How Much Better Have EMTBs Become In 10 Years?

EMTBs have come a long long way since we saw the first generation of bikes appear, from updated battery technology to complete re-designs on frame geometries, a lot has changed in 10 years! Steve Jones takes a look back over the last 10 years to explore just how far EMTB technology has come and takes a deep dive into the many innovations we have seen!
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[@martinschwartz7342]

The 2010 Haibike is the most significant of all since it started it all. Followed by the Levo which refined EMTBs. I would have loved the Haibike Flyon, with the 120nm TQ motor, but it was never available for me in the USA. The TQ motor was intriguing. Fast forward to the TQ motor on the Trek Fuel EXE. It is marvelous. I would like to see an updated and refined version of their 120nm motor come out. Maybe on a new Trek enduro EMTB.

[@apatriotofhopedanjohn4781]

I just don’t understand why the best ebike channel out there… continues to overlook or just snob one of the absolute best ebikes out today…. POLE VOIMA IT IS A TRUE MASTERPIECE of bike

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Rob made a video about it

[@apatriotofhopedanjohn4781]

Yea saw Rob give it some Love… twice

[@Lee-ic2yn]

@A Patriot Of Hope DanJohn well there you go then

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

The new updated versions of the RISE and the Jam SL I find to be a very nice bridge between the full powered and SL. They are finally getting more range and power with lighter weights. The newest RISE comes in at something like 32lbs... The Jam has 160mm 60nm and 430w at 38lbs.. This is a very good mix of weight and power/range.

[@LancsClogger]

Haibike EQ Xduro FSRX purchased September 2012 still ridden regularly. Previous bike to the Haibike was a Muddy Fox Explorer purchased June 1987, still got it.

[@Magoo71]

Good Job Stevie!! I like your take.!!!! ...Finally had a couple of dry weekend days to go riding! It's great to get out there again and experience the great outdoors!

[@rogereheadbyrne4790]

I have the 2016 Haibike Xduro Nduro Pro it's Still Awesome and I'm proud to own it! I've got it Camowrapped and it turns heads!👍. 🤘😎🤘

[@tahoeebikes]

Focus rail system was way ahead of its time. 760wh total in 2018! And when you took off the external battery that bike was exceptionally light feeling afterward. Like swinging the donut on a baseball bat warming up.

[@lipefortes17]

I have a new Scott Patron with a bosch gen4 ... aaaand the bike is awesome, the truly trail monster!!!

[@bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

Excellent at climbing. A bit sluggish in the cornering downhill.

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Great content, congrats! 👍

[@dennisboyd1712]

Love my first Mountain E bike a Haibike Nduro 9.0

[@Seppster58]

Great review Steve. Last year I got the Trek Rail and its an absolute treat to ride. I do swap between this eMTB and my Orbea Oiz and enjoy both.

[@Coralbit]

Sad that the Giant Trance X Advanced E+ was not on the list, its affordable and has some nice tech with Live Valve and the Yamaha motor. (even up to 1050Wh battery 800+250 if needed)

[@NerdsonDirtMTB]

As a newer eBike owner this was a really cool video to watch and see the evolution to modern bikes! Figures that Nico V was such an influence on the sport (again).

[@stevenschiff808]

Very well done and interesting information. It would be cool to see you do a review of the Haibike.

[@tomcagle5324]

Good food for thought!🤛

[@rjahn3000]

You nailed it Trek Fuel EX e is my favorite!

[@symmetricon1982]

Now was the right time for me. Just bought a RM Altitude Powerplay A70. An absolute weapon, handles amazingly.

[@Shampsuli]

Got a same bike about month ago. What a beast it is. Cant wait to ride it when snow melts so i can really test its full potential

[@Birdpoo777]

Thank you: Any bike that extends range capacity and handles modesty well: along with those you have mentioned for shorter local rides: I’m going to be using one of each; the dream would for the Trek or Specialized to integrate handling with huge range.

[@DrNat1]

My Orbea Wild FS 2022 at 4.5k, Bosch 85nm motor 👍🏼 160mm travel all round is a beast 👍🏼

[@ShiraxHorizon]

I ride two Conway E-Bikes, I don't know how much they fit into the "becoming better" part, but for sure they should get more attention, very cost-effective, good bikes from a company that is in the biking-game for 100+ years, Hartje.

[@dodger1x]

I would like to add the 2019 Kenevo Expert to that list and the 2022/2023 Pole Voima. And just for fun the Nicolai Eboxx E14 with belt drive and Orange Phase MX ;)

[@markroberts7866]

I’m waiting to see some bikes with the fazua motor and possibly someone else using the TQ other than trek still seems like early days for these motors availability wise I don’t have an option to even try a fazua motor anywhere yet…

[@ninjazzrhythm400]

Befang and CYC for the win!

[@martinkleber6292]

I have the Scott Ransom eride a Park bike and next the Canyon spectral with 900 Watt is interesting

[@Derestricted1]

It would have been cool if you had ended with the Haibike LYKE to bring it full circle :)

[@paulturner7829]

I agree the Fuel exe is superior in so many ways although I'm biased in that I went and brought one. Now do I keep the E160 or move it on ? ??

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Superior to what? I have a rail but I feel like the exe is just feeling a little weak in the motor

[@robhaskins3068]

Yes my Trek Fuel EXe 9.7 is certainly a nice bit of the latest technology and feels so good even with motor off but it is not as smooth , natural feeling and Silentl as my 2018 1.3 aluminium case 90Nm Brose motor Levo now with Mullet and Fox 38's. What did they know in 2018 that they don't know now particularly in relation to silent motors. 🤔 E=Mtb²

[@worldstallestmidget]

What about the turbo kenevo in 2020/21

[@robpel1]

Just took delivery of a kenovo sl this w/end … my first e-bike and what can I say .. amazing!!! (Although I was humbled by a tree in the first outing ) need to dial it down a bit.But yes has certainly changed my way of riding for sure !

[@1bluensx]

I’m a newbie and I have a question. What is the big deal about “new geometry, etc.”? I would thing that in today’s computer age and years and years of making these bikes, that making a bike geometrically perfect would be the most simple thing. Like 1 degree off on any angle would red flag with riders and computers, and it would be perfect. Why do they keep changing it? To me it seems as simple as a wheel needs to be round….not square. What am I missing.

[@bmartinot]

10% science 90% fashion. It's just about selling more bikes.

[@TWARDOWSKY.]

Also Orbea RISE Carbon

[@downhill64]

My ebike I have now is so much better than the ebike I didn't have 10 years ago, much better in fact 😄

[@mattdedasc]

I recently resurrected my Haibike SDuro from 2016 and I still don't think the trade up is worth it - yet.

[@acelectricalsecurity]

Bloody hell, is this about bikes or a maths lesson, I heard less about geometry at school. Some of the numbers mentioned are tiny and I doubt you would notice the difference. Most bikes look the same these days, and if they have the same geometry, same components and motor, the only difference will be the name on the frame.

[@joegeiger4837]

i prefer the specialized kenevo. 180 x 2. brose. best climbing and dh maschine. i have 220 brakes front and rear. front mt7. back sram rsc.

[@gazbro4383]

Just swapped my trek rail 9.8 axs 2022 for a 2023 fuel exe 9.7

[@asifitmatters1]

And somehow no one cares…

[@gomtv5383]

@@asifitmatters1 i care :(

[@martinschwartz7342]

@@asifitmatters1 Why do you have to be so snide?

[@djh2633]

How do you like the EXE?

[@asifitmatters1]

@@martinschwartz7342 sorry it’s my new 2023 platinum tiara that I just got to replace my 2022 24 carat gold tiara with diamonds. It’s not quite sitting right yet so it makes me cranky.

[@beaproforever6677]

did you had ever any problems with a ebike on a plain? or what have you done that you had no problems??

[@bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

Yes, I'd like to understand the airline industry's latest policies for carrying batteries on an aircraft. If I remove the battery from my bike, can I pack it with my clothes in my suitcase? Or, do I have to leave the battery at home, and source another battery at the destination? With so many manufacturers sending e-bikes across the world in bike boxes to sell them, why do customers have to abide by different rules than the freighters bike manufacturers use? Confused!!!!

[@beaproforever6677]

@@bruce.KAY-bike-drifter thanks bruce. and how have you done that?

[@H3avyHaul3r]

you can’t convince me otherwise that the norco and the canyon were of the same mold….

[@Adutchmaningermany]

I am still keeping my money in the vault. Looking for an ALUMINIUM e-mtb with 160mm or more in 27,5 or mullet and a minimum of 700Wh AND Shimano motor. Seems impossible since like 2019… Anybody?

[@BSE75]

miss the giant reign e+

[@TheJaymnj]

Who really knows which ebike is the best. Even if I rode all of them, I don't think I could tell which is the best because I don't know what the best is. Just buy one and ride.

[@mitza6162]

Norco is switching to bosch for their ebike systems in their 2024 bikes. You heard it here first folks.

[@kevinmortimer1883]

i heard that too. maybe because the inhouse ones are very very unreliable

[@_petar]

No joke, for these new prices emtbs better have nuclear reactor engine, why would anyone need an engine on gravity bike at all, also on XC bike the added weight deletes all the effort.

[@alexmalone1642]

Merida eBike!Scott Spark eBike

[@frankmatibs8076]

I have a kellys theos f90 Starting to regret it

[@bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

Why?

[@frankmatibs8076]

Had a few teething problems But took it to fod this weekend and it came into its own Absolutely fantastic bike

[@frankmatibs8076]

When I first bought the bike The rubber chain stay protectors came off Had them refitted twice and they have come off again Mud gets under them and interfiers with the speed sensor and gears I'm using cable ties on them now which is not an ideal situation on a 9k bike I haven't been able to take it on a proper ride because of this which is why I put my negative comment Now I've had chance to take it to fod and some dh tracks I'm pleased I've got it it jumps and handles superbly Buy one

[@johndinsdale1707]

The obvious problem with eMTBs is that they still just about all use standard analog groupsets. This especially in the high power motors , burns through components at a predigest rate. So until we get carbon belt drive planet internal gears at a sensible price . I am sticking with my analogue orange Evo with XX0 groupsets and sub 15 Ibs weight in an XL ?

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

It doesn't have to be belt drive it still could be chain and be light weight and strong and shift like butter. Also be long wearing to boot. Belt drives are like carbon frames there an option but not an end all.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

You just have to shift a lot and only buy steel casettes

[@johndinsdale1707]

@@Lee-ic2yn By definition an eMTB will put maximum pressure on all components because you are adding the power of the motor 100NM to human power 80NM all the time while climbing hard. This will reduce the chain and all teeth lifespan by at least half. Also due to extra weight your brakes pads will get eaten quick? We must switch to motor bike rated components for drivetrain and brakes; which will need engineering the weight reduction in those components. Think trial bike strength?

[@Lee-ic2yn]

@John Dinsdale I hear you man, the link glide is supposed to be stronger at least but its not easy to get hold of and I don't really see any reviews I wonder why that's not coming on most ebikes already? Rather than the standard shimano at least. Trial bike strengh would be great What do you think about 12 speed vs less gears?

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

@@Lee-ic2yn 12 speed not necessarily because you use every gear it doesn't have huge jumps in gear ratio's so you can keep it in its sweet spot. The XT could be updated to last longer without sacrificing performance. It's about balancing the materials. Can you even get a ten-tooth link glide?

[@TWARDOWSKY.]

This bosch motors are so big you may think this are combustion engines :P Sorry but Shimano EP 8.1 RS is the winner.

[@OSUHARDING1ATECHNICEXPERIENCE]

I’d take the Pivot Shuttle SL over the Trek

[@kakexshi]

And GIANT ?? KTM ?

[@robertwood4665]

Yeti. End off

[@kevintraynor4508]

It's 20 15 not 200 15

[@karl53133]

Anything worth having is illegal for Rd use in the UK.....

[@user-nk3tv3hn3e]

Слава ЗСУ 🔰

[@scivieler768]

I know why a lightweight, less torque, less watts emtb is suitable for people who want to make the transition from a normal to a emtb. It's because when you stop training and challenge youreself because the motor took over, you're shape collapses so afther a while you need a bigger motor and battery so it can push your lazy bottom up the hill. Then you need a real EMTB! Right?

[@toddorov1920]

Brother call it a day and whip that hair off. Bold napper all the way it would suit you better and fit in with the Dads 👍🏽

[@Emolokz]

Steve still has plenty of hair, there's no reason whatsoever he should go entirely bald. Now, Rich over in GMBN should definitely shave that strange tuft he has on the front of his head, dead in the middle of his huge bald spot.

[@robpel1]

Oh I thought this was a bike channel not love island 🤯

[@scivieler768]

Wow, evolving to more normal mtb looking, with more and more torque and watthours... so you can tackle what you normaly could with training and getting super fit? Why? Is being lazy a good thing these days? Or is it just ordinairy marketing getting lazy people on their products so they can sell more...

[@kevinkeelan354]

They’re still the most overpriced, unreliable product in human history by a distance.

[@merevedo1]

You mean the analog enduro bikes, right?

[@kevinkeelan354]

@@merevedo1 no. I mean the ones with tiny, shitty, unreliable overpriced motors that cost the same as a small car. The ones that brick if you derestrict them. The ones with the worst, non transferable warranty of any similarly priced product ever.

[@kevinkeelan354]

@@merevedo1 new cubes are a great example. €7k-€12k and have a 2 year frame warranty for the original owner only. Hilarious.

[@1bluensx]

I’m a newbie and I have a question. What is the big deal about “new geometry, etc.”? I would thing that in today’s computer age and years and years of making these bikes, that making a bike geometrically perfect would be the most simple thing. Like 1 degree off on any angle would red flag with riders and computers, and it would be perfect. Why do they keep changing it? To me it seems as simple as a wheel needs to be round….not square. What am I missing.