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To find the best electric mountain bike, we bought 11 models and rode each for hundreds of miles and over 100,000 vertical feet. We measured the range, power output, and user-friendliness of the e-bike controls.
For four years running, the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy is the best E-MTB and, with the current $1500 discount, also the best value for a full suspension electric mountain bike. If you are ok with a hardtail, the Aventon Ramblas is by far the best value and also the most powerful model we tested.
Lightweight, trail bike feel, optional range extender, excellent motor integration
Cons
Motor/battery bulge reduces clearance, non-e-bike specific fork, should come with beefier tires
SRAM Code R brakes, should come with a burlier rear tire, no longer leading the battery wars, motor is a little noisy at high torque
Build tested is very expensive, Weak casing on rear tire
Heavy, Less refined motor, Non-adjustable fork
Battery or motor rattle, expensive, sluggish handling at low speeds
Mediocre suspension components, SRAM SX drivetrain, can be a handful in tight spots
Fazua motor integration, Value, No range extender, Indexed crank noise
Only 540Wh battery option, shorter distance range, some minor motor rattle
Low battery capacity, Less power, Heavy, Expensive
Underwhelming fork, Low torque, Less range
Pricey, limited range
Bottom Line
A well-rounded performance, 900Wh battery, and a very competitive price make this one of the best electric mountain bikes we've tested
A well-refined and well-rounded e-MTB with unmatched versatility through a highly adjustable geometry
A versatile and well-rounded trail eMTB with a high-end price tag
E-mountain bike for the masses! Amazing value and respectable performance from a growing brand in the budget bike world
A well-rounded electric mountain bike with a solid distance range
A ripping, versatile eMTB that can tackle the gnarly stuff in a relatively budget-friendly package
An excellent bike in a crowded market, the Fazua motor feels less evolved than other mid-power e-bike motors but the bike is still a joy
A versatile and well-rounded trail/all-mountain eMTB with a great build at a competitive price
A new generation of lightweight electric mountain bikes is capitalizing on small motors and lightweight batteries, excellent performance and brilliant engineering make the Fuel EXe our favorite
A budget-priced e-bike that punches above its weight class but can't quite escape the idiom that you get what you pay for
For the rider not looking to give up on fitness and let the bike do the work, excellent electronic integration gives a seamless trail ride experience
The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy claims the top step on the podium for the fourth year in a row. “It's just the most fun to ride,” lead tester Joshua Hutchens says. The adjustable geometry is a real highlight and allows you to set the bike up in six distinct configurations through adjustable headset cups and flip chips in the chainstays. The head cups allow you to change the head tube angle in full-degree increments between 65.5 and 63.5 degrees, while the flip chips adjust the bottom bracket height by 7mm between the high and low positions. “This unprecedented level of adjustability allows the rider to set the bike up to suit their riding style, terrain, and preferences, taking the Levo's versatility to another level,” says Joshua.
Meanwhile, the move to mixed wheel sizes helped keep the bike's rear end maneuverable and increased clearance in steep terrain. The 700Wh battery carries over from the previous model and gives the bike an impressive 33.1-mile range. Only the Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8, with a 900Wh battery, went significantly further. The motor pumps out some serious torque with three customizable support settings. The refinement and integration of the entire system is excellent, plus the Comp Alloy model we tested comes with a functional and capable build, even if it isn't flashy. The current discounted price of $1500 is the best value for a full suspension E-MTB. Only the Ari Wire Peak 2.0 Comp is significantly less expensive but comes with significantly less performance.
There's little to not like about the Turbo Levo Comp. Despite all the positive attributes, we found a couple of things for a future wish list. A handlebar-mounted digital display might be nice, but the new TCU offers abundant data on the top tube while keeping the cockpit clean. The SRAM Code R brakes mounted on our test bike are sufficient but developed a spongy and inconsistent feel during long descents when high heat affected their performance. We're total fans of the Specialized tread, the GRID Trail casings that come stock aren't robust enough for the weight of this bike or its hard-charging capabilities. Still, the Specialized proved the test team's favorite model for its enhanced versatility through adjustable geometry, well-rounded performance, and impressive range and efficiency. We collectively have several Levos in our fleet, from S-works to Comp models, and we find this bike incredible at great value. We've also been through multiple motors, and while the downtime is unfortunate, the warranty process has been excellent.
Canyon impressed us with the new Spectral:ON CF 8. It rolls on mixed wheel sizes with 155/150m of travel, a modern trail riding geometry, and a full carbon frame housing a massive 900Wh battery. Chris McNamara said, “I could ride nearly 10,000 vertical feet in eco mode, well beyond the range of any E-MTB I have tested.” The Shimano EP8 motor is angled slightly to accommodate the large battery, and it is specially designed to keep the weight as low as possible in the frame. The result is a shockingly well-balanced bike that remains impressively maneuverable and lively despite its heavy weight. It's incredibly stable, with enough travel to confidently handle just about anything most people would consider riding without feeling like a handful in mellower terrain. The trail riding geometry strikes a nice balance for climbing comfort, agility, and versatility, making it very well-rounded, while a great build further enhances its performance. Did we mention it has a 900Wh battery? Range anxiety is a thing of the past as the Spectral:ON packs enough juice to ensure your forearms are smoked before the battery is. Canyon's consumer-direct sales model means they're able to offer this bike at an incredibly competitive price; it feels like an excellent value.
It's not all roses for the Spectral:ON CF 8. Though we find it impressive that they've managed to squeeze 900Wh of battery into the frame, the bulge below the bottom bracket noticeably reduces clearance. Combined with a relatively low bottom bracket height, it can be sketchy in some situations. We're generally fans of the Fox 36 Rhythm fork, but the weight of this bike would be better supported by a 38. We found the 36 a bit flexy under braking and in rough terrain. And, while we love the Maxxis Minion DHR II and Assegai tire combination, the EXO+ and EXO casings, respectively, are not quite beefy enough to handle the weight and chargeability of the Spectral:ON. Tires are an inexpensive upgrade, but destroying a tire or rim within your first few rides is a bummer. Beyond those concerns, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better electric mountain bike, especially at this price.
Aventon isn't known for mountain bikes.. yet. The new Ramblas with Aventon's own A100 motor puts this company on the trail map. The Ramblas rolls in with an exciting spec and an even more exciting price tag. The build on this bike is quite impressive, with a RockShox 35 Silver fork, SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM DB8 brakes, a dropper post, and Maxxis tires. A downtube-stashed and removable 708Wh battery powers the torquey motor. This is the least expensive e-mtb we've ever tested; it's also the most powerful e-mtb we've ever tested, putting down more than 26Nm of torque to the ground in our dynamometer test. Our lead tester Joshua says, “Most E-MTB models climb at about the same rate in turbo. The Ramblas just smoked them all.”
An aluminum frame, 29" wheels, a 130mm coil-sprung fork, and slightly conservative modern geometry make this an incredibly versatile bike. Many people will be sold on the spec alone, but the bike is more than the sum of its parts. Notably, it's wildly fun and powerful; even when riding with other e-bikes, the Ramblas is off the front in cross-country terrain. The direct-to-consumer model yields some impressive savings, and Aventon will find a huge market for this bike with 4 sizes, the smallest using 27.5" wheels to accommodate riders down to 5'1".
The ride quality isn't forgiving, and Aventon didn't make it easy to change; the fork isn't adjustable, and the rims aren't tubeless compatible, so rowdy trail riders might not appreciate the lack of comfort. This e-mtb might be for more than just trail riders, though; equipped with tail lights in the chainstays, a bright headlight, and a mount for a kickstand, this bike should appeal to riders who crave a bit more versatility with a mountain bike disposition.
Tipping our scale at 54 lbs, it's not svelte, but the bike's ample power does a good job compensating for its mass. In our range test, the Ramblas rode 30.1 miles with 5980 feet of vertical climbing on a single charge. Powerful, capable, and well-priced, the Ramblas is a slam dunk.
40 lbs 1 oz (S4)(2lbs 6 oz - range extender battery)
The redesigned Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp is a mid-powered electric trail bike that feels more like a trail bike than an electric bike. Built with Specialized's next-generation SL 1.2 motor and a 320Wh battery, it adds power, speed, and torque to your rides. The motor's 50Nm of torque doesn't give it that silly-powerful feeling that we've come to associate with standard Levo's 90Nm of torque. Instead, the Levo SL hits that sweet spot of assist and weight, coming in more than 5 pounds lighter than the similarly priced alloy Trek Fuel EXe 8 GX AXS Transmission. Those shopping for a mid-power trail bike are almost certainly cross-shopping these two bikes; they have remarkable similarities. The Specialized gets the award for its lighter weight, tremendous adjustability, and excellent user interface.
This bike performed incredibly well in our downhill testing; its slacker (and adjustable) headtube angle paid dividends at high speeds, and the shorter 432mm chainstays gave it a poppy, agile feel. In technical situations, the bike's lighter weight gave it a spry disposition that isn't present on most assisted mountain bikes. Power engages with a natural feel that can be mistaken for your own, allowing the rider to climb with enhanced athleticism, but it doesn't take the work out of the ascent. The bike ranks poorly in our power output test, but that shouldn't be a point against it. With 320 watts of assist on Turbo, the bike changes the dynamic of your ride while still allowing you to push that cardio button.
The FACT 11M carbon frame and Fox suspension work well together to provide a comfortable and responsive ride. The SRAM drivetrain works well for the dollar, and while we prefer the precision of the Transmission drivetrain, it doesn't feel worth the $2000 upgrade price. This build feels like the sweet spot of performance for the dollar; Specialized offers an alloy model, but it's a few pounds heavier and not priced significantly less. We also tested this bike with a 29" rear wheel, giving it a more efficient but less rowdy feel. At just over 40 pounds, our testers loved how lightweight this bike feels, enabling them to ride without power and still have an excellent experience.
A fantastic trail bike that just happens to have a motor.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
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Out for a rip while testing the best new electric mountain bikes.
Credit: Laura Casner
How We Test Electric Mountain Bikes
Over several months, our team of professional mountain bike testers rode each of the electric mountain bikes in our test selection on various trails and terrain in a range of climates. We had each tester ride each of the bikes numerous times, often riding the different models back to back for the sake of comparison. We didn't go easy on them. Instead, we treated them all as if they were our own, putting them through the wringer to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Our testing covers five rating metrics:
Downhill Performance tests (30% of overall score weighting)
Climbing Performance tests (25% weighting)
Distance Range tests (25% weighting)
Power Output tests (15% weighting)
E-Bike Controls tests (5% weighting)
Our testing protocol puts each bike through a multi-point performance analysis to rank its performance as a mountain bike and its ability as an e-bike. We've ridden these bikes hundreds of miles, subjecting each bike to numerous tests to assess performance and compare them. The most important metric for mountain e-bikes is downhill performance, which comprises 35% of the total score. We found this is the most important functionality of a mountain bike, giving it a higher weight than other test metrics.
Why Trust GearLab
Our team of testers has a strong background in the bike industry. These riders are racers, mechanics, shop owners, and adventure lovers passionate about all things about bicycles.
Joshua Hutchens has spent decades in the bicycle industry. He has been a racer, bike shop owner, mechanic, and guide. When he's not testing bikes, Joshua teaches mountain biking to kids through his local community college. Hutchens has a critical eye for the nuances of mountain bike performance and loves his time in the air. His favorite trails are Highline in Sedona and A-Line in Whistler. Jeremy Benson eats, sleeps, and breathes mountain bikes. This native New Englander started mountain biking in 1992. He got more serious in college and started racing bikes in 1999. After moving to Tahoe, Jeremy continued his obsession with riding. He continues to race mountain bikes and has achieved impressive results at the Downieville Classic and the Lost and Found Gravel Grinder. Jeremy authored Mountain Bike Tahoe, published in 2017. Kurt Gensheimer is a bike industry veteran and freelance writer. He brings decades of bike testing expertise to the table and has an affinity for exploring remote places in the Lost Sierra aboard electric mountain bikes. He is a former singlespeed rider, and his alter ego is known as the Angry Single Speeder. Chris McNamara spends a whole lot of time in the saddle. This rock climber turned mountain biker loves huge rides covering obscene distances. He is working on a few gigantic rides, including a singletrack route around Lake Tahoe and a ride from Canada to Cabo San Lucas.
Testing electric mountain bikes on moto legal trails near Lake Tahoe, CA.
Credit: Laura Casner
How to Choose the Best Electric Mountain Bike
Finding the perfect bike in itself can prove to be a challenging task, but adding a motor to the mix can make finding the right bike feel daunting. Rest assured we are to help you navigate the wide range of options on the market and provide some key considerations that will help streamline the buying process.
Lightweight or Full Power Electric Bike?
Full-powered e-MTBs will offer larger motors in the 700-900Wh range with torque specs between 80-90Nm. This can be a great option for those with longer rides in mind, folks wanting more support going uphill, or those just getting into the sport needing a bit of extra assistance.
A lightweight e-MTB seeks to complement your riding through subtle pedal assistance and a lighter battery, which helps with handling and agility. The ability to stuff a smaller 320-430WH battery into the frame means a sleeker, more streamlined design. This translates to a more natural riding experience comparable to an acoustic bike.
Other factors, such as the types of bikes your group or partners ride, can affect whether a fully powered e-MTB is necessary. When deciding between the two, it's important to consider what you want out of your next e-MTB. Do you value the ability to travel further and squeeze as many laps in as possible, or do you prefer the more natural feel and playfulness of a lighter bike? While the choice is ultimately a personal preference, gauging your intentions and typical riding habits/trails can steer you toward the appropriate choice.
Lightweight or full-power electric bike, you are bound to have a good time.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Frame Material
Just like regular mountain bikes, Electric bikes are offered in alloy or carbon. The benefits of carbon mean a lighter, dampened ride, which can be a deciding factor in the world of electric mountain bikes. Between the downtube and material used around the motor, choosing a carbon frame can reduce a significant amount of weight. But with those weight savings comes a substantial increase in price. For the weight-conscious, a carbon frame might be worth the extra dough, but for those less concerned with shaving weight, an alloy bike will cost less and leave less concern when the inevitable scratch or scrape comes along.
Which Wheel Size is Right for You?
While the majority of e-MTBs on the market opt for 29" wheels to help support the larger platform and maximize rollover, some bikes are offered in mullet setups, as the name implies a 29" in the front and a 27.5" in the back. Deciding on wheel size can be dependent on the bike as not all manufacturers offer both variations in the same spec'd bike, but some bikes offer a flip chip to accommodate a larger or smaller wheel in the back. The most exciting aspect of a mullet-style bike is the change in geometry. By utilizing a shorter chain stay, playfulness and agility come to life in the rear end. For those on the fence, making a decision will come down to preference of stability and rollover power vs livelier handling and maneuverability.
Lively and playful or controlled and balanced, finding the right wheel choice is up to you.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How Much Travel Do You Need?
The different amounts of travel on a bike help categorize its riding capabilities and intended use. Most bikes under 140mm of travel will excel in cross-country and trail riding, ideal for long days on the saddle. Bikes between 140mm and 160mm of travel are the most popular travel options for e-MTB, and for good reason. Anything over 160mm typically means downhill heavy riding ideal for the gnarliest of terrain. The majority of e-MTBs will fall within the all-mountain category, which is generally 140-160mm travel. This range gives you the best of both worlds, where uphill travel isn't terribly compromised, and the bike is still very capable on the downhills. The added benefit of a well-designed e-MTB means you can get away with more travel without sacrificing uphill performance thanks to pedal-assisted motors.
Choosing the right travel is dependent on your terrain and riding style, but it's hard to go wrong these days with the advancements in geometry and design.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Analysis and Test Results
We scrutinized every aspect of each e-bike's performance. We scored them on several rating metrics, downhill performance, climbing performance, distance range, power output, and e-bike controls to gain the knowledge to help you in your e-bike buying quest.
When we test bikes, we try to take them to their limits and ride them for weeks to tease out the differences in handling and performance.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What's the Best Value?
Mountain bikes can be quite expensive, and adding an electric pedal-assist motor makes them even more expensive. The priciest electric mountain bikes are usually the highest-performing ones; there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, the Aventon Ramblas costs way less than some of its competitors, yet it performs almost as well. Aventon achieves this by selling directly to consumers. Similarly, the YT Decoy 29 Core 4 and the Canyon Spectral:ON CF8 are not cheap, but they come with carbon frames, great builds, and perform exceptionally well on trails. Moreover, they cost a fraction of what you would pay for a comparable bike from a larger brand.
Sharing the stoke is an integral part of e-bike testing.
Credit: Laura Casner
What is an E-Bike?
There are various kinds and classifications of electric bikes on the market. Nearly all electric mountain bikes fall into Class 1, where power is delivered only while the rider is pedaling. In the US, Class 1 electric bikes, the type tested and reviewed here, are limited to a top speed of 20 mph, and their motors are designed with a speed governor to regulate it. These types of e-bikes resemble modern mountain bikes, but they have significant battery packs and small motor units integrated into the frame design. The e-MTB pedal-assist motor is typically built around the bottom bracket and provides varying levels of pedaling “support” directly into the drivetrain while the cranks are turning. Most drive unit systems offer several support settings that provide pedal assistance that amplifies the user's input to varying degrees.
We tested full suspension all-mountain/trail bike models with relatively similar amounts of suspension travel, geometry, and wheel/tire size. The addition of a large battery and a small motor adds significant weight to an e-bike, and they generally weigh in the neighborhood of 50 lbs, approximately 20 pounds heavier than non-e-bikes. The heavy weight of these bikes makes them significantly more difficult to ride without the support of the pedal-assist motor. An exception to this rule is the Trek Fuel EXe, a lower-powered and lighter-weight model that tips the scales at just over 45 pounds.
There are many places in the U.S. where you can legally and responsibly ride e-MTBs and take it from us; they are a heck of a lot of fun. We recommend checking with local land management agencies and other resources to determine where electric mountain bikes are allowed before hitting the trails. We know that you can ride e-MTBs on any trails that are legal for motorized use, so we took advantage of the wealth of OHV trails in the greater Lake Tahoe area for our testing purposes.
It is important to note that adding a motor, battery, controls, wiring, and sensors to a mountain bike creates additional potential for these components to have issues or fail altogether. We recommend researching warranty coverage and buying from a knowledgeable local dealer whenever possible to ensure that you will be taken care of if problems arise.
Modern electric mountain bikes like the Trek Rail 9.7 perform very well on the descents.
Credit: Laura Casner
Downhill Performance
Downhill performance is our most highly weighted rating metric because we feel that the most important element of an e-bike is how well it performs out on the trail, especially when bombing down the hill. Each tester rode every bike numerous times and formulated their own opinions of each model, considering how factors like the component spec, geometry, and frame design play a role in its downhill performance. All of the e-bikes we tested were fun to ride, but they all had different demeanors and trail manners. To test this, we rode the bikes downhill a lot and took them down various terrains, from fast and flowing open trails to tight low-speed technical and everything in between.
In the end, the Trek Fuel EXe proved to be a tester favorite, offering a versatile downhill performance that feels “a lot like a regular trail bike.” The Exe is the lightest and proved the most nimble and agile, yet it still managed to be confident and stable at speed. Its 140/150mm of travel gives it capability and playfulness; it's not the most aggressive bike, but it's easily the best handling and normal feeling of the bunch. The full-power Turbo Levo Comp was our other favorite on the descent. With 150/160mm of travel, well-balanced weight, and responsive handling, the Levo can handle just about anything that comes down the trail with confidence and composure. Additionally, the highly adjustable geometry allows the rider to dramatically alter the bike's character and handling to suit their style, terrain, and preferences. You decide how you want the Levo to ride.
The Turbo Levo Comp's adjustable geometry allows the rider to make dramatic changes to suit their needs and preferences.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Santa Cruz Heckler MX combines 150/160mm of travel, modern trail riding geometry, and mixed wheel sizes to create a super versatile ride that performs well across varying speeds and terrain. It's stable and confident at speed and in steep terrain, yet it manages to remain maneuverable and handle well at lower speeds and on moderate trails. The Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 has a moderate modern geometry, 155/150mm of travel, and a very well-rounded downhill performance. This bike is surprisingly nimble and lively, given its weight, yet it remains super stable and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds and in steeper terrain. Sure, there are more aggressive bikes out there, but it takes a lot to rattle the Spectral:ON's cage.
YT's Decoy 29 also really impressed us with its versatility and well-rounded downhill performance. With 145mm of rear-wheel travel, 29-inch wheels, and a moderate but modern geometry, we found it to be a capable descender comfortable on a huge range of terrain. Much like the Trek Fuel EXe and Specialized Levo models, it feels like a trail bike with responsive handling, agility, and the ability to get after it when the mood hits or the trail gets rowdy.
The YT Decoy 29 is s uper versatile model that won't hold you back on the descents. This bike is ready for anything.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Commencal Meta Power TR Ride was also a blast on the descents. Its long and slack geometry is reminiscent of an enduro bike, and it felt great at speed and in rowdy terrain. It isn't just a one-trick pony, however, as it was also quite fun to rip around on flow trails and mellower terrain. The Trek Rail 9.7 is a 150mm travel 29er with modern geometry. It impressed us with its damp, ground-hugging feel, and it seemed eager to get up to speed. The Rail's flip-chips also give the rider the ability to adjust the geometry to their terrain or preferences.
Pedal assistance sure does make those climbs easier, and in some cases, just as fun as the descents.
Credit: Laura Casner
Climbing Performance
You've gotta get up to get down, and one of the intentions of e-bikes is to make it much easier to do just that. Some of our testers even claim that climbing is now nearly as fun as descending, thanks to the pedal assistance. Climbing on an e-MTB with pedal assist support is still somewhat different from climbing on a bike without a motor. These bikes can carry some serious speed uphill, changing the climbing dynamic with a much faster pace, often tossing finesse out the window in favor of power and momentum. The heavy weight of these bikes provides incredible traction, keeping them planted on the ground, and compression dampening/climbing switches can be left wide open to enjoy the added traction benefits of active rear suspension. Each bike's geometry, handling, and power output all played a role in how well these bikes performed on the ascents, and we had plenty of time to test them while rallying back uphill for more downhill laps.
The YT Decoy 29 Core 4 is a very competent climber. The Decoy's powerful Shimano EP8 motor is one factor, but its dialed trail riding geometry is another. Not only is it comfortable, but it is highly maneuverable with responsive handling for tackling whatever you may encounter on the trail. The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp is another favorite on the uphills, especially now that the new motor system doesn't have the somewhat abrupt power cutoff that plagued earlier models. The Levo is powerful, and the geometry lends itself well to scrambling up just about any climb while remaining very maneuverable. Due to the Levo's adjustable geometry, however, this may not always be the case as its handling can be altered so dramatically.
The trek Rail isn't exactly agile, but it is plenty capable of powering up and over anything in its path.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 also proved to be a competent climber. The somewhat moderate trail riding geometry lends itself to responsive handling, while the power of the EP8 motor helps you blast up climbs once considered impossible. Likewise, the Santa Cruz Heckler MX employs the same motor system, and along with a dialed geometry and the supportive VPP suspension design, climbing is nearly as fun as the descents. Thanks to the smaller rear wheel and balanced weight, it remains more maneuverable than you'd expect for a heavy and long e-bike.
The Trek Rail 9.7 wasn't the most agile bike in the test, but it still performed well on the climbs. Testers agreed that line choice was a little of an afterthought while riding it, and a more aggressive point-and-shoot approach worked best on the uphills. Again, the flip-chips were a nice feature to dial in the geometry to your preferences, and we generally found the high setting to be better for climbing and everyday trail riding. Likewise, the Commencal Meta Power TR has ample power for grinding uphill, but the bike's length gives it more of a monster truck feel, and it is best at powering up and over things and is less about finesse.
The Turbo Levo SL doesn't pack the same punch as the full-power models but its lighter weight and middle-of-the-road geometry handle well on the climbs.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Trek Fuel EXe was a bit of an outlier in this metric. With roughly half the power output and torque of the full-power models, you work a little harder on the climbs. That said, it has a comfortable geometry, quick handling, and no drag in the drivetrain. Riders who enjoy laying down their own power will find the added boost of the smooth but lighter power output to be just what they need to get up most climbs with ease.
The wide downtube of the Spectral:ON houses a whopping 900Wh battery that gives it the longest range of any model we've tested.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Distance Range
The distance range of an electric mountain bike refers to the distance you can travel on a single battery charge, given a specific set of circumstances. E-MTBs come with a range of battery storage capacities, most in the range of 625-700Wh, with a few exceptions. 900Wh batteries have now entered the conversation, and the technology only continues to evolve, with them getting lighter and smaller every year. Theoretically, the larger the battery, the longer and farther you should be able to ride, but external variables like rider weight, pedaling input, terrain, trail conditions, and weather conditions may all affect the length of time or distance that a battery charge will last.
To compare the distance range of the models in our test, we had the same tester take each bike out in its highest support setting and do laps on roughly the same course until the batteries ran down from fully charged to completely dead. When we finished, we recorded the distance and vertical gain that each model could complete and easily and objectively determined our winner.
Boasting a whopping 900Wh battery, the Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 rode away from the competition in this metric. This is the largest battery of any model we've tested to date, so this wasn't too surprising, and it's great to see where battery technology is heading. Our tester rode the Canyon for 38.5 miles with 5,292 feet of elevation gain/loss. This impressive performance also translated to real-world trail rides where it easily handled 30+ mile rides with over 6,000 feet of climbing, and we never once drained the battery or even worried about it dying on a ride.
Want to go on long rides with lots of vert? The Turbo Levo Comp and its 700Wh battery is a good choice.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Specialized is no longer winning the battery size wars (for now), but the Turbo Levo Comp is still very competitive with its 700Wh battery. This battery fits into the same amount of space as the 500Wh battery in the older models while adding only 2 lbs to the overall weight. It came as no surprise that it was one of the top performers in our range test, and our tester rode the Levo 33.1 miles and just over 5,000 vertical feet during our standardized testing. Using a mix of trail and turbo modes, our testers were able to complete 30+ mile rides with 6k of vertical before draining the battery completely.
Not to be outdone, the Santa Cruz Heckler MX is equipped with a 720Wh battery and the Shimano EP8 motor. It traveled 33 miles and nearly 5,000 vertical feet before running out of juice. This performance was backed up by several trail rides in the 30-mile range with around 6k of climbing. The Trek Rail 9.7 comes with a 625Wh battery. Despite having over 10% less battery storage than the Levo, the Rail managed to travel 28.95 miles. We were very impressed.
The Aventon Ramblas was not far behind with a 708Wh battery and the A100motor. We logged 30.1 miles and 5980 feet of ascent. With its 540Wh battery, the YT Decoy 29 Core 4 was slightly behind in this test with 23.2 miles. We weren't too surprised by this; in fact, we were relatively impressed, given the battery's smaller size. We rode the Decoy 29 for over 24 miles and 4,000+ vertical feet on multiple ascents and finished with a drop of gas in the tank.
The Range Extender battery fits into the bottle cage of the Levo SL adding 160Wh to the 320Wh internal battery.
Credit: Laura Casner
With just 360Wh of battery storage capacity, the Trek Fuel EXe has the shortest distance range of all the tested models. We rode it 19 miles and about 1700 vertical feet on its high power setting. It took more effort on the part of the rider, but we were still impressed with the range. During some test rides, we were able to ride well over 30 miles with more than 5,000 vertical feet of climbing using the Eco mode before exhausting the battery.
It is important to note that the less power output you use while riding your e-bike, the longer the battery will last; it makes sense, right? All of the pedal-assist drive units we tested also have smartphone apps that can be used to customize your support settings, and such changes may allow for more or less range on your electric mountain bike. Specialized's Mission Control app even has a feature that lets you set a predetermined route, and the app then regulates the motor's support to ensure power lasts to finish your ride.
The different motor systems are all pretty good but differ slightly. The new Shimano EP8 on the Decoy 29 works very well.
Credit: Laura Casner
Power Output
One of the primary purposes of an e-bike is transferring power from the motor to the drivetrain to “support” your regular pedal stroke. All of the different drive units do this in relatively the same way, although subtle differences in their power output make them all feel slightly different. It is important to note that all of these systems work pretty well; their differences are generally pretty subtle. We tested this metric primarily based on feel instead of scientific measurement, and our testers could all ascertain the differences between the various models. All of the e-bikes we tested are Class 1 with a top supported speed of 20 mph and have several support modes offering varying levels of pedal assist support.
The new Specialized 2.2 motor system boasts 90Nm of torque with a peak output of 565 watts, and we found it to feel marginally more powerful than everything but the Aventon Ramblas. The Ramblas has an almost shocking amount of power and crushes the climbs that might otherwise intimidate you.
Shimano's EP8 motor, found on the Canyon, YT, Santa Cruz, and Commencal, works great and provides plenty of power for blasting around the trails.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Despite a slightly lower 85Nm, the Bosch Performance CX motor on the Trek Rail 9.7 felt like one of the most powerful in the test. Power output was smooth, consistent, and strong, and this bike felt very fast. Likewise, the new Shimano EP8 motor of the Santa Cruz Heckler MX, Commencal Meta Power TR, Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8, and the YT Decoy 29 Core 4 boasts 85Nm of torque. It feels plenty powerful with smooth and consistent power delivery and no lag when you press on the pedals. The Shimano E-Tube app also allows you to customize the output setting to fit your preferences.
Again, the new Trek Fuel EXe falls into a category different from the other bikes in this review. The TQ HPR-50 motor is much smaller and has a max torque of 50Nm and up to 300 Watts of power. This is a little more than half of the competition, and that is by design. Power output is impressively smooth, although it doesn't deliver the oomph of the full-power models. It makes the rider work harder and may be preferred by some riders.
The handlebar-mounted control unit on the Trek Rail 9.7.
The top tube-mounted display on the Trek Rail 9.7 is pretty slick, although it can be hard to view while riding.
The Bosch interface has a control unit by the left grip and a small bike computer-esque display.
E-Bike Controls
The bikes we tested all use a variety of e-bike motor systems, and the controls, the primary user interface, are an important element we rated but didn't weigh as heavily as some of the others. Each motor system and its associated controls are slightly different. Our primary interest is in how user-friendly it is to interact with the system, how intuitive and ergonomic the shifters are, how good and easy the display is to read, and how easy it is to charge the battery. Each drive system also has a smartphone app intended to allow the user to fine-tune the motor's support settings, create custom settings, monitor battery charge and health, and a lot more. We don't feel the apps are necessary for using any of these e-MTBs, but those with an affinity for technology or personalizing your ride may be inclined to use them.
The Commencal Meta Power TR Team scored relatively well in this metric, with a small digital display mounted by the stem. It features Shimano's ergonomically friendly and low-profile shifter, as well as the SC-EM800 handlebar-mounted digital display that is easy to read. The YT Decoy 29 and Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 both use a display unit and controls similar to those of the Commencal. Both have easy-to-reach controls and a digital display mounted by the stem on the handlebar, but the E7000 digital display lacks the color-coded output settings found on the Commencal display. Both bikes' output settings can also be customized through the user-friendly Shimano e-Tube app so that you can dial in the feel and power to your exact preferences.
The Shimano E7000 display, it may be small and somewhat hard to read, but it's far better than no display at all.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Trek's Rail 9.7 comes with a very slick-looking Bosch Kiox display and controls. While the controls are intuitive, their ergonomics weren't the best. The top tube-mounted display unit is also pretty cool, but we found its location difficult to see, and perhaps it was a little over-complicated for our taste. That said, there are probably some great customizable features of the display that we didn't fully examine. The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp scores slightly lower in this rating due to the lack of a handlebar-mounted display. The controls have good ergonomics, but the top tube integrated display in the form of LED lights just isn't as easy to read and interpret while riding, though admittedly, it works just fine.
E-bikes are a ton of fun to ride. Some are better than others...
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Conclusion
There are loads of great electric mountain bikes on the market, with seemingly more options every few months. If you're in the market for an e-MTB, then you already know it can be hard to decide which is the best for your needs. We hope this detailed comparative review helps you find the best model for riding style, terrain, and budget. We will continue to update this review as new bikes emerge and electric mountain bikes continue to evolve.
