E-MTBs around 5,000 euros: A comparison test of 7 all-mountain bikes
Fox forks, Shimano XT gear systems and even the odd carbon frame here and there. Looking at our test group, I can hardly believe it: is this really the entry-level range? Based on our experience, you’ll need to spend at least around 5,000 euros (list price) for a decent e-MTB. Still, thanks to price wars and the post-bike-boom slump, you’re now getting value for money again. The seven contenders whizz effortlessly up our test climb at the Oberammergau Bike Park. With adult-sized geometries and long suspension travel, you can let the bikes run wild on the descents too. Apart from the odd slip-up with the tyres. Apply the brakes and keep going – that’s what modern e-MTBs are made for, after all.
We tested these e-MTBs
Everyday runabout or off-road pro?
What matters most here also depends on the intended use. Our seven contenders each have their own strengths in this regard. The Bulls, and to a lesser extent the Scott and Cube, aim to score highly in terms of touring and everyday practicality. Some models come with a rear light as standard. A front light or a side stand could also be easily retrofitted. Before trail enthusiasts turn up their noses at this: the stand mounts are concealed in the seat stay and are by no means a rarity on e-MTBs these days.
Santa Cruz and Canyon represent the other extreme, focusing entirely on off-road riding enjoyment. The Santa Cruz really took us by surprise. Whilst this premium brand isn’t exactly known for offering good value for money, it skilfully prioritises the right features in its spec. Although the Vala is the most expensive bike in the comparison and the only one with a small, permanently fitted 600-mAh battery, the Californian brand’s bike lacks nothing on the trail. The Scott struggles significantly more with the price limit, but offers the larger battery – which is also a selling point. And where does DJI stand? The Steppenwolf is the only bike in the Bosch-dominated test group powered by Avinox’s super motor. However, its weight of just 22 kilos is even more impressive than its sheer, almost unbelievable performance. Incidentally, with the M2S, DJI’s motor brand Avinox is taking things up a notch for the future. Many bikes are gradually being updated to the new hardware. This also applies to the Steppenwolf.
DJI Avinox: A winner on the trail?
On the trail, however, the motor alone counts for little. Whilst the Steppenwolf is the lightest bike in the test group thanks to its low weight, its rear suspension and geometry mean it wastes too much potential off-road. This is where the aforementioned Santa Cruz comes into its own, setting the benchmark for suspension performance. Plenty of traction on the climbs, powerful and comfortable on the descents, yet still with plenty in reserve. The Vala AL demonstrates exactly what good geometry combined with a well-tuned suspension system can achieve. This is what it all comes down to if you’re primarily focused on riding characteristics. No wonder, then, that even the significant deduction in points for range poses little threat to the Vala. Second place goes to the well-balanced and easy-to-ride Xyron ST from Conway. Cube and Steppenwolf share third place in the test field, with versatility on the one hand and lightweight construction on the other.
The engines
In the €5,000 price range, the majority still opt for the tried-and-tested Bosch CX, but options featuring Avinox are already available. Shimano is losing ground.
Avinox M1 (DJI)
With 120 Newton-metres and a peak power output of 1,000 watts, the M1 alone delivers unprecedented power, combined with excellent modulation and a lightweight design. It also comes with features such as a great app, optional GPS tracking and much more. Its ride character is lively and dynamic. The power never comes on suddenly. Just one and a half years after the M1, the M2S is already in the starting blocks. Many manufacturers are switching to the new motor whilst still in operation.
Shimano EP801
Once on a par with Bosch, Shimano has lost a significant amount of market share. This is likely also down to the fact that the design is essentially six years old – in the world of e-bikes, that’s a world of difference. With 85 Nm of torque and a peak power output of 600 watts, its performance is still more than adequate, but in terms of controllability, noise levels and features, the competition has clearly left Shimano behind. It’s more of a discontinued model, but often offers good value for money.
Bosch Performance CX
Just in time for the publication of this issue, Bosch is rolling out its latest software update: the CX now delivers up to 120 Newton-metres and assistance of up to 600 per cent, whilst the peak power remains at 750 watts – significantly lower than that of the Avinox. We carried out our test without this update. The CX stands out for its excellent modulation and lack of rattling. The controls and app are tried and tested, and the range is beyond reproach.
Here’s what the BIKE test editors have to say
With many bikes, you can get a lot more out of them with just a few minor modifications. Better tyres, in particular, make all the difference off-road. Long seat tubes and short telescopic seat posts (Bulls, Steppenwolf) restrict your freedom of movement. For me, that’s a no-go. – Max Fuchs
Many of the bikes in this test group aren’t designed for trails, but rather for moderate rides. This isn’t unusual in this price range. The Santa Cruz stands out as a mini-enduro and can handle even tough rides. Canyon also has a clear focus on trails. – Florentin Vesenbeckh
As much as I’m technically impressed by the DJI power in the Steppenwolf, if I were to buy one, I’d set my priorities differently. The power is often too much when riding uphill anyway. A quiet bike that handles as well as possible when going downhill is much more important to me. – Adrian Kaether
Key information about e-all-mountain bikes
Range
For many, this is still the be-all and end-all when buying an e-MTB. But we can put your mind at rest: even in relatively affordable price ranges, modern e-MTBs offer plenty of range. 800-series batteries are now almost standard. In the Bosch system, this allows us to cover a good 2,000 metres of elevation gain in Turbo mode during our standardised field test. In real-world conditions, too, long rides up to around this elevation gain mark are possible with medium assistance. If you want even more, you’ll need to be light on your feet, or do a lot of pedalling yourself in Eco mode. One thing is clear: if you draw on a lot of power – whether with the Bosch update or with DJI – you’ll drain the battery faster. The Steppenwolf with Avinox therefore manages just over 1,600 metres of elevation gain at full throttle, albeit at an average speed of almost 21 km/h compared to 14 km/h with the Bosch system. If you reduce the power to comparable levels, both rivals are almost neck and neck. The 600 battery in the Santa Cruz is also sufficient for long rides up to around 1,600 metres of elevation gain, whilst the Canyon battery in the Spectral:On, at around 1,800 metres of elevation gain, falls between the two extremes, but is by far the heaviest in the test.
Weights (BIKE measurements)
| Weight (kg) excluding pedals | Weight (g) Battery | Weight (g) of the wheels | Maximum system weight (kg) | |
| Steppenwolf | 22.1 | permanently installed | 5912 | 150 |
| Santa Cruz | 24.0 | permanently fitted | 5963 | 159 |
| Cube | 24.2 | 3966 | 5879 | 150 |
| Canyon | 24.3 | 4660 | 5656 | 130 |
| Conway | 24.9 | 3968 | 4968 | 140 |
| Bulls | 25.8 | 4028 | 6243 | 130 |
| Scott | 25.9 | 3965 | 5906 | 130 |
Is carbon always lightweight? Yes and no. The Steppenwolf’s low weight is only partly down to its full-carbon frame – a feature shared, for example, by a Canyon. The other factor is the built-in battery, which has a positive effect. And the slim Avinox drivetrain also offers some weight savings, although the bikes are still a long way from rivalling true ‘light’ bikes. And speaking of carbon: even the second-heaviest bike from Bulls has a carbon main frame. So carbon fibre alone isn’t enough. The Canyon, with its second-lightest full-carbon frame, suffers from the heavy battery. Whilst the Santa Cruz isn’t super-light due to its small, integrated battery, it more than makes up for this with its generous weight rating and a lifetime frame warranty for the aluminium chassis.
Weighing in at 22 kilos, the Steppenwolf with Avinox sets a clear record for lightest weight. All the others are at least two kilos heavier. – Hans Ettenberger, BIKE Laboratory
The test results in points
How BIKE carries out its tests
To assess e-MTBs objectively, we at BIKE go to unprecedented lengths. These criteria are key to our assessment:
Handling
The most important aspect of the rating system accounts for the largest proportion of the final score. We assess how well a bike handles uphill and downhill, and how the suspension performs in these situations. When riding uphill, we evaluate the geometry, amongst other things: is it comfortable? Is power transfer effective, and can you cope with long days in the saddle? On technical climbs, penalty points are awarded for the front wheel lifting too early and a lack of control at key sections. We pay particular attention to this with e-MTBs.
When it comes to downhill handling, we distinguish between two categories. The ‘Playfulness’ rating is dedicated to riding enjoyment. Here, agile and lively bikes score highly. Models with heavy (wheel) weight, sluggish suspension and bulky geometries are at a disadvantage. In the Downhill rating, we distinguish between riding characteristics and suspension qualities. In the first category, we place particular emphasis on the riding position: do you feel well integrated with the bike, can it be steered intuitively, and how much confidence does the geometry inspire on steep terrain or at high speeds? When it comes to the suspension, we look at the shock absorption and responsiveness of the suspension components: do the front and rear work in harmony; do the fork and shock absorb even rapid sequences of impacts; and how is the traction?
BIKE readings
We take the total weight into account when awarding marks. We also determine the wheel weight and geometry according to standardised criteria in our in-house test laboratory. We measure the range in a standardised field test on the same test climb, with a rider weight of 90 Kilo, a pedalling power of 150 Watt and full motor assistance.
Facilities
There are a total of five assessment criteria here. As well as the quality of the components and fittings, we assess features that add value for the rider. These might include, for example, an integrated tool or useful accessories fitted as standard. We also take into account the size of the water bottle that can be carried on the frame, whether the saddle can be lowered, and the quality and workmanship of the frame.
Customer-friendliness
Our ‘Mechanic’s Rating’ provides an indication of how easy it is to carry out servicing and maintenance work on the bike. A high score indicates good serviceability, whilst low scores suggest that working on the bike may be a hassle. We assess the cable routing, how easily the headset can be replaced and serviced, whether the frame is adequately protected in vulnerable areas, and whether a universal derailleur hanger has been fitted.
The spider chart
We use the spider diagram to show a bike’s characteristics at a glance. As a general rule, the larger the coloured area, the better the bike. However, the ratings for the individual criteria are also shown here. We adjust the weighting depending on the bike category. This allows us to take account of the different requirements for, for example, e-enduros or light bikes.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
