To see what your money can buy you, we’ve put 10 outstanding electric bikes to the test. How have we done this? In our all-time favorite format - 5 vs 5. We pit 5 affordable eMTBs that represent budget-consciousness with performance against 5 luxury eMTBs that are the pinnacle of performance, parts, and ride quality.
5 Affordable Electric Mountain Bikes
You don’t need to bankrupt yourself to enjoy cycling. While the concept of ultra-luxurious electric bikes is fast catching on, it is fundamentally antithetical to cycling to make it inaccessible to budget-conscious riders.
Velotric Summit 2
At a relatively affordable $2099, the Velotric Summit 2 is the eMTB offering from Velotric, a fast-growing company becoming one of the biggest e-bike manufacturers in the US. This bike features a 750W rear-hub motor and an 801 Wh battery.
Velotric estimates this bike can go for 95 miles in pedal-assist mode and 75 miles in throttle-only mode. This bike also has a 9-speed Shimano gear system and dual hydraulic brakes. Velotric incorporates its "SensorSwap" technology (letting users toggle between cadence- and torque-sensing modes), along with an integrated color display and built-in lighting.
Trek Marlin+
Stepping up $400, the Trek Marlin+ costs $2499. It features a 250W nominal Bosch Active Line Plus motor, which may be a step down in wattage from the Velotric, but comes from the most reputable motor manufacturer in the e-bike game.
The bike’s 400Wh Bosch battery can keep you riding 30 to 70 miles, depending on your configuration. The build includes a 9-speed Shimano CUES drivetrain, a 120 mm Suntour hydraulic fork, and app connectivity for auto-mode tuning, theft tracking, and over-the-air firmware updates.
Aventon Ramblas
If you bump up your budget another $400, you’ll find yourself considering the Aventon Ramblas ADV. At $2899, you get a full 12-speed wide-range gear and air-sprung suspension that approaches the realm of high-performance eMTBs. It features a 250W motor and a 708 Wh battery with an estimated range of up to 90 miles per full charge, depending on the assist mode you choose.
It also has a premium RockShox Psylo Silver 130mm fork, a 12-speed SRAM NX/SX Eagle drivetrain, and 4-piston SRAM DB6 hydraulic brakes. It also has a 150mm dropper post, integrated front and rear lights, and a full-color display with deep smartphone app integration.
Giant Talon E+
For an additional $51, you can buy the Giant Talon E+, priced at $2950. The Giant Talon E+ features a nominal 250W motor and a 430 Wh battery. It runs on a straightforward 9-speed Shimano drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and an SR Suntour 100mm coil fork. The handlebar-mounted RideControl Dash 2 pairs cleanly with the Giant RideControl App to tune assist modes on the fly.
Jumping into this bracket gets you away from white-label hub motors and into a dedicated mid-drive motor system that works with your pedaling cadence, yielding far better traction on loose climbs.
Salsa Moraine Cues 10
At the top of our list in affordability, we’re really pushing it with the $3999 Salsa Moraine Cues 10. At this price point, we’re moving from hardtails to full-suspension eMTBs. Power comes from the ultralight, ultra-quiet 250W Fazua Ride 60 mid-drive system, fed by an integrated 430Wh battery.
The extra cash funds rear shock linkages, sophisticated pivot design, and lightweight power units. The Moraine Cues 10 pairs a 6061-T6 aluminum frame featuring 145mm of Split Pivot rear suspension with a 160mm front fork. Salsa built smart frame integration into the Moraine, featuring on-bike storage mounts for tools and pumps, stealth frame protection, and a top-tube LED hub interface that keeps the cockpit clutter-free.
5 Luxury Electric Mountain Bikes
While we acknowledge the need for, and abundance of, affordable electric mountain bikes, if you can afford one, why not splurge on a luxurious, hyper-performance electric bike?
Norco Sight VLT
The most “affordable” pick on our luxury list, the Norco Sight VLT PX A2 costs $5699. It features a nominal 250W Bosch Performance Line PX motor and a 600Wh Bosch PowerTube, though you can buy and add a 250Wh range extender. For the over-$2000 premium, you get top-tier suspension, an electronic wireless drivetrain, carbon handlebars, ultra-light wheelsets, and integrated frame storage.
Other upgrades include a 160mm Fox Factory 36 fork with Kashima coating, Fox Float X Factory rear shock, and SRAM's hangerless X0 Eagle AXS Transmission that shifts seamlessly under full e-bike motor power.
Specialized Turbo Levo SL
For another nearly $2000 bump, you get the Specialized Turbo Levo SL, which costs $7075. The Levo SL uses the proprietary 320W SL 1.2 motor, which generates 50 Nm of torque, and a compact 320Wh integrated battery, all weighing under 40 lbs.
It rides on a Fox 36 Performance Elite fork (160mm), Float X shock, SRAM Code Stealth brakes, and a SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission. The MasterMind TCU top-tube display lets you micro-adjust assist levels in 10% increments on the fly.
Salsa Moraine C X0
With an over-$3,000 price bump, we’re entering the world of five-figure eMTB price tags. The Salsa Moraine C X0 costs $10,999 and features a nominal 250W Fazua Ride 60 system and a 480 Wh battery. For the significant bump, you leave aluminum behind for full carbon fiber construction. You're paying for weight savings, supreme frame stiffness, and fully wireless electronic shifting.
Other upgrades include a 160mm Fox Factory 36 fork with Kashima coating, Fox Float X Factory rear shock, and SRAM's hangerless X0 Eagle AXS Transmission that shifts seamlessly under full e-bike motor power.
Santa Cruz Vala Lite
With yet another sizable $3000 bump, you find yourself gazing at the stunning Santa Cruz Vala Lite, which features a 250W Bosch’s Gen 5 Performance Line CX motor fed by an ultra-dense 600Wh battery, paired with a Fox Factory suspension package and SRAM's top-tier braking systems.
The full carbon construction ensures maximum deftness in handling and a lightweight, sleek body that handles nothing like the tanks we featured early on in this list. You also get Santa Cruz's Lifetime Frame Warranty, carbon Reserve wheelsets, titanium hardware touches, and frame geometry that flips via flip-chips.
Yeti LTe XX AXS
Now, for the pinnacle of eMTB performance, we get to the most expensive pick on our eMTB list. At a staggering 700% price increase from the first pick, you’ll find yourself considering the $15,500 Yeti LTE XX. This bike uses Yeti’s proprietary TURQ carbon layup and their patented SIXFINITY suspension design (160mm rear / 170mm front). It is powered by the ultra-exclusive Bosch Performance Line CX-R and a 600Wh battery.
It also features SRAM’s flagship XX AXS Transmission, SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes, and Fox Factory suspension with custom race tuning. Features include custom-molded rattle-free cable guides, factory race graphics, ultra-light carbon rims, and wireless controls everywhere down to the dropper seatpost.
Where Does Performance End & Luxury Begin?
Simply put - between $6,000 and $7,000. Up to this threshold, every dollar spent yields tangible functional upgrades, such as the transition from hub motors to mid-drives, the addition of full suspension, and the acquisition of flagship high-torque lightweight motor systems. However, spending beyond this mark primarily funds luxury features rather than fundamental performance. These high-end costs typically go toward marginal weight reduction via carbon components, wireless electronic technology, and brand aesthetics like specialized coatings and prestige labeling, which offer convenience and status rather than essential trail capability.
