When it comes to e-mountain bikes, there’s an unwritten rule that you start in the mid-travel category and work your way up. Because, if you’ve got the benefit of a motor, why bother with a short travel design to save a few grams on the climbs? Just add a little boost and get the extra suspension for the fun stuff.
The tricky part of this is that we (or at least I) still expect my e-mountain bikes to handle quickly, nimbly whipping their way through tight, mostly flat XC trails, too. And also climb well, because a motor doesn’t make up for poor kinematics. And, of course, rip the descents, especially if it has 140mm rear travel and 150mm up front. And do it for as long as my legs can stand it.
Which is what the Ari Nebo Peak has and does, pulling off the hat trick of all-mountain descending, efficient climbing, and a long-lasting battery. Here’s what you need to know…
Nebo Peak Tech Overview & Actual Weight
You can see all of the tech features and options in our launch coverage for the Nebo Peak, but here’s the highlights:
- 29er front and rear
- Full carbon frame
- Adjustable geometry
- Fazua Ride 60 (60Nm, 480Wh battery)
I tested the Elite v1.5 with Fox Performance suspension and SRAM AXS GX kit with TRP Evo Pro. It comes standard with the Crank Brothers Synthesis Alloy wheels, which are probably fine, but I immediately upgraded to the Forge + Bond carbon wheels (an option that is obviously no longer available). I also swapped out the stock Ari alloy handlebar for my own carbon PNW bar (-135g), PNW stem, and swapped the grips, too.
FWIW, I see little need to buy a more expensive model. GX AXS is basically identical to XO and XX AXS, and the few grams you’ll save isn’t really worth it on an eMTB. And TRP’s EVO brakes are fantastic, some of my favorites. If money matters, you’ll be well-served with the Elite (or even the Shimano SLX-equipped Comp v1.5), then swap a few things as budget allows.
Claimed weights are as low as 41lbs. My size XL weighed in at 43.5lbs (19.59kg) before parts swaps, and probably just under 43lbs after.
Testing, Testing
My biggest test days were riding the bike park and surrounding maze of trails in Cable, Wisconsin. The first couple days were focused on the bike park’s non-lift-assisted trails, where you earn your turns by pedaling up and up. The elevation isn’t huge, but being able to rip up the trails with assist makes it far more sessional.
The last day was a half-day traverse from Cable to Hayward and stretched the battery to its final few watts. But that took a little more than three hours of riding, with close to five hours on the trail with all the stop-and-take-photos-and-explore-the-area time added in.
I also rode it a bit out west, and then I took it to Kanuga, a place that rewards big nerves and big travel. But, compared to my friends on bikes with 10-20mm more travel, I could mostly keep up (they might also be slightly better riders?). We didn’t hit the “Red Bull” level jump lines, but on the natural trails (which I prefer, anyway), it tracked true over roots and rocks, with a solid feel that never rattled me or anything inside the frame.
Finally, I got it on the local trails in Greensboro, North Carolina. Our hometown singletrack is tighter and punchier, purely XC, and isn’t designed for long travel bikes’ floppier head angles.
The Ari Nebo Peak has been just as much fun to ride here as it was in the other places, and that’s why I like it so much. It’s an incredibly versatile bike.
It’s also light enough to maneuver. I’ve ridden 50-55 pound eMTBs and, well, they take it out of you. You feel it the next day. All over.
But the Nebo Peak’s lighter weight makes it feel more like a regular bike, but still with that planted feel that a few extra pounds gives you. It also has a really low standover height, which also aids maneuverability and allows longer dropper posts.
I also love that Ari’s tuning has maxed out the life of the Fazua’s battery. By modern standards, a 480Wh battery isn’t huge. It’s not the smallest -TQ’s base battery is just 360Wh – but it also doesn’t have a range extender option. So, since the battery is fixed in the frame, it’s all you’ve got, and it seems like it might be all you’ll ever get…Fazua has been saying they’ll offer a range extender battery since that system debuted, yet it’s never materialized. Fingers crossed, but…
Regardless, getting three hours of riding from the battery with mostly “trail” mode, some “eco” mode, and judicious use of “turbo”, isn’t bad.
Is there anything I didn’t like? I mean, other than the fact that a full-size 24oz insulated water bottle hits the corner of the shock’s piggy-back rezzie? No. Honestly, I like everything about this bike.
Overall, the Nebo Peak eMTB hits the sweet spot in travel, weight, and performance for a bike you can take anywhere, ride just about anything, and have a blast doing it. And with their consumer-direct pricing, you get a little more bike per buck, too.
AriBikes.com
The post Ari Nebo Peak e-MTB Review: Light Weight eMTB Covers All the Bases (& a Lot of Ground) appeared first on Bikerumor.
