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

I’ve got an SX equipped bike. High cadence does deliver a high power, but that’s the huge 600watts. That’s twice the original TQ motor. It rides with more than adequate support at perfectly normal cadence.
The firmware update has also reduced the cadence when higher output is delivered.

Not sure what OP is after, a moon on a stick bike, but with a budget of £3k. I can’t see much better for a main brand with dealer back up than that Marin for £3K. Maybe a Trek, but the discounted ones are a “lower” spec, forks etc aren’t quite as good.
 
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What about a Bianchi again, this time full suspension. A few options do exist well in budget with either full power Bosch or Shimano motors, none more than 4k and a couple nearer 3k.

One bike I can think of is also a carbon frameset. I wont put any links on as this is not an advert but get in touch if you would like some pointers. From our perspective you can also get a Mondraker Crafty R as well
 
Doomanic said:
SX motor apparently requires a high cadence top get the best out of it so not the best choice if you're a plodder.
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I’ve got the Marin EL1, done plenty of riding on it before and after the SX 60Nm update and it can do plodding pretty well. You do get even more power at higher cadences but plenty lower down as well.

The only thing I’d say is that the Marin isn’t a particularly light bike, although can be improved with some better wheels and tyres.
 
Scooby71 said:
That's me, certainly not rapid.
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Go grab a test ride on one, the SX can do plodding, but also rewards with higher cadence if that’s your thing.

I love mine.

IMG_0823.jpeg
IMG_0822.jpeg
 
Scooby71 said:
Looks heavy compared to the orbea.
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I seem to remember when I weighed it, came in around 20.5kg, it’s a large frame size.

It’s lost a bit of weight with the Maxxis tubeless tyres now and a couple of other bits so just dipping under 20kg now, which I think is the same ballpark as some of the lower end Orbea Rise H series?
 
Rockhopper70 said:
I’ve got an SX equipped bike. High cadence does deliver a high power, but that’s the huge 600watts. That’s twice the original TQ motor. It rides with more than adequate support at perfectly normal cadence.
The firmware update has also reduced the cadence when higher output is delivered.

Not sure what OP is after, a moon on a stick bike, but with a budget of £3k. I can’t see much better for a main brand with dealer back up than that Marin for £3K. Maybe a Trek, but the discounted ones are a “lower” spec, forks etc aren’t quite as good.
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I personally don't think there was any need to mock my requirements, "moon on a stick bike", it's this kind of snobbish look down the nose attitude that puts people off of asking for advice as inexperienced people on the subject.

Remember you were clueless about such things at one time yourself.

As a 54 year old adult I actually take some offence to that reply.

My budget FOR NOW is £3-4K, as I mentioned earlier, I'm not willing to invest much more for the time being until I determine my limitations and comfort levels, but thanks for your input I suppose.
 
1
Scooby71 said:
I personally don't think there was any need to mock my requirements, "moon on a stick bike", it's this kind of snobbish look down the nose attitude that puts people off of asking for advice as inexperienced people on the subject.

Remember you were clueless about such things at one time yourself.

As a 54 year old adult I actually take some offence to that reply.

My budget FOR NOW is £3-4K, as I mentioned earlier, I'm not willing to invest much more for the time being until I determine my limitations and comfort levels, but thanks for your input I suppose.
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I apologise for any offence, that was not the intention at all. Perhaps a poor choice of phrase, I was trying to convey that the budget as is might limit the choice and the desirables you are after. I’ve tried to help and provide links to bikes, so I’m not here to mock or insult, but to try and help.
Yours, 55 year old biker who bought their first eMTB just two months ago.
 
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.
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You won't get a light emtb for 3 grand new anywhere , fact .

But if thats your budget try Paul's Cycles for Raymon Tallrays 170s , down to £2,500

Screenshot_20251107-201326.png
 
jackamo said:
You won't get a light emtb for 3 grand new anywhere , fact .

But if thats your budget try Paul's Cycles for Raymon Tallrays 170s , down to £2,500

View attachment 170811
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That's where you're wrong actually. £2750 at the moment albeit in basic boggo spec, not the most powerful motor but probably fine for the OP and their needs.

Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 | Tredz Bikes Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 | Tredz Bikes
 
Crazylegs1892 said:
That's where you're wrong actually. £2750 at the moment albeit in basic boggo spec, not the most powerful motor but probably fine for the OP and their needs.

Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 | Tredz Bikes Trek Fuel EXe 5 2025 | Tredz Bikes
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I wouldn’t say that nearly 21kgs is a ‘light’ EMTB though, but agree it looks like a good option for the budget.

You could probably lose 0.5kg with a decent fork straightaway.
 
jackamo said:
You won't get a light emtb for 3 grand new anywhere , fact .

But if thats your budget try Paul's Cycles for Raymon Tallrays 170s , down to £2,500

View attachment 170811
Click to expand...
Tradeinn sell a few if you can wait a month for shipping, they sell carbon frame Bianchi's for under £3k but I was looking for something different as I have a Bianchi already.
 
jackamo said:
But if thats your budget try Paul's Cycles for Raymon Tallrays 170s , down to £2,500
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The Pro is only £500 more and has a bigger battery and much better components.
 
jackamo said:
50 nms torque .
360 watt battery 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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It's a low torque figure but it might be fine for them plus you can add a range extender as well if needs be. There aren't many other options under their budget really.

If it were me personally, I'd be all of over the Mondraker Sly R.
 
Crazylegs1892 said:
It's a low torque figure but it might be fine for them plus you can add a range extender as well if needs be. There aren't many other options under their budget really.

If it were me personally, I'd be all of over the Mondraker Sly R.
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So spending more money for a range extender 🤔
More cost , more weight .
Sorry but what's the point .
 
jackamo said:
So spending more money for a range extender 🤔
More cost , more weight .
Sorry but what's the point .
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At this sort of price point, or any really, it’s about trade offs and prioritising what’s important to you.

Yes, it’s a ‘small’ battery, but the TQ50 uses less power as it’s a less powerful motor. Same as my Mahle 35Nm or SX 60Nm assists for a similar distance to a full power motor with a bigger battery.
 
jackamo said:
So spending more money for a range extender 🤔
More cost , more weight .
Sorry but what's the point .
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Did you miss the part of the thread where the OP asks specifically for a lighter weight bike that feels more like a regular analogue bike? TQ equipped bikes suit that requirement to a tee. If SLs aren't your preference that's fine, but they may be someone else's.
 
k17chy said:
Santacruz heckler SL. Love mine. Probably just outside your budget at 6k.
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"Just" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence :D

This looks good for £2,699

Cube AMS Hybrid One44 C:68X Race 400X 29 2025 Electric Bike

<p>All mountain riding just got a massive boost, thanks to a combination of Cube design flair and Bosch SX drive. Premium C:68X carbon, reliable RockShox and Shimano components and up to 55Nm of assistance: that's e-mtb riding, perfected.</p> <p>T
winstanleysbikes.co.uk winstanleysbikes.co.uk
 
MeatBike said:
"Just" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence :D

This looks good for £2,699

Cube AMS Hybrid One44 C:68X Race 400X 29 2025 Electric Bike

<p>All mountain riding just got a massive boost, thanks to a combination of Cube design flair and Bosch SX drive. Premium C:68X carbon, reliable RockShox and Shimano components and up to 55Nm of assistance: that's e-mtb riding, perfected.</p> <p>T
winstanleysbikes.co.uk winstanleysbikes.co.uk
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That's a crazy good deal imo. Only L or XL sizes though.
 
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