The best e-SUV bikes in the test

What do we want to call these pedelecs now? All-Terrain Bikes (ATB) or SUV? In the automotive field, SUV is the abbreviation for Sport Utility Vehicle. This includes those high-built and wide-designed city SUVs that are reviled by critics as high-horsepower cars for high earners. So the SUV of the bike world is now the all-terrain e-bike. The name SUV seems to be gaining ground more and more, just like the term pedelec doesn’t go against e-bikes, like Softies never got against speed, or like Pril Spüli itself is called today, although the Spüli brand has long since ceased to exist . So be it.

Test winner in detail: Riese + Müller Superdelite GT Rohloff

test winner

Giant + Mueller

Superdelite GT Rohloff

• powerful engine
• Very high range
• full suspension
• braking performance

Price €10,048.00

Futuristic design, pumped full of technology and comfort – the only thing that stands in the way of the Superdelite is the high price of 10,048 euros. The premium SUV does not fall short in almost any category and has an overall rating of 1.1. Special highlights are the outstanding performance of the Magura 4-piston brakes, the additional luggage rack placed in front of the handlebars and the option of using the display as a navigation device.

Price-performance winners in detail: Kalkhoff Entice 5B Move and KTM Macina Gran 620

Price-performance winner

• powerful engine
• High permissible total weight

Price €3,899.00

The Kalkhoff Entice 5B Move comes in a classic design. It doesn’t want to be noticed, it just wants to work well. And it does so in every respect. Only when you dare to compare it to the test winner do you notice that there are differences in braking performance or battery endurance.

In one category, however, no bike can keep up with the Kalkhoff: the construction allows a total weight of up to 170 kilograms. So if you travel a lot with heavy panniers or if you are not the lightest yourself, you have come to the right place. Regardless of that, it is definitely recommended for the price of 3,899 euros: grade 2.0.

Even if the saddle was a bit too soft for us in the test, the same applies to the KTM Macina Gran 620 as to the Kalkhoff. As with the first price-performance winner, the Bosch Performance Line CX does an excellent job and for the same price (also 3,899 euros) you get a comfortable all-terrain bike: grade 2.0.

Useful knowledge about SUV e-bikes

What distinguishes e-SUV bikes?

All-terrain pedelecs are, if you will, e-trekking bikes suitable for everyday use, just better equipped than the latter. They are fully equipped with lights, mudguards, pannier racks and stands, as well as the most powerful motors, the largest batteries and significantly wider tires than you will find on normal trekking bikes. In short, the E-ATBs tested here – some with obvious borrowings from the mountain bike world – are something like the pinnacle of e-bikes. But even this class is changing. In our SUV test two years ago, Bergamont was the only company that sent a full-suspension bike to the front, but in the current test four candidates are damped at the front and rear – but not the bike from Bergamont. In keeping with the zeitgeist and the automotive world, eight of the bikes are dark-colored. After all, as it should be for this expensive class, very good lighting systems and mostly reflective tires are installed.

Which motors are in the SUV bikes?

Speaking of expensive: On average, you have to shell out around 5500 euros for the E-ATBs presented. The price driver among the ATBs is the Riese & Müller with 10,049 euros. But everything you could wish for was installed here. In general, the manufacturers assemble everything from the top shelf here. As I said, lots of cushioning, wide tires and the biggest motors. Eight of the twelve manufacturers trust the Bosch system with the Performance Line CX motor (85 Newton meters) and the 625 watt-hour batteries – Riese & Müller add another 500 watt-hours to this. This move becomes a problem for all other test participants. Based on the 1125 watt hours, for which the Superdelite hoards ten points in the range category, many others are quite helpless with only five range points. Don’t let that unsettle you – with a modern 625 watt hour battery you are still the king among normal e-bike riders! Only Specialized with their own motor, powered by Brose, MyVélo, Hercules with the Shimano EP8 and Flyer with the Panasonic GX rely on other brands that are no worse than the Swabian motors. The latter Panasonic in particular has even more torque and power with 95 Newton meters.

Step-through frames are also represented

With Bergamont, KTM and MyVélo, three manufacturers have the courage to enter a step-through frame this year. And why not, they all make their pilots really happy to drive. Those interested in e-bikes should also rid themselves of the old image of women’s bikes. It’s better to think practically: A fully loaded bike easily weighs 50 kilograms, so you’ll be lucky if you don’t have to balance one of your legs over the pannier rack, panniers and saddle.

This is how BIKE BILD tested the e-SUV bikes

We carry out our e-bike tests in cooperation with Dekra in Stuttgart. The protocol includes a laboratory test on the test bench and test drives. The question how much Range offers an e-bike is often asked of sellers. To provide orientation, we carry out the standardized R200 test. Engine power is also important: The maximum power output indicates how many watts the motor produces at the highest level. In addition, we put the aggregate in a uphill stress test out. The e-bike rides up a simulated climb for 20 minutes. A brake test is a mandatory test for every electric bicycle. The points driving fun and design we evaluate after intensive test drives and assessments by several test editors. In the Furnishing we pay attention to ten equipment requirements that we consider important. If one of these characteristics is missing, one point will be deducted. The criteria are: Automatic gearshift, suspension fork, spring seat post and/or rear shock absorber, luggage rack, lighting system, frame lock or permanently installed lock, reflective strips, belt or chain guard, stand, mudguards.