Their hours of riding resulted in the team naming one overall winner as the Best e-MTB of 2022: the Yeti 160E T1, fully equipped with SHIMANO’s EP8 – a bike they say offers a “new benchmark in trail performance”.
Not only that, the bike awarded e-MTB Best Buy 2022 is the Orbea RISE M-Team, also fitted with SHIMANO’s EP8-RS, as well as a SHIMANO XTR drivetrain, is described as a “master of all disciplines” and “a true all-rounder that inspires in every discipline”.
Other EP8-equipped e-MTBs that get a shout-out in the group test include the ROTWILD R.E375 PRO, which “has a SHIMANO motor with plenty of power”, and the SCOR 4060 Z ST XT, “a fun ride on flow trails”. With these two bikes, the testers noted that both were suited more for experienced riders due to their “demanding handling”.
In addition, especially good news for the ones with a smaller budget, in their recent group test for best e-MTBs under 6500 EURO the Merida eOne Sixty 975 got awarded as test winner and Orbea RISE H15 as buying advice.
BikeRadar’s Alex Evans delves deeper into the EP8 in his detailed feature on ‘What is the best electric mountain bike motor in 2022? SHIMANO vs Bosch vs Brose vs Yamaha’, commenting that “as it currently stands, I would personally be looking to buy bikes fitted with SHIMANO’s EP8”.
He scored the drive unit particularly highly on efficiency – “Shimano’s EP8 appears to be the most efficient motor where bike weights, tyre compounds and trail or weather conditions had the least effect on battery range” – power delivery, especially at a low cadence, and its overall ‘natural ride’ feel.