Blackhill Evo 2024

The Fuji Blackhill Evo 2024 is an approachable, value-led trail eMTB built on Fuji's A6-SL aluminium A4 four-bar chassis with 150 mm of fork travel and a Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 4 drive. It runs a removable 500 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery, 27.5 plus rubber and entry-level component spec aimed at riders looking for their first proper full-power eMTB without breaking £4,000. Headline numbers: 85 Nm of torque, 600 W peak, a 66.5 degree head angle and a 437 to 466 mm reach range across three sizes. £3,699 for the single trim. Community verdict: a sensible, honest, entry-friendly Bosch-driven platform that suits the trail-curious newcomer.

Drive system and range. The Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 4 is the most-deployed motor in eMTB, with proven long-term reliability and full Bosch dealer network support across Europe. 85 Nm and 600 W peak power deliver crisp assist on climbs and confident response on technical sections. The 500 Wh PowerTube is on the small side of the modern eMTB battery range, but is removable for off-bike charging and the Fuji frame is compatible with the 625 Wh pack as a future upgrade. Real-world range from 500 Wh in mixed eco-and-trail mode is typically 35 to 55 km depending on rider weight, terrain and assist discipline. Bosch firmware updates through the Bosch Flow app keep the motor refined over its life.

Geometry and handling. A 66.5 degree head angle is half a degree steeper than the modern trail norm, sitting closer to XC-trail territory. Reach grows from 437 mm in M to 466 mm in XL, a tight 29 mm spread that gives a relatively consistent fit for mid-height to tall riders, but offers no small frame option. The 480 mm chainstay is long for a trail eMTB, which favours climbing stability and high-speed composure over agile direction changes. Wheelbases run 1233 to 1258 mm. 27.5-inch plus rubber adds traction and forgiveness over square-edge trail features, which suits the entry-level brief.

Build and value. One trim, £3,699. The build is honest entry-level Bosch: SR Suntour Zeron 27.5+ coil fork at 150 mm with rebound and lockout, SR Suntour TriAir 3-CR shock, TRP Slate-T4 four-piston front brake and TRP Slate X2 rear, and a Shimano Deore 11-speed drivetrain. The standout strength is the Bosch CX Gen 4 motor at this price point: most £3,500 to £4,000 eMTBs run Bosch SX or Shimano EP6 mid-power systems, so getting full CX assist on a removable PowerTube is unusual. The questionable note is the SR Suntour Zeron coil fork on the front, which is functional but a long way from the RockShox Lyrik or FOX 36 you would get £1,500 dearer.

Caveats and known gripes. The 500 Wh battery is small, and serious trail or all-day riders will quickly find themselves wanting the 625 Wh upgrade. The 11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain is a generation behind modern 1x12 builds and the SR Suntour fork and shock are best treated as starting components rather than the long-term setup. Fuji UK dealer reach is thinner than the bigger German and US brands, so warranty and motor service may mean longer wait times. The 27.5 plus rubber gives forgiveness but limits high-speed precision and tyre choice as owners upgrade.

Verdict. The Blackhill Evo 2024 suits the entry-level trail rider who wants a proven Bosch CX Gen 4 motor, a removable battery and a sensible aluminium chassis for under £4,000, with the option to upgrade fork, shock, drivetrain and battery progressively. Riders wanting longer travel, modern geometry or higher-end suspension should look at the Cannondale Moterra Neo, the Cube Stereo Hybrid or the Bergamont E-Trailster. Production status: current.