Rationally speaking, eMTBs are still just a bicycle – sure, somewhat more expensive, imbued with more high-tech features, and definitely hotter property on the market right now. But why is that? What’s behind the popularity of eMTBs? It’s a straightforward answer: excitement, or rather their ability to unlock enthusiasm and spread it contagiously. I’ve yet to meet a single individual that hasn’t been immediately swept up by the buzz on their very first eMTB ride: eyes wide open, a heightened sense of being alive. You, too?
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Reaching these dizzy heights of happiness doesn’t take the latest model, the most extreme setup or the priciest bike, as we proved by this issue’s group test that pitches 11 hot eMTBs that cash in under € 6,500 against each other.
With a price tag of € 10,000, the UNNO Boös is far from low-cost, but it’s definitely high on the wow factor. And while you can’t buy emotions, this bike sure knows how to get them going. We spoke to the team at UNNO, who are based in Barcelona and led by the former World Cup downhiller Cesar Rojo, to get the inside line on their latest super bike in an exclusive story.
At the other end of the spectrum, we stopped in our tracks when we saw a € 2,800 eMTB with full suspension and a Bosch motor. Was it a mirage? Would it disintegrate as soon as we threw a leg over the top tube? Coming in at just over half the price of the most affordable bike in this issue’s group test of 11 eMTBs under € 6,500 that reiterated how low-cost you can go, we were pleasantly surprised by this beast!
The highlights of this issue
- Can’t buy me love! The best eMTB under € 6,500 – 11 exciting models in our group test
- HAUNTED BY THE VOLTERGEIST – Will range anxiety soon be a thing of the past?
- ONE OF A KIND – The radical UNNO BOÖS Race eMTB in test
- The Lab – We tested the latest and most exciting products for you
- Bikes, beers and Birkenstocks – An overnighter in the Unesco-Listed Fannes Sennes Braies Nature Park
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All the bikes in this issue
Bulls Sonic EVO AM-SL1 | Canyon Spectral:ON CF8 | Centurion Numinis R2700i | FOCUS JAM² 7.9 | Giant Trance X E+1 | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 975 | Mondraker Crafty R | Moustache Trail 7 | Orbea Rise H15 | Rossignol Mandate Shift XT | SCOTT Patron eRide 920 | Decathlon Stilus 29” | Unno BOÖS
What to expect in this issue:
How much money do you have to spend on a good eMTB? What compromises are you making with cheaper eMTBs and what can you do to avoid buying a lemon? To answer all these questions, we pitted 11 of the hottest eMTBs under € 6,500 against each other in our 2022 budget group test!
How far can I ride on a single battery charge? What’s the range of this eMTB? These are, without a doubt, the most frequently asked questions when it comes to buying an eMTB. This goes to show that many eMTBers are still haunted by the Voltergeist, the ghost of range anxiety. But is the fear still justified? And how can we overcome it?
We’re the world’s only magazine that had the privilege to fly to Barcelona and test the new 2022 UNNO BOÖS Race. In this first ride review we’ll tell you what the radical € 10,000 full-carbon eMTB is capable of with its unique looks and Bosch motor, and why UNNO Bikes hope to be copied by other bike brands.
A full suspension eMTB for € 2,800 – is that even possible and what do you get for your money? The Decathlon Stilus 29″ features a Bosch Performance Line motor and a 500 Wh battery, and it’s almost half the price of the most affordable bike in our budget eMTB group test. Can the Stilus 29″ perform on the trail nonetheless?
We had the chance to visit the ergonomics experts at Ergon, looking behind the scenes of their HQ in Koblenz, Germany where they develop their ergonomically optimised products. While there, we sat in on a professional bike fitting, finding out how to adjust your saddle and handlebar correctly in 7 steps.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever spent the night in a brewery. What about Europe’s highest microbrewery? Nope? Us neither. So, time to pack our toothbrushes, some thick socks, gather some mates and work up a thirst on our way through this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the shadow of the imposing peaks of the Dolomites towards said gaff.
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Have fun reading!
Cheers
Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Diverse
