2025 Propain Sresh SL SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission E-Bike

If you're an aggressive rider chasing a non-motorized e-bike ride feel that prioritizes downhill handling and performance, look no further than the Propain Sresh SL. Vital has spent the last few months aboard a burly, custom-spec'd build of this lightweight eMTB and our experience has been eye-opening.

Highlights

• High modulus blend full-carbon frame
• 150mm rear travel, 160mm front travel (Propain offers 170mm fork options in their configurator)
• PRO10 suspension platform with 25% progression
• 210x55mm shock
• Dual-29-inch wheels or mixed wheels (tested)
• TQ HPR60 motor, 350W, 60Nm, up to 200% support
• Top tube-integrated display
• Removable 360Wh (1,835g) or 580Wh (2,695g, tested) battery
• Optional 160Wh range extender (960g)
• UDH
• Boost wheel spacing
• S, M (tested), L, XL sizes
• Weight: 45.5 pounds // 20.6kg (size medium with 580Wh battery, Ohlins TTX coil, Ohlins 38 fork, Continental enduro casing tires, with pedals. Propain claims lightweight builds in size medium as low as  40.1-pound // 18.2kg)
• Price: starting at $5,999 (Vital's custom-spec test bike: approx. $8,300)

The Propain Sresh SL CF is an aggressive all-mountain e-MTB that punches above its travel, delivering a lively, confident ride on the descents. With a customizable build starting at $5,999 and options up to $8,299, it’s built for advanced riders who push their bikes hard. Four different testers spent time on our size medium test bike and all agreed that the bike smashes the descents and is not an e-bike for those looking to smash out stacks of vert with minimal effort in a short amount of time. The reason? The TQ motor's low power output. The upside of the diminutive drive system is that the bike is extremely quiet and the ride feels like a nimble mountain bike, not a lumbering lard of an e-bike. 

A highlight of the Sresh SL is a modular removable battery system (360Wh or 580Wh, with optional 160Wh range extender). While the ride is light, quiet and natural it lacks the punch of Bosch- or Avinox-equipped competitors. Long-range rides are possible for those willing to put in more effort than their lazier friends, but range needs to be considered as  our testers relied on full power support to achieve the most responsiveness while pedaling. Since we were on a descent-oriented build with coil suspension, 38mm fork and enduro casing tires, a more trail-oriented air-sprung build—which Propain claims could be as much as five pounds lighter than ours—could completely change the character of the bike, something we hope to explore in the future.

The harder we pushed, the better the Sresh SL responded. 

It wasn't an immediate match made in heaven with the Sresh SL. We told Propain our testers would top out at 180 pounds, but we received the bike with a 548-pound spring, recommended for riders between 200-225 pounds. Once that was sorted (we went all the way down to a 411-pound) and we settled into the rear end, there was still an over-the-front feeling due to the low stack and long chainstays. Our size medium has a 450mm reach and 450mm chainstays in our mixed wheel, high-setting layout, so we changed the bars from 35mm rise (the highest rise available from the Propain configurator) to some 50mm rise bars we had on hand. With the spring rate dialed, the riding position comfy and the suspension tuned, it was nothing but smiles and smashing for the rest of our testing period. On the trail, in our configuration, the Sresh rewards aggressive riding. The Ohlins suspension and balanced geometry deliver speed, stability, and confidence on rough terrain, even keeping pace with longer-travel bikes. The harder we pushed, the better the Sresh SL responded. It was easy to forget we only had 150mm of rear travel, and the stout chassis of the Ohlins RFX 38 M.2 shied away from nothing.

We're giving this lightweight e-bike 5 stars because we think that the Sresh SL, even with the polarizing TQ drive system, is a fantastic bike for riders who embrace the effort and enjoyment of the climb to then rejoice as they attack the descent at speed. Those looking for a free, motorized shuttle ride to the top will probably want to avoid the Sresh SL, but remember, they'll be the ones who miss out on the incredible prowess of this modern e-MTB.

For more information or to custom spec your own Sresh SL, hit up www.propain-bikes.com

View key specs, compare e-bikes, and review the new Propain Sresh SL models in the Vital MTB Product section.