E-MTB Of The Year 2024: The Orbea Wild is the most popular E-Enduro of the year

The nastiest terrain, uphill and downhill. E-enduro bikes are built for nasty bumpy trails and big jumps. Thanks to e-racing, however, uphill riding is also playing an increasingly important role in this traditionally downhill-heavy category. E-enduro bikes are becoming more and more all-rounders and are increasingly outstripping all-mountain bikes. What falls by the wayside is comfort and uncomplicated handling, but performance fans are unlikely to care. And so it's no wonder that two particularly race-orientated and uncompromising candidates came out on top in the readers' poll. In the end, the super-stiff and lightweight Orbea Wild won by a wafer-thin margin ahead of the new Strive:On from Canyon. Third place went to a modern freerider, the Ekano 2.

1st place: Orbea Wild, 36 % share of the vote

Orbea's new Wild is uncompromisingly designed for downhill performance. The concept has a correspondingly radical approach. Above all, the permanently installed battery could cause headwinds for e-mountain bikers. But the result is impressive: At less than 22 kilos, the top model of the Wild is extremely light for a Bosch bike (750 Wh) of this calibre. And that with 160 mm suspension travel, 29er wheels and robust enduro equipment. If you want it even lighter, you can order a 625 battery - and save another 800 grams. Off-road, the geometry and suspension impress with their first-class performance, and the low weight also makes a positive impression in the test. The lightweight carbon models cost between 7299 and 11999 euros, with aluminium frames starting at 5699 euros.

The facts about the Orbea Wild at a glance

• Motor: Bosch Performance CX Smart
• Battery: Bosch Powertube 625 or 750, permanently installed
• Frame: Carbon or aluminium
• Suspension travel: 160 millimetres, optional 170 mm fork
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Price: 5699 to 11,999 euros
• Colour for carbon models via the MyO configurator according to customer requirements

EMTB conclusion on the Orbea Wild

The new Orbea Wild is a character bike. The lack of a removable battery will put off practically-minded riders and many touring riders, while the heavy Bosch system limits the weight and handling ambitions in theory. Against this background, however, the Wild proves to be an astonishingly light and well thought-out E-Enduro, which manages an impressive balancing act between direct, light-footed handling and massive downhill qualities. - Adrian Kaether, Test and Technology Editor at BIKE and EMTB

2nd place: Canyon Strive:On, 34 % share of the vote

The Strive:On CFR is the first E-MTB from Canyon to be launched with Bosch's Performance CX. The enduro bike with 170/165 mm travel and mullet wheels was developed for long and demanding descents. However, with its modern geometry, high-traction rear end and powerful motor, the Strive:On can also score points on really demanding climbs. No wonder, because the developers also had racing use in the Enduro World Cup in the specifications. The carbon chassis is extremely long, which provides a lot of safety. The fluffy chassis can also score real points on demanding tracks. The price-performance ratio is - as is typical for mail-order bikes - really good. Three models between 5799 and 9699 euros - each with a choice of 625 or 750 Wh.

The facts about the Canyon Strive:On CFR at a glance

• Motor: Bosch Performance CX (LTD model available with Race version)
• Battery: Bosch Powertube, either 750 or 625 watt hours
• Suspension travel: 170/165 mm
• MX wheel mix (29/27.5")
• Full carbon frame with extreme enduro geometry
• Three equipment variants between 5799 and 9699 euros
• Weight: from 23.3 kg (manufacturer's specification, top model with 625 Wh)
• Bosch Connect module (GPS tracking, theft protection)
• Four sizes S to XL

EMTB conclusion on the Canyon Strive:On

With the Strive:On CFR, Canyon has created an uncompromising race enduro bike. This package includes plenty of riding safety for high speeds in demanding terrain! Even uphill, no-one can beat this bike. For leisurely trail and touring rides, however, this extreme bike is neither particularly comfortable nor overly manoeuvrable. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Test Manager EMTB Magazine

3rd place: Propain Ekano 2, 18 % share of the vote

Technically speaking, the new Ekano from Propain is no sensation. A robust aluminium frame with a familiar Shimano motor and a classically removable but comparatively small 626 battery. What is remarkable, however, is the integration of the Pro10 rear suspension system, which has characterised the downhill-oriented bikes from Propain for years. Due to the motor, the installation space for this is tight and the Ekano 2 Al is the first e-bike in which the kinematics are nevertheless implemented. However, the riding characteristics of the aluminium beast from Lake Constance are truly special. The downhill bike with 180/170 mm of suspension travel provided an incredible amount of riding safety on difficult terrain during the test. The great thing is that for a bike in this stroke class, it remains really easy to handle and playful, making it a lot of fun to ride even with a moderate riding style. A great gravity all-rounder. Prices in the configurator start from 4995 euros. The cheapest of the three sensibly pre-configured basic variants costs 5960, the most expensive 9000 euros. In addition to the aluminium version, the Propain is also available with a carbon frame and Srams Eagle Powertrain drivetrain.

The facts about the Propain Ekano 2 AL

• Motor: Shimano EP801 or EP6
• Battery: Darfon, 626 Wh, removable
• Aluminium frame with MX wheel mix of 29 and 27.5 inches
• 180 / 170 mm suspension travel, optional 190 mm suspension fork
• Online configurator for customising the equipment
• Price from 4995 euros
• Three basic models: Price2Ride 5960 euros; Shred² 7210 euros; Goldrush 9000 euros
• Four frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: from 23.5 kilos (manufacturer's specification)
• Max. permissible total weight: 130 kg (bike, rider and equipment)

EMTB conclusion on the Propain Ekano 2

The term freeride seems tailor-made for the Propain Ekano 2 AL. No matter which downhill hurdle you face: The aluminium bike gives the rider a lot of security and confidence. Riding fun comes before pure speed. Propain has created a real party boat with an integrated shuttle - you can (or must) overlook the rather small battery! - Florentin Vesenbeckh, EMTB Magazine