Storck e.drenalin.2 GTS 500 light e-MTB test: Light e-bike with Shimano power

At Eurobike 2022, Storck presented a bike with the Fazua Ride 60 lightweight drive unit, but the newcomer was not yet in series production. Without further ado, Markus Storck put his classic, already very light e-MTB on a diet. Big Shimano motor, 500 watt hours, slimmed-down 34 mm fork, Nobby Nic tyres. With this package, Storck has reduced the weight of the e.drenalin GTS. The result: 20.3 kilos, full motor power and 500 watt hours in the quickly replaceable battery. And all for a comparatively fair 8500 euros.

In terms of weight, there is even more room for improvement: There is a shock absorber with a reservoir in the rear, and the tyres use the more robust Supertrail carcass instead of genuine lightweight material. Less than 20 kilos would therefore easily be possible. Is such a bike perhaps the better lightweight E-MTB than a bike with a neutered motor and mini battery? An exciting question - and not entirely unjustified!

We threw the bike into the comparison test with the most exciting E-MTBs in the 2023 Light class. Including candidates with the (now production-ready) new drives Fazua Ride 60 and TQ HPR 50.

On the trail: how the Storck e.drenalin.2 GTS rides

On the trail, the e.drenalin.2 GTS from Storck impresses with a high level of riding comfort, if you can overlook the hard saddle. With a moderate riding style, the suspension also absorbs small bumps sensitively. The bike also feels super lively and light-footed, despite the slightly higher overall weight. Thanks to the very light wheels.

When handling the bike and accelerating, you get exactly the feeling that we love about lightweight e-MTBs. On tours and easy trails, the e.drenalin.2 GTS scores highly with this character. This is also where the relatively large battery with 500 watt hours really comes into its own. Longer tours are also possible. The battery is also easy to change, which is not the case with all e-MTBs in the light class. In our extensive range test, the Storck e.drenalin.2 GTS with the Shinano motor set the best mark among lightweight bikes.

Storck e.drenalin2 GTS 500: Overstretched on rough descents

On rougher descents, the e.drenalin is less in its element. This is where the radical diet takes its toll. The 140 mm fork with the thinner 24 mm tubes can't keep up with the more forgiving rear end and slows down the downhill euphoria. The shorter fork also changes the geometry, which has a negative impact on fast sections.

The same applies to the Nobby Nic with a hard rubber compound at the front, which offers less grip in comparison. These are compromises that the other Light candidates do not have to make. Almost without exception, they roll onto the trail with thicker forks, more suspension travel and grippier tyres - with a lower overall weight. The conservative geometry with a super-short wheelbase generates little riding stability. The other side of the coin: the bike remains pleasantly manoeuvrable.

The extra pounds Storck adds to the drivetrain come at the expense of downhill capabilities. We liked the classically designed e.drenalin.2 GTS much better on demanding descents. For serious trail ambitions, we would definitely accept the extra weight for a 150 mm fork and a grippier front tyre, because the chassis can do much more. Various options can be selected in Storck's online configurator - including a 630 battery.

However, the Storck scores highly in our comparison of lightweight e-bikes with its powerful motor and long chainstays on steep and demanding climbs. Climbing here is comparatively effortless. The front wheel gets enough pressure and guides the bike confidently uphill, even when it gets really steep. The limiting factor is the gear ratio, which is far too high. The large 38 mm chainring is particularly unsuitable for use in the mountains with reduced power, i.e. in Eco mode.

Too bad: the noise development. The bike is loud. Both uphill and downhill, the EP8 sounds more intrusive than the Rotwild R.X 375, which we also tested in our comparison of light eMTBs. The battery in the down tube also rattles on big hits. And visually, the Storck is significantly more bulky than the light specialists.

Storck e.drenalin.2 GTS - the choice of size

Caution is advised when choosing the size of the e.drenalin.2 GTS. This is because the bike is only available in three frame sizes: S, M and L - which are quite different. In our comparison test, the bike was the only one in size M. We know from experience that the L frame is very large compared to most other bikes in Large and almost passes for an XL. Our test bike in medium (reach 465 millimetres!) was one of the smaller ones in comparison, but in no way fell out of line with the L-bikes. We recommend a detailed test ride before buying, as your usual size may lead to the wrong result with this bike.

Pros and cons - the bike in detail in the picture gallery

Conclusion on the Storck e.drenalin.2 GTS 500 in the EMTB test

The Storck e.drenalin GTS with a powerful Shimano motor scores as a comfortable and lively tourer with plenty of range and a removable battery. Disadvantages of the diet: The 140-millimetre fork and moderately grippy tyres slow down the downhill performance.

Technical data and notes Storck e.drenalin.2 GTS 500

Manufacturer information

• Price: 8499 Euro
• Sizes / frame material: S / M (tested size) / L / Carbon

Measured values²

• Reach altitude¹: 1583 (+0)hm
• Weight²: 20.3 kg
• Average speed: 13.2 km/h
• Centre of gravity height: 535 mm
• Handlebar width: 800 mm
• Crank length / Q-factor: 165 mm / 178 mm
• Ground clearance⁴: 503 mm

Equipment

• Motor: Shimano EP8
• Max. Torque³: 85 Nm
• Battery³ / weight² / price Replacement battery: Shimano, 504 Wh / 3304 g / approx. 600 Euro
• Gear system: Shimano XT (12-speed)
• Translation (v. / h.): 38; 10 - 45
• Display: Shimano SC-EM800
• Permissible total weight³: 120 kg
• Fork / shock: Fox 34 Factory Grip2 / DPX2 Performance
• Front/rear suspension travel: 140 / 150 mm
• Telescopic post: KS LEV Carbon, 150 mm
• Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear): Shimano XT 8120 / 203 mm / 180 mm
• Wheels: DT Swiss HXC 1200 Carbon 30
• Tyres (front / rear): Schwalbe Nobby Nic Supertrail Speedgrip, 29 x 2.4''

EMTB test rating⁵: 7.9 points - good

¹ The values were determined during standardised rides on an asphalt climb with an average gradient of 8.4 percent. Rider pedalling power 175 watts, rider weight incl. equipment 90 kg. The assistance level was adjusted for this comparison test so that all bikes travelled at approximately the same speed, see average speed in brackets. The motor output was around 250 watts. The altitude metres in brackets are in significantly reduced emergency mode. All details about our range test can be found here in the link!

² Determined on the test benches in the EMTB test laboratory, weight without pedals. Battery weight incl. screwed-on cover where applicable.

³ Manufacturer's specification

⁴ Step test, measured with 36 centimetre raised rear wheel

⁵ The judgement reflects the subjective impression of the testers and the results of the reach measurement and laboratory tests. The EMTB judgement is independent of price. EMTB judgements: super (from 9.0), very good (from 8.0), good (from 7.0), satisfactory (from 6.0), with weaknesses (from 5.0), below insufficient.