Hardtail e-MTB
A hardtail e-MTB combines motor assistance with a suspension fork and a rigid rear end. It is lighter and cheaper than a full-suspension e-MTB and ideal for forest roads, tours and easy trails. The extra weight calls for slightly more fork and tyre pressure.
Typical spec
- 29″ or 27.5″ wheels, often with 2.4–2.6″ tyres
- Suspension fork with 100–140 mm of travel
- Mid-drive motor with the battery in the down tube (usually 500–800 Wh)
- Total weight usually 20–25 kg
Suspension fork: starting values
Fork air pressure in psi as a starting point – then fine-tune using SAG.
| Rider | Fork |
|---|---|
| 60 kg | 58 psi (4.0 bar) |
| 70 kg | 67 psi (4.6 bar) |
| 80 kg | 76 psi (5.2 bar) |
| 90 kg | 86 psi (5.9 bar) |
| 100 kg | 95 psi (6.6 bar) |
| 110 kg | 104 psi (7.2 bar) |
Tyre pressure chart
Starting values in bar (front / rear), tubeless with a trail casing, rider weight including kit.
| Rider | 2.40″ | 2.50″ | 2.60″ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.5 / 1.721 / 24 psi | 1.5 / 1.721 / 24 psi | 1.4 / 1.620 / 23 psi |
| 70 kg | 1.6 / 1.823 / 26 psi | 1.6 / 1.823 / 26 psi | 1.5 / 1.722 / 25 psi |
| 80 kg | 1.7 / 1.925 / 28 psi | 1.7 / 1.925 / 28 psi | 1.6 / 1.824 / 27 psi |
| 90 kg | 1.8 / 2.027 / 30 psi | 1.8 / 2.027 / 30 psi | 1.8 / 2.026 / 28 psi |
| 100 kg | 2.0 / 2.228 / 31 psi | 2.0 / 2.228 / 31 psi | 1.9 / 2.127 / 30 psi |
| 110 kg | 2.1 / 2.330 / 33 psi | 2.1 / 2.330 / 33 psi | 2.0 / 2.229 / 32 psi |
Setup tips
- Fork SAG 15–20 % – as on a hardtail without a motor, but with a slightly higher starting pressure.
- Run slightly more tyre pressure than on a hardtail without a motor; our calculator adds an allowance automatically.
- Choose tougher casings for trails – the weight puts more load on tyres and rims.
- Respect the maximum system weight: bike, rider, backpack and luggage combined.
Hardtail e-MTB: bikes in our database
44 model families with manufacturer data – each with SAG tables and tyre pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need more tyre pressure on a hardtail e-MTB?
Yes, a little: with 2.4″ tubeless tyres and an 80 kg rider, the starting value is about 1.7 bar (25 psi) front and 1.9 bar (28 psi) rear – a small allowance compared with a hardtail without a motor.
How do I set up the fork on an e-MTB?
Exactly as on a hardtail without a motor, using SAG: choose the air pressure so that 15–20 % of travel is used in your riding position. The starting pressure is usually a few psi higher.