Propain Ekano 3 AL Enduro: Full throttle doesn’t have to be expensive

​Conclusion from the BIKE editorial team

The Propain Ekano 3 AL Enduro doesn’t impress with its lightweight construction, but with its downhill performance. Its outstanding suspension generates plenty of grip, absorbs rough bumps with remarkable ease and provides a tremendous sense of security. At the same time, the bike remains supple enough in corners to avoid feeling like a sluggish, lumbering truck.

The Avinox drive also bridges the most significant gap in its predecessor’s design. Instead of a system that has now become outdated, the frame is now fitted with a quiet, powerful and easy-to-use motor. A successful revamp! Even if the price doesn’t sound particularly impressive at first glance, if you choose the right options in the configurator, you’ll get a top-class bike at a fair price. – Florentin Vesenbeckh

The Propain Ekano 3 AL Enduro is not a bargain in the traditional sense. This is particularly true given that many new e-bikes fitted with Avinox motors are being offered at very competitive prices. However, the direct-to-consumer retailer’s configurator offers plenty of potential and a remarkably strong value-for-money proposition: if you choose the right spec, you can get an e-enduro for around 6,500 euros that really delivers, even on rough terrain. Our test shows that you don’t necessarily need the expensive top-of-the-range model to achieve maximum off-road performance.

In the video: BIKE reviews the Ekano AL 3

Propain’s new aluminium E-Enduro replaces several of its predecessors. These include the The Ekano CF with a SRAM motor, the winner of our latest major comparison test of the best e-enduro bikes. The new version combines the new aluminium frame with 170 mm of front suspension travel, 160 mm at the rear, mullet wheels and the Avinox drivetrain.

Key facts about the Propain Ekano 3 AL Enduro

It’s the suspension that makes the Ekano 3 AL an enduro bike

On challenging enduro terrain, it quickly becomes clear what this bike is all about: stability, grip and control. Right from the very first few metres, the Ekano sits firmly on the trail. Particularly in fast sections with exposed roots and when braking on rough terrain, the suspension keeps the tyres remarkably reliably in contact with the ground.

This instils a great sense of confidence. Small bumps are absorbed just as smoothly as hard landings or rough compression. Yet the travel feels even more generous than the bare figures of 170/160 mm would suggest. It’s not just the shock absorption that’s crucial, but the controlled damping: the bike doesn’t bounce or hop, and it stays neatly on track even at speed.

This experience ties in with our first Riding impressions of the Ekano 3 AL Trail, the version with slightly less travel: the new model quickly inspires confidence, remains quiet and brings its downhill prowess to the trail without the need for a complicated learning curve.

Who would benefit from the Enduro version?

The Ekano 3 AL Enduro is an e-MTB for riders who are looking for steep, fast and technical descents and want to feel confident on rough terrain. Anyone who mainly rides on flat local trails or is looking for a particularly nimble e-MTB should look in a different weight and suspension travel category. After all, the 24.9 kilograms of our test bike are a factor that cannot be ignored, particularly on flat sections. The Propain Sresh SL put to the test is, for example, representative of the significantly more agile ‘Light E-MTB’ approach. For bike parks and challenging enduro descents, however, the Ekano is the more consistent and higher-performance choice.

Avinox: More power than necessary, but very impressive

With the Ekano 3 AL, you can choose between the more affordable Avinox M2 and the more powerful M2S. The M2S costs an additional 249 euros in the configurator and delivers up to 150 Nm of torque and 1,300 watts of peak power in Boost mode. You’ll rarely need the maximum power on normal rides. However, on very steep climbs or when you need to go fast, there’s still plenty of power in reserve. Incidentally, this also applies to the slightly less powerful M2 motor (1,100 watts, 125 Nm), which also significantly outperforms the competition from Bosch and others.

In everyday use, the overall package is more important than peak power and torque figures. The powertrain is responsive, runs quietly and delivers power to the road in a well-controlled manner. Added to this are a high-quality display, intuitive controls and the option of a fast charger, which comes at a hefty extra cost of 189 euros in the configurator.

The best equipment: suspension and brakes first

The test bike, with its very high-end specification, costs just under 8,900 euros. For that price, you get components that are undoubtedly a joy to use, but which aren’t strictly necessary for the Ekano’s core purpose. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-range enduro at a fair price, the more sensible approach is to choose the basic spec (5,200 euros) and use the budget to upgrade the areas where performance is actually delivered.

That is the key message with the Ekano 3 AL: it isn’t the most expensive build that delivers the greatest riding benefits. The benefits of the suspension and brakes are immediately noticeable on rough trails. By contrast, a top-of-the-range electronic groupset or particularly exotic components have far less of an impact on the bike’s character. And with a RockShox Ultimate suspension fork, the Ekano 3 AL is superior to its rivals in the under-6,500-euro price range.

600 or 800 Wh: Which battery is better?

On the Ekano 3 AL, the battery is permanently fitted inside the down tube. It’s important to be aware of this before buying, particularly if the bike is to be stored in a cellar without a power socket. This also means that carrying a spare battery when out and about isn’t a straightforward solution. With the battery permanently fitted, the fast charger may become more useful.

The 600 Wh battery is ideal for cyclists who mainly go on shorter evening rides, can charge at home and want to save money. The 800 Wh battery is the better choice for long alpine tours, significant elevation gain and intensive days at the bike park. Its extra weight is offset by the Ekano’s distinctly downhill-oriented character; the additional cost of 230 euros is therefore money well spent if range is a regular concern.