Lightest Electric Mountain Bike: Unburden Your Trail Adventure

Electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) are becoming increasingly popular, with manufacturers racing to produce the lightest model. The lightest eMTBs weigh around 16 kg (35 lb), but most weigh closer to 20 kg (44 lb). The lightest eMTB in the world is the Lightrider E Ultimate, which weighs just 32.2 pounds (14.6 kilograms). Other lightweight eMTBs include the Focus Vam² SL and the Whyte ELyte 150 Works, which won Mountain Bike Action Magazine's Lightweight Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award in 2024.

The Focus Vam² SL is one of the lightest eMTBs available

The lightweight electric mountain bike is an exciting and quickly evolving category that is designed to ride, handle and feel like a regular mountain bike. These bikes typically feature a mid-power motor and a lower-capacity battery, meaning the rider might need to put in more effort than a full-powered e-bike. For many riders, the ride benefits are well worth it.

One of the more exotic and exciting lightweight eMTBs comes from Swiss brand Thömus, which has produced what it claims to be the lightest eMTB in the world at just 32.2 pounds (14.6 kilograms). With 140mm of travel front and rear, this is a seriously light, trail-focused electric bike. The geometry and kinematics of the Thömus Lightrider E Ultimate are unique and were developed in collaboration with the top riders of the Thömus maxon Swiss Mountain Bike Racing Team.

Whyte's ELyte 150 Works took the Lightweight Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award in 2024.

The Shuttle SL is a lightweight electric mountain bike

The Shuttle SL is one of the lightest eMTBs on the market. The lightest eMTBs weigh around 16 kg (35 lb) in their lightest build and smallest size, but most weigh closer to 20 kg (44 lb). The Shuttle SL is a great option for riders who want the benefits of an electric bike without sacrificing the ride experience.

One of the lightest eMTBs available is the Focus Vam² SL. This bike is no heavier than your enduro bike, but it's important to note that some manufacturers cut corners to make their electric bikes as light as possible, which can detract from the ride experience.

Another option for a lightweight eMTB is the Thömus Lightrider, which is ridden by the pros in World Cup racing events. This bike weighs just 32.2 pounds (14.6 kilograms) and has 140mm of travel front and rear.

Whyte's ELyte 150 Works took the Lightweight Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award in 2024. It offers excellent geometry, supple suspension, brilliant specs, relatively light weight, and good battery life.

Thömus claims to have produced the lightest eMTB in the world

The Focus Vam² SL is one of the lightest eMTBs you can buy, weighing in at 16 kg / 35 lb. However, most eMTBs weigh closer to 20 kg / 44 lb. The real distinction between eMTBs is the motor's power and the battery's size.

The Lightrider E Ultimate is also available in an extra small size frame. Its compact size allows the battery to be integrated with the frame, making it invisible.

Sporting a Bosch Performance Line SX motor with 55Nm of torque and up to 600Nm of power, the seated climbing position is comfortable and neutral. However, you need to ride hard to get the most from it on descents. Whyte's ELyte 150 Works took the Lightweight Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award in 2024.

The Lightrider E Ultimate is the world's lightest electric mountain bike

The lightweight electric mountain bike is an exciting and quickly evolving category. These bikes are designed to ride, handle and feel like a regular mountain bike. They typically feature a mid-power motor and a lower-capacity battery, meaning the rider might need to put in more effort than a full-powered e-bike. However, for many riders, the ride benefits are well worth it.

The Shuttle SL is another lightweight electric mountain bike. It is powered by a Fazua Ride 60 drive unit that delivers 60-newton meters of torque and 450 watts of peak power. It has a permanently mounted 430-watt-hour battery and Fazua offers a 215 Wh.

The Focus Vam² SL is also one of the lightest eMTBs you can buy. While some Super Light e-bikes have claimed weights as low as 16 kg / 35 lb (in the lightest build, smallest size, helium-filled tires, etc), most weigh closer to 20 kg / 44 lb. The real distinction is the motor's power and the battery's size.

Whyte's ELyte 150 Works won the Lightweight Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award in 2024

The real distinction between electric mountain bikes is the motor's power and the battery's size. The Focus Vam² SL is one of the lightest eMTBs you can buy, but it's important to note that in their quest to make electric bikes as light as possible, manufacturers are cutting corners that detract from the ride experience rather than enhancing it.

One of the more exotic and exciting lightweight eMTBs comes from Swiss brand Thömus, which has produced what it claims to be the lightest eMTB in the world at just 32.2 pounds (14.6 kilograms). With 140mm of travel front and rear, this is a seriously light, trail-focused electric bike.

The Lightrider E Ultimate is also available in an extra small size frame, with a compact battery integrated with the frame.

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