Propain Launches the Ekano 2 CF with SRAM Powertrain

Our first carbon E-Bike, developed together with the SRAM Eagle Powertrain to achieve the perfect symbiosis. A unique riding experience without compromise, full integration, and total commitment to performance.

The EKANO 2 CF pushes the boundaries of what‘s possible. It is just as fast on the trail as its non-motorized counterparts. The optimal weight distribution ensures controllable and agile handling, and the powerful drive unit creates ease on even the most technical uphill.

Highlights

• Blend Carbon frame 
• 29" or mixed wheel compatible
• 170mm of rear wheel travel // 180mm fork travel
• PRO10 suspension design
• 90Nm SRAM motor powered by Brose
• 630Wh battery (optional 250Wh Range Extender available separately)
• Painted carbon battery cover
• Integrated SRAM AXS Bridge Display
• Integrated headset routed cables
• Water bottle and tool mount
• 64 degree head tube angle
• 78 degree effective seat angle
• 453mm chain stay length
• Three color ways and four sizes
• Claimed weight: from 50.2 lbs (22.8 kg)
• MSRP: Base Build - $8,275 USD // Ultimate Build - $10,617 USD // Factory Build - $11,997 USD

Overall Concept and Geometry

The new EKANO 2 CF was developed together with the Eagle Powertrain System in close cooperation with SRAM and therefore represents not only a base, but a totality of drive system and bike.

The frame follows the same underlying concept as our EKANO 2 AL E-Freerider - but with a different focus. The positioning of the shock, motor and the lightweight battery make the weight of the bike extremely unobtrusive and ensure agile and easy handling. Instead of pure riding fun and big hits, the EKANO 2 CF is designed for the highest performance and the accessibility of it. Simplicity and naturality define the EKANO 2 CF.

Reach, seat and head angle are identical to the EKANO 2 AL, but a slightly lower stack and longer chainstays provide more stability. The suspension is very capable with 170 mm travel at the rear and 180 mm at the front, but at no time gives the feeling of being too much. The lightweight Blend Carbon frame further aids the direct and agile handling.

The drive-neutral PRO10 rear end harmonizes perfectly with the powerful Eagle Powertrain. Even while shifting under full load, technical uphills are handled without bobbing. Nevertheless, the suspension remains active and always offers maximum grip.

Frame Concept PRO10

We are confident that our PRO10 system is the best frame concept. As has already been proven on the EKANO 2 AL, the vertically positioned shock floating between the counter- rotating links offers absolutely the best performance, especially for E-Bikes. The positioning of the shock, together with the 3.1 kg light battery sitting low in the frame results in the center of gravity of the bike being as low and central as possible. This makes the weight inconspicuous and the handling of the bike very close to our non-motor counterparts.

The carbon frame of the EKANO 2 CF encloses the SRAM Eagle Powertrain Drive Unit, resulting in significantly higher stiffness in this heavily stressed area. The battery is mounted in the cut-out down tube, is easily removable, and is seamlessly covered by a carbon cover in frame color. As shown in our other Blend Carbon frames, stiffness and compliance are tuned for optimal performance on the trail.

The fiber-reinforced motor cover efficiently protects the frame and the drive unit from rocks and roots.

Integrated Cable Routing

Our Integrated Cable Routing ”ICR“, developed together with Sixpack is also featured on the new EKANO 2 CF. The stem is CNC-machined in Germany and forms a molded fit to the top composite spacer. The cables therefore do not pass through the stem, but through a pinch-through seal underneath the stem into the top spacer, through the headset, and into the frame. Thus, the stem can be replaced effortlessly if necessary and the cockpit height can be adjusted by clip-in spacers, without having to remove the stem.

To make the system as durable as possible in addition to the seal at the cable entry, an additional IPS seal is mounted on the upper headset bearing. To make the system absolutely bullet-proof stainless steel bearings are used exclusively in all frames. Wear in the headset is therefore absolutely no issue with our ICR system.

Silent Is Fast

Silence on the trail makes an unexpectedly big difference. The EKANO 2 CF creates an enormous sense of confidence through absolute silence and drives to push the personal limits. In addition to the cable integration and the cable routing directly over the main pivot points of the rear triangle, the newly developed chain and seat stay protectors, similar to those used on the Tyee 6, are responsible for this.

These are made of a soft TPR plastic with excellent damping properties. Air-filled nubs with an out- ward tilt stop chain vibrations with great efficiency. The SRAM Eagle Powertrain is also absolutely silent on the trail and has very little noise emission even under full load.

Brake Integration

With the new EKANO 2 CF, the Postmount brake mount is integrated into the rear triangle. In addition to the sleek aesthetic aspects, this also achieves better transfer of braking forces into the frame. For 200 mm and 220 mm rotors no additional adapters are needed, just a quick adjustment of the Postmount bracket is all that’s needed to make the switch.

SRAM Eagle Powertrain

The SRAM Eagle Powertrain is not only the motor of our new E-Bike, but a holistic drive system that forms a cohesive unit with the EKANO 2 CF and thus enables the absolute best E-Bike performance.

The system offers cutting-edge functionality that can only be achieved by combining technology from the Eagle Transmission, AXS and Powertrain. Rather than focusing on feature count, Eagle Powertrain puts the focus on equipping riders with features that truly matter. As a fully integrated system with intuitive user experience and familiar controls, simplicity and naturality are absolutely paramount.

The cleanest E-MTB cockpit that you can imagine, Auto and Coast Shift, and complexity reduced to a minimum with two support levels that can be easily adjusted to individual needs, are what make the system.

The SRAM Drive Unit delivers 680 watts of peak power, 90 Nm of maximum torque, two support modes, and Auto Shift and Coast Shift. Auto Shift can be adjusted to the current conditions in seconds during the ride via the Pedal Speed setting. The robust Transmission rear derailleurs allow clean shifting under full load, completing the automatic system. Coast Shift allows shifting without crank rotations while coasting, both in Auto Shift mode at changing speeds and when shifting manually.

The 3.1 kg lightweight 630 Wh SRAM battery is the, in our eyes, best compromise between range and an agile handling of the bike. But the EKANO 2 CF also has the option to use a 250 Wh range extender, which increases the total capacity of the system to 880 Wh and thus also allows even the longest rides.

The Eagle Powertrain system can be customized and adjusted to personal preferences and individual riding style in a versatile and intuitive way via the AXS smartphone app. The app allows riders to customize their Eagle Powertrain POD controllers, tune Range & Rally assist levels, personalize Auto Shift, view battery status, install firmware updates and receive system notifications.

Kinematics

The PRO10 system is known for its drive neutrality. Especially for an E-Bike, it was important to us to further refine this feature. With an anti-squat in the SAG of 132%, the EKANO 2 CF climbs technical uphills with active suspension without bobbing. Descending, the system retains its well-known super sensitive responsiveness and begins to work on even the smallest bumps. The progression of the rear triangle provides pleasant mid-stroke support. The shocks tuned to the EKANO 2 CF, both air and coil, release the full travel perfectly controllable when needed.

Size and Wheel Concept

The EKANO 2 CF is available in both a mixed wheel setup and a full 29“ configuration. Through the flipchip on the upper link of the PRO10 frame, both wheel configurations can be used on the same frame. 29“ wheels offer better rollover performance especially on technical and slower sections, the small 27.5“ rear wheel makes the EKANO 2 CF more maneuverable and offers more freedom of movement. Since the use of the EKANO 2 CF is designed to be very versatile, we choose to leave the wheel configuration decision to the customers.

The EKANO 2 CF is available in sizes S, M, L and XL. The stack is deliberately kept higher across all four sizes to achieve ideal handling despite the extra weight of the motor and battery.

Blend Carbon

We are convinced that it is not enough to just use one good carbon material for a frame. Instead, it needs different carbon materials and their diverse properties to meet the requirements. PROPAIN carbon frames are made from pre-impregnated (prepreg) carbon layers. These guarantee an optimum resin content and thus ensure significantly higher strength values. Each of the layers has special properties and corresponding tasks at specific points of the frame. Based on the requirements for stiffness, flexibility, impact resistance, weight, strength and the direction of stress, different fibers and fabrics are used.

PROPAIN uses only the highest quality materials. For example, the carbon fibers used in our frames are the same as those used in the latest generation of aviation components.

Specifications and Prices

In the selection of components, we continue to rely on a wide and high-quality variety from which every customer can configure his dream bike. In addition to proven suspension options from RockShox and Fox, the Ekano 2 CF can also be configured with the brand new Vivid Ultimate rear shock. Brakes from SRAM, Magura and Formula, wheels from NEWMEN and Crankbrothers, as well as various options for handlebars, stems, seatposts, saddles and tires also offer countless possibilities for customization. 

In addition to the individual configuration, we also offer three predefined build kits for the EKANO 2 CF, which are designed to make it easier for customers to decide which components are right for them. The build kits are recommendations from us to our customers, because that‘s exactly how we would build our own bikes.

For more information, please visit propane-bikes.com

View key specs, compare e-bikes, and rate the new Propain Ekano 2 CF in the Vital MTB Product Guide.