With every new e-bike launch the trends are becoming clearer; sub 20kg e-mtbs are much more common and even full suspension sub 33lb / 16kg models are now beginning to appear more regularly – as witnessed by launches from Orbea and Scott this week – though you will still need very deep pockets to opt for the very lightest option out there.
E-trikes look to be on the up too; EBR was often asked about these in the past and we have to admit it was a struggle to recommend ones we had any personal experience of and a struggle to get review models in – now two have come along at once, one from Denmark’s Mate and the other from the one of the biggest names on the US e-bike scene, Rad Power. So we hope there will be more on e-trikes over the coming months
ORBEA RISE E-MTB NOW LIGHTER THAN EVER
We enthusiastically greeted the arrival of the Orbea Rise back in 2020, calling it ‘an obvious shot across the bow to the Specialized Turbo Levo SL, which is Specialized’s light-weight EMTB. Coming in just above 35 lbs for the highest/most expensive version of the bike, the Orbea Rise is lighter than the Specialized Turbo Levo SL but has more torque (60 Nm vs 35 Nm).’
Now Orbea has announced the 2023 Rise, saying the new version is ‘lighter than ever with more battery options, ready to open up longer adventures and take you to even more epic locations.’
The 2023 Rise has both carbon and aluminium alloy framed options; both use similarly powerful Shimano Steps mid-motors (EP801 RS and EP601 RS on the two frame options respectively), updated in mid-2022, but Orbea have software-limited the torque to 60Nm with the aim of extending battery life and giving a more natural feeling ride. The EP801 motor is the latest upgrade of the EP8 with extended electronic gear shifting options on the latest version – apparently the new Rise gears will shift without pedalling.
Most significant is the new lower weight; by using larger 21,700 cells in the 360Wh battery, Orbea say the battery is 300g lighter than the previous Rise battery and that’s part of the reason the top end model has a new lightest ever claimed weight of 15.9kg / 33lbs (360Wh option) – lighter than many non-electric enduro e-mtbs. There’s also the option to spec a 540Wh battery – yes, it even fits in that thin looking downtube!
Price range is US$5,299 to US$11,499 £4999 – £9999
SCOTT LUMEN EMTB CLAIMS 34LB WEIGHT
Just like the 2023 Orbea Rise, the newly announced Scott Lumen claims to have broken the 16kg barrier by weighing in at 34lbs by using the virtually new-out-of-the-box, German designed, TQ-HPR50 mid-drive – lighter than the Rise’s EP801 RS motor at 4.1lbs but with a lower torque rating of 50Nm. This is combined with a 360Wh battery (range extender available), a small display in the top tube and a handlebar remote. The whole system comes in at 3.9kg.
It’s only the top-of-the line Lumen eRide 900 SL that dips below the magic 35lb/16kg mark and it will cost you a staggering US$ $15,999 / £14,699.
Prices and weights for other models are:
Contessa Lumen eRide 900: £6,499 (not available in the USA) 38lbs-13oz/17.6kg
Lumen eRide 910 US$6,999 / £6,499 38lbs-13oz/17.6kg
Lumen eRide 900 US$9,999 / £9,299 35lbs-15oz/16.3kg
Here are Scott themselves to give you the technical low down:
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