The most exciting tests can be recognised by the fact that the test team is in total disagreement. This usually happens with innovative products that challenge the tried and tested. Until now, the following was true: motors are powerful, batteries are getting bigger and e-bikes are (unfortunately) heavy. Suddenly there are three e-MTBs in the editorial office that turn all previous principles on their head: The Specialised Levo SL, the Nox Helium and the Lapierre E-Zesty have relatively weak motors, tiny batteries - and weigh significantly less than the 23 kilos plus X currently standard on the market. Nox and Lapierre use the e-bike motor from the German start-up Fazua.
Minimal assist e-bikes as a contrast to classic e-mountainbikes
During the test rides, it became clear to us that the Minimal Assist e-bikes are polarising - you will either love them or revile them. Convinced power e-bikers who appreciate the massive mass and smooth running of conventional e-MTBs will not recognise any progress in the lightweight fun machines. Convinced eco-mode riders and fans of natural bike handling will find the perfect compromise here for the first time: easy on the body on normal uphill climbs, playful and manoeuvrable downhill. However, with only a moderate reach due to the small batteries. This is definitely innovative, but is it what customers want? That's a very debatable point - and we're still arguing about it in the editorial team.
You can download the complete comparison test of these minimal-asset bikes and motors from EMTB 2/20 as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in EMTB. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, and that means tens of thousands of euros every year.
The e-bike motors in the test
- Fazua Evation
- Specialised SL
The e-mountainbikes in the test
- Lapierre eZesty AM 9.0
- Nox Helium 5.9 AM Pro
- Specialised Turbo Levo SL Expert
