How Much are Electric Mountain Bikes in 2023?

woman riding an eMTB

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The e-MTB industry has been advancing at a pace in recent years. Like all technology, greater market competition brings advancements in the industry, but what does that mean when it comes to price?

Why are e-MTBs More Expensive than Normal Mountain Bikes?

Whilst some aspects of e-MTBs are similar to conventional MTBs (the wheels, for example), there are also some key components on e-MTBs which a normal mountain bike doesn’t have – the battery and the motor, for instance.

 

These electrical components are the key areas which drive up the price, as they’re not cheap to make. Other areas of an e-MTB also need to be improved, with higher spec components, to help cope with the stress which the electrical components put the bike under.

 

Frames have to be stronger, the brakes need to be powerful, the chain more durable, etc. All of these add extra costs to an e-MTB, costs which a mountain bike simply doesn’t need to consider – or, at least, not to the same extent.

What are the Differences in Price Between an e-MTB and a Normal Mountain Bike?

EMTB versus MTB

Whilst some aspects of e-MTBs are similar to conventional MTBs (the wheels, for example), there are also some key components on e-MTBs which a normal mountain bike doesn’t have – the battery and the motor, for instance.

 

These electrical components are the key areas which drive up the price, as they’re not cheap to make. Other areas of an e-MTB also need to be improved, with higher spec components, to help cope with the stress which the electrical components put the bike under.

 

Frames have to be stronger, the brakes need to be powerful, the chain more durable, etc. All of these add extra costs to an e-MTB, costs which a mountain bike simply doesn’t need to consider – or, at least, not to the same extent.

 

Here are the general price brackets for a conventional mountain bike:

  • Low budget: $650 – $1,500
  • Mid budget: $1,500 – $3,500
  • High budget: $3,500+

 

Here are the typical price brackets for an e-MTB:

  • Low budget – $3,000 – $5,500
  • Mid budget – $5,500 – $8,500
  • High budget – $8,500+

Have e-MTBs Become Cheaper Over Time?

Electric mountain bikes certainly aren’t cheap and even the budget level ranges come in well above their non-electric powered counterparts. With advances in technology, though, it’s understandable to wonder whether electric mountain bikes will become cheaper over time?

 

Unfortunately, that time hasn’t come yet and it still looks quite a way off, for a number of reasons. Currently e-MTB manufacturers are battling it out to improve the performance of their bikes, by making them more powerful, with longer-lasting batteries, lighter or providing better handling.

 

All of that involves a lot of investment and means that, for now at least, prices remain comparatively high.

ℹ️ The key components of an e-MTB (the battery and motor) aren’t cheap to make and they often involve imported goods, which are susceptible to global prices changes – such as the raw materials in the lithium-ion batteries.

That’s not to say there won’t be a tipping point in the future, but we aren’t there yet. You can get very cheap, poorly made, e-MTBs, but they’re not reliable and often very heavy and fraught with issues.

Best Low-Budget e-MTBs ($3,500 - $5,500)

Decathlon E-ST Stilus

Price: $3,110

Who for: Beginner & leisure use – decent cheap electric mountain bike

 

Terrain: Forest track, dirt roads

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Alloy
  • Battery: Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
  • Motor: Bosch (65Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 130mm travel (front and rear)
  • Wheels: 29in
Decathlon E-ST Stilus

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Giant Stance E+2

Price: $3,024

Who for: Cross-country, entry level

 

Terrain: Singletrack, fairly moderate trail centre loops

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Alloy
  • Battery: Giant EnergyPak Smart 500Wh
  • Motor: Giant SyncDrive (70Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 120mm front travel, 130mm rear travel
  • Wheels: 29in
Giant Stance E+2

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro 625

Price: $4,900

Who for: Moderate ability

 

Terrain: Classic trail riding, single-tracks

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Carbon
  • Battery: Bosch PowerTube 625Wh
  • Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX (85Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 140mm travel (front and rear)
  • Wheels: 27.5in (XS & S frame sizes) 29in (M, L & XL frame sizes)
Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro 625

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Best Mid-Budget e-MTBs ($5,500 - $8,500)

Vitus E-Sommet VRX

Price: $6,844

Who for: Moderate ability

 

Terrain: Technical, enduro, climbing, descending

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Aluminium
  • Battery: Shimano E8036 (630Wh)
  • Motor: Shimano Steps EP8 (85Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 170mm front travel, 167mm rear travel
  • Wheels: 29in front, 27.5in rear
Vitus E-Sommet VRX

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Price: $7,100

Who for: Fit riders, good level of ability, half-way house between e-MTB and MTB

 

Terrain: Technical, enduro, singletrack

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Carbon
  • Battery: Specialised SL1-320 (320Wh)
  • Motor: Specialized SL 1.1 (35Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 150mm travel (front and rear)
  • Wheels: 29in
Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Orbea Rise H10 2023

Price: $7,830

Who for: Fit riders, good level of ability

 

Terrain: Technical, enduro

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Carbon
  • Battery: Orbea Internal (540Wh; 250Wh optional range extender)
  • Motor: Shimano EP801-RS (60Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 150mm front travel, 140mm rear travel
  • Wheels: 29in front, 27.5in rear

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Best High-Budget e-MTBs ($8,500+)

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition

Price: $10,640

Who for: All-day endurance riders

 

Terrain: Big mountains, single track, descending

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Carbon
  • Battery: Removable Integrated (720Wh)
  • Motor: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive (108Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 170mm front travel, 160mm rear travel
  • Wheels: 29in
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Price: $15,900

Who for: Experienced & fit riders, elite level

 

Terrain: Downhill, jumps, technical, gnarly terrain

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Carbon
  • Battery: Specialized SL1-320 (320Wh)
  • Motor: Specialized SL 1.1 (35Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 170mm travel (front and rear)
  • Wheels: 29in
Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

Trek Rail 9.9 CX Race Gen 4

Price: $15,900

Who for: Experienced riders

 

Terrain: Enduro, technical, gnarly terrain, downhill

 

Facts:

  • Frame: Carbon
  • Battery: Bosch PowerTube (750Wh), smart system
  • Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Race Edition (85Nm torque)
  • Suspension: 160mm front travel, 150mm rear travel
  • Wheels: 29in
Trek Rail 9.9 CX Race Gen 4

Peaks:👍

Troughs:👎

How Much Does an Electric Mountain Bike Cost? Final Thoughts

This is very much pointing out the obvious, but they’re lighter.

 

Manufacturers reduce the weight in a number of ways, including using lighter frame materials (usually carbon fibre) and using higher-spec components made out of lightweight (yet robust) materials, including the suspension.

 

However, the major factor comes down to the electrical components. Reducing weight often means that the electrical components, which weigh a lot, are smaller – so a smaller battery and a less powerful motor.

 

The average weight of an e-mountain bike is normally around 20kg to 26kg for the fully-assisted models. However, the new wave of super lightweight e-MTBs can be down at around 17kg and manufacturers are continuing to push that number down. But what benefits does this bring?

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