- The Surron LBX is iconic and practically invented the modern e-moto, while the ETM RTR is innovating the way forward
- The top speed for both the Surron LBX and ETM RTR Lite is similar at 45mph
- Mid-size vs. Pit bike: The Surron has a larger frame, while the RTR Lite has a smaller pit bike-sized frame
- The LBX has a massive aftermarket parts selection, while the ETM RTR has a more modular design, allowing easy swapping of components.
Surron LBX or ETM RTR Lite? Which is better? Years ago, if I asked this question, the answer would be a simple ‘of course, Surron!’, but now it could be the complete opposite.
It could be argued that Surron is the reason behind the e-moto of today. They were the originals, practically inventing the electric dirt bike that we all know today.
Then, as the years went by, Surron didn’t really make any big upgrades to their models, all while other new brands started taking over the market. Electro & Co. are one of those brands, creating high quality, race ready electric dirt bikes that are faster, more agile, with stronger parts… and for a lower price.
Price is the focus of this comparison review, pitting the now somewhat old-school Surron LBX against the brand-new ETM RTR Lite. Comparing a bike with half the amp hours and almost half the kilowatts might seem odd at first glance, but by the end of this article I bet you’ll think they are a lot more similar than they are different.
Which is better? To answer this as subjectively as possible, let’s look at the power, frame, suspension, brakes, what mods you can do and what each bike is best designed to do. If you’re looking for an e-moto, one of these bikes could be your perfect choice. Let’s break it all down:
Power
Both the Surron LBX and the ETM RTR Lite run a 60V battery. Most e-moto brands are now including a 72V battery system as it can give a higher output of power, but keep in mind we’re comparing the LBX with the entry level Lite from Electro & Co.
Surron LBX: 60V 40Ah, peak power of 8kW. Max speed 46mph
ETM RTR Lite: 60V 20Ah, peak power of 5kW. Max speed 45+ mph
The ETM RTR Lite has three selectable power levels, while the Surron LBX has 2 ride modes – the Sports mode and Eco mode.
Frame
At first glance, the biggest difference between the LBX and the RTR Lite is the size. The Surron is physically bigger. With 19/18 wheels, a longer wheel base, and a taller seat, the LBX has a different riding feel from the Lite – larger and more confident for on-road shenanigans.
On the other hand, the RTR Lite has a seat height of 30 inches, a 14/12 wheel set, and a wheel base of 44.5”. This makes it more of a pit bike size, but the ergonomics have been really well thought out, with the rider’s triangle working well for an average-sized adult. The lower seat makes it more friendly for shorter riders, such as teenagers.
We here at GritShift might be fully grown adults riding all these bikes, but a lot of the riders out there are much younger and often much shorter than we are. There are times a person might struggle to flat-foot on a Surron LBX, and a bike like the RTR Lite could start to look pretty appealing.
This is the part where personal preference comes into play, as physical size isn’t something you can mod easily on a bike. If you like the feel of the bigger bike, then you would need to look at the LBX or similarly sized e-motos, such as the E Ride Pro SS. However, if you want something more compact – which can fit more easily into your car, apartment, and more- then the ETM RTR Lite could be your next bike.
As for quality, Electro & Co. builds race-ready bikes. This means they make sure that all the known e-moto weak points are extra strong, including the swing arm. If you haven’t seen us chat about swingarm rigidity, check out this video. Basically, if the swing arm has any flex to it, it can lead to chains failing and coming off the sprocket. Not ideal, especially if you’re mid jump! And that’s nothing to worry about from E&C as they’ve thought of all of it.
Suspension
Surron LBX: The Surron LBX has an inverted coil spring hydraulic fork, with an Intersect TR Multi-link rear suspension system with full adjustment.
ETM RTR Lite: 48mm E&C tuned forks with a pit bike grade shock.
The biggest difference between the LBX and the RTR Lite with suspension is the ability to make adjustments. The Surron has adjustable forks, while the ETM RTR Lite has preset plush-tuned suspension. The main reason for this is to keep the cost down, making the ETM RTR Lite accessible to more riders.
It’s simple to upgrade the forks on the Lite to the RTR Sport adjustable forks if you find you need different suspension in the future. You can find used forks on eBay sometimes, or most any aftermarket option that is made for the RTR Sport should fit the Lite as well.
Mods and Power
Most electric dirt bike riders love to mod their bikes. It’s much easier than traditional gas-powered dirt bikes, mostly because the parts are interchangeable and plug-and-play.
ETM RTR Lite: Electro & Co. has designed its complete range to allow swapping most parts. This means you could purchase the Lite and upgrade the bike to RTR Sport parts as your abilities grow. Much cheaper than buying a whole new bike.
Surron LBX: Surron started the whole e-moto craze, so there is a huge range of aftermarket parts available. E&C simply hasn’t had the time to build up that aftermarket yet.
It’s one of the main reasons why GritShift was started – creating high-quality parts for e-motos like Surron LBXs – and we’re one of many companies building small-batch original parts to keep these bikes alive. E&C actually started off making parts as well, and now they make their own bike. Will there be a GritShift bike one day? Only time will tell.
The Surron LBX comes with 8kW, however, you can upgrade the controller, motor, and battery to achieve a much higher peak power output. This can be a costly exercise, depending on how much power you want to achieve. The ETM RTR Lite also has many options to upgrade the power.
Electro & Co. have made this simple, making most of the parts on the ETM RTR models interchangeable. But again, there is a ceiling for upgrading an RTR Lite without making it a totally different bike. If you’re looking at the RTR Lite and thinking it’s a good starting point but you’re already eyeing some mods, consider the other E&C models which offer more power, better suspension, more range, etc, and some of the only trade-offs are weight and seat height.
Style of riding
Now that we know a little about each model, we need to work out what each bike has been designed to do.
Surron LBX: Created for cross-country terrain and enduro-style tracks. Often modded for very different uses.
ETM RTR Lite: Created to be a high quality, entry-level bike that’s also great at moto tracks and dirt trail riding.
The Surron has more power, 8kW instead of 5kW. The top speed for both bikes is very close – both around 45mph. The smaller frame on the Lite makes it easier for learning, stunting, tricks, and general maneuverability. The larger frame on the Surron makes it feel closer in size to a full sized dirt bike. Neither is better, just different.
What do we think?
This is harder to explain, but I’ll give it a go. We love Surron. Without Surron, the e-moto industry would have taken much longer to evolve, or possibly to even start. So, for diehard Surron fans, a new LBX would be a great bike. It looks fantastic, rides well, and has almost unlimited options when it comes to modding.
But, is the Surron the best mid-sized e-moto you could get? We think that the ETM RTR Lite is a much better value for money. Great quality, easy to buy, can easily talk with customer service if needed, and it has a similar top speed, and there are enough upgrade options even within E&C’s other bikes that you could grow with a Lite for a long time.
Not to mention, if you want to get a Surron, you’ll need to head into an authorised dealer and buy from them. The ETM RTR Lite can be purchased online through an authorised dealer.
Here are some other things to consider:
If you like the ETM RTR Lite, but want more power, check out the ETM RTR Sport or even the ETM RTR Alpha. Interesting fact – the ETM RTR Alpha is a 92V 18kW machine and is around $500 cheaper than the Surron LBX (at the time of writing)!
If you like the concept of the Surron, but want to see what else is around, check out the E Ride Pro SS 3.0. Same price, but a 16kW machine with a top speed of 62mph and more features. This is one of the reasons we’re saying the Surron isn’t the best value for money e-moto.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, consider buying your next e-bike and upgrade parts from us here at GritShift. You’ll be helping to support our deep dives in all formats as well as the development of new parts for promising models like the ETM RTR Lite.
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