cheap electric mountain bike

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I always approach a cheap electric bike review with a bit of caution. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised! In this NCM Prague electric bike review, I will explain why I believe that this offering from Germany is one of the best cheap electric mountain bikes available.

About NCM Electric bikes

NCM make high-quality, but affordable electric bikes, the parent company is Leon Cycle GmbH a German company based in Hanover. Their e-bikes are designed in Germany and manufactured in China.

This excellent value electric mountain bike is now available in the US.  This version of  NCM Prague has the same spec as the European model but with 350w power output and an increased electric assist speed of 20mph.

EU Specification

Electric System: The NCM electric bike is powered by the proven Bafang 250W rear hub motor, 36v13ah (468Wh) DeHawk lithium battery and Das-Kit LCD.

Bafang hub motor

Bafang has been a market leader in electric bike technology for many years and their 250w electric hub motor is not only reliable but also incredibly efficient. The 15.5mph top speed can be maintained safely without compromising reliability. The LCD offers 6 levels of pedal assistance from 0 (for no assist) through to 6 (for full power). This is a really useful feature, as you can fine-tune the pedal-assist to suit your abilities. It should be noted, that a lot of higher-end e-bikes only have 4 levels of assist.

This bike features a lightweight but strong 6061 alloy frame: As with all e-bikes there is a weight penalty. The NCM Prague weighs in at a hefty 25kg but manages to maintain the handling characteristics of a regular mountain bike. This is due, in part to the battery pack which is mounted low on the down-tube, close to the bottom bracket. This centralised extra mass helps to give the bike a nice, planted feel when zipping along the trails.

Suntour forks and Schwalbe tyres: The Suntour XCT forks are entry-level and offer around 100mm of travel. I am not a big fan of these forks, but to be fair, they are an acceptable compromise at this price point. They do come with an adjustable ‘preload’ setting, and the damping is okay for light trail riding. As long as you are aware of the limitations of these forks and do not try any off-road heroics, then you should be fine. Regular trail riding and light off-roading, are adequate. The 29″ wheels are shod in Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres, these are designed to offer grip and riding efficiency on all road surfaces in all conditions, they also provide a decent amount of puncture resistance, with Schwalbe’s patented K-guard kevlar belt.

NCM Prague electric mountain bike

Low price, quality components: The 21-speed Shimano gear system on this bike is entry-level but of good quality. The Shimano Altus trigger shifters work well, and gear changes are crisp and precise. Having a triple crankset upfront is going to be very useful for off-road riding, especially if you are going to be tackling steep climbs. The Tektro mechanical disc brakes work fine, provided they are adjusted regularly.

Summary

NCM seem to have nailed it with their range of affordable e-bikes. Like its slightly more expensive stablemate, the Prague electric mountain bike offers fantastic value for money. The battery is slightly less powerful at 36v13ah, although this should still give you a realistic range of between 25-40 miles or 23 miles at 20wh (watt hours) per mile.

This bike uses the proven Bafang 250w rear hub motor. I have personally installed over twenty of these motors on various bikes, and I can confidently say, they are incredibly durable. To date, I have never had any issues reported with these motors and can vouch for their reliability.

NCM has used fairly decent components on the Prague. The Tektro mechanical disc brakes do the job, and although I’m not overly keen on the Suntour XCT forks, they are fine for light off-road riding and commuting. The Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres are a decent all-terrain tyre, and have some degree of puncture resistance.

Build quality is above average for an e-bike of this price. The frame is neatly welded and the paintwork finish looks durable and long-lasting. This bike also looks great! The colour-coded battery fits neatly into the frame, giving the overall look of a more expensive e-bike.

The battery can be charged on or off the bike and is easily removable for charging inside.

is the NCM Prague a good cheap electric mountain bike

Conclusion

I wish every cheap electric bike review was like this! The NCM Prague win hands down as the best cheap electric mountain bike available. It stands out from the crowd. There is a feeling of quality and durability, that is sadly lacking in so many cheap e-bikes.  If you are looking for an affordable electric mountain bike for some light trail riding or a capable daily commuter, then this bike is for you. I have included this bike along with its stablemate the Moscow. If you want an affordable e-bike, you won’t go far wrong with an NCM electric bike!

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9 Comments

  1. Thanks for this review, it convince me to buy one of these, and it arrived yesterday. I am blown away by the quality of this bike considering the price point.

    Delivery was fast, well packed .. it had picked up a tiny chip on the top tube, which must have been picked up before (very decent) packaging, but not going to cry about that.

    The thing that has blown me away, is the details. Usually when buying a bike, even from top brands you get generic instructions for various components…usually in Chinese or whatever, so getting a very specific manual for this bike was going extra distance, as was the full tool kit for assembly, and the decent Aluminium pedals supplied too.

    Really pleased with purchase, and glad I stumbled on this review as it swung it for me.

  2. I purchased two NCM Pragues as my partner also wanted an ebike, after doing a lot of research, as the budget price point can be a minefield of varied quality, I’m very happy to report these bikes are fantastic the build quality is great the bikes ride perfectly and range in real world conditions are over 45miles over varied terrain and including some long uphill climbs and I use the assistance quite liberally, every component fitted is a branded component and it shows, absolutely tick every single box within our budget and expectations, if only more companies were like NCM.

    1. Thanks for sharing your experiences, and glad you’re enjoying the bikes. The NCM Prague is definitely one of the best ebikes available for the price.

      Happy riding!

  3. I just purchased a Prague two weeks ago and I love the bike the only glitch I’ve had is the battery dying with two bars left on the meter and that is happened over and over on multiple rides after contacting Leon cycles they shipped me a brand new battery which I have not tried yet but I’m hoping for the best, but kudos to Leon cycles for the quick follow up and I would definitely purchase another bike from them For there great customer support

  4. I just purchased a 29″ NCM Prague a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it. Enrique, from Leon Cycle in Seattle, Washington was a great help for me in choosing this model.

      1. Hi all.
        Wonderful to read of your experiences so here is mine. I recieved my NCM Prague 3 weeks ago and was surprised at the quality of the build, totally excited i wanted to get out and check its performance as soom as i had put it together. Initially very pleased besides a constant clicking every turn of the back wheel i popped into see my local mechanic and have the bike checked. Faulty flywheel which i replaced and payed for, no big deal.
        I love the bike and the way it feels plus the comfort i get on each ride. My problem is the battery,Very disappointed ! Initially it was struggling to give me 20 miles on the lowest settings and cutting out with 2 display power lights still showing ( see previous reviewer) i am now only getting 22km not miles from a charge i have had many mails backwards and forwards with leon cycles Germany and remain dissatisfied with there level of customer service, they do not answer when i ring from the uk, there are delays with response to my mails and i feel they are dragging things out in response to a replacement battery.
        I will update when i have further news but until then i remain an anxious rider never knowing how far i can ride before the battery faults .

        1. Hi,
          Thank you for sharing your experiences. Hopefully Leon cycles will get your battery issue sorted quickly. Their customer service is usually better than this.

          Please keep us updated on this issue.

          Cheers,
          Tony

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