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The Specialized Turbo Levo SL in the elegant S-Works version weighs just 17 kilograms, thus defining a new bike category: minimal-assist bikes. But even some e-enduro bikes with conventional drives are getting closer and closer to the 20-kilo mark. The Santa Cruz Heckler and Canyon's Spectral:ON are just two examples of this.
As a result, the current generation of e-enduro bikes can no longer be accused of sluggish handling. Instead, the lighter bikes in particular impress with a compromise between a full trail position and poppy riding behaviour that is simply addictive! The uphill performance remains untouched and is still top notch! While the long suspension travel slows down enduro bikes without an e-drive on climbs, it has the opposite effect on e-enduro bikes, generating plenty of traction even on technical uphill trails. This makes E-Enduros real all-rounders that do not shy away from extended trail missions.
Character piece
More than almost any other component, the motor determines the character of an e-bike. E-enduro bikes are no exception. Lightweight minimal-assist drives from Fazua or Specialized enable bikes that ride like conventional enduro bikes, only with even more downhill power and a tailwind uphill. However, a sporty rider is still required here if you want to really get down to business on the climbs. If you want the full power experience, it is better to go for bikes with conventional drives from Bosch, Brose, Yamaha or Shimano.
Power storage
The larger the battery, the greater the reach height. That much is clear. However, the fat battery cells weigh heavily on the scales, which is why many e-enduro manufacturers deliberately opt for smaller solutions such as the Shimano E8000 drive with a 504 watt-hour battery. This favours the play instinct and reduces the weight of bikes such as the Canyon Spectral:ON or the Santa Cruz Heckler to under 22 kilograms, but naturally comes at the expense of reach. However, an extended trail tour is still possible with good battery management. However, if you're looking for a bike for long tours, you'll have to carry a heavy spare battery in your rucksack.
Liteville 301 CE | 29/27.5"
8,280 euros | 170/160 mm | Shimano E8000/630 Wh | 23.3 kg
Markus Greber | EMTB test editor:
"In love with detail, purist, individual - Liteville bikes have enjoyed cult status for many years. 901, 601, 301 - this is the order in which Jo Klieber developed his model family with its unmistakable shape. Klieber has probably also created an evergreen with his first e-MTB. The fact that the frame is made of carbon - a first for Liteville - is of course purely functional: the down tube, which is open at the bottom, accommodates the 630 watt-hour Simplo battery and is both stiff and light. The battery sits firmly in place, secured with a knurled screw, and fortunately does not require a spanner. The solidly mounted and steel-sprung rear delivers a full 160 millimetres of travel, while the fork even manages 170 millimetres. This makes the bike perfectly equipped for tough everyday enduro riding, and thanks to the sophisticated geometry, it even manages the balancing act between smooth running at high speed and manoeuvrability on narrow trails. Also typical Liteville: clever details such as the special chain guide, the heat dissipation on the Shimano motor and the solid skid plate to prevent bumps."
Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9.0 | 29/27.5"
6,999 euros | 150/150 mm | Shimano E8000/504 Wh | 21.6 kg
Max Fuchs | BIKE volunteer:
"For a long time, I thought that E-MTBs could only pull the corners of my mouth upwards on the climbs. Downhill, the low centre of gravity promises stability en masse, but I always longed for the playful character of a light enduro bike without a motor. That is, until I started to cover my first metres of altitude on the Canyon Spectral:ON. Thanks to its agile handling and potent suspension, the Spectral:ON quickly turned out to be a really fun bike. With the smaller 27.5-inch wheel at the rear and the short chainstays, the bike masters even the fastest direction changes with ease and can even be pulled onto the rear wheel in a relaxed manner - not a matter of course for E-MTBs. The low total weight of 21.6 kilos also speaks in favour of the lively handling. At the same time, the large 29-inch front wheel paired with the slack 66.5 steering angle conveys a lot of safety and smoothness. On the climbs, the Shimano E8000 drive with 504 watt hours of battery capacity provides sufficient power for the next trail adventure."
Santa Cruz Heckler X01 RSV | 27.5"
11,199 euros | 160/150 mm | Shimano E8000/504 Wh | 21.0 kg
Adrian Kaether | EMTB volunteer:
"Hardly any other E-MTB has this much pop! Jumping from one berm to the next and actively flowing over trails - that's the Heckler's speciality. The very active suspension, the small, light wheels and the low weight make the carbon fibre newcomer from California a first-class playmate. The Shimano motor and the small 504 watt-hour battery save weight, but a second battery is mandatory for long tours. If you want to bulldoze over stony fields in sedan chair style, you will find more suitable fun companions, because the Heckler is taut, direct and trimmed for manoeuvrability with its small wheels. A dream for sporty riders and winding trails. Also first class: the lifetime guarantee on the frame, wheels and handlebars, all made in-house and in a high-quality carbon fibre design. However, the price for the first electrified Santa Cruz is hefty! The cheapest Heckler still costs a hefty 7499 euros.
Specialised S-Works Turbo Levo SL | 29"
12,999 euros | 150/150 mm | SL1.1/320 Wh | 17 kg
Florentin Vesenbeckh | EMTB Test Manager
"With the Levo SL, Specialized has taken the mountain bike to a whole new level. The bike is only as heavy as a competition enduro bike and rides downhill just as playfully and manoeuvrable as a conventional bike. Despite its weight, the Levo SL remains more of a trail bike than a mini downhiller. And uphill? The motor pushes you forwards with 250 watts of peak power as if you had just had breakfast with Nino Schurter. Don't get the wrong idea: The Levo SL is not an e-bike in the classic sense, which shoots up steep ramps unimpressed in turbo mode. However, even steep climbs can be conquered with the minimal-assist bike, provided you have a sporty riding style. By the way: On my last tour, after 45 trail-heavy kilometres and 900 metres in altitude, I was still not out of juice. So if you also understand endurance by enduro, you won't be disappointed. Unfortunately very expensive!
Propain Ekano 165 | 29/27.5"
4,920 euros | 170/165 mm | Shimano E8000/504 Wh | 24.7 kg
Christian Schleker | Freeride-Tester:
"A direct hit. The first E-Enduro from the mail-order company from Lake Constance impressed us. With its stable equipment, moderate geo and good suspension, the Ekano is a lot of fun downhill. It achieves a good mix of manoeuvrability and smoothness. This means that the Ekano delivers exactly what freeriders want in rough terrain or when looking for stunts. At the rear, a steel shock absorbs with a full 165 millimetres of suspension travel, while the proven Rockshox Lyrik provides 170 millimetres at the front. If something goes wrong - no problem - the suspension of the aluminium bike buffers even botched landings and forgives many a pilot's mistake. Great: the full traction on the rear wheel. The slightly high front end and moderate reach limit the climbing performance. However, the combination of a small 500cc battery and high weight (just under 25 kilos) comes at a cost - you should be aware of that. In our last E-MTB test, we chose the Ekano 150 as the clear price-performance winner!
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This article can be found in the Enduro Special in BIKE 7/2020.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
