The end of the light eMTB era? – 9 lightweight e-mountainbikes in direct comparison

Hardly any other comparison test has had (or will ever have) such a big impact on bike development as this one. Light eMTBs have been the trend of recent years, but that’s beginning to change: the line between categories is becoming more and more blurred, and technological boundaries are shifting. In this tough comparison test with 9 exciting light eMTBs, we found out what the best light eMTBs are capable of, what we can expect from the future and which bike is the right one for you.

Table of contents

1. Are light eMTBs becoming irrelevant?
2. What type of ebiker are you?
3. Our light eMTB test field
4. The motor systems of the eMTBs on test: which ebike motor concept suits you best?
5. How and where did we test the e-mountainbikes?
6. Our e-mountainbike test crew
7. Our light E-MTB test in numbers
8. What should you look for when buying an eMTB?
9. The tops and flops of our 2024 light eMTB comparison test
10. An overview of all bikes in our light eMTB comparison test
11. Best in test and Best Buy tip: the Orbea Rise LT M-Team

Over the past few years, e-mountainbikers have been asking for more power and bigger batteries – and they all got what they wanted! Range anxiety was a common issue, and one that was hard to fight with rational arguments. The result was a brutal arms race between manufacturers trying to deliver the most powerful motor and biggest battery, or the beefiest eMTB to show off outside the pub after a ride. Every movement has its counter-movement. Light eMTBs soon entered the scene.

A journey back in time shows the first approaches to light eMTBs over 8 years ago. FOCUS were pioneers in this segment, and presented their first concepts as early as 2016 with the Project-Y and 2017 with the SAM² Pro, which was the first step in the direction of light eMTBs. However, the concept never really caught on.

The big breakthrough came with the first generation of the Specialized Levo SL, which really got the ball rolling. Since then, manufacturers have released countless light eMTB models with different motor concepts, like the FAZUA and TQ systems. In 2023, Bosch unveiled the Performance Line SX drive, which shook up the segment once again, bridging the gap between light and full-power eMTBs. Today, the variety of eMTBs and motor concepts is truly impressive, albeit a little confusing. Clear definitions, like those we created at E-MOUNTAINBIKE over the years for both the industry and our readership, have been repeatedly overturned by technological developments.

“Light eMTB” has always been a controversial definition. Does it refer to the bike’s low system weight? Or the motor’s reduced torque? The smaller battery? Or is it the light-footed handling that makes an eMTB a light eMTB, regardless of its weight? Spoiler alert: in future, there will be no need for these definitions, because classic light eMTBs will die out over the next few years. Or at the very least, they’ll be relegated to a fringe existence. This group test sets trends and impulses that will influence bike development in the upcoming years. But before we tell you why these changes are taking place, let’s just say that the latest generation of eMTBs is more capable, fun and awesome than ever. We travelled to northern Italy – more precisely to the Paganella Bike Park in the breathtaking Dolomites – putting the bikes through all sorts of challenging tests while having a blast in the process. Find out why we pushed both the bikes and ourselves to the limit!

Are light eMTBs becoming irrelevant?

Is this still a light eMTB? While putting together this test field, we had a few heated discussions about the matter. Which e-mountainbikes are allowed to take part in this test and which ones aren’t? We quickly realised that regardless of whether they match the light eMTB description, they had to be included. After all, we didn’t just want to find the best light eMTB money can buy, but also understand the differences between lightweight and modern full-power eMTBs.

The times of pigeon-holing are over! The boundaries between eMTBs and full-power eMTBs are becoming more and more blurred, and what really matters is a consistent overall concept. As we always say, it makes no sense to consider individual parameters such as motor power, suspension travel, geometry or weight in isolation. Instead, it’s about finding a harmonious interaction between individual components to achieve a sensible balance between motor power, battery capacity and system weight, and combine all of this with the right geometry, suspension kinematics and a sensible spec. At the end of the day, the fun you have on the trail doesn’t depend on a bike’s key data, but on its riding character and the emotions it awakes in you.

Although conventional light eMTBs will soon become more niche, there are more light eMTBs than ever. The problem: light eMTBs with weak motors and small batteries are facing more and more competition from the latest generation of full-power eMTBs. This is because the big, powerful full-fat drives are becoming smaller, lighter and more efficient. Another trend is that battery capacities are going back to reasonable sizes. The result are lightweight, full-power eMTBs that really shake up the market. All models in this test level out at 20-22 kg and generate between 150 and 160 mm of travel. In terms of weight, they’re now getting closer to light eMTBs, but rely on a powerful motor and big battery. This is partly due to the evolution of battery and cell development, which is allowing manufacturers to produce lighter batteries than ever. Carbon frames are becoming lighter too, while removable batteries are becoming a thing of the past, at least amongst most performance-orientated eMTBs. This simplifies frame design, and saves a few grams in extra brackets and lock mechanisms.

Light eMTBs are also under pressure in terms of price. Given the significantly bigger quantities of motors and batteries produced and purchased by bike manufacturers, full-power eMTBs are much more affordable than light models with a comparable spec. One major drawback of light eMTBs is that the lightest models are usually the most expensive flagship models. If you reach down below the top shelf and choose a cheaper spec variant, you’ll get a bike that weighs at least 21 kg, because the spec isn’t trimmed towards weight saving. This begs one question: why buy a light eMTB and sacrifice motor power and battery capacity?

Of course, light eMTBs had their raison d’être, and have strongly driven bike development. Now, however, they’re gradually becoming irrelevant. However, lightweight eMTBs are all the more important, and every manufacturer’s goal is to produce light bikes, just with plenty of oomph and battery capacity. Some bike manufacturers will still rely on weaker motors and small batteries in the future, especially with XC-orientated concepts like the Thömus Lightrider and SCOTT Lumen eRIDE, as well as in the gravel and road sector. But: “light” eMTBs with little torque and small batteries are going to become history.

What type of ebiker are you?

Our interactive buyer’s guide will help you find an e-mountainbike that perfectly suits your needs and at the same time allow you to discover more about yourself and your preferences. With just a few clicks, you’ll get personalised recommendations to understand which eMTBs you should took a closer look at. You’ll also find many other exciting articles to dig deeper into the eMTB world.

Our light eMTB test field

For our light eMTB group test, we rounded up 9 exciting bikes. But the test field could hardly be more diverse: not only are there very different concepts, but also six different motor systems. Alongside the classic light e-mountainbikes with weak motors and small batteries, there are models with powerful motors and plenty of capacity. This allows us to present you with a wide range of different concepts and offer some in-depth buying advice with all the strengths and weaknesses of the individual bikes and concepts. This way, you’ll know what to look out for when buying an eMTB, and avoid making costly purchasing mistakes.

Brand	Model	Motor-System	Motor-Power (Nm)	Battery Capacity (Wh)	Weight (Kg)	Price
Cannondale	Moterra SL1	Shimano EP801	85	601	20.1	€ 9,999
GIANT	Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2	GIANT SyncDrive Pro2 MG	85	400	19.7	€ 10,499
MERIDA	eONE-SIXTY 10K	Shimano EP801	85	600	22.6	€ 11,599
Mondraker	Dune RR	Bosch Performance Line SX	55	400	19.7	€ 9,499
Orbea	Rise LT M-Team	Shimano EP801 RS	85	420	19.3	€ 9,989
Santa Cruz	Heckler SL XX AXS RSV	FAZUA Ride 60	60	430	19.6	€ 12,999
SCOTT	Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned	TQ-HPR50	50	360	19.1	€ 10,999
Specialized	S-Works Turbo Levo SL	Specialized 1.2 SL Custom Rx Trail Tuned	50	320	17.9	€ 14,000
YT	DECOY SN	FAZUA Ride 60	60	430	21.2	€ 8,500

Besides the table above, we want to introduce the eMTBs in more detail:

Specialized joined the light eMTB party early on and entered this comparison test with the second generation of the Specialized Turbo Levo SL, sending into the race the elegant S-Works flagship model. What makes it so special? The Californian manufacturer not only develops the bike and many of its components in-house, but also the motor, battery and hardware, including the display and remotes. At 17.9 kg, it’s the lightest bike in the entire test field. But does the Turbo Levo SL’s low system weight also deliver on the trail?

With the YT DECOY SN, the German direct-to-consumer brand finally made its light eMTB debut, relying on a FAZUA Ride 60 motor and 430 Wh battery. At € 8,500, it’s the most affordable bike in the entire test field and, at first glance, it comes with a bunch of high-quality components. But does YT’s new light eMTB just look exciting on paper, or does it also crank it up on the trail?

The Santa Cruz Heckler SL also relies on a FAZUA Ride 60 motor and 430 Wh battery. The promise: maximum riding fun. In typical Santa Cruz fashion, it comes with the Californian brand’s unmistakable look and distinctive VPP rear suspension. But can it keep its promise on the trail? This is where the wheat separates from the chaff.

The SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned falls immediately into the eye with its polarising look and mind-boggling level of integration. Both the compact TQ-HPR50 motor system and the shock are seamlessly integrated into the frame. Is the Voltage just a stylish designer item or a real trail weapon?

The Mondraker Dune RR is the only bike in this test with a Bosch Performance Line SX motor, which delivers 55 Nm of torque, and draws its power from a 400 Wh battery. With its sharp edges and straight lines, it looks fast even when stationary. But can it also break the sound barrier on the trail?

Three bikes in this test rely on a Shimano EP801 motor. At 85 Nm, this is significantly more powerful than the light motors in this test, which all deliver between 50 and 60 Nm of torque. Each manufacturer goes its own way:

Let’s start with the Orbea Rise LT M-Team, which allows you to customise both the spec and look of the bike using Orbea’s comprehensive MyO online configurator. Does this make it the perfect eMTB for everyone?

The Cannondale Moterra SL1 relies on a Shimano EP801 motor and 600 Wh battery. It uses flex-stay rear suspension to reduce the weight, in an attempt to create the perfect balance between two worlds: plenty of power and a low system weight. Does the concept work in practice?

The MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10 K comes equipped with a 600 Wh battery too, and aims to inspire both beginners and advanced riders. It even comes with several practical features, like the lighting system and integrated multi-tool. Is the MERIDA the jack of all trades that makes everyone happy?

The GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2 relies on the manufacturer’s in-house SyncDrive Pro2 MG motor, which delivers 85 Nm of torque and draws its power from a 400 Wh battery. Giant also relies on their own hardware. With 150/140 mm of travel (front/rear), it has the least travel reserves in the comparison test. Is this the GIANT’s curse?

The motor systems of the e-mountainbikes on test: which ebike motor concept suits you best?

As already mentioned above, it’s pointless to compare motors based on their hard numbers. What’s the point rocking the most powerful motor if it jolts forward like a mad horse? Or if it’s paired with a small battery that drains faster than a muscle car drains its fuel tank? You guessed it, the right overall concept is key. Power, response behaviour, modulation, power delivery and the ecosystem around the motor make all the difference between frustration and pleasure. Of course, reliability is important too! Every year, more and more manufacturers release motors that still have clear teething issues, like the FAZUA Ride 60 motor system, which is still unreliable more than 2 years after its introduction. The problems go from minor faults to complete system failures. But no matter how reliable the motor system might be, one of the most important aspects is the manufacturer’s service network. A well-developed service network is crucial to your peace of mind, especially if you need a spare quickly and without too much hassle. It can make the difference between having a smooth-running bike ready for the beginning of the season, or spending your summer arguing with your bike shop.

Want to know which motor suits you and your requirements best? Then check out our big e-bike motor comparison with the 13 most relevant motor systems. We’ll explain all the basics, important terminology and key figures, but also take a deep dive into the world of motors. We’ll also share some exciting findings from our practical and laboratory tests, and tell you why there’s no such thing as the best ebike motor.

How and where did we test the e-mountainbikes?

Let’s be honest, we expected the summer to be a little better. Of course, you can’t change the weather, but that didn’t stop us from giving these 9 exciting e-mountainbikes a good beating. And where better to do that than at the Paganella Bike Park in the Dolomites? Here you’ll find not only a slice of Dolce Vita with pizza, pasta and focaccia, but also a huge selection of trails with the highest fun factor and ideal testing conditions. We covered over 45,000 metres of descent, riding over 800 km on the huge Paganella trail network – epic adventures and battery-powered parkour included.

Let’s be honest: it was tough! Our test track – a blend of the Giada Line and new Supernatural Trail – not only pushed the bikes to their limits, but also our experienced test crew. Light eMTBs in particular are designed to live most of their lives on the trail, so they have to prove themselves on a wide variety of trails. Our test track is peppered with rock gardens and technical corners in the upper section, which eventually give way to a curvy flow section with countless jumps and root carpets in the lower section. Uphill, we put the bikes through the wringer on a mix of steep forest tracks and tricky trail climbs.

Our e-mountainbike test crew

What should you look for when buying an eMTB?

Buying a new eMTB isn’t the same as ordering a pizza, so you’ll need a bit of money to start with. Buying an eMTB requires some thought, and you can hardly get enough information. Most bikes can only realise their full potential if they’re used properly, and the line between joy and frustration is a very thin one.

Big battery = long range?
It’s a widespread misconception that bigger ebike batteries automatically translate into a bigger range. The range depends on countless factors: first and foremost, the weight and style of the rider, as well as the power of the motor. Moreover, the choice of tires, tire pressures and terrain have an influence on the range too. A weaker motor with a smaller battery can take you just as far as a powerful, thirsty motor with a bigger battery – though offering less support and requiring more of your own power.

No more pigeon-holing! The right overall concept is key!
The line between eMTB categories is gradually blurring. It all depends on the right overall concept. The sheer amount of models and different approaches is making it hard to get a clear overview of the eMTB world. There’s much more to it than just the question of a powerful motor and big battery. After all, even the best electric motor is only as good as the bike it’s in! It’s not just about having the right motor and good battery integration, but also about finding the right frame and components to go with it. Small changes can make a huge difference. Reliability and a good service network are essential factors too, otherwise you’ll quickly find yourself stranded in a hotel room with a broken bike.

All the gear, no idea? – Why even the best e-mountainbike can be useless
Even the best eMTB is useless if it isn’t set up correctly. In our tests, we spend a lot of time trying to find the right setup with each bike. The right setup is the key to realising the full potential of the components and the eMTB. With our setup guide, we’ll help you find the perfect setup for your eMTB with several helpful articles.

The tops and flops in our light E-MTB Test

Tops

Flops

An overview of all bikes in our light eMTB comparison test

Cannondale Moterra SL1 in our light eMTB comparison test

The Cannondale Moterra SL1 takes on the competition with a stylish look and outperforms the majority of the test field, impressing in a wide range of applications – whether it’s flow trails or technical singletracks. The intuitive handling makes it fun to ride for both beginners and seasoned trail veterans.

GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2 in our light eMTB comparison test

The GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2 relies on the Taiwanese manufacturer’s powerful, in-house SyncDrive Pro2 MG motor, which draws its power from a 400 Wh battery. This can be expanded using the optional 200 Wh range extender. The Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 V2 is one of the most powerful bikes in this test, but can’t transfer the power to the trail, which is due to its harsh response behaviour and shallow-profiled tires. On the trail, it’s held back by its own spec and very difficult to control. This puts it in the last third of the test field.

MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K in our light eMTB comparison test

At 22.58 kg, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K might be the heaviest bike in the entire test field but puts many of its competitors in the shade in terms of handling. It’s predictable and intuitive to ride, and also the most composed bike in the entire test field, making even beginners feel at ease on technical trails. The MERIDA also skilfully integrates clever features such as the headlight under the stem and the multi-tool under the saddle.

Mondraker Dune RR in our light eMTB comparison test

With its modern, sleek frame silhouette, the Dune RR is distinctly recognisable as a Mondraker. The Bosch Performance Line SX motor delivers enough power to keep up with the more powerful competitors on the climbs. On the trail, it impresses with excellent composure and killer suspension, although it lacks a little nimbleness in tight trail sections with hairpin switchbacks.

Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV in our light eMTB comparison test

The Santa Cruz Heckler SL features the Califiornian brand’s typical look and proven VPP rear suspension. The American manufacturer has managed to integrate the FAZUA Ride 60 motor system seamlessly onto the frame. In the past, we’ve had countless problems with this motor system, and can’t therefore recommend the bike despite its excellent trail performance. The top-tier spec suits the Heckler SL’s intended use and ensures a high fun factor for beginners and advanced riders alike.

SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned in our light eMTB comparison test

Like a magician, the SCOTT Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned makes the shock disappear into the frame, and impresses with a slim, neatly integrated TQ-HPR50 motor system. In terms of performance, it shines particularly on flowing trails. On rougher terrain, however, it requires an experienced rider to unlock its full potential.

Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL in our light eMTB comparison test

With the S-Works Turbo Levo SL, Specialized delivered a well-rounded overall package. It features beautiful details, and it’s the cleanest-looking bike in the entire comparison test. Compared to the other bikes, you’ll have to pedal the hardest on the climbs, but the Levo SL rewards you with a super natural ride feel. Downhill, it’s one of the nimblest, most fun bikes in this test and also impresses with intuitive, confidence-inspiring handling.

YT DECOY SN in our light eMTB comparison test

The YT DECOY SN really surprised us on the trail, outclassing the entire test field in terms of trail performance, while delivering maximum riding fun with its predictable, confidence-inspiring handling. It comes equipped with a FAZUA Ride 60 motor system, which we tested countless times over the past few years, meaning that we’re more than just familiar with it. However, FAZUA’s drive has had several issues since the day of its launch, so we can’t recommend you to buy this bike without warning you about the issues with its motor.

Best in test and Best Buy tip: the Orbea Rise LT M-Team

Its predecessor has already asserted itself against the competition in our comparison tests over the years. Now the new Orbea Rise strikes again! On the trail, it scores with potent suspension, intuitive handling and first-class performance in all situations. The powerful motor and excellent pedalling position allow you to negotiate even steeper climbs, without breaking a sweat. With its innovative concept, the new Orbea Rise is one step ahead of the competition and, retailing at a very fair € 9,989, secures not only our Best Buy Tip but also the coveted Best in Test badge!

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Words: Mike Hunger, Peter Walker, Robin Schmitt, Benedikt Schmidt, Julian Schwede Photos: Mike Hunger, Peter Walker