As content creators at usabikers.net, we’re always striving to deliver what our audience wants. We’ve heard your concerns about the cost of electric mountain bikes (eMTBs), and for our 2024 eMTB Shootout, we decided to address this directly by dividing our testing into two distinct price categories.
Our first category was designed for riders seeking the most value, with a price ceiling of $6,000. The goal was to pinpoint the best affordable e-mountain bike under $6,000 available in 2024, proving you don’t need to break the bank for a great ride.
The second category explored the higher end of the market, featuring eMTBs up to $10,000 MSRP (at the time of testing). Here, we aimed to identify the best electric mountain bikes of 2024, based on the premise that a $10k e-mountain bike should deliver top-tier performance and features.
Finding Your Perfect EMTB: Rider Profiles and Bike Categories
Whether you’re in the market for a traditional mountain bike or an Emtb Bike, the most crucial first step is honest self-assessment. The sheer variety of bike categories today means there’s a “perfect” bike for every rider, but navigating this landscape can be overwhelming. Even within categories defined by travel, small differences of 10mm can lead to drastically different riding experiences, not to mention the emerging distinctions between “aggressive” and more traditional riding styles.
To simplify your search for the ideal emtb bike, start by asking yourself some key questions. What do you value most in a trail bike? Are you drawn to a bike that feels light and agile? Do you need extra confidence for challenging terrain? Are you focused on rider progression and tackling tougher trails? Is your ideal ride a long-distance backcountry exploration, or casual loops on local paths? Perhaps you envision using your emtb bike for self-shuttling up fire roads to access thrilling downhill runs.
Reflect on your riding strengths, what you enjoy most on the trail, and your riding goals. Understanding your rider profile is the foundation for choosing the right emtb bike category. Our rider team, for example, prioritizes downhill performance above all else. While we share a love for descending, our individual preferences vary – Robert is a jump enthusiast, Sean favors flow trails with berms, and Drew seeks out raw, technical terrain. This diversity within our own team highlights why a single “best” bike designation is insufficient. By creating sub-categories, we hope to guide you towards the emtb bike that best suits your specific needs and riding style.
2024 eMTB Shootout at Howler Bike Park
Drive Unit Deep Dive: Bosch, Shimano, and Beyond in the EMTB World
The debate around emtb bike drive units is undeniably passionate. We actively monitor online forums and owner groups to stay informed about current discussions. We also engage in conversations with drive unit and bike manufacturers to deepen our understanding of the technology. This is in addition to our hands-on experience testing over 150 emtb bikes in recent years.
Currently, Bosch appears to be a leading favorite among riders as we move into 2024. In our testing, drive unit failures have been relatively rare – we’ve encountered one Brose, one Shimano, and two Dyname 4.0 units that experienced issues. While reports suggest a higher replacement frequency for Brose units, particularly those found on Specialized bikes, it’s important to consider Specialized’s significant market share. Shimano maintains that their warranty failure rate is quite low, although we have encountered some codes and errors requiring minor adjustments. Battery problems have surfaced on a few Bosch bikes, and we’ve noted some quirks with Dyname drive units as well. It’s crucial to remember that emtb technology in mountain biking is still evolving, and occasional glitches are to be expected. Ultimately, brand support for customers and bike shops will be a key differentiator in building long-term loyalty.
Our typical testing timeframe, often under 1,000 miles per bike, limits our ability to assess long-term ownership and durability comprehensively. However, we rigorously test these machines, subjecting them to pressure washing and riding in challenging conditions to accelerate potential issues. Despite these efforts, nothing truly replicates the extended testing of time and high mileage.
When evaluating power delivery, ride quality, and overall user experience, we have more definitive insights. We frequently respond to inquiries from riders seeking purchase advice, often facing the dilemma of choosing between a “better” bike with a potentially “lesser” motor, or prioritizing the drive unit above all else. Our consistent recommendation is to prioritize the better riding emtb bike. The majority of your time is spent actually riding the bike, especially during downhill sections, so focus on what will deliver the best overall riding experience.
Shimano EP801 EMTB Drive Unit
With the introduction of Shimano’s EP801, the power gap in the Bosch vs. Shimano debate has narrowed considerably. While we maintain impartiality, our testers generally find the Shimano STEPS drive unit offers a more natural and predictable assistance profile on the trail. This is particularly advantageous in low-traction situations or during technical climbs. However, for ebike racing, Bosch might hold a slight edge due to its ability to more easily maintain speeds at the 20mph limit and potentially quicker acceleration.
Yamaha SyncDrive Pro2 EMTB Drive Unit
Other drive units in our tests this year included Yamaha’s SyncDrive Pro2, the SRAM Powertrain (essentially a Brose unit with SRAM branding), and Rocky Mountain’s Dyname 4.0. Each system has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, mirroring the characteristics of Shimano and Bosch. Your ideal motor choice may depend on factors such as your cadence, weight, and the typical steepness of your local climbs. The technicality and grip of your climbs will also influence how these drive units perform.
Our team continues to debate the merits of each drive unit system and which we prefer. However, we unanimously agree that the drive unit should not be the deciding factor when choosing an electric mountain bike. As mountain bikers, our priority is the best performing mountain bike overall. Any drive unit will undoubtedly enhance our uphill capabilities compared to our own legs. We’ve tested bikes with highly-regarded drive units that ultimately left us wanting due to inferior overall performance, leading us to prefer bikes with “lesser” drive units but superior handling.
The key takeaway? Don’t get overly fixated on the drive unit when selecting your emtb bike. Modern drive units are generally excellent. Instead, prioritize the emtb bike that offers the best mountain bike performance for your individual riding style and preferences. Unless, of course, your primary motivation is winning uphill races or bragging rights for reaching the summit first.
