Propain Ekano 2 CF – In our huge 2024 e-mountainbike test

A clear statement! With its 90 Nm SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor, mullet wheel setup and 180/170 mm of travel, the Propain Ekano 2 CF makes its intentions clear even before you swing your leg over the saddle. But can anyone ride it like Rémy Métailler? And how did it fare against the competition in our 2024 e-mountainbike group test?

As Propain’s first carbon eMTB, the Ekano 2 CF is the high-end counterpart to the Ekano 2 AL, which relies on an alloy frame and Shimano motor. According to the German manufacturer, the Ekano 2 CF is aimed at both beginners and seasoned eMTB riders, and was designed for uncompromising trail performance. To achieve this, Propain rely on SRAM’s 90 Nm Eagle Powertrain motor with automatic Transmission drivetrain, which both draw their power from a removable, 630 Wh SRAM Eagle Powertrain battery. To cater to the needs of both rider types, the Swabians offer an extensive online configurator, which allows you to choose the spec, desired wheel size (29″ or mullet) and even the look of your bike down to the smallest detail – only the 180/170 mm suspension travel and SRAM motor remain the same in all configurations. In typical Propain fashion, the Ekano relies on the manufacturer’s proprietary PRO10 rear suspension. At 23.6 kg in size L, it’s only slightly lighter than average in the full-fat test field. In the configuration we chose, our test bike retails at € 9,454.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

Express yourself – What sets the 2024 Propain Ekano 2 CF 2024 apart from the competition?

With its unmistakable silhouette, the Ekano is distinctly recognisable as a Propain, with the carbon frame adding to the bike’s recognition value. Our test bike comes in the subtle, glossy “Deep Forest” paint finish, but it’s also available in the elegant black “Raw” colour and flashy “Mighty Mango”. The branding is rather simple, with a big Propain decal covering most of the down tube. The main frame features two mounting points, one on the top tube for a tool mount and a second one on the down tube for a bottle cage. The only cable left in the cockpit, the brake line, disappears into the frame through a stack of spacers on the SIXPACK headset, which was developed specifically for the bike and ensures a tidy cockpit. Both the rear brake line and rear derailleur’s power cable reappear just above the motor and run along the chainstays all the way to the components where they’re needed. The electronic 170 mm RockShox Reverb AXS and wireless 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain contribute greatly to the tidy overall look of the bike – and both can be chosen from Propain’s online configurator. However, the dropper provides too little travel for a modern eMTB in size L.

Unlike other Propain bikes, the Ekano 2 CL is only available with SRAM’s Transmission drivetrain, as this forms a unit with the Powertrain motor – otherwise you wouldn’t get the Auto Shift function. The SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor and Reverb AXS dropper share the same AXS pod, which allows you to drop your saddle and select between the Range and Rally riding modes. Unfortunately, there isn’t an intermediate support mode, which would come in handy in some riding situations and also allow you to save battery. That said, the two available modes can be fine-tuned via the SRAM AXS app, which also lets you configure the Pod function assignment for all of the AXS components. The SRAM AXS Bridge display only shows essential riding data such as the current support and shifting modes, as well as the battery charge status in percent. The SRAM Eagle Powertrain system is based on the Brose Drive S Mag motor, which is a little outdated and bulky, which makes it harder to integrate seamlessly into a slim frame silhouette. As a result, the Propain Ekano 2 CF has a slightly beefier bottom bracket area than some of its full-fat competitors. Nevertheless, Propain did a great job with the motor integration, and the final result is rather pleasing to the eye. Overall, the integration is neater than with the GASGAS ECC 6 – which has the same motor – and the Specialized Turbo Levo Pro’s 2.2 drive, which is based on the Brose motor too.

The SRAM Eagle Powertrain Battery can be removed from the down tube and is secured to the frame with a small bolt. The battery can be charged from the charging port, which is positioned right above the motor and protected by a rather finicky rubber cover. For epic backcountry expeditions, you can expand the battery from 630 Wh to 880 Wh using the optional 250 Wh SRAM Powertrain Range Extender. When doing so, however, there’s no room left in the frame for a water bottle. The range extender is available from Propain’s configurator for an additional € 599. One of the highlights of our test bike is the RockShox suspension consisting of a 180 mm ZEB Ultimate fork and matching 170 mm Vivid Select air shock, both of which offer countless adjustments options and deliver a tremendous performance on the trail. In our test configuration, the Ekano 2 CF rolls on a robust NEWMEN EVOLUTION E.G.30 alloy mullet wheelset – and the flip chip on the upper shock link also allows you to run a 29″ rear wheel. For the tires, Propain rely on MAXXIS, combining an ASSEGAI in the thinner EXO+ casing and grippier MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front, and a Minion DHR II in the tougher Doubledown casing and harder MaxxTerra rubber compound at the rear. Heavy, aggressive riders are better off upgrading to a more robust front tire in the tougher DoubleDown casing. MAGURA MT7 brakes with 220/203 mm rotors provide reliable, powerful deceleration.

One bike for everything? How does the 2024 Propain Ekano 2 CF fare on the trail?

When you swing your leg over the saddle, the Ekano 2 places you in a slightly rear-heavy yet comfortable pedalling position, which is mainly due to the high front end. The auto-shift function works flawlessly on gravel paths, keeping you spinning away at a comfortable cadence, ensuring a pleasant ride on level ground and moderate climbs. The PRO10 rear suspension reliably absorbs bumps and adds to the bike’s excellent climbing comfort. However, as the gradient increases, the auto-shift function gets overwhelmed and really struggles to find the right gear, ending up shifting back and forth repeatedly. Overall, the SRAM Powertrain motor is slightly weaker than the Bosch Performance Line CX motor of bikes like the FOCUS SAM² 6.9, for example, and requires more physical effort. Despite the rear-heavy pedalling position, the front wheel remains planted on the ground, at least on moderate gradients. However, when the climb gets steeper and your riding buddies start chasing you to the trailhead, you’ll have to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking.

When gravity takes over and you stand up on the pedals, the weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear. The riding position is fairly central but the high bottom bracket places you on top of the bike rather than integrating you between its wheels. Despite its mullet hair-do, which usually ensures a playful character, the Ekano feels like a cruise ship in a kid’s pool, making it hard to throw around in tight corners and thus requiring greater physical effort to negotiate technical trail sections. The Coast Shift function of the Powetrain motor works a treat, allowing you to shift into the right gear without pedalling,and focus on the trail ahead. However, the Ekano 2 CF really comes to life on steeper, rougher terrain, inspiring above all with its excellent composure and confidence-inspiring handling, especially in nasty rock gardens. The suspension is sensitive off-the-top and only lacks a tad in mid-stroke support, generating slightly less traction than the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY and Orbea WILD in steep sections. On the other hand, the RockShox suspension provides tons of end progression, which prevents it from rushing through its travel with bigger hits and drops. At 180/170 mm of travel, the Ekano 2 CF has enough reserves to forgive the odd riding mistake when you lose traction and don’t hit your line. Overall, the Propain Ekano puts a massive grin on your face at high speeds, proving even rowdier than the FOCUS SAM² 6.9.

The Propain Ekano 2 CF really comes to life on rough terrain, impressing above all with excellent composure and tons of reserves.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Propain Ekano 2 CF 2024?

The Ekano 2 CF will certainly appeal to discerning riders who want to customise their bike down to the smallest detail using Propain’s online configurator. It’s also an excellent choice if you’re looking for a bike with plenty of reserves for fast, challenging trails. The optional range extender and the motor’s Auto Shift function also make it a versatile companion for extended tours. However, beginners might be overwhelmed by the cumbersome handling, and are better off looking for a more beginner-friendly bike like the Specialized Turbo Levo Pro and MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K.

Our conclusions about the 2024 Propain Ekano 2 CF

The Propain Ekano 2 CF shines at both ends of the spectrum: it’s a bike for the rough stuff that convinces above all on fast, technical trails. At the same time, it is a strong tourer and takes some of the work off your hands with the Auto Shift function. Thanks to the configurator, the bike can also be customised for many rider types, opening up a wider range of use cases. This makes it a good all-rounder, but it lacks a little playfulness to earn a place on the podium.

Tops

• Configurator allows you to customise the spec and look of the bike
• Excellent composure and tons of support on rough terrain
• Clean cockpit

Flops

• Feels cumbersome on narrow trails
• Lacks mid-stroke support

For more information, visit propain-bikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

All bikes in test: BULLS VUCA EVO AM 2 (Click for review) | BULLS SONIC EVO AM SX-I (Click for review) | Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD (Click for review) | Canyon Torque:ON CF Roczen (Click for review) | CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i (Click for review) | CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 (Click for review) | FLYER Uproc X 8.70 (Click for review) | FOCUS SAM² 6.9 (Click for review) | GASGAS ECC 6 (Click for review) | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 (Click for review) | KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime (Click for review) | Lapierre Overvolt GLP3 (Click for review) | Merida eOne-Sixty 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Neat RR SL (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 29 Game 11 FOX (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle AM Team (Click for review) | Propain Ekano 2 CF | RADON RENDER 10.0 HD (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.X 1000 Ultra (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 ST (Click for review) | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax Pinion (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo Pro (Click for review) | Spherik E-SMT XX AXS (Click for review)

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker