The 2024 Decathlon E-Feel promises to be a premium eMTB with plenty of trail performance. Despite top-end components, it should come at a low price too, as would be expected from Decathlon. Can the French brand make the leap into the eMTB scene and offer a viable alternative to the big players?
24.76 kg in size L | € 5,499 | Manufacturer’s website
No matter what sport you play, you can almost always find suitable equipment at Decathlon, whether you’re looking for new running shoes, a climbing harness, or swimming goggles. A few aisles further in, and in the online store, you will also find gear for canyoning, wakeboarding, and all kinds of martial arts. So, it’s not surprising that Decathlon also have a large cycling segment, with an MTB division. However, with eMTBs like the Stilus 29″, Decathlon haven’t yet offered an appealing option for performance-oriented riders. However, that’s set to change with the € 5,999 Decathlon E-Feel (also called the Rockrider E-Feel in some markets), which promises to be a capable eMTB for demanding use. It relies on an aluminium frame, offering 160/150 mm travel, and rolling on 29″ wheels. Thanks to a Shimano EP801 motor and 630 Wh battery, the 24.76 kg aluminium eMTB should make easy work of the climbs.
The 2024 Decathlon E-Feel in detail
The 2024 Decathlon E-Feel looks understated, with its black frame and lack of conspicuous decals. Decathlon go their own way with the design, especially considering the bent top tube, and the battery cover with its integrated fenders and Rockrider inscription.
As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we think that the Decathlon E-Feel is the best looking eMTB we’ve seen from the French brand to date. Compared to established competitors presenting bikes like the 2024 SCOTT Voltage, it still looks a bit dated and somewhat rough around the edges.
The down tube has bottle cage bosses, but space inside the front triangle is rather limited due to the placement of the piggyback rear shock – you can only just fit a small 600 ml bottle on the size L frame. This is less of a problem on the two more affordable variants, since the shocks they come specced with don’t have external reservoirs. You’ll also find a tool mount a little further up the down tube, which is very convenient for attaching a spare tube or tools to the frame.
The cables on the Decathlon E-Feel are routed internally via cable ports behind the head tube. The routing looks clean, and the cables don’t rattle. Nevertheless, the E-Feel isn’t completely silent – the chainstay protector is made of hard rubber, which does little to reduce noise. We would advise remedying this with a bit of protective tape, like VHS Slapper Tape.
The motor system of the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel 900S Team Edition
In addition to your legs, the Decathlon E-Feel is also powered by a Shimano EP801 motor. Helping you crest the summit in a relaxed manner, it offers 85 Nm of torque and 600 W of maximum assistance. The motor, in turn, is powered by a removable 630 Wh battery. However, taking it out is quite time-consuming, and reserved more for emergencies. The battery cover is secured with four small screws, for which you need a 2.5 mm hex key. You will also need a 4 mm hex to loosen the battery. However, it’s putting the cover back on that’s especially fiddly, because you’ll need to get four small screws into equally small holes. To make matters worse, the cover doesn’t seal off very well, and we found traces of dirt and moisture on the battery after just the first few rides. Of course, you can also leave the battery in the bike for recharging, thanks to the easily accessible charging port. However, the rubber cover of the charging port is a bit fiddly too. The small Shimano SC-EN600 display is nestled securely next to the stem, indicating the battery charge status, speed, and support mode.
Thanks to the combination of the Shimano motor and electronic XT Di2 drivetrain, the bike also benefits from Shimano’s FREE SHIFT function. This allows you to shift gears without having to pedal, as long as the rear wheel is spinning. This allows you to keep the cranks in the horizontal position for maximum ground clearance, while selecting the appropriate gear for an approaching obstacle or climb. It doesn’t matter if you’re slamming through a rock garden or ploughing over roots – all you have to do is touch the shifter with your thumb.
The components of the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel 900S Team Edition on test
When speccing the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel on test, the French brand tried to combine affordability with maximum trail performance. This is evident when considering the high-end suspension, consisting of a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock. Both can be fine-tuned to meet your needs, and deliver a first-class trail performance. The gears are taken care of by a 12-speed Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain, which is powered by the integrated battery of the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel.
The TRP Trail EVO brakes provide ample stopping power and good modulation, paired with 203 mm rotors. The brake levers are bolted to a 780 mm wide, aluminium house-brand handlebar. Decathlon also supply the 170 mm dropper post, allowing sufficient freedom of movement.
The sturdy Mavic E-Deemax wheelset is shod with Decathlon Rockrider Grip 500 tires. We’re known to complain about tires, but the criticism is justified here more than ever. The in-house rubber provides zero grip, let alone “Grip 500”. We swapped them out immediately after the first test ride, allowing us to assess the eMTB’s true potential without being hindered by the tires. Even if you only ride trails occasionally, we would recommend upgrading this eMTB with a more capable set of tires, like the Schwalbe Magic Mary and Big Betty, or Continental Kryptotal Front and Rear, for example. However, if you stick to asphalt and moderate gravel roads, the stock Decathlon tires will do fine, offering fairly low rolling resistance.
Decathlon E-Feel 900S Team Edition
€ 5,499
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP801 85 Nm
Battery SHIMANO BT- EN806 630 Wh
Display SHIMANO SC-EN600
Fork RockShox Zeb Ultimate 160 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate 150 mm
Seatpost Rockrider Dropper 170 mm
Brakes TRP TRAIL EVO 203 mm
Drivetrain SHIMANO XT 8150 Di2 1x12
Stem Potence aluminium 45 mm
Handlebar Cintre aluminium 780 mm
Wheelset Mavic e-Deemax S 29"
Tires ROCKRIDER GRIP 900 2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 24,76 kg
Specific Features
Tool Mount
The different build variants of the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel
In addition to the flagship model on test, there are two more affordable builds available, starting with the Decathlon E-Feel 700S, priced at just € 3,499. This build is powered by a lower-end Shimano EP600 motor, and relies on Shimano’s budget CUES groupset. The suspension of the E-Feel 700S consists of a RockShox 35 Gold fork and Deluxe Select shock.
For € 1,000 more, you can get the € 4,499 Decathlon E-Feel 900S, which boasts the same Shimano EP801 motor as our test bike. The groupset remains Shimano CUES, but you get a slight upgrade on the suspension, with a RockShox Domain fork, though paired with the same RockShox Deluxe Select shock.
The geometry of the 2024 Decathlon E-Fee
The 2024 Decathlon E-Feel is available in four sizes, accommodating riders from 150–195 cm tall. The reach is rather conservative, measuring just 465 mm in size L. Nevertheless, the E-Feel has a comparatively long wheelbase of 1,263 mm, which is partly due to the 465 mm chainstays. At 65°, the head angle is pretty much on a par with modern trail bikes, and the seat tube is a short 420 mm. Unfortunately, the seat post insertion depth is somewhat limited, preventing the 170 mm dropper post from being inserted all the way into the frame, which is a shame.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 567 mm | 589 mm | 611 mm | 633 mm |
| Seat tube | 380 mm | 415 mm | 420 mm | 460 mm |
| Head tube | 110 mm | 118 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm |
| Head angle | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° |
| Seat angle | 76.5° | 76.5° | 76.5° | 76.5° |
| Chainstays | 465 mm | 465 mm | 465 mm | 465 mm |
| BB Drop | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,217 mm | 1,240 mm | 1,263 mm | 1,288 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 445 mm | 465 mm | 485 mm |
| Stack | 632 mm | 639 mm | 645 mm | 654 mm |
The 2024 Decathlon E-Feel 900S Team Edition on the trail
Hopping aboard the Decathlon E-Feel, you’ll find yourself in an upright riding position, thanks in part to the short reach. Nevertheless, it feels somewhat hand-heavy, which comes at the cost of long-distance comfort. That said, the hand-heavy riding position proves to be an advantage on the climbs, keeping the front wheel planted and in control even when things get steep. The rear suspension remains active, bobbing slightly as you pedal. As such, the E-Feel generates plenty of traction (unless you’re running the stock tires) and comfort.
When you decide to heed gravity’s call, you’ll feel nicely integrated with the bike, and you’ll quickly feel at home thanks to the intuitive handling. This is also due to the tall front end, preventing you from feeling like you might go over the bars on steep terrain. Despite this, we had enough weight on the front tire to ride slalom through the trees, without having to actively shift our weight forwards, instilling us with confidence.
This feeling is underlined by the plush suspension, effectively absorbing bumps from rocks and roots. It also absorbs some of your input when pumping the bike over rollers and through berms, requiring a little more effort to get the bike airborne off small obstacles or jumps. On the other hand, the suspension generates loads of grip on natural trails, provided you’ve swapped the stock tires. Beginners, and advanced riders especially, also benefit from the FREE SHIFT function, so you can always be in the right gear for an approaching obstacle, or to pedal out of a corner. The 2024 Decathlon E-Feel does a great job of cornering and changing direction, though you’ll notice the bike’s comparatively long wheelbase and high weight when things get very tight.
If the trail gets more demanding, strewn with large rocks and drops, the Rockrider E-Feel will start feeling nervous and require an experienced hand to keep the bike under control. Thanks to the plush rear suspension, the rear wheel conforms to the trail and isn’t easily thrown off course by lateral impacts. In fact, the Decathlon’s rear end is too soft, which results in vague handling.
Who is the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel 900S Team Edition for?
The 2024 Decathlon Rockrider E-Feel appeals most to newcomers who are looking for a beginner-friendly eMTB that’s specced with top-end components at a fair price. The Rockrider E-Feel is equally suitable for riders who enjoy tackling steep climbs. However, advanced riders and racers will want more support from the suspension, and more agile handling.
Our conclusion on the 2024 Decathlon E-Feel 900S Team Edition
The new Decathlon E-Feel boasts an impressive list of components, especially considering the price. Thanks to its beginner-friendly handling on the trails, it will also instil newcomers with confidence, making it a good choice for those who are new to the scene. It performs well on the climbs too, though you’ll notice the somewhat hand-heavy riding position on longer tours. More experienced riders will want more support from the suspension, and more agile handling.
Tops
- high-end components at a fair price
- tool mount
- intuitive handling
Flops
- tires aren’t suitable for trail riding
- lack of support from the rear end
For more information, visit decathlon.com
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Words: Sebastian Dirscherl Photos: Mike Hunger
