Buying an electric mountain bike isn’t just about getting a machine that runs a few hundred miles at a time. Rather, it’s about finding the most powerful one for your needs.
Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp
Whether you want to ride an electric bike with pedal-assist or without, the Turbo Levo SL is a genre-blending machine that can help you tackle larger rides. It’s also a good way to practice technical riding skills.
The Turbo Levo SL is a mid-motor electric mountain bike, falling between the more traditional trail bikes and full-powered e-bikes. It’s a good choice for riding with friends, or even for learning to navigate technical climbs. It’s not as powerful as some of the other mid-motor e-bikes on the market, but it has impressive agility and balance.
The Turbo Levo SL has a smaller battery than the regular Levo, which is a plus. It’s also a bit lighter, which makes it easier to maneuver. However, the smaller battery means that it needs to be charged frequently. It’s also a good idea to use a range extender battery, which adds another 160Wh of power, increasing total battery life by 50%. The battery fits into a bottle cage and connects to the bike’s internal battery charge port. It costs $450.
Its pedal-assist is 150mm, which is half of what you’ll find on most other e-bikes in the 50-pound range. This keeps the bike light, but also means that it retains a familiar feel.
Specialized’s e-bike department is renowned for innovating. They’ve made some great changes with the Levo SL. For example, the handlebar-mounted shifter is low profile and has good ergonomics. It also has a walk mode button, which gives the rider the ability to change gears without pedaling.
Yeti 160E C1 SLX
eBike Yeti 160E C1 SLX electric mountain bike has an integrated battery and suspension system, a Shimano EP8 motor, and a 29-inch wheel. It is designed to be competitive at the highest level of eMTB races.
The 160E is built around a high-performance carbon frame that incorporates the Sixfinity suspension system. This six-bar linkage design is similar to the Horst link system. It allows riders to adjust the suspension in three different ways.
The Sixfinity suspension system is designed to be active, meaning it is capable of changing direction while the bike is loaded. This can be important for eMTBers who need to make quick line changes. A supple suspension can also make it easier to catch air on the trail, which helps it to swoop over obstacles.
It is built around a TURQ-series carbon fibre frame, which features sealed enduro max pivot bearings and internally tunneled cable routing. The frame also features 148mm x 12mm BOOST dropouts.
Yeti 160E features a Shimano EP8 motor, which has a peak torque of 85Nm. It is also capable of being customized through the Shimano E-Tube Project app. It has Bluetooth technology, which allows users to update the motor’s firmware.
The 160E is built with a 78 degree seat angle and a 446mm chainstay. It also features a long insertion depth in the seat tube. The seat tube is long enough for riders to make use of a dropper post.
Specialized Kenevo
Designed for expert riders, the Kenevo is built on the Specialized Levo platform and offers full suspension, a motor and battery. Featuring a raked-out geometry and a 29in wheel, the Kenevo SL has a low center of gravity and plenty of power to help you climb and pedal. The bike comes in four frame sizes, allowing riders of different heights to find a bike that fits them. The bike’s 320Wh battery offers 4.5 hours of riding time.
The Kenevo SL’s full monocoque carbon frame is optimized for weight savings and handling. The bike features an axle path that soaks up impacts, reducing vibration and ensuring a smooth ride. It also has a low centre of gravity and plenty of chainstay protection. The frame also uses Boost 148x12mm hub spacing and features SRAM UDH dropouts.
The Kenevo SL’s motor has been upgraded with new firmware. This has improved power delivery during technical climbs and given more control. The motor also has improved heat management and has a dual freewheel design.
The Kenevo SL’s 320Wh battery offers a 4.5 hour ride time. The bike weighs just over three pounds. The Kenevo SL’s motor delivers 35Nm of torque. The bike is available in both S-Works and Expert models.
The Kenevo SL comes with T9 front and T7 rear tyres. The Kenevo SL’s narrower tyres allow for more precise contact patch, reducing vagueness through hardpacked berms.
Trek Rail
Designed with Trek’s innovative frame technologies, the Rail is a heavy-hitting eMTB that’s equally capable on climbs and descents. This is a good fit for riders looking to cover more ground in less time.
The Rail 9.7 boasts a 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. This battery has a long battery life and can handle the roughest of fireroads. The battery can be fully charged in less than 5 hours.
The Performance Line CX motor is small, but it still packs a punch. The motor produces 250 watts of power and 85 Nm of torque. It responds to pedal pressure almost instantly. It’s also the only eMTB motor to offer four output levels. The highest setting feels livelier and offers fewer pedal strikes while climbing.
The Performance Line CX’s motor also includes finely tuned sensors to help it deliver the best performance. This includes cadence and torque sensors, along with a motor control unit.
The Fuel EXe is another mid-level assist electric mountain bike. It has a 150mm-travel fork. It also has a lightweight, removable battery. It has a similar head tube angle to the Rail, but the Fuel EXe is 34 percent lighter.
It also features Trek’s flippable Mino Link connector that allows riders to change the head tube angle by half a degree. The Fuel EXe also features Trek’s AirWiz digital pressure monitor. The Fuel EXe also features 140mm of suspension travel at the rear.
Shimano STEPS EP8
Compared to the previous generation, the Shimano STEPS EP8 motor delivers a smooth power fade and more torque. It is also more compact, quieter, and has a new Trail mode for hike-a-bike sections.
The STEPS EP8 motor offers a maximum torque output of 85Nm. This torque figure is 21 percent more than the previous model. Its new Trail mode gives riders more power when they need it most. It also has a faster motor start-up and better engagement.
The Shimano EP8 motor is not only quieter, it is also much more efficient than its predecessor. It has 36 percent less drag, making it more efficient and smooth. It also has a new, improved torque curve and higher heat-sync surface area.
The EP8 motor is also more compact and has better ground clearance. Its short crank arms should allow it to be more effective when climbing technical climbs. It is also designed for longer range.
The STEPS EP8 motor system includes the SW-EM800-L assist switch. It has an ergonomic profile and easier operation without gloves.
The EP8 motor is also equipped with a walk mode. This is a feature that helps the bike push itself at speeds of up to 2 and a half miles per hour.
The E8000 display has also been upgraded. It offers a more capable chip set, and has the ability to display two custom ride profiles. It is also compatible with third-party computers.
Aventon Aventure
Whether you are looking to ride on dirt trails or on smooth gravel paths, the Aventon Aventure e-bike is a great choice. With its powerful motor and fat tires, the Aventure has the power to go almost anywhere.
With a 750W motor, the Aventure reaches a top speed of 20 mph. The Aventure is equipped with five pedal assist settings that allow riders to choose their ideal speed.
When riding, the Aventure is stable and comfortable. The bike feels well built, and its suspension fork has an 80 millimeter travel. It also comes with integrated rear and front lights. Unlike most e-bikes, the Aventure is designed to be an all-around bike.
The Aventon Aventure has an integrated battery that is removable. The battery is said to be good for 45 miles, but mileage will vary depending on the rider’s weight and the number of hills they ride.
The battery port is covered with a large rubber cap that keeps water and dust out. The battery is said to take about four to five hours to charge.
The Aventure comes with an integrated USB port that allows you to plug in your phone. It also has a companion app that syncs with the bike. The app allows you to record your rides and track your performance. It also informs you of your total calories burned and how much CO2 you have avoided.
The Aventon Aventure has a range of 27 miles with throttle only. However, the battery will lose charge more quickly when temperatures are lower.
