What’s The BEST Electric Mountain Bike in 2022? | Mondraker Level, Nukeproof Megawatt & Whyte E-180!

The Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory, Whyte E-180 RS and Mondraker Level R all have 170mm or more of progressive suspension travel front and rear. And that’s no coincidence, because after spending hours reviewing these bikes and others, it became clear progressive long-travel suspension is well suited to the ebike format.
A big thanks to our sponsors for helping us make this year's Bike of The Year a reality: MET Helmets, Bluegrass protection and of course, BikePark Wales. The video contains product placement from our sponsors but rest assured our reviews will always remain impartial, backed up by our expert test team.
To find the inaugural E-Bike of the Year winner we put the candidates through a gambit of trails that any good e-MTB should be able to handle.
Deciding on a final winner was a bit of a headache, and the top spot flip-flopped between two of these three bikes more often than we checked their tyre and shock pressures.
Which E-MTB is top of your charts for 2022? Let us know in the comments!!
Watch Our Trail Bike of The Year video:
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Watch Our Enduro Bike of The Year video:
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Watch our Bike of the Year 2022 Playlist:
→ • WINNER Bike of The Yea...
Read more on BikeRadar:
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Contents:
00:06 Intro
00:32 Suspension
02:10 Geometry
03:35 Framesets
03:59 Motor's & Batteries
05:14 Spec
06:36 Ride Quality
12:07 Conclusion
#BikeRadar #BikeofTheYear #emtb
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[@bikeradar]

Which electric steed would you prefer? Let us know bellow! 😎⚡

[@hannes6114]

The Nukeproof. Btw: How was the progression calculated/measured?

[@benoc9966]

One that's actually available..

[@paulmaag6958]

I have the Mondraker Level R. I prefer the higher bottom bracket for big toothy Colorado, USA rocky mountain trails. Proper size rear spring will fix the linearity problem for some weight riders. For me, its a bomber for the big stuff. For more flowy trails, I use my Orbea Rise.

[@Scontoni]

@BikeRadar The E-180 can have Bosch Tour+ enabled in the software, just shows up as Tour on the display

[@59trevski]

I’ve just bought the Nukeproof Mega watt RS coil shock. running on Michelin DH22 Zebb ultimate 180, Rockshox ultimate delux coil, rsc code breaks, wireless rear mech. Incredible traction what a ride, better than my DH bike. Now I’ve tuned the EP8 motor it’s amazing. Battery lasts for ever, so so impressed Nukeproof make some of the best Mtb’s. 🤘

[@freddobar6498]

What did you change on the motor.

[@MsKaylakay19]

Works great I so needed this

[@b_bullish6700]

I'm curious if you know anything about the Radon deft 10 which looks and is specked like a serious contender within the enduro market. It was released back in May and I can't find any reviews on it in English. I would love to see a review on it if you could make that happen.

[@davidbuchanan7766]

I've got the Mondraker on order. More thanks to availability than anything else

[@The.JZA.]

Super slack head angles are a massive compromise. They work well when pointing down the steepest terrain but make the bike sluggish to handle when riding anything else. I think Mondraker have it right with the steeper head angle and increased reach.

[@lglimited]

Does megawatt still have the cable rub issue on the headset?

[@Jimmyrush89]

Got the factory megawatt on order due September! Cannot wait ⚡️

[@Jimmyrush89]

🤖🤖🤖🤖

[@Jimmyrush89]

😂😂😂 sound 🤖

[@59trevski]

Shame you couldn’t review the Nukeproof rs it’s an unbelievable bike

[@peterb8500]

Given that many people who ride these can't really shred that hard, me included, is this really the best bike or only the best bike if you're a good rider?

[@dnutr]

It seem like you guys didn’t test any other ebike, like yeti, trek, specialized that’s also really good ebikes

[@bikeradar]

Alex had his work cut out this year as he actually tested 8 bikes in total! Including some of the brands you've mentioned. Scroll down and check out the reviews over on our website to learn more 👉 www.bikeradar.com/news/2022-bike-of-the-year-mtb/

[@stephenbrown5844]

The whyte would be my choice, bud,,,, 😁👌♥️🇬🇧

[@Pienimusta]

Coincidence that Nukeproof has been in top 3 for the enduro and trail test too?

[@TheHlynurskuli]

Just that good 🤟

[@gerryg1151]

Santa Cruz Bullit 💯

[@JamesRobertMTB]

So many good bikes to choose from out there!!!

[@danvalicek]

The best emtb of the year is without any doubt the Specialized Turbo Levo. 🤝

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Take it you've got one then? 😂

[@flippy66]

Best e-bike or best long travel e-bike? Seems like a very limited comparison either way with only three bikes. The Mondraker looks least like an ebike, which is a big plus. But over any of these I would take an Orbea Rise, E-Zesty or Levo SL to drop 6kg off the weight, which means less power is needed.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

They're only lighter because of smaller batteries

[@theradrider675]

Might aswell get an E-bike instead of a car considering the price of gas these days 😅

[@FIGHTTHECABLE]

Aaaand the scam bots are all over bike radar

[@bikeradar]

@@FIGHTTHECABLE We've dealt with them for now, but always look out for our tick ✔

[@danielakerman8241]

Might as well by an EV instead of a bike considering the price of bikes these days!!

[@whychooseone]

I added a mid drive hub to my Road MTB that's been collecting dust in my shed. I don't drive anymore unless it's for food shopping 🤣🤣

[@teabagNBG]

idk i always get the feeling they never talk about the display and functions availible for the motor...

[@ssjj9584]

Why only these bikes in the test?? How can these be the best bikes without adding all the best bikes in market?

[@Anykine50]

Nukeproof needs to restock the Megawatt!

[@Anykine50]

for the US

[@markdance574]

I have a ebike budget of 4300 - so my choices are either a Trek 5 rail or a Scott 930/940 . Iv had afew Scott’s before so went with the Scott based on its remote lock out function being great for the riding I do - but yet again virtually no real reviews etc - the trek rail has has a fair amount of coverage but if you even try to buy a bike the stock availability is non existent currently.

[@Synysterjmz]

Have a look for last years Nukeproof Megawatt Comp on sale at dealers. I’ve seen them discounted to get rid of old stock, you might get lucky and be able to pick one up for around your budget. The comp is a decent spec for the £5k price, so a bargain if you can get an ex demo or something.

[@markdance574]

@@Synysterjmz thanks but I have recently just purchased a Scott strike eride - very happy so far

[@mustclime5311]

wow, the top 3 e bikes contain 2 uk brand bikes.....fail review

[@tomg224]

Shimano motor is a no no for me Error e10 lol

[@iaina3251]

They look great and of course I'd love one, but they're all £7k though.. What regular person can afford that?

[@flippy66]

Retired people. They are ebikes after all 😜

[@Mockle07]

What’s a “regular person” 😂 There are plenty of “regular people” at every MX and enduro event I attend riding dirt bikes costing from £7.5K - £10k. If you can’t afford a £7k bike e-MTB, buy a cheaper one 🤷🏼‍♂️ I can’t justify spending £35k on a Ducati V4SP2, but I don’t complain about it on social media.

[@flippy66]

@@Mockle07 And yet you cared enough to complain about someone else's comment on social media lol 🤦‍♀

[@Mockle07]

@@flippy66 Yep. Just trying to correct some blinkered, old fashioned opinions 👍🏻 Just having a laugh though really, definitely not complaining about stuff because I can’t afford it.

[@flippy66]

@@Mockle07 Ah you were just gatekeeping. Gotcha 👍

[@rickybarker4023]

I want to buy the megawatt so much to compliment my carbon mega, but I won’t buy a bike with the shimano motor. Warranty replacement is terrible, madison/shimano are a joke. The motor is unreliable and up to now I don’t know anyone who is able to rebuild them. Sorry NP.

[@Gyver51]

Bought the Megawatt last year, put an RS coil on it and every time I´m on it, it impresses me with its agile handling and so it is so much fun to ride. Awesome machine! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3upqGNnntmXbqM

[@sidrykchewo]

Drop the battery guys!

[@lilblaster22]

The Turbo Levo destroys all three those pieces of shart...

[@megane230f1]

Levos are good looking bikes its a shame they arent worth what they cost to make with a very poor selection of kit on them

[@lilblaster22]

@@megane230f1 The Levo is King. They just came out with jump mode and wheelie mode...

[@mtbaxel9643]

Nah, My Megawatt Factory is a lot better....