The Best Electric Mountain Bikes To Hit The Trails

Despite the fact that electric mountain bikes have existed since the early 1990s, it wasn’t until the last few years that EV powertrains have gotten small, lightweight, and potent enough to genuinely make for practical machines. And though they do come with some added heft compared to their entirely pedal-powered counterparts, E-MTBs allow riders to achieve higher levels of speed and performance, as well as unlocking the ability to effortlessly power a bike uphills.

Hugely benefitting from technological advancements made in recent years in the electric car and motorcycle sectors, today’s electrified mountain bike segment is comprised of thoroughly state-of-the-art models that combine the latest frame constructions and geometries with cutting-edge suspension setups and ultra-advanced electric motor and battery configurations. However, with more models to chose from than ever before, shopping for an E-MTB can be a daunting task — especially to the uninitiated. So, with this in mind, we’ve reviewed the last several years of two-wheeled releases and the latest and greatest offerings from the leading brands in the space to deliver this guide on the best e-mountain bikes.

Class 1: Allowed on more public trails than the two higher classes, Class 1 eBikes are comprised of electric bicycles that are pedal-assist only. Devoid of a throttle, Class 1 models see the rider’s pedaling booster and amplified by an electric motor. These electric bikes have a maximum assisted speed of 20mph.

Class 2: Class 2 eBikes are similar to Class 1 e-mountain bikes though they feature a throttle that controls the motor, rather than solely using a pedal-assist setup. Class 2 machines also share their Class 1 counterparts’ 20-mph assisted top speed. 

Class 3: Also known as “speed pedal-assisted” bikes, Class 3 eBikes are pedal-assist only models that don’t feature a throttle, but are more powerful than Class 2 bikes. Legally required to have a speedometer, Class 3 eBikes offer a maximum assisted speed of 28mph. Class 3 eBikes also have the most restrictions when it comes to use on public trails. 

Benefits & Pros: There are a variety of ways in which electric mountain bikes are superior to their solely pedal-powered counterparts. With the benefit of an electric motor, e-mountain bikes can be throttled through trails or up hills, which can be a major advantage. And, thanks to their ability to climb hills, e-mountain bikes let their riders save their energy for descents. What’s more, electric mountain bikes aren’t only faster because of their EV powertrains, but the added weight from these systems also makes them more stable. Electric mountain bikes can also be something of an equalizer amongst riders of different skill levels, enabling slower, less experienced bikers keep pace with faster riders when out on the trails. 

A lot of today’s e-bikes — E-MTBs included — also come with the ability to connect and pair with dedicated smartphone apps that allow users to review real-time metrics and data such as battery life and the like. Additionally, though it’s admittedly not what they were built for, with their ability to soak up bumps and potholes and their EV powertrains, e-mountain bikes can also make for surprisingly competent commuter vehicles and urban mobility options. Last, and most importantly in our opinion, electric mountain bikes are just extremely fun to ride, and provide a seriously smile-inducing and thrilling experience in the saddle. 

Drawbacks & Cons: While there’s no denying the myriad of strengths offered by e-mountain bikes, they definitely aren’t without their shortcomings. For starters, electric mountain bikes feature controllers, battery packs, wiring harnesses, and electric motors — all of which add complexity to the bike and present possible elements and systems that can potentially break or fail. When there are issues with an E-MTB’s powertrain, they often require a professional to diagnose and fix the problem. Electric mountain bikes can also run out of battery, leaving you out on the trail with a solely pedal-powered two-wheeler that’s still burdened with the weight of the battery and motor. The battery packs on these bikes will also slowly degrade over time, which will result in an ever-shortening range as the years go by. What’s more, electric mountain bikes also need to be plugged in, which may not sound like a big deal, though it can be extraordinarily frustrating to set out for a ride only to realize you forgot to plug in the bike — and now have to wait at least several hours before riding. 

Electric mountain bikes are markedly heavier than regular mountain bikes, with even Class 1 models typically tipping the scales at or around the 50-pound mark. This extra heft can make it more difficult to wrestle the bike around beneath you, especially at lower speeds. On top of resulting in worse/longer braking distances, the added weight of these systems also puts more stress on the bike’s wheels, brakes, and suspension components. One of the biggest drawbacks of electric mountain bikes is undoubtedly price. High-end e-mountain bikes often add anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 to the price of a regular mountain bike, with MSRPs on top-shelf models that are comparable to that of a great many new motorcycles. 

Though this is one of the most common questions posed when discussing E-MTBs, the reality is that there’s no clear-cut answer here, as there are dozens of variables and factors that come into play here that will vary from person to person. This includes your budget and income, your fitness and riding experience levels, your riding style, the trails or areas you plan on riding, etc. Having said that, if you can afford one, we’d argue that electric mountain bikes are well worth the price, as the slew of advantages they offer very much outweigh their shortcomings. It’s also possible to purchase electric mountain bikes second-hand on the used market, which can be a great way to get your hands on an electric model without spending an arm and a leg — or a sum that could literally buy you a great many of today’s latest full-on motorcycles. 

E-mountain bikes aren’t permitted to legally ride everywhere that regular mountain bikes can. Not unlike a dirt bike, E-MTBs are classified as motorized vehicles, and as such can only be ridden in designated and approved trails and adventure parks. There are also often restrictions set based on the e-mountain bike’s class, depending on whether it’s of the Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 variety. For this reason, it’s important to look into the rules and laws pertaining to riding E-MTBs at your intended locale. In the United States, these laws will vary from state to state. This information is usually readily available online, and there are even a growing number of smartphone apps that show off-road and trail maps that include this vital legal information. 

Shopping for a high-end mountain bike can be an intimidating experience, even more so when dealing with electric models. Knowing this, we’ve put together this condensed guide on the six most pivotal areas to factor in before making your purchase.

Frame Construction & Geometry: As the backbone and skeleton of a bicycle, an MTB’s frame is of extreme importance. When reviewing this area, you’ll want to keep an eye out for both frame’s material, as well as the construction technique(s) used to create it, as these two areas play pivotal roles in the strength and rigidity of a chassis. Aluminum and carbon fiber are two of the most common frame constructions used today. What’s more, you’ll also want to check out the geometry of a bike’s frame, exploring areas such as seat angle, wheelbase, reach, bottom bracket height, chainstay length, and head angle, amongst others.

Components: Alongside the frame, another element that plays a pivotal role in determining a given mountain bike’s overall quality is undoubtedly the individual components that comprise it. This includes componentry such as a bike’s front and rear suspension pieces, handlebar and stem, headset, seat and post, brakes and levers, rims, hubs, tires, crankset, and pedals, just to name a few of the more important ones. These pieces can also be individually swapped out, replaced, or upgraded, as well.

EV Powertrain: Though unique to mountain bikes of the electric variety, another monumentally important set of components to consider when shopping is the elements that make up a bike’s EV powertrain. This includes the type, size, and rating of the battery pack and motor, as well as some smaller additional parts such as displays and charging ports.

Performance Specs: As performance-focused machines, an e-mountain bike’s real-world capabilities are also wildly important. It can at times be difficult to get a sense of how these capabilities translate to use on the mountain, though figures on specs such as top (assisted) speed and maximum (assisted) range do give a more objective understanding.

Dimensions & Weight: Just like when shopping for a regular, non-electric mountain bike, it’s important to look into a model’s weight and physical dimensions in order to ensure a given bike will properly fit its rider. Many of these figures are listed within a bike’s geometry. It probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that electric MTBs are usually a good deal heavier than their pedal-powered counterparts, as the batteries needed to power these electric two-wheelers are quite heavy — though are also strategically located within the frame to optimize performance.

Intended Use: Though every model on this list falls under the same basic category of “mountain bikes,” these machines can hugely vary in some areas depending on their intended use. To help understand which type is best for you, you’ll want to explore the five main types of mountain bikes — cross country, all-mountain, downhill, freeride, and fat bikes — and then determine which will be most conducive to your intended use.

Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Elite

Best Enduro Pick: Designed and engineered in France, Lapierre’s Overvolt GLP Elite is an endurance electric MTB that features an EV powertrain that’s bene centrally located within a carbon fiber chassis in order to deliver a riding experience that’s remarkably similar to that of a traditional mountain bike. In addition to a RockShox Zeb Charger RC fork and four-piston calipers, this model sports the latest generation of the Bosch Performance CX motor that draws from a 500Wh Bosch Powerpack Purion.

Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 2

Best Long-Range Pick: Rather than trying to shoehorn a battery into an existing frame design, for Cannondale’s Moterra Neo Carbon 2 bike the company has custom-designed a proportional response-tuned carbon frame from the ground up that’s been engineered specifically for e-mountain bike use. On top of its 20mph top speed, this bike’s Bosch Performance Line CX drive unit and 625Wh battery together afford an assisted range of more than 60-miles on a single charge.

Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ

Best All-Mountain Pick: Simplon’s Rapcon Pmax is a top-shelf touring and all mountain-focused bike that’s largely characterized by its immense performance prowess and its extreme versatility. This Aussie-built offering boasts a dual battery configuration with an impressive 1,125Wh of battery capacity while still managing to tip the scales at just under 50lbs — a feat made possible through the use of an ultra-lightweight carbon frame.

Santa Cruz Bullit S

Best Downhill Pick: In early 2020, Santa Cruz debuted the first e-MTB in the company’s more than quarter-century-long history. Since that time Santa Cruz has developed an even more advanced electrified mountain bike with the Bullit. Weighing less than 50lbs, this bike hugely benefits from a host of parts and elements that have been derived from the cycle firm’s downhill race bikes. The bicycle’s Shimano EP8 drive system has been custom-tuned to afford more power while in trail mode without compromising its 630wh battery’s range.

Trek E-Caliber 9.9 XX1 AXS

Best Lightweight Pick: Trek’s E-Caliber 9.9 XX1 AXS electric mountain bike comes loaded with some of the finest components that money can buy, affording it some incredible performance capabilities. However, what makes this model so special is undoubtedly the fact that it currently stands as the lightest full-suspension E-MTB in the world. Designed to offer a similar riding experience to a traditional cross country model, this E-Caliber bike also boasts the same cutting-edge suspension setup found on Trek’s top-of-the-line Supercaliber bikes.

Ducati Powerstage RR Limited Edition

Best Overall Pick: Engineered for hard-core off-road riding, the Ducati Powerstage RR Limited Edition is the moto marque’s first-ever carbon fiber-framed electric mountain bike — as well as what’s undoubtedly the brand’s most exclusive e-enduro model to date. Good for 62.7ft-lbs of torque, the Powerstage RR LE is powered by Shimano’s new 250-watt EP801 drive unit which is paired with a 12-speed electronic SRAM shifter and an integrated 630-Wh Shimano battery. Designed using a spare-no-expense approach, this Ducati E-MTB also boasts Braking First brand disc hardware, all internally-routed cables, Crankbrothers Synthesis carbon wheels, and a top-shelf Öhlins RXF38 m.2 air fork and TTX shock that afford 180mm and 170mm of travel respectively.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL

Best Premium Pick: Specialized’s top-of-the-line S-Works Turbo Levo SL is a wildly impressive E-MTB that feels remarkably similar to a traditional pedal-powered two-wheeler. This Bluetooth-connected E-MTB pairs its custom lightweight motor — which was designed in-house by Specialized — with a 320Wh battery that, while smaller than other cells on the market, enables the S-Works model to weigh in at an incredibly svelte 37.25lbs — a figure that was no doubt helped along by the use of the bike’s lightweight carbon fiber frame.

Greyp G6.X Limited

Most High-Tech Pick: Having previously been tapped by Rimac to develop the elite hypercar marque’s ebikes, it’s frankly unsurprising that Greyp’s (pronounced Grape) Limited Edition G6.X is one of the most advanced and cutting-edge ebikes on earth. In addition to a top-shelf array of hardware — including a 12-speed SRAM Eagle AXS Controller shifter, Magura brakes, Öhlins suspension, a BikeAhead Biturbo wheel-set, and custom Greyp cranks and pedals — this smart bike packs a host of state-of-the-art tech such as a 3” TFT display, integrated 1080p forward and rear-facing cameras, connectivity to a mobile app, a heart rate monitor, a bevy of sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, and barometer), and an embedded GPS unit.

The Best Adventure Motorcycles

Interested in checking out an additional array of motorized off-road-ready two-wheelers? Then be sure to cruise over to our guide to the best adventure motorcycles for a curated list of today’s latest and greatest go-anywhere scoots.