Lake Kaltern shimmers deep below us. The ramp piles up in front of us. At our E-MTB trail camps that's otherwise not a problem. But reader Mario and I have decided to challenge the god of newton metres and watt hours. The tour is already half over, the juice in our batteries is running out and this rough gravelled mess with a 25 per cent gradient doesn't want to end.
Our problem: Mario and I are also on e-MTBs, but with our light bikes with TQ motors, we are almost 300 watts down on our fellow riders with classic power motors. It's as if our colleagues had a Tadej Pogačar on board who was also pedalling. And I start to wonder whether it was such a good idea to compete in a classic e-MTB event with a light bike.
The technology: Light vs. full power e-bike
The power motor: Bosch CX
- Peak power: 600 watts
- Max. Torque: 85 Nm
- Battery size: up to 800 Wh + 250 Wh
- Typical bike weight: approx. 23 - 25 kg
- Bosch CX Gen4 (tested here)
Motors in the 85 Nm class still dominate the market. They usually weigh just under three kilos and have a peak output of 500 to 600 watts. With large batteries, very long tours with a high level of support are also possible.
The light motor: TQ HPR 50
- Peak power: 300 watts
- Max. Torque: 50 Nm
- Battery size: 360 Wh + 160 Wh
- Typical bike weight: approx. 18 - 20 kg
- TQ HPR 50 (tested here)
The light market is much more diverse than the power sector. Here, the range extends from real minimal-assist solutions (TQ, Specialized) to a medium class (Fazua, Bosch SX, HPR 60) with often already impressive performance values. Batteries now deliver between 360 and 580 watt hours.
Light bikes: promise and reality
Flashback: 2020 saw the the first Levo SL saw the light of day and many in the bike scene realised that this would be the next big thing. The bike was almost as light-footed as a classic mountain bike and yet offered noticeable uphill support. Faster climbs, more descents, longer tours - that was the promise. However, light e-MTBs have not yet become a bestseller. Are these devices too specialised? Have designers and manufacturers overestimated the fun of riding and underestimated the range anxiety of e-mountain bikers?
At the EMTB Trailcamp 2025 in Kaltern, we put four readers to the test. With the Rapcon series from Simplon, two almost identical e-mountainbikes are at the start line for testing. Similar geometry, similar suspension travel, but it's the motor that makes the difference. Bosch and TQ, 85 and 50 Newton metres, 600 and 300 watts of peak power. These are the key data of this duel. Incidentally, most of the other event participants are on classic power bikes. Only here and there do you see the occasional biker with Bosch's new SX motor.
The test bikes for the reader test: Simplon Rapcon with Bosch and TQ
What the reader testers say
Frank Goller, Team Leader Mechanical Engineering
You need a slightly higher cadence on a light bike. But then you can even keep up with power bikes. The battery didn't run out too quickly either, but I would take the range extender with me for long tours. I currently still have a classic mountain bike and the e-MTB, but in the long term I could even imagine replacing both with the light bike.
Mario Mühlböck, Field Service
Uphill, the TQ is a sportier ride. You have to choose your gear more carefully and can't let yourself be pushed. But then you can manage even the steepest climbs. I don't see any real disadvantages compared to the power bike, not even on nasty uphills. If I had both bikes privately, I would still go for the powerful bike, especially for long tours with other e-bikers, and for the
the Light E-MTB for my home rounds.
Jonas Bayer, Bike-Guide
I have ridden both systems a lot. With my 70 kilos, the difference in handling is clearly noticeable downhill. The lighter bike requires less power and is more playful. But on the climbs, you have no chance of easily keeping up with a full-power bike. That's why a lightweight full-power bike would be ideal for me. That way I could use the large battery for guiding and would otherwise be travelling at almost light level with a small battery.
Marius Neuffer, Simplon social media and former downhill rider
I don't see a huge difference in handling on moderately demanding trails. On difficult trails and at the limit, however, I feel more confident on the light bike. Even big jumps are no problem, so it's not even out of place in the bike park. The range is sufficient for my weight, so the light bike is more versatile for me.
And the battery does last
The first day, with 1400 metres of altitude, should show Mario and me whether the range of the light bike really works. In addition to the main battery with 360 watt hours, we have a range extender in the form of a water bottle (160 watt hours). Will we be able to manage the long tour without jockey dimensions and super fitness? I have my doubts on the long gravel ramp. But in the end, the battery lasts longer than expected. Especially in the lower support levels, the power-reduced TQ motor sucks quite sparingly on the small battery and only allows itself big gulps from the integrated pulley at full throttle.
Mario's battery only gave up the ghost on the last few metres of the long tour. Despite a 95-kilo rider and medium support, the battery was just about enough. With the motor switched off on flat sections and low to medium support, I even have enough juice for a crisp extra lap. The battery shows 18 per cent after another 300 metres of climbing. This is the first surprise of the test: the range of the light bikes is easily sufficient for the sometimes much shorter tours of other days or for the after-work ride on the home trail.
"Range is much less of a problem than we thought"
"Especially if you're riding moderately in a group: The range is much less of a problem than I thought," sums up tester Frank. And the lightweight Simplon with the TQ motor also performs better than expected on the climbs. Of course: Nasty climbs and rough bumps or steep steps uphill are the domain of classic e-bikes. "Little motocross feeling" confirms tester and bike guide Jonas. But on normal uphill trails and especially in tight bends, the reader testers attest to the TQ's easier controllability. Thanks to the special gearing, the thrust is always there immediately. Some very tricky uphill hairpin bends, where balance and clean handling are essential, were mastered by tester Mario with the TQ bike at the first attempt, while classic power bikers stumbled by the dozen. "Super intuitive. It's just like riding a normal bike, but with a little more power," says Mario.
Light vs. power: the Uphill in detail
If you're going uphill, the power bike always has the advantage. Of course: more power and more range are on the plus side. However, the test shows that with sporty pedalling and an extender, long all-day tours are also possible for normal riders with light bikes. In individual cases, the testers attested slight advantages to the light bikes with TQ motor in our comparison on narrow and winding trail uphills, while the power bike wins steep climbs on rough terrain, especially with a little familiarisation.
Whether this is relevant at all depends on the rider and whether demanding uphills take place at all in everyday life. Does the different speed of light and power bikes fit together on tour? Readers have different opinions on this. Incidentally, arguments such as the lower volume of light bikes only work for a few. On the road in a group, even the noise of power motors is often drowned out by conversations and the rolling of the tyres, say the testers.
When it comes to the downhill, the reader test reveals less surprising results. Yes, light bikes are easier to handle than their powerful counterparts. Whether this makes a relevant difference depends on the tester and the trail. "It's nothing for me," says another participant who only gets on a light bike for an afternoon. "Downhill, the light bike would be great. But with the compromises uphill, it's not in proportion for me."
... and the downhill in detail
On fast and straight routes, light and power bikes tend not to be far apart. However, the steeper and twistier it gets, the more the light bike can show off its advantages. It is easier to control at the limit and even demanding manoeuvres such as rear wheel offsets are noticeably easier. Those who want to play or jump on the trail also benefit from the lower weight of light bikes.
They can be pulled into the air or into the manual more easily with less effort on small terrain edges. Line changes are also a little easier for less experienced riders. On the other hand, the stoic nature of heavy power bikes can also be an advantage. Due to their heavier weight, the bikes are often a little more stable on rough surfaces, bounce less and therefore give inexperienced riders more confidence as long as the bends are not too tight. Especially those who have got used to the weight of full-power bikes will find this an advantage.
Back on the power bike
The switch back to the power bike brings few further insights. However, the superior performance on tour is just as popular as the greater passive riding safety and smoothness downhill. On the power bike you are simply a bit more relaxed on the road, the light bike is clearly more of a sports bike. Would the reader testers really buy a light bike in the end? The EMTB camp remains divided. Those who were already sceptical beforehand often remain so. Our reader testers, all handling fans and rather sporty bikers, draw a surprisingly positive conclusion. Light bikes are better than their reputation, the fear of too little range and too little motor power is often unfounded. "In terms of handling, the light bike is closer to the classic MTB," says reader tester Frank in the end. "In terms of range and what you can ride uphill, it's closer to a full-power bike. It's definitely an exciting compromise for me."
Reader rating: How the light e-bike performs
Strengths
- Handling almost like an organic bike
- Surprisingly good range and power
Weaknesses
- Prices tend to be high
- Not for very heavy riders
- All-day tours require an extender or charging stop
BIKE conclusion
Despite adverse conditions with readers who are used to a lot of motor power, the light e-bike performs surprisingly well in our test scenario. Exciting handling, sufficient range for normal tours - only the often high price of really light e-bikes remains the biggest obstacle for many readers. - Adrian Kaether, Editor Test & Technology
The EMTB trail camp - test location for the power comparison
The EMTB Trailcamp at Gasthof Klughammer on the shores of Lake Kaltern has been our event for action-packed e-mountain biking since 2019. First under the flag of EMTB, now of BIKE, four days of the finest South Tyrolean trail fun are on the programme. Our guides around Karen Eller and Holger Meyer from the "lawnmowers" (Trailhunt, Father & Son Days) explore the region every year before the event and put together the best tours in various levels of difficulty for the event. The region around the lake inspires with varied trails from flowy to rocky and promises a warm climate and Mediterranean flair even in spring. In addition to the tours themselves, we offer workshops on suspension tuning, bike and riding technique and enjoy the culinary delights and wines of the sun-kissed region together. Interested? The date for 2026 has already been set. Register now!
EMTB Trailcamp 2026: 15 - 18 April
- Riding fun on South Tyrolean trails
- Professional guiding
- Test bikes from event partners
- Wine tasting, BBQ, pasta evening and much more.
- Price - 599 Euro p. p.
- Information and registration for the trail camp in the link
Adrian Kaether
Editor
