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Electric mountain bikes can double or triple the terrain you normally cover and help different fitness groups ride together more easily. They cut time spent on pavement and tedious fire roads, saving you for the singletrack you came for.
For most people, the clear choice is Aventon Current ADV. It is one of the best-performing bikes we have ridden, and somehow costs $4,000-7,000 less than the competition. No product we have ever tested offers this much value. If you want upgraded components and a lighter build, we also tested and love the Aventon Current EXP, though the ADV remains the best choice for most riders.
If you have $10K and want a true disruptor, the Amflow PX Carbon Pro is the best electric mountain bike we've tested. It's lighter, more powerful, and quieter than the rest.
If you don't need rear suspension, the Aventon Ramblas ADV is the most affordable e-MTB available. It's an ideal hybrid, pairing trail-ready capability with commuter-friendly features like integrated rear lights.
We pushed 25 electric mountain bikes through hundreds of miles and over 300,000 vertical feet of rigorous field testing, objectively measuring battery range, motor power output, ride comfort, and interface controls.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on October 7th, 2026, to add the new Amflow TL Carbon.
The Aventon Current ADV is an outrageously good electric mountain bike at an even better price. Not only is this bike the best value we've come across, but it also doesn't skimp on performance specs. So maybe it's a bit heavy, but its power, efficiency, range, and features leave most other bikes in the dust. Defying the typical compromises of budget full-suspension e-bikes, the Current ADV delivers flawless trail performance via a durable Transmission drivetrain, RockShox suspension, and 4-piston brakes. The Ultro-X motor, paired with an 800Wh battery, delivers more power, torque, and range than bikes that cost twice as much. Add a full-function top tube touchscreen display and an impressive smartphone app, and the Aventon offers more features and adjustability than anything else on the market. Set it to ride at 28 MPH, and you can often beat the shuttle bus!
After hundreds of test miles, the only major durability flaw is a flimsy plastic motor cover that cracked upon impact. Otherwise, our complaints are minor: we'd prefer less weight, stronger brakes, and better suspension. The Aventon Current EXP addresses all of this, shaving off 5+ pounds with a carbon frame and upgrading the drivetrain, suspension, and brakes. While some will gladly pay the $2,000 premium for those components, the Current ADV delivers 90% of the performance for roughly two-thirds the price.
Combining cutting-edge technology, a sensible parts spec, and one of the best motors you can buy, the Current ADV is undoubtedly the best value on the market.
There is no bike as fun to ride as the Amflow PX Carbon Pro. Pairing a lightweight build with one of the most powerful motors we've tested, riding it made us feel like kids again, with nothing on our minds but the thrill of the trail. The Amflow provided almost twice the power and acceleration of a typical e-MTB. The ride quality here is sublime; we felt fast, planted, and incredibly agile on the dirt. We balked at nothing as the bike seamlessly transitioned from pushing up tight, technical climbs to smoothing out harrowing, gap-filled descents. As GearLab co-founder Chris McNamara noted, “On steep hills where I usually climb at 7–9 mph, I'm hitting 14–18 mph and reaching the top twice as fast.” This bike has a carbon frame and a dense battery that helps the Amflow stay 5-10 lbs lighter than most e-MTBs. Weighing in at just over 46 lbs, Amflow completes the premium build with a 2" OLED touchscreen, wireless handlebar controls, carbon wheels, Fox Factory suspension, and adjustable geometry offering 40 different configurations for those who love to customize.
While the Amflow's 700WH battery is powerful and offers enough juice for most outings, the Avinox M2S motor is quite thirsty and provides less range than the Amflow PL (its predecessor). You can add a range extender, but the extra weight might detract from the bike's beauty. Also, this bike isn't the best choice for beginners, as its power and geometry suit high-speed riding. At more than $10k, the bike is quite expensive, but just half of what Specialized was asking for their top-of-the-line e-bike last year. Many riders would be well served by the Aventon Current models, priced at $4,000 and $ 6,000; these are more approachable bikes. No one beats the Avinox powertrains right now, but the GoBao motors on the Aventon bikes are close. If you want the best bike out there, it's right here.
50 lbs 1oz (Large)(3lbs 5 oz - range extender battery)
The Santa Cruz Vala R is remarkably agile and fun to ride. The bike features adjustable geometry, letting you slacken the headtube from 0.3 degrees to 63.9 degrees and lower the bottom bracket from 4mm to 340mm. A flip chip allows for adjustable leverage, and the bike is coil-shock compatible. Mullet wheels and aggressive geometry give the bike a sporty feel and a fearless disposition. While it may not be the most powerful motor on the market, we never found its power to be insufficient. Using the associated Bosch Flow app, you can tweak the motor's power and dynamics to suit your preferences. We found settings that worked for our fitness and riding style, but compared to other powertrains, it feels less smooth and refined. That said, the motor continues to improve and grow more powerful over time as software updates roll out.
We found several components disappointing for the price, but I still loved riding it. This is admittedly the least expensive of the carbon Valas, but the brakes and drivetrain distract from the overall experience. The lineup includes 7 carbon models, 2 Aluminum models, and 2 “Lite” models that use the company's lighter, more expensive CC frames. The carbon frames are available in 5 sizes, while the Aluminum frames omit XXL, leaving 4 sizes. All models are compatible with a Bosch 250Wh PowerMore range extender. We don't feel the Vala is an exceptional value, but all our testers were wildly impressed by how fun and capable this bike is.
The new Ramblas ADV follows Aventon's wildly successful Ramblas from last year. Using Aventon's own A100 motor, this bike is surprisingly capable. The Ramblas ADV has an exciting spec and an even more exciting price tag. The build is impressive, with a RockShox Psylo fork, SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM DB6 brakes, a dropper post, and Maxxis tubeless tires. A downtube-stashed and removable 708Wh battery powers the torquey motor. Our lead tester says, “Most E-MTB models climb at about the same rate in turbo. The Ramblas ADV sits in the front of that pack.” It's wildly fun and powerful; even when riding with other e-bikes, the ADV stands out for its power and performance. The direct-to-consumer model yields impressive savings, and Aventon will find a huge market for this bike, which comes in 3 sizes to accommodate riders from 5'5" to 6'5".
The ride quality isn't forgiving, and Aventon didn't make it easy to adjust; the non-adjustable fork works fine for riders in the middle of the weight range, but lighter-weight riders and those pushing closer to the bike's 300-pound weight limit will find the suspension less than ideal. This e-mtb might be for more than just trail riders, though; with taillights in the chainstays, a bright headlight, and a kickstand mount, it's perfect for adventure-seeking riders who want a bit more versatility with a mountain-bike disposition.
Tipping the scales at 53.3 lbs set up tubeless, it's not svelte, but the bike's ample power does a good job of compensating for its mass. In our range test, the Ramblas ADV rode 29.1 miles with over 5700 feet of vertical climbing on a single charge. Powerful, capable, and well-priced, the Ramblas is a slam dunk.
Rack and fenders give the bike exceptional utility
Incredible value
CONS
Heavier than most
Not well suited for aggressive terrain
SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Size (Wh)
800Wh
Wheel size (inches)
27.5" or 29"
Motor System
Avinox M2
Motor Power (torque)
11oNm
Measured Weight (w/o pedals)
59 lbs 2 oz (L/XL)
The Amflow TL Carbon is the latest release from industry disruptor Amflow, packing a powerful, quiet Avinox M2 motor and updated software. The TL is a departure from the electric mountain bikes that have dominated the e-mtb market. This isn't an aggressive trail ripper or a downhill bike with a motor. This is a refined, multi-terrain pleasure cruiser with some trail chops. At first glance, you see upright handlebars, a rack and fenders, a kickstand, and full suspension; it's almost hard to make sense of.
Then you ride it and are struck by how comfortable it is and how capable you feel. The geometry and your positioning on the bike don't lend themselves to technical trails or the things you see in mountain bike videos. It's still very much a mountain bike, an incredibly powerful electric one at that; but this bike trades the adrenaline for accessibility. Nothing feels out of reach, and the barriers to riding disappear. Rain? You have fenders. Dark? It has lights. Steep? You won't struggle with this motor. Far? 800Wh of battery power isn't phased. Dirt trails? It's got suspension and capable tires. Need to carry lots of gear? The rear rack can hold almost 60 pounds, and it's compatible with a front rack. In fact, this bike can carry up to 440 pounds.
The main story with this bike is that the geometry is tuned for comfort instead of performance. It's the kind of bike you can ride all day, and the battery range backs it up. The TL will blow you away with its software and features; you can even let your heart rate control how much assistance the bike provides. An all-carbon frame, just enough suspension to take the edge off, a sensible parts spec, the best powertrain on the market, and a downright incredible price.
An exceptionally comfortable and capable bike, we expect to see many imitators.
Product Comparison Table
Out for a rip while testing the best new electric mountain bikes. Credit: Laura Casner
How We Tested
Our team of professional mountain bike testers spent months testing each electric mountain bike in our test selection across a wide array of trails and terrain in a range of climates. Each tester rode each bike numerous times, often riding different models back-to-back for comparison. We weren't easy on them.
Our testing covers five rating metrics:
Downhill Performance tests (30% of overall score weighting)
Climbing Performance tests (25% weighting)
Distance Range tests (25% weighting)
Power Output tests (15% weighting)
E-Bike Controls tests (5% weighting)
Each bike endured a multi-point performance analysis to rank its ability across these metrics. We rode these bikes hundreds of miles and subjected each to numerous performance assessments. The most important metric for mountain e-bikes is downhill performance, which comprises 30% of the total score.
Why Trust GearLab
Our team of testers has a strong background in the bike industry. These riders have been racers, mechanics, shop owners, and adventure lovers passionate about all things bicycle.
Joshua Hutchens has spent decades in the bicycle industry. He has been a racer, bike shop owner, mechanic, and guide. When he's not testing bikes, Joshua teaches mountain biking to kids through his local community college. Hutchens has a critical eye for the nuances of mountain bike performance and loves his time in the air. His favorite trails are anything that starts with the letter H in Sedona and A-Line in Whistler. Chris McNamara spends a whole lot of time in the saddle. This rock climber-turned-mountain biker loves huge rides that cover obscene distances. He is working on a few gigantic rides, including a singletrack route around Lake Tahoe and a ride from Canada to Cabo San Lucas.
The Levo isn't reluctant to get airborne, but its weight feels like a lot to muscle. Credit: Joshua Hutchens
How to Choose the Best Electric Mountain Bike
Finding the perfect bike can be challenging enough, but adding a motor can make it feel daunting. We're here to help you navigate the wide range of options on the market and share key considerations to streamline the buying process.
Lightweight or Full Power Electric Bike?
Full-powered e-MTBs will offer larger motors, providing 250 watts of nominal power and up to 1500 watts at peak, with torque specs between 80-150Nm. These bikes can be a great option for longer rides and riders who want more uphill support. They also improve accessibility, helping people go further and higher than they might be able to with legs alone.
A lightweight e-MTB aims to complement your riding with subtle pedal assistance (30-60 Nm of torque) and a lighter battery, enhancing handling and agility. Fitting a smaller 320-450Wh battery into the frame creates a sleeker, more streamlined design. This also reduces the bike's weight and improves its handling, providing a more natural riding experience. Bikes like the Amflow PX use a slender 700Wh battery with a higher power density, giving you a lighter bike, sleeker design and plenty of power.
Other factors, such as the types of bikes your group or partners ride, can affect whether a fully powered e-MTB is necessary. When deciding between the two, consider how you want to experience the trail. Do you value the ability to travel farther and squeeze in as many laps as possible, or do you prefer the more natural feel and playful agility of a lighter bike? While the choice is ultimately a matter of personal preference, gauging your intentions and typical riding habits/trails can help you find the appropriate bike.
Lightweight or full-power electric bike, you are bound to have a good time. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Frame Material
Like analog/acoustic/amish mountain bikes, electric mountain bike frames come in alloy or carbon fiber. Carbon creates a lighter, stronger frame that provides a more dampened ride quality. Carbon can be molded to exact dimensions, producing a frame that foregoes welds and the need for available shapes, providing a serious weight advantage. Those weight savings come at a higher cost and are, for the most part, not recyclable. For the weight-conscious rider, a carbon frame might be worth the extra dough, but if you're less concerned with saving weight, an alloy frame will cost less and likely still outlive the bike's motor and battery.
Which Wheel Size is Right for You?
While most e-MTBs on the market use 29" wheels to support a larger platform and maximize your breakover angle, some bikes offer 27.5" rear wheels. These are collectively known as mullets or Mx configurations, which is bike-industry jargon for mixed wheel sizes. Some frames feature geometry adjustments that allow you to use either rear wheel size. In general, the larger 29" wheels are more efficient, while the smaller rear wheels can make the bike feel more agile and playful. Mullet bikes use shorter chainstays and pull the rear wheel up underneath you, giving the bike more pop and generally better manners when you leave the ground. Bikes like the Amflow TL can use 27.5" or 29" wheels, making it wildly versatile.
The Amflow PL Carbon Pro feels almost too good to be true. Its power-to-weight ratio is just part of its appeal; this bike is exceptionally good. Credit: Matt Lighthart
How Much Travel Do You Need?
Different amounts of travel help categorize a bike's riding capabilities and intended use. Most bikes with under 140mm of travel excel in cross-country and trail riding, ideal for long days in the saddle. Bikes with 140mm to 160mm of travel are the most popular travel options for e-MTB, and for good reason. Anything over 160mm typically means they're more focused on descending. Most e-MTBs fall into the all-mountain category, which is generally 140-160mm of travel. This range gives you the best of both worlds, where uphill pedaling isn't compromised, yet the bike retains its capabilities when the trail turns back toward sea level. The added benefit of a well-designed e-MTB means you can get away with more travel without sacrificing uphill performance thanks to pedal-assist motors and modern geometry..
Choosing the right travel is dependent on your terrain and riding style, but it's hard to go wrong these days with the advancements in geometry and design. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Do You Really Need Full Suspension
Much of electric mountain bike development has focused on full-suspension models that can tackle all-terrain conditions. For some riders, a hardtail e-bike with a suspension fork may be adequate. These models cost significantly less and require less maintenance. They're generally not as comfortable on rough terrain, but if your ambitions don't lie in high-speed rocky descents, you might be able to save some cash. Models like the Aventon Ramblas ADV or Ride1Up TrailRush offer incredible value and a far simpler approach to electrified trail riding. Their higher-volume tires help offset the bumpier ride, but keep in mind that full-suspension bikes provide better traction.
Analysis and Test Results
We scrutinized every aspect of each e-bike's performance. We scored them on several metrics: downhill performance, climbing performance, distance range, power output, and e-bike controls to help you in your e-bike buying quest.
The 4th generation of the Specialized Levo is a compelling, but heavy choice. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Mountain bikes can be quite expensive, and adding an electric pedal-assist motor makes them even more expensive. The priciest electric mountain bikes aren't always the highest-performing.
The Aventon Current ADV is the most impressive value at $4000. It's a spectacular bike and offers the best performance for the price. The Aventon Current EXP costs $2000 more, but it's also an excellent value for what you get. It outperforms bikes that cost thousands more and weighs 5+ pounds less than its aluminum counterpart.
While the Amflow PX Carbon Pro breaks into 5-digit pricing, it's nowhere near the most expensive bike on the market, but it performs better than anything else we've tested.
The Current ADV is really a spectacular value. Credit: Joshua Hutchens
What is an E-Bike?
Various kinds and classifications of electric bikes are on the market. Most electric mountain bikes fall into the Class 1 category, where power is delivered only while the rider is pedaling. In the US, Class 1 electric bikes are limited to a top speed of 20 mph, and their motors use a speed governor to regulate it. These e-bikes resemble modern mountain bikes, but they have large battery packs and small motor units integrated into the frame. The e-MTB pedal-assist motor is typically built around the bottom bracket and provides varying levels of pedaling “support” directly to the drivetrain while the cranks turn. Most drive unit systems offer several support settings that provide pedal assistance, amplifying the user's input to varying degrees. Some newer bikes on our review desk offer Class 3 capabilities, meaning their pedal-assist function provides power up to 28mph.
We tested full-suspension all-mountain/trail bike models with relatively similar suspension travel, geometry, and wheel/tire sizes. The addition of a large battery and a small motor adds significant weight to an e-bike, and they generally weigh in the neighborhood of 50 lbs, approximately 20 pounds heavier than non-e-bikes. This weight makes them significantly harder to ride without the pedal-assist motor. Some exceptions to this rule include the Specialized Levo SL, a lower-powered, lighter-weight model that tips the scales at just over 40 pounds. The Amflow PX Carbon Pro has the most powerful motor in our test and a large 700Wh battery, but it weighs just over 46 pounds.
There are many places in the U.S. where you can legally and responsibly ride e-MTBs and take it from us; they are a heck of a lot of fun. We recommend checking with local land management agencies and other resources to determine where electric mountain bikes are allowed before hitting the trails. We know you can ride e-MTBs on any trails that are legal for motorized use, so we took advantage of the wealth of OHV trails in the greater Lake Tahoe area for our testing.
Adding a motor, battery, controls, wiring, and sensors to a mountain bike increases the likelihood that these components will have issues or fail altogether. We recommend researching warranty coverage and buying from a knowledgeable local dealer whenever possible to ensure you are taken care of if problems arise.
The Levo SL makes air travel easy. Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Downhill Performance
Downhill performance is our highest-weighted rating metric because we feel that the most important element of an e-bike is how well it performs on the trail, especially when bombing down the hill. Each tester rode every bike multiple times and formed their own opinions of each model, considering how factors like component specs, geometry, and frame design affect downhill performance. All the e-bikes we tested were fun to ride, but they each had distinct personalities and trail manners. To test this, we rode the bikes downhill a lot and took them down various terrains, from fast and flowing open trails to tight, low-speed technical, and everything in between.
In the end, the Santa Cruz Vala R and Amflow PX Carbon Pro had the best downhill manners. The Vala's slacker geometry lets you get rowdy and wild, while the Amflow's lighter weight gives it far more agility. Both bikes have 150/160mm of travel and use 4-bar suspension designs. The full-power Turbo Levo Comp was another favorite on the descent. Also packing 150/160mm of travel, the Levo can steamroll the trail with confidence and composure. The highly adjustable geometry on the Amflow and Specialized allows you to dramatically alter the bike's character and handling to suit your style, terrain, and preferences.
With oodles of traction, all that mass, and progressive geometry, the Levo descends with astonishing confidence. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Santa Cruz Heckler SL combines 150/160mm of travel, modern trail-riding geometry, and mixed wheel sizes to create a super-versatile, lightweight ride that performs well across varying speeds and terrain. It's stable and confident at speed and in steep terrain, yet it remains maneuverable and handles well at lower speeds and on moderate trails. Much like the Specialized Levo models, it feels like a trail bike with responsive handling, agility, and the ability to get after it when the mood hits or the trail gets rowdy.
The smaller rear wheel gives the bike even more confidence in steep and technical terrain, but the Levo SL can also run a 29" rear wheel. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Specialized Levo SL is a 150mm travel 29er with modern geometry. It impressed us with its lightweight yet ground-hugging feel, and it seemed eager to get up to speed. The Levo SL's flip-chips also let riders adjust the geometry to their terrain or preferences, or use a smaller rear wheel. The Amflow PL Carbon can also use 29 or 27.5" rear wheels, but doesn't have the breadth of geometry adjustments that the Specialized does.
Climbing Performance
You've gotta get up to get down, and one of the intentions of e-bikes is to make that much easier. Some of our testers even say climbing is now nearly as fun as descending, thanks to pedal assistance. Climbing on an e-MTB with pedal assist support is still somewhat different from climbing on a bike without a motor. These bikes can carry some high speed uphill, changing the climbing dynamic with a much faster pace, often tossing finesse out the window in favor of power and momentum. The heavy weight of these bikes provides incredible traction, keeping them planted on the ground, and compression dampening/climbing switches can be left wide open to enjoy the added traction benefits of active rear suspension. Each bike's geometry, kinematics, handling, and power output all played a role in how well they performed on the ascents, and we had plenty of time to test them while rallying back uphill for more downhill laps.
The Amflow PX Carbon Pro is the most competent climber we've tested. The Avinox M2S motor produces class-leading power and torque, but what really helped the bike crush the technical climbs was its lighter weight. Not only is the Amflow comfortable, but it is also highly maneuverable and responsive, making it ideal for tackling whatever you may encounter on the trail. The Specialized Turbo Levo SL is another favorite on the uphills. The bike lends itself well to scrambling up just about any climb while retaining some of that analog maneuverability. However, because of the Levo's adjustable geometry, this may not always be the case, as its handling can change so dramatically. It tops out at 50 Nm of assist, so it never really has that chairlift-type drag-you-up-the-mountain assist; instead, it gives you just enough oomph that you feel like maybe it's just a really good day.
Electric mountain bikes can change the way you interact with the trail and greatly expand your range. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Specialized Levo SL was the most agile bike in the test. Testers agreed that line choice was critical, and you couldn't just point-and-shoot like you can on the full-power bikes. Flip-chips were a nice feature that let us dial in the geometry, and we generally found the high setting better for climbing and everyday trail riding. The low settings were well-suited for blistering-fast descents and courageous moves.
Jumping while heading uphill is an almost e-bike-exclusive activity. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Santa Cruz Heckler SL was an outlier in this metric. With roughly half the power output and torque of the full-power models, you work a little harder on the climbs, but it's not that much lighter. That said, it has a comfortable geometry, quick handling, and no drivetrain drag. Riders who enjoy working a bit harder for their turns will enjoy the Heckler SL.
Steep climbs can be relaxing on a full-powered ebike. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Distance Range
The distance range of an electric mountain bike refers to how far you can travel on a single battery charge under specific conditions. E-MTBs come with a range of battery storage capacities, most in the range of 504-700Wh, with a few exceptions. 900Wh batteries have now entered the conversation, and the technology only continues to evolve, with them getting lighter and smaller every year. Theoretically, the larger the battery, the longer and farther you should be able to ride, but external variables like rider weight, pedaling input, terrain, trail conditions, and temperature can affect how long a charge lasts or how far you can ride.
To compare the models' distance range in our test, we had the same tester take each bike out in its highest support setting and ride laps on roughly the same course until the batteries ran down from fully charged to completely dead. When we finished, we recorded the distance and vertical gain that each model could complete, and easily and objectively determined our winner. To equalize the rider input, we used Garmin power meter pedals and monitored our input, keeping it just high enough to activate the torque sensors without adding so much that we extended the bike's range.
Specialized is no longer winning the battery-size wars (for now), but the Turbo Levo Comp remains very competitive with its 840Wh battery. This battery is removable, and Specialized left room for SWAT storage in the top of the downtube. It came as no surprise that it was one of the top performers in our range test, and our tester rode the Levo 27.2 miles with almost 5,000 vertical feet during our standardized testing. The newer Levo has less range than the previous model, despite having a larger battery; torque takes its toll.
The Santa Cruz Vala R is no slouch, with a 600Wh battery and a Bosch motor. It traveled over 26 miles with nearly 5,000 vertical feet of elevation gain before running out of juice. Several software updates have increased the power the Bosch motor puts out since we tested it, so the range has likely decreased a bit. The Aventon Ramblas ADV was close behind, with a 708Wh battery and the A100 motor, logging 29.1 miles and 5711 feet of ascent.
The charge port doubles as an input for the range extender battery. Credit: Matt Lighthart
It may go without saying, but the less power output you use while riding your e-bike, the more range you'll have. All of the pedal-assist drive units we tested also have smartphone apps that let you customize your support settings, and these changes may increase or decrease the range on your electric mountain bike. Keep in mind that most bikes can also use a range extender, giving bikes like the Amflow PX Carbon Pro up to 1300Wh of battery.
Fun and flickable, the Vala cheats gravity on the way up and helps you make the most of it on the way down. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Power Output
The whole idea of an e-bike is to transfer power from the motor to the drivetrain to “support” your regular pedal stroke. All the different drive units do this in roughly the same way, though subtle differences in their power output make them feel slightly different. All of these systems work pretty well; their differences are generally subtle. We tested this metric primarily by feel rather than scientific measurement, and our testers could all discern differences among the models in blind testing. All the e-bikes we tested are Class 1, with a top pedal-assist speed of 20 mph (though a few can be set to Class 3/28 mph modes), and they offer several support modes with varying levels of pedal assist.
The Avinox M2S motor in the Amflow PX Carbon wins the power arms race with 130 Nm of torque and 1500 watts. The Specialized 3.1 motor system boasts 105 Nm of torque with a peak output of 850 watts, which was increased by a software update. The Aventon Ramblas ADV uses Aventon's A100 motor, which delivers a shocking amount of power for the dollar and crushes climbs that might otherwise intimidate you. The A100 is advertised as producing, you guessed it, 100Nm of torque.
You don't need to spend a fortune to have fun; the Ride1Up TrailRush is an incredible value. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Levo SL falls into a different category than the other bikes in this review. The SL1.2 motor is significantly smaller, with a maximum torque of 50Nm and up to 320 Watts of power. This is a little more than half of the competition, and that is by design. Power output is impressively smooth, although it doesn't deliver the oomph of the full-power models. It makes riders work harder and may suit some. The Santa Cruz Heckler SL uses the Fazua Ride60 motor, which has 60 Nm of torque on paper but doesn't feel much punchier than the Specialized motor.
The Bosch motor compared to the Fazua on these two Santa Cruz models.
E-Bike Controls
The bikes we tested all use a variety of e-bike motor systems, and the controls, the primary user interface, are an important element we rated but didn't weigh as heavily as some of the others. Each motor system and its associated controls differ slightly. Our primary interest is in how user-friendly the system is to interact with, how intuitive and ergonomic the shifters are, how easy and readable the display is, and how easy it is to charge the battery. Each drive system also has a smartphone app that lets users fine-tune motor support settings, create custom settings, monitor battery charge and health, and more. We don't feel the apps are necessary to use any of these e-MTBs, but those with an affinity for technology or for personalizing their ride may be inclined to use them.
One of the most compelling systems on the market these days is from Avinox. It's featured on all Amflow bikes and about 20 other brands. We loved that we could send a .GPX file to the bike and have it navigate even when we were out of cell range. If you connect a heart rate strap to the bike via Bluetooth, you can let your heart rate control how much assistance the bike gives you. This lets you stay in certain training zones while riding vastly different terrain. The Avinox motors produce the most power and torque on the market, but they offer more than raw power.
Conclusion
There are loads of great electric mountain bikes on the market, with seemingly more options every few months. If you're in the market for an e-MTB, then you already know it can be hard to decide which is the best for your needs. We hope this detailed comparison helps you find the best model for your riding style, terrain, and budget. We will continue to update this review as new bikes emerge and electric mountain bikes continue to evolve.
