short. This isn’t a bike for doing the jump park stuff-you might get some pretty uncomfortable landing impacts launching off huge ledges.
Wheels/Tyres
The 29 inch DT Swiss XM1700 aluminium wheels offer a very stable footing, though we would question why a carbon model wasn’t included.
This would help bring down the overall weight and bring the bike even closer to the Orbea M-LTD.
No issues in the tyre department, you get a grippy pair of Maxxis Dissectors, which do the job needed.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The drivetrain is exceptionally taken care of on the EGRESS, boasting a 12-speed SRAM X01 Eagle setup that’s proven itself to be reliable and responsive so you can leverage gear pace shifts.
While the Shimano XT M8120 brakes get the job done just about okay, they just don’t quite outdo the best of some of its e-MTB competitors in this regard.
Final Thoughts
A fine enduro mountain bike: a good marriage of weight, power, natural ride experience, and versatility.
A decent climber, a fair descender, and also competitive on the flats sure to rank high among any best e-bikes for trail ride lists.
Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS
Good for – Enduro, elite riders
Price – $13,999
Peaks:
- Low weight
- Powerful motor
- Brilliant suspension
- Advanced display
- Playful handling
- Fun to ride
Troughs:
- Expensive
- Low range
Summary
The Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS is the company’s enduro bike and therefore offers all descending qualities, which the E-Caliber does not.
It’s a very advanced e-MTB, which is fit for someone right at the top of their game, such as very talented amateurs or elite riders.
Weight/Frame
The design of this bike hits the mark in terms of the handling experience, offering a progressive geometry and is aimed at advanced riders.
This is not an aggressive set-up; it lends itself to being thrown about, and feels great to ride – assuming you have a good level of experience.
There are 4 frame sizes to choose from, each with 2 different geometry options – this increases the chance of getting a bike tailored closely to your riding style and body type.
The playfulness is further increased due to the overall low weight of the carbon-framed bike – a total of 18.45kg.
Battery
To keep the low weight, Trek have fitted a reduced-sized TQ battery that delivers 360Wh, or about 50km in range overall on the flats.
If you add in a good deal of climbing, you might find that being reduced further to around 40km.
It’s not a bike for riders needing copious amounts of assistance-it’s targeted at experienced, fit riders capable of riding hard without requiring a constant leg up.
It’s for those kinds of riders that the battery offers enough in the tank to have quite the day out.
Motor
This motor does produce loads of power relative to its weight, though – 50Nm from its TQ HPR50 can make all the difference when climbing.
I find it quite nimble when climbing and gets you to top speed quickly on flats.
Climbing power does make this bike pretty versatile.
Suspension
It’s suitably aggressive in suspension with regard to taking on some chucking impacts, without feeling over sluggish on the climbs.
You get a reliable pair of RockShox Lyrik Ultimate forks, which offer 150mm of travel, soaking up some very unsteady terrain with ease, and the 140mm of travel, in the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shocks, also does the job well.
It is a pretty well-balanced set-up, one that takes some good hits but yields little loss of speed.
Wheels/Tyres
The Bontrager Pro Line wheels provide for excellent impact dissipation as part of the overall smooth riding nature of this e-MTB.
It’s hard not to feel a little shortchanged by the SE5 Team Issue tyres, though. While great traction qualities are provided, we found them a little more prone to puncture than we’d have liked.
The wheels are 29 inch, so you get a good grounding on the trail.
Brakes/Drivetrain
Trek hasn’t held back on the spec level with this bike – you get top-of-the-line SRAM Code RSC brakes, among the best available – offering extremely fierce stopping ability and overall performance.
This is mirrored in the drivetrain, with an excellent 12-speed SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS set-up, which is ultra-responsive – again adding to the polished overall riding experience.
Final Thoughts
A very versatile and well-balanced e-MTB, offering great climbing and descending ability, with a really smooth ride.
Fun to ride and pretty reliable, except for a few issues with the tyres that need sorting out and a low range battery, which could exclude a certain cohort of riders.
Norco Sight VLT A1
Best e-MTB on a budget
Good for – Long rides downhill
Peaks:
- Suspension
- Long range potential
- Motor
- Price
- Can take on tougher terrain.
Troughs:
- Unnatural power delivery
Summary
Our budget-conscious readers will be happy to see the Norco Sight VLT A1 topping our list. It’s strutting into a field of top e-MTBs and isn’t doing too poorly in comparison considering it’s a great budget and entry-level E-mtb.
It can take on the rough stuff and offers varying battery sizes that can be built up to really serious range, and for a fraction of the price of some of the other bikes on this list.
Weight/Frame
The first notable difference to some of our other top e-MTBs: it’s an aluminium-framed bike, adding extra weight.
It weighs in at 25.2kg, with the smallest battery option, a heavy load to haul round on the trails.
Still, it has a pretty aggressive geometry and that lets it tackle technical terrain without feeling slow – it’s not nearly as spry as a lightweight e-MTB, but it still tracks pretty well on the way down.
Battery
Motor
You also get a powerful Shimano Steps EP8 motor, which can emit up to 85Nm of torque.
It’s enough to cart that heavy weight up demanding climbs, and you can use it liberally without fear of running out of juice, particularly if you have one of the two largest batteries.
The power delivery can feel a little jerky at times though and doesn’t offer the smoothest relationship with the pedals.
Suspension
You’re well catered for in the suspension department – there’s a large chunk of travel in the forks and shocks, 160mm and 150mm, respectively.
The gearing means the bike rides onto very demanding terrain and you are fine to take a big hit without bottoming out or feeling uncomfortable.
You get a well-designed pair of FOX Rhythm Float 36 forks and a pair of FOX Float X2 Performance Elite shocks-there’s never enough protection when things get rough and ready.
Wheels/Tyres
With the bike fitted with a chunky pair of 29 inch E13 LG1 downhill tyres, which are more than robust enough to take the punishment that this downhill focused e-MTB will throw at it but aren’t the lightest you get to enjoy a pair of Maxxis Assegai tyres, which offer great biting power into the dirt – you feel composed when riding the bike hard; its weight nothing to worry about.
Brakes/Drivetrain
We cannot say we would go into a corner with the same level of assurance as the brakes – the Shimano MT520s aren’t the highest spec and the reaction time for them to come to life can feel slightly laboured – something to remember if you’re really pushing the bike to the limit.
The bike comes with a 12-speed Shimano SLX drivetrain, which is passable but by no means on fire in terms of performance—and again, you get what you pay for.
Final Thoughts
This is a good choice if you want to conquer long days out in the wild terrain, especially if you are budget-restricted.
It has some nice qualities that allow the bike to shine on gnarly terrain, although not as well-rounded as some of the other competitors in this list-it still performs admirably and doesn’t break the bank completely.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap – quite the collection, we have to say!
The industry is moving quickly and the technology is becoming increasingly advanced as every year passes.
Bikes are becoming lighter, more powerful and they’re increasingly offering a better all-round riding experience.
We’ve spent many hours in the saddle riding our top picks in this list and you won’t be disappointed by any of them.
Now it’s just a matter of jumping aboard and shredding-get on out there and hit the trails on one of these beauties.
