Best Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bikes for under £3000
This article has been updated to include the best full suspension electric mountain bikes for under £3000, available in 2022. Unfortunately, since this article was first published there has been significant price increases from all the major manufacturers. I’ve included a small selection of e-MTB’s available in the UK and EU markets.
What should I expect for the money?
All of the e-MTB’s featured here will have decent components fitted, but they are likely to be lower down in the pecking order. Shimano Deore is common at this price, as is SRAM Eagle SX. These lower level groupsets still work very well indeed and benefit from trickle down technology from the high tier groupsets like Shimano XT.
Drivetrain
10, 11 or even 12 speed gearing is the norm for entry level e-MTB’s. 1 x drivetrains are now commonplace on mountain bikes with wide-range rear cassettes offering ultra low gearing for steep, technical climbs.
Brakes
Hydraulic brakes are a must on any full suspension e-bike – you can expect decent stopping power on all the bikes below. Remember, these bikes are intended for beginners or intermediate riders so you’ll be getting low to mid-range brakes fitted.
Frame
Aluminium is the material of choice on all the bikes below. You need to be spending £4k and above if you want carbon fibre.
Suspension
You’ll be getting reasonable suspension on all the e-MTB’s on this list, certainly good enough for some fast-paced trail riding and a bit of moderate downhill riding. If you’re a more experienced rider looking to tackle tougher descents, then you’d be wanting to spend a bit more money.
Motor
The requirements of an electric mountain bike are somewhat different than other e-bikes, and for this reason a mid-drive motor with a high torque output is generally favourable. All of these bikes use premium mid-drive systems from prestigious manufacturers like Bosch, Shimano and Brose. Motor specifications below:
Bosch Performance Line CX – 4th Generation
Bosch’s latest 4th generation performance line motor has been substantially improved over last years model. The new motor is not only lighter and more efficient, but it is designed to be easier to pedal beyond the 15.5mph speed limit.
Bosch have reduced the weight of this drive system by a massive 48% making this latest CX motor weigh in at only 2.9kg. There is also a new e-MTB mode, that adapts to your riding style – the upshot of this is, you can leave your e-bike in this mode and the inboard sensors will constantly give you the optimum level of assistance based on feedback from your pedalling and the kind of terrain you are riding on.
This means no more switching between Eco, Tour or Turbo mode – the motor will automatically adjust the amount of power you need, for example: If you’re riding on flat easy ground, the motor will give you minimal assist. But if you suddenly start a very steep ascent, the motor will give you the power you need to get you up the climb without you having to worry about changing power levels.
Specification:
- Weight 2.9kg
- 75Nm Maximum Torque
- 340% Assist
- Smart e-MTB mode – adapts to riding style
- Smartphone connectivity
Shimano Steps E-7000 mid-drive motor
When Shimano entered started making electric bike motors, they caused quite a stir in the e-bike world. When the worlds biggest name in bicycle components makes an e-bike drive system, you know it’s going to be good.
There are currently three models in their line-up – the E-6000, E-7000 and E-8000. The Shimano Steps E-7000 is usually fitted to mid-range e-MTB’s, hydrid’s and some e-road bikes. It is a cracking motor that weighs only 2.8kg, although the peak torque figure of 60Nm is slightly less than the competition.
Specification:
- Weight 2.8kg
- 60Nm Maximum Torque
- Smartphone connectivity
- Dynamic mode – adapts to riding style
Brose S mid-drive motor
- Weight 3.4kg
- 90Nm Maximum Torque
- Up to 410% of assist
E-Bike Batteries
Electric bike battery technology has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years, with lithium cell energy density increasing year on year. The upshot of this is you get a much more compact and lightweight battery than you would have a few years ago, but with the equivalent energy capacity.
This means the latest crop of electric bikes have batteries that are neatly integrated into the frame, making them less vulnerable to damage, and also making for a much neater looking e-bike.
All of the bikes below have a total energy capacity of 400 – 500Wh (watt hours) which is enough juice for a good few hours of fun on the trails.
Calculate your potential battery range using Bosch range assistThe Top 5 Best Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bikes under £3000
So, on to our selection of the best full suspension electric mountain bikes for under £3000. All of the bikes listed below have been selected based on their specification and value for money.
Why not convert an MTB you already own? Check out the Best Electric Bike Conversion Kits HereDecathlon E-Stilus 🏆
The Decathlon E-Stilus full suspension electric mountain bike is the most recent addition to their 2021 / 2022 line-up. At its current price, it offers a lot for the money. Including the Bosch Performance Line motor and a 500Wh battery. There’s 130mm of travel front and rear, courtesy of a Suntour XCR34 front fork and Suntour Raidon rear shock. Drivetrain is Shimano Deore 1 x 10 with a 32t chainring and 11-42 cassette at the rear. Brakes are Shimano MT4000.
- Bosch Performance Line Motor 65Nm
- 500Wh Powertube battery
- Shimano Deore 1 x 10
- Suntour XCR34 130mm front fork
- Suntour Raidon 130mm rear shock absorber
- Excellent Value for Money
- Bosch motor is smooth and offers decent assist
- 500wh battery
- Suntour suspension does the job
- None at this price!
Decathlon E-Stilus 29″ Electric Mountain Bike Editors Choice
- Product
- Specification
- Deals
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Whistle B-Rush A5.1
The Whistle B-Rush A5.1 is another great value full suspension e-MTB. Features include Bosch Performance CX Cruise motor with 500Wh battery and Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain. Suspension is similar to the E-Stilus and uses Suntour XCM34 front forks with Raidon rear shock.
- Bosch CX Cruise motor
- 500Wh Battery
- Shimano Deore 1 x 10 groupset
- MT200 brakes
- Smooth and responsive Bosch CX Cruise motor
- Shimano Deore 1 x 10 drivetrain
- Wide range 11-46 cassette
- Looks great
- Shimano MT200 brakes may be inadaquate for more challenging descents
Voodoo Zobop E-Shimano
The Voodoo Zobop E-Shimano full suspension electric mountain bike is an improvement on the outgoing model. The Shimano Steps E-7000 motor is excellent and the bike handles off-road riding in its stride. For the price, the component list is impressive – SRAM NX 1 x 11 drivetrain, Rockshox suspension and a Tranzx dropper seatpost all make the Zobop a tempting proposition.
- Shimano Steps E-7000 motor
- 504Wh Battery
- SRAM NX 1 x 11 Gearing with 11-42 Cassette
- Rockshox RL forks with Recon rear Shock
- TranzX dropper seatpoat
- Shimano Steps E-7000 motor
- Good quality components
- Very capable off-road
- Looks great
- None at this price
- Product
- Specification
- Deals
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Haibike FullSeven 4 2021
Haibike are one of the most well-known brands in the e-MTB world and their entry-level full suspension e-MTB is well worth a look. The FullSeven 4 features Yamaha’s excellent PW-ST motor which produces 70Nm of torque, there is also a frame integrated 500Wh battery. Components are very similar to the above bikes and the FullSeven 4 has Suntour XCM34 at the front and Suntour Edge at the rear. There’s a 1 x 10 Shimano Deore drivetrain with good quality MT400 brakes.
- Yamaha PW-ST Motor – 70Nm torque
- 500Wh Battery pack
- Shimano Deore M5120 1 x 10
- Suntour XCM34 front fork
- Suntour Edge rear shock
- Excellent value for money
- Haibike pedigree
- Yamaha PW-ST motor is bullet-proof
- Excellent for beginners
- Reasonable specification
- Limited availability
Fischer Montis 6.0i Fully
German brand Fischer have produced an excellent budget e-MTB with the Montis 6.0i Fully. This has by far the best specification of all the bikes here. The Montis 6.0i features the Brose S motor which produces a class-leading 90Nm of torque with 410% of assist. There’s a 504Wh battery and the drivetrain is SRAM SX 1 x 12 with an 11-51 cassette. On top of that the bike has Rockshox Recon RL forks up front with a Monarch R shock at the back, both with 150mm of travel.
- Brose S motor 90Nm
- 504Wh battery
- SRAM SX Eagle 1 x 12 with 11-51 cassette
- Rockshox Recon RL fork with 150mm travel
- Rockshox Monarch R 150mm travel
- Dropper seatpost
- Fantastic value for money
- Rockshox suspension
- Excellent Brose S motor
- SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain with 11-51 cassette
- Quality finishing kit with dropper seat post
- None at this price
Conclusion – What is the best full suspension electric mountain bike under £3000
All of the e-MTB’s featured in this article offer good value for money, decent specifications and excellent motors, but which one is best?
For the price I believe the Decathlon E-Stilus offers the best specification for the money, with the Haibike FullSeven 4 and Voodoo Zobop E-Shimano following close behind. The Fischer Montis 6.0i has an incredible specification for a sub £3000 e-MTB but only seems to be available in the EU at the moment, as does the excellent Whistle B-Rush A5.1.
It all boils down to your own personal preferences and intended use. I know a few people who use full suspension e-bikes as daily commuters, simply because of the comfortable ride. If you are a serious mountain biker who is looking to upgrade to an e-MTB, you may need spend a bit more money. Once you get past the £3000 mark the choice becomes amazing.
Tags: Electric Mountain Bikes