The dirt trails of forests are punishing for hardtails. When the roots are flying, and the gravel is loose with drops appearing out of nowhere, the rider's motor can only do so much. This has caused many speed- and comfort-hungry riders to switch over to full sus electric bikes that utilize a combination of both front and rear travel to keep the wheels on the ground and a fresh body powering you through.
It's not just about shock absorption with a full sus electric bike. It is about traction. Where, instead of bouncing, the rear wheel can stay glued to the ground, the torque applied by the motor can be used as drive instead of spin. It's why this new breed of full sus electric bikes is being made with increased travel, with larger-volume tires, and considered geometry.
In this article, we analyze six models that fit this criteria: speed to handle fire roads, composure to tackle singletrack, and comfort for all-day use in the woods.
Why Full Suspension Changes Trail Riding
How full suspension electric mountain bike models carry their weight is also quite different. Instead of the shock going directly up the saddle, it goes through the rear shock. It allows you to remain seated and pedal through chattering trails. On full suspension electric bike models, the security in the ride protects the battery and controller.
It takes travel to get you over rough forest tracks, not pure speed. An electric mountain bike full suspension from around 120mm to 160mm allows you to just ride over tree roots with the motor driving you forward. In addition, it allows better braking, as you keep both wheels on the ground for longer.
Six Fast Full-Suspension Electric Bikes
1. ENGWE M20
While the ENGWE M20 is advertised as a moped, the chassis is designed to handle all terrains and offers 150 km of range with the double battery setup, along with full suspension and fat 20-inch tires for all-around terrain riding.
The ENGWE M20 full suspension e-bike has a 6061 aluminum frame with dual suspension; plus, it also has fat tires, ideal for both urban rides and light off-road terrain. The two together make the e-bike a genuine full suspension fat tire electric bike with the wide footprint giving good traction in loose forest-floor terrain and it runs on a Shimano 7-speed drive chain with 160mm disc brakes, which make controlling it on descents easier.
The ENGWE M20 is a full sus electric mountain bike, so it is more designed for comfort and longevity than an aggressive enduro geometry, but it is an excellent choice for anyone who wishes to ride forest service roads for hours on end without even considering the battery.
2. ENGWE Engine Pro 3.0 Boost
The ENGWE Engine Pro 3.0 Boost is presented as a foldable e-bike with full suspension, 90 Nm torque and a 130km range, which is completed by its Samsung battery and its fast charging system. There's a significant emphasis placed on its connectivity features via the ENGWE application.
This gives it the position as a unique full suspension folding electric bike and functional electric full sus mountain bike for someone looking for a full-suspension e-bike that is transportable to the trails by car.
The rear suspension combined with the fork helps cushion washes of the dirt and the 90 Nm of torque keeps the bike moving up short wooded climbs. Being foldable, this fulfills the electric bike full suspension platform that does not require a truck rack.
In the eyes of riders seeking value for their money, it has been considered a good candidate for the best budget electric full suspension mountain bike since it offered long range and full travel combined with foldability and a price far lower than an e-MTB.
3. ENGWE EP-2 3.0 Boost
The ENGWE EP-2 3.0 Boost offers 75 Nm of torque and a range of 120km, featuring hydraulic brakes and 20-inch fat tires. Interestingly, the product description also states that the full suspension gives you ultimate comfort and smooth rides on rough terrain.
The 50mm travel of the front suspension, coupled with the rear shock, smooths out the forest chop. It's a full suspension folding electric bike, making it compact to store, but the fat tires and torque sensor add real trail chops.
The type of electric full suspension mountain bike is designed to eat multi-use trails where you're riding over pavement and pine-needle singletrack in the same afternoon ride.
4. ENGWE E26
The ENGWE E26 has been featured as a 26'' fat tire e-bike that has 70 Nm of torque, a range of 140km, and comes with a full suspension for a complete all-terrain experience. A larger 26'' wheel will run over roots better than its 20'' counterpart, and the full suspension has been set up to keep a stable chassis.
In practice, the ENGWE E26 is an all-around full suspension electric bike for long distances. That being said, it is a great all-round electric full suspension mountain bike for someone who values comfort and distance is key over agility. The 140km range claim is important for extending the laps around the forest loops without having to worry about range.
5. Haibike AllMtn 3
The Haibike AllMtn 3 stands as a reference full suspension electric mountain bike. The bike is marketed as a high-performance e-mountain bike, equipped with 160mm suspension travel, 4-piston disk brakes, and a Bosch Performance CX Gen 4 motor, perfect for rugged off-road trails.
As with the others on this list, the AllMtn 3 also packs 160mm of travel at both the front and rear, which enables it to deal with the consecutive hits that appear on rooty, rutted woodland paths much better than a folding bike platform.
It is quite common to find the AllMtn 3 on sale at around $2,999, which makes it a contender for the best full suspension electric mountain bike under $3000 when prices fall.
6. Giant Stance E+2
Finally, on the list is the Giant Stance E+2, which follows the conventional design of a full-suspension electric mountain bike full suspension. The ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum frame is designed with 120mm Flexpoint Suspension, which combined with the SR Suntour XCR34 Air fork provides 130mm travel.
The Stance E+2 is a bike you'll see talked about in best full suspension electric mountain bike models for your money reviews, especially by novice off-road e-bike riders, as it blends genuine mountain bike geometry with an overall cost that often remains significantly lower than top-end carbon options.
How These Bikes Conquer Bumpy Forest Dirt
The common characteristics of modern full sus electric bikes are also present in all 6. Rear suspension for tractive effort is there, as is front suspension for absorption. The motors are torquey in nature to retain velocity.
From there, the ENGWE added the folding mechanism and the fat tires. Fat tires contribute to flotation on soft terrain and are a decent full suspension fat tire electric bike option. The Haibike and Giant offer conventional mountain bike geometry, longer travel, and mid-drive motors, which are geared more towards climbing tough technical obstacles.
Ultimately, decide where you will be riding. If the trails are primarily on long fire-road trails and the bike must fit in your car, you would benefit from a full suspension folding electric bike such as the ENGWE Engine Pro 3.0 Boost or ENGWE EP-2 3.0 Boost. If the forest trail is particularly rough with long, steep descents full of roots, you will appreciate the longer 160mm travel that the Haibike AllMtn 3 will provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a full sus electric bike better than a hardtail for forest trails?
Is a full sus electric bike better than a hardtail for forest trails?
Yes. The full sus electric bike has both wheels in contact with the ground on a bumpy forest track, improving traction, braking, and comfort. On a smoother climb, hardtails may have an advantage, but on a downhill, a full-suspension e-bike is more comfortable, as less force is transferred through the rider.
What makes a bike the best budget electric full suspension mountain bike?
What makes a bike the best budget electric full suspension mountain bike?
The key three features of the best budget electric full suspension mountain bike are the stability of the rear suspension, a minimum of 70 Nm of torque for climbing, and over 100km range in actual use. ENGWE Engine Pro 3.0 Boost fits all three and has an additional folding feature.
Can a full suspension folding electric bike handle real off-road use?
Can a full suspension folding electric bike handle real off-road use?
A full suspension folding electric bike would also do well on light to medium trails. Take for example, the EP-2 3.0 Boost. It has full suspension to soak up the bumps in the road; it also has fat tires for traction. It wouldn't be the bike for your bike park jumps, but on forest roads and on the gravel, it would be excellent.
What is the difference between a full suspension electric bike and an electric full suspension mountain bike?
What is the difference between a full suspension electric bike and an electric full suspension mountain bike?
These terms are often used interchangeably. A full suspension electric bike is a general term, whereas an "electric full suspension mountain bike often suggests the frame has been designed with geometry for mountain biking, greater suspension travel, and features like dropper posts and four-piston brakes, such as the Haibike and the Giant.
Which of these is the best full suspension electric mountain bike under $3000?
Which of these is the best full suspension electric mountain bike under $3000?
For classic trail geometry, the Haibike AllMtn 3 and Giant Stance E+2 are popular options often stated as the best full suspension electric mountain bikes under $3000 when on sale. For foldable utility and range, the ENGWE Engine Pro 3.0 Boost provides full suspension and a 130km range for much less.
