All-mountain e-bikes for around 6000 euros: Is this the new premium MTB class?

Equipment isn't everything, especially when it comes to all-mountain bikes. No other bike category is so versatile, nowhere are the requirements so varied. Gentle trail or big mountain tour, nasty uphill or playful home trail: these bikes should work everywhere. In the end, only good kinematics and a perfectly balanced design make such a balancing act possible.

But whether an e-MTB can score points here is hard to predict when looking at the facts. For many bikers, equipment is therefore still the trump card when making a purchase decision. Shimano's XT drivetrain or suspension from Fox are synonymous with reliable function and high quality. It is these parts that are available across the board for the first time on bikes around 6000 euros. So it's no wonder that this price category is regularly at the top of our reader surveys.

The bikes in the test: Via the link to the individual evaluation

• Bulls Sonic AM 2 ABS25.9 kg / 150/140 mm / 29" / 5999 Euro / carbon/aluminium
• Cube Stereo Hybrid One44 TM: 24.1 kg / 150/140 mm / 29" / 5999 Euro / carbon/aluminium >> available here
• Moustache Game 150.723.9 kg / 160/150 mm / 29" / 5999 Euro / aluminium
• Scott Patron ST 910: 26,6 kg / 170/150 mm / 29/27,5" / 6499 Euro / aluminium >> available here

Cube with transmission radio circuit

We asked four of the most exciting bikes in this top-selling class for this test. All four are in the starting blocks with a brand new design and all four rely on the new CX motor from Bosch. At the top of many buyers' favourites: the new Stereo Hybrid One44 TM from Cube. No wonder, as the bike giant from Waldershof is now making many direct mail order companies sweat when it comes to equipment. For 6000 euros, the Cube even has has already been fitted with a sophisticated transmission radio circuit.

The other extreme comes from Scott. The Patron ST 910 is the most affordable model of the trail-orientated ST series and, as the most expensive bike in the test, has to make do with simple parts and an aluminium frame. Moustache and Bulls both take a special path. A well thought-out aluminium chassis and a small battery make the Moustache the lightest bike in the test. Bulls focusses on suitability for everyday use with integrated cornering lights, rear light and ABS.

>> Overview: This is the new Scott Patron

>> ABS on E-MTBs: What's the real benefit?

Moustache marches, Scott scores

If it were purely based on the spec, Cube would clearly win the test. But the trail shows that it's not that simple. The well-equipped Cube has clearly moved away from the comfortable character of its predecessor. Although the sporty, firm set-up is the most fun to ride on flat trails within the test group, the Cube is the hardest to control on rough terrain.

Bulls and Moustache remain much more inconspicuous here. And yes, even the supposed SUV bike from Cologne cuts a fine figure off-road. The lights are a practical plus for the way home, and the ABS is likely to catch many a frightened brakeman. A touring-orientated riding position and good suspension - in addition to the excellent range - are on the plus side. Only very active trail experts are likely to miss the playfulness of the Bull's long chainstays.

The Moustache is much sportier. The bike from the Vosges is hard to beat, especially uphill. Downhill, the extreme wheelbase ensures a smooth ride, but makes the bike unwieldy. Even the low weight can do little to change this. In the end, the best compromise is provided by the simply equipped Scott. The well-integrated riding position conveys a lot of confidence even in difficult terrain, and the extremely comfortable and sensitive suspension is impressive. The high weight and simple equipment are surprisingly unnoticeable when riding. In other words: construction beats equipment, practice beats theory and Scott secures the test victory.

Bosch provides plenty of reach

All four bikes come with the new CX motor from Bosch and the matching 600 and 800 batteries. Accordingly, they already offer excellent range values ex works, which can be increased with a range extender if required. As expected, Moustache delivers the lowest value with the small 600 battery in our standardised range test designed for altitude metres. However, 1647 metres in altitude with a 90-kilo rider in turbo mode is excellent considering the size of the battery. With the large batteries, it is even possible to climb well over 2000 metres in the test scenario. Even heavy riders can plan long, altitude-intensive tours without intermediate charging. Or to put it another way: more range is almost impossible. The large Bosch battery is only surpassed by special solutions such as Canyon's 900 battery.

>> Range height, ride feel, laboratory values: The new Bosch CX in the test

>> More power via firmware update: 750 watts and 100 Nm for the Bosch CX

From the lab: measurement data in detail

The focus on system integration drives the weight at Scott and Bulls. At Scott, the construction with the shock integrated into the frame obviously puts pressure on the scales, and the Domain fork is also quite heavy. In the case of Bulls, even the carbon main frame cannot completely conceal the additional weight caused by the headlight integrated into the steerer tube. Both bikes also struggle with cheap and heavy wheelsets. Cube shows that things can be done differently in this price range with lightweight wheels despite solid super-gravity tyres at the rear. Attention: The Scott has a restrictive weight allowance of only 128 kilos - with a bike weight of over 26 kilos, the rider and equipment may weigh a maximum of 100 kilos.

Despite high prices: Especially when it comes to weight, there is still a lot of room for improvement with the four all-mountain bikes. - Hans-Peter Ettenberger, BIKE test laboratory

BIKE conclusion: Test victory for Scott

With its strong riding characteristics, the Scott secures the test victory despite its high weight and mixed equipment. Typical all-mountain: The four bikes scored particularly well in terms of climbing characteristics, range and downhill performance. None of the four candidates is really playful. - Adrian Kaether, BIKE test editor

Our test results in detail

How BIKE tests

At BIKE, we go to unprecedented lengths to objectively assess E-MTBs. These criteria are decisive for the evaluation.

Driving behaviour

The most important point in the evaluation system accounts for the most percentage points of the final score. We differentiate between how well a bike can be ridden uphill and downhill and how the suspension works. Uphill, we assess the geometry, among other things: Is the comfort right? Is the power transfer right and can you survive long days in the saddle? On technical climbs, there are penalty points for a front wheel that climbs early and a lack of control in key sections. We pay particular attention to this with E-MTBs.

When it comes to downhill handling, we differentiate between two disciplines. The playfulness category is dedicated to riding fun. Handy and lively bikes score points here. Models with high (wheel) weight, sluggish chassis and bulky geometries are at a disadvantage.

In the downhill evaluation, we differentiate between the riding characteristics and the suspension qualities. In the first category, we place particular emphasis on the riding position: are you well integrated into the bike, is it intuitive to control and how much confidence does the geometry convey on steep terrain or at high speeds? In terms of the suspension, the absorption capacity and response behaviour of the suspension elements are important: Do the front and rear harmonise, do the fork and shock absorb fast impacts, what about traction?

BIKE measured values

We don't just take the total weight into account when grading. We also determine wheel weight and geometry according to uniform standards in our in-house test laboratory. We determine the range in an extensive field test.

Equipment

There are a total of five assessment criteria here. In addition to the quality of the components and add-on parts, we evaluate things that create added value for the rider. For example, this could be an integrated tool or useful accessories ex works. We also honour the size of the water bottle that can be transported on the frame, the retractability of the saddle and the quality and workmanship of the frame.

Service friendliness

Our mechanic rating provides information on how easy it is to carry out service and maintenance work on the bike. A high score promises good service friendliness, low scores warn of stress when working on the bike. We rate the cable routing, how easy it is to replace and service the headset, whether the frame is sufficiently protected in problem areas and whether a universal derailleur hanger has been specified.

The spider diagram

We show the character of a bike at a glance in the tests for the respective bikes with our spider diagram. Basically, the larger the coloured area, the better the bike. However, the rating in the individual criteria is also visible here. We adjust the weighting depending on the bike category. In this way, we meet the different requirements of e-enduro or light bikes, for example.