8 LIGHT eMTBs TESTED - Santa Cruz, Specialized, Cannondale, Ari, Transition, Trek, Giant, Karbon

[@harleyharrison9180]

So cool to see the local trails on vital🤘

[@vitalmtb]

FYI, we have a Norco Fluid VLT in-house for testing (it wasn't here in time for this test) and our previous Orbea Rise test can be found here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXaXgqN_Z52ih6s

[@marauder7412]

Too bad the Mondi Dune didn't come out a bit earlier. Would have been great to see some Bosch motors on test.

[@charlesrichmond4414]

I have the Trek Exe. Changed it to a 150 rear, 160 fork. Mullet out back. Still a great trail bike, but a little more capable. Also, im 5'8" and tend to prefer mullets except for short travel 29ers. This review is solid. I ride it with a buddy that has the ari and one that has the newer levo sl. The guy with the ari has 20 percent more battery than we do at the end of the ride.

[@joehoeper3941]

Guy in the Ari is still riding a 20% weirder bike though

[@davidgrothen3943]

@@joehoeper3941what’s “weird” about it?

[@whitest_kyle]

I also have an EXe and absolutely love it. Stock rear but I did go up to a 160 fork. Motor is super quiet and punchy enough to make the climbs not suck, but you definitely still have to work for it. Rides like a normal bike, a really well sorted one. FYI overstroking the shock on the EXe comes dangerously close to seatstay bridge/seat tube contact at bottom out, so be careful I guess. It's like 2-3mm gap.

[@charlesrichmond4414]

​@@whitest_kyleThanks for the warning. I had that concern too, but i think my medium frame has more clearance than just a couple mm. Also, frame is fairly stiff, which i like, and doesnt flex as much as most of the bikes i have ridden. In any case, will keep an eye on it. Thanks!

[@youling1997]

His battery life span is probably gonna longer as well.

[@joehoeper3941]

You are able to dim the FAZUA top tube lights with black electrical tape. Love this style and format - would love to see this done more in the future. Great test category- well done, fellas❤

[@ShapeThings]

Will try the tape trick, wish they would update the app preferences to allow you to dim or only display the led on mode changes and battery level changes for a set time. Distracting currently

[@vitalmtb]

agreed. an app update vs electrical tape on $8000-10000 bikes seems more appropriate.

[@joehoeper4648]

@@ShapeThingsI would also think very distracting on night rides. That's why I went with the Bullit.

[@bearjewmtb4827]

As an owner of the giant I gotta say it’s probably the most underrated ebike out there. I have the version here in the test and while I agree with some of the negatives they pointed out overall it’s a beast. Change out the bars, internally routed headset nonsense, and maybe brakes depending on your style and it’s a beast. Put the fork to 160 overstroked the rear and it’s even more of a beast now. Throw on the battery extender for an extra lb and you keep up with battery life with full fats with ease.

[@bearjewmtb4827]

Oh and maybe you got a defect live valve because mine works amazingly and I notice it. And love it. But I am considering swapping to rockshox stuff cuz the new stuff is just so damn good. Especially for a taller/heavier guy like myself.

[@adampalma3765]

I agree. The Giant and the Cannondale would be my top picks. May rarely use the 85nm but nice to know it’s on tap if you ever want it

[@chrisdidato384]

So how was the $750 dollar battery upgrade?

[@bomb7517]

What a review, awesome job ! Thanks

[@starship3861]

Yeah, that was just the best ebike comparison review ever! Great work.

[@bostondye3736]

The karbon powerline sl can be bought from Alibaba for like 3k.... its a light carbon lce930

[@guambra2001]

This is pretty extensive test. The Cannondale did great!

[@taol8258]

Love riding my Gen 2 Levo SL. It's not the fastest nor the most capable but it is the most fun bike I have I just want to ride it all the time. I have the Comp Carbon size S3 and it weighs 39lbs(without pedals). I don't mind having the RE when riding with full fats it adds around 2 lbs and it's still super light!

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

Regarding the fazua's motor matching cadence. I turned the acceleration off because I like the initial stroke to feel like a regular bike and it got rid of that odd movement. I think it's the acceleration kicking it at odd times in the pedal strokes. (Heckler SL)

[@chrisdidato384]

3:01:10 so did specialized fix their dropper post depth issues on the S3 and lower sizes. The older levos could run anything larger than a 150 due to insertion depth limits. I had to ride an S2 and a 150 dropper as a 5”6 medium spec rider. 180 minimum dropper for me. I like to touch the ground on an MTB. Thats one thing I love about transition they are thought through for all riders not just the 5’,9” specialized riders.

[@moosicman101]

just watched it for the third time! agree with everything.

[@clive0956]

Excellent analysis and a really good review. Thanks, guys.

[@glenfordesty7396]

Trail you guys were testing on looks like Chaparral at Joaquin Miller Park. Many tires/rims felt the wrath of the rock section 🚵‍♀ miss riding those trails. Great review guys!!! Good to see how the Cannondale Monterra has evolved over the years. Going for a Specialized Levo SL 😁

[@anthonynazzal1958]

Orbea rise and pivot shuttle sl….. you can’t have an sl test without those

[@vitalmtb]

our rise test - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXaXgqN_Z52ih6s

[@timwilson9120]

Where is the Pivot SL?

[@justind5262]

Yea they missed out on any bosche motors, too bad.

[@lee.j7077]

Great job!thanks for the review,would also like to see the fluid vlt review hopefully soon

[@vitalmtb]

fluid vlt is in-house for testing. didn't arrive in time for this test

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

I bought the Trek Fuel EXe 8. The little extra weight from the alloy frame really helps plant you for a more supple ride.

[@lars_atx]

Great reviews. I was hoping to have the Shuttle SL compared too. Definitely interested in this category. thanks

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Very nice detailed reviews, I watched the whole thing. 😊 My interests were the Giant (without live valve) and the Santa Cruz (Fazua motor). Thanks for that! 👍

[@MountainDeweyMTB]

My buddy loves his Karbon

[@briangong007]

Awesome to see my local trails used for this test ....doesn't the Cannondale have an option to run rear 29er?

[@matthewking4470]

As someone whose stanina is hit hard by medical issues. I've been looking at a few e mtbs that are more pedal assist than full power. But then i see the price of some of these bikes, and its kinda wild how expensive they are.

[@derekbisbing1138]

Curious to see how the new Norco sits within these bikes!

[@daxolivares6939]

Are they ever going to release the kenevo sl 2 in the US?

[@ShapeThings]

Did not expect to see JMP to be featured so prominently! Would post the Leo Once Upon a Time in Hollywood pointing gif if I knew how. I find running a cowbell is recommended descending Chaparral and Cinderella, as annoying as it may be.

[@vitalmtb]

we rode mid-week, so it was fairly empty.

[@andrewfife8437]

That Nebo looks like a done deal with that performance and price!

[@myrideclips5033]

Wish you guys got out on the Norco Fluid VLT to test the Bosch SX system.

[@vitalmtb]

we have the fluid vlt in house for testing. it wasn't available for this test.

[@somerandomperson8282]

Damn, I thought the Trek eXe battery was one of the few lightweight EMTB's that had a removeable battery without bolts?

[@spawnrcandbikes]

hows the bosch cx power compared to the cannondale sl power? i rode the cannondale alloy with cx motor and it rips up the hill in turbo mode....the bad is that bike is heavy AF ....approx 57lbs a brick

[@adkinsrob7269]

where's the Orbea Rise?

[@vitalmtb]

our rise review - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXaXgqN_Z52ih6s

[@ridemx323]

Buy one, burn one, borrow one. Go.

[@joehoeper3941]

Buy the Heckler, burn the Karbon, borrow the Cannondale

[@lefty298]

Will you be testing the Mondraker Neat?

[@chosenfruits8457]

S5 on the Levo is a big tank - how big are the testers? great review btw.

[@chosenfruits8457]

ahhh , got it from the website :)

[@MTB_CRZY]

where did you guys get those cool "not an e bike" water bottles that look like a battery?! those are super cool!

[@vitalmtb]

we made them a few years ago. we may bring them back

[@MTB_CRZY]

@@vitalmtb that would be awesome!

[@isaiahg.24]

Jmp being used for a test is so sick!

[@ShapeThings]

And making it look radder than it is 😂 tho, (I think it was Simonetti?) had some impressive sends on Cinderella.

[@ultimatist]

@@ShapeThings bro, it's very rad for being a backyard destination

[@ShapeThings]

​@@ultimatist I know a lot people like it. Having an e-bike does make the monotony of climbing back to Cindy & Chap much more enjoyable (ie faster)

[@T0hi4]

Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ great light e bike

[@mitza6162]

Would have liked to see the new Norco fluid

[@vitalmtb]

we have the fluid vlt in house for testing. it wasn't ready before our test happened.

[@mitza6162]

@@vitalmtb good stuff

[@paulkahlke2291]

Holy crap, a 3 hr video! Can we get this distilled?

[@vitalmtb]

chapter markers and 1.5x speed is your friend : ) or hit our site for the write-ups - www.vitalmtb.com/features/vital-mtb-test-sessions-lightweight-sl-e-bikes

[@jeremybub]

SRAM transmission domination!

[@jack91522]

This video would be a lot shorter if they stopped using the word “like”

[@chrisdidato384]

GIant FYI: Expansion Pak Battery ($500) Requires a plastic bottle cage ($100) and its own charger ($250). No spliteer like specialized!!(big miss and big prices$$$. =$750 for a battery pak is ridiculous. Get a heckler. Brakes are a joke. Battery cover with sync drive is attached with double sided sticky tape, not a waterproof seal. E-TRX wheels a joke massive flex, loose hubs with not adjustment/tighteners. It’s a $4k bike with a 10k price tag. Oh and support? LOL. None. Your completely reliant on your shop they don’t talk to the public. Quality bike-shops wont carry Giant due to all the above. All my comlliant asside. These bike reviews should include an overview of the battery extenders especially on bike that sell a half pak battery on an SL. People need to know that there is a $750 tax to add that battery capacity back.

[@aVesela3_14cka]

if i get it right for you the best bike is Heckler and thank you for the info about expansion pak price

[@Jesse_James_]

WOOOOOOOOWWww

[@akaemzett]

Why would Specialized offer an upgrade path for motors and batteries when they could just sell you a new bike in five years?

[@TheAngryHusky]

That Nebo Peak is sexy

[@jungjoonchoi3744]

my shimano ep8 motor got e01022 code before 26 month. Not durable motor it is.

[@tonyvaccarelli7950]

no Scott's ever what gives ?just wondering

[@premix5six]

Can believe how bad I want a Cannondale

[@jasonterry233]

Orbea rise ?

[@vitalmtb]

our rise test - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXaXgqN_Z52ih6s

[@TheRexPerkins]

Giant does not know the average mtber very well. Giant makes bikes for the guy who has a lot of money but sucks at riding 😂

[@onerider8285]

Nothing makes them good the are all to expensive