The 10 best electric mountain bikes

A list of the best electric mountain bikes is constantly changing. Every year, new components hit the market, and electric innovations continue to improve. The latest e-MTBs boast powerful motors, strong brakes, and excellent suspension, enhanced with additional technological innovations.

The advent of electric motors on mountain bikes has revitalized the sport of mountain biking, making it popular once again. Mountain biking is not an easy sport, but with electric assistance, almost anyone can conquer the mountains.

In this article, we’ll explore the best e-mountain bikes for every budget and situation, with a preference for models that can be purchased online. Please note that the focus is on full suspension electric mountain bikes, although electric hardtail mountain bikes are also available at lower prices.

There are many excellent brands and bikes that are not mentioned in this list. If you want to compare further, read on at the bottom for more information on what to consider when buying an electric mountain bike.

Best value for money

Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 Pro

Looking at a budget that works for most mountain bikers, we arrive at the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140. It’s the full suspension upgrade of the Hybrid 120 Pro, and our choice for most people.

Powered by a robust Bosch CX (85 Nm) motor with a 750 Wh Powertube, it’s capable of handling any hill and enduring long mountain biking sessions. Gear shifting is smooth with the Shimano 11-speed derailleur.

The suspension is tuned for enduro or trail riding. The 140-150 mm travel RockShox Deluxe suspension is used by various brands. The brakes, crucial for mountain biking, are above average. The Magura MT disc brakes with 4 pistons bring your bike to a quick stop.

Weight is also important in mountain biking. This e-MTB weighs in at 23.8 kg total.

Cube aims to provide a bike for every budget. This bike comes in various versions. The Hybrid 140 offers the best price-to-quality ratio. Additionally, there’s the newer, more expensive and better Hybrid 160 or the cheaper Hybrid 120. There’s also a low-entry version available for women.

Terrain: Enduro / trail | Weight: 23.8 kg | Suspension: 140-150 mm | Motor: 85 Nm

Scott Strike eRide 920

Still, very good electric mountain bikes are those from the brand Scott. We’ll discuss the expensive Patron later; the E-Ride is its more affordable counterpart. Quality and comfort are coupled with a sleek design. The Scott Strike is an excellent all-around mountain bike.

The aluminum frame contributes to a total weight of 23.7 kg. Equipped with 140 mm of travel (front fork and rear suspension), this MTB is tailored for trail runs. The design is slightly less aggressive, making the bike easy to climb while remaining fast downhill.

This bike also utilizes the Bosch CX motor, equipped with a Purion display and a 650 Wh integrated battery. The large 203 mm Shimano brakes (4 piston) provide ample stopping power.

With the Shimano XT 12-speed derailleur and SRAM X01 drivetrain, you have a gear for every terrain. The short, fast uphill sections are tackled with electric assistance. With 85 Nm of torque, you should be able to conquer almost any hill effortlessly.

While this may not be the best Scott model, nor the best electric mountain bike overall, for under 5000 euros, it remains an excellent choice.

Terrain: Trail | Weight: 23.7 kg | Suspension: 140 mm | Motor: 85 Nm

If we’re not considering budget, then we’re looking at the absolute top. The best quality, the best components, tech, and parts. The bikes are lightweight yet incredibly sturdy. Even in this segment, there is a lot of choice, so be sure to also look at the top model of your favorite brand.

Trek Rail 9.9

Trek is a well-known brand, offering a wide range of bicycles from touring to racing models, catering to various niches. They also consider budget and needs when designing their bikes. In the electric mountain bike lineup, Trek offers the E-Caliber (lightweight, short distances), various Rails (long distances), the new Fuel EXe (invisible motor), and the older Powerfly models.

We chose the Rail 9.9 because the 750 Wh battery and 85 Nm motor are the most sought after and purchased. This mountain bike offers excellent value for money but comes with a hefty price tag. Quality, power, and stability are essential, and these qualities are evident in this Trek model.

The powerful Bosch CX line provides electric assistance, delivering around 85 Nm in e-MTB mode. The new Bosch smart system allows integration with your smartphone, enabling you to customize the motor settings per gear, view statistics, and track your activities.

The 635 Wh battery is neatly integrated and provides enough power for several hours of fun. It is well-protected against moisture and has a good lifespan.

The aluminum frame is equipped with 160 mm and 150 mm front and rear suspension, consisting of RockShox Yari and Deluxe components, providing deep travel and particularly useful for enduro rides. The bike is lightweight yet sturdy, and downhill riding is facilitated by 29-inch wheels.

Additionally, the bike features a 12-speed SRAM Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain. Electronic shifting is done via the Bosch Kiox 300 Smart controller, showcasing the latest technology incorporated into this e-MTB. Braking is handled by 4-piston Shimano disc brakes.

If you prefer a very light bike with limited electric assistance, consider taking a look at the E-caliber and Fuel Exe models.

Terrain: Enduro | Weight: 22.6 kg | Suspension: 160-150 mm | Motor: 85 Nm

KTM Macina Prowler Exonic

Another example of top-quality electric mountain bikes comes from KTM. We know them for motocross, mopeds, and now for electric bicycles. The KTM Macina Prowler is for the avid hobbyist mountain biker or the semi-professional cyclists among us. With that comes a considerable price tag. Fortunately, KTM also offers some cheaper models.

The Macina Prowler is tailored for enduro, trail, and even downhill riding with its 180 mm travel. Like other models, the E-MTB utilizes a Bosch CX (85 nm) with a 750 Wh power tube. This includes the new Bosch Smart system with Kiox display.

Automatic electronic shifting is enabled thanks to the SRAM XX1 Eagle hub gearing. Especially handy during fast enduro or downhill descents. This component is of very high quality and contributes (along with other parts) to the high purchase price. Additionally, it features a 12-speed derailleur.

You’ll have excellent grip thanks to the thick Schwalbe tires. The bike is equipped with a 29-inch tire in the front and a 27.5-inch tire in the rear. We see this configuration often with the latest mountain bikes, although 29-inch wheels are gradually becoming the standard. Braking is done with powerful 4-piston Shimano XTR M9100 disc brakes.

The carbon frame is very strong and light. However, the bike has a high total weight due to the heavier motor and battery. This makes the e-MTB sturdy and stable. Especially for downhill riding, you want a bit more weight so you don’t fly up too easily.

Terrain: Enduro, downhill | Weight: 25.2 kg | Suspension: 180-170 mm | Motor: 85 nm

Beste enduro mountainbike

Scott Patron E-ride 920

The Patron is one of the best electric mountain bikes of 2023, particularly suited for enduro mountain biking. With its 160 mm travel, it can absorb a lot of shocks at high speeds. Climbing uphill is also easy with the 85 nm Bosch CX motor.

The design is sleek and sharp, with everything integrated and wires barely visible. Even the electric display is built-in.

Thanks to its aggressive design, the bike remains stable when riding downhill, providing good balance. However, it is slightly heavier than average, which is beneficial for stability but less so for maneuverability.

The 160 mm front and rear suspension are suitable for enduro and trail riding. Typical enduro mountain bikes have a travel range of 140 to 180 mm. Braking is handled by robust Shimano SLX 4-piston brakes.

Additionally, it features 29-inch wheels with wide 2.6-inch tires. The Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain ensures smooth gear changes.

Terrain: Enduro & Trail | Weight: 26.1 kg | Suspension: 160 mm | Motor: 85 nm

Best trail e-mtb

Orbea Rise M20

With 140 mm of travel front and rear, the Orbea Rise is tailored for Cross Country and Trail riding. It’s not designed for ultra-fast downhill or enduro; for those purposes, the Orbea Wild is available. Orbea is synonymous with quality and craftsmanship. The bikes are robust, light, and agile.

The Rise is an extremely light mountain bike. The lightest version weighs only 15.9 kg. It’s one of the lightest electric mountain bikes with a mid-drive motor. They use hydroformed aluminum and carbon to keep the weight low.

The motor, a new Shimano EP8 RS, provides 85 nm of torque. It may be less powerful than others, but this specialized motor is perfectly tuned for mountain biking. For the urban models of Orbea, they use a slightly less powerful motor.

To streamline the design as much as possible, they have hidden the battery behind the motor. This makes it difficult to remove the battery easily. Charging is done via the charging port.

You have two battery options, 360 wh or 540 wh. The latter is one kilogram heavier and affects the weight. You can also attach a 250 wh extra range extender if you want to extend your mountain biking range even further.

The electric mountain bike is very narrow and light. Even the handlebar is very thin, with the built-in electric components and cables, you can hardly tell it’s an electric bike.

Terrain: Trail, enduro| Weight: 15.9 kg | Suspension: 140 mm | Motor: 60 nm

Best Cross Country

Focus Thron2 6.7

If you’re looking for an electric mountain bike for cross country MTB, you don’t need deep suspension. With low travel, you can’t absorb heavy shocks. These bikes are meant for real riding, not just downhill.

The frame of the cross country MTB is slightly more upright. This provides the best posture uphill. We also see this reflected in the sleek design of the Focus Thron2. The suspension is also placed differently to accommodate this.

The Bosch CX provides 85 nm of power, the best affordable motor on the current market. It comes with the 625 built-in PowerTube, good for a few hours of mountain biking.

The RockShox Deluxe Select suspension is of high quality. You can also adjust it to be tighter or less tense, although this is limited. Shimano brakes, chain, and derailleur. The 29-inch tires are from Maxxis.

This electric full suspension mountain bike is not cheap. If you’re looking for a cross country bike around 5000 euros, we recommend this Focus Thron2.

Terrain: Cross country & Trail| Weight: 25.8 kg | Suspension: 130 mm | Motor: 85 nm

Chainless with Hub Gear

Riese Muller Delite Mountain Rohloff

If you don’t want a chain, you can opt for a belt drive and automatic transmission. For electric mountain bikes, this is extra challenging because the software must respond perfectly to your pedaling motion and your need for additional power. Currently, there are few brands that offer this option. This is also because the bike becomes much more expensive.

Riese Muller does offer this in their range. The high-quality Rohloff Speedhub utilizes 14 automatic gears. It works in conjunction with the Gates CDX drive belt and cassette. The carbon belt drive lasts much longer than a traditional chain.

In addition, this RM model features the same high-quality components as other brands in this list. Strong hydraulic Magura disc brakes. Fox Float Performance suspension on the robust, albeit heavier, aluminum frame. The Bosch Performance CX, Bosch Kiox, and Bosch 625 PowerTube provide electric assistance.

Connectivity is possible with the built-in RX chip and Bosch smart system technology. This allows you to always know where your bike is and provides some data from your ride. You can also adjust the modes (Eco, Tour, Turbo) to provide more or less power.

Terrain: Trail & Enduro | Weight: 28.4 kg | Suspension: 150-140 mm | Motor: 85 nm

Best Hardtail E-MTB

Trek Powerfly 7

When looking at the best hardtail model, we come to the Trek Powerfly 7. The Powerfly also comes in a full suspension version (Powerfly FS 7). Comparable to the Cube mentioned above but slightly more expensive.

This electric hardtail mountain bike bears a strong resemblance but lacks rear wheel suspension. The MTB is equipped with a Bosch CX Performance Line and a Bosch 625 Wh PowerTube.

The front suspension has a travel of 120 mm. Suitable for cross country, but not equipped for enduro or downhill. Rear suspension protects the motor from hard shocks. Since this is absent, you need to be cautious.

The brakes, chain, and derailleur are from Shimano. The hydraulic disc brakes are equipped with 4 pistons. Remaining components are from Bontrager.

Terrain: Cross Country| Weight: 25.12 kg | Suspension: 120 mm | Motor: 85 nm

Best Budget E-MTB

Moma E-MTB 29″

That it can also be very cheap is evident with the electric mountain bike from Moma Bikes, available at Decathlon. This is the only full suspension electric mountain bike under 2000 euros.

They keep the price low by using a rear-wheel drive. This is not convenient during mountain biking. Due to the sudden power, the rear wheel can slip in the mud. The 55 nm is also just sufficient for really steep inclines.

The build quality of the frame is fairly mediocre. The travel of the suspension is 100 mm (front fork). There is no information available about the rear suspension. The weight was also not found on their website. The main components, chain, brakes, and derailleur, are from Shimano.

This is not the best electric mountain bike. But if you have a limited budget, then at least you have an option.

Terrain: Cross Country | Weight: – kg | Suspension: 100 mm | Motor: 55 nm

What to Consider When Buying an Electric Mountain Bike

An electric bike has several important components to consider when making a purchase. The motor and the battery. The power and strength, but also the quality and lifespan. When it comes to an electric mountain bike, the MTB itself must also be in good condition.

Mountain biking can be dangerous. In addition to a good bike, a good helmet, protective clothing, and a good bike computer are also important.

Electric Motor

For an electric road bike, weight is of great importance. Sometimes we choose rear-wheel drive here to keep the weight as low as possible. Weight is less important for electric mountain bikes, although it certainly plays a role. Here, power is the priority. You need to get your bike up the hill, no matter how steep it is.

Newton Meters, or nm, is therefore an important value to keep an eye on. A regular electric bike needs 40 to 60 nm. For mountain biking, you want at least 70 to 90 nm of power. On the one hand, because the slopes are much shorter and more intense. On the other hand, because your tire can easily slip in the mud.

Bosch ABS System

Most electric mountain bike brands use a Bosch or Shimano motor (sometimes also Yamaha or AEG). Especially Bosch technology is highly regarded, with their Smart System and ABS brakes, they are beginning to transfer innovations from cars to e-bikes.

This can also be important during mountain biking. Wheel lock – where your tire gets stuck when you brake too hard – can cause accidents. With ABS, your wheel cannot lock, so you are less likely to flip over. This is also a very interesting innovation for long cargo bikes (on two wheels).

Battery

During mountain biking, your motor will always be in E-MTB or Turbo mode. You will need the full 85 nm of power. A battery is often expressed in kilometers, but for mountain bikes, this is different. You don’t really cover kilometers, mainly climbing and descending hills.

When it comes to electric mountain biking, more emphasis is placed on ride time. A full battery is good for two to three hours of mountain biking. With a 625 Wh battery, this is a good two hours, with a 750 Wh battery, you get an additional half hour.

And that choice can make all the difference. If you know you won’t have enough with 625 Wh, then you choose a 750 Wh. On the other hand, you might want as little electric assistance as possible and a small battery to keep the weight low.

These types of e-mtb also exist, for example, the Trek E-caliber with removable motor and battery. Or the Fuel eXe with an extra small motor and battery.

Build Quality

Mountain biking is great when you know you can trust your bike. Riding with a fearful heart is less enjoyable. Especially when you’re speeding down the mountain. The build quality of your bike affects the control you have over your mountain bike.

A low-quality mountain bike breaks down faster. This is even more true for electric mountain bikes. The electric motor will absorb more shocks, affecting its lifespan. So when making your purchase, consider the entire lifespan of your bike.

Suspension and Brakes

When mountain biking, we make a distinction based on suspension. You have full suspension mountain bikes, just like the bikes in this list. In addition, you also have hardtail mountain bikes. They have front suspension but no suspension on the frame or rear wheel.

For the front fork, we talk about air suspension. On the frame or rear wheel, this is done with a spring (coil-suspension). The travel is the distance that the suspension can travel. This travel can differ between front and rear suspension.

Brakes and Wheels

Brakes are also important. You need to be able to control your bike well, and braking plays a huge role in that. When it comes to mountain bikes, you actually have little choice. This is about safety and control, always choose disc brakes with 4 pistons.

For wheels and tires, you usually have the choice between 27.5 inch and 29 inch tires. You determine the thickness, brand, and quality of the tire yourself. The better the tire, the more grip and control. The less friction, the faster the bike. Some models opt for a 27.5 inch rear tire and a 29 inch front tire. Each has its pros and cons.

Different Types of Mountain Bikes

Cross Country Bikes

Can be hardtails or full suspension.

80 to 120 mm travel – good for all terrains, descents, but also efficient for climbing, often lightweight carbon, designed slightly upwards for climbing (long distances not short hills), long stem for balance, usually 29-inch tires.

Trail

Suspension travel is longer, can be hardtail and full suspension but more often full, 110 to 150 mm, 27.5 or 29 (trend), design is slightly less aggressive upwards, more aggressive easier on the trail, aluminum or carbon split, slightly heavier.

Enduro

Longer travel 140 to 180, designed to descend very fast, rough terrain strong suspension, steep saddle position, good enough to still be able to climb the mountains (hence the seat angle), 27.5 but mainly 29 inch (sometimes 29 in front 27.5 rear, larger brakes than a trail).

Downhill

Even larger travel around 200 mm, made to go downhill really, fixed seat post, aluminum or carbon, rough terrain, high frame for balance and downhill speed, very powerful brakes, both wheel sizes & also mixed.

That concludes the search for the right or best full suspension electric mountain bikes of 2023.

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