EMTB readers' dream bikes put to the test: Sweet Dreams - The most sought-after e-mountainbikes of 2024
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 11.03.2024
A dream bike can have many faces. Precious components, bling-bling looks, an elitist image... Or would you prefer something exotic? Away from the uniformity, but rather a pinch of individual charm. Such objects of desire can be found in abundance on the E-MTB market, but unfortunately they usually hover in galaxies that are all too far away in terms of price. We have thus reached a third dimension of dreaming. After all, wishes taste sweetest when they become reality. And for many bikers, an ideal price-performance ratio is essential. All these thoughts also seem to resonate with EMTB readers. Because under the motto "Most wanted - we test what our readers want", we received plenty of entries from precisely these categories.
At a glance: The eight most popular e-mountainbikes in 2024
Let's start with the orange glowing E-Expl 520 S from Rockrider. At € 2999, the bike from sports discounter Decathlon clearly undercuts the prices of all E-Fullys in the EMTB tests of recent years. Attention, spoiler: With a quiet and smooth motor, surprisingly fluffy suspension and really good riding characteristics, the bike surprised us in a positive way and outshines many a much more expensive E-Fully.
At the other end of the price spectrum, candidates from Scott and Alutech. Industry giant on the one hand, handmade manufacturer on the other. With five-figure prices, the Patron eRide ST and the eFanes offer high-end equipment, highly technical special solutions and individual charm. On top of that, there is plenty of suspension travel with 170 millimetres. Can the two bikes fulfil real enduro demands?
Two other hub monsters, Olympia and Haibike, are also poaching in the downhill sector. While the Nduro 8 Freeride from Haibike with a massive double bridge and steel spring damper, but also a whopping 27 kilos, has real downhill genes, the Olympia Hammer a thoroughbred enduro with an extravagant drive: The exotic Italian is powered by the rare Oli Edge engine with an extra-thick 900cc battery.
Bulls, Cube and Husqvarna are competing with less travel. These three bikes show particularly impressively that suspension travel alone only allows limited conclusions to be drawn about the riding characteristics and downhill performance of a bike. The One55 SLT from Cube is surprisingly sporty and really light for a bike with Bosch Powertube 750. The Mountaincross MC5 from Husqvarna is definitely an eye-catcher. However, the equipment limits the bike with its striking image. And the favourable Bulls Sonic Evo AM wants to combine a large battery with low weight and all the more off-road capability. Will it work? Our test reports provide the answer.
Click here for the detailed tests of the eight dream bikes
The favourites of the EMTB testers
E-MTBs costing more than 10,000 euros are not uncommon in our everyday testing. And yes, many of these bikes are inspiring. In this test, however, a bike from the other end of the price spectrum left an impression on me. I was really amazed at how well the Rockrider E-Expl 520 S performed off-road for € 2999. Hats off! - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Head of Test and Technology at EMTB Magazine
The Bosch Race motor may sound like a marketing gimmick. But the Race mode can be a real game changer on difficult uphills. Once you have understood the principle of extreme coasting, you can catapult yourself up stepped trails with ease. New possibilities for uphill tricksters! - Christian Schleker, EMTB test author
There is often little time for exotic bikes in our daily test routine. The Hammer from Olympia shows that thinking outside the box can be worthwhile. Creamy suspension, great downhill characteristics and surprisingly manoeuvrable. An insider tip for downhill fans. The Oli motor offers an unusually wide range of adjustment options. - Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB Magazine
The motors of the 8 e-bikes in the test
Eight bikes, seven engines: that shows the diversity on the market. The new light engines are not even included. The units deliver 70 to 90 Newton metres - with very different characters. Included, of course the classic Bosch Performance Line CX. He is joined by his limited brother, the Schwaben-Turbo Performance CX-Race. Less commonly used in e-mountain bikes is Brose's Drive T. The affordable drive from Berlin is somewhat weaker, but quiet and smooth. There are also two motors from Shimano. The new top motor EP801 and its little brother. The EP6 is somewhat heavier and also weaker, but significantly cheaper. The Italian e-bike motor Oli Edge is truly exotic. And Yamaha's PW-X3 is the fourth major player on the market.
Information on the engines can be found in the picture gallery
Tips from the EMTB editorial team
Three bikes stood out from the crowd of eight candidates and received one of the coveted EMTB tips. We have deliberately not chosen a test winner, as the bikes come from very different price ranges and bike categories. A direct comparison therefore only makes limited sense.
Price/performance tip: Rockrider E-Expl 520 S
Year after year, we struggle to scrape together suitable E-Fullys under 4000 euros for a comparison test. The selection is too small, the cost pressure on the manufacturers too great. In this price range, even strong value-for-money brands are struggling. With the E-Expl 520 S, Rockrider, Decathlon's own brand, has come up with a bike that undercuts the magic 4000 euro mark by a whopping 1000 euros. The fact that the bike still does a rock-solid job, even in serious terrain, is really strong. The bright orange Frenchman has truly earned our price/performance tip.
All-round tip: Scott Patron ST eRide 900 Tuned
170 millimetres of travel, Fox 38 Factory, 29er wheels: If these facts make you think of a racy enduro bike for wild bike park or downhill use, you might be disappointed by the Patron ST eRide 900 Tuned. Why does it still deserve an award? Because instead it shines as a strong all-rounder and balanced trail and touring partner. Confident uphill, confident downhill, not too brute for moderate trails. You won't find any real weaknesses in solid use. This earns the expensive carbon bike with Bosch's CX Race motor the EMTB tip in the Allround category.
Enduro tip: Olympia Hammer CC04
The underdog from Italy was particularly exciting for us because of the little-known Oli engine. In the test, however, the Olympia Hammer surprised us above all with its balanced riding characteristics and good suspension. As soon as the trails show their teeth, the Hammer cuts a really good figure. And this despite the fact that a heavy 900 watt-hour battery lies dormant inside the down tube. If you like challenging enduro tours and are looking for a well-balanced e-bike, you should definitely take a closer look at the Hammer.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
