New Propain Sresh CF 2024 on test – An eMTB for all occasions?

Propain are expanding their eMTB family with the new 160/150 mm Sresh CF. With a Shimano motor, proprietary PRO10 suspension layout, and Propain’s signature design language, it should deliver plenty of fun in the forest. We shredded our way down the trail to get to the bottom of the new Sresh.

After introducing their very first eMTB, the Ekano, back in 2019, Propain went quiet for a long while. It wasn’t until last summer that the German manufacturer introduced their e-mountainbike for the rough stuff, the Ekano 2 CF, which took on 27 of the hottest bikes of the season in our huge e-mountainbike group test. For the 2024 season, Propain add yet another steed to their stable with the Sresh CF, which adds a shorter travel option to Propain’s eMTB portfolio with its 160/150 mm travel, providing a more nimble, agile alternative to the beefy 180/170 mm Ekano 2 CF. Propain’s new downhill-oriented trail ebike employs a full carbon frame and the manufacturer’s proprietary PRO10 rear suspension, which also allows you to convert the bike from a full 29er to a mullet bike. Depending on the spec variant, it comes equipped with either a Shimano EP6 or Shimano EP801 motor, which both deliver 85 Nm of torque and draw their power from a 626 Wh Darfon battery. Like all Propain bikes, the Sresh CF can be customised down to the smallest detail using Propain’s extensive online configurator. Our test bike tips the scales at 23.8 kg and retails at € 6,894. But how does it perform on the trail?

The new Propain Sresh CF 2024 in detail

With its unmistakable frame silhouette, the Sresh CF is distinctly recognisable as a Propain and shares the same modern, harmoniously curved design language as its bigger sibling, the Ekano 2 CF. Like all Propain (e)MTBs, it relies on the manufacturer’s proprietary PRO10 rear suspension, which positions the shock vertically in the frame. The Sresh CF is available in three discrete finishes with rather fancy names: Polar Blue Gloss, Heavy Metal Gloss and Raw Gloss – this was the finish on our test bike, allowing you to see straight through to the carbon fibre.

The cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame through the ICR headset, which relies on a two-piece spacer system that’s designed to make it easier to adjust the cockpit height with internal headset routing systems. A seal in the cable port stops water and muck from entering the headset. The cables are securely clamped at the ports, preventing unpleasant rattling noises on the trail, while a generously sized seat and chainstay protector prevents paint chips and chain slap. A mounting point on the underside of the top tube allows you to attach a multi tool or spare inner tube directly to the frame – and there’s still enough room in the frame to accommodate a water bottle.

The Shimano EP6 and EP801 motors of the new 2024 Propain Sresh CF

The new Propain Sresh CF relies on a Shimano motor system, whereby the entry level model employs a Shimano EP6 motor, while all other variants come equipped with an EP801 drive, as you’ll find on the Ekano 2 AL alloy model. The EP6 and EP801 look exactly the same, and both deliver 85 Nm of torque. The only difference is that the EP6 delivers slightly less peak power, and relies on aluminium rather than magnesium for the housing, which makes it around 300 g heavier. That said, both drives are integrated seamlessly and beautifully into the frame. A generously sized skid plate wraps around the motor, protecting it against nasty impacts, while at the same time blending in nicely with the overall harmonious design language.

When choosing the battery, Propain followed the “less is more” approach and integrated a 626 Wh battery into the Sresh’s down tube. This can be removed from the bottom of the down tube, which is particularly handy if you don’t have a plug socket where you store your bike. The battery is attached to the frame with a 4mm Allen bolt and secured with an additional safety lever. For internal charging, you just have to attach the cable to the charging port in the motor area. The wireless, minimalist Shimano EN-600L handlebar remote shows the battery charge status and current support mode via coloured LEDs. Some spec variants feature the Shimano SC-EM800 display, which provides more detailed information on the battery status, riding modes and speed.

The spec of our 2024 Propain Sresh CF test bike

Propain’s extensive online configurator allows you to customise both the spec and look of your dream bike, right down to the smallest detail. You can choose from a wide selection of components (including suspension, wheels, brakes and dropper posts) and paint finishes with different decals. Our Propain Sresh CF test bike is based on the preconfigured base model, which comes with a Shimano EP6 motor and 29″ wheels. However, there’s very little left of the original base model, as we tuned the spec to provide the best possible descending performance. RockShox supply the top-tier suspension, combining a ZEB Ultimate fork with high-quality Charger 3.0 damper and matching Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil shock. Both allow for countless adjustments and deliver a tremendous performance on the trail.

For the brakes, Propain rely on powerful Formula Cura 4 four-pot stoppers and 200 mm rotors front and rear, which ensure reliable and powerful deceleration even on long, steep descents. The lever reach adjustment is pretty hard to turn, meaning that you’ll need to use a set of pliers unless you have fingers like Iron Man. Shifting is taken care of by a cable-operated SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, with Shimano XT cranks.

Propain also rely on a cable for the BikeYoke Divine dropper post, which offers 185 mm of travel and allows plenty of freedom of movement on the bike. On our test bike, there’s a lot going on around the Sixpack Millenium alloy cockpit, as every component has its own separate bar clamp, including the remotes for the dropper post and motor system. Needless to say, this comes at the expense of ergonomics, and makes it hard to position the levers the way you need them.

For the wheels, Propain rely on a Newmen Performance 30 alloy wheelset and proven Schwalbe tire combo, combining a Magic Mary in the Ultra Soft rubber compound at the front with a Big Betty in the Soft compound at the rear, both using the robust Super Gravity casing – top!

The spec and variants of the new Propain Sresh CF 2024

If you’re not too fussed about building your own bike, you can choose from 4 preconfigured spec variants – Base, Ultimate Enduro, Ultimate Trail and Factory – which can all be customised further using the online configurator.

The Base spec variant is the entry-level model and retails at € 5,999. As already mentioned, it’s the only one that relies on a Shimano EP6 motor. The RockShox suspension consists of a Lyrik Base fork and Deluxe Air shock. While the latter is easy to adjust, the fork’s Rush RC damper can’t keep up with the top-tier Charger 3.0 damper of the Select+ or Ultimate models in terms of trail performance. The DB8 is SRAM’s entry-level brake, but still delivers a strong performance and, like the new SRAM Maven, uses mineral oil.

Just above the BASE model sits the Ultimate Enduro variant, which retails at € 7,529 and uses a Shimano EP801 motor. For the suspension, Propain rely on a 160 mm RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and 150 mm Vivid Ultimate air shock which, together with the robust Newmen Evolution E.G.30 alloy wheelset, underlines the bike’s downhill orientation. Formula Cura 4 four-piston brakes provide reliable and powerful deceleration, while a cable operated GX drivetrain does shifting duties.

The Ultimate Trail variant retails from € 9,449 and promises top trail performance with its RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Air Ultimate air shock. The robust, wireless SRAM X0 AXS Transmission drivetrain ensures butter-smooth shifting and is complemented with an electronic RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post, which offers 170 mm of travel and ensures lightning fast action. SRAM also provide the powerful SRAM Code RSC four-piston brakes.

The Factory flagship model costs € 9,789 and is the only variant with FOX Factory suspension. This consists of a 38 mm fork with top-tier GRIP2 damper and a DHX2 coil shock. The suspension’s fancy Kashima coating is rounded off by the Transfer Factory dropper post, which adds to the bike’s bling factor. Shifting is taken care of by a top-tier SRAM XX AXS Transmission drivetrain, while powerful Magura MT7 four-piston brakes do stopping duties. Moreover, the Factory spec variant is the only model in the Sresh range to employ a Newmen Advanced SLA.30 carbon wheelset.

Finally, the Factory model relies on the same Schwalbe Magic Mary/Big Betty tire combo as all other models, combining the Soft rubber compound and Super Trail casing. However, the tires can be swapped for a more robust model in the configurator, which is what we did with our test bike.

The geometry of the new 2024 Propain Sresh CF

The Propain Sresh CF is available in four sizes, S to XL. When it comes to the geometry, Propain’s engineers didn’t go down the extreme path. In size L, the Sresh has 480 mm reach, which is neither too long nor too short. At 455 mm, the seat tube is on the long side, but doesn’t restrict freedom of movement on the bike. A flip chip on the seat stay allows you to convert the Sresh CF from a full 29er to a mullet bike. Chainstay length is the same across all sizes, measuring 450 mm in the full 29″ configuration and 447 mm in the mixed wheel setup.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	556 mm	578 mm	610 mm	636 mm
Seat tube	415 mm	430 mm	455 mm	480 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head angle	65°	65°	65°	65°
Seat angle	78,5°	78,5°	78,5°	78,5°
Chainstays	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm	450 mm
BB Drop	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm	25 mm
Wheelbase	1.204 mm	1.229 mm	1.263 mm	1.292 mm
Reach	430 mm	450 mm	480 mm	505 mm
Stack	618 mm	628 mm	637 mm	646 mm

The new 2024 Propain Sresh CF 2024 on the trail

When you swing your leg over the saddle, the Propain Sresh CF places you in an upright, comfortable pedalling position. It puts a slight pressure on your hands on level ground, but still allows you to embark on epic backcountry tours without having to book an appointment with your chiropractor the next day. Riding uphill, the front wheel remains planted on the ground, meaning that you don’t have to actively weight the bars to keep it tracking. As a result, the Propain Sresh CF is easy to manoeuvre even on steep, technical climbs, allowing you to hold your line without too much effort. The sensitive rear suspension generates plenty of traction and skilfully absorbs bumps when rolling over ledges and roots. The Shimano EP6 motor packs a punch on steep climbs, making it easy to reach the trailhead.

When gravity takes over, the Propain Sresh CF integrates you nicely between its wheels, with the weight evenly distributed between the front and rear. The intuitive handling makes you feel at ease from the get-go, encouraging even beginners to take their fingers off the brakes. In open corners, there’s enough traction upfront that you don’t have to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking. In tight trail sections, it takes very little effort to push the Sresh around hairpin switchbacks, while the predictable handling makes it easy to change direction. The Sresh strikes an excellent balance between agility and composure, making it easy to spontaneously change your line while at the same time encouraging you to smash through nasty rock gardens without throwing you off the saddle. The sensitive rear suspension filters out bumps and generates tons of traction. Particularly striking is the coil shock, which literally sucks itself to the ground, though requiring slightly more input from the rider to take off into the air. Playful riders who like to collect air miles on the trail might be better off choosing the air shock from the configurator. The suspension also offers tons of reserves, bailing you out of botched landings and providing plenty of support in fast berms.

Tuning tip: If you want more progressive suspension to pop off tree stumps and small ledges, you should choose an air shock from the configurator.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2024 Propain Sresh CF?

The Propain Sresh CF is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-performance eMTB for all sorts of trails, whether you like to ride up or downhill. Propain’s extensive configurator allows you to customise both the spec and look of your bike down to the smallest detail, making the Sresh an excellent all rounder. Individualists will get their money’s worth thanks to the many customisation options.

Our conclusions about the 2024 Propain Sresh CF

The Propain Sresh CF shines in many different ways! Not only is it a reliable companion for epic backcountry expeditions, but also an excellent climber. Downhill, it impresses with intuitive handling and potent suspension, proving suitable for beginners and advanced riders alike. Moreover, Propain’s extensive configurator allows you to customise the Sresh CF to suit different riding styles. The Propain Sresh CF is an excellent all-rounder that covers a wide range of applications.

For more info, visit propain-bikes.com

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Words & Photos: Mike Hunger