The previous Cannondale Moterra SL was our 2024 e-Bike Of The Year, so these new full-fat models have quite a lot to live up to. We haven’t seen one in the flesh yet but we’ll get one in for a proper review ASAP. And yes,…
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Specialized Turbo Levo 4: 111Nm and 720w*
The fourth generation of the full power Specialized Levo is announced today. A lot of the trad bike stuff has changed (geometry, suspension etc) but we all first want to hear about the E-specific stats don’t we? *for the S-Works motor (regular 3.1 motor goes…
Survey says, “we want midpower Bosch 600Wh+ trailduro eMTB to do more riding in less time”
If you don’t ask, you don’t get. We can’t think of a current eMTB that ticks all of these boxes, can you? Following on from last week’s “36% of ebikes go wrong” article that revealed e-bikers’ real world reliability findings, this week we’re delving into…
Survey says, “36% of ebikes go wrong”
E-bikes are amazing things. But there’s no hiding from the fact that they have a less than perfect reputation for reliability. During our E-Bike Week last October we ran a couple of surveys. One aimed at existing ebike owners and another one aimed at those…
Best eMTB of the Year: Cannondale Moterra SL
The Cannondale Moterra SL has the best mix of weight, power, range and handling of any eMTB out there right now (that doesn’t cost a five figure sum). Pros Cons Apparently the Cannondale Moterra SL came about after an internal debate about what an eMTB…
Merida eOne-Sixty 875 review
We test out the Merida eOne-Sixty 875 AKA The Big Batteried Bomber AKA Heavy Metal Thunder AKA The Bendy Bus. Pros Cons This is a very full-bore e-mountain bike. There is nothing ‘mid’ or ‘SL’ about it. It’s a metal machine with big travel and…
Cotic Rocket first ride review
The Cotic Rocket looks like nothing else. Don’t like it? Do like it? Either is fine. Shall we talk about how the bike actually handles? Yes, let’s. Pros Cons Although I only had a few hours playtime on the new Cotic Rocket, I have a…
Amflow PL Carbon Pro: first ride review
“After more riding, I was pretty convinced that this is the best ebike motor out there, and by some margin” – Benji gets blown away for a day by the Amflow PL Carbon Pro. Pros Cons Earlier this year it felt like the bike industry…
eBike Battery Tech: Unpicking the myths from the reality
There are a lot of myths and misinformation and general lack of understanding about what it is that lies at the heart of every eBike – the battery. With the help of Giant Bicycles we thought it was a useful exercise to get into the…
Thinking of getting an E-Cargo Bike? Read this
If you’re really interested in moving away from driving a car for as many journeys as possible, a cargo bike is the probably the best tool for achieving this. Add in a motor and battery, and the electric cargo bike opens up a whole world…
The SiLent Type: Scott Voltage eRIDE 900 Tuned review
Scott Voltage eRIDE is essentially the electric version of our Bike Of The Year, the Scott Genius. Does adding watts into the mix move more mountains, or just muddy the waters? Pros Cons Oh man, I hated this bike. I hated that I loved it.…
The Midpower Marvel: Orbea Rise LT M10 review
The Orbea Rise LT M10 may have a full-fat motor but it’s still the lean, mean, mile-munching mid-power machine that it always was. Pros Cons Arguably the Mummy of Midpower, the original Orbea Rise models were pretty much the benchmark that a whole swathe of…
New Cotic Rocket is a steel frame ebike with external battery
Now this is going to be one heck of a polarising pushbike. Kudos to Cotic for continuing to plough their own furrow. I, for one, am really pleased to see an external battery. I’ve been telling anyone who’ll listen this for the bulk of this…
The Fullest Fat: Giant Reign E+ 3 review
What is this Giant Reign E+ 3? It’s a very eMTB [sic]. Full power motor. Massive 800Wh battery (with the option of running a 250Wh range extender for £349). Pros Cons The Reign E+ sports 170/160mm of suspension. Super progressive geometry. It’s full-on headfirst dive…
eBike Week: Existing eBikers and E-Curious Surveys
This week will be a lot more electric than usual. Our first ever eBike Week will have reviews, buying advice, maintenance tips, riding hints and – kicking things off – your thoughts and experience. Why now? We’ve decided to do eBike Week for a couple…
Dear Bike Industry, make this e-bike
As a bike reviewer in 2024AD I am unsurprisingly asked the same question quite a lot. The question may vary slightly in the words used but essentially it is always: “so, which e-bike is best then?” And now is the time of year when everything…
Santa Cruz goes 4-bar for new Vala e-MTB
The move to a Bosch motor means the Santa Cruz Vala has done away with VPP suspension and adopted a pretty trad 4-bar arrangement. Santa Cruz Vala in a nutshell Santa Cruz Bicycles press release: A NEW NAME IN TOWN Introducing the new Santa Cruz…
New Bosch CX: same power, less weight, more sensors
The new more sensor-tive [sic] Bosch Performance Line CX claims “more dynamics on climbs, more agility on trails, and more smoothness”. New Bosch Performance Line CX in a nutshell Bosch press release in full: Power meets control: Bosch sets new standards in eMTB with latest…
Cairn BRAVe 2.0 Flat Bar review
The new flat bar flavoured Cairn BRAVe 2.0 keeps you finding new reasons to just “nip out to somewhere, I might take the long way back”. Pros Cons I previously tested the previous Cairn BRAVe (Back Road Adventure Vehicle) in its drop bar format. It…
Living with an e-bike – Part Two
In it for the long haul – A journey into e-bike ownership. Here’s Sanny’s latest instalment of a multi-part series of features detailing life with an electric mountain bike. Read Living with an e-bike – Part One. I have had several months to get used…
New Shimano EP5 and E5100 motors revealed
Two new entry level type ebike motors from Shimano: the EP5 and E5100. The EP5 may well see some offroad action whereas the E5100 is heavily commuter-centric. The basic specs and marketingspeak are detailed below. Suffice to say, if you know your Shimano tier series…
Focus Jam 2 SL 9.9 review
Mid-power eMTBs currently offer the best all-round mountain bike experience and the Focus Jam2 SL is the best mid-power experience I’ve had so far. Pros Cons There is a lot dislike about this bike. And indeed I don’t like it. I love it. Much like…
Cannondale Moterra SL: Deep Dive into Lightweight, Full Power eMTB
Cannondale describes this bike as “the lightest full power mountain bike ever”. But what does that mean? What is “full power” exactly? It’s a mountain bike first and foremost Before we get into the stuff that gets all the hoopla and headlines about Cannondale Moterra…
Triple Black Diamond ‘Helfare Highway’ comes to Caersws Bike Park
Here’s a track that I have zero plans of ever riding (I’m realistic in my skills goals), but I’m glad it exists (although also slightly glad it’s far enough away that my husband won’t be shredding it every weekend while simultaneously shredding my nerves). Helfare…
McLaren launches 161Nm torque eMTB range
Yes, that McLaren. Of Formula 1 fame, purchased by footballers. The makers of supercars have turned their attention to ebikes. There is a long history of car manufacturers doing bikes badly, but you might hope that someone as high end as McLaren could get it…
Whyte ELyte 150 Works review
Combined, the good motor, brilliant build kit and great frame of the Whyte ELyte 150 Works makes for a fabulous mountain biking experience. Which it should do. Because it costs ten grand. Pros Cons This Whyte ELyte 150 Works is an ebike that’s simultaneously middling…
Yamaha YDX Moro 7 review
This Yamaha YDX Moro 7 is in the shiny 30th Anniversary colourway. Yep, 30 years since Yamaha’s first foray into pedal assist bikes. Pros Cons In a sea of perfectly fine bicycles, I love a surprising bike. And this Yamaha is a very surprising bike.…
Vitus E-Mythique LT VRS review: Quite Good (While It Lasted)
The Vitus E-Mythique LT VRS launched as a brand new entry-level full-power e-bike model with 160mm of rear travel, an alloy frame, mixed wheel sizes and a 95Nm Bafang M510 motor. Pros Cons We ran a pretty comprehensive feature about the Vitus E-Mythique LT range…
Living with an e-bike – Part One
In it for the long haul – A journey into e-bike ownership. Here’s Sanny’s first instalment of a multi-part series of features detailing life with an electric mountain bike. Part One – The Gathering E-bikes have been on my radar ever since they broke into…
Upgrade Bikes takes on Fazua servicing
Good news for mid-power motorheads. Also, ZyroFisher has taken on service duties for Mahle Smart Bike Systems. Fazua press release: FAZUA announces new service partnership in UK Ottobrunn, 15. January 2024 – With the aim of providing the best possible cycling experience combined with optimal…
Canyon Neuron:ON CF 8 review
As a short-travel but full-power eMTB, I think the Canyon Neuron:ON has tough sales game ahead of it. But to dismiss it might be to miss out on a great injection of fun on your rides. Pros: Cons: It’s a trail bike. An electric trail…
Lapierre EZesty AM LTD review
In a nutshell, the Lapierre EZesty AM LTD is a 140/140mm travel, mid-power, carbon framed, 18.5kg, electric trail bike. Pros Cons In a nutshell, the Lapierre EZesty AM LTD is a 140/140mm travel, mid-power, carbon framed, 18.5kg, electric trail bike. And it’s a really flipping…
Norco Sight VLT C2 review
The Norco Sight VLT C2 may not be the bike you think it is; it’s very much an all dayer climber ‘n’ cruiser. Did I mention how well it climbs? Pros Cons This was not the bike I thought it would be. I don’t mean…
Haibike Lyke CF 10 review
This Haibike Lyke CF 10 is one of those new fangled mid-power e-MTBs. 140mm travel at both ends. Full 29er. 60Nm of torque provided by the Fazua Ride 60 system. 430Wh battery (piggyback-able with an 210Wh range extender if desired). 65° head angle. 77.3° seat…
SRAM Powertrain motor is a game changer
Regardless of how it performs, the new SRAM Powertrain motor means the bike industry has more of a one-stop-shop than ever before when it comes to speccing their e-MTBs. Shimano should be worried. SRAM Powertrain in a nutshell Now that it has finally released a…
New Carbon e-Gravel Bike From… Moots!
In a move that will no doubt have a few people hammering at their keyboards and attempting to set fire to titanium frames, Moots has announced a carbon fibre bike. Not only that, but it’s an e-gravel bike. Those of you upset by this should…
Details of the Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Deets: C & CC carbon frame, MX wheels, Fazua Ride 60,18.5kg weight, 430 Wh battery, 65 Nm, 150mm VPP, 64.3° head angle, 77+° seat angle. Yes, we’ve asked to have a go on one. Santa Cruz press release: Introducing the Santa Cruz Heckler SL Fast,…
Cairn E-Adventure Limited Rambler Edition review
Cairn E-Adventure Limited Rambler Edition is a great commuter bike that can handle a bit of singletrack and bike-packing mini-adventures. Pros Cons Let’s get straight to conclusion. Although this bike is pitched partly as an e-gravel bike, the Cairn E-Adventure makes the most sense when…
Vitus E-Mythique LT range starts at £3,299
The Vitus E-Mythique LT is a brand new entry-level full-power e-bike model with 160mm of rear travel, alloy frame, mixed wheel size and a 95Nm Bafang M510 motor. The ‘Mythique’ part of the ‘E-Mythique LT’ name may need a bit of explaining – or clarification…
NeBD: Propain Ekano 2 AL
New (e)Bike Day! The previous Propain Ekano was one of our favourite e-bikes of recent times so we’re very excited to hear about a new and improved version. Here you go… POWER UP, PARTY DOWN – EKANO 2 AL Our goal for the new EKANO…
Canyon Strive:ON – Race Up, Rave Down
Canyon has launched a new addition to its electric line up: the Strive:ON. This ditches the Shapeshifter of the non-electric version, and sets its eye firmly on E-Enduro racing. A few weeks ago Canyon unleashed a whole new wave of e-mountain bikes. The one we’re…
Privateer E161 launches today
The long-awaited pedal assist version of the Privateer 161 gets its official launch today: say hello to the Privateer E161 with a Shimano EP-801 motor and 630Wh battery. We’ll get our name down for one of these for a proper test ASAP. In the meantime,…
Saracen Ariel 50E Review
The Saracen Ariel 50E may only have 60Nm torque but there’s no way Benji would trade in this bike’s amazing handling prowess in exchange for 25 more Nm. Pros Cons If you read our recent First Look about this bike… or watched the YouTube (see…
E-everesting, Keneveresting, Nevereveresting Again? New Uphill World Record by Ebike
Inspired by the previous achievement (antics?) of Claudio Caluori, two riders have taken on the challenge of beating his ebike everesting world record. OK, so write up reads a bit ‘sponsored’, but the pics are nice – which is no surprise since they’re by our…
Pinion E-Drive System: E-Bike Gearbox Motor
Pinion have crammed a motor into the gearbox. Here’s details of the Pinion E-Drive System AKA Pinion Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU). TLDR: Pinion E-Drive System Pinion press release in full: WORLD’S FIRST. MOTOR AND GEARBOX. FINALLY UNITED. The drivetrain is the heart of an e-bike. Until now,…
Bosch Performance Line SX: 55Nm, 600W peak, 2kg
Joining the mid-power mountain bike melée, the Bosch Performance Line SX offers 55Nm of torque in a low-weight package with more piggyback battery options. TLDR: New Bosch Performance Line SX We haven’t seen one in the flesh yet. So in the meantime, here’s the Bosch…
WIN THIS BIKE! Is This The Best E-Bike Under £5k?
And you can win yourself one! The Saracen Ariel 50E is more than the sum of considerable parts. Great geometry, great suspension, great parts allied to a capable Shimano STEPS motor and capacious 720Wh battery from Darfon. This particular model is the Saracen Ariel 50E.…
Canyon Neuron:ON CF8 First Ride Review
The new Canyon Neuron:ON is the trail bike of the e-assisted Canyon stable. Hannah was out at the launch in northern Italy to try it out, here’s her first ride review thoughts. Definitely in the proper mountain bike category, that seat tube arrangement might take…
New Canyon Spectral:ON Builds, New App, New Security Features
There’s a new Spectral:ON launched today, which is interesting to a point, but really what’s exciting about it is the new Canyon App and Connectivity Module that are launched with it. Canyon Spectral:ON Updates: Canyon’s new app is the first step in bringing all your…
Canyon Strive:ON CFR – First Ride Review
Canyon has launched a new addition to its electric line up: the Strive:ON. This ditches the Shapeshifter of the non-electric version, and sets its eye firmly on E-Enduro racing. Developed with input from Fabien Barel and the race team, it’s a bike that’s as much…
Canyon Grand Canyon:ON – First Ride Review
The Grand Canyon:ON is pitched as a bit of a do-it-all explorer. Not so much a mountain bike for the keen trail rider, but more of a go most places bike for the person that wants to explore without running into terrain that brings them…