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E-touring fullys5 entry-level models around 4500 euros in the 2022 test

Adrian Kaether

 · 30.07.2022

E-touring fullys: 5 entry-level models around 4500 euros in the 2022 testPhoto: Max Fuchs

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Off-road fun only really gets going with full-suspension e-touring fullys. The cheapest representatives of this type are around 4500 euros. What can you expect for that? Five e-mountainbikes in a comparison test.

"The best fullys under 4000 euros" - that was our motto for years when it came to testing affordable e-touring fullys. But that was out of the question this year. High demand with low availability, increased raw material prices and inflation are driving prices up. On top of this, there are developments typical of e-MTBs, such as battery sizes of 630 watt hours, which have also established themselves across the board in the entry-level segment. Good for the range, but bad for the wallet. Putting together a test group of e-touring bikes under €4000 has become practically impossible, as there are hardly any manufacturers who offer reasonably equipped bikes for this price. We therefore had to raise the price level to around 4400 to 4600 euros in order to be able to roll out five candidates from Cube, Canyon, Giant, Stevens and the Italian mail-order company Thok.

In the lower price range, manufacturers have to make tough calculations. Nevertheless, this test brings together five all-rounders with appropriate features.Photo: Max FuchsIn the lower price range, manufacturers have to make tough calculations. Nevertheless, this test brings together five all-rounders with appropriate features.

That's a lot of money for five classic entry-level touring MTBs that are equipped with inexpensive components and in some cases not even the top motors. And yet: In a market comparison, these e-bikes stand out due to their very good price-performance ratio. The number of manufacturers who don't even offer an E-Fully for a whopping €5,000 has long been alarmingly high: premium manufacturers such as Specialized, Santa Cruz, Norco and Rocky Mountain are among them. But also classic specialist brands and even direct mail order companies such as YT. Other manufacturers offer bikes for around 4500 euros, but did not want to take part in our comparison of their E-touring fullys.

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Bosch's Performance CX4 (85 Nm) is found in Cube and Stevens and delivers the top performance in the test field with high power output. The power is also easy to modulate in E-MTB mode. However, you have to do without the current cutting-edge technology of the Smart System and the fine-tuning of the support levels.
Photo: Max Fuchs

What most affordable E-Fullys and our test bikes have in common is their character. Riding comfort and uncomplicated handling are the top priorities - clearly ahead of riding strength in extreme situations. It starts with the tyres: Four out of five bikes roll on wide 2.6-inch tyres. These may not deliver the best riding precision and put pressure on the weight, but they do convey safety in rougher off-road use. On the other hand, the developers have dispensed with flat geometries and progressive suspension in order to give beginners an easy start in the world of e-MTBs. But what exactly the manufacturers mean by comfortable and uncomplicated differs. Cube, Thok and Stevens rely on long suspension travel of 140 and 150 millimetres respectively. And moderate geometries. In contrast, Canyon's Neuron:ON and Giant's Trance E+ rely on shorter suspension travel of just 130 and 120 millimetres respectively. This can also be seen as a comfort advantage because it makes handling easier off-road. However, bikes with shorter suspension travel also require better riding skills in many riding situations. Which is unlikely to be the case for beginners. So why skimp?

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Reverse order: On manoeuvrable trails, the lively Canyon (rear) is superior to the Thok.Photo: Max FuchsReverse order: On manoeuvrable trails, the lively Canyon (rear) is superior to the Thok.

However, suspension travel alone is not the decisive factor; the quality of the chassis also counts. In addition to suspension travel and chassis, it is the geometry in particular that contributes to the riding characteristics of e-bikes. Back to the costs. The fact that manufacturers have to calculate hard in this price class is also evident in terms of frame and overall weight. Measured against the "only" 625 to 630 watt-hour batteries, none of these E-touring fullys can be considered lightweight.

Despite all the pressure to save money, there are also many examples where the manufacturers have sensibly equipped their bikes for touring use: Twelve-speed gears with a wide range and climbing gears, powerful four-piston brakes, long-travel dropper posts and suitable tyres can be found on all five e-mountainbikes. But what about the most expensive components - the batteries and motors? Great
There is broad agreement when it comes to battery size: 625 and 630 watt hours are standard. None of the five candidates can afford the Bosch Smart System with a 750 watt Intube battery, new motor tuning and modern display.

A high level of suspension comfort is not the only thing that counts on long tours. Uncomplicated handling and an upright riding position also make life easier for e-touring riders and beginners alike.Photo: Max FuchsA high level of suspension comfort is not the only thing that counts on long tours. Uncomplicated handling and an upright riding position also make life easier for e-touring riders and beginners alike.

Summary of the e-touring fullys by Adrian Kaether, EMTB editor:

In the lower price range, manufacturers have to make tough calculations. Nevertheless, this test brings together five all-rounders with adequate equipment. The only area where the cost-cutting measures are a little more painful is the suspension: Moderate suspension elements diminish the riding fun in demanding terrain. However, thanks to a good reach, proven motors and balanced handling, nothing stands in the way of extensive e-bike tours with these five E-Fullys for beginners.

Adrian Kaether, EMTB editorPhoto: Markus Greber/SkyshotAdrian Kaether, EMTB editor

We noticed this with the e-touring full-suspension bikes for around 4500 euros:

Wide tyres: With the exception of Giant, all bikes are fitted with 2.6 inch tyres. These provide good damping, but are also noticeable in the high wheel weight. This gives Giant a slight advantage in terms of handling.Photo: Max FuchsWide tyres: With the exception of Giant, all bikes are fitted with 2.6 inch tyres. These provide good damping, but are also noticeable in the high wheel weight. This gives Giant a slight advantage in terms of handling.Front end height: Due to the short head tube, the stack is too low on the Giant and too high on the Stevens with its very long head tube. Neither is ideal on the trail and pushes the rider into an unfavourable position.Photo: Max FuchsFront end height: Due to the short head tube, the stack is too low on the Giant and too high on the Stevens with its very long head tube. Neither is ideal on the trail and pushes the rider into an unfavourable position.Integration: The magnet for the speed sensor is finally integrated into the rear brake disc on most affordable bikes. Only Cube continues to rely on an outdated and vulnerable spoke magnet.Photo: Max FuchsIntegration: The magnet for the speed sensor is finally integrated into the rear brake disc on most affordable bikes. Only Cube continues to rely on an outdated and vulnerable spoke magnet.Gear changes: The Deore twelve-speed drivetrain on four out of five bikes impressed us with its crisp shifting performance and is hardly inferior to the expensive Shimano groupsets. The affordable Sram SX on the Thok, on the other hand, falls slightly short.Photo: Max FuchsGear changes: The Deore twelve-speed drivetrain on four out of five bikes impressed us with its crisp shifting performance and is hardly inferior to the expensive Shimano groupsets. The affordable Sram SX on the Thok, on the other hand, falls slightly short.

Alternative: the trail bike

If you like to leave the brakes open on downhills despite a tight budget, you will only be partially happy with inexpensive e-touring full-sussers. E-MTBs with high off-road capabilities are expensive, but there are exceptions:

As a full-blown all-mountain bike, the Radon Render is a little more demanding to ride than the cheaper touring bikes, but doesn't get rattled by tough terrain either. It's available for 4499 euros with Bosch CX, 625 battery and Fox suspension.Photo: HerstellerAs a full-blown all-mountain bike, the Radon Render is a little more demanding to ride than the cheaper touring bikes, but doesn't get rattled by tough terrain either. It's available for 4499 euros with Bosch CX, 625 battery and Fox suspension.With a lightweight battery, 180 millimetres of travel and downhill geometry, the Canyon Torque:ON is ready for a riot. Big drops, jumps and bike park - no problem at all. The price is very fair at 4799 euros. Absolutely not suitable for beginners!Photo: HerstellerWith a lightweight battery, 180 millimetres of travel and downhill geometry, the Canyon Torque:ON is ready for a riot. Big drops, jumps and bike park - no problem at all. The price is very fair at 4799 euros. Absolutely not suitable for beginners!

That's what the testers say:

Florentin Vesenbeckh, EMTB editor-in-chief and test manager: "The touring bikes have very different characters. If you're looking for comfort and like to let your bike do the work off-road, you'll find what you're looking for with Stevens. The sporty Canyon is the opposite. Much more light-footed and direct, it requires a rider who knows how to control their bike. Range of use and preferences decide!"Photo: Max FuchsFlorentin Vesenbeckh, EMTB editor-in-chief and test manager: "The touring bikes have very different characters. If you're looking for comfort and like to let your bike do the work off-road, you'll find what you're looking for with Stevens. The sporty Canyon is the opposite. Much more light-footed and direct, it requires a rider who knows how to control their bike. Range of use and preferences decide!"Holger Meyer, Die Rasenmäher : "The right frame size is at least as important for riding enjoyment as a good chassis or tyres with good grip. Too big and the bikes become unwieldy, too small and there is a lack of riding safety. Although we ordered all test bikes in size L, in practice they are very different. So be sure to test ride before you buy."Photo: Adrian KaetherHolger Meyer, Die Rasenmäher : "The right frame size is at least as important for riding enjoyment as a good chassis or tyres with good grip. Too big and the bikes become unwieldy, too small and there is a lack of riding safety. Although we ordered all test bikes in size L, in practice they are very different. So be sure to test ride before you buy."Adrian Kaether, EMTB editor: "In the Thok, the Rockshox 35 reacts insensitively, in the Cube it dives away. In the Stevens it works decently. A strange series dispersion with three forks that are actually identical. This unnecessarily limits the potential of the bikes. Forks like the Yari or the Fox 34 offer much more reliable performance - for only a small surcharge."Photo: Markus Greber/SkyshotAdrian Kaether, EMTB editor: "In the Thok, the Rockshox 35 reacts insensitively, in the Cube it dives away. In the Stevens it works decently. A strange series dispersion with three forks that are actually identical. This unnecessarily limits the potential of the bikes. Forks like the Yari or the Fox 34 offer much more reliable performance - for only a small surcharge."

You can find the complete test of the five E-touring full-suspension bikes with all data and grades from EMTB 2/2022 as a PDF download here:

>> E-touring full-suspension test from EMTB 2/2022 <<

We tested these e-touring full-suspension bikes:

Canyon Neuron:ON 7
Photo: Max Fuchs

Adrian Kaether

Adrian Kaether's favourite thing to do is ride mountain bikes on bumpy enduro trails. The tech expert and bike tester knows all about Newton metres and watt hours, high and low-speed damping. As test manager at MYBIKE, Adrian also likes to think outside the box and tests cargo bikes and step-through bikes as well as the latest (e-)MTBs.

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