The top 10 best electric mountain bikes

Electric mountain bikes are one of the most fun types of e-bikes you can ride.

Good ones take the sting out of climbing back up to the start of the run, without feeling heavy or sluggish on the downhills. Let’s take a look at some of the ‘best’ e-MTBs on the market today.

10. Velomont eMTBs – From £4,500

If you’re after something a bit more bespoke, then the Velomont eMTBs are certainly ones to consider. They take a base frame, (but paint it to your specification) and then allow you to choose the components. This includes everything from the groupset to the suspension setup so you can really dial in your new e-bike.

Prices vary on builds depending on what you’re after, but pre-designed models start at around £4,500 for last year’s model. They’re based in Norfolk so you’ve got a UK based company with a small team and a relatively quick turnaround.

9. Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite - £5499 - £8999

If you want something women’s specific and lightweight, then the new Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite is worth consideration. It’s been described as being agile and capable, and it weighs a claimed 18.8kg (in size S), which for an eMTB is pretty good.

It uses Yamaha’s SyncDrive Pro2 motor which provides up to 85Nm of torque, paired with a 400Wh battery. It comes with 140mm rear travel and a 150mm fork, and combined with a mullet wheel setup, it certainly appears capable on paper.

8. Canyon Grand Canyon:ON - £2599 - £2899

Newly launched and re-invigorated, the Grand Canyon:ON is more of a hybrid hardtail than a hardcore eMTB, but it’s a very accessible way of getting into electric mountain biking. With 120mm of front travel, it’s enough to take in most trail routes, just leave it at home for the black diamond stuff. 

The Grand Canyon:ON range is powered by Shimano STEPS drive systems with a 630Wh battery so you can ride for longer. They’re also quite affordable, too, with prices starting at £2599 for the Grand Canyon:ON 7 model.

7. Vitus E-Sommet - £3999 - £5499

It’s currently out of stock on Wiggle, but if you’re after a good value eMTB then keep an eye on the stock status. The entry-level Vitus E-Sommet VR is “engineered for enduro racing”, with an aluminium frame, mullet wheels (29” and 27.5”), it uses a Shimano STEPS E7000 motor system and a Shimano Deore 11-speed drivetrain. 

It’s also got a 504Wh battery so plenty of capacity for long trail rides or even a bit of e-Enduro racing. With 170mm up front you’ve got plenty of travel for tackling technical trails or pushing your limits between the tape.

6. Scott Patron E-Ride 900 Tuned - £8149

The Scott Patron E-Ride 900 Tuned is one of the best looking eMTBs on the market. It’s designed for all-day trail riding, with a carefully tuned balance between controlled and fast descending and agile handling for climbing.

It’s powered by Bosch’s Gen4 Performance CX mid-drive motor and a 750Wh PowerTube for plenty of range. You also get a 12-speed SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain and 160mm FOX 38 Float Factory Air forks up front to add to the high-quality componentry.

5. Canyon Neuron:ON - £3349 - £5249

This full-suspension eMTB from Canyon uses the Shimano STEPS EP8 drive system in each model within the range, as well as Canyon’s Triple Phase Suspension design which helps to absorb smaller bumps without compromising on power transfer through the pedals. 

The suspension used varies between models, but each bike comes with 130mm travel up front and 130mm on the rear, making it a great e-bike for shredding the local trails or even at the local bike park.

4. Decathlon E-ST Stilus 29in - £2799

Choosing an electric mountain bike when you’re on a tight budget doesn’t necessarily mean you have to skimp on quality. This offering from Decathlon uses Bosch’s Performance Line 65Nm mid-drive motor and 500Wh battery, which for under £3k is pretty good value.

The suspension is provided by Suntour with 130mm travel up front and on the rear, and a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain. There are compromises, but for the money, you can always upgrade these components later – the electrical system and frame is more important. 

3. Whyte E-160 RSX - £7999

We tried the Whyte E-160 RS last year and absolutely loved it. The RSX is the updated version with enduro inspired geometry thanks to Senior Design Engineer (and British Enduro Series Champion) Sam Shucksmith. It’s powered by Bosch’s latest Performance Line CX motor and 750Wh battery for plenty of range. 

Whether you want something to shred at the local trail centre or for racing between the tape, the E-160 RSX is responsive, agile and superb fun. 

2. Specialized Turbo Levo £5500 - £12000

The Turbo Levo is one of Specialized’s most popular eMTBs and for good reason. Powered by their own motor, it can provide up to 4 times ‘You’ aka your own power (to a limit, of course) as well as giving you a smooth and natural ride boost. 

It’s available as both a hardtail and full-suspension and across a range of budgets, so depending on what you’ve got to spend, you may find there’s a Levo within range. It’s a well-respected bike across the industry, receiving plenty of positive reviews from journalists and customers alike.

1. Trek Fuel EXe £6400 - £13500

Not all eMTBs are designed to make you numb to the trail. The motor tech is so good nowadays that the torque can feel too much and you end up being a bit disconnected while you power over the lumps and bumps. Trek’s Fuel EXe uses TQ’s HPR-50 50Nm mid-drive motor with a 360Wh battery and provides one of the most realistic rides currently available in eMTBs.

It’s also super quiet, so even when you’re putting it under load, it’s barely noticeable. If you’re also after something that looks unsuspecting as an e-bike, the Fuel EXe ‘hides in plain sight’, with a “39% smaller downtube than a traditional e-MTB”.