Lightweight full sus E-MTB recommendations under £3K?

S

Scooby71

New Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2025
Messages
19
Reaction score
3
Location
Glasgow
Hi all,

I currently ride a Bianchi T-Tonik Sport front suspension only E-MTB, looking for any recommendations for a full sus E-MTB preferably under £3K but up to £4K for the right bike.

Want to get into a bit more serious riding, nothing extreme, downhill etc, just more challenging than trailways.

Been intrigued by a carbon focused brand called MMR but the name (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) kind of puts me off being British, would ideally like something that has service agents in the UK.

Heard good things about the brand BH but can't find anyone who services them in blighty.

All recommendations welcomed without predjudice or snarky comments, but bike snobbery without legitimate factual analysis is not required!

Cheers.
 
⚡ EMTB Pro Go Pro — exclusive discounts & ad-free Peaty's 25% off & more · Ad-free browsing · Pro badge See the deals →
Scooby71 said:
Hi all,

I currently ride a Bianchi T-Tonik Sport front suspension only E-MTB, looking for any recommendations for a full sus E-MTB preferably under £3K but up to £4K for the right bike.

Want to get into a bit more serious riding, nothing extreme, downhill etc, just more challenging than trailways.

Been intrigued by a carbon focused brand called MMR but the name (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) kind of puts me off being British, would ideally like something that has service agents in the UK.

Heard good things about the brand BH but can't find anyone who services them in blighty.

All recommendations welcomed without predjudice or snarky comments, but bike snobbery without legitimate factual analysis is not required!

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Any preference on motor power?

When I was in your boat I picked up a Specialized Levo SL frameset and motor and switched components from another bike to it.

Excellent bike for me, but ‘only’ 35Nm but that’s enough for me to take the misery out of hills etc, and it’s a good lightweight bike the rest of the time. Pedals well after the battery is gone as well, which might me a consideration.

Mine is just over 17kg, not a light wheelset either. The Gen2 is even better so I’m told, but over your budget new.
 
Last edited:
Ndanger said:
Fixed that for you :)

Buying a "previously loved" bike could open up a load of (problems) as well as options.
Click to expand...
I agree, it could, not that it will. That is the main fear and I understand that. But how much is a new battery and a new motor (worst case)? But anyone looking for a brand new lightweight full suss emtb for £3k has to make some compromises. If they do their homework and choose the correct sales offer, they could get a bargain!
 
There seems to be a huge stock of these kicking around….

Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 - Out of Stock | Tredz Bikes

Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 - Electric Mountain Bike. Out of Stock. All Electric bikes are delivered free to the UK mainland, 90 day returns & Price Match.
www.tredz.co.uk www.tredz.co.uk

Other sellers/deals are available. I don’t have one, so can’t say if it’s a good bike or not.

www.balfesbikes.co.uk

Trek Fuel EXe 9.7 SLX/XT Electric Full Suspension Mountain Bike 2025 in Lava Red

The Fuel EXe 9.7 redefines e-mountain biking with a revolutionary motor that tucks away neatly for a ride that's light, lively and just as playful as a traditional mountain bike, with the added benefit of pedal assist to help you crush climbs.
www.balfesbikes.co.uk
 
Pretty sure I've seen the Orbea Rise SL and LT for around £3k... if you're OK with the Shimano motor.
 
Tooks said:
Any preference on motor power?

When I was in your boat I picked up a Specialized Levo SL frameset and motor and switched components from another bike to it.

Excellent bike for me, but ‘only’ 35Nm but that’s enough for me to take the misery out of hills etc, and it’s a good lightweight bike the rest of the time. Pedals well after the battery is gone as well, which might me a consideration.

Mine is just over 17kg, not a light wheelset either. The Gen2 is even better so I’m told, but over your budget new.
Click to expand...
Not particularly, more interested in less weight, would like the bike to ride as analogue when not engaged, my Bianchi is powerful but the motor has some drag when disengaged or topping out at 15.5mph which is getting tiresome.
 
steve_sordy said:
New or used?
Buying a "previously loved" bike could open up a load of options.
Click to expand...
Ideally new, or at least new in the sense of never ridden, so happy to look at older stock but ideally nothing older than 2024.
 
Rockhopper70 said:
There seems to be a huge stock of these kicking around….

Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 - Out of Stock | Tredz Bikes

Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 - Electric Mountain Bike. Out of Stock. All Electric bikes are delivered free to the UK mainland, 90 day returns & Price Match.
www.tredz.co.uk www.tredz.co.uk

Other sellers/deals are available. I don’t have one, so can’t say if it’s a good bike or not.

www.balfesbikes.co.uk

Trek Fuel EXe 9.7 SLX/XT Electric Full Suspension Mountain Bike 2025 in Lava Red

The Fuel EXe 9.7 redefines e-mountain biking with a revolutionary motor that tucks away neatly for a ride that's light, lively and just as playful as a traditional mountain bike, with the added benefit of pedal assist to help you crush climbs.
www.balfesbikes.co.uk
Click to expand...
Is this not a female bike given the standover?
 
Cube AMS Hybrid One44, Bosch SX motor (which I think recently had a power increase via firmware update?), well under 20kg. But, only 400Wh battery.
 
GDAS said:
Cube AMS Hybrid One44, Bosch SX motor (which I think recently had a power increase via firmware update?), well under 20kg. But, only 400Wh battery.
Click to expand...
Needs to be under £4K, not ready for a bigger investment yet, I'm 54 so I also need to think about value for money and potential longevity of use.
 
Last edited:
Scooby71 said:
Needs to be under £4K, not ready for a bigger investment yet, I'm 54 so I also need to think about value for money and potential longevity of use.
Click to expand...

My advice would be go for a well known brand (Trek, Canyon, Cube, etc... thats been recommended) and know that an EMTB will give you another 15+ Yrs worth of riding! My Dad's 72 and his best mate is 75 and still riding Trail centre Blacks.... You're still a Youngun! 😁
 
Rockhopper70 said:
I’ve never heard of the motor brand before, that would put me off from the get go. Also, what would happen in the event of a warranty/fault issue? Ship it back to Germany?
Click to expand...
Motors are made by SEG, a Bosch subsidiary, they normally make motors for electric motorbikes and mopeds apparently but have moved into the ebike market.

Yeah the warranty thing is an issue but everything on it is brand components so easy replaced or fixed, just the frame and motor would be the issue I suppose, but having read some reviews kicking about it seems they aren't too clever on honouring warranties, but the bike is a perfect example of what I'm looking for.
 
MeatBike said:
Orbea Rise LT H20 - M, L, & XL - £3795 - pre-order for 17th Nov
RISE250 takes a further £250 off

Orbea Rise H20 Alloy - XL - £3194
RISE250 takes a further £250 off

Orbea Rise M20 Carbon - XL - £3995
RISE250 takes a further £250 off

Orbea Rise H30 - XL - £2699

Orbea Rise LT H20 - Medium - £3499

Good deal on this Trek too:
Trek Fuel EXe 8 XT 2025 - All sizes - £3250

Loads of shops also have the Marin Rift Zone EL 1 for £3499.
Click to expand...
I like the look of the Orbea's, they almost look analogue, however the non removable battery is a worry, batteries are quoted at around 5 years service life so if not mashed the frame etc would far outlive the battery, the Canyon with a removeable battery looks the better option.

Thanks for the info.
 
Scooby71 said:
I like the look of the Orbea's, they almost look analogue, however the non removable battery is a worry, batteries are quoted at around 5 years service life so if not mashed the frame etc would far outlive the battery, the Canyon with a removeable battery looks the better option.

Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

The batteries are removable if they need replaced, you just need to drop the motor and they'll come out. They're just not removable for charging.

I believe Canyon are having issues with their batteries cracking at the moment (the plastic carriers, as opposed to the cells), although that might have been resolved on new bikes. I think their frames can be prone to cracking too, if the owners groups that Facebook keep suggesting to me is anything to go by.

Personally I'd go for a Trek if I was in the market for a SL bike at around £3-£4K as their warranty support is excellent and they have dealers everywhere. I don't think the TQ motor would offer enough range or support for me though, hence why I'm considering a full fat bike instead (most likely the Cube Stereo One44 HPC Race). I've ruled out the Orbea Rise because of the Shimano motor rattle.
 
Scooby71 said:
Does anyone have an opinion on Ghost bikes?
Click to expand...
If you are looking at the Fazua models I would steer clear.

Trek Fuel EXE, Orbea Rise and Canyon Spectral:ON Fly are the best choices given you criteria imo. You might also find an alloy Levo SL 2 in your budget. Go with a well known brand that has decent UK dealer support. You will need it at one point or another.
 
Scooby71 said:
I like the look of the Orbea's, they almost look analogue, however the non removable battery is a worry, batteries are quoted at around 5 years service life so if not mashed the frame etc would far outlive the battery, the Canyon with a removeable battery looks the better option.

Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
Trek exe is a very easy battery system, simple to remove with the motor installed.
 
A lot of bike here, and bang on budget. SX motor is great. Range extender is around £300…

www.sprocketscycles.com

Marin Rift Zone EL2 Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bike 2025

The all-new Rift Zone EL ("Electric Light") trail eMTBs take everything you love about the Rift Zone and repurposes it into bikes that share the capability of the full-powered versions but in lighter packages.
www.sprocketscycles.com www.sprocketscycles.com
 
SX motor apparently requires a high cadence top get the best out of it so not the best choice if you're a plodder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Community Stats

    Since 2018
    668K
    Messages
    40,778
    Members
    Join 30,000+ Riders, it's free!
    Back
    Top