Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro in review - A classy ride with a customisable spec

No half measures! With the Lightrider E2 Pro, Thömus enter the race with the most battery capacity – a whopping 726 Wh. Does this make it suitable only for long rides? Is such a big battery too heavy and bulky or can the elegant carbon bike also convince on the trail?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2021 – 25 models in review

**Thömus** Lightrider E2 Pro | Shimano EP8/726 Wh | 160/160 mm (f/r)
22.60 kg in size L | € 9,550 | Manufacturer’s website

With the Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro, the Swiss premium brand relies on a modular frame platform. Depending on the chosen configuration, the suspension travel, character and area of application of the bike change. At its heart lies a Shimano EP8 motor which draws its power from a massive 726 Wh Darfon battery. Thömus decided against the standard Shimano battery not just out of capacity considerations but because the wider and as a result, relatively short Darfon battery lowers the centre of gravity. In purely visual terms, the concept requires a massive down tube which stands in contrast to the otherwise organic lines of the carbon frame. Nevertheless, the integration of the drive system is outstanding. A special stem routes all cables directly into the frame and prevents them from rattling. While other manufacturers simply cover the unused cable ports, Thömus have got rid of them altogether. Very elegant!

A custom spec for a special bike: The spec of the Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro

When it comes to the spec, Thömus give you free rein. Using their online configurator, you can mix and match components and customise the spec, finish and suspension travel down to the smallest detail. Unfortunately, the choice is rather limited when it comes to suspension, and not always consistent with the overall bike concept. Fortunately, the sales team is happy to discuss further spec options directly with the customer. For this test, Thömus built our € 9,550 test bike as an all-rounder with 160 mm of travel front and rear. We would have loved to swap the FIT4 damper of the FOX 36 fork with the superior GRIP2 version, but we wanted to give you a realistic impression of the possibilities in the configurator. The rear is controlled by a FOX DPX2 shock. A Shimano XT groupset with a 12-speed drivetrain and four-piston brakes (200 mm rotors front and rear) deliver reliable shifting performance and deceleration and ensures a tidy cockpit and excellent ergonomics. Not so exciting is the KS LEV-CI dropper post which has only 150 mm of travel and a very large stack height. The dropper also stopped working during our test! We recommend a model with adjustable travel, like the E*thirteen Vario adjustable dropper post which allows you to get maximum extension even with a long seat tube. The 22.6 kg Lightrider E2 Pro rolls on a high-quality 29” DT Swiss alloy wheelset paired with bombproof 2.6” Schwalbe Eddy Current tires.

**Robust, reliable, grippy**
With the combination of a DT Swiss alloy wheelset and robust Schwalbe Eddy Current tires, punctures are a thing of the past. Here you can safely experiment with air pressures to improve grip.

**One step ahead**
The Shimano EP8 motor is well-protected by several elaborate covers: super classy!

**Unnecessarily long**
At 480 mm, the seat tube is unnecessarily long. There would still be enough room to fit a long-travel dropper post if it were shorter. As it stands, you’re limited to a maximum of 150 mm travel leaving your freedom of movement impinged.

Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro

€ 9,550

Specifications

Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Darfon 726 Wh
Display Shimano SC-EM800
Fork FOX 36 Factory FIT4 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX Factory DPX2 160 mm
Seatpost KS LEV-Ci 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XT-Vierkolbenbremse 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Thömus Integrated V2 60 mm
Handlebar Thömus Alu Riser 780 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss HX1501 29"
Tires Schwalbe Eddy Current 2.6"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 22.60 kg
Perm. total weight 150 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 127 kg
Trailer approval yes
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

Configurator

**Big battery inside!**
Thömus rely on a 726 Wh Darfon battery, which is significantly wider but also shorter than the standard Shimano battery. This allows for a low center of gravity but makes for a massive down tube.

**Consistent and almost perfect**
All cables run directly from the stem into the head tube and straight into the frame, ensuring a clean look and quiet ride. Thömus take it a step further than anyone else and get rid of the cable ports.

**Special request**
The configurator only lets you choose between a 160 mm DT-Swiss F535 One or FOX 36 FIT4 fork. That being said, you can contact Thömus directly to discuss other spec options. We recommend upgrading to the superior FOX GRIP2 damper.

The Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro is available in four sizes and has sporty, modern geometry. The numbers are harmonious except for the seat tube, which in size L (480 mm) and XL (500 mm) is simply too long. At 74.7°, the seat angle is relatively slack and due to the pronounced kink in the seat tube, slackens out even further as you extend the dropper. While short riders are well integrated with the bike on flat trails and climbs, tall riders with long legs will end up far back over the rear wheel. Not least because of the long stem (60 mm), the riding position on the Thömus is low and stretched but still comfortable enough to make full use of the big battery capacity and long range.

Größe	S	M	L	XL
seat tube	400 mm	440 mm	480 mm	500 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°
Chainstays	453 mm	453 mm	455 mm	455 mm
Reach	415 mm	445 mm	475 mm	500 mm
Stack	615 mm	624 mm	634 mm	638 mm

**Helmet** POC Kortal | **Backpack** USWE Airborne 15 | **Jersey** POC Essentials DH L/S
**Shorts** POC Resistance | **Kneepad** POC Joint VPD System Knee | **Shoes** ION Scrub Amp
**Socks** POC Essential Road Sock | **Gloves** POC Essential

The Thömus configurator still needs some improvement. However, if you know exactly which components you want, you can contact Thömus directly and discuss your custom build with a member of staff.

**Flow trails are where it feels at home**
Despite the big battery, it’s surprisingly easy to pull the front wheel of the Thömus into the air. The agile handling is perfect for fun times on flowing trails.

Nimble despite the huge battery – The Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro was one of the big surprises in our test.

Similar to the Trek Rail, on steep climbs, tall riders with long legs are positioned far back over the rear wheel, while small riders are nicely integrated with the bike. However, regardless of your size, you’ll always have to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking, though the long stem really helps. Do this and the lightweight eMTB winds its way up flowing trails without batting an eye. In slippery conditions, the Eddy Current at the rear feels in its element and generates more traction than any other tire in this test. Spinning out of control? Nope! When negotiating big steps, edges and obstacles, you have to time your pedal strokes carefully to avoid clipping the long 170 mm cranks on obstacles.

Tuning tips: choose a shorter stem from the configurator | dropper post with a shorter stack height and adjustable stroke and riders with long legs should push the saddle all the way forwards

Downhill, the Lightrider E2 Pro is a real surprise, especially on flowing trails. Despite the big battery, the front end is surprisingly easy to pull into the air. Hardly any other bike with a comparable range is as much fun to ride. The geometry ensures a balanced weight distribution and central riding position, especially on flat trails. The Thömus is easy to control, incredibly precise in open corners and berms and always generates lots of traction, not least due to the grippy tires. However, on steep and technical trails it quickly leaves its comfort zone and is only average compared to the rest of the test field. On very steep descents, the restricted freedom of movement really kills your flow and the fork is easily overwhelmed on big hits and the long stem tries to pull you over the bars – all this together really puts you off riding fast!

**Positive surprise**
The Thömus is a real surprise and at the same time proof that long range and agile handling aren’t mutually exclusive. No other bike in the test combines these so well.

Riding Characteristics

Agility

sluggish
playful

Stability

nervous
stable

Handling

demanding
balanced

Riding fun

boring
lively

Motor feeling

digital
natural

Motor power

weak
strong

Value for money

poor
top

Application

Forest road

Flow trail uphill

Flow trail downhill

Technical single trail uphill

Technical single trail downhill

Downhill tracks

Conclusion

The Thömus Lightrider E2 Pro is crafted to the highest standards and copes with any terrain – a good all-rounder! No other bike on test combines such a big battery capacity with such agile handling. However, on steep and challenging descents, the geometry and suspension of the Thömus reach their limits. Although the configurator offers numerous individualisation options, the selection still has massive shortcomings. That being said, Thömus are happy to discuss further customisation options directly with the customer.

Tops

big battery and agile handling
great Shimano integration
individual customisation available

Flops

long seat tube
uphill riding position
massive down tube

You can find out more about at thoemus.ch

The test field