Propain's second generation Ekano e-bike sticks with an alloy frame but gets the brand's PRO10 suspension platform, a mullet wheel set-up and Shimano power.
Propain’s design brief for the new Ekano 2 AL was clear: a high performance electric mountain bike which has a focus on fun, whether climbing or descending. The aim was to make the Ekano 2 feel totally at home on the big terrain, without the unwieldiness normally associated with heavy and bulky e-bikes.
Propain sticks with Shimano for the motors and battery, as it did with the first generation but now the Ekano 2 AL uses the newer EP801 and EP600 units.
Need to know
- Aluminium frame – no carbon option
- Mullet/MX 29in (F), 27.5in (R) wheel set-up
- 170mm rear travel, 180/190mm fork travel
- 64° head angle, 78° effective seat angle
- Shimano EP801 motor on to three specs
- Shimano 626Wh battery – easily removable
- Bottle cage and tool frame mounts
- Four frame sizes (S-XL)
- Total bike weights from 23.5kg
Frame design
The Ekano 2 AL’s all-new frame design has more travel and significantly improved weight distribution when compared to the first generation of this bike. It’s aluminium only across the model range with no carbon frame option.
The Propain Ekano 2 AL uses an all-new aluminium frame design. There is no carbon option
One area it differs is in the wheel configuration: the gen 1 bike could be run with 29in or 27.5in front and rear, or as a 29/27.5in mullet set up. This new bike is to be run exclusively as a mullet set-up.
Suspension
The new Ekano 2 AL is the next evolutionary step of the brand’s first generation e-bike. It now gains the proven PRO10 suspension platform as used on Propain’s hard-hitting Tyee and Sprindrift analogue models.
It’s a virtual pivot point system, with two counter-rotating links activating a floating shock. Propain says this results in a significantly lower centre of gravity and improves the kinematics considerably.
Ekano 2 AL inherits Propain’s PRO10 suspension platform
Rear suspension travel is now 170mm (5mm up on the first gen Ekano), with the recommended fork travel of 180-190mm with a 29in wheel. The geometry is updated too, with a slightly slacker head angle of 64° and a steeper 78° effective seat angle, with chainstay lengths (27.5in rear wheel) fixed at 445mm on all four frame sizes.
Vital stats for fit are contemporary but not boundary pushing: a size large gets a 455mm seat tube, 475mm reach and a 653mm stack for example.
The Shimano EP801 motor powers the top three Ekano 2 AL models
Motor and battery
Handling and downhill performance were absolutely paramount in the Ekano 2’s development. That’s why Propain didn’t engage in the “who has the biggest battery” competition.
The new Shimano EP801, used on the three top spec bikes delivers 80 watts more peak power than its predecessor and over a wider cadence range.
On-bike charging for the Shimano battery is via an easily accessed port
Matched with the 3.3 kg Shimano 626Wh battery and the new better-balanced frame design, Propain hopes the new Ekano 2 AL will hit the sweet spot for maximum fun both uphill and downhill.
Propain Ekano 2 AL battery removal is refreshingly straightforward
Propain Ekano 2 AL models
The starting price for the Ekano 2 AL in the UK will be £4994 for a Shimano EP6 equipped bike. The three EP801 equipped models are listed below:
Propain Ekano 2 AL Price2Ride in ‘raw’
Price2Ride: £5889
- Drive Unit: Shimano EP801 without Display
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Select+ 180mm
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select Coil-R Trunnion
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle (1×12)
- Brakes: Formula Cura 4 220/203
- Wheelset: Newmen Evo EG 30
- Seatpost: Bikeyoke Devine
Propain Ekano 2 AL Shred2 in ‘matt olive’
Shred2: £7579
- Drive Unit: Shimano EP801 with Display
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate 190mm
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT Air TR
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission AXS
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC 220/200
- Wheelset: Newmen Evo EG 30
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
Propain Ekano 2 AL Goldrush in ‘jolly aubergine’
Goldrush: £8999
- Drive Unit: Shimano EP801 with Display
- Fork: Fox 38 Factory Grip2 180mm
- Shock: Fox DHX2 2-Pos
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission AXS
- Brakes: Magura MT7 220/203
- Wheelset: Crankbrothers Synthesis Carbon i9 E-bike
- Seatpost: Fox Factory Transfer