Ekano 2023

The first-generation Propain Ekano, sold by the Allgaeu consumer-direct brand as the 'Ekano 165', is an aluminium E-enduro built on Propain's PRO10 linkage with 170 mm of fork travel and 165 mm at the rear. Power comes from a Shimano EP8 motor rated at 85 Nm, fed by a compact 504 Wh Shimano BT-E8035 pack that is semi-integrated into the 'Blend Alloy' down tube and removable for separate charging. Like all Propain bikes it is bought through an online configurator, with a choice of 29in, Mix or 27.5in wheels and three recommended build kits (Start, Performance and Highend) on top of full component choice.

Geometry sits in moderate enduro territory rather than the extreme end. The Mix build runs a 64.3 degree head angle, a 75.3 degree effective seat angle and 445 mm chainstays, with the full 29in build slackening slightly to 64.6 degrees and stretching the rear to 459 mm; a shock-mount flip chip switches between the listed High and Low positions. The entry Start kit pairs a RockShox ZEB R fork and RockShox Select R Coil shock with Formula Cura 4 brakes on 203 mm rotors, a SRAM GX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain, Stans NoTubes ZTR Baron S1 wheels and Schwalbe Eddy Current tyres, for a claimed 23.5 kg.

This bike is discontinued. It was the cataloged Ekano through the first half of 2023, latterly with a 1,000 euro discount on its 5,699 euro Start-kit price, and was replaced in August 2023 by the all-new Ekano 2, which moved the line onto a fresh frame and the Shimano EP801 platform. As a German consumer-direct model it was priced in euros, so no genuine GBP RRP exists.