Hello, mountain bikers, e-bikers, e-bike haters, and all other two-wheeled enthusiasts. Welcome to Vital's 2024 SL e-bike Test Sessions. Test Sessions has long been Vital's way of placing a bunch of similar bikes head-to-head to see where each excels and what sets them apart. The goal is to help riders determine which bike best suits their needs, riding style, and terrain.
This year, we gathered up a pile of SL e-bikes, three testers, and spent a week zipping around the hills of Northern California to figure out what makes each bike tick. From motor feel and battery life, to maneuverability and stability at speed; to small intricacies like display and app usability, charging interface or cable routing; we put each bike through the wringer, and here is what we uncovered. Enjoy!
What is an SL eMTB?
SL or super light has become the widely adopted nomenclature to distinguish e-bikes that are slimmer and less powerful than the typical e-bike. Full-size e-bikes generally have a motor with around 85 Nm of torque paired with a 600 to 900-watt-hour battery and weigh 50+ pounds. SL e-bikes typically have compact motors with 50-60 Nm of torque paired with a 300 to 430-watt-hour battery and weigh between 36 and 45 pounds. Despite these category designations, a few bikes have already begun to challenge the SL definition, offering full-power motors at a competitive weight. Lucky for us, we had a few such bikes in the test to see how their abilities compare to their less powerful brethren.
With different anatomy come distinct ride characteristics between full-size and SL e-bikes. Full-size e-bikes can fly up climbs and are not easily fazed on descents due to their weight. The downside is they're a lot more bike to manage on trail, creating a riding experience that's vastly different than a typical mountain bike ride. SL e-bikes aim to split the difference, giving up some power and range in exchange for easier handling and increased responsiveness to rider input. With the introduction of these full-power, welterweight bikes, a best-of-both-worlds experience has been targeted, where riders receive unfiltered power without suffering a huge weight penalty.
Bikes Tested
On the docket, we have Specialized's Gen 2 Levo SL, Santa Cruz's Heckler SL, Giant's Trance X Advanced E+ Elite, Trek's Fuel EXe, Cannondale's newly released Moterra SL, Ari Bikes (formerly Fezzari) brand-new Nebo Peak, and a bike you may have never heard of, Karbon Bikes Powerline SL.
Rear travel ranged from 140 to 160mm, battery size ranged from 320 to 601 watt-hours, motor torque ranged from 50 to 85 Nm, retail price ranged from $8,000 to $12,000, and weights ranged from 41.6 to 46.8 pounds (18.8 to 21.2 kg).
All of the bikes tested fall into the e-trail bike category based on travel. However, geometry varied quite a bit between bikes, creating a broad spectrum of strong suits and intended uses. Some bikes favored descending performance or peak motor output, while others looked to achieve the lightest weight for increased maneuverability.
For consistency and because we like to smash, we mounted the same Maxxis Assegai and DHR II tire combo with DoubleDown casing and MaxxGrip compound on each bike. Tannus' latest Fusion tire inserts were also used for extra security, and Feedback Sports tools and stands helped streamline the dizzying number of bike swaps we had to conduct. Since this is not the stock configuration for any of the test bikes, our weights are likely higher than the manufacturer's claimed weights.
Meet the Testers
| Jason Schroeder | Lear Miller | Jonny Simonetti |
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Testing Parameters
We broke down performance into seven categories to keep our impressions focused as we switched between bikes.
- Motor Performance: Analyzing overall motor feel, useability of modes, and noise.
- Battery Performance: Average ride time on one battery when ridden in various modes. The goal was not to maximize battery life but to provide an estimated average.
- User Interface: Analyzing the functionality of the assist switch, on-bike display, app features, and system tunability.
- Frame Details: Analyzing cable routing, frame protection, and minor details.
- Value: Did the build meet, exceed, or fall below expectations? Where was value provided, and where could it be added?
- Climbing Performance: Analyzing pedaling position and suspension efficiency.
- Sendability: Analyzing descending performance in the most demanding sections, focusing on stability, composure, support, and suspension performance.
- Fun Factor: How easily can the rider influence the bike, focusing on maneuverability, responsiveness, air time, and speed generation?
With such a mixed bag of bikes all claiming the SL title, this Test Sessions offered a lot to be discussed. It was a big week, with over 200 miles and 40,000 feet of climbing logged between our three testers, but we had a blast getting into the nitty gritty of each bike!
Cannondale Moterra SL
Highlights
- Cannondale Series 1 carbon frame
- Mixed wheels (dual 29-inch compatible)
- 150mm of rear wheel travel // 160mm fork travel
- FlexPivot suspension design
- Custom 601 Wh battery
- 85 Nm Shimano EP801 motor
- Integrated top tube display
- Handlebar-mounted display
- Angle adjust headset
- Flip chip geometry adjustment
- 62.5-degree head tube angle
- 77-degree seat tube angle
- Size-specific geometry and kinematics
- Three build kits
- Sizes: S-XL
- Verified weight (size XL, SL 1 build): 46.8 pounds (21.2 kg)
- MSRP: $7,000 - $14,000 USD ($8,750 as tested)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Moterra SL!
Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite
Highlights
- Giant's Advanced-grade composite frame
- Mixed wheels
- 140mm of rear wheel travel // 150mm fork travel
- Maestro suspension design
- 400 Wh Giant EnergyPak Smart battery (200 Wh Energy Pak+ range extender available)
- 85 Nm Giant SyncDrive Pro2 motor
- Integrated top tube display
- RideControl Ergo 3 grip integrated remote
- Five customizable assist modes via RideControl App
- Headset or frame internal cable routing
- Flip chip geometry adjustment
- 65.5/65.7-degree head tube angle
- 447mm chain stay length
- Four build kits
- Sizes: S-XL
- Verified weight (size XL, Elite 1 build): 46.12 pounds (20.9 kg)
- MSRP: $5,700 - $14,000 USD ($10,000 as tested)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Trance X Advanced E+ Elite!
Transition Relay
Highlights
- Carbon frame (alloy models available)
- Two travel configurations:
- 160mm rear wheel travel (air) // 160mm fork (tested)
- 170mm rear wheel travel (coil) // 170mm fork
- Mixed or dual 29-inch wheels
- GiddyUp suspension design
- 60 Nm Fazua Ride 60 motor
- 430 Wh battery
- 63.3/64-degree head tube angle
- Size-optimized chainstay length
- Uninterrupted seat tube enables long droppers
- UDH equipped
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Verified weight 45 lbs / 20.4 kg (Size XL, no pedals, w/ battery)
- Verified weight 40 lbs / 18.1 kg (Size XL, no pedals, w/o battery)
- Six build options
- MSRP: $6,799 - $12,499 USD ($9,999 as tested, GX AXS Build)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Relay!
Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Highlights
- C & CC level carbon frame
- Mixed wheels
- 150mm of rear wheel travel // 160mm fork travel
- VPP suspension design
- 430 Wh battery
- 60 Nm FAZUA Ride 60 motor
- Integrated top tube display
- Customizable ride modes via the FAZUA app
- Internal cable routing
- Flip chip geometry adjustment
- 64.3/64-degree head tube angle
- Size-specific chain stay lengths
- Five build kits
- Sizes: S-XXL
- Verified weight (size XL): 44.6 pounds (20.23kg)
- MSRP: $7,299 - $12,999 USD ($9,699 as tested, GX AXS Build)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Heckler SL!
Karbon Bikes Powerline SL
Highlights
- Carbon frame with aluminum rocker
- 29-inch wheels
- 150mm of rear wheel travel // 160mm fork
- Horst-link suspension platform
- 410 Wh battery
- 75 Nm Bafang M820 motor with 250 watts of peak power
- Handlebar-mounted full-color LCD display
- Handlebar-mounted remote
- 64-degree headtube angle
- 77° seat tube angle
- UDH compatible
- Three build kits
- Sizes: S-L
- Verified weight: (Size L, X0 AXS) 43.56 lbs (19.75 kg)
- MSRP: $7,349 - $9,699 USD ($9,699 tested)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Powerline SL!
Trek Fuel EXe
Highlights
- OCLV Carbon frame
- 29-inch wheels
- 140mm of rear wheel travel // 150mm fork travel
- ABP suspension design
- 50 Nm TQ HRP50 Motor
- 360 Wh removable battery (160 Wh range extender available)
- Integrated top tube display
- Wired assist switch
- Mino Link geo adjustment
- 64.8-degree head tube angle
- 76.8-degree effective seat tube angle
- 440mm chainstay length
- 10 carbon builds // 3 aluminum builds
- Sizes: S-XL
- Verified weight (size X-Large, no pedals): 43.12 lbs (19.5 kg)
- MSRP: $13,999 USD as tested ($9,999 USD as tested, 9.8 GX AXS Build)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Fuel EXe!
Ari Bikes Nebo Peak
Highlights
- Full carbon fiber frame and link
- 29-inch wheels (mixed wheel compatible)
- 140mm of rear wheel travel // 150mm fork travel
- Horst-link suspension design
- 430Wh Fazua Energy FIX (range extender available)
- 60Nm Fazua Ride60 motor
- Integrated top tube display
- Handlebar-mounted Ring controller
- Five customizable assist modes via RideControl App
- Fully guided internal cable routing
- 65-degree head tube angle
- 434.6mm chain stay length
- Four build kits
- Sizes: S-XL
- Verified weight (size XL, Pro build): 42.8 pounds (19.42 kg)
- MSRP: $6,199 - $9,999 USD ($7,999 as tested)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Nebo Peak!
Specialized Levo SL
Highlights
- FACT 11m carbon frame
- 150mm rear wheel travel // 160mm fork (150mm fork on size S1)
- Horst link suspension design
- Mixed-wheel or dual 29-inch
- Turbo SL 1.2 motor with 320 watts of power / 50 Nm of torque
- 320 Wh battery
- 160 Wh Range Extender sold separately (included with S-Works build and Frameset)
- MasterMind Turbo Control Unit
- Adjustable head tube angle and bottom bracket height
- Six sizes (S1-S6)
- Four build kits and Frameset options
- Verified weight (size S5 Pro Build, no pedals): 41.6 lbs (18.8 kg)
- MSRP $8,000-$15,000 USD ($12,000 as tested, Pro Build)
Read our complete Test Sessions review of the Levo SL!
Another Test Sessions in the books! Hopefully, you got something out of this test and have a better idea of what SL e-bikes are all about or which one is best for you. As always, we would love to hear your thoughts on the bikes we tested, and make sure to check out the individual reviews above for more info on each bike!
Which bike in the test piques your interest most?
Would you ever buy an e-bike with a smaller motor and battery in exchange for better maneuverability?
A big shout out to Tannus, Feedback Sports and Maxxis for supporting Test Sessions!
View key specs, compare e-bikes, and rate different models in the Vital MTB Product Guide.
4/16/2024 6:00am
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