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If you want to go off-road with an e-mountainbike and enjoy the trails on your local mountain or in the Alps in the future, you will have to put a lot more money on the table than people who are starting out with running. A full-suspension e-MTB that can be recommended without reservation for mountain tours and trails can hardly be found for less than 4500 euros. You can get a set of high-quality jogging shoes for less than 200 euros. So would you rather jog than bike? Absolutely not. But blindly reaching for the next best e-bike is not a good idea with these sums. That's why we have tested six full-suspension e-MTBs between 4500 and 5500 euros on the following pages.
We tested these 6 E-MTBs:
Click to go to the individual rating
All topics in the test:
Test E-MTBs up to 5500 euros - 5 trail bikes, 1 enduro bike
The rather small test group shows how thinly populated the market is in the price range up to 5500 euros. The example of Stevens also makes it clear that the picture is not necessarily changing for the better. When we tested the Stevens E-Inception AM 7.6.1 GTF for testing, the price tag behind it was 4899 euros. Now the Hamburg-based company is asking 5499 euros, which is well over our original price limit of 5000 euros.
But there are also other examples. The high-end brand Specialized has drastically reduced its prices for 2023. The entry-level model Turbo Levo Alloy for 5000 euros suddenly fits right into our favourable test field. This is unusual, especially as the 23 model has even been updated to a larger battery.
On the other hand, brands such as Cube, Giant and direct mail order company Rose are old favourites in the price-performance class. However, the latter candidate did not have an option for e-mountain bikers in its portfolio for years. With the Root Miller+, the Bocholt-based mail-order company is just getting back into the e-MTB business.
Vitus is also new to the race. The British brand owned by online giant Wiggle/CRC has been a hot tip for some time. Following a merger, the bikes are now also available exclusively from the German web giant fahrrad.de and its six stores in Germany. And the debut is impressive. For 4500 euros, Vitus presents the E-Sommet VR even a racy E-Enduro with really solid equipment and 170 millimetres of suspension travel. A bike for tough terrain, difficult descents and trips to bike parks.
The other bikes are more moderate. Cube, Giant, Rose and Stevens deliver E-MTBs for touring and trail riding with 130 to 150 millimetres of suspension travel. The Turbo Levo from Specialized is to a certain extent a border crosser between the all-round and enduro classes. But can it confirm the performance that we know from the expensive top models in the affordable price segment?
Saving on motor power and battery performance
In this price class, you can hardly do without cost-cutting measures. The biggest cost item is the electric drive. So there is also a lot of savings potential here. Rose's Root Miller+ is really powerfully equipped with Bosch's Performance CX motor. However, the newcomer does not yet rely on the current Smart system. This means smaller batteries and no compatibility with the latest Bosch parts, apps and controls.
The cost-saving measures are even more noticeable on the Vitus. Here, Shimano's E7000 is located in the bottom bracket area, which is significantly weaker than the current top drives. The batteries are also generally smaller. 625 watt hours for Rose and Stevens, 500 for Vitus. Only Cube, Giant and Specialized go all out with the drive. 750, 800 and 700 watt hours and the latest generation of motors from Bosch, Yamaha and Brose respectively. That is impressive.
Cube also has the luxury of a carbon frame. Only Rose can surpass this, manufacturing the rear triangle from carbon fibre as well as the main frame and thus achieving an unbeatably low weight in this price range.
Savings on components too
Of course, savings are also made on the components. A classic in the entry-level price category is the slender Rockshox 35 suspension fork. With Cube, Giant, Specialized and Rose, four out of six test bikes rely on this fork. It offers touring riders a surprising amount of comfort. However, you have to put up with significant losses on heavier trail and off-road use, as the weak damping offers too little support. Control suffers as a result.
The massive Domain fork on the Vitus Enduro stands out positively at this point. The suspension fork factor leads to the most significant losses compared to more expensive models in our test group. In second place are the tyres. Cube and Rose cut back on tyres here, which costs their bikes a lot of riding safety on the trail. But a set of tyres can be changed quickly when in doubt. And it's no more expensive than a high-quality set of jogging shoes.
Conclusion on the E-Fullys up to 5500 euros test
Although the price level of this test group is slightly higher than the comparable bikes from the previous year, there is also significantly more performance! Balanced geometries and successful concepts turn the six candidates into "real" e-mountainbikes. The characters are quite different. Cube is a well-balanced all-rounder, Specialized the trail specialist. Giant can score points with particularly uncomplicated riding characteristics and comfort. Vitus proves that full downhill strength can also be achieved at a favourable price - albeit with limitations in terms of the drive. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Test Manager EMTB
The motors in our test
Bosch Performance CX
Cube and Stevens use the new Performance CX motor with Smart System in this price range. Rose relies on the previous model, which is not compatible with the latest Bosch developments. The following applies to both variants: plenty of power and top modulation make the motor the king of the climbs. However, the motor only releases its full power when the pedals are pushed hard. Rattles downhill.
Brose Drive SMag
The Drive SMag in the Specialized Levo is known for its strong traction at low cadence. Even at low rider power, it pushes hard, which makes difficult climbs easier. On top of that, it is unbeatably quiet in the test comparison, especially in the lower and middle modes. Together with the even thrust, this makes the ride feel natural.
Shimano E7000
In this test field, the affordable Vitus relies on a drive unit from Shimano. However, the Vitus is not powered by the top-of-the-range EP8 motor, but by the cheaper and older E7000. This motor has noticeably less power and torque, but has a smooth riding behaviour. Advantage over the EP8: no rattling on the downhill.
Yamaha Syncdrive Pro 2
Giant uses Yamaha drives with in-house software. The latest motor is the Syncdrive Pro 2, which is aimed at a sporty target group with its relatively small design and low weight. The lively power delivery matches this. However, the maximum power output is below Bosch level. Rattles downhill.
E-fullys up to 5500 euros - what the testers say
Expensive components alone do not make a successful E-MTB. The affordable Levo in particular shows that geometry and construction have at least as much influence on the riding characteristics. Despite a weak suspension fork and mediocre brakes, the Specialized is a real trail expert. Cube and Giant also impress. - Adrian Kaether, EMTB editor
The models tested are fully equipped for moderate tours. That's all you need. However, if you are focussing on trails and off-road terrain, you should check one equipment level further up. This is because the favourable suspension forks and, in some cases, brakes unnecessarily limit the bikes on difficult descents. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Test Manager EMTB
In general, the price-performance level in this test group is good. This is particularly true of the British newcomer Vitus. The fact that a Specialized can also convince in this price range is a first - the market situation makes it possible: the warehouses are full, so the manufacturers have to provide incentives to buy. - Josh Welz, Editor-in-Chief EMTB
Facts, figures and data: The 6 E-Fullys in comparison
The reach height
In our range test at the highest support level, speed is an important factor alongside the metres in altitude. The low speed of the Vitus shows the moderate power of the E7000 motor. With the small battery, the bike drops significantly in the ranking. With a rider input of 150 watts, the Brose in the Specialised pushes the hardest. As usual strong in terms of range: Bosch with the large batteries. The Cube climbs over 2000 metres in altitude with the 750cc Powertube. Giant and Specialized land at a similar level behind, the 625 Boschs are close behind.
Weights in comparison
With its lightweight full carbon frame, Rose is clearly at the top of the weight rankings. A strong value in this price class. The Levo Alloy from Specialized is not overweight despite its large battery and robust aluminium chassis. It's a different story with Stevens. 26 kilos despite only 625 Wh and a higher price do not deserve applause. There is tuning potential in the extremely heavy wheels. The Enduro from Vitus is also heavy due to its massive equipment, despite the small 500-series battery.
¹Measured in the EMTB laboratory in the tested size, battery weight incl. screwed-on cover if applicable. ²Set with tyres, cassette and brake discs
TOP 3 on the tour
- Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 750
- Giant Stance E+ 1 Pro
- Stevens E-Inception AM 7.6.1 GTF
TOP 3 on the trail
- Specialised Levo Alloy
- Vitus E-Summet VR
- Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 750
Price-performance ratio
Which bike offers the fairest package for the money? The Vitus E-Sommet is the most affordable bike in the test thanks to its strong riding characteristics. The only thing the mail-order company can't keep up with is the drivetrain. With the test winner Cube, a bike from a specialist retailer secures second place. After the significant price reduction, our trail king from Specialized also makes it onto the podium. Stevens can't keep up with the aluminium E-Inception after the price increase.
How EMTB tests
Considered individually, many E-MTBs ride well. Only comparative tests reveal decisive differences and are therefore the core of our test system. Bikes get the most points for their handling behaviour in practice, which we test with at least three experienced testers on different trails. Enduro bikes get the most points for downhill performance, touring bikes for uncomplicated handling. But we don't want to rely on our instincts alone. We include our in-house laboratory in every test. Can our test impressions be substantiated by precisely comparable data on geometry and weight? In addition to classic values, we also determine special data such as ground clearance or centre of gravity height, which are particularly relevant for E-MTBs. Field tests with sophisticated measurement technology and standardised parameters provide information on range and motor characteristics.
The test criteria
Uphill: How does the E-MTB perform on difficult climbs? We differentiate between steep uphills and technical uphills. In the first category, we assess the riding behaviour on steep ramps. Deductions are made for a front wheel that climbs early, an unfavourable riding position and too little motor power or traction. The evaluation for technical uphills is all about trails uphill with obstacles. Is the bike easy to control? Does the suspension generate traction without bottoming out? How does the bike cope with tight corners and steps? Deductions are made here for motors that are difficult to modulate, a passive riding position and frequent crank bumps.
Downhill: As in the uphill classification, we also separate downhill into two different categories. Trail flowing is dedicated to riding fun. This is where handy bikes with lively and lively handling score points. Deductions are made for high (wheel) weights, sluggish suspension and overly bulky geometries. Downhill rough, on the other hand, is all about handling qualities in very rough terrain and at high speeds. What counts here is the suspension's ability to absorb shocks, safe geometries and robust equipment.
Tour: In the Tour rating, the reach of the bikes comes into play, which we crank out in a standardised field test. In addition to riding comfort, the easy-riding rating is based on whether less experienced riders can handle the bike well and how easy the bike is to manoeuvre. Steering that tips over and geometries that are too demanding are rated negatively.
Drive: Here we award standardised points, which we have defined individually for each drive. Power is all about performance and torque. In addition to the perceived thrust, extensive laboratory measurements are also included in the evaluation. Under controllability, we assess the driving feel and response behaviour. Deductions are made for rough or unharmonious support. Under Details, points are awarded for displays and remotes, their ergonomics and the respective apps.
Quality: Point one is the equipment. We use fixed parameters to evaluate all components, from gears and suspension to cockpit and dropper post to wheels and tyres. Under workmanship/details, we look at the quality of the craftsmanship of the frame as well as the integration of the drive components such as the battery and speed sensor. We also award points here for the weight, manufacturer's warranty and the permissible total weight of the bikes.
The Pentagon: We use the new spider web diagram to show the strengths and weaknesses, and therefore the character, of a bike at a glance. Basically, the bigger the red area, the better the bike. But the rating in the individual criteria is also visible here. We adjust the criteria depending on the bike category. This allows us to meet the different requirements of enduro bikes or entry-level full-suspension bikes, for example.
All values were determined during standardised rides on an asphalt and gravel climb with an average gradient of nine percent. Rider pedalling power 165 watts, rider weight including equipment 89 kg. The assistance level was selected so that all bikes travelled at approximately the same speed, see average speed in brackets. Metres of altitude covered in emergency mode were covered significantly slower. The charging energy shows how many Wh were required to fully recharge the completely discharged battery.
EMTB test partner
EMTB tests all bikes and most components in its own test laboratory. Many of our test rigs were developed by the Zedler Institute for bicycle technology and safety.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
