Karbon Bikes PowerLine SL Review - Vital's SL eMTB Test Sessions

Founded in 2022, Karbon Bikes is a small company out of Massachusetts whose mission is to create unique and exclusive bikes around proven components. The PowerLine SL is their first lightweight model, aimed at offering full power performance in a sub-43 pound package via a 75 Nm Bafang motor and a 410-watt hour battery. How is this all possible? And what's a Karbon? We asked the same questions and were eager to see what this blinged-out mystery bike was all about.
Highlights
Carbon frame with aluminum rocker
29-inch wheels
150mm of rear wheel travel // 160mm fork
Horst-link suspension platform
410 Wh battery
75 Nm Bafang M820 motor with 250 watts of peak power
Handlebar-mounted full-color LCD display
Handlebar-mounted remote
64-degree headtube angle
77° seat tube angle
UDH compatible
Three build kits
Sizes: S-L
Verified weight: (Size L, X0 AXS) 43.56 lbs (19.75 kg)
MSRP: $7,349 - $9,699 USD ($9,699 tested)
Thanks to these brands for supporting the test!
Tannus Armour Inserts - tannusamerica.com/products/ta...
Feedback Sports - feedbacksports.com
Maxxis Tires - www.maxxis.com/us/tires/bicyc...
Read our SL E-MTB Test Sessions article - www.vitalmtb.com/features/vit...
More mountain bike news and reviews - www.vitalmtb.com
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[@Giovanni4kt38]

I currently have a Karbon bike and I can say from experience they are amazing, and greatly support my races I have. Me personally I recommend but it all comes down to your buget and willing to spend.

[@ttengineer404]

I’m not spending $7k+ on a bike with a GD Baofang motor. The whole point of baofang is budget.
Also, every e-bike should have an easily removable battery for air travel that can also be upgraded in the future for larger capacity. I’ll die on this hill.

[@richarddevey2449]

prob need to explain , m

[@jadeniantosca1377]

my best friend used to ride for karbon, their frames are awful and all i can advise is to avoid the company entirely

[@roddas26]

Trust me bro 😂

[@karbonbikes]

You mean your 14 y/o friend who barely placed top 10 for most of the season? Why don't you ask our actual pro riders what they think about out frames, one of whom is a 2x national enduro champ. Go back under your bridge troll.

[@noah3191]

Who r u bro

[@noah3191]

U mean ur buddy u couldn’t even place top 10

[@sami_867]

How u gonna blame the frames if ur friend didnt even place tenth 🤦‍♂️