What's the best lightweight e-bike motor? Bosch SX vs TQ HPR50 vs Fazua Ride 60 vs Specialized SL

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We've seen a slew of new mid-power/lightweight e-bikes hit the market recently, making it arguably the hottest segment in mountain biking.
But with several motors out there, all offering different advantages and disadvantages, how do you choose the best option for your local trails and riding style?
Do you crave the smallest, lightest package that's invisible to other riders? The most power to keep up with mates on full-power e-bikes? Or the biggest range to let you get as many laps in as possible?
To answer these questions and more, we assembled four of the latest lightweight models, fitted with the four benchmark mid-power motors: the TQ HPR50; the Bosch Performance SX; the Fazua Ride 60; and the Specialized SL 1.2.
With four test riders, all around the same weight, and Maxxis Max Terra control tyres set to exactly the same pressures, we set about three different challenges - a drag race, a hillclimb, and a range test to see how many metres of climbing we could achieve.
We used the maximum power mode on each motor for the duration of the test, and we excluded range extenders.
For the range test we concentrated on elevation rather than distance, as lots of flat terrain will reduce drain on the battery and can produce unrealistic expectations. As mountain bikers generally ride for the descents, we wanted to know how much descending we could get out of a full battery.
The four bikes on test are:
Mondraker Neat RR (TQ)
Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL 2 Expert (Specialized)
Haibike Lyke CF 11 (Fazua)
Whyte E-Lyte 150 Works (Bosch SX)
The specs of the motors are:
TQ HPR 50
Weight 1.85kg
Power 300w
Torque 50Nm
Battery 360wh plus 160wh range extender (520wh)
Fazua Ride 60
Weight: 1.96kg
Power 450w
Torque 60nm
Battery 430wh but no range extender
Specialized 1.2 motor
Weight 1.95kg
Peak power 320w
Peak torque 50Nm
Battery 320Wh plus 160wh range extender (480wh)
Bosch Performance SX
Weight 2kg
Power 600w
Torque 55nm
Battery 400wh plus 250wh range extender (650wh)
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