E-Bikes For Gravity Riding | What To Know Before You Buy

by | Oct 9, 2023 | Buyer's Guide, Bike, E-Bikes, Featured, Sports

Burly E-Bikes with a pure-gravity-focused spec and design – the appeal is real! Here is what you need to know:

Many people argue that the best use case for an E-Bike is in a pure-gravity riding focus where your big battery and powerful motor do the work to get you to the top of your favourite downhill run for lap after lap after lap on a big brawler of a bike. If you ask me, that sounds like a good time!

Cover image credit: Specialized

If you’re not up to date, we have been doing a series of articles breaking down all you need to know about E-Bikes as a whole and the nuances of each category. We covered marathon-focussed E-bikes as well as those best suited to general trail riding and now we are talking about the all-out descent eating machines and what separates them from the rest of the pack.

What Makes A Good Gravity Enduro E-Bike Emtb Ebike
You may not be flying off any cliffs in the near future but if you were to, these bikes would be up for the task! (c) Giant

As such, in this article we will first discuss the defining features of a gravity-focussed E-Bike and what makes for a best-in-class option and then we’ll share some of our recommended best buys from a few brands that are available locally. First off, so that we are clear on what’s what, let us define the category of Gravity E-Bike as it will be used in this article.

Defining a “Gravity E-Bike”

What we are essentially looking at here are bikes designed to descend without compromise. We are talking slack geometry angles for maximum stability when things get rough, robust components, long travel suspension, and chunky tires. They are often something very close to a downhill bike but with a motor and a bigger range on the cassette.

These bikes will be most at home on the descents and will provide plenty of stability through their geometry and suspension for you to tame the steepest and gnarliest of trails, Of course, they won’t have any trouble on the climbs due to the motor so it is the “having your cake and eating it too” of the enduro/freeride bike world!

Now that may sound like the answer for many people but not quite the dream scenario for others. If that is the case, find our articles focused on marathon and trail E-Bikes for other use cases! From here on, we’re talking gravity with a capital G.

Battery Capacity and motors for Gravity E-Bikes

The discussion of more power with more weight vs less power and less weight that we have navigated in the marathon and trail segments continues here on the gravity side.

The general sentiment is that gravity specialists should be paired with full powered motors and big batteries. This is for 2 reasons. Firstly, the overall build of these bikes (before motor and battery) is heftier than usual to handle the rigours of gravity riding, thus it makes sense to have more power to drive you up the climbs at speed. Secondly, the handling characteristics brought about by the extra weight (stability, increased momentum, and more traction) are more often than not beneficial to riding steep and rugged trails.

What Makes A Good Gravity Enduro E-Bike Emtb Ebike
Removable batteries allow for more flexible charging solutions and mean that you can sub in a new battery for double the fun when the first one runs out! (c) Trek

There is a lot of sense there and thus you won’t often find long travel E-Bikes with smaller motors and batteries. One exception to the rule here is the Kenevo SL from Specialized (which we touch on further along); it really nails that niche of big capability in an E-Bike ‘Lite’ package.

Suspension and Geometry

Remember that, generally speaking, good suspension keeps the bike composed and progressive geometry gives you a stable platform from which to interact with the bike. We dive into more detail on that in this article here.

If gravity is the goal and you’ve got a motor to take the heat off on the climbs, you may as well go big! Bikes with 160 to 170 or even more millimetres of travel are going to deliver tons of traction and composure when things get rough. Bikes with around 150 mm of rear wheel travel are still very capable though they will usually get out of high-speed high-speed rough trails a little sooner than the longer travel options. Your suspension is worth nothing if it isn’t set up correctly though so make sure it’s dialled before worrying about anything else!

What Makes A Good Gravity Enduro E-Bike Emtb Ebike
Long travel, long reach, slack head angles, and low bottom brackets (such as you’ll find on the Giant Reign E+) make for one hell of a ride when pointed downhill! (c) @maxsulliphoto

On the geometry side, long and slack = stability on the trail. Reach numbers of 470-480 in a size Large are typical of on-trend models. Bikes of this proportion (relative to your body size) will inspire confidence when things get steep and rugged. They will tend towards smoother lines and less twitchy handling.

Geometry can often boil down to personal preference as well so it could be worth trying out a couple of sizes of your desired model before settling if you’re unsure.

Components for Gravity-focused E-Bike

You want to have the right tools for the job here. Robust components designed with gravity intent are important for durability and performance. These are some of the key areas to keep an eye on when scanning the spec list of your desired ride!

Brakes

The added weight of the E-Bike system and the confidence that they inspire on the descents means that brakes are of high importance, and more so for fast/aggressive or heavy riders looking to go steep and deep. A set of powerful 4-piston brakes (like Magura’s MT5s or MT7s, SRAM Codes, etc) with 220 mm rotors front and rear (ideally) are what we would recommend.

Those big 220mm brake rotors will offer more leverage (less effort to brake) and cool better on long descents (meaning consistent performance). 200 mm rotors should also cut the mustard for smaller riders and those who are a little easier on the stoppers.

Tires

This is the most common spec choice that companies will save cost and weight on. Lightweight tires are even more prone to puncture on these heavy machines. We would advise an enduro or downhill spec casing for gravity riding. This will mean extra support in the corners and better puncture resistance of course.

As for tread patterns, you’ve got a motor to overcome the rolling resistance so you can go all out on an aggressive tire to maximise the traction you can get! 

What Makes A Good Gravity Enduro E-Bike Emtb Ebike
Aggressive tread patterns are the way to go on these gravity bruisers. (c) @maxsulliphoto

Wheels

Wheels need not be too high on the priority list though you want to be sure that the ones on your bike are up for a thrashing. Stronger wheels (carbon or alloy) will be beneficial to aggressive or heavier riders who put a lot of force through the bike. Heavier wheels will help keep you on line in rough sections of trail (due to increased rotational mass) but require a bit more effort to decelerate. Acceleration isn’t a big hang up as you have the motor to support.

Suspension

This is an interesting one. You can actually get away with “cheaper” suspension on a heavy E-Bike because the weight of the bike masks the suspension performance and helps overcome the system’s friction more easily. Given that, top-tier suspension products aren’t a huge priority for your E-Bike’s component list but for high-performance riders, it would still be worthwhile to go for the better spec choice if you can.

Cockpit

A lot of cockpit setup comes down to personal preference of course but there are a few points worth mentioning. High rise bars of 15+ mm will offer a comfortable descending position (more rise is better for taller riders and steeper trails, generally). Short stems of 50 mm or less give a more direct steering sensation and take the weight off of your arms on the descents. Given the gravity focus we are discussing here, we would recommend going upwards of 20mm in rise and 50mm or shorter on the stem.

Also worth noting: one piece bar and stem combos are becoming more popular on stock bikes and while they look amazing, they may not be the ideal rise, roll, and sweep for you. A test ride is a smart idea if you’re looking at a bike with one of these futuristic cockpits and don’t be afraid to swap it out for a more adjustable setup.

Full 29” wheels or a 27.5” in the back?

E-Bikes with smaller rear wheels are increasingly popular as this allows the chainstay length to be shorter to increase the agility of the heavy machines. Though a full 29” bike will roll a little faster a mixed-wheel bike is generally more playful to ride! Smaller riders or those who like to find the steepest trails will benefit the most from this setup but taller riders will still notice the increased agility over a full 29” E-Bike. Pick your preference!

Should I go for a hardtail?

While some manufacturers do make hardtail E-Bikes intended for trail and gravity riding, if you can get on a full-suspension model we would certainly advise that option. For those needing to consider the most affordable options and want that motor support, get a hardtail test ride and go for it!

Our top E-Bike pics for gravity riding

Below you will find some of our top recommendations for E-Bikes that just want to go steep and deep!

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL

What Makes A Good Gravity Enduro E-Bike Emtb Ebike
Specialized Kenevo SL

Material: Carbon / Alloy

Travel (f/r) in mm: 170 / 170 

Wheel Size: 29 / 27.5

Motor Specs: Specialized 1.2 SL ( 50 Nm / 320 W peak)

Battery Size: 320 Wh (non-removable) (160 Wh extender compatible)

Water bottle: Yes 

Price: R105 000 – R230 000

We have featured a Specialized E-Bike in every segment of this series because they really have nailed their range. The Kenevo SL (or the straight Turbo Kenevo if you’re dead set on a full powered rig) covers the gravity end of their electric-powered powered spectrum. Boasting 170mm of travel front and rear, traction and composure are in high supply!

The spec on these bikes is sound across all models with even the base model offering quality brakes, suspension, tires, and cockpit setup! No upgrades are needed. The handling is closer to that of a traditional enduro bike due to the small motor and battery but that does come at the cost of range and power so you’ll need to weigh that up for your intended riding application.

Pros: natural ride feel, great app integration, gravity specialist
Cons: Motor can be underwhelming for those expecting big power, non-removable battery

Giant Reign E+ 1

What Makes A Good Gravity Enduro E-Bike Emtb Ebike
Giant Reign E+ 1

Material: Alloy

Travel (f/r) in mm: 170 / 160 

Wheel Size: 29 / 27.5

Motor Specs: Yamaha SyncDrive Pro ( 85 Nm )

Battery Size: 800 Wh (removable) (range extender compatible)

Water bottle: Yes – Small

Price: R179 000

This is the most aggressive E-Bike in Giant’s range and it boasts their massive 800Wh EnergyPak battery to do away with range anxiety. The motor, made in partnership with Yamaha, is highly regarded for its power delivery and is highly tunable to suit your preferences through the Ride Control app.

The mullet wheel setup helps to keep the chainstays a little more compact and makes the bike easier to swing around tight corners. Some riders may prefer the higher rise handlebar than the stock version but other than that, the spec is rock solid, though limited versions are available locally at the moment.

Pros: Very powerful motor, great app integration, gravity specialist, removable battery
Cons: Limited models available, Small water bottle room,

Pyga Evolve E

South African Mountain Bike Pyga Bikes E Bike Evolve
Pyga Evolve E

Material: Alloy

Travel (f/r) in mm: 170 / 160 

Wheel Size: 29

Motor Specs: Shimano EP8 ( 85 Nm / 500 W )

Battery Size: 630 Wh (removable)

Water bottle: Yes

Price: R170 000 (approx)

A locally manufactured E-Bike ready to take on whatever the world can throw at it! Pyga’s Evolve E means business. The robust alloy frame and elevated main pivot make for a mean ride, the latter taking the edge off of square hits on the trail to keep you flying through the chunder!

The 630Wh battery is respectable and paired with the tried and tested Shimano EP8 motor will send you up the steepest and trickiest climbs you can find, unlocking more and more laps of your favourite trails. We spoke with designer Pat Morewood to get more info on this local bruiser and we are big fans of what Pyga have done with their first E-Bike!

Pros: Mid-high pivot design, locally manufactured, removable battery
Cons: Heavy machine, limited spec options, 

Trek Rail 

What Makes A Good Gravity Enduro E-Bike Emtb Ebike
Trek Rail

Material: Carbon / Alloy

Travel (f/r) in mm: 160 / 150

Wheel Size: 29

Motor Specs: Bosch Performance Line CX ( 85 Nm )

Battery Size: 750 Wh (removable) (range extender compatible)

Water bottle: Yes – Small

Price: R80 000 – R245 000

Trek is undoubtedly a bike manufacturer that knows what they are doing in the E-Bike space. Pairing Bosch’s meaty Performance Line CX motor with a big 750Wh battery on their biggest brawler of an E-Bike makes the Rail a hard-charging machine worth considering if you’re looking for full power and big capability.

While it may not look the sexiest of this lot, it certainly gets the job done. The 150/160mm suspension platform should offer a direct ride feel while still delivering reserves where needed. 

Pros: Easy to remove battery system, powerful Bosch motor, great app integration.
Cons: Not the prettiest, shorter travel than some may prefer

Where to next?

Well, it’s test ride time if you’ve spotted something you fancy! We would always recommend getting in touch with a local dealer or a mate with the bike you’re keen on so that you can swing a leg over and see if it suits your body, riding style, and local terrain.

You can find the rest of this article series here on understanding E-Bikes where we cover marathon-focused options and the happy-medium “trail” E-Bikes if either of those might suit your preference better! 

Find more E-Bike related content right here.

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