Tame The Outside: Finding The Best Electric Mountain Bike

Both will get you where you need to be.

Pedal assisted mountain bikes can take some getting used to, in all honesty. Especially when you look at a throttle assisted type, which acts like any standard motorcycle.

Practice will make perfect in this case.

You never forget how to ride a bike, and the same goes for a pedal-assisted e MTB once you’ve taken it out a few times.

How Far Can An Electric Mountain Bike Travel Per Charge?

Distance-wise, electric mountain bikes can cover quite a lot of ground.

More than an e scooter, that’s for sure.

Some (e mountain bikes) can travel up to 40 miles on a single charge, others over 110 miles total before needing some juice.

Range is dependent on the size/capacity of the battery within. A stronger battery will yield the best range possible. You’ll just need to pay more for better range, unfortunately.

An electric mountain bike capable of topping 100 miles minimum will cost anywhere between £2,000 to £5,500 — depending on the manufacturer/other features.

E mountain bikes are an expensive purchase, in case you haven’t already guessed. But you don’t need to pay a fortune to own a decent one.

Max range isn’t the be-all/end-all.

As long as the e MTB covers you for the routes you want to take, then range should come secondary to other considerations such as suspension or charge time.

Finding a full suspension electric mountain bike will benefit you more in the long run.

Trust us.

And that’s another thing, the better the range, the longer it takes to charge the battery from flat.

If you’re someone who likes being out and about often, this can work to a disadvantage for obvious reasons.

Why Buy A Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bike?

Suspension can make or break some e mountain bikes, given what it adds to the overall riding experience.

We wouldn’t recommend cycling in certain areas without taking into consideration how your bike reacts to the ground underneath you.

In the world of mountain bikes — this includes the electric kind — there are two types of suspension:

• Hardtail
• Full Suspension

Hardtail electric mountain bikes are the most common of the bunch. The suspension fork of the front wheel is balanced with the rear wheel attached to the frame directly.

That’s hardtail 101.

A full suspension electric mountain bike, on the other hand, will give you a lot more leeway in terms of how your two-wheeler moves when you’re cycling.

These bikes have suspension in both wheels.

You’ll feel the wheels bounce a lot more because of this, which, in turn, takes the stiffness out of certain obstacles when you pass over them.

Cyclists will find full suspension a lot more comfortable given its traction.

The only true downside to a full suspension electric mountain bike is the weight of it. You see, full suspension bikes are slightly heavier, in general.

And electric bicycles, no matter which type they fall into, are significantly heavier than your average pedal option.

Slugging around the heaviest bike possible could prove difficult should it run out of charge on a trail.

Again, this is something you should consider when browsing the internet or your local bike store for the best motor-assisted mountain bike.

How Much Are E Mountain Bikes Exactly?

A popular question and with good reason.

In the past, we’ve proven it is very possible to find a decent e bike for under £500. However, the quality does begin to decline once you dip below that £1,000 mark.

If you’re looking to buy an electric mountain bike, prepare yourself. We’ve mentioned the price briefly above, but let’s just say they aren’t the cheapest type of personal electric transport.

Even buying an electric bike conversion kit, like the Swytch Kit, is a somewhat expensive purchase (depending on what you consider to be expensive).

Your average e MTB sells for around £2,000 minimum. That’s not to say there aren’t cheaper options out there, but in our experience, this appears to be the baseline for quality.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have e MTBs like the Kenevo Expert 2021 Electric Mountain Bike, which is priced at £7,400, as of this writing.

We’ll discuss this particular e mountain bike later in our best electric mountain bikes breakdown. Just know that it’s one of the best rides on the market and does justify the high price tag.

If you’re on the lookout for a much cheaper option, then we’d recommend you check out brands such as Rockrider and Pure Electric.

Both will give you plenty to think about in terms of the cheapest electric mountain bikes that don’t lapse in quality.

Any trail, anywhere, an e mountain bike can tame it all

Notable Electric Mountain Bike Picks

In this section, we will be looking at some real-world options — mountain bikes that we believe to be of a certain standard.

A cut above all the rest.

We’ve selected four electric mountain bikes in total, each as unique as the last. All are available in the UK and parts of Europe/North America.

Know that new e MTBs are constantly arriving, thus giving you a lot to consider. While our list is thorough, it might be that a new top-of-the-range mountain bike arrives later down the line.

Perhaps one with better range and a cheaper price, if that’s what you’re looking for, that is.

Specialized Kenevo Expert 2021

Key Features

• Premium Aluminium Frame
• 11 Speed Drivetrain
• Front/Rear Suspension

Let’s start by taking a look at easily one of the best electric mountain bikes in the world right now, in the Keneva Expert 2021 from Specialized.

It features 180mm of RockShox front and rear suspension, not to mention an all-new frame that gives riders much better control.

Control being the appropriate word because that’s what you’re getting with this e bike. Total control of your surroundings. You’ll be mapping trails in no time, thanks to its light aluminium frame!

Another highlight is its 11-speed drivetrain, allowing you to switch between a wide range of gears effortlessly.

A custom electric drive system ensures that you’re never without power, too, courtesy of a 700Wh capacity system.

The Kenevo Expert 2021 also comes with hydraulic disk brakes for response braking — again, this falls under control.

This e MTB has no limits and will tear a hole straight through the steepest, rockiest, muddiest and scariest tracks there is.

Don’t believe us? Check out the following video and see for yourself:

Shuttle mode is hands down the best thing about this motorised two-wheeler.

For those that don’t know, shuttle mode essentially gives the rider maximum power output with less pedalling force required.

It’s an e MTB from Specialized. That’s all you need to know, really. For some, that will be enough right there to warrant the £7,500 cost.

E4TP Says: When we think of high-end e mountain bikes, the Keneva Expert 2021 is what Immediately comes to mind. Expert features and a sleek design built for any environment. It doesn’t get any better than this (as long as you can afford it).

Giant Fathom E+ 29 2

Key Features

• Aggressive Geometry
• Mid-Drive Motor System
• High Quality Disk Brakes

On the hunt for an entry-level electric mountain-tamer?

No problem, we have just the thing in the Giant Fathom E+ 29 2, one of the cheapest e bikes on the market for taking to grass, mud, sand — or anywhere else you see fit.

The lightweight aluminium frame and aggressive geometry will allow you to rip and tear through most standard routes.

Furthermore, this electric mountain bike has range extender compatibility, giving you the ability to go that extra mile if you want to cover more ground.

The 29” wheels and tubeless tires are another great touch, as it ensures you’re well-balanced for as long as you’re sat on top of it.

Battery-wise, the Fathom E+ 29 2 comes kitted out with Giant’s EnergyPak Smart 500 pack (36V).

Reviews for this e bike all point to the same thing: a smooth yet durable ride from start to finish.

Make no mistake about it. The Giant Fathom E+ 29 2 is the perfect single-track terrain crawler.

The Fathom E+ will assist riders up to a speed of 25km/h — or 15.5 miles. This might not seem very fast, but you need to remember that almost every electric mountain bike is capped when it comes to speed.

Any faster, and you might need a license to ride.

E4TP Says:This e mountain bike is a very reliable hand and the perfect entry point for a lot of you reading this who are just starting out in terms of electric cycling. It’s not nearly as powerful as some of our other picks, but it doesn’t need to be for how much you pay.

Focus Jarifa 6.9 Seven

Key Features

• Removable 500Wh battery
• Smaller Frame
• Ergon ST10 Saddle

Consider yourself a smaller rider (we’re talking height)?

The Focus Jarifa 6.9 Seven is made for you, literally, in this case, as it only comes in two sizes: XS and S.

A smaller bike might sound bad on paper, but you have physics on your side here. A smaller mountain bike will have a better centre of gravity, thus giving you better control compared to bulkier/bigger bikes.

Besides, both the XS and S versions roll on 27.5” wheels, which evens out the weight of the two-wheeler perfectly for when you go exploring.

The 500Wh battery is located on the downtube of the Jarifa 6.9 Seven. It is easily one of the best things about this mountain bike, as you can remove it at will.

Some electric mountain bikes don’t give you this option, forcing you to hike your bike somewhere near a plug socket.

The battery comes from Bosch (Performance CX), and it will support you for up to 25 km/h with a powerful 85 Nm of torque.

Did we mention that it’s one of the sleekest electric mountain bikes? We were gawking at it for hours before we even started looking at spec.

E4TP Says:Rarely do you see manufacturers catering to a set height class, yet here we are, talking about Focus. The Jarifa 6.9 Seven is a fantastic option for reasons that go beyond its frame size.

Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 Pro 625

Key Features

• Gravity Casting Technology
• 625Wh Battery
• Bosch Purion Display

You’ve more than likely heard of Cube before — or more specifically, a Cube electric mountain bike.

These guys are very similar to the above-mentioned Specialized. They have a reputation for producing some of the finest motorised bikes in the current market.

Yes, we know it’s a hybrid e bike. But it’s listed as a mountain bike on the Cube website, so we’re counting it.

Just looking at the inventory page on the Cube site will yield dozens of electric bike results. We’ve chosen the Stereo Hybrid 120 Pro 625 because of its climbing ability and overall power.

Not to say that other Cube electric mountain bikes aren’t great climbers. We just like the look of this one, you know?

The frame of the Hybrid 120 takes advantage of what is known as ‘Gravity Casting Technology.’ Meaning it is incredibly lightweight, agile, and has the ability to defy physics at times.

This particular e bike has a total of 12 gear options for riders to flick between when tackling trails/mountain-scapes. Not to mention four-piston hydraulic disk brakes for maximum stoppage as and when you need it.

Grippy tires (2.6in) are another hallmark of this great e MTB.

Battery-wise, the Pro 625 utilises a Bosch PowerTube 625. In other words, you shouldn’t have to worry about range anxiety too much.

This is yet another full suspension electric mountain bike, sporting RockShox suspension in the front and rear.

Price-wise, expect to pay around £3,500 or so, which isn’t that bad when you put it next to the Kenevo Expert 2021.

E4TP Says: Consider this an all-rounder type. It’s a Cube electric mountain bike that will catch the eye of many in the community from its appearance alone. The inner-workings aren’t half bad either!

Electric cycling is fun both alone and with friends

Tame The Outside: Discovering The Best Electric Mountain Bike

No trail or mountain will stand in your way with an electric mountain bike by your side. We hope we’ve made that perfectly clear with our breakdown/selection of bikes.

We’ve lost count of the number of e MTBs we’ve seen on our travels. It would seem that the cost/weight of these bikes isn’t throwing too many cyclists off purchasing one of their own.

Just remember what we said above: range isn’t everything.

You can get just as much enjoyment out of a cheaper e mountain bike as long as you’re buying a two-wheeler that works for you. Don’t settle for the best just because it’s hailed as the best.

Buy smart, and you’ll have an e MTB that will serve you for many years to come.

All you need to ask yourself now is: hardtail or full suspension? Which is the better e mountain bike option for me?

See you out in the wild.

Electric Mountain Bike FAQs

Is an e mountain bike reliable?

We’d say electric versions of any bike are reliable, perhaps even more reliable than its standard counterpart. Sure, they cost a little more to own, and then you have to remember to keep it charged up, but the positives far outweigh any negatives.

Do you need a license for an electric mountain bike?

The short answer is no. You don’t need a license in order to ride around on an e mountain bike. Moreover, you don’t need to register, insure or pay tax on one. You ride it in the same way you’d ride any other non-electric bike!

Can you go mountain biking on any trail with one?

Any trail is conquerable when you have a trusty motor-powered mountain bike at the ready. We’d recommend you map out the trail thoroughly in advance so that you have a brief idea of the terrain. A full suspension electric mountain bike will make any trail look effortless, too, by the way.

Kris Cook

Hey, I’m Kris, a Junior Content Strategist at E4TP. At the moment I live in the world of EVs, keeping up on current trends in the space, and delivering quality content. I’m a creative type both inside and outside of work, in that I write poetry in my spare time, design independent zines, and paint. When I’m not knee deep in any of that, I collect vinyl (my collection has around 150 LPs in it), and enjoy spending time with pals outdoors, mostly on a bike — or in another country.

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