Scott knew what he wanted when he put together the spec for this Propain Sresh custom build – a step up from his own Specialized Levo SL Carbon to a full-power eMTB. In this first update, we find out how he's getting on with the Sresh and whether he's planning any upgrades.
It’s hard to believe how quickly my time with the Propain Sresh is going. The bike has been a loyal trail companion and ticks just about every box for my riding style.
I went into this test with high expectations – mostly because I customised the build spec of the Sresh to my preferences.
As such, it shouldn't come as any real surprise that there’s very little I want to swap out.
From the suspension to the finer components, the Sresh has been dialled from day one.
However, there is one thing I can’t overlook – the motor.
What should be the heart and lungs of this bike, the Shimano EP801 is the weak link in the Sresh's armour.
While the bike itself is impressively quiet – no hub buzz, no chain slap and not even cable chatter – the motor produces an unbearably irritating rattle.
It’s audible when simply riding tame fireroads and trails, but excessively worse when charging down the slightest bit of rough stuff. And because everything else is near-silent, the harsh-sounding rattle really stands out.
It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s hard to ignore – especially when you wonder how much better the Sresh would be with something such as DJI’s Avinox – a slimmer, sleeker setup with more torque, a bigger battery, and a noticeably quieter system.
Coming from the lightweight Specialized Levo SL Carbon, the Sresh’s 22.83kg felt hefty at first, which is to be expected.
That said, it’s a pretty remarkable bike for a full-power, heavy-hitting enduro rig.
After a few laps of my local steep tracks and some bigger days out, I quickly got familiar with the braking points and found my flow with the Sresh.
After clocking up around 100km, I wasn't merely comfortable, but found I was pushing the Sresh harder than I ever did the Levo SL – or any other ebike for that matter.
I've been inching closer to the level of performance I’d expect from my analogue enduro bike. That’s a big statement and a testament to how capable the Sresh truly is.
There are still a few quirks worth flagging, though.
The bike can feel a little front-heavy on steep descents, and it has a tendency to run away if you’re not on the brakes early.
Speaking of which, the Formula Cura 4s are decent, but I find myself giving the levers a good squeeze to get the stopping power I need on steeper trails.
Propain Sresh CF in brief
The Propain Sresh CF was high on my shortlist for a potential 2025 long-term test bike.
The Sresh is a full-power trail bike equipped with the Shimano EP801 drive unit and a 626Wh battery.
Better still, you have the freedom to create your dream rig using Propain's online configurator.
This meant I could spec a burley enduro-esque build, while keeping the weight down to a pleasing 22.83kg (size large) and have enough juice to keep me in the saddle all day.
I'm fired up for a year on the Propain Sresh CF and believe this singletrack slayer is the perfect blend for the steep and technical riding I enjoy.
This bike promises a lot on paper, so I'm eager to see how it performs in the real world.
Propain Sresh CF frame, suspension and specifications
The Sresh CF is only available in carbon, constructed using Propains’s Blend Carbon.
It combines a blend of different carbon fibre types and weaves with the intention of delivering the ideal balance of strength, stiffness and durability.
I opted for the Heavy Metal colour. However, it’s more Silver Surfer.
There's 150mm of rear travel from the Propain PRO10 system, which has a design resemblance to a motocross bike.
Featuring a vertically mounted Fox Float X Factory shock, paired with a 160mm Fox Float 38 Factory fork.
At the bike's helm is the Integrated Cable Routing (ICR) system co-developed with Sixpack.
This enables the cables to run through a pinch-through seal below the stem into the top spacer, through the headset and into the frame, rather than traditional cable routing, which runs directly through the stem.
This, alongside SRAM's GX Eagle Transmission, gives a very clean aesthetic.
For brakes, I went with Formula's Cura 4 with 203mm rotors front and rear, giving me plenty of stopping power.
I’m currently running a mixed-wheel setup using Newmen’s Beskar 30 Base wheelset, with Continental’s Kryptotal tyres.
Propain Sresh CF specifications (custom build)
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 22.83kg (size large)
- Frame: Blend Carbon Frame
- Fork: Fox Float 38 Factory
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Motor: Shimano EP801 Max
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission
- Crank: Shimano FC-EM600 165mm 34Z
- Chain: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission
- Cassette: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission
- Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission (1x12)
- Trigger: SRAM AXS Pod Controller
- Brakes: Formula Cura 4
- Wheels: Newmen Beskar 30 Base
- Tyres: Continental Kryptotal
- Handlebars: Sixpack Millenium 805 30mm rise
- Stem: Sixpack Millenium 50 ICR
- Saddle: Sixpack Kamikaze
- Dropper post: OneUp Dropper V3, 180mm
Propain Sresh CF geometry
I’m 183cm tall and have a Large frame. With a 65-degree head angle, 447mm chainstays and a compact 480mm reach, the geometry isn’t breaking any boundaries, yet it has created a very poppy and playful ride feel.
I feel the geo on the Sresh CF is in the sweet spot between my Specialized Levo SL and the Specialized Enduro.
It brings a fun, playful ride feel and has given me confidence to push hard when I want to.
| | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 76.6 | 76.6 | 76.6 | 76.6 |
| Seat tube angle - eff (degrees) | 78.5 | 78.5 | 78.5 | 78.5 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 447 | 447 | 447 | 447 |
| Top tube (mm) | 556 | 578 | 610 | 636 |
| Head tube (mm) | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 |
| Fork offset (mm) | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 |
| Bottom bracket height (mm) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,204 | 1,229 | 1,263 | 1,292 |
| Stack (mm) | 618 | 628 | 637 | 646 |
| Reach (mm) | 430 | 450 | 480 | 505 |
Why did I choose this bike?
This isn't my first foray into the world of ebiking.
For the past three years, I've been riding a Specialized Levo SL – it's a fantastic lightweight machine, but I'm excited to experience the full power of the Shimano EP801, rocketing from 35Nm to 85Nm of power.
I'm a dad to a 19-month-old toddler, so opportunities to ride are very precious and limited. This is where the extra power from the EP801 will enable me to fully optimise my riding time.
Living in South Wales, I’m surrounded by some of the best UK riding, and the Sresh (on paper) seemed the best tool for the job.
Propain Sresh CF ride impressions
The first ride filled me with confidence. Getting used to the weight and adapting my braking points was a slight learning curve, but after a few runs on my local steep trails, I was already up to speed.
The difference in power from my Levo SL to the Shimano EP801 was like night and day. It was almost effortless to wind my way up the fire road to the trailhead, something that typically feels a bit of a grind.
Propain Sresh CF upgrades
Because this is a custom build using Propain’s online configurator, I haven’t needed to upgrade anything on the bike as of yet.
However, if there was one component I would swap out, it would be the Formula Cura 4 brakes.
I prefer a much snappier on-off feel, and I found I’m having to pull on the levers much harder to feel in control on the steeper trails.
BikeRadar‘s long-term test bikes
BikeRadar's long-term test bikes give our team the opportunity to truly get to grips with these machines, so we can tell you how they perform through different seasons and on ever-changing terrain, through a year of riding.
Some choose a bike from their favoured discipline and ride it hard for a year, others opt for a bike that takes them outside of their comfort zone.
We also use our long-term bikes as test beds for the latest kit, chopping and changing parts to see what really makes the difference – and help you decide which upgrades are worth spending your money on.
These bikes also provide an insight into the team's riding through the year – how they like to ride and where life on two wheels takes them, from group rides on local lanes and trails, to adventures further afield.
To see all of the BikeRadar team’s long-term test bikes – and to stay up-to-date with the latest updates – visit our long-term review hub.
Product
| Brand | Propain |
| Price | €7874.00, £6640.00 |
| Weight | 22.83kg |
Features
| Fork | Fox Float 38 Factory |
| Stem | Sixpack Millenium 50 ICR |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Frame | Blend Carbon Frame |
| Motor | Shimano EP801 Max |
| Tyres | Continental Kryptotal |
| Brakes | Formula Cura 4 |
| Cranks | Shimano FC-EM600 165 mm 34Z |
| Saddle | Sixpack Kamikaze |
| Wheels | Newmen Beskar 30 Base |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Seatpost | OneUp Dropper V3 - 180mm |
| Handlebar | Sixpack Millenium 805 30mm rise |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X Factory |
| Available sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission (1x12) |
