Original models use Shimano’s STEPS E8000 mid-drive motor (70Nm). Current models use the newer STEPS EP8 (85Nm).
Pedego Elevate E-Bike Review
Written by: Tom Fortune | September 12, 2026 | Time to read 5 min
Pedego built its name on cruisers and comfort bikes, so the Elevate, a full-suspension trail bike, was a departure when it launched. It’s held up well since.
More about the Author: Tom Fortune
Tom is a Brit living in the French Alps. When he's not creating written and video content for various brands, he's either pedalling or snowboarding around his local mountains. E-Bikes have unlocked the potential for Tom to explore Alpine terrain and get away from the crowded bike parks. He is only too keen to share his knowledge and experience with other riders.
You’d normally associate Pedego with electric cruisers and comfort bikes, not trail riding. But they also build a full-suspension electric mountain bike called the Elevate. It’s a Class 1 bike, so you don’t get a throttle, and it has a limited assisted top speed of 20 mph. The great thing is that, as a Class 1 bike, it’s allowed on most trails, giving you lots of access to great terrain. But you still need to check if e-Bikes are allowed on your local trails.
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Pedego Elevate Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | Shimano STEPS mid-drive (E8000, 70Nm, on original models; EP8, 85Nm, on the current Elevate V2) |
| Battery | 36V 14Ah (roughly 500Wh) lithium-ion, integrated into the downtube on the V2 |
| Class | Class 1, 20mph pedal assist only |
| Suspension | Full suspension, 150mm front / 151mm rear travel (V2) |
| Brakes | Shimano XT M8120 hydraulic disc, 4-piston, 203mm rotors (V2) |
| Drivetrain | Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed (V2) |
| Tires | Maxxis Assegai (front) / Minion DHR2 (rear), 29x2.6in (V2) |
| Seatpost | SDG Tellis dropper, up to 125mm drop (V2) |
| Range | Up to 42 miles claimed (V2) |
How It Rides
The motor uses a torque sensor, so how much help you get depends on how hard you’re pedaling. That’s different from a lot of cheaper e-Bikes that use cadence sensors, where the motor just switches on at a fixed level the moment you start pedaling, no matter how much effort you’re putting in.
You get 150mm of suspension travel on the front and rear, which is enough to soak up impacts from roots, rocks, and rutted climbs. It’s not an enduro bike for bigger alpine terrain, but it will cope well with plenty of heavy trail riding.
Motor and Battery
Early Elevate models came with the Shimano STEPS E8000 motor, putting out 70Nm of torque. Pedego has since switched to the newer EP8 motor, which bumps that up to 85Nm. If you’re comparing a new bike to a used one, check which motor you’re looking at, because you’ll notice a difference in low-end grunt on steep climbs. The extra torque means less pedaling effort for the same speed.
It has a 500Wh battery and, on the current V2, it’s fully integrated into the downtube instead of sitting externally on the frame, a cleaner look than the original Elevate had. Pedego says you’ll get up to 42 miles per charge, though that number assumes low assistance on easy terrain. But you’ll get less range when you push it hard on technical trails.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- The current V2 comes with an SDG Tellis dropper post (up to 125mm of drop), a fantastic addition over the original Elevate that makes technical descents noticeably easier to handle. If you’ve never had a dropper seatpost before, you’ll never want to go back to a static one.
- Tire choice on the V2 is properly aggressive for this category: a Maxxis Assegai up front and a Minion DHR2 out back, both proper trail/enduro tires that you find on more burly e-MTBs.
- You can tweak assist levels and modes through Shimano’s E-Tube app over Bluetooth, so you can dial the ride in to match your style.
Who Should Buy the Pedego Elevate?
- Riders who want a capable e-MTB for trails with power that feels natural.
- Riders drawn to the Elevate mainly for technical descents and dropper post convenience should look specifically at the current V2, due to the upgrades.
Alternatives Worth Considering
The Giant Trance X E+ is in a similar accessible range to the Elevate, even though it runs Giant’s SyncDrive motor, co-developed with Yamaha, instead of a Shimano system.
Find a Pedego Elevate on Upway
A mid-drive motor and full suspension take a beating out on the trail, so check both closely on any used bike, not just the frame. Every e-Bike sold through Upway gets a 50-point inspection before it’s listed, covering exactly that.
Browse the current electric mountain bikes selection, the used electric bikes collection, or check the sale collection to compare current options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What motor does the Pedego Elevate use?
How far can the Pedego Elevate go on a charge?
Pedego claims up to 42 miles on the current V2, but that’s on low assist over easy terrain. Technical trail riding at higher assist will use a lot more battery.
Is the Pedego Elevate a Class 1 e-Bike?
Yes. Pedal assist only, no throttle, capped at 20mph. That’s what gets you onto Class 1-only trails.
Key Takeaways
- The Elevate pairs a torque-sensing Shimano mid-drive motor with 150 mm of suspension travel.
- Older models run the E8000 motor (70Nm), newer ones run the EP8 (85Nm). Know which one you’re buying.
- The current V2 has an SDG Tellis dropper post and more aggressive Assegai/Minion DHR2 tires over the original Elevate.
