Best overall: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Carbon 90Best fat tire: Juiced RipRacerBest step-through: Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-ThroughBest hybrid: Ride1Up Prodigy XCBest budget: Cannondale Monterra Neo 5
How we picked the best electric mountain bikes
As a die-hard outdoorsman and general bike enthusiast, I’ve provided a wide range of gear and tech coverage across a wide array of publications, including Popular Science, the Daily Beast, Runner’s World, Thrillist, The Manual, Popular Mechanics, and more. Electric bikes have become a key part of that coverage in the past few years. As a result, I’ve spent the past several months riding dozens of electric bicycles and mountain bikes, spanning every specialization and price point, and I’ve come to recognize true greatness from hype. In some cases, those tests were bolstered with additional research drawn from both expert and customer reviews.
What to consider when picking an electric mountain bike
There are a number of core concerns that you should think about when shopping for any electric bike, but there are certain elements that are especially important in electric mountain bikes. You aren’t just looking for an ebike, after all. To provide superior off-road performance, a great electric mountain bike needs superior suspension, a strong motor, and a crazy durable yet lightweight frame, all of which tend to make them more expensive than your typical ebike.
Motor
More than anything, an electric mountain bike needs a strong motor. To literally power up steep mountain trails, you will need a motor that delivers unwavering propulsion, as well as plenty of torque, or rotational force, to pull your bike uphill over obstacles. To make sure your bike can push you up really steep hills, we recommend a motor that churns out at least 500 watts (W) of power and 60 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. That’s about double what we look for in a standard electric touring bike.
Range
One thing you absolutely want to avoid is having your battery give out on you halfway up a big hill. That means finding an electric mountain bike with a larger-than-average battery, capable of tackling long uphill and downhill rides that require more energy than the average ebike. Keep in mind that while you would use a formula for a normal commuter ebike to determine how a specific model’s battery would translate into travel range, you can’t really measure how an electric mountain bike will perform off-road. There are a lot of factors that impact range—rider weight, ground conditions, and “elevation climb,” to name a few—that determining range is already a ballpark estimate that may change from ride to ride. Add in the unpredictable nature of trail riding and pinning down even a rough idea of the range becomes next to impossible. That said, there is a direct correlation between the size of your battery and how long your ebike will be able to assist you. Bigger is better if you want a bike that will keep you on the trails all day long.
Suspension
Quality suspension, which absorbs the force of your bike hitting the ground after bumping over uneven terrain, is essential to any mountain bike, electric or otherwise. Solid suspension can make even a rocky uphill climb feel safe and relatively comfortable. Without it, any bump could jolt you off your bike. Suspension is noted in millimeters of “travel,” which measures how far the suspension components allow the frame to move and absorb shock upon impact. We recommend looking for at least 140mm for hard riding. Please bear in mind that not all the bikes on our list include suspension, as some of our picks are intended for more moderate, off-road riding rather than rugged trails.
Transmission
Your electric mountain bike might be powered, but you still need a quality transmission with a wide gearing range to make it up steep inclines. Simply put, the more gears you have, the more you can reduce the force necessary to pedal up an incline. If you expect to be hitting the trails hard, you want at least eight gears if you’ll be doing any serious climbing.
Weight
Having a lightweight bike is key for trail riding. It makes it easier to pedal the bike uphill and provides more control when you’re zipping back down. For hill-climbers, you’ll want to shoot for a frame that weighs under 50 pounds. We have included a couple of heavier options here, but they’re oriented toward off-roading on level ground rather than steep inclines.
The best electric mountain bikes: Reviews & Recommendations
Our favorite electric mountain bikes are made to handle a wide range of experiences. Some are made for serious mountain trails. Others are for more moderate off-road endeavors. There are options on this list for every kind of rider.
Best overall: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Carbon 90
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay really ups the torque to amp up its climbing ability. Specs
Battery capacity: 720WhMotor power/torque: 700W peak/108NmSuspension travel: 150mm front, 140mm rearWeight: 46.6 lbs.
Pros
Outstanding motorGreat descent handlingResponsive suspension
Cons
High center of gravity for taller ridersComplicated setting navigation
Based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Rocky Mountain has quietly churned out amazing bikes for years. One of its latest ebikes, the Instinct Powerplay Carbon 90, packs a noteworthy punch thanks to the company’s powerful Dyname 4.0 motor. With a peak output of 700W and an impressive 108Nm of torque, it exponentially increases your pedaling power when in its top setting. That’s more than enough oomph to get you over the top of even the most severe incline. At the same time, its suspension and transmission provide a smooth, responsive riding experience. It also has above-average battery capacity, allowing for a full day of riding. What’s more, the Instinct Powerplay delivers outstanding performance over fast flow trails and through moderately technical trails. I did find that its low-slung stance results in a somewhat high center of gravity for taller riders, and the digital settings can be a bit tricky to navigate if you want to make any adjustments or calibrations. Even with a few hang-ups, though, the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay is a downright thrilling ride.
Best fat tire: Juiced RipRacer
Why it made the cut: The surefooted and powerful Juiced RipRacer is plenty of fun for scrambling over off-road terrain. Specs
Battery capacity: 520WhMotor power/torque: 750W, 80NmSuspension travel: NoneWeight: 66 lbs.
Pros
Outstanding surface gripOutstanding powerTwist throttleIntegrated head and tail lights
Cons
No suspensionHeavyToo small for some riders
If you’re looking for a powerful fat tire ebike for bombing around off-road, the Juiced RipRacer is surefooted, fast, and flat-out fun. While it isn’t built for technical mountain trails, you can have a blast zipping over gravel, dirt, or easy flow trails with surefooted confidence. The RipRacer stands apart thanks to a 750W motor that delivers plenty of get-up-and-go, and a motorcycle-style twist throttle to let you zip up to speed fast. With an admirable 520Wh battery, you’ve got the power for a full day of off-road fun. It’s worth noting that, unlike our top picks, the RipRacer doesn’t have suspension, so you shouldn’t take it out on actual mountain trails. It isn’t for extreme ground variations or overly technical trail features. And although its small stature makes it easy to throw it in the back of your vehicle, it’s still a fairly heavy bike. For fat tire off-roading over uncertain surfaces like gravel, dirt, sand, or even snow, however, the RipRacer is as dependable as they come.
Best step-through: Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through
Why it made the cut: Powerful and capable, the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through delivers hyper-customizable performance. Specs
Battery: 672WhMotor power/torque: 750W/80NmSuspension travel: 60mmWeight: 73 lbs.
Pros
Outstanding powerSolid rangeTwist throttleSome suspension travel
Cons
Limited suspensionToo small for some riders
Rad Power Bikes has exploded onto the ebike scene with an expansive range of highly capable, highly customizable ebikes. The latest version of its RadRover fat tire ebike perfectly represents why the brand has garnered so much acclaim. With outstanding power and off-road capability, the RadRover 6 delivers an all-around fun riding experience. With well-balanced performance, the RadRover 6 Plus is fast, especially when you rev it up with the throttle, and offers a solid range. It even has light suspension, making it a bit more capable on uncertain surface conditions. That said, at 73 pounds, it is the heaviest bike on our list, so it isn’t made for steep climbs. In fact, it may be too heavy to fit on your car’s bike rack. Like all of Rad’s bikes, the RadRover 6 Plus is extremely customizable. You can add front and rear baskets or cargo carriers, bags, center consoles, water bottles, integrated locks, mirrors, passenger seating, fenders, and a whole lot more. You can even upgrade the tires with Tannus Armour for more off-road reliability. You can build the perfect bike for your needs.
Best hybrid: Ride1Up Prodigy XC
Why it made the cut: If you’re looking for an around-town commuter that can handle the occasional off-road excursion, the Ride1Up Prodigy XC delivers. Specs
Battery: 504WhMotor power/torque: 250W, 90NmSuspension travel: 120mmWeight: 50 lbs
Pros
Solid performanceSurprisingly good suspensionErgonomic stanceRelatively affordable
Cons
No throttleNo rack or taillightsSlow charging
The only “cross-country” bike among Ride1Up’s relatively affordable selection, the Prodigy XC is a daily commuter bike that delivers a surprising level of off-road capability thanks to its front fork suspension. It also delivers admirable performance, with a motor that provides plenty of uphill propulsion. If you’ll be using the Prodigy XC as a commuter (hence our “hybrid” designation) you’ll appreciate its ergonomic, comfortable design, though it could benefit from the addition of taillights and a throttle. This is the sort of bike that you ride to work all week, then pedal over mild-to-moderate off-road trails for some weekend fun. Arguably the biggest downside to the Prodigy is its relatively lazy recharging time. At five hours, it’s the slowest recharge on our list. Barring that, however, this is a nicely versatile ride.
Best budget: Cannondale Monterra Neo 5
Why it made the cut: The Cannondale Monterra Neo 5 is a competitively equipped electric mountain bike you can get for a competitive price. Specs
Battery: 504WhMotor power/torque: 250W, 85NmSuspension travel: 150mmWeight: 53 lbs
Pros
Solid handlingDecent rangeStrong motorRelatively affordable
Cons
Slow charging timeSomewhat heavy
Sticker shock is a common reaction while shopping for an electric mountain bike. Many of our picks, and many others that we tested, cost upwards of $10,000. Mountain bikes are very expensive. Electric bikes are very expensive. Put those things together and you have an incredibly pricey bike. The Cannondale Monterra Neo 5 is not “cheap,” but delivers most of the specs and features you’d want from a modern electric mountain bike at around half the price you expect to pay for a top-of-the-line model. Electrically speaking, its motor offers admirable strength while its battery capacity is large enough for a solid afternoon of charging up (and then down) hill. It corners well, has a great suspension, and delivers an all-around enjoyable riding experience. Of course, with a much lower price, you can expect there to be a few flaws. The Neo 5 is heavier than our top picks and requires a very long 7 hours to fully recharge. For its price, however, these are easy flaws to overlook.
Final thoughts on the best electric mountain bikes
Personally, I think riding the trails on an electric mountain bike is significantly more pleasurable than going sans power. Pedal assist practically eliminates the uphill struggle, allowing you to focus all of your energy and enjoyment on negotiating technical features and taking in the natural beauty of the trail. So whether you’re looking for a serious bike for extreme trail riding, or simply want to flow over easy paths of gravel or dirt, powering up with one of the best electric mountain bikes is worth your consideration.
