Ekano 2 CF Signature Spec 2

The Propain Ekano 2 CF is Propain’s first carbon e-MTB platform, introduced for 2023 as the carbon counterpart within the Ekano 2 family rather than an update to an earlier carbon frame. It is a full-power, long-travel e-enduro built around 170 mm of rear travel, compatibility with up to a 180 mm fork, and Propain’s PRO10 rear suspension layout. The frame is designed around SRAM’s Eagle Powertrain system and uses a 205 x 60 mm trunnion shock, UDH, and a flip chip that allows either mixed-wheel or full-29 configurations on the same chassis. That combination puts it firmly in the gravity-focused end of the eMTB market, but with more configurability than many direct rivals.

What distinguishes the Ekano 2 CF is that it does not chase the most extreme geometry numbers or the biggest battery in the category. Instead, Propain pairs a 630 Wh removable battery and 90 Nm SRAM/Brose-based drive system with a relatively balanced chassis concept: steep seat angle for climbing, stable but not ultra-slack front-end geometry, and a highly progressive suspension curve intended to handle both technical trail riding and bike-park-level impacts. In market terms, it sits as a premium direct-sales carbon e-enduro with unusually broad customization potential, aimed at riders who want a descending-biased bike that still pedals and handles with more composure than its 180/170 mm travel figures might suggest.

Price TBD

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Build

Size

Stack	653mm
Reach	475mm
Top tube	614mm
Headtube length	120mm
Standover height	823mm
Seat tube length	455mm

Fit and geometry

The Ekano 2 CF’s geometry is notably conservative by current super-enduro standards, which helps explain why reviewers found it easier to handle than its travel numbers suggest. In size L, the 29er setup uses a 64-degree head angle, 475 mm reach, 653 mm stack, 453 mm chainstays, and a 1,283 mm wheelbase. That gives the bike a stable, centered feel without pushing into ultra-long, ultra-slack territory. The 78-degree seat tube angle is steep for a 170 mm rear-travel bike and keeps the rider forward on climbs, helping maintain front-wheel control on steep pitches. Reviewers consistently linked that number to the bike’s composed seated climbing position and reduced tendency to wander uphill.

The mixed-wheel setting slightly reshapes the bike rather than radically changing it: on size L, reach drops to 471 mm, chainstays to 451 mm, wheelbase to 1,281 mm, while the head angle slackens to 63.6 degrees and BB drop increases from 24.5 mm to 30 mm. In practice, that means the mullet setup should feel a touch lower and a bit more rear-wheel-clearing in steep or awkward terrain, while the full-29 option remains the more planted, race-oriented configuration. Across both setups, the relatively tall stack and long rear center contribute to the “in the bike” sensation reviewers described, favoring confidence and high-speed composure over quick, playful direction changes in tight switchbacks.

Full specs

No specs available yet.

Builds

Propain positions the Ekano 2 CF with a wide pricing spread and a strong emphasis on customization. Complete bikes are listed from $7,794 to $11,299, with stock build names including Base, Signature Spec 1, Signature Spec 2, plus regional listings such as Ultimate and Factory in review coverage. Across the range, the core platform remains the same: carbon frame, 170 mm rear travel, SRAM Eagle Powertrain motor with 90 Nm and 630 Wh battery, and compatibility with either 29er or mullet wheel configurations. That means buyers are mainly choosing between suspension level, drivetrain tier, braking package, and wheel upgrades rather than different frame or motor concepts.

The upper-end builds highlighted in testing show where the money goes. BikeRadar’s €9,999 Ultimate test bike used a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, Vivid Ultimate shock, X0 Transmission, and Code RSC brakes at 23.75 kg, while emtb-test listed the Factory at €11,299 and 23.1 kg. Review coverage also noted that even lower-priced configurations can be unusually strong for the category, thanks to Propain’s direct-sales model and online configurator. The trade-off is that buyers need to choose carefully: several reviewers pointed out that to get the cleanest cockpit integration and full benefit from the SRAM system, the bike makes the most sense when paired with SRAM’s broader AXS ecosystem rather than cheaper mechanical substitutions.

Base

Price TBD

Signature Spec 1

Price TBD

Signature Spec 2

Price TBD

Selected

Reviews

Reviewers were broadly aligned in describing the Ekano 2 CF as a highly capable gravity eMTB with standout suspension performance. BikeRadar praised how it “suppresses bumps and undulations with aplomb” while remaining stable and predictable, and BIKE’s test coverage repeatedly emphasized its ability to flatten rough terrain and deliver a very high safety margin on hard descents. Several outlets highlighted the PRO10 rear suspension’s sensitivity and progression, with terms such as “vacuum cleaner performance,” “sofa-like,” and even a feeling of “infinite travel” used to describe how calmly the bike deals with chatter, repeated hits, and bigger compressions. At the same time, reviewers noted that it avoids feeling like a dead, cumbersome plow bike; despite weighing roughly 23.4 to 24.1 kg depending on build, many found it surprisingly manageable for such a long-travel full-power machine.

The main caveats were consistent too. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine found the handling a bit “ship-like” in very tight terrain and felt the rear suspension could lack some mid-stroke support compared with sharper, more race-taut rivals. Multiple reviewers also flagged the SRAM Eagle Powertrain’s Auto Shift as terrain-dependent: useful on smoother transfers and general riding, but occasionally distracting or poorly timed in technical sections. Long-term and durability feedback was more mixed than the ride impressions. BIKE’s long-term test reported early creaks around the headset area, and both BIKE and BikeRadar experienced rear wheel damage on Newmen alloy wheels. Reviewers also pointed to the headset cable routing and fiddly covers as ownership compromises, even while praising the frame’s quiet ride, premium feel, and strong overall value.