WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE PROPAIN EKANO 2 AL
For the general info on this rig, Sean did a fantastic write-up when it was first launched: The New Ekano 2 AL – Party Up, Party Down.
If I were to pick the best summary from that article, I would say it would be this bit right here, reading between Propain’s marketing excitement:
“Handling and downhill performance were absolutely paramount in the development. That’s why we didn’t engage in the “who has the biggest battery” competition. A relatively low overall weight with optimal weight distribution gives the new EKANO a playful and agile “spindrift-like” behavior on the trail. The new Shimano EP801 …paired with the 3.3 kg lightweight 626 Wh battery and the from the ground up new frame design, this hits exactly the sweet spot for maximum fun both uphill and downhill.”
Adding to that, I think it’s imperative to illustrate the PRO10 rear linkage this bike is centered around. I’ve found this to be a versatile suspension platform, with unique characteristics to differentiate it from a traditional four bar and other virtual pivot platforms. Overall, these two figures best illustrate the main traits most riders may immediately feel on this suspension design:
At roughly 30% sag, the suspension delivers a progressive feeling rear end. The forward traveling rear axle path beyond sag keeps things somewhat nimble for such a big rig.
THE PROPAIN BUYING EXPERIENCE
The build and order process was very straightforward. Most mountain bikers will be familiar with the frustration of struggling with a specific component they were forced into accepting within their overall budget and build choice on a conventional company’s standard build spec. This made Propain’s à la carte building experience a welcome option, with the ability to pick and choose from a list of available parts. This gives the consumer the ability to decide where to splurge and where to save, improving the overall value proposition.
After a lot of trial and debate, I ordered the Propain Ekano 2 AL eMTB with the following spec:
Frame size: L – Large
Frame color: Raw
Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate RC2 180mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Select R
Drive Unit: Shimano EP801 with Display
Drive train: SRAM AXS GX Eagle Transmission (1×12)
Handlebar: SIXPACK Millenium 805 30mm Rise
Stem: SIXPACK Millenium 35
Seatpost: Bikeyoke Revive (180mm)
Saddle: SIXPACK Kamikaze
Brakes: Magura MT5 Performance
Wheelset: Crankbrothers Synthesis E11 Carbon
Tireset: Maxxis DHR2/Assegai
I felt this would offer the performance I would be happy with, without the marginal gains of some higher spec items. This is highlighted by choices such as the Magura MT5 brakes I selected, rather than the more expensive MT7 model.
The total price came in at $7,514.00 before tax at the time of ordering. Today, a similar build spec can be had for $5,808.80 thanks to the discounts on offer, which is a great price for the spec no matter how you cut it. Credit goes to Propain here, as they are delivering solid value for the end user in this space.
I purchased my Propain Ekano 2 AL during the tail end of the bike boom shortage, so logistics were still a mess. In the end, the bike took about four months to arrive. Propain’s customer service was very responsive throughout the delay, and they offered a $100.00 credit for the shipping as a goodwill gesture. Upon receipt, the box was beat, but thankfully Propain did a stellar job with the packaging, and the bike was (mostly*) undamaged. The assembly was straightforward for me. That said, I build and service bikes frequently, so I don’t feel I can offer a relatable perspective here for the average consumer.
The fit and finish is acceptable, but lacks the refinement of larger brands like Trek or Specialized. The battery cover leaves gaps around the edges, which allows quite a bit of dirt and water ingress. The brittle and cheap plastic inevitably ended up cracking from a rock strike 1 year in, but Propain shipped a replacement at no cost right away. The welds are chunky and the cutouts have some rougher edges, taking away from the impression of quality.
Additionally, Shimano’s eBike system integration is dated at this point. The handlebar display and controller don’t leave me feeling enthusiastic at $7K, but they get the job done and match the industrialist aesthetic of the bike. Propain is transparent in highlighting that the Ekano 2 AL is a tool for a job, not a precision instrument at the cutting edge. It’s worth noting here that the suspension bearings and seals are notably higher quality than most on the market and maintenance-friendly. This emphasizes Propain’s attention to cutting costs where they could, while still providing a great performing platform.
As for the mostly* undamaged – well, the battery lock had snapped off in the frame during shipping. This was disappointing after a 4-month wait to say the least, but Propain’s customer service was awesome and had confirmed shipment of a replacement part a week after contacting them. This came in handy as well, because the battery lock broke again in a separate area and ejected the battery on a downhill trail a year later. Once again, customer service was superb, and I had a replacement part within a week. They even expedited shipping so I wouldn’t miss out on bringing the bike on a riding trip to Quebec. This more personable and attentive customer service goes a long way and reassured me that DTC can be done right with the correct support.
I typically build my bikes with themes and inspirations to give them a personal touch and added style confidence. The raw aluminum finish reminded me of a 1973 Elsinore Honda my father had when I was young. I remember it so vividly, I knew the green and yellow accents would look nice over the silver alloy. Shoutout to Ground Keeper Customs, their upload feature makes it easy to do really detailed designs and import them for printing.
THE DIRT
SETUP| The suspension setup with the Propain Ekano 2 AL was by far my biggest challenge. For context, I am 6’ tall and 160lbs kitted. The ZEB Ultimate fork was good overall. My preferred setup is typically very progressive, running 20% sag with 2 or 3 volume spacers. The fork was easy to bracket in, despite having a bit more rebound damping than I prefer, even when fully opened. The ZEB naturally gravitated me away from a progressive setup to a more traditional supportive setup. I found the rebound to be highly sensitive to the pressure in the air spring at my relatively low body weight. I ended up with one volume spacer and 20% sag, the rebound set three clicks from open, and the LSC and HSC dead center. I would then adjust the HSC closed or open depending on the conditions. This gave me a good window, but stiffened up the front a bit and lost a bit of the plush ride feel I usually seek out.
The rear end was significantly more challenging. With the base model Rockshox Super Deluxe Select coil set at 30% sag with a 500lb coil, the rear end was prone to repeated harsh bottom outs. Being the base model shock, there was no compression adjustment, so the only option was stiffer springs. After trying a 550lb then a 600lb coil, I was able to resolve the bottom outs, but sag was around 12% and small bump sensitivity was atrocious. So, this wasn’t really an applicable solution.
I serviced the suspension to make sure it wasn’t blown, but there wasn’t any noticeable change. Additionally, I tried swapping it for a Rock Shox Vivid Ultimate Coil for the added compression and HBO adjustment. Frustratingly, the frame will not accommodate that shock, as the piggyback extends below the trunnion mount and will not fit this frame. There was a lot of feelings about the rear suspension on this bike at this point, and I was in crisis to say the least.
After a lot of soul searching, I did the most logical thing before writing the bike off as a failure, and swapped it over to an Ohlins TTX coil with a 500lbs spring. I matched this with the Ohlins RXF 38 fork up front. Thankfully, the gamble paid off, and the performance was leagues better overall. At 28% sag, the additional compression damping on the TTX rear shock – set to 4 clicks LSC – brought me into a solid window where 2-3 clicks of HSC would give enough support and tracking on my home trails.
I bracketed the fork back to my progressive settings, which suits the Ohlins well. I settled on 230psi in the secondary chamber and 78psi in the main chamber, rebound one click from fully opened, and LSC dead center. I go back and forth on the fork between closed and 1 click from closed on the HSC, depending on the trail.
The Propain Ekano 2 AL now delivers an incredibly plush off-the-top feeling, with an active mid-stroke and stiff end-stroke ramp up. This setup relies mostly on the high compression settings for support in the mid stroke, but offers a really soft and predictable ride up front. The rear is well balanced, with a bit less of a wall of support feeling compared to the front near the end of the stroke. This really keeps the coil active, especially when tracking in the first half of travel.
CLIMBING| The Ekano 2 AL has a distinct personality when getting out onto the trail. The steeper seat angle made the bike very comfortable when climbing. The PRO10 performed great, balancing the efficiency when pedaling with useful traction over large obstacles. The EP801 with updates is more than enough to get up the climbs, but if you are coming from an Avinox, Bosch, or Brose system, it leaves a lot to be desired. Most notably, the power and torque of the EP801 suffers further under the heft of this 56lb pig.
The SRAM Transmission drivetrain has been incredibly reliable and smooth shifting under load, even after 2 seasons. Between the geometry and the motor, this bike is NOT geared toward KOMs and racing the climbs.
The battery also leaves a bit to be desired over longer days. Typically, my rides are about 1200 to 2000ft of vertical over 2-4 hours, which leaves me with about 10% battery remaining with mixed use between eco-boost/turbo. In summary, if you enjoy slower, comfortable climbs seeking out more technical sections to billy goat your way, up this bike will be just fine, but expectations should be tempered for longevity at higher assist modes.
DESCENDING | Heading down, the Ekano 2 AL really comes alive. Worth noting is that the Maxxis Exo+ casings that came with the bike lasted exactly 2 trails before snake biting at 29 psi in the rear. This wasn’t too surprising given the weight and intent of this bike, but it’s worth calling out that you should ensure you have appropriate tire casings selected in the configurator when you buy this bike. Luckily, I had a set of Continental Kryptotals with supersoft compound and DH casings ready, since I planned to change them out for familiarity.
At 55.8lbs with DH casing tires, the weight is immediately noticeable. Thankfully though, it was managed well by the geometry and chassis, even lending to some of the more positive characteristics of the bike. First impressions are a tall stack and low center of mass feel. The taller stack pushes rider weight back a bit, making up for the additional weight of the eBike system without the overly vague front-end feeling that typically accompanies the added height.
Balance aside – this bike is thicc, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Ekano 2 AL excels at holding a line and plowing through the tech rather than carving a way through it. Overall, the chassis is soft, and the rear end has a ton of flex. It tracks both vertically and laterally, in a way I would best describe as “damped deflection”. This loose and flexible rear end really grew on me, giving loads of confidence and predictability under braking and in off-camber corners. The long seat stays and lack of a bridge allow the rear tire a wider window to find the contact patch, letting it move around a bit more in search of traction. Up top, the front triangle has a much softer and more compliant feeling than similar frames I’ve tested, for comparison the Levo Comp Alloy (Gen3).
Building on the soft frame, the weight of the chassis and motor system mellows out the high compression settings of the Ohlins. The result is a very supple feeling for most of the travel, hitting a wall of compression in the last 20% that stays reserved for the full-face obstacles. Using the hefty weight to pump the suspension into that wall of support and unload it over roots and rock gardens provides a very soft, fluttery feeling over the jank. However, this pumping does introduce a limit, as the rear wheel tends to struggle getting out of the way and will hang up on square edges once the suspension loads back up with the settling weight. Unfortunately, this choking of the rear suspension feels like hitting a mud bog at the end of long rock and root sections, and can tend to throw rider weight forward as the bike stalls out underneath you. Normally, I would equate this to “packing in” the rear shock, but it’s much more pronounced from the rear axle path in the case of the Ekano. With a forward travel from the 70mm travel mark, the choking feeling just seems like a compromise of the platform. It’s not worth addressing with a change in setup, given the trade-off’s the rest of the setup provides. Overall, it’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a prominent reminder that this was not intended for racing. It’s happy to eat its way down the roughest trails, leaving you without much hand, wrist and quad fatigue, but that compromise is noticeable on the stopwatch.
On the other hand, the overall supple soft feeling of the chassis and suspension often encouraged me to try larger gaps and features than I’m normally comfortable with. This puts the Ekano in a weird space, where the bike is very comfortable pumping and popping with confidence, but moving that weight around also becomes a chore of energy management. For anyone who has rode moto, it is the exact same feeling of hopping on a 450 after years on a 250. Similarly, this comes with a caveat that the bike tends to be easier to misjudge the weight and power in the more reactive situations. I’ve had a higher-than-average number of experiences on the Ekano where the feeling is all comfort and flow state, only to be bitten with an unexpectedly tight corner or braking situation that reminds you how heavy this thing is.
The Wolf’s Last Word
The Propain Ekano 2 AL is best summarized as a niche bike. Best suited for riding straight up steep climbs, and straight down rough and rowdy descents. It will provide an exuberance of confidence on descents when charging through the roughest lines you can feed it, and will gravitate towards the larger thrills and features.
It probably goes without saying, but the Propain Ekano 2 AL doesn’t mesh with the flow trails at the average trail center, muting out most of the terrain and excitement. The fit and finish won’t wow, but the value offered during sales is still great. This bike rocks for the guys in flannels and flats, seeking a burly rig to hit the largest features and leave them with fresh legs for post-ride brews.
The largest shortcomings of this chassis are the weight, motor, and removeable battery; all items that appear to be resolved in the updated Ekano 2 CF, though at the expense of added cost. 
Price: $5,699 – $10,619.00 ($3,989.30 – $7,433.00 with discounts)
Weight: 56lbs (as built)
Website: Propain-bikes.com
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