In contrast to fullys, which cover a wide range of applications, hardtails all ride at a very similar technical level. However, if you opt for a bike with a rigid rear triangle, you are making a compromise in terms of riding dynamics: a hardtail saves an average of 700 euros in the test. On the other hand, the fun factor in demanding terrain is of course significantly reduced with a rigid rear end. You have to weigh up what is more important. If you only plan short off-road excursions every now and then and want to use the bike primarily as a touring bike with an increased comfort component in order to ride safely on forest and field paths, then these bikes are the best choice.
All bikes have suspension forks with 100 millimetres of travel in the head tube, only the Flitzbike has 120 millimetres. That sounds like good off-road potential. However, the crux of the matter lies in the combination of high weight and the lack of suspension at the rear. The bike then hits slightly larger obstacles hard - the consequence is often a flat rear tyre. So if you occasionally want to rumble through the terrain, the only way to avoid punctures is to apply a lot of pressure to the rear tyre.
E-MTB hardtails in 27.5 and 29 inches
In addition to the suspension travel, Elom and Radon roll on 29-inch wheels. Thanks to their larger radius, they roll noticeably easier over obstacles and increase off-road capability and traction. All other participants are using the new 27.5-inch wheel size; 26-inch rims are rarely found on current mountain bikes.
The young company Flitzbike is entering an unusual concept into the race. What at first glance looks like a mid-motor is actually an 18-speed gearbox from Pinion. This ensures smooth gear changes and is said to be very durable. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel by a toothed belt. There the motor rotates around the hub. The bikes from the small, high-end forge from the Lake Constance region are handmade and of high quality - and customers can realise their personal wishes regarding colouring and equipment. This individuality has its price: at € 4,890, the CR18 marks the top end of the range in the test. We liked the geometry and the Flitzbike feels comfortable off-road, but the rear motor limits the possibilities somewhat on the climbs. Flitzbike's dealer network is still being built up, so the bikes are currently only available through direct sales.
The ZR Race from Radon is also sold directly to the end customer. However, the focus here is less on individuality and more on mass suitability and, above all, a favourable price. It can be ordered on this channel for € 2,699 with very high-quality equipment; this includes a Fox 32 suspension fork, XT brake system and gears, Schwalbes Nobby Nic tyres, wide handlebars and RaceFace components. Respect! This leaves hardly anything to be desired. Only the Haibike, which is available from dealers for € 2,499, is cheaper, but with compromises in terms of components - and instead of a Bosch, a Yamaha drive unit is fitted to the bottom bracket.
A mid-motor from MPF is fitted in the carbon frame of the E-Lom, only the Flitzbike comes with a rear hub motor. Originally, the Wheeler Proton with the new BionX direct-rotor motor was also supposed to take part in the test: However, because the drive unit did not work, we had to postpone its participation.
Regardless of the motor, the test team liked the riding characteristics of the Flitzbike and Radon best on the downhill. While the Radon with its large wheels runs better in a straight line, the Flitzbike with its 120-millimetre fork and 27.5-inch wheels remains more agile and playful. However, the frame of the Radon is very soft. The Scott and Simplon also make a good impression. However, the Scott is much more stretched out and might not be everyone's cup of tea on longer tours. However, the test field is close together in terms of both riding impression and range. The Bosch drives drained their battery after 1,300 metres of climbing, with the MPF on the E-Lom just behind. The Yamaha drive pushed us to over 1,100 metres. There were the familiar problems with the Flitzbike. Rear wheel hub motors struggle with heat development on long climbs and we stopped the test when the motor switched off for the third time - this was the case after 300 metres in altitude.
CONCLUSION: The bikes are on a very similar level. E-Lom loses points in the riding characteristics and Flitzbike because of the hub drive. However, Haibike and Yamaha prove that it is possible to be at the top of the test field even without a Bosch motor. Radon offers the best price-performance ratio.
E-lom C29 XT
www.elom-ebikes.com - 3990 Euro
The E-Lom is supported by an MPF mid-motor that does its job really well. Although it has noticeably less power, it has a sophisticated control system and runs quietly. In the range test, it is almost on a par with Bosch's Performance Line drive, even if it takes a little longer to cover the distance. The design of the C29 is based on the proven shape of the diamond frame. The front part of the carbon chassis, with its classic CFRP look, is very long, which is further emphasised by the 110 millimetre long stem. This gives the rider a very stretched position. The suspension of the 29-inch bike - a RockShox Reba - suits the bike well; the thin tyres limit the possibilities in tougher terrain. The equipment is high quality.
Test result: If you are looking for a mid-motor alternative, you will find it here. However, the performance is somewhat lower.
+ Beautiful carbon frame
- Weak tyres
Haibike Sduro HardNine RC
www.haibike.de - 2499 Euro
The HardNine was a bit out of the ordinary, literally. Instead of the size L we ordered, we received an S frame. However, the front end above the Rockshox XC32 fork is relatively high, which meant that the testers had no problems putting enough pressure on the front wheel. They attested to the Sduro's good downhill qualities and - thanks to the short wheelbase - excellent manoeuvrability. The Yamaha motor attracted a lot of attention: It provides excellent support up to a medium cadence, but the support decreases slightly at higher cadences. We like the electric controls. Compared to Bosch, the control buttons are a little less defined.
Test conclusion: A well-rounded concept with the pleasantly functional Yamaha engine.
+ Mid-motor with shiftable chainrings
- Weak brake
Flitzbike CR 18
www.flitzbike.com/de/ - 4890 Euro
The Flitzbike is marvellously different from the others: It is not the motor that sits on the bottom bracket, but the 18-speed gearbox from Pinion. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel, which also houses the motor, not by a chain but by a toothed belt. The support provided by the motor is significantly weaker than that of the competition, especially at speeds below 15 km/h. On the trail, the bike is rear-heavy due to its design, but still remains manoeuvrable and easy to control. At the front is a RockShox SID, which makes good use of its 120 millimetres of travel and extends the bike's range of use. The Flitzbike is therefore very suitable for off-road riding in comparison.
Test conclusion: If you can live with the weaker motor, you get a very off-road fun bike.
+ Customised and Made in Germany
- Low motor support on hills
Radon ZR Race Hybrid
www.radon-bikes.de - 2699 Euro
Radon is asking just 2699 euros for its 29-inch e-hardtail. For this you get a bag full of expensive add-on parts. The direct mail order company relies on high-quality components and proven frame concepts. A Bosch motor hums in the centre of the classic diamond frame. A Fox 32 fork takes the shock out of the comfortably wide handlebars and RaceFace components round off the harmonious overall package. The riding position is discreetly sporty: you always have enough pressure on the front and keep control of the 29-inch wheels at all times. The frame stiffness is quite low, presumably due to the thin bracing on the rear triangle.
Test conclusion: A top-class hardtail at an excellent price. If there's a catch, we didn't find it.
+ High-quality equipment
- Low frame rigidity
Simplon Sengo 27.5
www.simplon.com - 4779 Euro
The Simplon is an ambitious mountain bike that can be ridden willingly through the terrain. The geometry of the carbon frame is rather sporty and gives the bike a lively, playful character. The wide handlebars in combination with the stiff wheelset from DT Swiss ensure that it follows the rider's wishes precisely. We felt well equipped with the Simplon on the test track, which is quite demanding for hardtails. At 100 millimetres, the RockShox Reba suspension fork provides sufficient travel and swallows up even the biggest bumps. Thanks to the 11-36 cassette, the Simplon climbs steep ramps with ease. At 17.9 kilos, it is the lightest bike in the test.
Test result: Agile trail bike with great equipment and outstanding handling.
+ Motor and battery optically integrated in the frame
- Underride guard on engine broken
Scott E-Aspect 710
www.scott-sports.com - 2999 Euro
The Scott reveals the race genes of its Aspect frame as soon as you sit on it. The long wheelbase and long top tube put the rider in a flat, stretched position. This raises the question of whether such a geometry makes sense for e-bikes: hardly anyone will be travelling above 25 km/h on a permanent basis - such bikes are too heavy for that and the internal resistance of the motor is too high. The plus point of the long wheelbase is that it is very smooth: fast descents play into the Scott's hands much better than winding roads. The equipment is solid. The Fox 32 fork, which can be locked from the handlebars, matches the race-like appearance. We would have liked a wider handlebar.
Test result: Racing geometry with excellent directional stability and harmonious design.
+ High-quality fork
- Many visible cables and pulls
