When you have a budget nearing the $5,000 mark you can begin to see some truly fantastic e-MTBs up for grabs.
Not only can you take your pick from the best of the budget bikes, but you also begin to see some of the lower spec versions of top models, by the big names, falling within the price bracket.
That makes it an exciting time to go shopping and in this guide, we’ve streamlined the process for you.
We’ve picked out the best of the bunch under $5,000 and aimed to provide different bikes under $5,000, for different purposes.
There are some gems in here, so sit back, relax, and find out which ride is our best electric mountain bike under $5,000…..
At a glance:
Trek E-Caliber 9.6
Best electric mountain bike under $5,000 for XC
Good for – Cross-country riding, speed
Price – $3,920 (Down from $6,600)
Peaks:
- Light-weight
- Pedalling efficiency
- Handling
- Brakes
- Aero-dynamic
Troughs:
- Low battery range
- No display
Summary:
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 is a pacy XC focused e-MTB, which is one of the market leaders in its field.
Speed and pedaling efficiency are at the heart of the bike’s design, with an ultra-light frame and powerful motor.
It’s the best e-MTB under $5,000 for cross-country riding as a result and if rapid riding is what you’re after, look no further.
Weight/Frame
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 weighs a feather-weight 18.48kg, in the medium frame size, which is made of an OCLV carbon compound.
It’s durable and the geometry offers an aggressive riding position, designed to maximize pedaling efficiency.
The aerodynamic design, coupled with the light-weight, makes it a very playful ride and it’s easy to throw around through the trees.
It also has a number of adjustable features, so you can tweak your set-up to the needs of your body or the day’s trails.
Battery
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 comes with a 250Wh Fazua Evation battery, which ensures the bike remains light.
There is a trade-off though and the bike doesn’t have the greatest range, a maximum of only 50km on a single charge.
The low-power battery does ensure the bike remains sleek and aerodynamic, but if you are a rider in need of a lot of assistance, we would recommend avoiding this bike.
The bike can be ridden without the battery too, which shaves off even more weight – down to only 15.5kg – an attractive feature if you’re a fit rider.
Motor
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 is fitted with the excellent Fazua Evation Trail motor.
It’s lightweight, but still offers up a maximum torque figure of 58Nm, which makes the bike an athletic climber.
It also offers silky smooth power delivery and a level of intelligence that allows you to feel completely in control of the bike at all times.
The assistance glides in and out intuitively, allowing you to really push the bike hard while remaining confident in the bike’s handling.
It’s a dream to operate and the motor contributes to the well-balanced feel of the bike.
Suspension
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 is made for speed, but that limits it in the suspension department.
You get 120mm of travel in the forks and only 60mm at the rear end – that ensures the bike remains super quick on the flats and on the climbs.
The RockShox 35 Gold RL forks provide a slice of give to soak up moderate lumps and bumps, but the low-travel, Trek IsoStrut FOX Performance Shocks, mean the bike is ruled out of wild descending or aggressive drops.
The suspension set-up improves the bike’s pedalling efficiency and it means the bike is ultra-competitive in an XC setting.
Wheels/Tyres
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 comes with a durable pair of lightweight Bontrager Switch wheels.
They are covered in a pair of 29-inch Bontrager XR3 Team issue tires, which have a narrow tread, reducing the amount of rolling resistance and improving speed.
The bike’s a quick mover as a result.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 comes with Shimano MT420 brakes.
They perform well when called upon, offering a firm bite and coping with the fast speeds the bike is designed for.
The bike comes with a 12-speed gearing set-up – a Shimano Deore M6100. It offers rapid and smooth shifting, which contributes to the bike’s quick pace.
Final Thoughts
The Trek E-Caliber 9.6 is an exceptional XC bike, which absolutely flies on the trails.
With a super lightweight frame, quality motor, and pedaling efficient design, it’s fun to handle and also pacy to peddle.
It’s fitted with high-standard components through, but has a reduced travel suspension set-up – that improves its speed, but rules the bike out of some adventurous trails.
If cross-country riding is what you’re after, this is the best electric mountain bike under $5,000.
Trek Rail 9.7
Good for – Downhill, enduro
Price – $4,460 (Down From $8,900)
Peaks:
- Handling
- Suspension
- Motor quality
- Handling
- Battery quality
- Versatile
- Low weight
Troughs:
- Battery range could be better
Summary:
The Trek Rail 9.7 is an e-MTB made for rowdy terrain, with a plush suspension, lightweight frame design, and aggressive geometry.
It’s dripping in top-quality components, with a powerful motor, reliable battery, responsive drivetrain, and brakes.
There is a lot to love about this bike and it’s an absolute steal at this price tag – the best all-rounder you can get for under $5,000.
Weight/Frame
The Trek Rail 9.7 has a lightweight OCLV Mountain Carbon frame, which soaks up impacts well.
The bike weighs in on the scales at an admirable 22.77kg, allowing it to remain playful and versatile.
The e-MTB has an ease of handling and it’s easy to throw around, which makes it a dream to ride on technical sections.
The geometry is aggressive, to gear the bike up for challenging descents, and the bike excels downhill.
Although light-weight, the bike isn’t flimsy in any way shape, or form, it feels robust and durable when taking impacts – a real achievement by the team at Trek.
Battery
The Trek Rail 9.7 Is fitted with a 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery.
It’s a solid component in terms of quality and reliability, but it doesn’t offer a life-changing range.
We found we could hit distances of around 85km on flatter terrain, but that fell to around 60km when you throw in lots of chunky climbs.
That isn’t a bad trade-off when you factor in the bike’s weight, but if it’s super long-distance rides you’re after, this bike may not suffice.
Motor
The Trek Rail 9.7 comes with one of our favorite motors – the Bosch Performance Line CX.
It’s one of the best out there, offering a top torque figure of 85Nm, which is enough power to make the bike a little mountain goat up all the climbs you throw in its way.
Meanwhile, the power delivery is delicate and smooth, making the bike accomplished on challenging terrain.
You really feel in harmony with the bike and the power delivery kicks in and out intelligently.
Suspension
The Trek Rail 9.7 has a suspension set-up, which is made for the toughest terrain.
If you want to launch off big drops and take on gnarly descents, this rowdy set-up is geared up for it.
You get 160mm of travel at the front end and 150mm at the rear, with a pair of RockShox Yari RC forks and a pair of RockShox Deluxe Select+ shocks.
They take impact magnificently, but also recoil well, so you’re readied for the next challenge.
The frame is actually capable of taking up to 170mm of travel in the forks, so if you needed a wilder set-up you could upgrade – the standard set-up does the trick for us though and it ensures you don’t feel too spongey on the climbs.
Wheels/Tyres
The bike is fitted with a pair of 29-inch Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels, which offer a strong base to take on heavy-hitting riding.
They come with Bontrager XR5 Team Issue tires, with a toothy tread, designed to work hard under pressure – ideal for flat-out downhill riding.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The Trek Rail 9.7 comes with a Shimano M6100 brake set-up, they offer a strong bite and perform well when under pressure.
Meanwhile, the 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain is a beauty to ride with, delivering lightning-sharp shifting and a smooth transition between the gears.
It’s exactly the type of high-quality set-up you want from a technical and powerful descender.
Final Thoughts
The Trek Rail 9.7 punches well above its weight, despite coming in at under $5,000.
It’s an extremely well-designed e-MTB, which is capable of tearing up some of the roughest terrain and can compete with elite standard rides.
It’s decked out from head to toe with brilliant components, with an exceptional suspension, frame, and motor.
The handling is light and playful, the braking and gearing razor sharp, and the bike is incredibly versatile.
The Trek Rail 9.7 is the best all-rounder on the list.
Nireeka Mega 1500
Best electric mountain bike under $5,000 for hunting
Good for – All-weather, hunting, carrying loads
Price – $3,299
Peaks:
- Low price
- Low price
- Suspension set-up
- Motor performance
- Fast
- Weight baring capabilities
Troughs:
- Bike weight
- Brakes
Summary:
The Nireeka Mega 1500 is an exceptional fat-tire e-MTB, which leads the way in the world of hunting.
It came out top in our best electric hunting bikes review guide and we rated it as the best fat tire electric mountain bike.
Not only does it capably carry heavy loads, but it has a seriously powerful motor, the battery offers a decent range and the suspension can cope with some playful riding.
Weight/Frame
The bike is aluminum framed, with an overall weight of 31.8kg.
It’s sturdy, soaks up impacts well and you feel in firm control of the bike on tricky terrain, even though it has a heavy weight on paper.
For a big bike, it has playfulness in the handling and it copes well with a decent level of trail riding.
It does have its limits though and the bike isn’t made for super technical downhill terrain, so if that’s what you’re looking to take on, it’s worth looking for another bike.
However, the sporty layout in the handling department allows you to enjoy moderate trails, without the bike feeling too bulky.
Battery
The bike is well equipped with a high-performing battery, with 840Wh at its disposal.
The custom model provides a range of up to 80km, which isn’t mind-blowing, however, it charges up quickly.
It takes a maximum of 3 hours to get back up to 100% from empty, which could easily be a long lunch break, allowing you to potentially clock up to 160km on a day’s electrically assisted ride.
The battery also has a high level of reliability, so you can entrust it to offer those top-range figures regularly.
It’s situated in the bike’s downtube and the sleek design incorporates it seamlessly, ensuring it looks the part, without standing out pronounced like the batteries do on some fat-tire e-MTBs.
Motor
The motor on this e-MTB is a complete beast and it leads the way in the hunting and fat-tire e-bike field.
It can kick out 200Nm of torque, with a 1,500Wh custom motor. For a hunting bike, the set-up is absolutely perfect, offering immense power, that makes carrying big loads a breeze.
The bike climbs magnificently and for a big beast, it feels particularly nimble. It can also hit some rapid top speeds – up to 60km/h.
The motor and the power-to-weight ratio are unrivaled in the hunting and fat-tire bike market, and those features are two important reasons why this bike features in our best electric mountain bike in the $5,000 guide.
Suspension
The Nireeka Mega 1500 has an excellent suspension set-up too, with 150mm of travel in the forks and the shocks.
The suspension copes well with the bike’s heavy weight and it feels assured on bumpy terrain.
It’s a versatile e-MTB and can take some punishing hits, without feeling uncomfortable.
For a big bike, it feels nimble on technical terrain, with the suspension and powerful motor feeling well balanced, so you can climb adeptly and descend without feeling too heavy-footed.
Wheels/Tyres
The bike comes with a pair of Kenda Gigas fat tires and they provide a good grounding on the trail.
The tires soak up a lot of bumps and they are capable of heading out in all conditions, with a 4-inch wide tread that contributes to the bike’s overall balance.
They have a toothy bite in the tread too, so you can get up to speed well and get enough grip to climb efficiently, without spinning out.
Brakes/Drivetrain
We aren’t best pleased with the Shimano Deore M4100 brakes – they feel a lack luster and are not strong enough to cope with the heavy and powerful bike.
That’s an important factor to note if you want to push the bike hard because it might not offer enough strength to stop quickly in an emergency. They simply need upgrading.
We’re also unimpressed with the 9-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain – it’s a basic set-up and we think the bike needs more gear range to cope with the most challenging terrain, ideally a 12-speed gearing set-up.
Final Thoughts
An exceptional fat-tire e-MTB, which offers raw power, a robust suspension, playful handling, and a well-balanced riding experience.
It can drag enormous weights with ease, climb nimbly, and take on a fun level of trail riding and it has a reliable battery.
There is a heck of a lot to admire with this bike and it quite rightly features on our best e-MTB under $5,000 list.
Trek Powerfly 5 Gen 3
Good for – Trail riding, hybrid commuting
Price – $4,520
Peaks:
- Battery performance
- Battery performance
- Handling
- Components for the price
- Versatility
Troughs:
- Fixed rear end limits it on adventurous terrain
Summary:
A mixed-use, hardtail e-MTB, which can venture into the trails, but also be used for a daily commute.
It’s sportily designed and well-balanced, with some top-end electrical components and a comfortable handling experience.
It isn’t the most adventurous e-MTB and the fixed rear end limits it somewhat, but the bike has some fantastic components from top to bottom, and for a versatile commuter or weekend spinner, we think it’s a steal under $5,000.
Weight/Frame
The Trek Powerfly 5 Gen 3 is aluminum framed but weighs in at a light 22.94kg (in the medium frame size, which we rode on our review rides).
The bike feels nimble as a result and there is a lightness to the handling, thanks to the sporty geometry and the low weight in the frame design.
You feel at ease winding through tight trails, but the bike doesn’t feel too aggressive in the geometry, so you don’t feel uncomfortable over longer distances.
It’s a happy medium between comfort and a slice of fun factor.
The Alpha Platinum compound in the frame also copes well with bumpy terrain, soaking up hits nicely
Battery
The bike comes with a fantastic 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. Although relatively small in terms of wattage, the battery still allows you to churn out up to around 100km on one charge.
That is far superior compared to some other 625Wh models and it reliably hits those top figures ride after ride.
That fills you with confidence when you head out on the trails and when it comes to charging, you’re looking at around 5 hours to get back up to 100% from empty, around 2 and a half hours to get up to 50%.
The bike looks the part too, with the battery slotted seamlessly into the downtube, providing a clean and tidy finish to the overall design.
Motor
The bike is equipped with a top-spec Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which can emit up to 85Nm of torque.
It’s a beautiful motor to ride with. Not only does it offer you a lot of power, so you feel assured on any climb you put in the bike’s way, but it also operates incredibly smoothly.
Bosch leads the market in motor design and the seamless way the assistance clicks in and out, allows you to feel in control on tricky terrain.
The fixed rear end on the bike also ensures the bike has a lot of traction, which makes it a spritely climber.
Suspension
This Trek is quite limited in the suspension department and the bike isn’t designed for gnarly trails or big descents.
It’s set up to be pedaling efficient, commuting, and moderate trail riding, which is clear in the suspension set-up.
The bike comes with a hardtail and only 120mm of travel at the front end. It’s enough to soak up a few lumps and bumps but rules the bike out of anything wilder.
It does ensure the bike remains pacy though on the flats and the hardtail contributes to the bike’s climbing prowess.
It comes with Recon Silver RL forks, produced by RockShox, which are at the lower end of the spectrum. They do enough for the needs of a hybrid commuter like this but come unstuck on wilder terrain.
Wheels/Tyres
The medium frame size comes with 29-inch wheels at the front and the rear, with Bontrager Kovee Comp wheels and Bontrager XR3 Comp tires.
They’re a suitable pairing for the Powerfly 5 Gen 3, offering a good level of traction and keeping the weight nice and low.
There’s a happy balance in the tire tread, offering enough traction to get up to pace quickly, but also delivering good shedding ability, so you don’t feel sluggish or clogged up with dirt.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The bike is fitted with a pair of Shimano MT4100 brakes, which do enough for the needs of this bike on the terrain it's designed for. If you were to take the bike into rowdier terrain, which the bike isn’t suited to, the brakes would soon feel inadequate.
Meanwhile, you get a 12-speed Shimano Deore M6100 gearing set-up. It’s good enough for the job at hand, offering reliable shifting and a good level of responsiveness.
The drivetrain works well with the Bosch motor and contributes to the smooth power delivery and pedaling experience.
Final Thoughts
The Trek Powerfly 5 Gen 3 is a well-rounded e-MTB, with attention to detail throughout the bike’s design.
It’s a tremendous bike for hybrid commuting, but can also take on some moderate trails. The battery and motor are top-notch, offering a good range and smooth power delivery, meanwhile, there is a lightness in the bike’s handling, which makes it easy to ride.
The bike has its limitations, due to the fixed rear end, however, if you understand those and keep riding the bike within the parameters it’s designed for, it’s a real beauty.
Another one, which certainly deserves its place in our best e-mountain bike under 5000 review guide.
Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon
Good for – Enduro, descending, versatility
Price – $4,999
Peaks:
- Battery range
- Motor power
- Handling
- Versatility
Troughs:
- Brakes need improving
Summary:
The Turbo Levo Carbon is the enduro and general trail sibling to the downhill-focused Turbo Kenevo.
The bike is seriously versatile, with strong climbing and descending ability, while also offering a good range and playfulness.
The amount of travel in the suspension is slightly reduced compared to the Kenevo, to ensure the bike remains competitive on the flats too.
The Turbo Levo is a great all-rounder and that’s why it features in our best electric mountain bikes under $5,000 guide.
Weight/Frame
As the name suggests the Turbo Levo Carbon has a carbon frame, which keeps the overall weight down at 23kg.
The geometry set-up is aggressive, which allows you to take on technical terrain, but it is scaled back compared to Turbo Kenevo Comp.
That means the bike feels more comfortable than the Kenevo Comp on flatter terrain and opens it up to the mass market, rather than just being suitable for experienced and elite riders.
The handling is playful, it’s easy to flick around the corners and there is a heck of a lot of adjustable elements throughout the bike’s design. That allows you to really hone in your set-up, to make it fit perfectly for your needs.
Battery
The Turbo Levo Carbon comes with a chunky 700Wh custom motor.
The M3-700 performed well on our review rides, offering up a consistent range of around 90km, including plenty of climbing.
It sits neatly into the bike’s downtube and it contributes to a good-looking overall feel to the bike.
The charge time is also admirable, only taking 4 hours to charge back up to 100% from completely empty.
The range-to-weight ratio is also commendable.
Motor
The bike is fitted with a powerful custom motor, which can kick out up to 90Nm of torque.
It’s called the 2.2 RX Trail Tuned and it offers up a high-quality riding experience, with a smooth power output, which works intelligently with your pedal strokes.
The motor offers a happy balance – it has ferocious power, allowing you to take on any climb with ease, but you also feel in complete control of the bike.
It means the bike feels comfortable on technical trails, where you need to really hone in your assistance level accurately.
The assistance kicks in smoothly and eases off smoothly too, making it a beauty to ride.
Suspension
This is where the Turbo Levo is markedly different from the Turbo Kenevo.
Most frame sizes come with 160mm of travel at the front end and 150mm at the rear, the smallest frame size comes with 150mm at either end.
This is less than the Kenevo, which makes the Turbo Levo more versatile on flatter terrain and more proficient on the climbs, as well as coping with a high level of descending.
The bike’s RockShox 35 Silver forks and RockShox Deluxe Select R shocks offer a good level of cushioning on punishing terrain, but the set-up isn’t quite as well suited to the gnarliest downhill trails as the Kenevo.
This bike is made to be a better all-rounder. It can cope with some seriously technical riding and remain competitive both going up, going down, and on the flats.
Wheels/Tyres
The bike comes with a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear wheel. The mullet set-up has its benefits, offering a strong firm footing at the front end and a playfulness at the rear end.
This smaller back wheel allows you to throw the back wheel around more easily and it adds to the fun factor of the bike.
The custom wheels offer a lot of strength, to cope with the demanding trail riding the bike is made to take on.
It comes with a mixed tire setup, with a Butcher Grid Trail on the 29-inch front wheel and an Eliminator Grid Trail at the back end.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The e-MTB is equipped with a pair of SRAM Guide RE brakes, which are well-versed in taking on challenging trail riding.
They offer enough bite to stop when needed and are responsive. They aren’t always the most durable though, we found their heat management is inferior to some other models and they may need replacing more quickly.
We’ve got no issues with the 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, it’s bang on the money, offering responsive and smooth shifting.
Final Thoughts
The Turbo Levo Carbon is one of the best all-rounder e-MTBs for under $5,000.
It climbs well, descends well, and can take on technical trails with ease. You get a high-quality battery, powerful motor, great suspension, and excellent frame set-up, with seriously fun handling qualities.
There are a few improvements we could make, such as the brakes, but there are few bikes around that offer such a well-rounded package.
The best electric mountain bike under $5,000 when it comes to versatility.
Trek Rail 7
Good for – Downhill, enduro
Price – $4,999
Peaks:
- Suspension
- Handling
- Battery range
- Motor quality and power
- Versatility
- Price
Troughs:
- Brakes could be upgraded
- Can feel a little spongey on the climbs
Summary:
The Trek Rail 7 is the junior sibling of the Trek Rail 9.7.
It’s a gnarly descender, which is made for the rough stuff, but has a few lower spec components and weighs more, but costs less as a result.
With a plush suspension, durable frame, and excellent handling, it can still take a beating and still come out smiling.
If it’s wild riding you’re after on a budget, look no further.
Weight/Frame
The Trek Rail 7 is fitted with the company’s specialist Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame compound, which is reasonably light-weight, but extremely durable.
It differs from the Rail 9.7, which is carbon, and the junior sibling weighs 23.59kg as a result.
It has an adventurous geometry, is suited for aggressive trail riding, and is geared up for rough and ready conditions.
The handling also feels nimble and playful, allowing you to feel comfortable throwing the bike around through twisty trails.
A versatile and playful descender.
Battery
The bike is fitted with a 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery, which can hit a maximum range figure of around 85km on flatter terrain.
We found that dropped quite a bit when you threw in a sizeable chunk of climbing, down to around 60km with around 1,500m of ascent.
The battery sits neatly into the downtube and the bike has a clean-looking overall finish as a result.
It also takes just under 5 hours to charge back up to full from empty, but only 2 hours to get back up to 50% – short enough time to have a leisurely lunch and get back out on the road again with extra juice in the tank.
Motor
The Trek Rail 7 comes with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which can emit up to 85Nm of torque.
We’re forever singing the praises of this model – it’s one of the best on the market, offering intelligent power delivery, which elevates your riding experience.
It offers enough power to make light work of some of the most challenging climbs, but clicks in and out smoothly, so you can use it in demanding terrain, where there might be a lot of hazards.
A perfect partner for flat-out trail riding.
Suspension
The suspension set-up on the Trek Rail 7 is prepared for battering on the trails, with 150mm of travel at the front end and 160mm at the rear.
It’s fitted with a sturdy pair of RockShox Yari RC forks and RockShox Deluxe Select+ shocks, which glide through aggressive lumps and bumps.
The bike is fully prepared for aggressive trail riding and the plush suspension copes well with demanding downhill riding and remains competitive in an enduro setting too.
However, the bike can feel a little spongey on the climbs, due to the amount of travel at the rear end.
Wheels/Tyres
The Trek Rail 7 is fitted with a pair of 29-inch Bontrager Comp wheels, which give you a firm footing while out riding.
They’re covered in a pair of Bontrager XR5 Team Issue tires, with a toothy tread, designed to work hard in demanding, descent-focused riding.
The tires give you confidence to push the bike hard and they largely respond well, gripping tight into the corners and when near the limit.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The bike is fitted with a pair of Shimano M6100 brakes. They’re of average quality in our opinion and could be an area to upgrade in future models.
Although they’re responsive, they can slip a little bit when you’re really pushing the bike – that’s of concern if you’re near a big drop or other hazard.
The drivetrain performs impressively, with a 12-speed Shimano SLX M7100 set-up, which provides pacy shifting and smooth shifting.
Final Thoughts
The Trek Rail 7 is a thoroughbred beast of a downhill-focused e-MTB, which packs a punch in the electrical department but remains relatively low-weight and low-price.
With a suspension geared up for punishment on the trails, it’s one of the best electric mountain bikes under $5,000 for aggressive descending and enduro riding.
The brakes could do with an upgrade and the bike can feel a little sluggish on the climbs, but overall it’s a well-balanced e-MTB, which puts a smile on your face when ridden in challenging terrain.
Norco Sight VLT A1
Good for – Downhill & trail riding
Price – $4,998 (with the 720Wh battery model)
Peaks:
- Playful suspension
- Handling
- Motor power
- Climbing prowess
- Tires
Troughs:
- Power can feel unnatural
- Battery isn’t included in standard price, extra cost incurred
Summary:
The Norco Sight VLT A1 is one of the best downhill e-MTBs you can find on a lower budget.
It’s held in such high regard because of the quality of the adventurous suspension, along with its playful handling, powerful motor, and large battery range.
It’s a well-rounded trail slayer, which is made for descending but can also cope well with some challenging climbs too.
Weight/Frame
The Norco Sight VLT A1 has a strong aluminium frame, to cope with the impacts of the punishing descents.
It’s fitted with an adventurous geometry, which makes it a lot of fun to handle and you can throw it around quite easily on technical terrain.
It has an overall weight of 25.2kg, allowing it to remain robust enough to take some gnarly hits.
There is a spice of class in the design too, it has a polished finish and it is great to look at.
Battery
The bike doesn’t come with a battery as standard, which means that there is an extra cost incurred when you do end up choosing one.
There are pros and cons to that – obviously, you have to pay more, which is a con, but you can tailor your ride to your specifications, with various battery sizes available (a pro).
The most expensive and most powerful is the 900Wh model, but there is also a 700Wh option and a 540Wh.
We decided to go for the 720Wh, which offers a range of around 100km on the flats and down to around 70km with 2,000m of climbing – a great return in our opinion.
The custom 720Wh battery costs $1,099, which gives a total bike cost of $4,998.
If you decide to go for the 900Wh battery it offers a chunky range of around 120km, however, it does take you over the $5,000 barrier for the full package.
Motor
The bike is fitted with a powerful Shimano Steps EP8 motor.
You can’t deny its raw power, it can kick out up to 85 Nm of torque, which makes climbing a doddle.
The Norco feels sure-footed on technical ascents and you never feel phased when approaching an incline.
The power delivery isn’t the most intelligent though, it can feel quite jerky at times and it doesn’t offer the smoothest riding experience.
ℹ️ If you’re a lighter rider be mindful of the jerky power delivery. It can sometimes feel quite challenging to handle if you aren’t switched on and strong-armed.
Suspension
We mentioned this bike has descending at its heart and the suspension set-up shows why. It comes with 160mm of travel in both the forks and the shocks.
It’s a set-up made for war on the trails and the bike dominates on gnarly descents and downhill courses.
It also feels assured in bike parks and can cope with launches off big heights without feeling unnerved.
It’s a plush set-up, with FOX Rhythm 36 forks and FOX Flat X2 Performance Elite Shocks – they’re highly durable and remarkably high spec for a bike at this price point.
The suspension set-up oozes fun and you can glide through flowy descents with ease.
Wheels/Tyres
The bike comes with 29-inch tires to offer a strong footing for that gnarly descending and there is a durable pair of E13 wheels on there to help with the impact dissipation.
They are coated in a pair of Maxxis Assegai tires, which have a heavy-duty tread, to allow you to push the bike hard into the corners.
It’s a set-up made for descending and the wheels provide you with a lot of confidence when you’re giving it a lick downhill.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The bike is equipped with a pair of Shimano MT520 brakes, which we would upgrade given the chance.
There are better options out there and the brakes don’t offer that feeling of confidence that the tires and wheels do, they sometimes feel under-gunned and that’s a concern.
However, no qualms with the 12-speed Shimano SLX drivetrain. It operates beautifully, with responsive shifting and a smooth transition between the gears.
Final Thoughts
The Norco Slight VLT A1 commands the descents, thanks to its outstanding suspension set-up, but there is a lot more to celebrate too.
The handling is playful, the frame and wheels durable to soak up impacts and you get some impressive top figures in the electrical components.
It’s the real deal and apart from a few tweaks, it’s nearly perfect – that’s why it rightfully claims a place in this list.
Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0
Good for – Cross-country, entry level trails, touring
Price – $2,940 (Down From $6,100)
Peaks:
- Battery range
- Display quality
- Pedalling efficiency
- Low-weight
- Luggage carrying capabilities
Troughs:
- Drivetrain
- Motor power can feel unnatural at times
Summary:
The Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 is a fast-paced touring-focused e-MTB, which has durable components and excellent pedaling efficiency.
The bike isn’t made for adventurous trails, but it is one of the best electric mountain bikes under $5,000 if you want to head out on a long-distance, multi-day adventure.
With a comfortable riding experience, a big battery range, and luggage-carrying capabilities – you can push out hour after hour, without any difficulty.
Weight/Frame
The Turbo Tero 5.0 has a low weight of only 22.7kg, with a strong and durable aluminum frame, which soaks up shocks well.
That’s important over longer distances and the geometry provides a comfortable riding position, made to maximize pedaling efficiency.
The bike offers a slice of versatility, capable of being thrown around easily on narrow trails, but also performing magnificently over long distances as a touring bike or just as a daily run around.
It’s possible to fix a luggage rack to the back wheel, which gears you up nicely for a touring adventure.
Battery
The bike is well stocked in the battery department with a 710Wh custom model fitted as standard.
It’s a high-performing battery, which can hit a top range figure of 160km on one charge – exceptional bang for your buck.
The weight to battery range ratio is remarkable and it makes the bike a beauty to ride over long distances.
The battery takes around 5 hours to charge back up from empty.
Motor
The Turbo Tero 5.0 is fitted with the company’s custom 2.2 motor, which can emit up to 90Nm of torque.
For a light bike, that is a sizeable amount, and the bike flies up the climbs as a result.
It also makes the bike spritely on the flats and when combined with the bike’s great handling qualities, it’s a fun bike to ride.
ℹ️ Our only slight criticism is that the motor can sometimes feel ever so slightly jerky, due to the amount of power at its disposal – worth remembering when on particularly tricky or hazardous sections.
Suspension
The bike has a limited suspension set-up, with only 110mm of travel at the front end and a hardtail.
That makes the bike extremely pedaling efficient and it excels on a touring-style adventure on forest roads or gravel trails, but limits the bike on rowdy terrain.
You get a pair of RockShox Recon Silver RL forks, which offer a slight slice of give to soak up low-level lumps and bumps, but outside of that the bike is a fish out of water.
If you want to head out into the rough stuff, this isn’t a bike for you.
Wheels/Tyres
The Turbo Tero 5.0 is equipped with a pair of 29-inch Stout XC wheels, which are made of a durable aluminum compound, made to last over long distances.
The Ground Control Bliss Ready tires are also reliable and long-lasting, with a narrow tread designed to reduce rolling resistance.
They have a well-balanced tread that sheds well but can also offer bite when needed to help get you up to pace.
Brakes/Drivetrain
The Turbo Tero 5.0 is fitted with a pair of SRAM G2 brakes. They are reliable and grip hard when needed, coping well with the power that the motor is capable of.
You get a high-quality SRAM GX drivetrain too, which is another reliable component, offering smooth and responsive shifting.
The only downside is that the bike only comes with 11 gears – it’s a minor criticism, but we would prefer to see the extra range from 12.
Final Thoughts
If you want to head out on a touring adventure the Turbo Tero 5.0 is the best electric mountain bike under $5,000.
It’s lightweight, nimble, powerful, fast, and comfortable to ride over long distances.
Specialized have nailed it with this bike and it’s no wonder so many multi-day riders use it as their go-to for long-distance adventures.
Final Thoughts
Trek has come out on top, claiming both the best XC position (Trek E-Caliber 9.6) and the best enduro/all-rounder title (Trek Rail 9.7).
We made sure to include more than just the downhill thrashers in this guide, we also included some top bikes under $5,000 for hunting, touring, and daily commuting.
With $5,000 in your pocket, you can pick up some beautiful e-MTBs and we’ve done the lion’s share of the work for you.
All you need to do now is select your riding discipline and take one of these puppies for a spin. What are you waiting for?
