Best e-MTBs 2024 - top-performing e-mountain bikes for every situation

Our selection of the best e-mountain bikes we've tested.

Liam Mercer

Oct 25 2024

Buying

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Electric mountain bikes have breathed new life into the cycling industry as they pose a more accessible platform for a very physically demanding sport. Whether you're new to mountain biking or want something to make getting up a hill a bit easier, here are the best e-MTBs we've tested.

Although many e-mountain bikes are beginning to look no different from their regular leg-powered alternatives, there's an awful lot more to consider when buying an e-MTB. What type of e-MTB you're looking for? Is it a bike to assist you mile after mile or are you looking for a winch-and-plummet machine? To answer that, the best place to start is the motor and battery capacity.

There are many brands in the e-bike motor game such as Yamaha and Brose, through to the usual suspects, Shimano and Bosch. Each model has its perks and downsides, but the most important aspect to look for is serviceability.

There's also the case of the motor's output. With torque measured in Newton metres (Nm) and its overall power output measured in watts, it's simply a case of the bigger number, meaning more. The more Newton meters, the more it will feel like the bike is helping you when pedalling. The more watts, the faster you will accelerate.

Aside from the e-MTB-specific things, buying an e-mountain bike is the same as buying a regular mountain bike. Consider the suspension travel and geometry and spend some time looking at the sizing chart and finding a bike that fits you like a glove.

[Prices and specifications subject to change]

Scott Lumen eRide 900

£9,199

The Scott Lumen is a short-travel trail machine that rocks TQ's HPR50 motor combined with a 360Wh battery. As a modern Scott bike, it gets the characteristic integrated shock frame design that claims to shed weight while boosting frame stiffness.

Built with 130mm of suspension travel at each end, we found the Lumen exceptionally capable on the trail. The TQ motor delivers its power naturally, which adds to the fun and responsive ride that's more akin to a regular mountain bike. It's versatile, too, coming equipped with cross-country tyres that'll help you get the miles, it can be built with gnarlier rubber for heavier riding.

It's not without its quirks, however – the tyres lack support and the one-piece handlebar and stem setup is very stiff.

But for a deeper look at this bike, read the Scott Lumen eRide 900 e-MTB review.

Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8

£5,199

Canyon's Neuron:ON is built for munching miles. It borrows a lot of features from the Spectral:ON but its longer chainstay makes for a solid climbing platform and the 140mm suspension travel balances fun and agility with plenty of capability.

This bike boasts a carbon frame driven by Bosch's Performance Line CX motor and a 750Wh battery as standard but it's not removable.

We liked this bike for its responsive yet supple rear end and relatively light chassis. Its geometry is spot on, too, as it's a bike that climbs as comfortably as it descends. However, its 34mm stanchioned fork limits its potential.

Like what you read? Check out the full Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 e-MTB review.

Marin Alpine Trail E

£4,355

The Marin Alpine Trail E is an alloy-framed all-mountain e-MTB built to bring the performance of its higher-end range mates to a more accessible price. This bike runs a mixed wheel size, so there's a 650b wheel at the rear and a 29-inch hoop up front with the former donning a 2.8in tyre. To hit the lower price point, the alloy frame is equipped with Shimano's EP6 motor and 504Wh battery.

It delivers capability by the shed load but, because its geometry is so progressive, it's not the most welcoming bike to those new to e-MTB and mountain biking in general.

If you're one for rowdy, winch-and-plummet riding, you need to read the Marin Alpine Trail E e-MTB review.

YT Industries Decoy 29 Core 3

Although now only available in the Core 4 model, the YT Industries Decoy 29 Core 3 is the only e-MTB in this guide to score five stars. It combines a carbon fibre front end with an alloy rear triangle and uses Shimano's EP8 motor. At the front, there's 150mm of suspension and 145mm at the rear. It rolls on 29-inch wheels.

Although it's not the longest bike in the world, it utilises the weight of its 720 or 540Wh battery and shorter wheelbase and reach to achieve excellent manoeuvrability.

To find out what makes this bike so great, read our YT Industries Decoy 29 Core 3 e-MTB review.

Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8

£5,599

Although recently updated with the latest Shimano motor technology, the Spectral:ON is an e-mountain bike that packs great value for money. It's built with Shimano's EP801 motor and a 720Wh battery with an option to run a 900Wh alternative if you've got the taste for big miles.

As for travel, the Spectral:ON boasts 160mm of squish up front combined with 150mm at the rear. It's one of the most fun-filled e-MTBs we've tested with excellent trail manners and geometry.
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Read the Canyon Spectral:ON CF 8 e-MTB review if you would like to learn more.

Merida eOne-Sixty 875

£6,000

Merida's latest e-mountain bike platform has seen a huge overhaul from previous iterations. It now aligns with the brand's Agilometer sizing concept and it's every bit as 'Merida' as its modern trail and enduro mountain bikes. Coming built in carbon-framed and alloy bikes, the 875 uses the LITE, alloy frame and has a 750Wh battery that powers a Shimano EP801 motor.

Although it takes a lot of inspiration from the One-Sixty Enduro mountain bike, Merida has tailored the bike's geometry to suit the weightier e-MTB platform better. So its head angle is a little steeper, and its seat angle is a little slacker. It's also a shorter bike in terms of reach and wheelbase. The result is a bike that's incredibly balanced, whether that's when climbing or descending.

For more, make sure you have a gander at our Merida eOne-Sixty 875 e-MTB review.

Canyon Spectral:ONfly CLLCTV

£6,799

The Canyon:ONfly CLLCTV is a lightweight e-bike that utilises TQ's HPR50 motor with a 300Wh battery. With its humble aims, Canyon has delivered. The theme throughout the bike is 'natural' as the motor's power delivery is as unintrusive as the bike's looks.

Tweaks have been made to the bike's geometry compared to its leg-powered counterpart, ushering in a shorter reach and longer chainstay. As such, it's a solid climber but is in its element when pointed downhill. We wish it had more range.

Head over to the Canyon Spectral:ONfly CLLCTV e-MTB review for all the details and verdict.

Is it worth buying an e-mountain bike?

Electric mountain bikes are excellent for several reasons. If you're looking for a first step into mountain biking, e-MTBs are a great stepping stone as they lessen the learning or fitness curve required when riding mountain bikes. That's thanks to the assistance they provide, so getting up a hill is a much less daunting prospect for those with unseasoned legs.

Then, because of the assistance, they get up hills far quicker than regular mountain bikes. As such, any level of rider can get much more time descending than they will without assistance. That fact alone makes e-MTBs brilliant training tools as riders can work on descending technique and skill without spending so much time climbing.

If you're an experienced rider who doesn't have much time to play, the assistance and speed of climbing that e-bikes provide can help you pack in a good amount of descending in a short period.

What to look for when buying an e-MTB

There's a lot to consider when buying an e-mountain bike but the best place to start is understanding what terrain you'll be riding most. With that, comes suspension travel. Around 130-150mm of travel covers nearly all trail-style riding, whereas 160-180 and even 190mm of travel handles properly gnarly enduro riding.

Then, you need to consider whether you want a full-power or a lightweight e-mountain bike. Both have pros and cons. The former can provide the most range possible at the expense of weight and the latter will be lighter and ride more like a regular MTB but have less range.

Then there's the choice of motor system. Bosch and Shimano dominate the market but brands such as TQ and Fazua also offer options. They all have slightly different features and feel different to ride – we always suggest you try before you buy so look out for any shop demo days.

What are the disadvantages of buying an e-MTB?

With any e-mountain bike, there's more maintenance. Through the power and increased mileage, drivetrain components and brake pads wear much faster than on a regular mountain bike. And that's just the start.

As batteries, motors, and displays are thrown into the mix, there is more to go wrong despite modern systems being fairly reliable. There's also a level of care that should go into battery charging to keep it healthy and working properly for longer. Both of these also wear over time and will require servicing or replacement.

With tech evolving quickly, it doesn't take long for a bike and its drive system to become obsolete. Add in battery and motor wear, and this all impacts selling on the second-hand market.

How fast can an e-MTB go?

The assistance of an e-mountain bike is limited to 25km/h (15.5mph) in the UK. After that, the output from the motor will cut out, requiring you to pedal to go faster.

Author block

Liam Mercer

Tech Editor here at off.road.cc Liam can also be found photographing bikes as well as revelling in cycling's intricacies. Whether it's gravel, mountain, or e-MTB as long as it's a bike on dirt, he's happy.