Cheap versus expensive: Propain Ekano 2 CF and Propain Ekano 2 AL in a price-performance duel
With many manufacturers, the only difference between the expensive and cheaper models in a range is the equipment. The frame, motor, geometry and basic concept remain the same. The Propain Ekano 2 is different. The German mail-order company offers its E-Enduro in two fundamentally different versions. The Ekano 2 AL is made entirely of aluminium, is only available as a mixed version with a smaller rear wheel and is powered by the Shimano EP801 or EP6 motor. The carbon version Ekano 2 CF, on the other hand, is one of the few bikes on the market to feature the Sram Eagle Powertrain with fully automatic shifting. The full carbon frame allows you to choose between a 27.5-inch or a 29er rear wheel. Another difference: the rear of the CF is set up more progressively.
Fact check: the Propain Ekano 2 AL at a glance
- Price 4994 Euro
- Motor: Shimano EP6
- Battery: Darfon, 626 Wh, 3517 g
- Weight: 25.22 kilos
- Suspension travel: 180/170 mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch
- Wheel weight: 5747 g
- Aluminium frame
- Fork: RockShox ZEB
- Shock: RockShox Superdeluxe Select Coil
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle
- Brakes: Sram DB8
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ Maxxgrip / DHR II Doubledown
- Wheels: Newmen Performance 30
Range: The Sram system is more efficient
In contrast, the geometry of our two test bikes is almost identical. Only the chainstays are almost one centimetre shorter on the aluminium version, thanks to the smaller rear wheel. This also makes the wheelbase a little more compact. This gives the aluminium bike a slightly freeride, less racy character.
There are only marginal differences when it comes to the battery: the Shimano battery is said to have 626 watt hours, while Sram claims 630 watt hours for its energy storage system. In terms of range, the Sram system is slightly more efficient in our test. On top of that, the battery is almost 400 grams lighter. So the point clearly goes to the CF model.
Huge price difference: these are the main reasons
But what is the reason for the enormous price difference of € 6655? While the Ekano AL is predominantly fitted with simple components, the CF boasts the very best equipment: the complete Sram AXS groupset (the CF is not available without the wireless AXS transmission, as this is the only way to operate the Powertrain drivetrain and the associated automatic shifting system), the Crankbrothers carbon wheelset, a Rockshox ZEB Ultimate fork and the Sram Code RSC brakes leave nothing to be desired. You have to pay well over twice as much for our high-end bike compared to the affordable entry-level Enduro.
Fact check: the Propain Ekano 2 CF at a glance
- Price: 11,649 euros
- Motor: Sram Eagle Powertrain
- Battery: Sram, 630 Wh, 3159 g
- Weight: 23.39 kilos
- Suspension travel: 180/170 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Wheel weight: 5463 g
- Frame: Carbon
- Fork: Rockshox ZEB Ultimate
- Shock absorber: Rockshox Vivid Select
- Gear system: Sram XX AXS Transmission
- Brakes: Sram Code RSC
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ Maxxgrip / DHR II Doubledown
- Wheels: Crankbrothers: Synthesis Carbon E11
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A practical comparison of the Propain Ekano: what you feel on the trail
But enough theory, off to the practical test - first to Bolzano, then to Lake Garda. Rough, rocky descents and sometimes technical and very steep climbs with up to 1200 metres of altitude in one go were on the agenda. Both Propains made a very good impression on the climbs. The PRO10 rear suspension kinematics with a floating shock in front of the seat tube keeps the rear end stable in its travel and works very sensitively. The riding position is balanced. In very rocky sections, the carbon bike with the large rear wheel rolls a little more smoothly and offers even better traction. The well-known advantage of the large wheel is a noticeable plus. And thanks to the longer chainstays, the bike remains easier to control on steep gradients. The Sram motor is also a completely different house number to the Shimano EP6.
The enormous pulling power and power delivery, regardless of the cadence, pushes the Ekano 2 CF mercilessly uphill. The more favourable Shimano falls noticeably short here. The noise level is not drastically different. The Shimano hums a little brighter, the Sram hums lower - neither is unpleasant, but both are audible. It is interesting that Sram only offers two modes to choose from: Range or Rally. In Range mode, the power output is reduced, while in Rally mode, full power is available. Both modes can be fine-tuned in the app. The larger selection for Shimano, which can also be individually customised in the app, offers more options and variance on tour. If you want, you can even configure up to 15 modes. Whether two levels are enough is a matter of taste. This is also reflected in the very different opinions of our test team.
Sram Eagle Transmission: Who needs the auto mode?
The auto-shift mode of the Sram Eagle Transmission gears in the Carbon-Ekano can also be described as a playground. Depending on the cadence, the system automatically engages the appropriate gear. At least according to the algorithm. Here, too, you can fine-tune - and have different opinions. Uphill, the automatic system works pretty well, even if it sometimes works with a delay and doesn't always suit the driver's taste 100 per cent. As you can always change gear manually, this is not a major problem. But it's not a must either. However, as the Sram motor is so much more powerful and torquey overall and the larger rear wheel provides better traction, the CF is simply the better e-bike for uphill riding.
Air versus steel: Which rear triangle scores points downhill?
Downhill, both Propain Ekanos are a force to be reckoned with and offer enormous safety paired with a high fun factor! The Propain suspension is a poem in terms of responsiveness, progression and balance and delivers a real hoover feeling. Interestingly, the rear suspension of the carbon bike felt even better. There was no swallowing advantage to the coil shock. On the contrary, in addition to the adapted kinematics and the higher quality shock, this is also due to the large, more rollover-friendly rear wheel. It doesn't hang up so easily on rocky edges, rolls more smoothly and absorbs energy better thanks to its larger flywheel mass. These are all small differences in themselves, but they add up in a direct comparison and make the CF a much more confident descender. However, because the CF doesn't seem any more unwieldy in tight corners despite the larger rear wheel and slightly longer wheelbase, the aluminium model also has to admit defeat downhill. But the gap is not huge and the handling of both bikes is really at the highest level.
Conclusion on the Propain Ekano 2 AL vs CF duel
The choice of Ekano 2 is really huge - thanks to countless configuration options. Even the AL model offers really strong riding characteristics. However, you should invest in a few more updates to the basic set-up we tested. Either way, the CF goes one better in many respects. In our opinion, if you want the best riding performance, you can't go past the CF model. The aluminium model offers the better price-performance mix. - Christian Schleker, test author for EMTB
