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Propain goes ENewcomer from Lake Constance

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 01.05.2019

Propain goes E: Newcomer from Lake ConstancePhoto: Florentin Vesenbeckh
Propain goes E: Newcomer from Lake Constance
The next online mail order company enters the e-MTB market. With the Ekano, Propain presents a versatile E-MTB that emulates the successful re-motorised Tyee and Spindrift models. The price is hot!

One platform, many bikes: the Propain Ekano should make touring e-bikers just as happy as experienced e-endurists. To make this possible, the customer can choose from a wide range of options. First and foremost the suspension travel. The short-travel version has 150 millimetres of travel on the front and rear wheel and is designed to make the electrified Version of the Tyee embody. With 170 millimetres at the front and 165 millimetres at the rear, the "fat" version is a racy enduro bike and forms the counterpart to the model Spindle drift. The customer also has a free choice of wheel size: 27.5 inch, 29er or the popular mix of 29 inch at the front and 27.5 inch at the rear. This is made possible by geometry customisation using a flip chip and chainstays that are adjustable in length.

E for Ekano: At the BIKE Festival on Lake Garda, Propain presents its first mountain bike with e-support.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh E for Ekano: At the BIKE Festival on Lake Garda, Propain presents its first mountain bike with e-support. The flip chip for geometry adjustment is located in the rear shock mount. This allows the geometry to be adapted to different wheel sizes.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The flip chip for geometry adjustment is located in the rear shock mount. This allows the geometry to be adapted to different wheel sizes. The speed sensor is located at the dropout, the magnet at the brake disc. This eliminates the error-prone spoke magnet.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The speed sensor is located at the dropout, the magnet at the brake disc. This eliminates the error-prone spoke magnet.

The Ekano is based on an aluminium frame with a Shimano E8000 motor and the brand new BT-E8035 Intube battery from Shimano. The energy source delivers 504 watt hours and disappears elegantly into the slim down tube. A detailed look at the new battery, how to remove it and how heavy it is, you can find here. Propain expects this complete Shimano system to offer enormous advantages in terms of service - which is of course particularly relevant for an online retailer. The frame is designed to harmonise with both steel spring and air shocks, and the customer can choose both variants according to personal preference.

The new Shimano battery sits behind a cover that is elegantly flush with the aluminium frame. Unfortunately, we were not yet allowed to look behind the cover on the pre-production model of the Ekano.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The new Shimano battery sits behind a cover that is elegantly flush with the aluminium frame. Unfortunately, we were not yet allowed to look behind the cover on the pre-production model of the Ekano. The charging port for the new Shimano Intube batteries is compact and disappears discreetly into the frame.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The charging port for the new Shimano Intube batteries is compact and disappears discreetly into the frame.
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The cable entries for the internal cable routing also serve as ventilation for the battery in the down tube.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The cable entries for the internal cable routing also serve as ventilation for the battery in the down tube. Top for backpack-avoiders or friends of light luggage: there is space for a bottle cage in the frame triangle.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Top for backpack-avoiders or friends of light luggage: there is space for a bottle cage in the frame triangle.

The geometry of the Ekano is somewhat more moderate than that of the brand's non-motorised bikes and differs depending on the suspension travel and wheel variant. The head angle is between 64.3 and 65.9 degrees, the reach in size L between 452 and 470 millimetres. With a 27.5 rear wheel, the chainstays are rather short (445 millimetres), with a 29er rear wheel, the length increases to 459 millimetres. The seat angle is steep (75.3 to 76.9 degrees), which promises a central riding and effective pedalling position. The Ekano is available in four sizes from S to XL.

The chainstay length can be adapted to 27.5 or 29-inch wheels at the dropout. In the short version (27.5 inch) the stays measure 445 mm, in the long version 459 mm (29 inch).Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The chainstay length can be adapted to 27.5 or 29-inch wheels at the dropout. In the short version (27.5 inch) the stays measure 445 mm, in the long version 459 mm (29 inch). The seat and chain stays are protected from chain slap by a solid stay guard.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The seat and chain stays are protected from chain slap by a solid stay guard. There is also a plastic guard on the lower swingarm to keep out dirt and jamming stones.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh There is also a plastic guard on the lower swingarm to keep out dirt and jamming stones.

Propain specifies the weight of the Shorttravel version at around 23 kilos. The LT version, especially with steel spring shock absorbers, will be quite a bit heavier. As the previous bikes are not yet in series production, we have not yet been able to determine exact values.

Golden mean: Propain has opted for a tyre width of 2.6 inches and only offers 2.6 inch tyres in the configurator. They sit on wide Stans Baron rims.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Golden mean: Propain has opted for a tyre width of 2.6 inches and only offers 2.6 inch tyres in the configurator. They sit on wide Stans Baron rims. The slim E7000 shifter is set on the Ekano, there is no choice here.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The slim E7000 shifter is set on the Ekano, there is no choice here. For the display, Propain relies exclusively on the colour version of the E8000 series from Shimano.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh For the display, Propain relies exclusively on the colour version of the E8000 series from Shimano.

Prices and features of the Propain Ekano

As with the non-motorised Mountain bikes from Propain As usual, the mail-order company does not offer any fixed equipment variants. Buyers can customise their bike according to their own ideas using the modular system. Three equipment suggestions serve as the basis for this. It starts at 4100 euros, but this variant still has to make do without a telescopic seat post. The top model costs 6300 euros. It comes with high-quality Fox Factory suspension, Magura MT7 brakes and even Sram's brand-new AXS gears, which work electronically and wirelessly.

Freedom of choice yes, freedom from fools no. The equipment portfolio for the Ekano only includes four-piston brakes and 200 mm brake discs on the front and rear wheels.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Freedom of choice yes, freedom from fools no. The equipment portfolio for the Ekano only includes four-piston brakes and 200 mm brake discs on the front and rear wheels. Noble and fair: The brand new Sram AXS drivetrain already shifts on the top model for 6300 euros. Electronic and wireless.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Noble and fair: The brand new Sram AXS drivetrain already shifts on the top model for 6300 euros. Electronic and wireless.

The Ekano will be available to order from 15 May and will be delivered from mid-September.

One fully equipped Shorttravel, please: Fox Factory suspension, 27.5 mm wheels, wireless and electronic shifting with Sram AXS, 150 millimetres of travel. This is how Propain presents its first E-MTB at the BIKE Festival in Riva del Garda.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh One fully equipped Shorttravel, please: Fox Factory suspension, 27.5 mm wheels, wireless and electronic shifting with Sram AXS, 150 millimetres of travel. This is how Propain presents its first E-MTB at the BIKE Festival in Riva del Garda.
Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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