Which E-mountainbike should it be? More than with any other mountain bike category, buyers look at a single componentnamely the motor. But before you think about whether a Shimano or Bosch e-bike is the right one for you, you have to ask yourself a much more fundamental question. The drives of e-mountainbikes are becoming increasingly diverse. Three fundamentally different categories have emerged. On the one hand, there are the classic e-mountainbikes with Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha or Brose drives, for example. However, the selection of lightweight, minimalist e-MTBs is also growing. The motto here is: less battery and motor power, but a significantly lighter bike. The third category is particularly powerful e-bikes, such as Haibikes Flyon or E-bikes with Sachs RS drive. However, the selection and market significance of this class is quite limited. We are of the opinion that the classic E-MTB drives offer sufficient power for all applications. The even more powerful models only make sense if someone explicitly values striking power delivery and is looking for a motorbike feeling rather than a bicycle feeling.
There are these 3 classes of E-MTB motors
- Classic motors such as Bosch, Shimano or Yamaha
- Minimal assist drives such as Fazua or TQ
- Power class with Sachs RS or TQ HPR 120S
The three concepts differ primarily in terms of their motor power, with the second key feature being their weight. Light e-MTBs deliver between 35 and 65 Newton metres and weigh around 18 to 19 kilos in the trail category. In extreme cases, 16 or 20 kilos are also possible (e.g. Orbea Rise). However, the speedsters achieve their lower weight not only through less motor power. Smaller batteries save a few pounds. The batteries deliver between 250 and 540 watt hours. current e-mountainbikes in the light category. The problem with lightweight e-bikes is that most models are really expensive. There are almost no fullys in this category under 6000 euros and most bikes only get really exciting at around 8000 euros.
Market leader in classic E-MTB motors: Bosch and Shimano
The classic E-MTBs, for example with Bosch Smart System or Shimano EP8 motorThe new e-bikes have around 85 Newton metres of torque and significantly more power than the light e-bikes. The battery sizes are also significantly larger at 625 to 900 watt hours. Capacities of 700 to 750 watt hours are the norm on current models. The increase in battery capacity also increases the weight. Most e-bikes now weigh around 25 kilos. Only very few, mostly super expensive bikes, still reach weights of around 22 kilos in the trail category. The advantage of this e-MTB category is its enormous flexibility. With the powerful motors, extreme climbs and uphill play are also possible. In the Turbo mode trail category, you can be on the mountain in no time at all to quickly enjoy a long trail descent or a panoramic view after work. At lower support levels, the large batteries enable really long tours. This freedom awakens the spirit of discovery and makes carefree tours in the mountains possible.
A detailed Comparative test of six classic E-MTB motors with laboratory measurements and practical impressions can be read here.
What can you expect from lightweight minimal-assist engines?
And what does the Light category have to offer? First and foremost, the low weight. Five to ten kilos less weight, which helps enormously in everyday situations such as loading the bike. However, this is also clearly noticeable on the trail. The e-bike rides more light-footed, manoeuvrable and natural. However, the Light-E-MTB also has some limitations. Anyone who likes to race to the summit at record speed or push the limits on extreme climbs will have problems with the reduced motor power. The range is also limited. Especially if you use the highest support levels. Light e-bikes are more suitable for very sporty cyclists who like to pedal hard themselves. Tours with shorter and flatter climbs and light, fit riders are particularly suitable. Then long rides are also possible with the small batteries.
Switching from a classic e-MTB to a light e-bike?
Are you already riding an e-MTB and wondering whether a light bike might be a better alternative? If you usually only use the lower to medium levels of your motor, the power of a light e-MTB should be sufficient for you. If you're a fan of turbo mode, don't bother. The same applies to the range. Do you often reach the limits of your range with a battery with 625 or more watt hours despite an energy-saving riding style? Then you need to think very carefully about whether you can cope with the smaller battery of a light e-MTB.
The most important E-MTB motors at a glance
Bosch Performance CX Smart System
Since Bosch 2019 with the current generation of the Performance CX engine they are at the forefront of classic e-MTBs. At least when it comes to riding performance, the Germans are at the top. No other motor rides as intuitively and dynamically as the Performance CX. This is mainly due to the fact that the Swabians have invested enormous development power in the software control. The E-MTB mode The power of the assistance depends on the pedal pressure. The new Bosch feature Extended Boost is unique: a kind of controlled coasting helps you get over the next step on technical uphill sections without pedalling.
Bosch's Performance CX is a real powerhouse. The power delivery is lively and progressive, giving the motor a sporty character. It is really easy to control on demanding uphills and extremely powerful at the same time. This makes you want to tackle tough climbs. The drive noise is high-pitched and not particularly quiet. The gearbox rattles noticeably downhill. The entire system with the 750 Wh battery is quite heavy, so e-bikes with a Bosch drive are rarely really light.
Shimano EP8
The Shimano EP8 is relatively light and compact, which makes it popular with e-bike manufacturers who value fun trail geometry. The power is noticeably below Bosch level, but the ride feel is quite smooth and natural. However, the thrust doesn't feel really lively in comparison. The Shimano EP8 also clearly rattles out of the gears on descents. The selection of e-mountainbikes and battery sizes with Shimano motors is huge. For 2023 Shimano also announced an upgrade for the EP8This is primarily intended to pave the way for the integration of a new generation of batteries.
Brose Drive S Mag
The Drive S Mag from Brose is the oldest engine in the big four. Its noise level is still outstanding. Although it is also clearly audible under full load, the e-bike motor is much quieter than all other drives in its class, especially at lower assistance levels. It does not rattle downhill. The high-torque character is also special. At low cadences, it pushes super powerfully, which can be really helpful on difficult climbs. The Brose motor is also top in terms of maximum power and is only just behind Bosch.
The fact that the Brose motor is one of the best in its class is proven by the fact that Specialized has installed it in one of the best E-MTBs ever. Whereby the Americans for the Turbo Levo use specially developed software. But Brose's hardware alone has been impressive for years: the technology is housed in a magnesium casing and, unlike the competition, works with a belt drive. This makes the e-MTB motor particularly quiet. And this is precisely what sets it apart from its competitors: You can hardly hear it when there is little load, only when there is a lot of pressure on the pedal and in the high support levels does it get a little louder here too. Downhill, it makes no noise, which gives it an edge over the competition from Bosch and Shimano. Although Brose offers its own batteries, the majority of batteries from other manufacturers are used.
Yamaha PW-X2
As the traditional house brand of Haibike, Yamaha now also has a large fan base at Giant for its e-bikes. The e-MTB motor is highly regarded and known for being particularly robust and trouble-free. The PW-X2 from Yamaha strikes a good balance between Bosch and Shimano. It is slightly more powerful and, above all, more lively than the EP8 and slightly lighter than Bosch's Performance CX. The drive noise is relatively quiet and the gear rattling is also less noticeable than with Bosch and Shimano. Unfortunately, the motor is relatively long at the rear, so manufacturers are restricted in the design of short chainstays.
Here you can read a Test of two E-MTBs with Yamaha PW-X2 motor.
And what does the light class of e-bike motors have to offer? Here, too, we provide a brief overview.
TQ HPR50
The two youngest candidates come from Bavaria. Only recently, the HPR50 from TQ and the Ride 60 from Fazua. With its newcomer, TQ has a particularly compact e-bike drive in its portfolio that is barely recognisable as a motor on the bike. It is also particularly quiet. Its performance is in the middle to lower range of the light class. TQ Systems specifies 50 Newton metres and 300 watts.
Fazua Ride 60
The Fazua Ride 60 e-bike motor is also very small, at least as far as the exposed surface is concerned. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to carry out any extensive driving tests with the motor. If you believe the manufacturer's specifications, it is surprisingly powerful for its low weight of 1.96 kilos. Fazua claims a peak output of 450 watts and 60 Newton metres.
Shimano EP8 RS
The EP8 RS from Orbea ranks at the upper end of the light class. On the hardware side, the motor is identical to the classic Shimano EP8. It is therefore relatively heavy at 2.65 kilos. However, this also gives it a lot of power and a high level of stability. It is throttled to 60 Newton metres on the software side. The drive noise is quieter than the classic EP8, but the EP8 RS e-bike motor also rattles downhill.
Specialised SL 1.1
At the other end of the scale is Specialized's SL 1.1. Small and light, but also relatively weak. It delivers 35 Newton metres and 240 watts. Unfortunately, the drive noise is very loud. However, the adjustability via app and the Specialized controls are excellent. It comes on two Specialized e-bikes, the Turbo Levo SL and on Kenevo SLfor use.
Fazua Evation Ride 50 Trail
Who would have thought that the small Munich start-up would one day establish an entire e-MTB category. The Fazua Evation is considered the first minimal assist drive. The Fazua Ride 50 Trail, as it is now called after an updateconsists of a small 250 watt-hour battery and drive unit (drive pack). This compact package weighs only around 4.6 kilos and can even be completely removed from the frame if required. This means that you can even ride a Fazua e-bike as a classic, non-motorised bike if you wish. At 55 Newton metres, the system integrated into the frame naturally delivers significantly less power than a Bosch or Shimano. But due to the low weight and the lack of internal resistance, the riding experience of bikes with a Fazua motor is almost the same as that of a classic bike without a motor. First Fazua was taken over by Porsche this year.
Tips for choosing an E-MTB motor
Firstly: The best way to find out which motor is right for you is to take a test ride. After all, tastes are very individual and the driving experience of an electric drive is perceived very differently.
Secondly, when looking for the right e-MTB, don't focus too much on the motor. The e-bike that contains the drive is still more decisive for the overall experience. And this must match your preferred area of use and your own preferences.
