Propain Ekano 150 vs. Ekano 165 on review – Which is the better one?

Even though the Ekano is Propain’s first eMTB, it’s already more versatile than most eMTBs currently available on the market. That’s because the configurator of the German manufacturer gives customers a wide choice of customisation options, from which they can choose their spec, wheel size and suspension travel. After testing two of the most representative versions, we can tell you which boxes you should tick on the online configurator when ordering yours.

One basis for everything: The Propain Ekano in detail

“One frame, countless options” seems to be the motto behind Propain’s first eMTB. Apart from giving you a wide choice of components, the German manufacturer also lets you pick your wheel size and the amount of suspension travel. Now, whether this is 150 mm or 165 mm, all Ekanos share the same aluminium frame. Propain’s very first eMTB relies on a 70 Nm Shimano STEPS E8000 motor which draws its power from an internal 504 Wh Shimano battery. The speed sensor is cleverly integrated in the dropout, where it’s protected against impacts. Not quite as clever, however, is the position of the charging socket and the power switch, which are positioned too close to the bottle cage, which substantially narrows down the choice of compatible bottle holders. The Ekano features Propain’s proprietary Pro 10 rear triangle, which can generate either 150 mm or 165 mm of travel depending on the shock’s stroke length, which is respectively 57,5 and 62,5. Since durability and longevity are high up on Propain’s priority list, all pivot bearings feature high-quality seals and the lower link is protected by a rubber shield since mud is building up there quickly. In contrast with this, the hard plastic protector on the chainstay: while the cover serves its purpose and prevents the chainstay from getting damaged, with a 29” setup the chain rubs against the chainstay whenever you shift into the lowest gear. With a smaller 27.5” rear wheel, the chain stops rubbing, but in return slaps against the hard protector and makes one hell of a racket. Propain have already addressed the problem and promised to release all future Ekano models with a lowered chainstay and softer (and quieter) protector.

Geometry and sizing of the Propain Ekano

In typical Propain style, you can order your Ekano the way you want it, because their comprehensive configurator lets you choose a lot more than just the spec. In fact, you can also pick your favourite wheel configuration from a number of options: 27.5 ”, 29” or even a mixed-wheeled MX setup, with a 29” wheel at the front and a 27.5” wheel out back. The geometry of the Ekano 150 can be adapted to the respective wheel size via a flip chip integrated in the shock mount and a special dropout. With a reach of 464 mm and a stack of 634 mm, our 29” test bike in Large is neither extremely long nor compact. And while at 460 mm, the seat tube isn’t overly short, it’s still compact enough to allow “in-betweeners” to reach for the larger frame and still feel comfortable. In size L, the Ekano 165 mm with mullet setup is a little more compact. With a stack of 643 mm, the front-end is significantly higher and with a reach of 452 mm, the frame noticeably shorter.

The geometry of the Ekano 150 with 29” setup

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	420 mm	440 mm	460 mm	480 mm
Top tube	573 mm	595 mm	617 mm	638 mm
Head tube	110 mm	120 mm	125 mm	130 mm
Head angle	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°	76.5°
Chainstay	459 mm	459 mm	459 mm	459 mm
BB Drop	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm
Wheelbase	1205 mm	1226 mm	1247 mm	1268 mm
Reach	424 mm	444 mm	464 mm	484 mm
Stack	621 mm	630 mm	634 mm	638 mm

The geometry of the Ekano 165 with mixed-wheel setup

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	420 mm	440 mm	460 mm	480 mm
Top tube	577 mm	600 mm	621 mm	642 mm
Head tube	110 mm	120 mm	125 mm	130 mm
Head angle	64.3°	64.3°	64.3°	64.3°
Seat angle	75.3°	75.3°	75.3°	75.3°
Chainstay	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	12 mm	12 mm	12 mm	12 mm
Wheelbase	1200 mm	1221 mm	1242 mm	1265 mm
Reach	412 mm	432 mm	452 mm	472 mm
Stack	629 mm	639 mm	643 mm	647 mm

Spec, weight and technical data of the Propain Ekano 150

“You’re the boss”, the Ekano seems to whisper in your ear. Hardly any other manufacturer offers such a comprehensive configurator, which gives you at least one very useful option for each component. If you aren’t too fussed about choosing your own spec, you can pick from three pre-configured builds, with prices ranging from € 4,100 to € 6,160. Our test bike retails at € 5,110, its spec leaves nothing to be desired. A RockShox Super Deluxe shock and Lyrik Ultimate RC2 manage the 150 mm of travel.

The Bikeyoke Revive dropper post comes with 160 mm of travel and is very easy to operate – the super ergonomic thumb lever is partly responsible for this. A SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain with GX cassette transmits the 70 Nm torque of the motor to the rear wheel. In our opinion, the GX lacks nothing in shifting performance compared to the X01 groupset, which means you can save yourself quite a bit of money by selecting the GX option from the configurator. A Schwalbe Magic Mary on the front and a Hans Dampf on the rear provide good traction. Both tires come in 29” x 2.6” with an Apex carcass. Puncture resistance is okay, but heavy and active riders should select the € 20 upgrade to the almost indestructible Eddy Current tires with Super Gravity carcass. The tires are mounted on robust (and heavy) ZTR Baron rims. SRAM Code RSC brakes with 200 mm discs front and rear take care of the braking. In this configuration, the 29” Ekano 150 hits the scales at 23.9 kg. For the cockpit, Propain rely on Six-Pack components: our test bike features super wide, 805 mm Six Pack millennium bars.

The Propain Ekano 150 on test

The riding position of the Propain Ekano with the 29” wheels is spot-on. While on paper the seat angle doesn’t look excessively steep, the absence of a pronounced kink in the seat tube prevents the seat angle from slackening further as the dropper-post extends. In combination with the relatively long rear-end, the riding position is nicely centred and integrates the rider between the wheels, even on steep ramps. Lifting front wheel? Sagging rear-end? Nope! In typical Shimano style, the uphill trail mode provides the most natural riding experience and offers good control over the rear wheel. To increase traction, light riders can run the Hans Dampf rear tire at lower pressures. Heavier riders, on the other hand, would need to run relatively high tire pressures despite the APEX carcass. That’s why we recommend to take advantage of the Eddy Current upgrade, which costs you 20 euros more but gives heavy riders better puncture protection and plenty more grip.

Uphill, it’s not so much about weight, but more about the riding position. And on the Propain Ekano 150 with 29” wheels this is spot on!

Downhill, the Ekano 150 with 29 ”wheels feels very balanced. Again, the riding position is very centred and integrates the rider between the large wheels. The suspension and voluminous 2.6” tires ensure good traction on any terrain. Together with the high front-end and powerful Sram CODE RSC brakes, the Ekano inspires tons of confidence in all scenarios. In open corners, the weight feels evenly distributed between the wheels, which makes the bike feel balanced and thus allows you to negotiate corners very intuitively. Despite generating tons of traction, the rear-end provides good feedback and gives you enough support to pull the Ekano 150 into the air. Only when landing nasty drops or bigger jumps, the rear-end bottoms out relatively abruptly. Active and fast riders can address this problem by adding volume spacers in the shock and thus increasing the end progression of the RockShox Super Deluxe.

Spec, weight and technical data of the Propain Ekano 165

As the name suggests, this version of the Ekano has 165 mm of rear travel, which are combined with a 170 mm FOX 36 Factory Grip2 suspension fork upfront. Like the FOX DHX2 coil shock, this offers numerous setting options. Our test bike, which retails at € 5,380, comes with mixed wheel sizes, with a 29” x 2.6” Schwalbe Eddy Current tire at the front and a 27.5” x 2.6” version at the back. Both are mounted on robust STANS ZTR Baron rims, basically the same setup of the Ekano 150. The long travel version of the Ekano features MAGURA’s MT 7 brakes, which are paired with a 200 mm rotor front and rear. Unfortunately, the configurator doesn’t allow for an upgrade to MAGURA’s eMTB-specific 220 mm rotors. Prices for the Ekano 165 range from € 4,170 for the basic configuration up to € 6,320 for the top-end configuration.

The Propain Ekano 165 on test

On flat trails and with moderate gradients, the Ekano 165 is one thing above all: extremely comfortable. The comfortable riding position combined with the sensitive suspension make you feel like you’re sitting on a couch. That being said, on steep climbs, the Ekano 165 can’t keep up with its 150 counterpart. Because the seat angle is slacker not just on paper: the longer suspension travel makes the Ekano sit lower in its SAG and thus slackens out the seat angle even more. While the chassis and tires always generate enough traction, preventing the rear wheel from spinning even in boost mode, the front needs to be actively pushed on the ground and requires a lot of physical effort.

While the Ekano 165 negotiates with small bumps without batting an eyelid, it passes on hard knocks when it blows through its travel.

Downhill, the riding position of the Ekano 165 is more upright than on its “little brother”. The front-end is noticeably higher due to the longer fork. However, as a result the reach shrinks a little, making the long-travel Ekano significantly more compact than its counterpart with less travel. Nevertheless, the bike still inspires tons of confidence. The Ekano 165 doesn’t understand the concept of OTB and never loses traction. One thing is clear: With the incredibly robust and grippy Schwalbe Eddy Current tires and FOX DHX2 coil shock, the bike literally sticks to the ground. This is exactly what characterises the long-travel Ekano. Because compared to the relatively lively 150, it feels like a tank that irons out root carpets and rock gardens. While doing so, however, it isolates the rider from the ground. Even with lots of compression damping, the rear-end does not provide enough support for an active riding style and fast direction changes, which results in little riding fun on flowy trails. If you want to pull the 24.9 kg Ekano 165 up into the air, you’ll need lots of speed and big jumps – and, of course, lots of strength. Like with the Ekano 150, on hard landings and heavy blows, the 165 version lacks end progression, especially with the linear coil setup. We recommend choosing the FOX Float X2 air shock from the configurator. Here, the end progression can be adjusted with volume spacers, just like with the Super Deluxe. Fast natural downhills are the natural habitat of the Ekano 165. Here, the bike literally begs you to take your fingers off the brakes and do that for as long as possible. If you like riding fast, however, we recommend the upgrade to 220 mm rotors, which deliver a more powerful and efficient braking performance.

Which Ekano is the best?

With the Ekano, Propain have created a universal frame platform. In addition to the two versions we tested, there are a few other combinations of travel and wheel size and, of course, countless spec options. In direct comparison, the Ekano 165 shines on fast, technical and, above all, natural trails. Unfortunately, with the coil setup, the bike doesn’t suit super aggressive riding because it blows through its travel too easily. The Propain Ekano 150 with 29 ”wheels, on the other hand, proves to be a true all-rounder on every trail, providing tons of riding fun and an intuitive handling. Even on technical downhill trails, which are the natural environment of the Ekano 165, the short-travel Ekano keeps up without breaking a sweat. Uphill, it’s always one step ahead of its bigger brother thanks to the more efficient riding position and balanced weight distribution. While the field of application of the Ekano 165 is clear, even in its prime discipline, the long travel version suffers from a few weaknesses. All this makes it clear: The Propain Ekano 150 is the better Ekano.

Conclusions

As with all their bikes, Propain gives you countless options to design your dream Ekano. Hardly any other eMTB manufacturer responds to the individual needs of customers in such detail. Above all, the Ekano 150 impressed us with its outstanding riding behaviour in all scenarios. In contrast, the long-travel Ekano 165, chucks up the sponge due to its extreme specialization. Some details however, such as the grinding chain of the 29” version, cast a dark shadow over the otherwise positive riding impression. We’re looking forward to the updated rear end!

More info at propain-bikes.com

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Photos: Felix Stix, Yannick Brandl