Rockrider E-ST 500 (27.5 in) review
Best for: First e-MTB on a tight budget · Budget
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Pros
- Brose mid-drive motor with torque sensor, rare at this price
- Hydraulic disc brakes and a removable 420 Wh battery
- Lightest hardtail here at about 23 kg
- Tubeless-ready wheels and room for 2.5 in tyres
Cons
- Basic Microshift 8-speed gearing and a 120 mm Suntour fork
- Only two sizes listed, and stock sells out
- Aimed at easy trails, not hard riding
Full review
The Rockrider E-ST 500 is the sensible way into electric mountain biking if you are not ready to spend big money. Unlike many cheap e-bikes it uses a mid-drive motor, a Brose C unit with a torque sensor. That means the assistance follows how hard you pedal, which feels natural on climbs and loose ground. The motor gives 50 Nm of torque, and assistance cuts out at 25 km/h as EU rules require.
The 420 Wh battery is removable, so you can charge it indoors, and Decathlon quotes up to 90 km on a charge. Treat that as a best case on gentle terrain in low assist. The package around the motor is straightforward: a 6061 aluminium frame, Microshift 8-speed gears, a 120 mm Suntour fork and Tektro hydraulic brakes with 160 mm rotors. At 22.9 kg for a medium it is easy enough to load onto a car rack.
It is not a bike for steep, technical descents. Decathlon itself describes the use as low intensity and intermediate level, and the fork is a simple coil unit. Treat it as a capable all-rounder for forest tracks, gravel paths and weekend trail centres, and it will do that very well. Stock at Decathlon changes often, so check availability.
Full specifications
| Type | Hardtail e-MTB |
|---|---|
| Motor | Brose C, mid-drive, 250 W |
| Max torque | 50 Nm |
| Battery | 420 Wh, removable (Samsung SDI or LG cells) |
| Claimed range | Up to 90 km |
| Suspension travel (front / rear) | 120 mm front / hardtail |
| Frame | 6061 aluminium |
| Wheels and tyres | 27.5 in, 2.25-2.35 in tubeless-ready tyres |
| Gears | Microshift Acolyte 8-speed (12-42T) |
| Brakes | Tektro M276 hydraulic disc, 160 mm |
| Weight (brand) | 22.9 kg (size M, without pedals) |
| Display | ERGO 500 with 3 assist modes and walk mode |
| Sizes | M (165-174 cm) and XL (185-200 cm) listed at Decathlon Ireland |
Spec check note: All figures are from Decathlon Ireland's own page. Older listings of this bike on other sites mention a 70 km range and different fork models; we use Decathlon's 90 km claim and the XCM 120 mm fork it now lists. The page names two possible cell makers and three possible tyre models depending on availability.
Specifications checked against: Decathlon Ireland product page (E-ST 500)
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Rockrider E-ST 500 (27.5 in) | Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 720 | Giant Stance E+ 2 | Canyon Neuron:ON 7 | Cube Stereo Hybrid ONE44 Pro 800 | Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2 Comp Alloy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | First e-MTB on a tight budget | Long rides and mixed tracks | First full-suspension trail bike | Powerful trail riding for the money | All-day rides and big battery range | A bike that rides like a normal MTB |
| Price band | Budget | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Upper mid-range | Upper mid-range | Premium |
| Type | Hardtail e-MTB | Hardtail e-MTB (Easy Entry frame version checked) | Full-suspension trail e-MTB | Full-suspension trail e-MTB | Full-suspension trail e-MTB | Lightweight full-suspension trail e-MTB |
| Motor | Brose C, mid-drive, 250 W | Bosch Performance Line (BDU34), mid-drive | Giant SyncDrive Sport2, powered by Yamaha, mid-drive | Bosch Performance Line PX, mid-drive | Bosch Performance Line CX, mid-drive | Specialized SL 1.2, mid-drive, 320 W peak |
| Max torque | 50 Nm | 75 Nm | 75 Nm | Up to 90 Nm | Up to 120 Nm (Cube listing) | 50 Nm |
| Battery | 420 Wh, removable (Samsung SDI or LG cells) | 720 Wh (Bosch PowerTube 720, integrated) | 625 Wh (EnergyPak Smart, range extender compatible) | Bosch PowerTube 600 Wh or 800 Wh (choose when ordering) | 800 Wh (Bosch PowerTube 800, integrated) | 320 Wh, fully integrated |
| Claimed range | Up to 90 km | Up to 185 km (Bosch figure quoted by Cube) | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Suspension travel (front / rear) | 120 mm front / hardtail | 120 mm front (100 mm on smaller sizes) / hardtail | 140 mm front / 125 mm rear | 150 mm front / 145 mm rear | 140 mm front / 140 mm rear | 150 mm front / 150 mm rear (140 mm fork on size S1) |
Prices in every region
We haven't confirmed prices for this product yet. Use the links to see today's price at each shop.
Prices include VAT where the shop shows it and may have changed since we checked. Delivery costs and stock vary by country, so check on the shop's site before you buy.
Prices in Ireland and United Kingdom
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Decathlon | – | Visit shop → | |
| United Kingdom · GBP | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Argos | – | Visit shop → | |
| Evans Cycles | – | Visit shop → |
Other countries
Rest of Europe
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| Austria · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| France · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Alltricks | – | Visit shop → | |
| Belgium · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Netherlands · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Spain · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Italy · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Portugal · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Poland · PLN | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Sweden · SEK | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |