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Not all light eMTBs are the same. As with classic bikes, there are also e-minimalists with different suspension travel and areas of use. Which category is right for you?
Our favourites in the Down Country category
Suspension travel up to 130 mm | Weight from approx. 15.5 kilos
In this category, everything is subordinated to lightweight construction. Instead of wild terrain, maximum efficiency and massive propulsion are on the agenda here. E-bikes could hardly be more minimalist.
If you are looking for the very lightest e-MTB, this category is hard to ignore. This is because the moderate range of use means that even slimmed-down components make sense on light e-bikes in the down-country category. Tyres, brakes, suspension elements, add-on parts - lightweight construction takes precedence over robustness and comfort everywhere. These speedsters particularly shine on sporty, flat rides, some of which can be ridden without motor power and above the 25 km/h limit. This is where these lively bikes really come into their own. In this mode, really long tours are also possible - despite small batteries. The target group is sporty and fit riders who want to pedal hard even with e-assistance. Extreme terrain and riding comfort take a back seat.
Top tip category Down Country: Scott Lumen eRide 900 SL
No shock, no motor - at first glance, the Scott Lumen eRide looks confusingly similar to the non-motorised Scott Genius. Thanks to the super-compact TQ HPR 50, the Swiss are able to transfer their defining concept with integrated shock almost one-to-one to the e-MTB. But it's not just the looks that stand out. With the Lumen, Scott has redefined the category of lightweight down-country
E-MTBs. The natural ride feel is inspiring, the handling is fun and the background noise is really pleasant.
Red Deer R.X 275
Maximum reduction is the concept of the R.X 275. Like no other bike, this E-MTB is designed to be ridden over long distances without motor boost. A special feature of this lightweight bike is a boost button that can be used to activate maximum power for a short time. This situational boost is intended to give the ride a special dynamic. For example, when accelerating out of bends or pushing off short ramps. There is no classic lever for the U-levels; instead, the rider should have a very subtle basic level of support. This should make long rides possible even with the small 250 cc battery. There is also the option of a range extender.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 15.6 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 130 / 120 mm
- PRICE: from 9499 Euro
Thömus Lightrider E Ultimate
The Swiss brand Thömus has a particularly lightweight e-MTB in its programme. The Lightrider E Ultimate is said to weigh just 14.6 kilos in its top configuration. Customers can tune the components and the bike's alignment to their personal preferences in the online configurator. The platform provides 120 to 140 millimetres of travel. The slim full carbon frame houses a battery with either 250 or 350 watt hours - in both cases permanently installed. The Swiss Bikedrive Air drive from Maxxon provides the thrust. This works very discreetly and naturally - a sporty tool for motivated bikers. The Thömus particularly appeals to fans of sporty marathon and CC bikes.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 14.6 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 120 mm
- PRICE: from approx. 6300 Euro
KTM Macina Scarp SX
At 140 millimetres, the new Macina Scarp SX from KTM strictly speaking overshoots the down-country category. However, a racy riding position, lightweight CC tyres and race equipment clearly show its strengths in this segment. The top model Exonic costs 11099 euros - but is said to weigh only 16.5 kilos. And that with an easily removable Bosch CompactTube 400 battery. As known from other KTM e-MTBs, the battery can be easily lifted out of the down tube. The KTM Macina Scarp SX is also prepared for the use of the Bosch additional battery (250 Wh). The SX motor from Bosch makes the Scarp the most powerful light bike in the DC category.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 16.5 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 140 mm
- PRICE: from 6299 Euro
Our favourites in the Trail / All Mountain category
Trail / All Mountain
Suspension travel 140 -160 mm | Weight from 17.5 kilos
The best of all worlds: Light e-bikes in the trail and AM category are real all-rounders. Trails? Yes. Long tours? Gladly. The bikes' capabilities and range of use are broad.
The vast majority of e-mountainbikes are in the trail and all-mountain class. And rightly so, as these bikes appeal to a very broad target group with their range of use. Whether longer off-road tours or lively trail laps: This is where the candidates in this category come up trumps. With good weights and moderate geometries, the minimal diet is particularly noticeable on the trail. These bikes are more light-footed compared to the rough light enduro bikes. Nevertheless, they offer reserves for serious trail excursions. With moderate equipment, these bikes are also easy to pedal without motor power. Depending on the design and motor system, the class is very broad: from minimalists to lightweight power e-bikes, various approaches are represented.
Top tip in the trail category: Specialised S-Works Levo SL
The first Levo SL completely revolutionised the bike world. However, the competition has really caught up since then. The new bike therefore comes at exactly the right time and addresses some of the key weaknesses of its predecessor. The new version of the Levo SL is more extreme, but also better in almost every respect. Not a bike for everyone, but the trendiest, lightest-footed and most playful trail eMTB on the market.
Haibike Lyke
The Lyke from Haibike was the first E-MTB with Fazua's new Ride 60 and it was a real hit: the handling is not ultimately playful with rather longer chainstays (450 mm), but it is very balanced and predictable. The low weight makes the bike lively and the well-designed rear triangle absorbs even big hits with ease. It's easy to take a detour on rough trails. With its removable battery and pleasant background noise, it's one of our favourites in the light segment, especially if you're looking for something more balanced and suitable for touring. Unfortunately, Haibike has also realised this and raised the price of the Lyke considerably at the beginning of 2023.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 18.6 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 140 mm
- PRICE: from 6999 Euro
Trek Fuel Exe
Do you want it to be elegant and sporty, look and feel as little like an e-bike as possible? The Fuel EXe is the perfect candidate for this. The TQ motor is extremely small and mostly inaudible, the bike can hardly be distinguished from the classic Fuel EX. The riding characteristics are also excellent. The Fuel EXe has a very defined chassis, the handling is emphatically precise and is very close to a bike without a motor. Although the Trek is also fun on tours, only fast riders with good riding technique can utilise the full potential of the bike. It is now also available with an aluminium frame (20.5 kg), for the carbon model you have to invest from 6999 euros.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: 18.8 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 150 / 140 mm
- PRICE: from 5499 Euro
Focus Jam² SL
The Focus scores a lot of plus points from the facts alone. A favourable entry-level price for a bike with a full carbon frame, low weight and the proven Fazua drive. The battery folds forwards out of the down tube in the classic way. This is user-friendly and a rarity among light e-MTBs. Thanks to the extensive geometry adjustment, the Focus can be trimmed in two directions: either as a handy trail bike or as a smooth-running mini-enduro. In the latter case, however, the rather stiff rear triangle limits the speed rush. Nevertheless: very versatile and fun with an almost unbeatable price-performance ratio.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 17.9 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 160 / 150 mm
- PRICE: from 6199 Euro >> available here
Bulls Sonic Evo AM SX
Lively, fast trail tours and a lot of engine power from time to time? The Bulls is the right candidate for this. The Bosch motor delivers full e-power for a short time when sprinting, and the bike combines a relatively low weight with uncomplicated battery removal to the side. The AM SX is perhaps not the best candidate for difficult terrain, with a rather steep 65.5 steering angle, compact wheelbase and super-low bottom bracket, it is more suitable as a manoeuvrable cornering machine. Commuters will be pleased with everyday features such as the Monkey Link interface, integrated rear lights and the key-secured battery. The price is fair for full carbon fibre.
- WHEEL SIZE. 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 18.4 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 140 / 130 mm
- PRICE: from 5999 Euro
Orbea Rise
Perhaps the best-selling light bike to date is still a hot tip. Especially when it needs to be very light or inexpensive. Since this year, Orbea has been using the latest motors from Shimano, and you now always have the choice between the large and the small battery. Upgrades to the parts can also be booked in Orbea's configurator. The riding characteristics are tried and tested: The Rise is confident, manoeuvrable and uncomplicated, albeit not an enduro machine. With lightweight equipment, the Rise scratches the 16-kilo mark. But even with trail parts, the Rise is still available under 18 kilos (360 battery). The aluminium bikes with a large battery come in at a good 20 kilograms.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 15.95 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 140 mm
- PRICE: from 5299 Euro >> available here
Mondraker Neat
The new Neat from Mondraker straddles the line between all-mountain and enduro. The long geometry with a 495 reach in size L and rather long chainstays is typical of the Spanish brand. This has a balanced effect and gives the Neat a lot of confidence downhill. The newly designed rear triangle is a real gem: super sensitive and yet with plenty of downhill support. The quiet and compact motor stays pleasantly in the background, and the range extender and bottle fit into the bike for long tours, even with the M-frame. Despite the complex rear triangle and removable battery, the Mondraker is quite light, but there is no affordable entry-level model.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 18.05 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 160 / 150 mm
- PRICE: from 7999 Euro
Our favourites in the Enduro category
Suspension travel from 160 mm | weight from 18.5 kilos
Extreme downhill power without the excess weight of classic e-enduro bikes: this is how light enduro bikes aim to win over gravity bikers. The electric motor offers relaxed climbs and a plus in metres of depth.
Modern enduro mountain bikes easily weigh over 15 kilos. With puncture-proof tyres and sticky rubber, these bikes are a pain on long rides. If you're not extremely fit and don't have a lift behind your house, you'll have to end your after-work ride far too early - otherwise you'll run out of oxygen. And this is exactly where light enduro bikes come up trumps. The minimalist motors easily compensate for the excess weight and fat tyres. So you can ride uphill like on a cross-country race bike and enjoy the reserves of a real super enduro bike downhill. The trails are not only more fun - there are also more trails per ride. Cardio training with a full focus on fun and challenging descents - isn't that every enduro rider's dream?
Top tip category Enduro: Forestal Siryon Neon
The small brand Forestal has set itself an ambitious goal. With their Light-E-
MTBs - and the brand from Andorra builds nothing else - they want to be the Tesla of e-mountainbikes. And the carbon speedsters with the eye-catching rear swing arm are definitely something special: top suspension, top handling, good power. However, motor performance, efficiency and software are rather mediocre. Super quiet downhill!
Simplon Rapcon TQ EN
The silhouette of the Rapcon Pmax TQ is record-breakingly slim. Is this really an E-Enduro? And the bike rides just as inconspicuously as it looks. This is made possible by the whisper-quiet motor from TQ with its very natural thrust. Enduro riders who are not looking for a full throttle shuttle but rather a light tailwind for the uphills will be particularly impressed. Downhill, the Rapcon scores points with its really fluffy and high-traction chassis. On top of this comes a super modern enduro geometry. And all this in a classy full carbon chassis and with really solid gravity tyres ex works. Attention: fixed battery, but there is an optional range extender.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 19.4 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 170 / 165 mm
- PRICE: from 8999 Euro
Ghost Path Riot
With 140 millimetres of rear travel, the Ghost Path Riot nominally has no place in the enduro category. However, the company from Waldsassen have brushed their carbon racer with Fazua drive to such an extent that it definitely appeals to action-hungry enduro riders. A Fox 38 with 160 mm of travel provides plenty of grip, and the ultra-modern geometry with a very slack 63.5 steering angle and low bottom bracket also screams for stunts and hard descents. Maxxis tyres with sticky MaxxGrip rubber sit on the rims at the front and rear. If you're not fully committed to descending with this bullet, you've picked the wrong bike. The Ride 60 has a lot of power by light standards.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: 19.8 kilos (full party)
- SPRING TRAVEL: 160 / 140 mm
- PRICE: from 7500 Euro >> available here
Conway Ryvon LT
The Ryvon is the first light eMTB from Conway. Bosch's SX motor provides a lively boost, making the bike one of the more powerful candidates in the light category. The full carbon frame has a 400 battery that can be removed at the touch of a button, perfect for extending the trail session with a second battery. To save weight, the Ryvon does without a charging port. The lightest LT model is said to weigh just 19.2 kilos. The package includes 170 millimetres of suspension travel, solid equipment and sporty geometry. Two models are available for 7000 and 10300 euros respectively. The bike is also available in a lighter short-travel version (ST) from 17.6 kilos and from 6500 euros.
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 / 27.5 inch
- WEIGHT: from 19.2 kilos
- SPRING TRAVEL: 170 mm
- PRICE: from 7000 Euro
The exotic among the light e-mountainbikes
Fancy something special? Three lightweight e-mountainbikes with a slightly different approach - definitely not ordinary!
Nicolai Saturn 14 Swift
Bosch Performance SX motor, Compact Tube 400 that can be removed from the down tube - that's how far the Nicolai Saturn 14 Swift inconspicuously joins the ranks of the new Bosch bikes. The aluminium frame with its characteristic welded seams, however, is a real eye-catcher. Welded and painted in Germany. There are two versions. The Saturn 11 has a slim 105 millimetre stroke at the rear, while the 14 has 130 to 140 millimetres. Customisation is also anything but standard.
- SPRING TRAVEL: 140/130 mm
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 14 kilos
- PRICE: on request
Transalpes tuned by Stoll
Three Swiss manufacturers are working together on this project. The minimalist Bikedrive Air motor comes from Maxon, the lightweight full carbon frame from Transalpes, and Stoll takes care of the fine-tuning of the equipment. The bike should be available from 14 kilos. However, all the stops have to be pulled out for this, which should not only put a dent in your wallet, but also in your handling qualities on the trail. However, the emaciated Swiss gem is definitely an eye-catcher.
- SPRING TRAVEL: up to 150/140 mm
- WHEEL SIZE: 29 inch
- WEIGHT: from 16.5 kilos
- PRICE: from 9000 Euro
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite
The Giant brand is not exactly exotic. But the approach of the Taiwanese company's light e-MTB is special. The Syncdrive motor delivers full e-bike power with 85 Newton metres. And that with a bike weight of less than 20 kilos. To ensure that the permanently installed 400 Wh battery is not drained too quickly, the support levels can be adjusted in various parameters via the app. The riding experience of the bike is lively and sporty. It is fun to ride on the trails, cornering willingly, with a lively and precise ride. With full motor thrust, real e-bike uphills are also possible.
- SPRING TRAVEL: 150/140 mm
- WHEEL SIZE: 29/27.5 inch
- WEIGHT: from 19.5 kilos
- PRICE: from 6799 Euro
Which light category suits me? What the professionals say
Karen Eller, mountain bike pro
Want to go for a quick ride in the evening and still cover a few metres in altitude, but also be able to easily lift the bike over a fence or onto the rear rack? An e-MTB as light as possible like the Lumen is simply ideal. It also pedals well without a motor and the suspension travel is more than enough for moderate trails and low mountain ranges. On the Reschen or in Finale, I then rely on a classic enduro bike.
Steffi Marth, mountain bike pro
All-mountain bikes are often ridiculed. They say they can do everything, but nothing right. I think that's wrong. Especially with a light drive like the Fuel EXe, these bikes are the perfect adventurers and are fun everywhere. On flat trails as well as on real enduro trails, provided you have the necessary riding technique. The best option for many bikers.
Tobias Ziganek, EMTB photo rider
For my favourite trails, a modern enduro bike with plenty of suspension travel is the right choice. The problem: with their high weight and poorly rolling tyres, these bikes are only fun downhill. However, full-power e-bikes were never an alternative for me. They are simply too sluggish for a playful downhill riding style. The Light Enduro is the ideal compromise and the best of both worlds.
