Gasgas Electric Bike Review: Is Gasgas Ebike A Good Brand? Pros, Cons?

GasGas E-Bikes: A Comprehensive Review

When a legendary name in motocross and enduro racing, like GasGas, decides to make a foray into the e-bike market, it’s bound to make people stop and question the most important thing: if their e-bikes are ultimately as capable and fun as their petrol-powered relatives. You're probably here because you've seen the bright-red bikes and heard the buzz, but is a GasGas e-bike a good place to spend your hard-earned cash? This review was created specifically to help you cut through all the marketing hype and give you the ACTUAL information, in detail, that you’re looking for. We’ll take a look at their line-up, examine the ride experience on their key models, consider the key factors you need to weigh before you join the GasGas parade, and help you decide whether their motto of “Get on the Gas!” is translated well into the world of pedal-assist.

GasGas has nicely defined its eMTB lineup into distinct ranges that serve the needs of various types of off-road riding. The key to finding the right fit is understanding this hierarchy. Here’s a complete breakdown of their series of products:

Enduro Cross Series

Trail Cross Series

Cross Country Series

Light Cross Series

Moto Series

Hands-On Trail Performance

Let’s get into the test of some of GasGas’s most popular models in this hands-on review. On the trail, where dirt, rock, and gravity undermine both rider and machine, is the true test of an e-bike, and no number on a spec sheet matters more than how it shifts, steers, and stops. Here, we’ll concentrate on sensation, performance, and the way these bikes look in the wild. The Enduro Cross 11.0 represents the brand’s high-end gravity weapon. One straddle of this bike and one thing that stands out was that it feels like it means business; purposeful, aggressive, and a sort of thick-set, no-nonsense posture. On the trail, that means an immense amount of confidence. Point it downhill through some really technical rock garden and the long-travel Fox Factory suspension just mutes the chatter and swallows the big hits, keeping the wheels planted. The Yamaha PW-X3 engine is an absolute monster. On steep, techy climbs that would be a nightmare hike-a-bike on a regular mountain bike, the PW-X3 gives you a strong, instinctive surge of power that doesn’t feel like a motor at all – instead, you magically seem to have grown bionic legs. Power delivery is instant, yet manageable; you can feather the torque as you need to while trying to keep it pinned on looser surfaces. It’s a bike that actively makes you want to go and look for the hard line, up and down.

The Trail Cross 9.0, in comparison, is something entirely different and no less fun. If the Enduro Cross is a downhill-oriented brawler, the Trail Cross is the nimble, all-around trail partner. The geometry is a hair more conservative, so it feels wicked quick and playful on swoopy singletrack. Ripping the thing through tight, bermed turns is a routine of joy. The suspension travel is down somewhat, and the bike feels more connected to the trail, more in tune, and more efficient on flatter trails and climbs. It’s the e-bike that shines when you want to go on long, exploratory days of riding, pushing the envelope and the limits over a wide swath of varying terrain. Its effects are an enhanced ability to ride: longer, harder, and with more energy left in the tank to enjoy the down. The workmanship of both models is instantly noticeable. The welds are clean, internal cable routing is flawless, and the spec – from the SRAM transmission to the burly wheelsets – are all top-tier, in line with the brand’s premium perch and motorcycle-oriented background.

Brand Philosophy and Build Quality

Poetics aside, potential buyers have more substantive questions about personal brand philosophy, build quality, and long-term value. It’s here that GasGas really calls upon its motorsport bloodlines. These are more than just bicycles with motors—we designed and developed our electric mountain bikes from the ground up in Europe where we ride them through rigorous testing, over and over, in some of the harshest terrain on the planet. The heart of every premium GasGas e-bike is the trusted Yamaha PW-X3 engine, which is famous for its reliability, high torque, and instant pedal response thanks to the "zero-cadence" support. This is a crucial advantage on techy trails when you have to get going with one foot off the ground on a steep ascent. The frames tend to be tough, in some cases oversized, and often with strength-driven, reinforced areas and points designed to absorb massive forces from aggressive eMTB riding. The design is super bold and race-inspired, making it a cool choice for the riders that are looking to match their gear to that fast feeling.

Distinctive by design, the main benefit of going with GasGas is getting into a special ecosystem. What you’re getting is a machine purpose-built for a very specific type of high-performance off-road riding, utilizing components and design principles learned at the highest levels of competition. But its focus has made it, plainly, not a generalist’s bike; instead, it is a specialist’s tool for conquering mountains.

Alternative Options and Comparison

That said, the focused, high-performance nature of a GasGas eMTB may not be to everyone's tastes. What if your pursuits are less about conquering the most extreme alpine descents and more about venturing out on adventurous rides at high altitudes and in wintry conditions? For this, it’s worth considering a brand that does really well in a different area, like ENGWE. A case in point is their ENGWE EP-2 Boost. This is a new class of electric bike built for utility and fun. What is most attractive is that it can even be folded in seconds if necessary, and is easy to store in any vehicle or flat; it will fit in a car boot or even a hallway! Equipped with wide 20x4.0 fat tires, the EP-2 Boost isn’t constrained to asphalt; while losing very little traction on sand, gravel, dirt trails, and more—it’s an all-terrain vehicle in the truest sense. One of the reasons it does it so well is its torque sensor, which delivers an incredibly smooth and natural pedal-assist experience, with the power almost feeling like it was coming from your own legs. Needing a little extra power to tackle steep hills or easily go up a challenging incline, the push of the ‘Boost’ button augments the bike’s 55Nm torque output for virtually easy ascension. It’s a breeze to maintain the long-lasting battery with the bike’s removable 13Ah Samsung lithium battery. It’s an absolute workhorse too, with a load capacity of 150kg and a robust rear rack that means it will carry everything from groceries through to kit for a weekend adventure. The EP-2 Boost with pedelec pedal assist, its rugged, single-piece wheels, and strong 180mm disc brakes point to a single purpose: for anyone looking to travel over the ground at top speed, under the radar.

To put it into perspective with GasGas's own models, I have built a comparison table. The below table looks at the headline figures that will give a snapshot of each bike’s personality and purpose, to see at a glance how they compare with one another.

Frequently Asked Questions

To help guide your decision, we offer answers to five common questions that potential GasGas buyers typically have.

What kind of engine does GasGas use for its e-bikes, and why is it better?

Within this range, the high-end Enduro and Trail bikes are fitted with the state-of-the-art Yamaha PW-X3 motor, while the Cross Country models, on the other hand, are equipped with the competent PW-ST motor. The Yamaha PW-X3 is a big draw. This machine is known for its high torque (85Nm) and light construction, but above all for the instant power delivery. Its “zero cadence” means immediate help from a dead stop, which is welcomed on tech climbs. The motor also has an Automatic Support Mode that intuitively selects the optimal support level according to the terrain and riding conditions, so as not to compromise battery range, allowing the rider to fully concentrate on the trail. It is a strong, solid motor and has been proven in competition – and this aligns perfectly with the GasGas brand.

Are GasGas e-bikes good for beginners?

With the help of an experienced rider, they will be able to unlock the full potential. GasGas recommends their e-bikes to someone who is committed to learning mountain biking but may not be quite fully-fledged yet. Intuitive power delivery and sure handling can actually instill confidence. However, these are high-performance machines. Something like a Trail Cross would be preferable to start off with than anything in the Enduro Cross series. First of all, be ready to deal with a steep learning curve, so if you are a beginner, start on easier trails and get used to the feel of the bike and your capabilities with this new power and handling before you work your way up to more intense terrain.

How does GasGas stack up against other sister manufacturers like Husqvarna and KTM?

The three brands—GasGas, Husqvarna, and their cooperating partner KTM—are all owned by the same parent company, Pierer Mobility AG, and share a fair amount of frame and motor technology. The differences are primarily in branding, target audience, and minor tuning. KTM has a very sharp, performance-oriented edge and proudly advertises itself as “Ready to Race”. Whereas Husqvarna has a more elite, upscale, and design-focused aesthetic. GasGas is the group’s “fun” and “energetic” brand. It says of itself that it is about accessibility, energy, and simply enjoying the ride. Performance is much alike amongst the top-tier models, so the decision will likely be based on which brand appeals the most to you in terms of ethos and aesthetics.

Will a GasGas electric bike be suitable for city commuting?

You could in theory, but it would be like taking a rally car to the grocery store. GasGas e-bikes feature aggressive off-road geometries, knobby tires, and long-travel suspension. On hard surfaces, this results in less rolling speed, more tire wear, and lower efficiency. The riding position isn't quite conducive to urban riding. For a daily commute, something more practical and road-oriented, with fenders and lights, would be a much better and more comfortable bike.

How is the overall quality of the build and the durability?

The overall build quality is great and is also one of the strongest selling points of the brand. Using their years of experience designing world-championship-winning motorcycles, GasGas manufactures their e-bike frames to be stiff and strong. The quality of the welds, the paint finish, and the integration of the motor and battery are all first-rate. They complement these great frames with parts from reliable industry giants such as Yamaha, SRAM, Fox, and Shimano. This dedication to quality parts and manufacturing brings you a reliable electric bike that is built for years of off-road use.

In the end, a GasGas e-bike is really a luxury purchase, offering no-holds-barred off-road performance and unadulterated fun.