With the Ekano AL, Propain recently set its sights on freeriders and park rats. Now comes the CF model, Propain's first carbon e-bike. Thanks to the exclusive frame material and Sram's Eagle Powertrain, it is a clear high-end option that is intended to appeal to a broad target group with uncomplicated handling. In contrast to the Ekano AL freerider, the Propain Ekano CF is designed to be slightly wider with slightly different geometry and kinematics. In addition, instead of Shimano's EP801, the new complete Eagle Powertrain drivetrain from Sram is used.
The facts about the Propain Ekano CF
- Carbon frame
- 180 / 170 mm suspension travel
- 29 inch or 29/27.5 inch Mullet
- Motor: Eagle Powertrain (Sram/Brose, 90 Nm)
- Battery: Sram, 630 Wh, removable (Range Extender, 250 Wh, optional)
- Available with air or steel spring damper
- Online configurator for customising the equipment
- Three pre-configured models: Base 7794 euros; Ultimate 9999 euros; Factory 11299 euros
- Four frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: from 22.8 kilos (Mullet, manufacturer's specification)
- Max. permissible total weight: 130 kg (bike, rider and equipment)
- Approval according to ASTM category 5 (downhill, full bike park approval)
- Available to order now, delivery date end of 2023
Sram drivetrain: Brose power and automatic shifting
As one of only four manufacturers, Propain was directly involved as a launch partner in the presentation of Sram's Eagle Powertrain complete e-bike drive system. The Propain Ekano CF was therefore already featured in our detailed presentation of the new drive system. What's new about the Sram drive: With the system consisting of motor, battery, display and gears, Sram becomes a system provider and can offer new features by networking the individual components. These include the automatic shifting system called Auto-Shift and coast shifting without turning the cranks. From our point of view, the latter in particular is a really exciting feature for mountain bikers.
The e-drive itself is based on Brose's well-known Drive S Mag (90 Nm) and in-house Sram batteries and displays. The Propain uses the 630 watt-hour battery, which is quite light at 3.1 kilograms and can be folded out of the down tube for easy and user-friendly removal. If you want more range, you can use the optional range extender (250 Wh / €599) or a second battery.
The Eagle Powertrain is operated via Sram's pod controller. A very clean and ergonomically successful solution, but one that requires a few compromises due to the lack of buttons: there are only two U-stages, which can of course be fine-tuned via the app, and the display shows little information that cannot be customised to the user's wishes. Eagle Powertrain also relies on the Rockshox Reverb AXS dropper post for the full range of functions. More on this in the models section below.
First carbon e-MTB for Propain: The frame of the Ekano CF
Propain has designed a carbon chassis around the motor. The Ekano CF is therefore Propain's first carbon e-MTB. This naturally increases the price compared to the aluminium model, but according to Propain it saves around one kilogram. The frame is fitted with branded bearings from Acros, which should last a particularly long time thanks to Propain's Dirtshield seals. To ensure that nothing rattles, Propain pushes foam over the internally routed cables and relies on an extensively damped chainstay protector. The cable routing through the headset ensures a clean look.
Unlike the aluminium model (Mullet only), the Ekano CF is also available with a 29-inch rear wheel. The bike can be adapted to different wheel sizes using a flipchip. The post mount adapter, which can be adjusted from 200 to 220 millimetre brake discs, the underride guard or the full bike park approval according to ASTM category 5 set beautiful accents.
More progression, more drive neutrality: the Pro 10 rear triangle in the Ekano CF
The frame is fitted with an upright shock with air or steel spring. Like the AL, the Ekano CF comes with Propain's Pro 10 rear suspension, which has been slightly adapted for the CF. A little more progression towards the end of the travel and a slightly increased anti-squat should make the suspension of the carbon bike a little more drive-neutral and enable riding with more negative suspension travel. The rear suspension of the aluminium bike, on the other hand, is designed to be a little more plush and linear.
The geometry of the Propain Enduro e-bike
The Ekano CF is an E-Enduro with plenty of travel, but the geometry is not too extreme. Perhaps this is one of the secrets of Propain's new E-bike, but more on that in the ride report. At 475 millimetres in size L, the reach is modern, but not extreme. The head angle is state-of-the-art at 64 degrees, while the seat angle is very steep at 78 degrees. The low bottom bracket (-24.5 millimetres) should ensure that the bike corners well. At 445 millimetres, the chainstays on the AL model were quite short for a full-power eMTB, while the CF is slightly longer at 453 millimetres. Especially in combination with the larger rear wheel, this gives the Ekano CF better climbing characteristics and a smoother ride, but also makes the bike a little less playful.
Everything via the Propain configurator: models and equipment of the Ekano CF
As usual with Propain, you can customise the bike with components of your choice. Propain offers Fox and Rockshox suspension, drivetrains from Sram, wheels from Crankbrothers or Newmen, brakes from Sram, Magura or Formula. You also have to choose between 29 inch or Mullet and one of the three colours. You can choose between a simple clear coat over the carbon, a dark blue with a slight green tint (deep forest) and a yellow-orange with a matt finish (mighty mango).
Propain also offers three pre-configured model configurations. The Base model comes with Rockshox' Zeb fork, Deluxe Coil Select shock, Newmen Performance wheels, DB8 brakes and Srams GX transmission for € 7794. The Ultimate model with Rockshox' Zeb Ultimate, the new Vivid Ultimate air shock, Code RSC brakes and Newmen Evo wheels is available for 9999 euros. The top Factory model relies on the 38 Factory Grip2 from Fox as well as the Float DHX2 Coil SLS shock, carbon wheels from Crankbrothers, MT7 brakes from Magura and Sram's top-of-the-range XX Transmission. This means that all three models have the automatic shifting functions of the Eagle Powertrain on board.
Only in conjunction with AXS seatpost: push assist and motor remote on the handlebars
Please note: Only the Ultimate model comes with the Reverb AXS seatpost from Rockshox as standard. The Base model has a Bikeyoke Divine, the Factory a Fox Transfer Factory. Both seatposts are conveniently operated by a mechanical thumb lever. This means that Sram's Eagle Powertrain lacks the left pod, which is used to switch the support level and activate the walk assist from the handlebars. Switching the U-stage then only works by reaching for the top tube display, and the walk assist is no longer available without the left pod.
Playful despite huge reserves: how the Propain Ekano CF rides
With a test bike for Sram's new Eagle Powertrain and at a launch of the Ekano CF in the Allgäu, we were able to gain some experience with Propain's new enduro bike. Due to the steep seat angle, you sit very front-wheel orientated on flat terrain. However, as soon as there is more climbing involved, the Propain is very comfortable and pleasant. The high front end puts little weight on the wrists, and the plush suspension smoothes out bumps with ease. The Brose motor of the Sram drivetrain pleases with good modulation and a pleasant operating noise, but not everyone will like the little information from Sram's top tube display and only two support levels. Especially as the lower "Range" support mode in the factory set-up already pushes hard. Good for sporty uphills, but battery saving looks different.
On the climbs, the Propain cuts a fine figure with its powerful Brose motor and steep seat angle. The rear suspension is high in its travel and still reacts sensitively, the front climbs quite late despite the high stack and moderate chainstays, especially on the 29-inch bike. This means that sporty climbs are also possible with the high travel E-Enduro, a real climbing specialist à la Giant, Pole or Simplon but it is not.
180 millimetres at the front, 170 millimetres at the rear, it's clear: the Propain Ekano CF was built for full throttle downhill. This makes it all the more astonishing how well Propain's downhill eMTB also performs on more moderate terrain. Even on flat and tame trails, the Ekano CF is agile and light-footed and doesn't feel like a cumbersome enduro battleship. This is unusually successful for an e-bike in this suspension travel class.
Of course, this doesn't change the fact that the Ekano CF is even more fun when the terrain gets wilder. This is where the bike scores with an enormous sense of security thanks to its long travel, low bottom bracket and high front end. The great rear suspension also swallows up rough sections, botched landings and high drops with ease. Just as you would expect from a successful park bike with a long travel. The suspension is balanced between defined and plush, and the balance of the bike is impressive. This means you can leave it standing on steep high-speed sections as well as steering it well round tight bends. And the Ekano particularly likes air under the tyres. The rather compact geometry in combination with the high feeling of safety also makes the bike suitable for beginners, and the background noise is also pleasing. Neither the motor nor the battery rattle downhill, and Propain even has the cables and chain well under control on the Ekano. The only question that remains is: CF or AL instead?
EMTB conclusion on the Propain Ekano CF
With the new Ekano, Propain has achieved a really big hit. Hardly any other bike on the market combines so much suspension travel and such brute traction qualities so well with playful handling that is also suitable for beginners. Almost cheeky! The elegant CF version impresses with its competitive weight, the new Sram drivetrain, defined suspension and smooth ride. A real top bike for anyone who can manage with 630 watt hours and two gears.
By the way: We have already had the opportunity to test the Ekano AL. With even plushier suspension and more playful handling, it shows even more freeride genes. Stay tuned!
Pro
- Handling
- Powerful motor
- Extreme taker qualities
- Individually configurable
- Wide range of applications
Contra
- High entry price
- no range ace
- Only two U-steps
Adrian Kaether
Editor
