Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro 2021 first ride review – Is a modular concept key?

Have you always wanted to build your eMTB with a custom spec that reflects your ideas and preferences? Thanks to a modular concept supported by an online configurator, Thömus might be able to help make your dream come true. We asked the Swiss brand to send us a Lightrider E2 Pro 2021 with the new Shimano EP8 motor, 726 Wh battery and FOX suspension. Read our review to find out everything about the bike and the concept behind it.

Are you thinking of buying a Thömus? If so, you’re spoilt for choice. Using the brand’s online configurator, you can pick and mix your components and customise the spec of your dream bike down to the smallest detail. To make the process easier, Thömus also include several standard builds, allowing you to get one of these fine Swiss steeds even if you’re not keen on choosing every component yourself. However, even then you’ll have to make some decisions because there are two different carbon frames, the E2 and E2 Pro, and three different travel options 140/140 mm, 160/160 mm and 170/160 mm to choose from. With this many options available, there are a few things to consider before you start building your dream bike. We’ve previously highlighted the most important differences between the models for you in this article. For this test, we specced a Lightrider E2 Pro with 160 mm FOX suspension, Shimano EP8 motor and 726 Wh battery. Read our review to find out whether the Thömus is built from the stuff that dreams are made of.

Our Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro in detail

The Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro is a high-quality eMTB that was designed with the utmost care and attention to detail. The Pro’s carbon frame, which is approximately 500 g lighter than the standard E2 model looks as though it were hewn from a single block. All corners and edges are rounded and chamfered, all transitions tidy and smooth. In addition, bearings in the suspension linkage have been hidden inside to allow for as tidy a look as possible. When it comes to cable management, Thömus dispense with conventional cable ports rely on a special in-house stem developed for the Lightrider which routes all cables directly into the head tube and frame. The closer you look at the system, the more you realise how much thought has been put into it: not only does it keep the silhouette of the elegant frame tidy but it also prevents the cables from rattling and rubbing off paint. The only audible noise comes from the Shimano EP8 motor, but more on this later. The motor is seamlessly integrated into the frame and only the square-edged downtube contrasts with the otherwise organic shapes. The reason for this is the shape of the Darfon battery, which is slightly wider and significantly shorter than the Shimano battery. We’ll tell you how this affects the centre of gravity and the handling of the bike later on in our ride impressions. Thömus still offer the old Shimano STEPS E8000 motor as a configuration option. In our head-to-head comparison, you can read all about the two motors and their differences and find out which is the better option.

Like the stem, the charging port was designed in-house by Thömus specifically for the Lightrider. It has a clever magnetic cover and is neatly integrated on the side of the frame at the transition between the down tube and head tube, where it’s easy to reach. The Thömus relies on a Shimano SC-EM800 display and uses the new Shimano remote to switch between support levels. If you want to fit a kickstand or pannier rack, you’ll have to go for the Lightrider E2 model, because the Pro version doesn’t have the required mounts. On the other hand, the Pro frame is trailer approved and has a high maximum payload of 150 kg. At 22.1 kg, our Lighrider E2 Pro isn’t a featherweight but is light compared with the bikes in its category with a similar spec. However, the actual weight is miles away from the claimed 18.5 kg on Thömus’ website. If you want to get down to 18.5 kg, you’ll have to order a size S with 140 mm travel and choose an extremely weight-optimised spec, which limits the performance of the bike significantly and doesn’t suit the intended area of application of the Lightrider. Our advice: forget about lightweight builds!

The spec of the Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro 160 in detail

The extensive Thömus configurator gives you a choice of three travel options (140/140 mm, 160/160 mm and 170/160 mm) – we picked the 160/160 mm model. Once you’ve decided on the frame type and suspension travel, the online configurator gives you a choice of 14 different saddles, 11 pedals and 17 grips, but only two forks: a DT Swiss F535 One or a FOX 36 Factory FIT4. While these aren’t bad forks per se, a FOX 36 with a GRIP2 damper would be preferable – after all, we’re trying to build a dream bike here! The GRIP2 damper delivers superior performance, allows for better damping control and, thanks to the detailed FOX setup guide, is very intuitive to set up. Fortunately, the online configurator isn’t the only way to build your Thömus bike. You can and should call the customer support line and discuss further options with a member of the sales team.

While the online configurator offers plenty of individualisation options, you could walk away empty-handed. While there are 14 saddles to choose from, there’s not one sensible performance fork. If you want to optimise the spec beyond the scope of the configurator, you’ll have to contact Thömus directly and talk to sales, who’ll be able to give you more options than the online configurator.

A FOX DPX2 Factory shock controls 160 mm of rear travel and delivers a solid performance. Unfortunately, alongside an inline DT Swiss R353, it’s also the only shock model available in the configurator. It’s a similar story with the dropper post: you can choose between a Kind Shox LEV I or CI with 100, 125 or 150 mm drop, but that’s about it. Here, the options are even more limited by the long 480 mm seat tube. During our test, the CI dropper gave up after a short time and had to be replaced.

Thömus delivered our test bike with 2.6” Schwalbe Hans Dampf tires front and rear. The Eddy Current available in the configurator, with a Super Trail casing at the front and Super Gravity out back, would have been a better match for the Lightrider E2 Pro. While this combination would add weight, it’s more puncture-resistant and generates more traction than the Hans Dampf, inspiring more confidence as a result. The cockpit with Shimano components and I-Spec adapter looks tidy and offers great ergonomics. While we ordered our bike with XT brakes and 203/203 mm rotors, it was delivered with a smaller 180 mm rear disc. In our opinion, an eMTB should at least have 200 mm rotors – safety first! The rest of the spec includes a Shimano XT drivetrain, XT brakes and DT Swiss HX1501 29” wheelset and leaves no wishes unfulfilled.

Although the configurator offers numerous individualisation options, the selection of forks and dropper posts is rather poor. Unfortunately, this significantly limits the performance and potential of the bike. Luckily, the online configurator is not the only way to spec your Lightrider. In principle, Thömus will fulfil your every wish, but you’ll have to give them a call or pay them a visit in Switzerland.

The geometry of the Lightrider E2 Pro

The Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro is available in four sizes, S, M, L, XL, which are should fit riders under 170 cm all the way to over 190 cm tall. The bike is available in white, red or black. While the 475 mm reach in size L looks very progressive and promises plenty of freedom of movement, the long 480 mm seat tube suggests limited freedom of movement to the back. The 74.7° seat angle is on the slack side while the head tube angle is moderate at 65.5°

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	440 mm	480 mm	500 mm
Top tube	575 mm	612 mm	648 mm	677 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	125 mm
Head angle	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	75.4°	75°	74.7°	74.5°
Chainstay	453 mm	453 mm	455 mm	455 mm
BB Height	353 mm	351 mm	353 mm	353 mm
Reach	415 mm	445 mm	475 mm	500 mm
Stack	615 mm	624 mm	634 mm	638 mm

The Lightrider E2 Pro uphill and on flat trails

The big 726 Wh battery paired with a light system weight, pleasant and comfortable riding position and agile front end make the Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro a good, comfortable tourer. Enjoyable, long days in the saddle are what it does best. On flowy uphill sections, the agile character puts a smile on your face. When the climb gets steeper, the Thömus Lightrider E2 requires an active riding style. The slack seat angle forces you far back over the rear wheel, especially when the dropper is fully extended. As a result, on steep technical climbs you’ll have to actively weigh the front wheel to prevent it from lifting off the trail. As usual, you can push the saddle forward to improve climbing efficiency. Nevertheless, the rear end generates plenty of traction and allows active riders to master pretty much any climb, especially if you’re running the grippier Eddy Current tire combo. On technical climbs we had to deal with pedal strike. Unfortunately, the 170 mm crank of our test bike is the only available option in the configurator.

The Thömus is a great all-rounder that reaches its limits on challenging trails, both up- and downhill.

The Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro downhill

Drop the seatpost and point the Lightrider E2 Pro’s nose downhill, and it impresses with its extremely light front end. Despite the large 726 Wh battery, manuals, wheelies and bunny hops are a piece of cake. The bike is precise and good-natured but at the same easy to ride, making it well-suited to beginners. The weight is evenly distributed between the wheels and the bike feels balanced even in open corners, where the lack of traction of the Hans Dampf tire up front is the only limiting factor. With its agile character, the bike is real fun on flowy trails. However, on technical singletracks the 60 mm stem is a tad too long and a shorter 45 mm one would be a more sensible choice. The suspension uses its travel efficiently without isolating the rider from the trail. However, the restricted freedom of movement caused by the long seat tube and the limited adjustment of the FIT4 damper leaves ambitious riders wanting more. All in all, the Thömus is a great all-rounder that reaches its limits on challenging trails and fast descents, where it lacks smoothness and starts feeling overwhelmed. Although the Thömus strikes with overall outstanding build-quality and innovative cable routing system, it’s not the quietest bike. Here the problem isn’t with the bike itself but the Shimano EP8 motor, which disturbs the silence of the forest with its annoying rattling noise.

Tuning tips: choose a shorter stem, big 200 mm rotors and Schwalbe Eddy Current tires from the configurator

Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro conclusion

The Thömus Lightrider is a great all-rounder. With its precise, good-natured yet lively character it convinces on long tours, both up and downhill and only reaches its limits on challenging trails. Although the configurator offers numerous individualisation options, the selection of forks and dropper posts is rather poor. Unfortunately, this limits the overall performance and potential of the bike. If you want to optimise the spec beyond the scope of the configurator, you can contact Thömus directly and discuss your dream build with their sales team.

For more information visit the Thömus website.

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Words: Photos: Robin Schmitt