What makes you tick?
You guys are unbelievable! Once again this year, your response has blown us away – nearly 17,000 riders from 88 countries took part, spending an average of 23 minutes and 17 seconds answering our questions. And all that without the lure of a buffet or free beer! Sure, the grand prize-draw might have sweetened the deal, but we hope you also saw the bigger picture: the chance to actively shape the future of the e-mountain bike scene.
Because your answers don’t just vanish into a drawer – they’re our guiding compass through the thick jungle of the bike world. They help decide which bikes we test, shape our editorial planning, and even spark the wildest new ideas. And it’s not just us paying close attention: the brands are just interested in the results as you are to new geometry charts. To them, you set the benchmark. In other words, every box you ticked helps shape the bikes of tomorrow. That’s some serious influence – don’t you agree?
This year, things got especially interesting thanks to a twist in the timeline. From May to August 2024, over 14,500 of you took part in our main reader survey – a brilliant turnout right from the get-go. But then came the plot twist every good story needs: just as we were knee-deep in the analysis, DJI dropped their new benchmark motor – and suddenly, everything shifted! At the same time, fast-charging started gaining serious traction across the scene. So what did we do? We did another round. A second trend survey in spring 2025 brought in almost 2,400 more responses, letting us capture these developments in real time. With this up-to-the-minute data in hand, we’re now perfectly prepped for the deep dive.
Unless otherwise stated, the figures below come from our most recent 2025 trend survey. Where things get particularly interesting, we’ve added insights and comparisons from the bigger 2024 eMTB reader survey to give you the full picture. GAS refers to the German-speaking markets (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) in the following charts, while INT stands for responses from our international readers.
Who are you lot, anyway?
Among the blokes, it’s business as usual: Michael is still holding firm at the top – no surprises there, but impressive consistency all the same. Things got more exciting on the girls’ side, though: for the first time ever, Andrea has overtaken Sabine! That said, in the spirit of fairness, we should point out that women made up just 2.3 % of participants this time – well below the usual 5 % average. So maybe a few Sabines simply missed the second round. Sabine, if you’re reading this – we’re counting on you next time!
A worrying trend, at least from a market perspective, is the number of newcomers to the eMTB world, which is clearly on the decline. Back in 2022, 17 % of respondents identified themselves as first-time e-mountain bikers. In 2024, that figure dropped to 12 % – and in 2025, it’s fallen even further to just 6.6 % (across the GAS region and internationally).
Should we start panicking? Not necessarily. The post-Covid boom was bound to slow down eventually. But it might also point to a bigger issue: are brands and media missing the mark when it comes to reaching new audiences and getting “non-bikers” excited about the sport?
We’ll be digging into that question in our feature on the E-MOUNTAINBIKE Think Tank 2025 – stay tuned!
What’s in your garage – now and in the future?
Question: Which brands are you currently riding?
Not much has changed at the front of the pack by 2025 – the race is steady, with no major shake-ups. But behind the leading duet made up by CUBE and Specialized, a quiet contender has been making serious progress: Orbea. The Basque bike manufacturer has been steadily climbing the ranks since 2022 and is now clearly in podium contention.
Things are looking less rosy for Haibike. Over the same period of time, the German brand has lost around ten percentage points. Whether that’s down to the product itself, public perception, or growing competition is hard to pin down. But right now, it feels more like a breather at the feed zone than a proper push for the leader’s jersey.
Question: Which brand would you choose for your next bike?
This question provided more than a few surprises – proper popcorn material! First up, Orbea’s upward trend gets solid confirmation. The Spanish brand clearly has its finger on the pulse right now, nailing everything from product development to communication. Vamos, indeed!
But the real shocker? A brand no one had even heard of a year ago has stormed onto the scene. Thanks to the game-changing DJI Avinox drive system – which, by the way, secured Best in Test in our big motor comparison test – Chinese newcomer AMFLOW has rocketed straight to third place. And that’s with just one model on the market at the time of the survey. A bold move – and a seriously impressive one.
Question: Which motor brand are you currently riding?
The results paint a clear picture: Bosch have firmly cemented their position as the undisputed number one, powering almost 50 % of your bikes – an outright show of dominance.
Shimano hold steady at 17,8 %, while Specialized have doubled their share to 10 % – a strong sign that many of you are clearly happy with your Turbo bikes. It also suggests the early teething issues with the Brose belt drive are now largely under control. Of course, this figure also includes the lightweight Specialized SL motors built on Mahle systems.
Brose took a hit, slipping from 12.6 % down to 9 %. It’s hard to say, though, whether some respondents may have chosen Brose or Specialized interchangeably – after all, Specialized’s Full Power motors are built on Brose hardware. Yamaha, meanwhile, have dropped off even more sharply, sliding from over 11 % in 2022 to just 3 % now – a dramatic fall from grace. Once considered a major player, the Japanese brand has been conspicuously quiet in recent years. Whether they can stage a comeback remains to be seen.
Things get interesting at the lower end of the scale, too: brands like TQ, GIANT and DJI are currently hovering in the 1–2 % range. But it’s a safe bet that DJI’s share will look very different in the next survey. The big question is – whose slice of the pie will they bite into? How will market leader Bosch respond to the high-flying newcomers from the drone world? And what effect will the upcoming e-bike motor regulation – which restricts the peak power to a maximum of 750 watts – have on the landscape? In our view, DJI’s standout feature isn’t just the headline-grabbing power figures. It’s the smart usability and sleek integration that really set them apart – suddenly making it possible to build bikes that rival light eMTBs in weight and looks.
Question: Which motor brand are you most likely to ride next?
Gazing into the crystal ball is well worth it – because what we’re already seeing with AMFLOW on the bike front is mirrored in the motor game. Out of nowhere, a new name has shot to the top of many riders’ wish lists: DJI. And it’s not just a quiet buzz. In our trend survey, the chinese “newcomer” rocketed straight to 20 % in the GAS region – and even hit 24 % internationally. Bear in mind: at the time of the survey, there was exactly one bike on the market with a DJI motor – the AMFLOW.
But while DJI are making waves on the horizon, the throne at the top of the wishlist remains firmly occupied – and more solid than ever – by Bosch. Compared to the 2022 reader survey (42.7 %), Bosch managed to boost their share in the 2025 trend survey by almost 4 percentage points, hitting a commanding 49 %. That’s not just a strong showing – it’s a clear message to the competition, too: the Germans aren’t just delivering; they’re still the brand riders want.
Shimano, on the other hand, have seen a sharp decline, dropping from 11.9 % in 2022 to under 6 % in 2025. Yamaha slipped even further, falling from 5.8 % into near-total obscurity. And FAZUA, which still held 2.2 % in 2022, are no longer among the hot contenders for riders’ next dream setup.
Pinion, meanwhile, pulled off an impressive debut. Not even on the radar in 2022, their motor-gearbox unit (MGU) has stormed straight to a strong third place – a clear sign that integrated drive solutions are becoming increasingly relevant. Specialized also made solid progress, rising from 2.6 % in 2022 to somewhere between 4 % (GAS) and 3.1 % (INT) in 2025. TQ, too, managed to edge up, climbing from 1.6 % to between 3.6% (GAS) and 2.4% (INT) – a modest growth, but growth nonetheless.
What’s your take on light eMTBs?
Question: Are light eMTBs an option for you?
For around two-thirds of you, the answer is a clear “nope” – no interest. And fair enough. The latest generation of eMTBs – take AMFLOW, UNNO, Forbidden, and even lighter setups like the Orbea Rise – are hardly heavyweights anymore. These bikes are versatile all-rounders that manage to keep their weight impressively low.
The remaining third see things differently – they love to keep it light. This group rarely cranks the motor to full blast in the first place. Instead, they appreciate more laid-back setups and don’t mind putting in a bit more legwork. Fair enough, too – it’s a different kind of ride, and one that clearly has its appeal.
What makes a motor stand out from the crowd?
Question: Which motor brand do you find the most innovative?
GAS:
INT:
No real shocker here: DJI walk away with the innovation crown – and rightly so, given their spectacular entry into the eMTB world. Internationally, they claimed nearly half of all votes, which says a lot about the impression they’ve made in such a short time. More surprising, though, is how closely Bosch are trailing – at least in the GAS region. Clearly, it pays off that they’re not just evolving their hardware but continuing to refine the full package, catering to a wide range of rider types. Add to that their proven track record for reliability and service, and it’s easy to see why many still view them as an innovative force. Because let’s face it – innovation isn’t just about flashy new features. It’s also about long-term product quality and support. And maybe there’s a touch of local pride at play, too: riders want progress, sure – but ideally with that hallmark Swabian precision.
Pinion have secured a respectable third place thanks to their innovative motor-gearbox unit (MGU) – and not just on home turf in the GAS region, but with even stronger momentum internationally. It seems the once niche group of gearbox believers is growing fast and heading toward the mainstream. While no motor-gearbox combo has yet matched the shifting performance of a conventional derailleur drivetrain, we really like where this is going – after all, wear and tear, along with the vulnerability of conventional drivetrains (whether electronic or mechanical), remains a major sticking point on e-bikes. When it comes to the motor you’d choose for your next bike, Pinion still trail Bosch and DJI by a fair margin, but they’ve firmly earned their spot on the podium. So here’s to you, Pinion – keep it coming!
Hot on their heels are TQ – driven by a loyal fanbase who see true innovation in minimalism. Quiet, light, and discreet – for many, that’s the real definition of luxury.
In fifth place we find Specialized, though our latest data already hits a bit of a limit here, as the survey period ran from February to March 2025. In April, the Californians launched their new S-Works motor, which was developed in Switzerland around the beltless Brose hardware. We’re already curious to see how this one lands in the market!
Question: Which motor brand do you consider the most reliable?
GAS:
INT:
When it comes to reliability, it’s clear: the Germans still set the standard. Bosch lead the pack both in the German-speaking regions and internationally – solid, consistent, just as you’d expect.
What’s interesting is that the top three – Bosch, Shimano and Specialized – line up almost exactly with the motors currently powering your bikes. Coincidence? Or maybe you’re just genuinely happy with what you’re riding. After all, trust grows with experience.
Question: What’s most important to you when it comes to the motor?
GAS:
Power, integration or ride feel? Not exactly an easy choice! Luckily, multiple answers were allowed 😉 – because when it comes to the motor, many of you clearly want the full package: as natural, efficient and quiet as possible. And that’s the big surprise. It’s not the specs manufacturers usually shout about the loudest, like peak power and maximum torque that top your list, but rather the subtler qualities. Quite literally, the quiet ones.
You’re not interested in “more power,” but in the ride feeling. Rather than brute-force acceleration, it’s all about smooth interaction. And ideally, without the background racket of a chain saw. To sum it up: a natural ride feel, maximum efficiency, and low noise levels are clearly your top priorities. These findings sparked some serious discussion at our trailblazing E-MOUNTAINBIKE Think Tank, where we sat down with the leading CEOs and experts from across the eMTB world – and they’re bound to influence the next generation of e-mountain bikes.
Things get even more interesting when we look beyond the usual borders. In the German-speaking world, the clear favourite is a natural ride feel – that classic “almost like riding without a motor” experience. But internationally, the top priority shifts: here, a quiet motor takes the lead.
INT:
How do you use your eMTB day to day?
Question: Which support mode do you primarily use on your rides?
If you’re wondering whether e-mountain bikers spend all their time blasting around in Boost mode – the answer is a clear no. The most popular setting by far is eMTB/Trail. 35 % of riders in the GAS region and an even higher 43 % of international participants prefer cruising in this dynamic middle ground, where power and control strike the perfect balance – the true sweet spot.
Tour mode is the go-to for many when things need to stay relaxed, but not entirely motor-free. 31 % of riders in the GAS region and 24 % internationally rely on this steady, consistent level of support – think of it as the adaptive cruise control among assistance modes.
Eco mode still has a solid fanbase, with 29 % in the GAS region and 26 % internationally opting for maximum efficiency. It’s the choice for those who prefer longer rides or putting in more of their own effort – rather than just getting to the trailhead as fast as possible.
And Turbo? Still very much the exception, with just 5.4 % in the GAS region and 6.9 % internationally choosing full power as their go-to mode. Maybe that post-work blast or shuttle-replacement scenario isn’t quite as widespread as often assumed. These figures sparked some key discussions at the Think Tank – offering a much-needed reality check amid the current arms race for ever more power and torque.
Questions: What battery capacity does your current bike have? Is it enough?
When it comes to battery size, you’re right on trend: nearly 90 % of you are riding with capacities between 400 and 800 Wh. The 600 to 800 Wh range is especially popular, covering around 60 % of riders – plenty of juice to squeeze in an additional lap without nervously eyeing the next plug socket. But as always, size isn’t everything. Real-world range depends on the full picture: rider weight, support mode, elevation gain and more all play a part in how far that charge will actually take you.
Which brings us to the next question: 77 % of you say that your current battery size works just fine. In other words, you’ve got enough juice for whatever you’re planning to do with your bike – whether that’s a quick spin to the beer garden or a full-blown alpine mission. So, let’s be clear: range anxiety? Doesn’t seem to be much of an issue in this crowd.
Question: How much of your battery capacity do you actually use during your rides?
If you thought that eMTBers treat their batteries like the last slice of cake at their in-laws’ birthday – think again. The vast majority of you actually make good use of your battery out on the trail:
Around 42 % of riders in the GAS region and 41 % internationally say that they use between 76 % and 100 % of their battery capacity on a typical ride. Another 40 % (GAS) and 38 % (INT) still burn through at least 51 % to 75 %. In other words, more than four out of five e-rides put the battery to serious use – no gentle cruising here.
Only a small minority ride with a light touch: just 13 % in the GAS region and 17 % internationally use between 26 % and 50 % of their battery per ride. And the true power misers – those heading home having used less than a quarter of their battery – make up just 3 % (GAS) and 2 % (INT).
In a nutshell, you’re not just heading out, you’re heading up and down, and making the most of that motor while you’re at it. When you say “E,” you clearly mean: energy used efficiently – and enthusiastically!
What to do when the juice runs low?
Question: Which of the following options would you prefer when your battery is running low but you want to keep riding?
Most of you are all about extra power on the go: 34 % of riders in the GAS region – and a whopping 53 % internationally – say they’d reach for a range extender if the battery runs low. That puts the compact add-on clearly at the top of your wish list, especially outside the German-speaking world, where it seems even more popular. BUT: fast charging hasn’t really broken through on the market yet. At the time of the survey, DJI were the only brand offering a truly viable solution in that space.
This makes it all the more interesting that, among GAS-region riders, fast charging is almost just as popular: 49 % say they’d rather plug in briefly than skip the rest of the ride. Internationally, though, the picture looks quite different, with only 28 % saying that they would rely on a quick top-up – which might point to global differences in infrastructure and charging habits. And it makes sense: in the GAS region, beer gardens, mountain huts and other popular spots often offer destination charging – a luxury not everyone has access to elsewhere.
Lagging well behind: the good old spare battery. Just 17 % of riders in the GAS region and 19 % internationally would choose to carry on with a second power pack in their backpack or mounted on the frame. Maybe it’s too heavy, too pricey – or just sooo last decade?
Question: Do you own a range extender?
Once again, it’s clear: if you’ve got enough on your plate, you don’t need seconds – or at least, that’s how many of you see it.
A solid 57 % of participants in the GAS region say they don’t own a range extender – and don’t feel the need for one either. Internationally, that figure still sits at 50 %. Sounds a lot like: “The battery’s enough – and if it’s not, well, then it’s all part of the adventure.”
By contrast, about a third of international riders (35 %) say they’d like to have a range extender, while in the GAS region, that wish sits at 27 %.
Around 15 % of respondents currently own a range extender – with usage split right down the middle: half use it regularly, the other half only occasionally. Still, that’s a significant jump compared to 2022, when just 5 % reported owning one.
Question: Fast-charging technology is currently a hot topic in the eMTB world. Imagine you could charge your eMTB battery from 0 % to 80 % in under an hour – would you use it?
Fast charging is the hottest slice in the battery pizza right now – but does everyone actually want a piece?
In fact, the results paint a surprisingly nuanced picture: while 46 % of international participants prefer the classic overnight charge (let the battery rest while you do too), only 36 % say the same in the GAS region. Riders there seem far more open to topping up on the go – 42 % say they’d use fast charging specifically for tours. Among international riders, that number drops to just 24 %. You could say: with their abundance of mountain huts and beer gardens, the Alps are striking back.
Fast charging is also a popular option at home – for those moments when you’ve forgotten to plug in (again). In that case, 19 % of international riders and 12 % of those in the GAS region say they’d use it as an emergency backup.
7 % also see fast charging as a chance to rethink their entire battery setup – opting for a smaller battery pack or ditching the extra range extender altogether. Their motto? “Better to charge more often than lug around extra weight.” One thing’s for sure: this topic has serious potential. Or to put it another way – plenty of voltage.
Question: How much would you be willing to pay for a fast charger that can charge your battery from 0–80 % in one hour?
The clear verdict: definitely not €500. That’s what Specialized currently charge for their fast charger – unless you’re riding an S-Works model, which comes standard with one included in the price. But for 99 % of you, that price tag is well beyond acceptable. Only 1 % to 2 % would even consider paying more than €300 for such a device.
And the DJI Fast Charger at €249? That would only appeal to 5 % (GAS) and 8 % (international) of you. However, it looks like AMFLOW and UNNO will likely include it as standard – whereas Forbidden and Megamo probably won’t.
The sweet spot seems to be in the €100–149 range, with 43 % of riders in the GAS region and 41 % internationally showing clear interest – making it the most popular price bracket by far. For those after an even better deal, the under-€100 option attracts the next biggest group: 29 % (GAS) and 26 % (INT). Bottom line? Keep it under €149, or you risk pricing it out of mass appeal.
Connectivity & apps
Question: What kind of display would you like to have on your bike?
Digital detox – but with a battery percentage, please! The overwhelming majority of you prefer a small, no-frills display: 60 % of GAS participants and 49 % internationally are fans of compact info screens. Even the ultra-minimalist setups showing just battery level and support mode take a solid second place, with 25 % (GAS) and 32 % (INT) backing the stripped-down approach.
Plain and simple: less is more. Big touchscreens packed with every possible bit of data? Only 13 % (GAS) and 16 % (INT) are even remotely interested. And even without touch functionality, large colour displays don’t get much love either – just 12 % and 14 % respectively. The display of the future? Small, smart, and without anything that doesn’t truly matter.
Speaking of the future: only 3 % (GAS) and 4 % (INT) would want to ditch the display entirely – turns out riding completely blind isn’t quite the vibe. So it’s clear: if you want to stay out front, you still want to know how much battery you’ve got left in the tank.
Questions: How important is app connectivity for your eMTB? What do you use it for?
With an average score of 6.8 out of 10, app connectivity is clearly more than just a nice add-on – for many of you, it’s already an integral part of the eMTB experience. In fact, 68 % of respondents actively use an app with their bike.
But what exactly are you using it for?
- At the top of the wish list is the option to customise motor settings and support modes – over 80 % of you say that’s the most important feature.
- Ride stats and analysis come next, with 50 % keen to track their kilometres rather than just guess them – clearly, there’s a strong data-driven streak among you.
- Third place goes to a workshop classic: maintenance and diagnostics. Nearly half of you want tools to help keep things running smoothly – or at least understand why they’re not when something goes wrong.
- Also high on the list: theft protection and location tracking (43 %) as well as battery management and charging planning (42.9 %) – proof that you’re both cautious and well organised.
- A bit further down, but still relevant, is GPS navigation at 34.5 % – for those who occasionally lose their way, even with solid trail knowledge.
Conclusions
Don’t be surprised if you don’t quite recognise us at the next event. After countless hours buried in Excel spreadsheets and data charts, it’s a small miracle we haven’t turned into mole-like creatures with bottle-bottom glasses.
A massive thank you for your incredible input! Your responses fed directly into our Think Tank sessions and the R&D departments of many manufacturers. This means that you are actively helping shape the future of e-mountain biking – ensuring bikes are built that truly match your needs and riding style.
And this is just the beginning! There are plenty more exciting, market-shaping developments coming this year – and we can’t wait to hear what you think. Our big annual survey is just around the corner, featuring new, deeper questions to reveal where the eMTB world is heading next.
So: stay tuned, take part – and help shape the future of e-mountain biking with us!
Winner
Now that’s what we call a grand prize! From thousands of participants, Janine was drawn as the lucky winner of our big reader survey – and she’s now the proud owner of a serious trail weapon! The GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2 might be a bit of a tongue-twister, but more importantly, it’s an absolute beast of an eMTB – carbon frame, FOX Factory suspension, and GIANT’s lightweight SyncDrive Pro2 motor.
Congratulations, Janine! We wish you endless climbs, epic descents, crispy trails – and loads of fun on your new bike!
Words & Photos: Jonny Grapentin
