Ekano 2025

The Propain Ekano 2025 is a German direct-to-consumer aluminium enduro eMTB built around the Shimano EP801 motor. Headline numbers: 180mm fork, 170mm rear, Shimano EP801 at 85Nm and a 600W peak with a 2.7kg motor mass, a removable 626Wh Darfon battery, 23.5kg claimed, 64.0 degree head angle and reach 437 to 495mm across S, M, L and XL. Priced from GBP 5,889 base. The Ekano sits in Propain's heavy-hitting enduro range alongside the carbon Ekano CF; the AL frame is the value entry point. Community read: forum chatter describes the Ekano as "a heavy hitter" and @mane has used the Ekano 2 for gap jumping progression up to 4 metres.

Drive system and range. The Shimano EP801 is one of the most refined full-power motors on the market: 85Nm of torque, 600W peak and Shimano's signature smooth-bite power delivery. The 801 brings better thermal management and improved firmware mode tuning over EP8, with the well-mapped E-Tube app for personalisation. The Darfon 626Wh battery is removable through the downtube. @501AM notes Propain also offers an 800Wh battery upgrade as standard configurator option, taking total system weight above 24kg. Real-world range on 626Wh sits at two to two and a half hours of alpine descending in Trail/Boost.

Geometry and handling. 64.0 degrees up front is bang on the modern enduro norm. Reach steps cleanly: 437 (S), 462 (M), 487 (L), 495 (XL). Chainstays are 458mm on S, M, L and shorten to 445mm on XL: an unusual proportional approach. Wheelbase tops out at 1310mm on L. The 4-bar layout is one of the most progressive in the segment: a forum comparison measures the Ekano at "a massive 40% progression through the travel", much higher than most rivals. This makes the bike particularly compliant on big hits but demands attention to shock spring rate and air volume tuning for smaller riders.

Build and value. The gold spec lists one base trim at GBP 5,889. Propain's online configurator is the brand's signature: buyers select fork, shock, drivetrain, brakes, wheels and finishing kit individually within the base price band, which is unusual for the direct-to-consumer segment. Standout: full configurator at sub-GBP 6,000 with EP801 and 626Wh removable battery. Questionable: aluminium frame at this price tier; carbon enduro rivals from YT and Canyon are starting to creep into the same price band.

Community-verified strengths.

• Genuinely capable enduro tool. @mane uses the Ekano 2 for gap jumping progression up to 4 metres, evidence the platform is happy with serious descending input.
• Highly progressive suspension. A forum comparison measures the Ekano at 40% progression: very high for the segment, which suits big-hit riders and coil shock conversions.
• Configurator flexibility. Propain's online configurator lets buyers tune the spec to their preferences without aftermarket spend later.

Caveats and known gripes.

• Weight on top spec. @Nomadic Dad reports an Ekano 3 AL Size Large in top spec at 25.48kg: significantly heavier than the base claim of 23.5kg.
• 40% progression demands tuning. Highly progressive suspension is excellent for big hits but firm on smaller terrain; expect to spend time on shock setup, possibly with a coil conversion.
• Aluminium only on this trim. Carbon (Ekano CF) is a separate, more expensive platform.
• Direct-to-consumer support. Propain sells direct; service routing requires planning, particularly outside Germany.
• Mid-tier battery. 626Wh is solid for the price but smaller than 750Wh-plus Bosch CX or DJI Avinox rivals at similar money.
• Chainstay variance. The 458mm rear on S/M/L drops to 445mm on XL, which is unusual; check geometry against your fit if cross-shopping with conventional size-proportional designs.

Verdict. The 2025 Ekano is one of the most capable aluminium enduro eMTBs from a direct-to-consumer brand, with proper 180/170mm travel, EP801 motor, a removable 626Wh battery and Propain's signature configurator at sub-GBP 6,000. It suits riders who want a heavy-hitting enduro tool with personalisation built in and who can live with direct-to-consumer service routing. Buyers chasing carbon construction, a Bosch CX Gen 5 motor or a larger 750Wh+ battery from the factory should look at the Ekano CF carbon variant, Orbea Wild or Specialized Kenevo. Production status: current.