Rockrider E-Expl 520S test: Does Decathlon build the best e-bike fully for under €3000?

The sports and outdoor discounter Decathlon is known for decent products at unbeatable prices. Whether football, camping or mountain sports - the French company's range is huge. But what happens when a discounter tries its hand at a product as complex as an e-mountainbike? The Rockrider E-Expl 520S is part of a brand-new series of advanced e-MTBs that don't look like junk or a DIY store. We test whether you can expect real off-road capability and trail fun for less than 3000 euros.

The Rockrider E-Expl 520S in the "Readers Most wanted" test

The E-MTB-Fully from Rockrider is a special candidate in our big test of the "Readers Most wanted". In addition to sinfully expensive high-end bikes for five-digit euro amounts, you also wanted this remarkably affordable E-Fully in the tough eMTB test. Understandably so. Because the affordable entry-level E-Fully is not only an exciting candidate from a journalistic point of view, but there is also tangible bargain potential lurking within. So let's see how the Decathlon bike compares with the market average.

You have chosen which bikes we should test: Readers most wanted - the most popular E-MTBs of the year! Under this motto, we have selected the most exciting e-mountainbikes from our readers' suggestions. Exotic specialists, absolute blockbusters or cheap discounter bikes? All of them had to undergo objective EMTB testing in the lab and in practice. So here they come: The results of your favourites from Alutech, Bulls, Cube, Haibike, Husqvarna, Olympia, Rockrider and Scott. The following have already been published:

• Test of the Alutech eFanes Nextgen AXS: Brushed e-bike jewel
• The Bulls Sonic EVO AM SL1 on test: How good is the affordable lightweight after the update?
• The Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE55 SLT on test - Cube e-mountainbike with Bosch CX on a diet course
• The Haibike Nduro 8 Freeride on test: A clear edge for rough daredevils
• The Husqvarna Mountain Cross MC5 on test: Stylish all-mountain bike with motorbike DNA?
• Testing the Olympia Hammer CC04: Italo underdog as an e-bike high-flyer?
• Scott Patron ST ERIDE 900 Tuned on test: The new Scott - the ultimate all-mountain E-MTB?
• An overview of the test of our readers' dream bikes can be found here

The facts about the Rockrider E-Expl 520S

• Motor: Brose Drive T aluminium, 70 Nm max. torque
• Battery: 500 Wh (removable), optional 360 Wh additional battery available
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Suspension travel: 140 / 140 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Price: 2999 Euro
• Weight: 25.6 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement, without pedals)
• Permissible total weight: 120 kg (manufacturer's specification)
• Lifetime warranty on frame and handlebars

The e-bike drive: Brose Drive T Alu - smooth & quiet

A Brose Drive T Alu provides the thrust in the Rockrider Fully. This is the cheaper version of the Berlin e-bike motor, which delivers a maximum of 70 Newton metres in the E-Expl 520S. The motor gets its power from a 500 watt-hour battery, which can be conveniently removed from the side of the down tube. There is no need for a spanner, just an Allen key.

The controls offer a successful mix of ease of use, a sleek look and information content. A slim push button on the handlebar is combined with a larger display behind the handlebar. This provides a wealth of information, including rider and engine performance. The screen is equipped with a Bluetooth module so that the system can be connected to the Decathlon app. This enables system updates, but the support levels cannot be customised.

Noticeable: The motor is pleasantly quiet. The drive noise is well below the level of Bosch and Shimano. Brose is also ahead on the downhill, as the Drive T does not rattle like the market-leading competition.

On the other hand, the "small" Brose has a noticeable deficit in maximum power. The thrust is less powerful than that of a Bosch Performance CX or a Shimano EP8 or EP801. However, the Brose Drive T Alu clearly outperforms the standard light drives with its 70 Newton metres.

The geometry

The chassis of the E-Expl has a moderate design. A rather steep steering angle, a moderately long reach - this results in a moderate wheelbase of 1255 millimetres, which promises a balanced compromise between agility and smoothness. The chainstays are long at 460 millimetres. Smooth running and safe handling are prioritised over excessive playfulness. The very short seat tube is super modern; only the slack seat angle of 74.5 degrees is not quite up to date.

EMTB measurements at a glance (frame size L)

• Seat tube length: 416 mm
• Wheelbase: 1255 mm
• Reach: 468 mm
• Stack: 632 mm
• Steering angle: 66 degrees
• Seat angle: 74.5 degrees
• Chainstay length: 460 mm

The equipment of the Rockrider E-Expl 520S

X-Fusion McQueen, Microshift Advent, Tektro HD - the equipment list of the Rockrider E-Expl reads like a dictionary in a rare dialect from the distant Himalayas among the usual E-MTB candidates. Rockshox or Fox? Schwalbe or Maxxis? Shimano or Sram? You won't find any of these brands. But that seems to be part of the secret of the unrivalled price.

The good thing is that there are hardly any products that restrict the function of the E-MTB. On the contrary: some parts turned out to be real surprises in our test, which are ahead of the well-known competition in terms of price-performance ratio. Only the weak Tektro brakes are a clear shortcoming for off-road use. Super, on the other hand: In contrast to many other affordable e-MTBs, the E-Expl 520S is equipped with a dropper post ex works. This increases comfort and riding safety off-road and in everyday use.

• Fork / shock: X-Fusion McQueen R Air / Pro-R
• Gear system: Microshift Advent X, 10-speed, 11 - 48 teeth
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M 276, 203/203 mm
• Wheels: Rockrider 30
• Tyres: Rockrider Grip 500 TR, 29 x 2.4 inch
• Special features: Telescopic support with 150 mm stroke

Practical test: How the Rockrider E-Expl 520S rides

Two things are immediately noticeable in the saddle of the Rockrider E-Expl 520S: The riding position is sporty and places us in the centre of the bike. On modern enduro bikes, you sit much further forward, but Rockrider favours a more classic touring position. Secondly, the engine is pleasantly quiet. Both provide a comfortable and pleasant riding experience.

If you turn off the road onto off-road terrain, the comfort character increases even more. This is because the suspension greedily soaks up bumps. Together with the very soft and therefore grippy tyres, the bike offers an incredible amount of traction. It takes difficult climbs in its stride. Thanks to the long chainstays, you hardly need to worry about the front wheel climbing.

In the test, the motor thrust is also sufficient for steep climbs - but clearly lags behind the power of a Bosch Performance CX or the Brose Drive T. Also noticeable when things get really steep: the riding position could be more central for technical climbs to improve control of the bike. But all in all, the climbing characteristics of this e-bike are excellent.

Downhill

The uncomplicated characteristics that the bike demonstrates even on difficult climbs continue on the descent. The suspension readily releases the travel, so the ride remains comfortable even on rough surfaces. Together with the very grippy tyres, the traction is also excellent, so you always have full control of the bike. All in all, you have the feeling that you are travelling with more suspension travel than with a narrow 140 millimetres.

The suspension only runs out of reserves when you get really sporty on bumpy sections. Sporty trail bikers would like a little more support and progression - but that's complaining on a high level, especially when you consider the price. The X-Fusion suspension fork can keep up very well with the cheaper models from well-known brands such as Rockshox or SR Suntour, as found in many E-MTBs up to € 5000.

Unfortunately, there's still one real dampener: the small two-piston Tektro HD-M 276 brakes don't offer enough bite and significantly reduce riding safety and fun. If the descent is even steeper or longer, the weak braking effect is annoying, more tiring and significantly spoils the otherwise very successful downhill performance.

Thanks to the rather steep steering angle, the bike is fun even on tame trails, and fortunately it doesn't feel like a heavy lorry. The E-Expl is not really lively with its high overall and wheel weight. And gimmicks, such as pulling the bike onto the rear wheel to manual, are more difficult than with designated trail speedsters. All in all, however, the Rockrider e-MTB can easily keep up with some e-mountainbikes costing between 4000 and 5000 euros. That is an enormous achievement!

On tour

If the Rockrider is less about steep trails and nasty terrain and more about leisurely tours on flat terrain, the comfortable and uncomplicated character of the bike will also impress. However, the super-sticky knobbly tyres, which score points off-road, could significantly reduce the range on long asphalt rides. This is because the rolling resistance is significantly higher than with the mixed tyres that are usually fitted to classic entry-level eMTBs.

The 500 watt-hour battery of the E-Expl also limits the range, which remains below the current market average, where batteries with 600 to 900 watt hours are common. However, if you are an energy-efficient traveller, you should be able to master longer tours with this system.

However, the weight of over 25.5 kilos is anything but exhilarating considering the small battery. This is also noticeable in everyday handling. Here it becomes clear: lightweight construction is simply not possible at this price. And Rockrider has obviously focussed on robustness and off-road capability. The lifetime warranty on the frame and add-on parts also leaves a good feeling here.

EMTB review of the Rockrider E-Expl 520S

Strengths

• Outstanding price-performance ratio
• Fully trail and off-road suitable
• High driving safety, easy to control
• Quiet

Weaknesses

• Comparatively low range
• Heavy
• Brakes too weak

The EMTB review of the Rockrider E-Expl 520S

The conclusion about this bike is clearly a question of perspective! Personally, the Rockrider E-Expl 520S has surprised me in an absolutely positive way. Even inexpensive E-Fullys costing over 1000 euros more have recently been less than convincing off-road. The E-Expl, on the other hand, did. At least if you turn a blind eye to the brakes, which are far too weak. Decathlon has created a real riding machine with trail potential. Safe to ride, quiet and elegant - a real winner in the price-performance league! - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief EMTB Magazine