A compromise is perfect when everyone is unhappy - at least until now, that was true of the classic mountain bike. Everything that is fast and fun downhill slows down the propulsion uphill. A lot of suspension travel turns the bike into a rocking chair, and with thick, heavy tyres you'll be rolling like a wolf. Conversely, it is only limited fun to bump downhill on a delicate, puncture-prone lightweight bike. It is impossible to reconcile the "uphill" and "downhill" riding modes to everyone's satisfaction.
It's different with an e-mountainbike: the motor pushes uphill, regardless of suspension travel and light wheels. This means thick plus-size or even downhill tyres (see Tyre concept comparison from EMTB 2/2016) and long-travel suspension elements on E-MTBs really enjoyable without any regrets?
We scrutinised four E-MTBs in the Enduro class for what is probably the most extensive E-MTB test of all time. Suspension travel of 160 to 180 millimetres, weights of around 22 kilos - without a motor, these bikes would almost be
downhill machines. Firstly, the candidates had to prove their freeride characteristics in the bike park and on rough downhill trails. For this, we brought in our colleagues from our sister magazine FREERIDE as an expert partner. The test subjects then underwent various range and efficiency tests as well as extensive tests on our test laps on Lake Garda and in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps.
You can find these four enduro-class e-mountainbikes in the test:
- Cube Stereo 160 Hybrid
- Haibike Xduro Nduro Pro
- Lapierre Overvolt SX 800
- Rotwild RE+
Probably the most important question: How much range does the extra riding fun, comfort and safety cost? The measurements from our high-end hardtail test (from page 32) provide interesting data on this. The ideal "enduro versus hardtail" comparison is best made between models from the same manufacturer, such as Rotwild with the Enduro RE+ and its hardtail counterpart RC+ HT. Unsprung at the rear and packed with lightweight parts, the hardtail weighs around 2.5 kilos less, but only has 100 instead of 170 millimetres of travel. Plus tyres: The Conti X-King tyres on the Rotwild hardtail roll much more easily than the high-traction Trail King tyres on its big brother. Otherwise: identical motor, same battery capacity. Result of the range test: The hardtail only goes 40 metres further uphill. A completely irrelevant result when you consider how much wider the range of use of the full-suspension enduro bike is. Incidentally, we came to similar results in our tyre system comparison. We learn that enduro tyres do not have any significant disadvantages in terms of range.
Question number two: Do the suspension travel and enduro geometries affect the uphill riding characteristics? Our test lap on Lake Garda leads uphill through steep gravel slopes, but also over winding, root-covered forest trails where manoeuvrability is key. None of the test bikes stand out negatively here due to the suspension travel. On the contrary: pedalling, the main culprit for suspension bob on classic MTBs, plays no role on the E-MTB. The motor converts the unrounded and pounding pedalling into even propulsion. As a result, you can deal with the extra travel on these bikes in a completely different way. You sit quite relaxed in the saddle on the climbs and let the suspension work under you. The more suspension travel, the more comfortable the ride. However, this is limited by the set-up. Sophisticated kinematics and a shock with a platform function are essential to prevent the bike from sagging too much at the rear. Cube, Rotwild and Haibike overcome this hurdle with flying colours. The latter even manages particularly well to keep the huge 180 millimetre stroke at the rear in check. Only the
Lapierre: The rear end of the Overvolt sags significantly, causing the bike to rearing up at the front early on. The bikes from Cube and Rotwild are best for riding uphill. This is mainly due to the balanced geometries, which are not too short and not too high at the front. However, both bikes offer significantly less suspension travel than the Haibike Enduro. However, it is not the kinematics of the Haibike that prevents it from scoring top marks in the uphill discipline, but the high front end on the Nduro Pro, which is also quite short.
Of course, the motor plays the decisive role uphill. In the points table, we rate the drive separately, i.e. decoupled from the uphill rating. Individual tastes and therefore subjective assessments are too different. However, Bosch is once again the drive favourite in this test field: Cube and Haibike are equipped with the same and impress with the best propulsion and top modulation. The Yamaha and Brose units on the Lapierre and Rotwild are noticeably weaker and pulsate at slow speeds. However, no other drive unit is as elegantly integrated into the chassis and runs as quietly as the Brose motor on the Rotwild. This alone is a unique selling point of the Dieburg-based luxury forge.
Our colleagues from FREERIDE magazine had already extensively tested the downhill performance of the four candidates in the Samerberg bike park. The testers' favourite in this discipline is the Rotwild. The Dieburger's geometry is simply the best at balancing smoothness at high speeds and liveliness on singletrack. The whole thing is garnished with top suspension and plenty of travel. The special thing about the Rotwild: The RE+ rides more like a classic enduro bike without a motor than the competition. Want to pull away quickly on small ramps? No problem, the Rotwild is finely balanced from jump to landing. You never get the feeling that the rear end is stuck to the ground. Cube and Haibike don't have much in common on points. The Haibike's big plus: its suspension. The rear suspension and fork offer plenty of travel and comfort, every little pebble is sucked off the trail. The Nduro only falters when travelling very fast. The reason: the short geometry. Like the Rotwild, the Cube delivers top all-round characteristics: plenty of reserves and balanced performance. With its classic, long enduro geometry, the Lapierre is well equipped. However, the rear suspension seems a little unbalanced. The bike from France also lacks a little liveliness.
The bottom line, and all testers agree on this, is that the E-Enduros offer an enormously wide range of use. Suspension travel and grippy tyres even help uphill. And on fast downhills, their favourable centre of gravity means they are even more planted on the trail than their non-motorised counterparts. Long live the perfect compromise.
Conclusion from EMTB project manager Markus Greber
It's like claiming that a Porsche is the best family car. An enduro bike is the vehicle of choice when it comes to rough terrain, bike parks and mega jumps. But enduro bikes can do much more: The generous suspension travel ensures comfort and safety reserves, the riding position is comfortable, the brakes are powerful - the best prerequisites for the normal touring rider. To be honest, there are hardly any disadvantages compared to bikes with less suspension travel. This is because the extra weight of the puncture-proof, high-traction wheels and suspension elements is compensated for by the motor. Sure, with lighter bikes you'll gain a few more metres in altitude on the speedometer. But what does that count against safety and riding enjoyment?
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