Bike people are into “quivers.” Many have a quiver of multiple bikes, each for different purposes, and those who only have one bike want a quiver of multiple bikes. If they deny this, they are lying. If their only bike is an e-bike, that’s unusual.
You see, e-bikes are almost always additions to someone’s existing quiver of bikes. Lots of folks choose an e-bike commuter for faster, easier trips around town. Someone like myself, who commutes on motorcycles, which are infinitely more badass and cool, instead has an e-MTB to fill out his quiver. I can’t ride every trail in my area on an e-bike without breaking the rules, and honestly, I spend the majority of my time riding human-powered bikes.
However, the e-MTB is a very important and enjoyable bike in my quiver. Which begs the question: If you’re already sitting on a couple of (presumably) nice bikes, how can you add an e-MTB to your quiver without becoming financially insolvent? What’s the cheapest e-MTB that will still get the job done?
Aren’t Used E-MTBs Cheaper?
Uh, yeah they certainly are. But I think that angle of attack deserves a separate article (someday), because when you buy a used e-bike, you start asking questions about how many hours are on the motor, whether the battery is aging, or if the software can still be updated.
Buyer beware, but in a nutshell, if you find something from the last couple of model years, from a major brand, with negligible wear and tear, it might be perfect.
Key Factors When Buying a Cheap E-Bike
Off the top, I’ll set some guard rails: I wouldn’t buy some mysterious bike from Ali Express and risk burning down my house. I also wouldn’t buy a hardtail e-MTB. I find hardtails of any type to be most unpleasant. And to that end, I’d strongly prefer an e-MTB with more than 140mm of travel, for reasons previously explained in my review of Norco’s Fluid VLT.
Now, here’s what I would do.
I’d buy from a direct-to-consumer brand, because that immediately brings down the price. There’s no retailer at the end of the supply chain, collecting what is typically a 30% margin on bikes. (Although these days, it’s probably not so high; I pity the local bike shops.) I am an experienced, confident bike mechanic, so I don’t need the service a local shop offers — but you might be different. If that’s the case, buying direct might be more trouble than it’s worth.
I’d also forgo my preference for a carbon fiber frame. Alloy e-bikes are a lot heavier, naturally, but that’s a trade-off you make if you’re looking for a deal. On the trail, that weight will probably not be as noticeable as it would be on an acoustic ride.
Finally, I’d be wary of cheap suspension components. You’re going to be making compromises on every aspect of this bike, but if possible, the rear shock and fork should be marginally above grade. In particular, I’d avoid rear shocks that don’t have a piggy-back reservoir, especially on bikes with more than 140mm of rear travel. The piggy-back provides extra oil volume for more consistent damping on long, rough descents. Simple air shocks that lack this feature are prone to overheating, which results in a bouncy, uncontrolled rear end.
Here’s a Pretty Solid Option
Currently on sale for $3,999, Canyon’s Torque:ON 7 is the best cheap e-MTB I could find without entering the Dark Web or employing Terminator AI robots to hunt down something better.
Canyon Torque:ON 7 Pros:
- Shimano EP600 motor
- RockShox Zeb Fork
- RockShox Deluxe rear shock with … You guessed it … a piggy-back
- 175mm rear/180mm front travel. That should be ample.
Canyon Torque:ON 7 Cons:
- 27.5” Wheels. A mullet combo would be better. Maybe you could retrofit it.
- Very basic Shimano M6100 parts.
- Nearly unpronounceable model name.
Joking aside, it is very difficult to find this much bike for merely $3,999. Commencal, another direct-to-consumer brand, has its Meta Power TR on sale for nearly the same price. While its Bosch Performance Line CX motor is a huge highlight of the build, its suspension components are less inspired. Maybe if your terrain is smoother or less mountainous, this 140mm 29er would do the trick.
From there, you’re looking at closer to $5,000 for entry level e-MTBs from most brands. In some cases, that’s worth it, with better components on offer. But again, Canyon’s 4-Grand enduro sled is pretty hard to beat.
As I admitted earlier, I didn’t go to the ends of the earth to find the world’s cheapest e-MTB, so if you’ve spotted on that can top the Canyon, drop it in the comments!