Why a quiet motor makes all the difference
Details
When it comes to modern e-bikes, the conversation usually revolves around power, torque, and range. Drive systems are becoming more powerful, batteries are getting larger, and technical specifications continue to impress. Yet one factor often remains overlooked despite being present on every ride: sound.
Today’s e-bike motors and e-MTB drive systems deliver remarkable performance. At the same time, many of them are clearly audible. A constant whir under load, mechanical noises at high cadences, or noticeable rattling on the trail have become part of everyday riding for many cyclists. What may seem like a minor detail actually has a significant impact on the overall riding experience.
This was precisely the focus of a recent comparison conducted by the online magazine emtb-test.com. Their key finding: the quieter an e-bike motor operates, the greater the perceived quality, the more natural the riding feel, and the stronger the connection to the surrounding environment.
The overlooked factor when buying an e-bike
The acoustics of a drive system present an interesting contradiction. Sound accompanies every ride, yet it often plays only a secondary role during the purchasing decision.
The experts at emtb-test.com consider this a blind spot for many buyers. As they put it: “The sound of a motor is always present. Except during the purchase decision. That’s when it often gets overlooked.” This goes beyond comfort alone. For many riders, mountain biking is closely connected to experiencing nature. The testers emphasize this point:
“Mountain biking is deeply connected to nature. And nature can only be experienced fully when you perceive it with all your senses. If your hearing is occupied by motor noise, the experience of nature is significantly diminished.”
Anyone who regularly rides forest trails, alpine climbs, or technical singletracks knows exactly what they mean. The crunch of tires on gravel, the wind moving through the trees, or the sound of a nearby stream are just as much a part of the experience as the motor’s assistance.
If you would like to experience the differences yourself, emtb-test.com’s comprehensive sound comparison of more than 15 e-bike motors offers an especially insightful listening test: https://emtb-test.com/e-bike-motor-test/so-hoeren-sich-e-bike-motoren-an
Left Ludwig Döhl from emtb-test.com: "Mountain biking has a lot to do with experiencing nature."
Right The quiet maxon AIR S e-bike system is installed in the Dirtlab Paratu.
Full-power performance with the acoustics of a light system
The most interesting e-bike drive systems are often those that combine seemingly opposing characteristics. One example is the maxon BIKEDRIVE AIR S. With 90 Nm of torque and 620 watts of power, it delivers the performance that sporty riders expect from a modern e-MTB.
After extensive real-world testing, the riders at emtb-test.com came to the following conclusion: “The maxon AIR S is a technical masterpiece. It delivers the power of a full-power motor with the acoustics and weight of a light-assist system.”
For riders, this means fewer compromises. A lightweight e-MTB no longer has to sacrifice performance, and a powerful e-bike motor does not necessarily have to come with noticeable mechanical noise. In the opinion of the testers, the system currently sets the benchmark:
“Anyone with a sporty riding style who values a silent bike will currently find the benchmark in maxon.”
Those interested in the technical details and riding impressions can read the full review here: https://emtb-test.com/en/e-bike-motor-review/maxon-drive-air-s-review/
The outlook for future drive technology is equally intriguing. According to emtb-test.com, the next stage of development is not necessarily about ever-higher performance figures, but rather about achieving an intelligent balance of power, weight, and riding feel: “The future lies in delivering meaningful motor performance without annoying side effects such as noise, weight, and bulky design.”
More nature on the trail
The benefits of a quiet e-bike drive system are not limited to climbing. The impact becomes especially apparent on demanding trails.
Many powerful systems generate noticeable noise on descents due to gear mechanisms or freewheel systems. On rough terrain, these sounds are often amplified. In contrast, the testers describe the maxon BIKEDRIVE AIR S as offering a riding experience in which the motor virtually disappears acoustically:
“No other motor delivers its power as unobtrusively.”
Even in situations where other systems tend to attract attention, the drive unit remains in the background: “On downhill singletracks, the motor gearbox doesn’t rattle.”
This creates exactly what many mountain bikers are searching for: “This is where real mountain bike feeling comes alive. Instead of hearing drivetrain rattling, with maxon you once again hear the sounds of nature as you ride through the forest.”
