Cheap E-MTBs from Canyon and Giant on test: Price versus performance?

How much does a functional E-MTB cost? Our credo is that you have to invest at least 3000 euros. For a fully, 4000 euros and more is better. A lot of money for a bike. So why this high sum? After all, there are also e-hardtails from 2000 euros, fullys from 3000 euros - not even counting discount bikes.

The answer lies in the range of use of the bikes. If you only want to ride on the road, you can probably get by with a very affordable bike, but then you don't really need a mountain bike. If you also want to ride your e-MTB off-road or at least on gravel, you need good tyres and functional brakes as well as a decent gear system. As soon as you turn onto the trail, you also need a decent suspension fork. That's why we pitted two of the cheapest off-road fullys on the market against each other. Who will win for less than 3800 euros? The Canyon Neuron:On 7 or the Giant Stance E+ 1 500?

Why can't it be even cheaper?

Unfortunately, functional equipment costs money. And because a well-engineered drive unit with a suitable battery alone costs around 1500 euros for an e-MTB and at least another 500 euros for the frame, an RRP of 2500 euros leaves only around 500 euros for wheels, suspension fork, gears, brakes, saddle and cockpit.

As a result, the manufacturer has to make savings wherever it can. Unfortunately, even where it makes no sense. A good tyre, for example, does not cost much, but on particularly inexpensive bikes, a simple rubber compound with a moderate tread is still used for cost reasons. This can be a problem even on gravel. Cheap brakes are powerless and difficult to modulate, cheap gears change gears slowly and unreliably, cheap suspension forks generate neither traction nor comfort.

Frustration instead of value for money: the problem of overpriced bikes

Despite moderate functionality, even bad add-on parts cost money, but lead more quickly to frustration than to riding enjoyment. Such parts are often found on bikes from discounters for less than 2000 euros. Poorly functioning cable brakes, heavy and rickety add-on parts, outdated hub motors with powerless, out-of-round support. Sometimes a high-quality rear derailleur that is supposed to disguise the rest of the equipment, but in practice offers hardly any added value.

Our tip therefore: It's better to invest a little more right away, which saves the notorious need to buy more. E-hardtails for around 3000 euros or fullys for just under 4000 euros are already significantly better equipped by many manufacturers. Such bikes can also be taken off-road from time to time, and the components also work much better in other respects.

The gears are then sorted smoothly and reliably, the brakes are more powerful and easy to control. Due to the wider range of use and the higher fun factor, we believe that such bikes offer better value for money than even cheaper bikes. The durability of the individual parts is also generally much higher.

Favourable e-bike fullys: Canyon and Giant in a duel

Unfortunately, it is nevertheless the case that even on our two test bikes for just under 4000 euros, tough cost-cutting measures are visible in some areas. These affect almost all components. However, instead of cheap DIY store parts, functional parts are used, even if there is still room for improvement here and there.

Drive: Top models despite attractive price

Let's start with a part that is surprisingly rarely affected by cost-cutting measures: the e-drive. The battery and motor are the most expensive parts on an E-MTB. Despite this, manufacturers rarely cut corners here. The vast majority of E-MTBs are fitted with top-of-the-range motors. This is also the case in the affordable Canyon, where Shimano's EP8 provides the thrust. Giant is different: Yamaha's weaker PW-SE drive is used in the Stance E+ 1. However, in its latest version, the affordable drive also surprised us positively. The battery capacity is a drawback: both manufacturers only supply 500 watt hours instead of the 630 that are installed in the more expensive models.

Suspension: favourable forks limit downhill performance

Inexpensive suspension forks are most noticeable to bikers in tough off-road use. Unfortunately, this cost-cutting measure seems essential for bikes under 4000 euros. Both test bikes have to make do with a cheap Rockshox suspension fork and thin dropper posts (Canyon: Judy Silver, 30 mm; Giant: Recon Silver, 32 mm). This is noticeable when riding sporty on roots or steps.

In addition to the low stiffness and moderate suspension performance, the coarse rebound damping on both models is also a negative feature. However, both bikes - like most inexpensive fullys - are limited to less wild trail rides anyway with their maximum suspension travel of 130 millimetres. And on gentle trails, the performance is fine.

Components: Trail-ready but affordable

Telescopic seat post, wide rims, solid cockpit, large brake discs: Both bikes are basically trail-ready. The Canyon is fitted with Shimano Deore gears, which work really well. However, it only offers ten gears and therefore a narrower range and larger gear jumps. The Sram SX Eagle with twelve sprockets on the Giant is better, but the shifting performance is spongier. Both bikes rely on the long, less ergonomic Shimano brake levers.

E-fullys for 3800 euros: just suitable for off-road use

The comparison test shows: Giant and Canyon manage to put a fully on the tyres for under 4000 euros that you can dare to take off-road. However, the comparison also shows that you shouldn't spend even less. The red pencil mercilessly removes further riding fun from the package, even with well-known manufacturers, as the Giant Stance E+ 2 for 3399 euros proves - without a dropper post, with even cheaper equipment and suspension fork.

Canyon Neuron On:7 on test

Canyon has created a fully-fledged E-MTB with its entry-level Neuron:On 7. You won't notice the bike's low price in many places, as it inherits a lot of harmonious details from its higher-end brothers. Integrated speed sensor, integrated cable routing in the handlebars, USB charging port and a high-quality, tidy cockpit - you feel right at home here. The riding position is also mature, comfortable and sporty. This makes you want to go on extended tours. The Neuron:On takes classic forest road climbs in its stride. The rear suspension works well off-road, providing plenty of traction and comfort. On really steep ramps, however, you have to be a little more active on the bike and shift your weight significantly forwards, as the front wheel rises earlier than on a proven climbing expert. In addition to the short chainstays, the moderate seat angle plays a part in this. The advantage: the weight distribution is balanced, which is pleasant on flat sections. When it comes to descents and trails, you shouldn't expect miracles from a bike in this category. But the Neuron:On surprises positively. The handling is pleasant, it inspires confidence on moderate trails and it's fun to ride. The rougher the terrain, the more the moderate suspension fork and the tame tyres limit the Neuron's strength. It is not a designated trail bike. However, if technical off-road challenges are not at the centre of your tours, the Neuron is a top companion. Tip: For just 300 euros more, you can get the Neuron:On 8 with a larger battery, 12-speed drivetrain and better suspension fork.

• Price: 3699 Euro
• Suspension travel: 130 / 130 mm
• Weight: 24.27 kg
• Wheel size: 29"

Test summary of the Neuron:On 7

Sporty touring e-bike with genuine mountain bike genes, harmonious equipment and high-quality detail solutions. Good handling off-road, but limited on difficult trails.

Giant Stance E+ 1 500 on test

Giant traditionally relies on Yamaha drives for its e-MTBs. The secret of the Stance entry-level models: The more affordable Syncdrive Sport motor provides propulsion here. The drive delivers a nominal 70 instead of 80 newton metres, but we couldn't detect a significant difference in power compared to the EP8 in the practical test. In the climbing test, the Giant even covered the metres in altitude faster than the nominally superior Shimano. The character: powerful, even at low cadences and moderate rider performance. At the highest level, the thrust is released powerfully, but somewhat harshly. Good: this economy measure gives Giant reserves. The Stance E+ is available from 3399 euros. The model we tested features a 12-speed Eagle drivetrain from Sram, which offers more range and tighter gear steps than Shimano's 10-speed Deore on the Canyon. However, the gears are not quite as crisp with Sram's entry-level groupset. The tyres and brakes of the two candidates are on a very similar level. Good on tours, but with drawbacks in difficult terrain. The two bikes show clear differences in handling. The Stance positions itself as a good-natured climber. Thanks to the long chainstays, it hardly needs any active weight shifting even on steep sections. Climbing is stoic and uncomplicated. The riding position is compact. Downhill, the moderate geometry reveals its limits early on. Off-road, the Stance is less confident and secure, and at the same time less manoeuvrable than Canyon's Neuron:On. As long as it doesn't get steep and rough, the Stance is direct and uncomplicated to control. For 200 euros more, you can get the Stance E+ 1 with a 630 battery.

• Price: 3799 Euro
• Suspension travel: 130 / 120 mm
• Weight: 25.02 kg
• Wheel size: 29"

Test summary of the Giant Stance E+ 1 500

Moderate touring e-bike for comfort-orientated bikers looking for a good-natured bike for shallow terrain. Unfortunately quite heavy, despite the small battery. Decent range in return.