Test all-mountain e-bikes 2023: Five brand new all-rounders up to 6300 euros
Adrian Kaether
· 04.01.2023
If it's possible, then it's possible. Dear readers, you don't want to compromise on performance. On average, the EMTB audience is planning to spend over 6000 euros on their next bike. Almost 1500 euros more than two years ago. Better an expensive e-MTB than a mediocre one, is the motto. But the crucial question is: despite inflation and rising prices, can you get models for this amount that don't show any weaknesses on the trail? Without further ado, we have put together a suitable test group to answer precisely this question.
We tested these bikes:
You will find the following content in this article:
All E-All-Mountain Bikes are equipped to a high standard
The bikes roll off the bus for the practical test in the Oberammergau bike park. Let's start with the equipment check. Relief on the one hand: All five bikes are equipped to a high standard, there are no failures. On the other hand, highlights such as a complete Shimano XT groupset, Fox Factory suspension or a full carbon frame are the exception. For 6000 euros, the high-end segment is a long way off. Basically, the five candidates are very different: Specialist retailers and online shops, full carbon and pure aluminium frames, 29-inch and mullet wheels, Bosch and Shimano motors, batteries ranging from a moderate 540 to a whopping 900 watt hours. The difference in weight is particularly noticeable when loading the bike. Lifting the YT out of the car with the small battery and just under 24 kilograms is much easier than the Scott Patron with almost 27 kilograms.
All test bikes aim to guarantee maximum riding enjoyment
And the variance of the five bikes does not end here. Wide and narrow tyres, clean and overloaded cockpits, more and less travel, progressive and more classic geometries. There are even huge differences in size, although we ordered all bikes with an L-frame. All five bikes have the same goal: they want to be balanced tourers for difficult terrain, for which no uphill trail is too steep and no downhill too demanding. Reliable from hut to hut in the high mountains and yet with maximum riding fun on the home circuit. Who manages the balancing act best?
High riding comfort with the E-All-Mountains from Canyon, Conway, Scott and YT
We start the first climb with the Decoy from YT Industries, Conway's eWME and Canyon's Spectral:ON. It is noticeable that all three candidates score highly in terms of riding comfort and a comfortable but very different riding position. Compact and with a low front on the Conway, slightly longer and with a high front on the Canyon. The YT offers a nice compromise, but is very small compared to the large Canyon. Nevertheless, every tester felt comfortable here straight away. A theme that runs through the entire test of the mail-order bike from Forchheim. Comfortable and traction-strong on the climbs, very confident on the descents, especially thanks to the great Fox suspension. It's hard to believe that at 150/145 millimetres, this bike should have the least travel.
And it's hard to believe that it's the same frame platform as its smaller brother, the Decoy 29 Core 2 with Rockshox suspension. We have already tested this bike in EMTB 3/2022 and found it to be purposeful but not very forgiving. Our test bike today, on the other hand, scored top marks from every tester. Unfortunately, the fun is short-lived. The small battery is already empty before the end of the test day, while the Canyon's huge watt storage system only shows half-time. The fact that the Canyon is hardly inferior to the YT in terms of riding behaviour is remarkable and contributes mightily to the points score. However, the more affordable € 5500 Spectral:ON CF7 model, which we also tested in the Issue 3/2022 had in the test.
Scott Patron eRide: Heavy but comfortable
What remains the same with Canyon is the full range of over 2200 metres in altitude, even the bikes with Bosch's 750cc Powertube can't even begin to keep up. And speaking of Bosch: on technical climbs, we still liked the motor in the Radon and Scott the best. The Scott in particular climbs superbly and is remarkably uncomplicated. Even tight corners and nasty steps uphill are mastered at the first attempt, and you completely forget how heavy the Scott was when you picked it up in the car park. A trend that also continues downhill. Especially at low speeds, the Scott conveys an astonishing amount of confidence and gives even beginners the feeling that they can safely master the most difficult terrain. We would have wished for grippier tyres in somewhat slippery conditions, but the heavy Scott is still the most uncomplicated bike in the comparison. Even less experienced riders will be able to handle it well off-road. However, the Canyon is the best bike for high mountain tours to home trails due to its strong combination of great riding characteristics and mega range. The strong all-round characteristics give it the test victory.
Conclusion by Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB
The same category, the same price range - but completely different characters! Three bikes stand out from our quintet: Those who prioritise trail handling should take a closer look at the YT Decoy, and no one does uncomplicated handling on tour better than Scott's new Patron eRide. The most versatile bike and therefore the winner on points comes from Canyon. The Spectral:ON combines successful riding characteristics with mega range and acceptable weight.
What the testers say
Florentin Vesenbeckh: All-mountain e-MTBs are getting heavier and heavier. One reason: the thick batteries. Whether 750 watt hours or more is the right choice is something everyone has to decide individually for their area of use. Canyon is the only bike in the test to achieve a strong compromise. The Spectral:ON remains relatively light despite 900 watt hours.
Tobias Ziganek: For me as a sporty rider, what counts most is performance on the trail. The YT Decoy is great here, and I also liked the Canyon Spectral:ON downhill. Uphill, however, the big bike with the high front and short chainstays was difficult to control for me at around 1.80 metres. I would definitely try a smaller size here.
Adrian Kaether: In addition to the cables and battery, Scott even hides the shock in the frame of the Patron. This may be visually appealing to some, but the handling and the extremely high weight of the bike clearly speak against it. The Patron still rides well-balanced, but with two kilograms less, more would certainly have been possible.
How EMTB tests
Viewed 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 in practice, which we explore 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.
EMTB test partner
EMTB tests all bikes and most components in its own test laboratory. Many of our test stands were developed by the Zedler Institute for Bicycle Technology and Safety.
The test criteria
Uphill: How does the E-MTB perform on difficult climbs? We separate the evaluation categories into steep uphill and technical uphill. In the first category, we assess the riding behaviour on steep ramps. Deductions are made here for a front wheel that climbs early, unfavourable seating positions 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 for motors that are difficult to modulate, passive riding positions 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 geometries that are too smooth. Downhill rough, on the other hand, is all about handling qualities in nasty 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 ride 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 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 new diamond: We use the new diamond 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 light tourers, for example.
Tops and flops among all-mountain e-bikes
The weights of the all-mountain e-bikes in comparison
Impressive: Despite the monster battery, the Canyon is almost the lightest bike in this comparison. The only full carbon frame and the downward battery removal pay off.
The YT Decoy 29 is a little lighter, but with by far the smallest battery in the test field, this is hardly surprising. Or is it? The small battery in the YT is quite heavy, while the Darfon battery in the Conway eWME is only a good hundred grams heavier despite a significant increase in capacity. In terms of wheels, the Radon Render scores points and almost takes the lead despite its decent tyres, while Canyon and Scott fall behind. A 100-kilo rider can still fit on each bike, but especially with the heavy Scott it gets very tight when equipment is added. There is room for improvement.
¹ Measured in the EMTB laboratory in the tested size, battery weight incl. screwed-on cover if applicable. ² Set with tyres, cassette and brake discs
The e-bike motors in comparison
Shimano EP8
At just 2.6 kilograms, Shimano's EP8 (85 Nm) is the lightest of the classic e-bike drives. The peak power is slightly behind the Bosch, which is noticeable in a direct comparison. On the other hand, the app, sporty displays and the often somewhat sonorous drive noise are pleasing. Good: Shimano also allows third-party batteries, such as the high-capacity and lightweight Darfon in the Conway eWME. Unfortunately, the motor rattles audibly downhill.
Bosch Performance CX
The drive system of the Swabian electric giant delivers high performance and plenty of torque (85 Nm). The modulation and riding behaviour on technical climbs are market-leading, especially in E-MTB mode. Even in Turbo mode, the Bosch only releases its power when you pedal harder, which makes for a lively riding experience. Unfortunately, it is neither really quiet nor light, especially because of the heavy batteries. The Bosch rattles audibly downhill.
The engine sound
The interaction between the motor and frame determines the background noise. The Shimano EP8 in the YT sounds the loudest on the climbs, while it is significantly quieter in the Conway. This is not an isolated case: our last YT Decoy 29 was also noticeably loud. You can see where the other candidates rank in the chart below. Unfortunately, the motor also rattles downhill on all five bikes due to their design. It doesn't feel very high-quality. The Canyon Spectral:ON was one of the loudest on the trail, while the YT and Conway eWME are significantly quieter. The Bosch bikes Radon Render and Scott Patron are in the middle. All five candidates are a far cry from the quietness of successful Brose, TQ or Fazua bikes.
The reach height of the 5 all-mountain e-bikes in the test
How long does the battery last?
After all, all-mountain e-bikes in particular should be able to take on really long mountain tours without going to their knees on the second climb. We use our standardised test procedure for reach height to determine how well this works. Range height instead of range because metres in altitude eat up significantly more battery than kilometres and are therefore more important when planning an E-MTB tour. Unsurprisingly, the Canyon Spectral:ON with its large 900 battery is the lone leader with well over 2000 metres of elevation gain. But long tours are also possible with the Radon Render, Scott Patron and Conway eWME if you're a little economical. The small battery in the YT Decoy drops significantly. This makes long rides much more difficult.
The reach height was determined during standardised test rides on an asphalt climb with a gradient of 12.2 percent. Highest support level, 150 watts of pedalling power from the rider, rider weight including equipment 90 kg. In grey, the altitude metres in significantly reduced emergency mode. The average speed refers to the journey with full assistance. The charging energy shows how many watt hours were required to fully recharge the completely discharged battery.
Price-performance ratio
Which bike gives you the most bang for your buck?
With Radon, Canyon and YT Industries, three mail-order companies came out on top. However, the e-bikes do not achieve this solely through high-quality equipment, but rather through their harmonious overall package. Our rating reflects the ratio of purchase price to overall judgement. The Canyon Spectral:ON wins the test, but is narrowly beaten by the cheaper Radon due to its higher price. The YT Decoy only has a small battery, but the riding characteristics and suspension are excellent.
Points rating in comparison
*The judgement reflects the subjective impression of the testers and the results of the reach measurement and laboratory tests. The EMTB judgement is independent of price. EMTB judgements: super (from 9.0), very good (from 8.0), good (from 7.0), satisfactory (from 6.0), with weaknesses (from 5.0), below insufficient.
TOP 3 Uphill:
- YT Industries Decoy 29 Core3
- Scott Patron eRide 920
- Conway eWME 6.9
TOP 3 Downhill:
- YT Industries Decoy 29 Core 3
- Canyon Spectral:ON CF8
- Radon Render 10.0 750
Bike characteristics
It's not just the final judgement that counts. What use is an unwieldy downhill bike to a touring rider and a lively fun bike to a downhill freak? The character of an E-MTB determines whether the bike and rider are a good match. Riding behaviour is central to this. And one thing is clear: a compromise is required here. Only the rarest and unfortunately often the most expensive bikes can ideally combine riding stability and agile handling. Canyon and YT are really good at this - the Canyon is a little more manoeuvrable, the YT a little more stable. The Radon is sporty, firm and more focussed on straight-line stability, while Scott and Conway are the worst at finding a compromise between composure and agility, with both being more on the sluggish side. However, both are excellent touring partners and are comfortable and easy to control even for less experienced riders.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
