Peep Our Favorite Electric Mountain Bikes
Electric mountain bikes are a growing segment on the spectrum of eBike technology. From full-suspension downhill rippers to confident-handling commuters, the demand for electric mountain bikes (also called e-mountain bikes or eMTBs) is the rage.
In turn, eBike brands compete tooth and nail (or cog and crank) to carve their niche in the e-mountain bike scene. Legacy brands like Scott, Norco, Cannondale, Specialized, and Santa Cruz offer some of the best eMTB money can buy. Unfortunately, these options aren’t cheap.
The good news is that there are endless options for budget-friendly electric mountain bikes. These economy e-mountain bikes, which come from brands like Ride1Up, Rad Power Bikes, Himiway, and Aventon, are far more affordable than legacy brands and bridge the gap for novice cyclists.
Wherever you stand on the spectrum, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite electric mountain bikes.
Specialized Turbo Tero 3.0
Specialized is a dominant legacy brand that jumped on the eBike scene early and has since been an innovator and pioneer in electric mountain bike technology. Specialized offers a wide spectrum of eMTB models, but its Turbo Tero 3.0 is a mid-priced hardtail e-mountain bike priced at just over $3K.
The Turbo Tero 3.0 (shown above in White Mountains/Gunmetal color scheme) is a high-utility option that functions as a commuter bike, touring bike, and trail bike, as you need it. It’s a versatile 29er eMTB that provides a natural, lightweight feel with Specialized eBike technology.
Trek Powerfly 4 Electric Mountain Bike
The Powerfly 4 is Trek’s low-tier hardtail electric mountain bike that’s attractively priced just below $4K. Built with the Bosch Performance CX electric motor, the Trek Powerfly’s eBike technology competes with high-end options at double the price.
This hardtail e-mountain bike weighs just over 50 lbs and comes in multiple wheel and tire sizes. It’s a versatile and approachable mid-range option. The Powerfly is a high-efficiency eMTB that provides incredible range with its electric assist.
Liv Intrigue X E+
A female-focused extension of Giant Bicycles, Liv is a brand that specializes in off-road electric bikes for women. Liv’s e-mountain bikes are some of the most beautiful and the 2023 line-up is jaw-dropping.
The Intrigue X E+ (shown above with 2.5″ Maxxis Assegai tires) is Liv’s newest high-range electric mountain bike priced at just over $6K. A full-suspension eMTB with 150mm of travel, the Intrigue X E+ provides the works in terms of componentry and capability, providing up to 111 miles of range in ideal conditions.
For adventurous women who want a quality e-mountain bike, this model and other options from Liv are worth a look.
Cannondale Moterra Neo 3
The Cannondale Moterra Neo 3 is a 12-speed electric, class I electric mountain bike with 2.6″ Maxxis Minion DHF tires. In short, it’s a performance-minded eMTB that prioritizes a realistic ride that resembles non-motorized MTBs. But it’s built with a 250W Bosch Performance motor that’s intended to provide natural, mid-drive electric assist when needed.
The Moterra Neo 3 (shown above in Deep Teal) is an alloy eMTB that’s priced in the mid-to-high $6K range, which is a more affordable step down from its carbon variations, the Moterra Neo Carbon 2 and Moterra Neo Carbon LT priced above $7K. But for Cannondale quality, it’s a solid choice.
Norco Sight VLT A2
Norco is a Canadian-born eBike maker that offers one of the widest lines of e-mountain bikes. The Sight VLT A2 is a proper 29er eMTB that’s considered a full-suspension “all-mountain” bike designed for downhill, trail, and everything in between.
Available in three different battery sizes and three frame sizes, the Sight VLT A2 (shown above priced in the $6-7K range) is the starter version in the Sight VLT series, with the A1, C1, and C2 options providing a more premium option.
Santa Cruz Heckler
The Santa Cruz Heckler meets OG mountain bikers half-way by offering full-carbon, full-squish MTB with electric assist. Whether it’s downhill tracks or all-mountain adventures, the Heckler is dialed with its 150mm rear and 160mm front suspension travel and wheel options between the MX (27.5) and 29-inch versions.
Weighing just over 48 lbs and packing a beastly 720wh battery, the Santa Cruz Heckler is one of the most beautiful-engineered e-mountain bikes. Appropriately priced, the Heckler starts in the $8-9K range and quickly escalates with AXS builds.
Scott Lumen eRide 900 SL
Truly the highest-performance electric mountain bike on the market, the Scott Lumen eRide 900 SL is super lightweight at just over 34 lbs, has best-in-class XX1 Eagle AXS (12-Speed) drivetrain, and Scott’s legendary MTB genetics.
In terms of build quality, the Lumen eRide 900 pulls out all of the stops, making it a podium topper among full-suspension eMTB’s. It’s also one of the most premium-priced options, with an average cost between $15K-16K.
Velowave Ghost 500 eMTB
The Ghost 500 from Velowave is a high-performance yet entry-level-priced electric mountain bike designed for all-terrain riding. It has a top speed of 25 mph and a range of up to 45 miles, thanks to its 500W Geared Hub Motor and 48V 15Ah battery located in the frame.
The Ghost 500 features a durable frame made from 6061 aviation aluminum alloy, 27.5″ Kenda tires, and an LED display. It is suitable for single track, gravel, and other unpaved surfaces as well as commuters who want to off-road capabilities to get around quickly.
With a price tag under $1,500, you can’t go wrong with the Ghost 500 as a high-value investment.
Rad Power Bikes RadRover Plus
The perfect marriage between fat tire eBike and e-mountain bike, the RadRover Plus from Rad Power Bikes is a great budget that provides ample off-road capabilities with its punction-resistant 26×4″ fat tires.
The RadRover Plus is a class II electric bike with a hub-based 750W motor, so it’s fully capable of steep climbs and rugged off-road conditions. It’s a little heavy at 73 lbs and provides a modest range of up to 45 miles, but it’s a well-priced, high-ROI eBike priced below $2k.
Aventon Aventure
The Aventon Aventure is a class II electric bike that’s equipped with large 4″ tires, a powerful 1130W peak (750W sustained) motor, and 5 levels of pedal assist. It’s one of the most popular eBikes and has an impressive 4.65 (out of 5) average star rating across thousands of reviews.
What’s nice about Aventon eBikes is that they come available in three frame sizes, Small, Medium, and Large. For an entry-level electric mountain bike under $2,000, this is uncommon. The Aventure is slightly heavier, weighing 73 lbs. But it’s a quality, capable build for a beginner e-mountain bike.
Ride1Up Prodigy XC
Ride1Up is a California brand that set out to produce low-cost, big-fun eBikes that provide uncompromising quality for an entry-level eMTB. The Prodigy is Ride1Up’s most expensive option, but it’s an affordable electric mountain bike priced at just over $2k.
The XC front-suspension version of the Prodigy (as shown above with 2.4″ Maxxis Forekaster) includes an integrated headlight and taillight and handlebar-mounted 1.5″ LCD display. The Prodigy XC is a class 3 electric bike that offers four levels of pedal assist. Unlike most budget eBikes, it’s also not a tank weighing right around 50 lbs.