An overview of all lightweight e-bike models in this article:
- Orbea Rise
- Transition Relay
- Forestal Siryon
- Storck e:drenalin.2 SL
- BMC Fourstroke AMP LT
- BH Bikes iLynx Trail
- Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ
- Nox Epium
- Thömus Lightrider
- Ghost Pathriot
- Specialised Levo SL
- Willier Urta Hybrid
- Focus Jam² SL
- Red Deer R.X 375
- Transalpes E1
- Scott Lumen
- Pivot Shuttle SL
- Trek Fuel EXe
- Haibike Lyke
Orbea Rise - customisable trail racer with Shimano technology
A light eMTB but with proven drive technology from Shimano and yet really light. This is how Orbeas Rise made a name for itself at the end of 2020. After the Aluminium version Orbea is now following up with the next major update. The Rise now comes with Shimano's new EP801 drivewhich in turn has been optimised to Orbea's in-house Rider Synergy concept. This means: only a maximum of 60 instead of 85 Newton metres and slightly less peak power. This protects the battery and components and favours the range. Another new feature for 2023 is a slimmer and lighter 360 watt-hour batterywhich weighs just under 1900 grams. Orbea has also slightly revised the frame of the Rise. The larger 540 watt-hour battery, which was previously only available in the aluminium bike, now also fits in the carbon model. The geometry remains the same and is designed for playful trail handling. This makes the Orbea Rise the right bike for anyone who wants Shimano drivetrain technology but still wants a light and playful bike. Great: The equipment can be customised via the configurator, and customers can even order a custom paint job for the carbon models at no extra charge.
Transition Relay - The Fazua MTB is still a long time coming
With the Relay, the small American high-end manufacturer Transition, of all companies, launched the the world's first mountain bike with Fazua-Ride-60 drive presented. With 160 or 170 millimetres of travel, depending on the setup, the Relay is clearly positioned as an enduro bike and not as a maximally playful trail bike and is therefore unlikely to be one of the lightest e-MTBs on the market. On the other hand, it is supposed to have the same take-off qualities as its non-motorised brother, the Patrol. Fazua's Ride60 drive provides relatively powerful propulsion for a light e-MTB. 60 Newton metres and 350 watts It provides continuous power, while the boost button increases the power to 450 watts for a short time. The Fazua battery with 430 watt hours can be removed from the front of the Transition in the classic way. The price and geometry of the bike from the US state of Washington are not yet known and the bike is not expected to be available to buy until spring 2023.
Forestal Siryon - exotic driving fun from Andorra
At the beginning of 2020, when the Levo SL had just been unveiled, the newly founded high-end forge Forestal from Andorra made a name for itself with a spectacular light enduro bike: The Siryon. Up to 60 Newton metres of torque in a compact drive, which Forestal developed in collaboration with Bafang, promised plenty of power for the climbs. Nevertheless, the e-bike was supposed to be light overall and fun to ride downhill. Such promises rarely materialise, but when we finally tested the first E-Fully after almost two years of waiting, we were thrilled. Manoeuvrable, quiet downhill and a strikingly successful chassis - There's hardly anything to complain about downhill. Unfortunately, the drive wasn't quite as quiet on the climbs and sucked the permanently installed 360 watt hour battery empty quite quickly. Nevertheless, when it comes to riding fun, the E-Enduro Forestal Siryon or its smaller brother, the Cyon trail bike, are hot tips for 2023.
Storck e:drenalin.2 SL - Hessian lightweight carbon construction at a fair price
The new Storck Light e-MTB has so far only been on show as a 3D print at Eurobike. However, the bike from the Hessian carbon specialist promises to be interesting: With 29-inch wheels and 150 millimetres of travel, it is aimed at the all-mountain category, and the down tube will house Fazua's Ride60 drive system with a permanently installed battery. With up to 350 watts of power and 60 Newton metres of torque the Storck should be able to climb even nasty ramps at high speed, the battery with 430 watt hours ensures a decent range, as we were able to determine in the first tests of the Fazua system. Typical for Storck: at 8000 euros, the entry-level model is not quite cheap, but you normally look in vain for real entry-level components even on the cheapest bikes from the Hessian company. The target weight of 16.5 kilograms sounds attractive.
BMC Fourstroke AMP LT - Swiss downcountry bike with TQ-Turbo
The Fourstroke is actually the race bike from the Swiss premium manufacturer BMC. Now BMC is following suit and adding a model with electric assistance to the Fourstroke family. However, the basis for this is not the classic 100-millimetre Fourstroke racer, but the LT model with a slightly more generous 120 millimetres of travel. The down tube of the AMP LT also features TQs HPR 50 electric motor, and it delivers up to 50 Newton metres of torque and 300 watts of power. This means that even an average touring rider should be able to push the power of a World Cup racer onto the chain, at least as long as the permanently installed Rechargeable battery with 360 watt hours still has juice. The BMC Fourstroke AMP LT weighs from 15.9 kilograms and is very light, but the top model is also correspondingly expensive. The sporty riding position, the short dropper post and the short suspension travel naturally limit the range of use somewhat.
BH Bikes iLynx Trail - Light All Mountain Bike from Spain
When it comes to light eMTBs, the Spaniards at BH Bikes go their own way. Although the 2EXMAG drive is based on Bafang technology, it is only used by BH Bikes. With up to 65 Newton metres the drive is quite powerful for a light e-MTB, and the BH iLynx Trail also has a rather large permanently installed battery with 540 watt hours. The range extender in the bottle cage gives you even more range - despite this, the iLynx is a genuine all-mountain bike that only weighs 16 kilograms according to the manufacturer. That seems very optimistic, but even with one or two kilograms more, the bike would still be light. We have already requested a test bike and will report back. The geometry of the BH iLynx Trail is rather short - good for manoeuvrable downhill handling, but there are perhaps better candidates for enduro riding. BH Bikes also recently introduced the aluminium model, so the iLynx is available from a fair €5099. However, this bike is supposed to be considerably heavier. For those who need less suspension travel and want a sportier riding position, can also opt for the cross-country version of the iLynx.
Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ - Austrian Light E-MTB with organic bike geometry
"As slim and manoeuvrable as an MTB without a motor" - many manufacturers use this slogan for their lightweight E-MTBs, and you could actually believe Simplon. The Vorarlberg-based company has not only modelled its lightweight e-MTB Rapcon Pmax TQ on the Rapcon without a motor, but has also directly adopted all the frame dimensions from the non-motorised bike. This means that the Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ not only has the TQ HPR50 drive with up to 300 watts of power and 50 Newton metresbut also a modern geometry of classic mountain bikes. The Chainstays grow with the frame sizes from a super-short 436 millimetres to up to 447 millimetres, the reach is long, the head angle is slack and the bottom bracket is low. The Rapcon Pmax TQ is optionally available as an all-mountain bike with 150 or as an E-Enduro with 170/165 millimetres of suspension travel and as a 29er or with a mullet wheel mix. The equipment can be customised in the Configurator adapt. The energy stores TQ's 360 watt-hour battery which is permanently installed in the down tube at Simplon. A range extender gives you more range. We have already requested a test bike and are looking forward to the first practical use of the TQ bike from Austria.
Nox Epium - Light E-MTB with frame "Made in Europe"
Bikes always come from the Far East? This is true for most manufacturers, including the industry giants. However, the small Zillertal-based manufacturer Nox is bucking the trend. The new Light E-MTB Epium uses classic MTB components, many of which also come from Asia: However, the carbon frame itself is produced in Portugal, while the bikes are painted and assembled in Bavaria and the Zillertal valley in Austria. The Nox Epium is available in an all-mountain version with 150 millimetres of suspension travel and 29-inch wheels and in an enduro version with 180 millimetres of suspension travel and a mullet wheel mix. The e-bike is powered by Fazuas Ride60 System. Maximum 60 Newton metres and 350 watts continuous power The Nox's battery can be removed from the front of the down tube in the classic way. Something special: The all-mountain bike in particular has 469 millimetres of extremely long chainstays. Good for climbing uphill, but not exactly conducive to playful handling. Due to the frame production in Europe, the first bikes will only start at 8599 euros, with the first bikes due to arrive at dealers in early 2023. Unusual: Anyone who wants to can also participate in the Nox project via crowdfunding and thus participate directly in the success or failure of the brand.
Thömus Lightrider E Ultimate - sporty minimalism
With Thömus' ultimate Lightrider, everything is trimmed for weight. The minimalist e-bike from the Swiss company has to make do with Maxon's Bikedrive Air. Although it only delivers a good 30 Newton metres and 250 watts at its peak, it also draws sparingly on the battery. Overall, Thömus relies on individual configuration to suit the user behaviour. If you invest a lot and only need cross-country equipment and the small battery with 250 watt hours, you should get a race e-bike with motor weighing less than 15 kilograms, according to the manufacturer. However, if you want more, you can also opt for a battery with 360 or 426 watt hours and upgrade the suspension travel from 120 millimetres to 140 millimetres at the rear with a 150 millimetre fork at the front, depending on your preference. This puts the Thömus somewhere between a motorised marathon file and a lightweight trail bike. The Lightrider is currently only available to buy in Switzerland; specific prices can be found in the configurator on the website.
Ghost Path Riot - Light E-MTB brushed for riot
In keeping with the name - Riot means riot or riot - Ghost's Light-E-MTB Path Riot is designed primarily for full throttle downhill riding despite its moderate suspension travel. The bike comes with factory-fitted tyre inserts and truly extreme geometry. A wheelbase of over 1300 millimetres in size L, an extremely slack head angle in combination with a Fox 38 with 160 millimetres of travel make the Ghost Path Riot a real downhill machine. Mini Enduro. Fazua's Ride 60 drive takes you uphill. Means: Up to 60 Newton metres of torque, up to 350 watts continuous power and 430 watt hours in Ghost's permanently installed battery. Boost mode even provides 450 watts of power for a short time, while a range extender provides more range. A light e-bike for all those who want to let it fly downhill even with less suspension travel.
Specialized Turbo Levo SL - The light veteran is still a handling tip
Admittedly: The Specialized Turbo Levo SL is no longer quite up to date. This is mainly due to the motor: The Specialised SL 1.1 with Mahle technology is quite loud, delivers only 240 watts and 35 Newton metres in the tip. Unfortunately, it is also equipped with the small and permanently installed 320 watt-hour battery not really lighter than the new motors from TQ or Fazua. No wonder, after all, the Levo SL was launched at the beginning of 2020 and the trend has developed at breakneck speed since then. The Specialized Levo itself is not least to blame for this. It may not have been the first light e-bike ever, but the consistency with which Specialized implemented the light concept is still impressive today and has inspired many other light e-MTBs. However, the weight and handling of the Turbo Levo SL are still groundbreaking. Especially those who value playful handling will still find it difficult to avoid the motorised Stumpjumper. Less playful, but blessed with great downhill qualities: The Specialised Kenevo SL. Although the drive is a little outdated, the chassis and geometry of Specialized's E-Enduro can convince downhill fans.
Willier Urta Hybrid - Cross Country E-MTB from Italy
There are now even a few options on the market for sporty cross-country e-MTBs. Trek's 2-in-1 bike E-Caliber started things off with a mini battery, iLynx Race bras is still relevant today with its powerful motor and great endurance. The BMC Fourstroke (above) and Scott's new Lumen (below) are along the same lines, but offer less engine power with TQ's HPR 50. If you want a cross-country bike that really packs a punch, the Urta Hybrid from Italian manufacturer Willier could be the perfect partner. The down tube houses Fazua's new Ride 60 with 60 Newton metres of torque and until 350 watts continuous power. On request there is even a short-term boost of 450 watts. The Fazua battery with 430 watt hours is permanently installed in the frame, For more range, there is a range extender that fits into the front of the two bottle cages. The geometry is clearly sporty, but a slack steering angle is intended to ensure a sufficiently smooth ride downhill even with limited suspension travel. Available in four versions from 7000 euros, the top model should weigh less than 16 kilograms.
Focus Jam² SL - a light e-bike for everyone?
The Focus Jam² already set the standard in 2016 The Stuttgart-based company opted for a flexible battery system with a permanently installed 378 Wh battery plus an optional range extender. Later, the Stuttgart-based company became quiet about the Light category. Until now: The Focus Jam² SL is a consistent trail bike with a full carbon frame, 160/150 millimetres of travel, 29er wheels and extensive geometry customisation. Like the first light bike from Focus, the new Jam² SL is also powered by a Fazua motor. Of course, the latest expansion stage, Fazua's Ride60, is now in the down tube and offers up to 60 Newton metres of torque and up to 350 watts of continuous power. The Battery with 430 watt hours can simply be removed from the front of the Focus down tube. This is important because Focus has dispensed with an external charging port for weight reasons. Despite the full carbon frame, the bike is available from 6199 euros and the geometry should also suit less experienced bikers, at least in the steep setting.
Rotwild R.X 375 - Light bike with full power and quick-change battery
The Hessian engineering company Rotwild likes to go its own way. While other manufacturers initially tried to copy Specialized's Levo SL, the Dieburg-based company presented a light bike with a completely different concept at the end of 2020: Full power from Shimano's classic EP8 e-bike drive is available on request. 85 Newton metres and 450 watts peak power shoot the red deer up the mountain faster than any other light e-bike. The small battery with 375 watt hours won't last very long, but it's enough for many laps around the house. What's more, the clever push-button system allows the battery to be changed in a matter of seconds if necessary. Nice to have a second battery at the ready. This means that the Rotwild works both as an e-bike with full power on short tours and as a classic light e-MTB for longer trips when the motor power is throttled by app. The disadvantage of the flexible design is the weight, as the large motor and the great battery removal add a few extra pounds to the scales. This makes it all the more surprising that Rotwild's top model, the R.X 375 Ultra, as shown above, only weighs 18.3 kilograms. But lightweight construction has always been a strength of the Dieburg-based luxury forge. Rotwild's 375 is now also available as an enduro bike (R.E 375) and as an extreme downhill bike (R.G 375). However, the latter, with its really extreme geometry, is only aimed at the most experienced riders.
Transalpes E1 - Lightweight exotic from Zurich
Can it be a little less? Although the Swiss bike manufacturer Transalpes has been building mountain bikes for over 15 years, few people are familiar with it. Their first Light-E-MTB, the E1 Trail (140 / 130 millimetres), impressed us when we tested it a year ago. The minimalist motor from Formula 1 supplier Maxon pushes with Maximum 245 watts and up to 35 Newton metres is rather discreet, but remains relatively quiet on the climbs, has hardly any idle travel when pedalling and only drains the battery sparingly. Transalpes therefore combines the drive with a permanently installed battery with only 250 watt hours. The trail bike ends up with real 16.4 kilograms in the EMTB measurement. Transalpes has now also presented an enduro version. The Transalpes E1 Enduro (above, 160/150 millimetres) is also really light and relies on the same motor and battery concept, but with a more downhill-oriented geometry. The biggest disadvantage: Due to the special freewheel design of the Maxon motor, the bike rattles noticeably downhill. The Transalpes E-MTBs are currently only available in Switzerland, and the equipment and colour can be customised by the exclusive bike manufacturer. The prices are correspondingly high: Starting at 8490 Swiss francs, our model above costs the equivalent of 13,620 euros.
Scott Lumen - really light, really sporty, really expensive
Scott's new Light E-MTB Lumen explores the extremes. At 15.5 kilograms for the top model, it is probably the lightest production E-MTB in the world, but with 130 millimetres of suspension travel, it offers a little more trail performance than classic down-country E-MTBs. The price is correspondingly extreme. At € 15,999, the Scott Lumen is also the most expensive production eMTB in the world. In return, you get a look that is confusingly similar to the Scott Spark race bike, super-lightweight wheels, which alone cost 4,500 euros on the aftermarket, and a pretty grown-up geometry. Last but not least, Scott sets technical accents with the shock hidden in the seat tube. The Lumen gets its thrust from the TQ HPR 50 e-bike motor, which Maximum torque of 50 Newton metres and up to 300 watts offers. The Battery with 360 watt hours is of course permanently installed for weight reasonsa Range extender with an additional 160 watt hours but can be inserted into the bottle cage. The good news: the entry-level model for 6999 euros costs less than half as much as the high-end racer. Still not a bargain, but at least it's much fairer and quite decently equipped at this price.
Pivot Shuttle SL - light exotic, maximum playfulness
Originally, Light E-MTBs set out to bring back the playful handling of their non-motorised comrades to bikes with motors. The Specialized Levo SL (above) set the standard here. Pivot realises the idea of playful handling even more consistently. With just 132 millimetres of rear suspension travel, the Pivot Shuttle SL is designed to be lively and sporty. Feedback-orientated and poppy, instead of fluffy and comfortable. In keeping with this, the chainstays are super short at 432 millimetres in sizes S and M and should make the Shuttle SL one of the most agile E-MTBs on the market. Fazua's Ride 60 is responsible for the propulsion, which at its peak 60 Newton metres and 350 watts continuous power is available. The Pivot's 430 watt-hour battery is permanently installed, The weight-orientated top model should only weigh 16.5 kilograms. For trail fans, however, the other Pivot models are more interesting, with grippier tyres and longer forks that are more forgiving of riding errors. There are four Shuttle models in total, and you will have to invest at least 8999 euros for the exclusive handling ace from the luxury forge from Arizona.
Trek Fuel EXe - Trail bike with whisper drive
This is supposed to be another e-bike? When we rolled the first Trek Fuel EXe through the editorial offices in July, our colleagues from the non-motorised BIKE magazine were quite astonished. No wonder, because the first e-MTB with the new TQ HPR 50 light drive from Ammersee really emphasises understatement to match the character of the motor. Sleek lines, no battery and no cooling fins to be seen and the motor is barely audible even at full throttle. And yet TQ's HPR 50 delivers 50 Newton metres and Up to 300 watts of power at the top - not much for an e-bike, but at least a little more than the loud SL 1.1 in Specialized's Levo SL. Trek has designed the bike itself as a trail bike with enduro DNA. The suspension travel is not generous, but if you take the Fuel EXe by the horns, you can still ride it pretty wildly. However, the American lightweight bike does not set a weight record and requires an active rider. Relaxed touring riders will find the geometry and progressive suspension less appealing. The Trek also demands commitment on the climbs - if you allow yourself to be pushed at full throttle over long distances, you will Rechargeable battery with 360 watt hours secondly, it can cause the engine to overheat even on medium gradients and with a medium rider weight. The result is reduced performance. On the other hand, the soundscape is good, the motor doesn't rattle even downhill and always starts up very directly. The price for the top model is high, but the entry-level models are much more attractive.
Haibike Lyke - slim, sporty, powerful
Haibike has always been the comfort and power brand. The Schweinfurt-based company built beastly e-bikes with an edgy look and then topped it all off with the Flyon models with their powerful TQ drive and a whopping 120 Newton metres. The new Haibike Lyke is in a completely different league and marks a real turning point in the brand's philosophy, but still remains typically Haibike. The sporty approach is new: with 60 Newton metres and 350 watts peak power the Fazua Ride 60 delivers only half as much power as the TQ in the Flyon models, but at 18.6 kilograms the bike is competitively light. And that's despite the fact that the battery can be removed from the down tube. The geometry of the Lyke is right up to date and more sporty than comfortable. And we were even more impressed by the riding characteristics. With first-class rear suspension and balanced handling, Haibike has succeeded in creating a real hit with the Lyke, which is also relatively affordable for a light E-MTB. Typical Haibike: the angular look, with the now slightly more discreet kink in the top tube. The CF SE model at the top comes in clear blue paint over the carbon - a real feast for the eyes. Innovative: Haibike installs the Fazua drive rotated, the motor extension disappears into the seat tube instead of the down tube. This ensures the slim silhouette. It starts at 6499 euros.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
