GEOMETRY
1. Wheel diameter E-MTBs with 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheels are available in the shops. The differences when riding are relatively small, 29ers roll slightly better over obstacles. However, 29ers are less suitable for shorter people.
2. Handlebars and saddle Bikes with wide handlebars are much more comfortable and easier to control, which is why we recommend handlebars with a width of around 70 centimetres. On the other hand, there is no standardised measurement for the saddle.
3. Gear ratio The gear ratio plays an important role in our tests. With single gear ratios (only one chainring at the front), cassettes with 42 sprockets almost always make sense on the rear wheel. Some motors offer the option of a second chainring at the front.
4. Brakes E-bikes weigh around 20 kilos and need powerful brakes. We consider all stoppers with a brake disc diameter of less than 180 millimetres at the front and rear to be borderline.
5. Frame geometry In our test reports, we publish the exact geometry data for each bike. If you know exactly what you need, it's easy to compare the bikes in detail.
EQUIPMENT
Spring elements: The suspension is the core of a mountain bike. The bike can only utilise its full potential if it can be easily adjusted to the rider. Almost all E-MTB suspensions use dampers and forks with air as the suspension medium. Oil provides the damping.
Vario seat post: No component on a mountain bike has provided more comfort and safety in recent years: the saddle lowers at the touch of a button, allowing the rider to move freely and shift their weight on the descent. An extremely useful attachment.
Battery and range: This topic naturally plays a central role when buying an e-bike. But the choice is limited. Only a few motor manufacturers offer different sizes of energy sources, and the batteries cannot be switched between different motor systems. Once you have decided on a particular motor and battery, you then have to find out which manufacturers offer the system in their models. In our comparison tests in this issue, you will find a selection of the most important brands and models in the "Fullys" category.
Weight:
Under 20 kilos: Some hardtails with a standard mid-motor and 400 Wh battery already weigh around 15 kilos. However, this means pulling out all the technical stops - which is also reflected in the high price. It is debatable how important a few pounds less is for motor-assisted bikes. Even lighter than 15 kilos is only possible with smaller drives - such as the Vivax system.
Over 20 kilos: High weight has less influence on the riding characteristics of an E-MTB than is generally expected. High-quality fullys currently weigh around 20 kilos. Logically, the range decreases with every kilo of weight. Of course, the rider's weight has the same influence! At over 25 kilos, the handling of the bike also suffers.
Tyres:
Standard tyres: E-bikes are heavy and put a lot of strain on the tyres. Tyres that are too thin make no sense at all here. Robust tyres with good puncture protection, low susceptibility to punctures and good cornering traction are the top priority. Of course, the rolling resistance must not be too high either, otherwise the range will be reduced. Important to know: Wide tyres usually roll better off-road than narrow tyres.
Plus tyres: Tyres have a dramatic effect on the handling of an e-bike. The new Plus dimension seems ideal for mountain bikes with drive. Traction and comfort are enormous. It is important that the carcasses of the plus tyres are not too thin either - otherwise there is a risk of punctures, especially in rocky terrain.
Displays: They are constantly in the field of vision, so they should look good and clearly display the important driving information.
In addition to the standard display, Bosch also offers the Nyon system. This allows you to navigate and make fine adjustments to the motor. Specialized gives you the option of riding the Levo completely without a display, and the system can also be connected wirelessly to some GPS devices via ANT. Other systems have a fairly simple standard display, some can be paired with a mobile phone and then access the GPS module. Of course, they all display the most important data. Very important: the battery charge, often in combination with a rough estimate of the remaining range. Speed, kilometres travelled, etc. are also displayed.
