Welcome to the 2023 MBR e-bike Of the Year test! We have an impressive lineup of 10 contenders vying for the title, including bikes from top brands like Specialized, Trek, Canyon, and Giant. With motors from popular brands such as Bosch and Yamaha, these bikes offer a range of features including mullet bikes, 29ers, coil shocks, wireless gears, and electronic suspension. With a total value of £73k, this test is sure to provide valuable insights for electric mountain bike enthusiasts. Whether you’re interested in the performance, ride quality, or design, this article covers it all. So sit back and let us guide you through the best electric mountain bikes according to Mountain Bike Rider.
1. Introduction
Welcome to the 2023 MBR E-Bike of the Year test! In this comprehensive article, we will be discussing the top contenders for the best electric mountain bike title, as chosen by Mountain Bike Rider. These e-bikes come from popular brands such as Specialized, Trek, Canyon, YT, Cannondale, Mondraker, Nukeproof, Vitus, Giant, and Whyte. The bikes feature motors from major brands like Bosch, Shimano, Brose, and Yamaha. With various features such as mullet bikes, 29ers, coil shocks, wireless gears, and electronic suspension, these bikes offer a range of options for riders. We’ll dive into each bike’s features, specifications, strengths, weaknesses, and provide a comprehensive conclusion. So let’s get started and find the perfect electric mountain bike for you!
2. The Contenders
Before we delve into the features and specifications of these electric mountain bikes, let’s introduce the 10 contenders that will be competing for the title of the best e-bike of the year.
2.1 Giant Trance X Advanced E+ 1
The Giant Trance X Advanced E+ 1 features a sleek design with a carbon frame and 150mm of front travel and 140mm of rear travel. It comes equipped with a Yamaha motor and offers wireless gears and electronic suspension.
2.2 Cannondale Monterra Neo Carbon LT 2
The Cannondale Monterra Neo Carbon LT 2 is a high-performance e-bike with 170mm of front travel and 165mm of rear travel. It stands out with its coil shock and mullet bike configuration.
2.3 Mondraker Crafty Carbon R
The Mondraker Crafty Carbon R boasts 164mm of front travel and 150mm of rear travel. It features an alloy rear frame and offers adjustable geometry options.
2.4 Vitus E-Sommet VRX
The Vitus E-Sommet VRX stands out as the most affordable bike in the test. It comes with 29-inch wheels and a 630wh battery, offering great value for money.
2.5 Whyte E-160 RSX
The Whyte E-160 RSX is a well-balanced e-bike with a long chainstay and a chainstay length of 474mm. It comes with 160mm of front travel and offers stability and agility on the trails.
2.6 Trek Rail 9.7
The Trek Rail 9.7 is known for its adjustable seat post and short rear end. It offers a comfortable and centered ride, making it suitable for riders of average height.
2.7 Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory
The Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory features a slacker geometry and a longer seat tube. Its unique integrated toggle switch allows for easy power mode switching.
2.8 YT Decoy Core MX
The YT Decoy Core MX stands out with its Yamaha motor and integrated toggle switch. It offers good value for money and a unique power mode selection feature.
2.9 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp comes with an enclosed down tube and a removable battery. It offers a durable drivetrain and good ride quality.
2.10 Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9
The Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9 boasts a unique forward geometry concept and a shorter stem. It offers good value for money and a stable and agile ride.
3. Features and Specifications
Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the 10 contenders, let’s take a closer look at their features and specifications.
3.1 Motor Brands
All the major motor brands are represented among the contenders, including Bosch, Shimano, Brose, and Yamaha. Each brand brings its own unique features and performance characteristics to the bikes.
3.2 Bike Features
The bikes in this competition come with a wide range of features, such as mullet bikes, 29ers, coil shocks, wireless gears, and even electronic suspension. These features contribute to the overall performance and ride quality of each bike.
3.3 Tire Choice
For this test, the mid MaxTerra compound was chosen for the front and rear tires. This compound strikes a balance between grip on the trail and rolling resistance, which is crucial for maximizing battery range.
3.4 Video Review
The MBR E-Bike of the Year test includes a comprehensive video review produced in partnership with Feedback Sports and Fox Clothing. The video provides an in-depth look at each bike and their performance on the trail.
3.5 Accessories and Tools Used
During the testing process, tools from Feedback Sports and Fox Clothing were used to ensure accuracy and consistency. These accessories and tools play a crucial role in maintaining and evaluating the bikes.
4. Bike Reviews
Now it’s time to dive into the individual reviews of each electric mountain bike in the competition. We’ll explore their strengths, weaknesses, and how they performed during the test.
4.1 Giant Trance X Advanced E+ 1
The Giant Trance X Advanced E+ 1 stands out with its sleek design, carbon frame, and Yamaha motor. It offers wireless gears and electronic suspension. However, the bike’s cable routing through the stem may be inconvenient for customization or repair.
4.2 Cannondale Monterra Neo Carbon LT 2
The Cannondale Monterra Neo Carbon LT 2 is a high-performance e-bike with a coil shock and mullet bike configuration. It provides stability and agility on the trails, but the rear wheel may have issues with slapping.
4.3 Mondraker Crafty Carbon R
The Mondraker Crafty Carbon R has improved from previous versions with a new controller, display, and silent motor. It offers great adjustability options for geometry and sizing, ensuring a comfortable and agile ride.
4.4 Vitus E-Sommet VRX
The Vitus E-Sommet VRX is the most affordable bike in the test, offering 29-inch wheels and a 630wh battery. It provides great value for money, but it could benefit from a flip chip and a low BB option.
4.5 Whyte E-160 RSX
The Whyte E-160 RSX stands out with its long chainstay, which contributes to stability on the trails. The bike’s basic suspension may not be high-end enough for rougher tracks, but it offers a hard-charging feel.
4.6 Trek Rail 9.7
The Trek Rail 9.7 offers an adjustable seat post and a short rear end, delivering a comfortable and centered ride. However, the rear freehub engagement could be faster.
4.7 Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory
The Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory features a slacker geometry and a longer seat tube. It offers good value for money and performs well on challenging trails with quick terrain changes.
4.8 YT Decoy Core MX
The YT Decoy Core MX stands out with its Yamaha motor and unique integrated toggle switch for power modes. It offers good value for money and a stable and agile ride.
4.9 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp features an enclosed down tube and a removable battery. It offers a durable drivetrain and good ride quality. However, it does not come with a chain device, which could be problematic for aggressive riding.
4.10 Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9
The Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9 boasts a forward geometry concept and a shorter stem. It offers good value for money and provides a stable and agile ride. However, the weight distribution may affect fork performance.
5. Strengths and Weaknesses
Now that we have reviewed each bike individually, let’s summarize their strengths and weaknesses. This will give you a clearer understanding of each bike’s performance, ride quality, and design.
5.1 Giant Trance X Advanced E+ 1
Strengths:
- Sleek design with a carbon frame
- Wireless gears and electronic suspension
- Good balance and low bottom bracket
Weaknesses:
- Inconvenient cable routing through the stem
- Less plush suspension compared to previous model
5.2 Cannondale Monterra Neo Carbon LT 2
Strengths:
- High-performance with coil shock
- Stable and agile ride
- Slacker geometry
Weaknesses:
- Rear wheel may have issues with slapping
- Basic suspension may not be high-end enough for rougher tracks
5.3 Mondraker Crafty Carbon R
Strengths:
- Improved controller, display, and silent motor
- Great adjustability options for geometry and sizing
- Comfortable, stable, and agile ride
Weaknesses:
- Could benefit from a flip chip and a low BB option
5.4 Vitus E-Sommet VRX
Strengths:
- Most affordable bike in the test
- Great value for money
- Good range and specification
Weaknesses:
- Could benefit from a flip chip and a low BB option
5.5 Whyte E-160 RSX
Strengths:
- Stable and centered ride
- Hard-charging feel
- Long chainstay for stability
Weaknesses:
- Basic suspension may not be high-end enough for rougher tracks
- Can feel chaotic in rough conditions
5.6 Trek Rail 9.7
Strengths:
- Adjustable seat post for a comfortable ride
- Short rear end for a centered ride
- Reliable Code RS brakes
Weaknesses:
- Rear freehub engagement could be faster
- Limited size options
5.7 Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory
Strengths:
- Slacker geometry for better trail performance
- Good value for money
- Stable and agile ride
Weaknesses:
- Unknown wheelbase measurement
- Can feel chaotic in rough conditions
5.8 YT Decoy Core MX
Strengths:
- Unique integrated toggle switch for power modes
- Stable and agile ride
- Good value for money
Weaknesses:
- Rear freehub engagement could be faster
- Noisy bike
5.9 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
Strengths:
- Enclosed down tube and removable battery
- Durable drivetrain
- Good ride quality
Weaknesses:
- No chain device, which could be problematic for aggressive riding
- Limited size options
5.10 Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9
Strengths:
- Forward geometry concept for stability
- Shorter stem for agility
- Stable and agile ride
Weaknesses:
- Weight distribution affects fork performance
- Limited stem options for customization
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, the MBR E-Bike of the Year test showcased a diverse range of electric mountain bikes from top brands in the industry. Each bike had its own unique strengths and weaknesses, offering riders a wide range of options to choose from. After considering factors such as performance, ride quality, and design, it’s clear that each bike has its own standout features.
The Giant Trance X Advanced E+ 1 impressed with its sleek design, carbon frame, and good balance. The Cannondale Monterra Neo Carbon LT 2 stood out as a high-performance bike with a stable and agile ride. The Mondraker Crafty Carbon R showcased improved features and great adjustability options. The Vitus E-Sommet VRX offered great value for money with its affordable price and good range. The Whyte E-160 RSX delivered stability and a hard-charging feel. The Trek Rail 9.7 provided a comfortable and centered ride. The Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory boasted a slacker geometry for better trail performance. The YT Decoy Core MX offered stability and agility with its unique integrated toggle switch. The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp impressed with its enclosed down tube and removable battery. The Canyon Spectral:ON CF 9 showcased stability and agility with its forward geometry concept.
Ultimately, the best electric mountain bike for you will depend on your individual preferences, riding style, and budget. We encourage you to thoroughly research and test ride these bikes to find the perfect match for your needs. Happy riding!