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Over 800,000 e-mountainbikes were sold in Germany last year. However, only a fraction of buyers have sporty off-road use in mind. The e-MTB has long since become the dynamic and visually attractive alternative to classic trekking bikes for everyday users too. It is therefore only logical that manufacturers are presenting more and more crossover bikes between e-MTBs and trekking e-bikes: so-called SUVs. However, it is not always easy to believe that they are also convincing off-road.
If you are even looking for an SUV bike suitable for off-road use for under €5,000, including tyres to match, the market is reduced to exactly two models. The e-touring fully Stance E+ from Giant, which as an SUV bears the suffix EX. And the new Specialised Tero X 4.0, the first fully developed specifically as an SUV. Our candidates are correspondingly different.
Giant vs Specialized: these are the rivals in the SUV e-bike test duel
The Stance E+ relies on classic mountain bike virtues such as wide handlebars and typical MTB geometry. Specialized, on the other hand, is much more focused on comfort. This is also clearly noticeable in our practical test. The geometry and chassis of the Giant give you that MTB feeling. If you remove the mudguards and pannier rack with just three bolts, you're left with a classic trail eMTB. This makes less sense with the Tero X, as the Specialized cannot deny its consistent SUV character even without the trekking parts.
Of course, both candidates come with lights, pannier rack, mudguards, bell and kickstand as standard, but again have different priorities when it comes to equipment. Giant treats itself to a more powerful e-drive with 75 Newton metres and 625 watt hours, while Specialized cuts back here. 530 watt hours and 50 Nm are the key figures for the Tero X 4.0, leaving the Americans with more money for the successful lighting system, fluffy suspension from Rockshox and even a dropper post - a valuable feature for both everyday and off-road use. Both candidates undoubtedly offer a lot of money for the bike, e-mountainbikes under 4500 euros are a rarity even without full equipment.
Fact check: Stance E+ EX and Tero X 4.0 in comparison
Giant Stance E+ EX
- Weight: 27.63 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement)
- Wheel size: 29 / 27.5 inch (Mullet)
- Suspension travel: 140/125 mm
- Motor: Giant Syncdrive Sport II (75 Nm max. torque)
- Battery: 625 Wh (removable)
- Price: 4299 Euro >> available here
- Permissible total weight: 156 kg
- Reach altitude¹: 1386(+81) vertical metres at an average speed of 13.2 km/h
Specialised Tero X 4.0
- Weight: 26.56 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement)
- Wheel size: 29 / 27.5 inch (Mullet)
- Suspension travel: 130 / 120 mm
- Motor: Specialized 2.0 E (50 Nm max. torque according to the manufacturer)
- Battery: 530 Wh (removable)
- Price: 4200 Euro >> available here
- Permissible total weight: 161.5 kg
- Reach altitude¹: 1223 (+31) vertical metres at an average speed of 12.1 km/h
The e-drives: Giant Syncdrive Sport II versus Specialized 2.0 E
We know from various tests: Putting a good e-mountainbike on the tyres for less than 4,500 euros is quite a challenge for manufacturers. This is especially true for SUV bikes, because in addition to the costs for the frame, motor and battery, there are also the add-on parts such as mudguards and pannier rack. Specialized and Giant therefore have to cut costs somewhere.
In addition to functional but less glamorous equipment, both manufacturers have opted to economise on the motor system. The Giant features the cheaper version of Giant's Syncdrive Pro II top drive. The motor with the name Syncdrive Sport II offers "only" 75 instead of 85 Newton metres. Nevertheless, it pushes the Giant forwards powerfully and dynamically in all situations. Apart from the maximum torque, however, the two Giant engines are very similar. The Sport II also starts to twitch on demand even with minimal load on the pedal. The ultra-short idle travel is practical for starting off on steep terrain and can be set via the app. If you want to call up the full power, you have to pedal hard with Giant. This gives the motors a sporty touch. The volume is at a pleasant level, but the Giant is not completely quiet.
>> In the test: Specialized's 2.0 drive is similar to the Brose Drive S Mag. You can read more about the app in our test of the Specialized Light-Motor SL 1.2
The need to save money is even more noticeable with Specialized. Instead of the classic Specialized 2.0 drive based on Brose's Drive S Mag (90 Nm), a version throttled back to 50 Newton metres is used here. In everyday use, however, the Specialized also pushes forward powerfully and pleases with a harmonious cut-off at the 25 km/h limit. However, because the torque is reduced to 50 Newton metres, you have to push a little harder on the pedals than on the Giant when there is a lot of luggage or on very steep stretches. Compared to the Giant, the Specialized motor is also somewhat louder, which is the opposite of what we're used to from the top motors. If you want Specialized with more torque, you'll have to go for the more expensive Tero X models with 70 or a full 90 Newton metres.
Comparison of batteries, range and apps
Savings have also been made on the batteries. Giant has 625 instead of 800, Specialized 530 instead of 710 watt hours. In our standardised range test¹, the Stance E+ from Giant climbed 1386 metres in altitude at an average speed of 13.2 km/h. The Tero X climbed a calculated 1223 metres in altitude and was also slightly slower at 12.1 km/h due to the weaker motor. By way of comparison, a classic Bosch CX with a 750 watt-hour battery was just under 2000 metres in altitude and around 14 km/h in our tests. Specialised and Giant would therefore be clearly at a disadvantage here.
(Note: The Specialized was tested with a battery with 710 watt hours. More on this below²)
While Giant is ahead in terms of the motor, Specialized can score points in terms of operation and the app. The handlebar remote on the Tero X is a success and provides crisp feedback, while the central display offers a wealth of information, including pedalling and motor power. The app is also great, and the anti-theft feature is at least a small deterrent. The only thing Specialized doesn't offer is a training function that allows you to evaluate different rides in the app. The Giant display is much more spartan, reacts with a delay and is difficult to read in sunlight. The app works well, but only offers a few functions.
Equipment and everyday features: What can the components on the Giant and Specialized do?
Surprising but true: Specialized offers the higher quality equipment, while Giant offers even more entry-level parts. The Americans achieve this by saving on the motor and battery. This allows the product managers of the Tero X to use an affordable Rockshox suspension, which works well in practice and responds sensitively. The G2 brakes from Sram in the RE e-bike version are also snappy, and the twelve-speed drivetrain is state of the art. And even a Tele dropper post with plenty of travel was still in the budget. This is completely missing on the Giant, and the less sensitive suspension elements from Suntour and the Tektro brakes also fall somewhat short of the Specialized components. The Shimano Deore gears in the durable Linkglide version is a good choice on the Giant and should appeal to commuters and frequent travellers in particular.
In terms of everyday equipment, Specialised doesn't let itself down either. The brand lighting from Lezyne is high quality, the front light is nice and bright with 500 lumens. The Giant only offers an in-house light with 150 lumens, but at least a very large rear light for the best visibility in traffic. Side stand and luggage transport are on a par. The Giant offers a practical platform, the rack is quite stiff and the kickstand is functional. With the Specialized you have to make do with panniers, but you can put more weight on the Specialized carrier. The kickstand has a small contact area and sinks in easily. Specialized's big advantage: mudguards and pannier rack hardly rattled at all off-road, whereas the kickstand on the Giant was clearly noticeable with its rattling. A defect in the first pannier rack on the Giant didn't leave a good impression either.
SUV e-MTBs: How they perform Specialised Tero X 4.0 vs Giant Stance E+ EX in the field
SUVs can't go off-road? These ones can. Because although the Giant and Specialized perform very differently, both bikes also have their place off-road. Let's start with the Giant: We already know the Stance E+ from our touring bike tests of the candidate without lights and mudguards. Basically, the EX model also inherits many of the commendable characteristics of its classic E-MTB brother. Uncomplicated riding behaviour, a high sense of safety uphill and downhill, strong climbing characteristics, dynamic motor. Even in the SUV version, the Giant is a classic mountain bike with a slack steering angle, sporty riding position and wide cockpit. This puts pressure on the front both uphill and downhill and encourages a sporty riding style. Unfortunately, the weight of more than 27 kilograms clearly slows down the play instinct, and the components are also not entirely convincing. We found the suspension elements to be a little insensitive, the rattling kickstand was annoying on the trail, as was the defect in the first pannier rack. If you want, Giant makes it easy to remove the mudguards and pannier rack. This turns the Stance E+ EX into a normal trail bike on your summer holiday and saves around two kilograms.
In contrast to Giant, Specialized comes much more from the touring corner: with a steeper head angle, higher front end, narrow handlebars and very long chainstays, the Tero X is much more reminiscent of a trekking bike than the Stance E+ EX from Giant. This makes the Specialized much more comfortable on leisurely tours and in the city. The sensitive suspension also scores points here. If you take the Specialized onto the trail, it takes some getting used to as a mountain biker. The high, narrow front end in particular is not familiar from classic E-MTBs. Nevertheless, the Specialized works surprisingly well here too. Even the 120 millimetres of travel at the rear are not overwhelmed by moderately difficult trails, the handling is comfortable and perhaps even more intuitive for bikers with little MTB experience. The Tero X is just not a sporty, lively bike. And the weaker motor needs a little more grease in the thighs on steep climbs.
The review: Specialized Tero X 4.0 vs Giant Stance E+ EX
Conclusion on the test: Specialised Tero X 4.0 vs Giant Stance E+ EX
Whether Giant or Specialized: Both bikes are among the absolute exceptions among SUVs, as they are both affordable and suitable for off-road use. The Giant scores with a powerful motor, lively handling and clear mountain bike genes. However, it struggles with question marks in terms of equipment and add-on parts. The Tero X, specially developed as an SUV, differs more clearly from a classic e-MTB, but is convincing in almost all categories except for range and motor power. In the end, the comfortable tourer secured victory in the duel. - Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB
About the tests: Specialised Tero X 4.0 & Giant Stance E+ EX
¹ 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 pedalling power of the rider, rider weight including equipment 89 kg. The altitude metres in clearly reduced emergency mode are shown in brackets. The average speed refers to the journey with full assistance.
² Unfortunately, Specialized could only provide us with the Tero X for the range test with the accessory battery with 710 watt hours. The real range with this battery was 1638 metres in altitude. To reflect the standard battery with 530 watt hours, we reduced the range proportionally. The weight measured for the Tero X naturally refers to the standard battery with 530 watt hours, which Specialized was able to supply later.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
