When you get up towards the $4,000 mark, you can start to find some truly exceptional e-MTBs.
It’s when you tend to see more of the big name manufacturers entering the market and the bikes become a lot more adventurous.
That’s not to say there aren’t good bikes at the lower end of the spectrumsuch as the $3,000 and $2,000 mark, but you often get what you pay for and the higher spec components come at a cost.
Brace yourselves, because there are some beauties in this list, which we really enjoyed taking to the trails.
Saddle up, because you’re in for a treat, as we review the best electric mountain bikes under $4,000….
Our Top 3 Picks under $4,000:
Best Electric Mountain Bikes Under $4,000
FLX F5 Trail
Best Overall under $4,000
Good for –Trail riding, technical riding
Price – $2,599
Peaks:
- Immensely powerful motor
- Decent battery range
- Brakes
- Surprisingly nimble for its weight
Troughs:
- Long charge time
- Only 10-gears
- Weight
Summary:
The FLX F5 Trail is a burly, fully juiced trail bike, which offers enormous range and a huge amount of power, but it isn’t without issues.
Firstly, it weighs in at 27kg, which is a hefty lump to be moving around the trails, however, you get some impressive electrics stats.
A big old 650Wh battery, provided by Panasonic, and a truly enormous Bafang M600 motor, which throws out an eye-watering 120Nm of torque.
That makes it an absolute rocket on the climbs and despite its weight, it still manages steep inclines with a scamper.
When things become more technical you can certainly feel the weight and it isn’t the most nimble.
However, it still feels reasonably playful thanks to its geometry, which combined with the 130mm of travel in forks, allows you to duck and weave at least a little bit.
The forks also help support the weight of the bike and when moving at pace, their cushioning is very welcome – although the suspension set-up certainly isn’t one capable of taking on big launches from heights.
The bike has a hard tail, which limits it further on the rough stuff, but it does make it pacy on the flats, especially when combined with the full gas motor.
The electrics have to be admired for their performance, but the charge time for the battery is quite long – around 6 hours to get back to 100% from empty.
Another plus is the Magura MT5 brakes, they offer a powerful bite to help cope with that heavy, fast moving bike.
But you do feel short changed when it comes to the drivetrain, you only get 10-gears in the Shimano Deore set-up and that means you can’t maximise the speed quite as well as you could with 12.
It performs admirably for a big beast, but there are areas which limit the bike.
Shipping and delivery info:
- Free shipping to 48 contiguous US states.
- Within 5 working days to US mainland.
- 5-7 working days to Canada, with extra fees.
- Rest of the world available, but cost, availability and time for delivery varies between nations.
Vitus E-Sommet VR
Best full suspension electric mountain bike under $4,000
Price – $3,599
Good for – Downhill, jumps parks
Peaks:
- Suspension
- Tyres
- Fun factor
- Heavy impact ready
Troughs:
- Range
- Motor power
- Weight
Summary:
The Vitus E-Sommet VR is a full suspension e-MTB, which is designed for the seriously gnarly terrain, with a huge amount of travel at both the front and rear end.
You get 170mm of travel in the RockShox Domain R forks and 167mm of travel in the Super Deluxe Select R shocks – a set-up made for shredding technical downhill courses and having a bucket load of fun.
The bike has the air of a conventional MTB, with a lightness of handling, that is made to be thrown about.
We felt very much in control and the bike danced through the trees and scampered up the climbs.
It’s an aluminium framed ride, which weighs in at 24.3kg – definitely not the lightest out there, but the bike still feels nimble and there isn’t too much emphasis on the electrics.
You get a modest 504Wh Shimano E8035 battery, which on paper looks a bit of a letdown, but when you consider the bike is largely focused on descent orientated riding, you don’t need an enormous battery.
We do think the motor is under powered though – with only 60Nm of torque in the Shimano Steps E7000, Vitus have gone with it to try and keep the overall weight down, but to tackle a gnarly downhill route, you often have a short sharp climb to get to the top.
On the seriously challenging climbs, the bike struggles a little, however, you get a 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain which softens the blow.
The Maxxis Assegai tyres are a real moment to celebrate, they offer a fantastic amount of traction and they feel very composed when you push the bike to its limits.
Vitus have done tremendously to keep the price down and the bike’s a joy to ride – a hell of a lot of fun.
Shipping and delivery info:
- Free shipping to US mainland only.
- Shipped within 1 business day – arrival, between 3 and 5 business days, depending on state.
Norco Sight VLT A1
Good for – Downhill, enduro
Price – $3,899 (comes without battery – additional cost depending on size)
Peaks:
- Suspension
- Playfulness
- Tyres
- Motor power
Troughs:
- No battery as standard
- Not a smooth power deliver
Summary:
We’ve included the Norco Sight VLT A1 in this review because of its versatility – the standard bike comes in under $4,000, but it comes without a battery.
That means you can ride it like a normal MTB if you wish, however, for an extra cost you can upgrade it to an e-MTB, with a choice of 4 different batteries.
The cheapest is a 450Wh ($899) Norco BMZ battery, and the most expensive a 900Wh Norco BMZ battery ($1,299) – clearly this peaks you well above our $4,000 barrier. However, it’s a good option if you want to try out different types of riding (assisted/non-assisted) and you can incrementally upgrade to e-MTB if you needed to split the payments.
This bike is a downhill and enduro beast, made for the seriously gnarly trails – it comes with 160mm of travel at the front and 150mm at the rear.
The forks are supplied by FOX, with their Rhythm Float 36s fitted as standard and you get a FOX Float X2 Performance Elite pair of shocks.
The bike comes with a Shimano EP8 motor, which offers raw power and an ease of use, but it isn’t the most intelligent motor out there – we find it can be a little unnatural in its power delivery.
You get a 12-speed Shimano SLX drivetrain, which is absolutely spot on for us, and you get a Shimano MT520 brake set-up.
Both do the job needed, as do the tyres – you get a seriously teethy pair of 29 inch Maxxis Assegais, which give you the firmness of grip needed when you’re pushing the bike hard into those corners and descents.
This bike may come in over budget with the battery, but it’s one of hell of a descender, which you don’t often get around this price range.
Shipping and delivery info:
- Free US shipping.
- 1 day to California, 2 day to Nevada/Arizona/Utah, 3-5 days to the rest of mainland US.
- International shipping available – cost and delivery time varies depending on location.
Although the standard bike comes in under $4,000, to add a battery it takes you over, but worth considering if your budget stretches higher.
Cannondale Moterra Neo 5
Price – $3,639
Peaks:
- Versatility
- Handling
- Speed
- Robust
- Comfort
Troughs:
- Weight
- Charge time
- Battery range
Summary:
The Cannondale Moterra Neo 5 is an incredibly versatile e-MTB, which we can truly say is made for the trails.
It’s well suited to the enduro market, with 140mm of travel in the forks and 150mm at the rear – it’s well equipped to take some challenging terrain, without compensating too much on speed.
You don’t feel too spongey in the front end, with the SR SunTour XCR forks, which means the bike is also an adept climber.
It’s a well-rounded package in terms of the suspension, which gives you just enough to take on some wild terrain, but not so much that it’s useless on anything other than descent focused trails.
It weighs in at 24kg, with an aluminium frame, which houses a 504Wh custom battery in the town tube.
It gives you a range of around 100km, which isn’t astonishing, but the battery has an intelligent relationship with the motor, operating conservatively.
The motor is provided by Shimano, with their STEPS DU-E7000 fitted as standard – that’s capped at 60Nm of torque, to try and provide a natural ride feel.
It may seem a bit under gunned compared to some other motors, but it feels incredibly natural in its power delivery.
One of the most impressive features of this e-MTB is the handling – it feels incredibly easy to manipulate and manoeuvre, which brings a lot of fun to the riding experience.
It has a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, which is 2 fewer than we would like to see, but you get a decent pair of Shimano MT200 brakes and some very efficient WTB Breakout tires, which offer enough bite and shedding at the same time.
Some bikes just feel well balanced and this is certainly one – it’s a pleasure to ride, versatile and without a doubt one to consider for the enduro market when looking at the best E-MTB’s under $4,000.
Shipping and delivery info:
- Free to the US 48 contiguous states.
- 3 different options – standard (5-7 business days), faster (extra fee - 2-3 business days), fastest (most expensive – 1-2 business days).
Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 625Wh
Good for – Hybrid urban/trail, commuting
Price – $3,661
Peaks:
- Battery
- Motor
- Fast
- Comfortable
- Natural power delivery
Troughs:
- Limited when it comes to proper trail riding
- Minimal suspension
- Only 11-speed
Summary:
The Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 625Wh, is made to span the urban and easier going countryside environments.
It’s a hardtail, which is designed to improve traction, for speed in the city streets and on the flatter trails.
You get 100mm of travel in the X-Fusion MIG32 forks, which limits the bike on the more adventurous terrain, but it can still manage a few bumpy patches on an easier going trail.
The frame is called Aluminium Superlite, but still weighs in at 23.1kg overall, due to the chunky 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery.
That offers you a decent range of over 100km and it’s one of the better battery setups available on the market – offering outstanding reliability.
You also get the tremendous Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 4 motor, which is a true beast – capable of throwing out 85Nm of torque, but with a completely natural feel of power delivery.
At times you can easily forget your riding an e-MTB, with the power kicking in seamlessly as you up the assistance level and easing off smoothly, without an unnatural pull or jerk.
You get an 11-speed Shimano Deroe CS-M5100 drivetrain, which we’re a little disappointed with – we would have preferred a 12 speed set-up and you get a very average Shimano BR-MT200 brake set-up.
This bike isn’t made for the wilder style of trails and its brake set-up would falter on some of the gnarlier terrain, but it’s passable on flatter and easier going routes.
It’s certainly a pacy city spinner, which feels comfortable crossing onto the dirt too, with a decent pair of Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres offering a happy balance of enough grip, but enough shedding ability too.
The bike is limited when it comes to proper trail riding though, simply down to that limited suspension set-up – the bike is fit for country paths, forest roads and a hybrid terrain commute.
If that’s what you’re needing an e-MTB for, then it’s a good option, but if you want something more adventurous – steer clear.
Shipping and delivery info:
- Free US shipping.
- 1 day to California, 2 day to Nevada/Arizona/Utah, 3-5 days to the rest of mainland US.
- International shipping available – cost and delivery time varies depending on location.
Trek Powerfly FS 4 Gen 2
Good for – Cross-country riding, speed
Price – $3,999
Peaks:
- Speed
- Playfulness
- Motor quality
- Handling
Troughs:
- Battery size
- Price
- 10-speed
- Suspension quality
Summary:
The Trek Powerfly FS 4 Gen 2 just dips under the $4,000 mark.
It’s a sporty aluminium cross-country e-MTB, which is made for speed and playfulness.
It weighs in at 24.83kg, with the company’s Alpha Platinum compound frame – it isn’t the lightest we’ve ever seen, but it has a seriously fun geometry, which is made to be thrown about.
To maintain pace up on the trails, the bike doesn’t offer an abundance of travel, so it restricts you from hitting the seriously rough stuff.
However, you still get 120mm of travel in the forks, which are provided by SR Suntour with their XCR 34s installed as standard and you get SR Suntour Edge R shocks.
The bike comes with a 500Wh Bosch PowerTube battery – in terms of quality, it’s absolutely excellent, however, we’re surprised the bike weighs as much as it does with only a 500Wh battery on there.
It’s complemented by a Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which can throw out 85Nm of torque – that’s a hearty punch to take on all manner of climbs and the low level of travel in the rear end means you keep a good amount of traction.
The bike is an adept climber and fantastic on flatter ground too, however, it feels uncomfortable on the descents, purely down to the low level of travel.
You get a Bosch Purion computer, which is not the worst out there, but the lack of percentage figure for the amount of battery you have left is a niggle for us.
We also feel let down by the 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, why not 12? And you only get a pretty average set of Tektro brakes.
Pros and cons with this bike for sure, but it certainly excels in riding fast and furious, with an ease of handling, which has to be admired.
Shipping and delivery info:
- You can buy from various stores across the US, recommended by Trek on their website.
- Shipping times, delivery costs and collection arrangements differ depending on store
Trek Powerfly FS 4 Gen 4
Good for – Cross-country riding, speed
Price – $3,649
Peaks:
- Speed
- Handling
- Motor power & qualit
- Climbing
Troughs:
- Not made for the rough stuff
- 10-speed
- Battery size
- Brakes
Summary:
The Trek Powerfly FS 4 Gen 4 is a lower spec version of the Gen 2.
That means it comes at a lower price, although many aspects are exactly the same.
It has the same Alpha Platinum aluminium frame and despite it being cheaper, it actually weighs less – coming in at 23.9kg.
You get a Bosch PowerTube 500Wh battery, the same as the higher spec model, and also the same Bosch Performance Line CX motor – both excellent products, but as we pointed out in the higher spec model, we’re disappointed with the battery size.
You lose out in the display department with this e-MTB – it doesn’t come with one as standard, which means an extra purchase, should you want a ride aid, which we always recommend.
You get a slightly downgraded suspension set-up too, with Suntour XCM 34 forks, with 120mm of travel (80mm in the extra small frame size).
You’re stuck with the same 10-speed Shimano Deore M4100 drivetrain, which frustrates us, and you get the same ok set of Tektro brakes.
The bike moves at pace over flat ground and climbs well with its fixed rear end and Bontrager XR3 tyres, but it has its limitations for sure.
Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but a bike under $4,000 by a manufacturer like Trek is always something to take note of.
Shipping and delivery info:
- You can buy from various stores across the US, recommended by Trek on their website.
- Shipping times, delivery costs and collection arrangements differ depending on store.
Marin Alpine Trail E
Good for – Descending, downhill riding
Price – $3,799
Peaks:
- Suspension
- Handling
Troughs:
- Battery
- Motor
- Only 10-speed
- Brakes under gunned
- Limited
Summary:
The Marin Alpine Trail E is a full-suspension e-MTB, which is set-up to take on the seriously rough stuff.
It comes with 160mm of travel at the front end and 150mm at the rear – the suspension set-up is provided by X-Fusion, with Trace 36RC forks and O2 Pro RXC shocks.
It’s a plush set-up, which can take the hits admirably and they fill you with confidence while descending.
The impacts run smoothly through the bike and you feel at ease on some really tricky terrain.
It isn’t all good news with this bike though – you only get a small 504Wh BT-8035L battery, which is a very average model and a low-grade Shimano EP6 motor, which can kick out 85Nm of torque.
The range is poor as a result of that battery size and the motor, although powerful, it is far from smooth in terms of delivery and you feel very unnatural on the trail.
You also only get a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, which limits you on the seriously steep inclines and the TRP Slate Evo brakes are a bit under gunned for the wild terrain.
The aluminium framed bike weighs in at 23kg and it feels easy to handle, with an aggressive geometry to completement that burly suspension.
You can’t fault its descending prowess and it feels fun to ride through the tricky sections, aside from feeling a bit nervy when it comes to the brakes.
You get a set of Vee Tire Co Attack tyres, which offer decent enough grip and help off-set the brakes issue.
However, overall, it feels like a bit of a mixed bag.
Shipping and delivery info:
- Free US shipping.
- 1 day to California, 2 days to Nevada/Arizona/Utah, 3-5 days to the rest of mainland US.
- International shipping available – cost and delivery time varies depending on location.
GT Eforce Current
Good for – Trail riding, descending
Price – $3,450
Peaks:
- Suspension
- Wheels/tyres
- Playful geometry
Troughs:
- Weight
- Battery rang
- Motor power
- Brakes
Summary:
The GT Eforce is a full suspension trail bike, which is designed to take on the climbs and the descents.
You get 150mm of travel at both the front and the rear, with SR Suntour Zeron 35s in the fork department and a set of X-Fusion O2 Pro RL shocks.
The Eforce is reasonably nimble, with an ease of handling, which feels light-footed on the twisty sections, despite its overall weight of 25kg (in the large sized frame).
It’s an aluminium framed ride, which has a neat and tidy finish, but despite that 25kg weight, you don’t get a monster battery.
It’s fitted with a 504Wh Shimano STEPS BT-E8035, which gives you a range of around 60-80km depending on the terrain.
That’s quite low for a bike of 25kg and it feels slightly under gunned compared to many competitors in the motor department too, with only 70Nm of torque in the Shimano STEPS DU-E7000.
Descending is where the bike feels most comfortable, with the a plush suspension set-up for soaking up a lot of lumps and bumps.
The Tektro M275 brakes are passable, but when you really push the bike to its limits, you can’t always rely on them and we found ourselves overshooting a little when moving at serious pace.
The 10-speed Shimano Deore set-up is also underwhelming, we would have liked to have seen a 12-speed set-up, however, you get a very reliable pair of WTB STX i30 tyres, which have an immense bite into the dirt.
That thread pattern helps off-set the brakes issue and overall it feels a fun bike to ride, but not without its issues.
Shipping and delivery info:
- Free shipping.
- 1 day to California, 2 day to Nevada/Arizona/Utah, 3-5 days to the rest of mainland US.
- International shipping available – cost and delivery time varies depending on location.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, our guide to the best e-mountain bikes under $4,000.
They don't make the cut to be included in our list of best electric mountain bikes, but there are some excellent bikes on the market in the $3,000 to $4,000 bracket, which is when you begin to see some of the top names stepping into the arena.
But at the same time, you also have some lesser-known manufacturers, throwing all they can at their E-MTB’s to undercut some of the big names.
Overall, it makes it a super competitive price range to be shopping for an e-MTB and that is good from a rider’s perspective.
There are some seriously adventurous and versatile e-MTBs in the mix here and we hope you’re now well armed to get out there and make your new e-MTB purchase.
Happy spinning.
