Last Updated on October 29, 2023 by Igor Karni
Decathlon has made a solid reputation for itself as a sporting goods retailer since its founding in 1976 in Englos, France. For a company that’s been around for this long, it’s not surprising that it has had a rich history characterized by global expansion and recognition. This rings true even if our focus is trained on just the biking aspect of it.
Table of Contents
Its primary reason for founding is to encourage sport to everyone. This goal could not be more apparent in its name, which is a direct homage to the 10-day sporting events that the Ancient Greeks regularly hosted and took part in. Aptly so, the brand has also become a ubiquitous presence in the Tour de France but under a different name: B’TWIN – which happens to be one of its bike ranges.
That said, it still does its design and production of bikes and e-bikes completely in-house. Since Decathlon also sells models from other e-bike brands, this post shall discuss and review the Decathlon-only brands and e-bike lines.
Decathlon e-bikes, are they any good?
Decathlon e-bikes offer quality, affordability, and versatility. They are highly recommended for buyers seeking reliable and cost-effective e-bike options. Whether you need a powerful mountain e-bike, a practical hybrid for urban roads, or a compact folding commuter, Decathlon has something for you.
With their smart features and premium components, Decathlon e-bikes deliver excellent value for the price. Riders appreciate the brand’s reputation, and it is widely recommended for its impressive price-to-value ratio. Decathlon ships to over 50 countries, making their e-bikes accessible to customers worldwide.
Decathlon e-Bikes Review: Model Lines
| E-bike Model | E-bike Type |
| Rockrider (our review of E-ST 500, E-ST 900) | Mountain |
| Riverside (our review of 500E) | Hybrid |
| ELOPS (our review of 120E, 500E, 900E, 920E, 940E) | City |
| Stilus | Mountain |
| B’TWIN | Folding, Commuter |
| R500 (our review of R500) | Cargo Long-tail |
Decathlon sticks to a “quality yet low-cost” mantra when it comes to e-bike manufacturing. More or less, it has achieved that goal through its popular lines like the Rockrider, ELOPS city e-bike, and B’TWIN folding e-bike. Budget-friendliness that doesn’t sacrifice the quality through its choices of components and the smart, useful features it integrates – that’s arguably what sums up most Decathlon models.
The categories these brands fall in are no less varied. As of this writing, Decathlon models can fall under the city, folding, eMTB, hybrid, and commuter categories.
Decathlon Rockrider eMTB Model Line
This eMTB line is probably the most popular in the Decathlon catalog, with the B’TWIN folding model coming in at a close second. The E-ST100 and E-ST900 are notable models in particular. With a 250W motor, hard-gripping 27.5” wheels, all-terrain tires, adequately powerful 180 mm mechanical disc brakes, and all the neat bells and whistles for an eMTB, the E-ST100 pretty much guarantees a complete electric mountain biking experience.
The E-ST900 is a higher-end option with shock-absorbing tires, geometry and riding position that’s suitable for mountain riding and any kind of offroading, and, of course, powerful mid-drive motors, which can provide at most 90 Nm of torque.
The 380Wh battery on the E-ST100 manages a little more than 2 hours at a completely sporty pace, and it can be removed for easier charging. Notable accessories include an LCD screen that reveals speed information as well as distance, battery level, remaining range, etc. We like that it also throws in a cadence sensor for smoother pedaling.
Read also: How much elevation / altitude can electric bikes climb? And, Can electric bikes go up steep hills?
Decathlon manages to keep the price down by incorporating low-cost gearing and forks, but as far as the other components go as well as the superb overall performance on mountain trekking, it’s not hard to see why this is a much sought-after line.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Decathlon Rockrider eMTB model line here.
Read also: Rockrider E-ST500 test and review: a solid starter eMTB. And, Rockrider E-ST900 test and review, affordable mid-driver mountain e-bike.
Decathlon Riverside Hybrid Model Line
Riverside models, for their hybrid label, are more attuned to urban roads than dirt tracks and other rougher trails. The tires of the original Riverside e-bike, for one, lack the kind of grip that you need to maneuver off trailing optimally, but it’s guaranteed to do extremely well on paved roads.
The battery is no less capacious and can manage up to 55 miles (90 km) if run mostly on its first mode. The 250W motor delivers sufficient torque for moderately steep inclines, but expect it to struggle a bit when it gets steeper.
The 500 model is a noteworthy upgrade with its integration of hydraulic disc brakes and an 8-speed shifter, as opposed to the original’s 7-speed one. Both use wide handlebars and adjustable seat posts for optimal comfort for casual rides.
Read also: Why fat tires are good news for electric bikes? And, How to select the best hybrid e-bike?
The original comes with more complete components, despite being cheaper. You get a rear rack and fenders as well as headlights. On the whole, it’s more oriented for commuting and city-riding than its 500 counterpart, which adheres more to what and how a classic hybrid e-bike looks like and rides as evidenced by its sportier geometry.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Decathlon Riverside Hybrid model line here.
Decathlon ELOPS City Model Line
The sole electric ELOPS city model readily radiates comfort and convenience through its low-step frame, which makes mounting and dismounting a breeze. It uses a 250W mid-drive Brose motor that’s no less powerful as proven by the 70Nm torque output.
It’s slightly cheaper than its predecessor with its less than 1,500-euro price tag, and that’s undoubtedly one of its primary appeals. It manages satisfactory riding ranges on average, making it an ideal option for short or moderately long commutes and road trips.
Definitely a recommended model for urban riders and commuters looking for more power and comfort in their regular rides. It uses the same 7-speed Shimano shifter as some of Decathlon’s urban e-bikes, which makes riding easier on the whole.
Read also: How to select the best city e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article, and this article. And, How much does a good city e-bike cost?
The curved, cruiser-style handlebars accommodate the rider’s posture well and only contribute to comfort further. As for accessories, it’s equally generous, as it comes with a rear rack, fenders, front disc brakes, LED lights, and rear V-brake. The tires manage a satisfactory amount of grip enough for some light off-trailing.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Decathlon ELOPS City model line here.
Read also: Decathlon Elops 940 E test and review – the best city e-bike by Decathlon so far. Decathlon Elops 500 E test and review – a good e-bike, priced at 699 euros. Decathlon Elops 920 E test and review – best balanced e-bike. Decathlon Elops 120 E test and review – great value entry-level e-bike.
Decathlon Elops 900 E test & review: in all simplicity, in all efficiency.
Decathlon Stilus Model Line
The Stilus line is one of the higher-end offerings of Decathlon, but it’s still comparatively more budget-friendly than most eMTBs. The newly released E-ST Stilus is certainly more affordable than its V2 counterpart.
Its components are slightly downgraded, the most obvious of which is the 500Wh battery as opposed to the latter’s 625Wh one, leading to less range. Overall, the battery saves plenty of power, though, as evidenced by the estimated autonomy and first-hand feedback from riders.
You’re paying mostly for the Bosch Gen 4 performance motor, which is known for being relatively quiet while being sufficiently powerful. This could not be more obvious in the 85Nm of torque that riders can enjoy from the V2. Expect it to make short work of even the steepest of hills, regardless of how rugged the trails get.
Read also: How to select your first electric mountain bike? And, How much does a good eMTB e-bike cost?
Both have reliable hydraulic disc brakes (either 180 mm or 200 mm), the one on the V2 is definitely more powerful. Full suspension is pretty much the gold standard in mountain biking, and this line capitalizes on it to ensure comfort.
Considering the entire market where it belongs, it’s hard to find eMTBs with a top-notch Bosch motor in this price range. It’s a solid e-bike that should give you the standard eMTB experience while delivering higher-grade motor assistance and acceleration.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Decathlon Stilus model line here.
Decathlon B’TWIN Tilt Folding Model Line
The Tilt may only offer minimal motor assistance and have a limited riding range, but it’s one of the more feature-packed folding e-bikes available today. Moreover, it’s one of those e-bikes whose design lends itself to ensuring the riding quality is always, more or less, desirable upon regular use.
The 250W brushless motor only handles slight inclines, so it’s not really ideal for cities that need plenty of assistance to negotiate steep roads. The riding range tops a little over 20 miles (32 km), which leaves a lot to be desired, but if you tend to regularly make short commutes, then it still arguably fills the bill.
It’s aptly compact once folded, enough to fit in most car trunks so that’s another plus. As for the accessories, we definitely like that it includes mudguards, headlights, and a kickstand.
Read also: How to select the best folding e-bike (with examples)? And, How much does a good foldable e-bike cost?
Overall, this e-bike’s main strength is its price-to-value ratio. You literally can’t find a lot of folding e-bikes in this price range – only standard folding ones. Sure, its specs may be a bit standard, but if you only need mild motor assistance and still want to enjoy the perks of a compact, foldable commuter, this one’s well worth purchasing.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Decathlon B’TWIN Tilt Folding model line here.
Does Decathlon Offer Manufacturer’s Warranty?
All products that are part of the Decathlon brand have a warranty of 2 years. The brand will replace any defective e-bike model that “does not live up to” its standards.
It also includes a separate warranty for carbon and metal frames respectively. The former gets 5 years, while the latter enjoys a lifetime warranty.
Can You Avail of A Trial Period?
Officially, it doesn’t. However, some local Decathlon dealers may offer a trial period. A good example is this one being offered to Londoners. They can test the models for up to 48 hours with no additional cost, as long as they bring a valid passport and proof of address.
What Do Most Riders Think About Decathlon E-Bikes?
It’s fairly evident what riders love about Decathlon e-bikes. You get low-cost models that the competition can rarely match if we’re going to consider the price-to-value ratio. A lot of their models deliver value through the overall design and where it counts the most (i.e. through the smart integration of premium components).
Read also: Check out world’s best travel destinations by electric bike.
Considering the brand’s mileage and experience in the biking industry, it’s one of those companies whose reputation is already solid. It’s something you won’t hesitate to recommend to your loved ones or close friends for these reasons.
What Countries Does Decathlon Ship To?
Since the country has a global presence, it shouldn’t be hard to find a local retailer in most countries. The US, UK, Spain, Germany, China, India, Italy, and Portugal, in particular, have numerous branches. Over 50 countries are being served by the brand at present.
Read also: Check out the most popular e-bike brands.
Due to the limitations brought about by the pandemic, expect most of these stores to provide their services on a nationwide level only, though.
Take a look at Decathlon Riverside quick video introduction:
Igor is a sustainable mobility and green energy advocate. His mission for Easy E-biking is to help make electric cycling simple, practical, and fun. Follow him on Facebook and LinkedIn.
