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There are many reasons to take a closer look at electric mountain bikes. Maybe you’re into mountain biking, but you’ve never had much love for the uphill battle that comes before the rush of bombing down a trail. Maybe you simply want to exercise and figure that an electric bike can give you a little extra support for an off-road scramble. Or maybe you’re just a real ebike head and want to try some of the latest tech-laden bikes coming out right now. Whatever box you fit into, the best electric mountain bikes—like our best overall, the Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 7—offer cyclists state-of-the-art features and unrivaled all-terrain capability.
How we chose the best electric mountain bikes
As a die-hard outdoorsman and general bike enthusiast, I’ve provided a wide range of gear and tech coverage across a wide array of publications, including Popular Science, the Daily Beast, Runner’s World, Thrillist, The Manual, Popular Mechanics, and more. Electric bikes have become a key part of that coverage in the past few years.
As a result, I’ve spent many, many hours riding dozens of electric bicycles, spanning every specialization and price point from fat tire to full-suspension, and I’ve come to recognize true greatness from hype. In some cases, those tests were bolstered with additional research and observations drawn from expert and customer reviews.
The best electric mountain bikes: Reviews & Recommendations
Our favorite electric mountain bikes are made to handle a wide range of experiences. Some are made for serious mountain trails. Others are for more moderate off-road endeavors. There are options on this list for every kind of rider.
Best overall: Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 7
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What it made the cut: Lightweight, powerful, and tech-savvy, the Canyon Neuron:ONfly CF 7 delivers an outstandingly thrilling downhill experience.
Specs
- Battery capacity: 400Wh (650Wh with optional range extender)
- Motor power/torque: 600W peak/55Nm
- Suspension travel: 140mm
- Weight: 44.76 lbs.
Pros
- Great motor/battery combo
- Natural feel
- Agile handling
Cons
- Motor can be loud at low speeds
The Neuron:ONfly CF7 is the latest eMTB offering from Canyon, filling the gap between its more underpowered and overpowered trail bikes, and in doing so, it strikes a near-perfect balance between the two. On one hand, its motor provides plenty of oomph for charging uphill and navigating technical features, but on the other, it’s not so e-fueled that it takes you out of the driver’s seat. In other words, this is an ideal ebike for serious downhillers who want the support of a motor but still enjoy riding a bike.
Equipped with a Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit, it produces peaks of 600W and 55Nm of torque, and while those numbers are somewhat moderate these days, the lightweight frame allows it to make the most of that output while rewarding a high cadence and allowing for a more natural feeling ride. Eco, Tour, eMTB, and Turbo modes tailor performance to your needs, with the latter two providing Extended Boost, which continues to deliver power to the rear wheel for an extra couple of meters after you’ve stopped pedaling so you can focus on navigating the terrain. There’s also a Walk mode that can be activated to drive the bike when you’re dismounted. The 400Wh battery is plenty for most athletic riding, but if you’re looking for additional range a 250Wh extender can be attached to the downtube.
All in all, the bike feels fantastic on trails of any type. While the motor and battery have somewhat modest stats, their trimmed-down weight is befitting of the featherlight carbon frame, all of which translates into a quick, agile ride. The suspension is outstanding, and the whole setup even looks sharp and modern. What’s more, you can set an alarm, track its location, and monitor performance and maintenance needs via a handy app. The motor can drone a bit loud at lower speeds, but beyond that, it’s hard to find fault with this genuinely excellent eMTB.
Best value: Aventon Ramblas
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Why it made the cut: Delivering impressive specs at a reasonable price, the Aventon Ramblas is a surprisingly capable ride.
Specs
- Battery capacity: 708Wh
- Motor power/torque: 250W sustained, 500W Peak/100Nm
- Suspension travel: 130mm
- Weight: 54 lbs.
Pros
- Solid performance specs
- Versatile
- Good app
Cons
- So-so suspension
- Relatively heavy
Aventon is known more for affordability than high performance, so the Ramblas turned out to be an impressive surprise. While its sub-$3000 price is fairly low for an eMTB, its specs are that of a much more expensive ride. At a glance the 250W/500W peak motor may seem somewhat standard, but its 100Nm of torque makes it an absolute beast of a hill climber. And its 708Wh battery translates into all-day riding range.
In terms of the riding experience and geometry, here you find the sort of versatility that Aventon is typically known for. Multiple frame sizes make it easy to find one suitable for any rider, its stance feels ergonomic and comfortable, and the dropper seat is a nice touch. All in all it’s decently maneuverable, though it is a few pounds heavier than more expensive eMTBs, which you can feel in tight turns, but is still relatively light for the price. It also has an app that allows you to tailor elements like Assistance, Pedaling Response, and Max Torque.
Its most notable issue is the lack of a rear suspension and the inability to adjust the compression on the front suspension. While the front suspension performs well, heavier riders may experience a lot of sag due to the lack of adjustability. And while the decision to make it a hardtail definitely helped the price, it will feel a bit bumpy over the course of long or technical trails. That being said, at $2K less than our top pick, this is an outstanding option for anyone shopping for a budget bike or riders new to electric MTBs.
Best fat tire: Juiced RipRacer
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Why it made the cut: Compact, surefooted, and powerful, the Juiced RipRacer is the perfect bike to pack along for any form of off-roading.
Specs
- Battery capacity: 811Wh
- Motor power/torque: 750W sustained, 1,300W Peak/80Nm
- Weight: 66 lbs.
Pros
- Outstanding performance
- Compact
- AirTag compartment
Cons
- Inconsistent availability
- Relatively heavy
The Juiced RipRacer is a fun, zippy ride no matter where you take it, but it’s especially perfect for offroad surfaces thanks to its wide, nobby, surefooted tires and low center of gravity. Compact enough to load into a large car trunk—though a bit heavy with its massive battery in place—it’s a great option for anyone who wants a portable ebike to pack along for weekend outdoor jaunts. And thanks to its slight stature, it’s an ideal bike for shorter riders, though its seat and handlebars can be raised to suit taller riders, too.
And for a smaller bike, it sure does have monstrous performance numbers. That big battery I mentioned has a whopping 811Wh, which means you can easily ride it all day long. And its motor is one of the most powerful out there, churning out a massive 750W and 1,300W peaks. The cadence pedal assist has a natural feel, and the motorcycle-style twist throttle leaps up to speed. Reliable hydraulic disc brakes help reign all that power in, integrated head and taillights boost safety, and there’s even a hidden AirTag compartment so you can track it in case of theft.
Its biggest issue is its popularity. The RipRacer tends to sell out faster than Juiced can produce it, so you may have to sign up for stock alerts. It’s worth the wait, however, because this is a seriously fun ebike.
Best step-through: Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through
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Why it made the cut: Powerful and capable, the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through delivers hyper-customizable performance.
Specs
- Battery: 672Wh
- Motor power/torque: 750W/80Nm
- Suspension travel: 60mm
- Weight: 73 lbs.
Pros
- Outstanding power
- Solid range
- Twist throttle
- Some suspension travel
Cons
- Limited suspension
- Too small for some riders
Rad Power Bikes has exploded onto the ebike scene with an expansive range of highly capable, highly customizable ebikes. The latest version of its RadRover fat tire ebike perfectly represents why the brand has garnered so much acclaim. With outstanding power and off-road capability, the RadRover 6 delivers an all-around fun riding experience.
With well-balanced performance, the RadRover 6 Plus is fast, especially when you rev it up with the throttle, and offers a solid range. It even has light suspension, making it a bit more capable on uncertain surface conditions. That said, at 73 pounds, it is the heaviest bike on our list, so it isn’t made for steep climbs. In fact, it may be too heavy to fit on your car’s bike rack.
Like all of Rad’s bikes, the RadRover 6 Plus is extremely customizable. You can add front and rear baskets or cargo carriers, bags, center consoles, water bottles, integrated locks, mirrors, passenger seating, fenders, and a whole lot more. You can even upgrade the tires with Tannus Armour for more off-road reliability. You can build the perfect bike for your needs.
Best hybrid: Ride1Up Prodigy XC
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Why it made the cut: If you’re looking for an around-town commuter that can handle the occasional off-road excursion, the Ride1Up Prodigy XC delivers.
Specs
- Battery: 504Wh
- Motor power/torque: 250W, 90Nm
- Suspension travel: 120mm
- Weight: 50 lbs
Pros
- Solid performance
- Surprisingly good suspension
- Ergonomic stance
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- No throttle
- No rack or taillights
- Slow charging
After a few rides, I began to see Ride1UP’s Prodigy XC as wish fulfillment for anyone interested in checking out a daily commuter bike that delivers a surprising level of off-road capability thanks to its front fork suspension. The bicycle arrived almost fully assembled, and the company’s video instructions provided a step-by-step set of directions to complete the job. One person can handle assembly, but asking a friend to help will expedite the process. The only accessory that isn’t provided is an air compressor to fill its tires.
Once the bike was put together, the only thing left to do was ride the “cross-country” bike, which delivers admirable performance with a motor that provides plenty of uphill propulsion. If you’ll use the Prodigy XC as a commuter (hence our “hybrid” designation), you’ll appreciate its ergonomic, comfortable design. However, it could benefit from the addition of taillights and a throttle. This is the sort of bike that you ride to work all week, then pedal over mild-to-moderate off-road trails for some weekend fun.
Arguably, the biggest downside to the Prodigy is its relatively lazy recharging time. At five hours, it’s the slowest recharge on our list. Barring that, however, this is a nicely versatile ride.
Also consider: Salsa Tributary Apex 1 Eagle
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If you’re more into rugged fire roads than solely single track, but you want to be able to tackle mixed terrain, Salsa’s TOTL gravel ebike is our best premium pick. “This one is a beast,” the bike mechanic said when he rolled out the Salsa Tributary SUS Apex Eagle. And man, he was right. This monster is a Class 3 ebike with pedal assistance up to 28 mph and a massive 85 Nm of torque that absolutely flattens hills. The 120mm suspension fork and vibration-reducing technology float over gravel, rocks, and all sorts of squirrely terrain without punishing your wrists. This is the bike my riding partner and I fought over during a test ride with a stupidly steep climb on soft, squishy mulch. Let’s just say the loser had to push their bike up. The e-version of the brand’s Cutthroat frame is powered by a Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive system that takes advantage of the smooth-shifting 12 gears. But for more control, riders can use the Ebike Flow app to customize assistance levels, check metrics, or plan routes. This gravel bike feels mountain-bike lite. There’s no rear suspension, but a dropper post was handy when things got a little bouncier on a downhill than expected. Make that many downhills. The 625Wh battery offers an estimated range of up to 72 miles, and an optional range extender can bump it up to 875Wh, which means it can go as long as you can. Sure, it’s expensive at $5,499 to $5,999, depending on options, but you’ll know where that money went when you feel the rush but not the rocks.
What to consider when picking an electric mountain bike
There are a number of core concerns that you should consider when shopping for any electric bike, but certain elements are especially important in electric mountain bikes. You aren’t just looking for an ebike, after all. To provide superior off-road performance, a great electric mountain bike needs superior suspension, a strong motor, and a crazy durable yet lightweight frame, all of which tend to make them more expensive than your typical ebike.
Motor
More than anything, an electric mountain bike needs a strong motor. To literally power up steep mountain trails, you will need a motor that delivers unwavering propulsion, as well as plenty of torque, or rotational force, to pull your bike uphill over obstacles.
To make sure your bike can push you up really steep hills, we recommend a motor that churns out at least 500 watts (W) of power and 60 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. That’s about double what we look for in a standard electric touring bike.
Range
One thing you absolutely want to avoid is having your battery give out on you halfway up a big hill. That means finding an electric mountain bike with a larger-than-average battery, capable of tackling long uphill and downhill rides that require more energy than the average ebike.
Keep in mind that while you would use a formula for a normal commuter ebike to determine how a specific model’s battery would translate into travel range, you can’t really measure how an electric mountain bike will perform off-road. There are a lot of factors that impact range—rider weight, ground conditions, and “elevation climb,” to name a few—that determining range is already a ballpark estimate that may change from ride to ride. Add in the unpredictable nature of trail riding and pinning down even a rough idea of the range becomes next to impossible.
That said, there is a direct correlation between the size of your battery and how long your ebike will be able to assist you. Bigger is better if you want a bike that will keep you on the trails all day long.
Suspension
Quality suspension, which absorbs the force of your bike hitting the ground after bumping over uneven terrain, is essential to any mountain bike, electric or otherwise. Solid suspension can make even a rocky uphill climb feel safe and relatively comfortable. Without it, any bump could jolt you off your bike.
Suspension is noted in millimeters of “travel,” which measures how far the suspension components allow the frame to move and absorb shock upon impact. We recommend looking for at least 140mm for hard riding.
Please remember that not all the bikes on our list include suspension, as some of our picks are intended for more moderate, off-road riding rather than rugged trails.
Transmission
Your electric mountain bike might be powered, but you still need a quality transmission with a wide gearing range to make it up steep inclines. Simply put, the more gears you have, the more you can reduce the force necessary to pedal up an incline. If you expect to be hitting the trails hard, you want at least eight gears if you’ll be doing any serious climbing.
Weight
Having a lightweight bike is key for trail riding. It makes it easier to pedal the bike uphill and provides more control when you’re zipping back down. For hill-climbers, you’ll want to shoot for a frame that weighs under 50 pounds. We have included a couple of heavier options here, but they’re oriented toward off-roading on level ground rather than steep inclines.
FAQs
It’s always a smart idea to wear a helmet while cycling, and it’s especially important when you’re mountain biking. In fact, you should make sure to get a special helmet for off-road or extreme biking, as a typical bike helmet doesn’t necessarily provide enough protection for falling off your biking uphill, off-road, at motor-powered speeds. Always look for a helmet with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection), and preferably with some form of face/eye protection like a visor or even a full face guard. Smith, POC, Trek, and Fox all make some outstanding electric mountain bike helmets.
With the right motor and transmission, electric bikes are outstanding for climbing hills. In fact, extra torque power, which allows for better climbing, is the best reason to spend the extra money on an electric mountain bike.
There are formulas for calculating the approximate range of an individual electric bike, but they are just approximations. Even one specific bike’s range can vary from ride to ride based on the rider, terrain, and even the weather. This is particularly true with electric mountain bikes as you’ll usually be riding them through extremely diverse, unpredictable conditions.
The biggest hurdle to buying an electric bike is the price. Even so-so ebikes cost around $1,000. As you can see from our top picks, the best of the best feature price tags well over $10,000. There’s a lot of tech that goes into an ebike and that tech tends to be expensive.
Once you own the bike, the most common downside is potentially running out of power. Electric bikes tend to be very heavy. If your ebike runs out of juice mid-ride, it can be extremely difficult to pedal under your own strength.
Final thoughts on the best electric mountain bikes
Personally, I think riding the trails on an electric mountain bike is significantly more pleasurable than going sans power. Pedal assist practically eliminates the uphill struggle, allowing you to focus all your energy and enjoyment on negotiating technical features and taking in the trail’s natural beauty. So whether you’re looking for a serious bike for extreme trail riding, or simply want to flow over easy gravel or dirt paths, powering up with one of the best electric mountain bikes is worth your consideration.
