Ari Wire Peak 2.0 eMTB Long-Term Review

Ari’s Wire Peak—introduced in late 2018 (when Ari was still known as Fezzari)—was the brand’s first electric-assist mountain bike. It was named after Wire Mesa in Utah, located east of Gooseberry Mesa, and its amazing network of trails. Fast-forward to 2024, and Ari has given the 29-inch-wheel Wire Peak ebike a revamp and “2.0” designation with a long list of updates and spec changes that make the second-generation model a value-driven eMTB.

DRIVE SYSTEM

Interestingly, Ari offers the Wire Peak 2.0 at three price levels and with three different Shimano drive units: the Comp comes spec’d with an E7000 drive unit, Elite an EP800, and Pro an EP600.

All three deliver the same 85 newton-meters of torque but differ in the level of component integration and customization. They can all be tuned to a rider’s preference in Shimano’s E-Tube app, but none of them can be updated with Shimano’s latest race-spec firmware; only the EP801 has that capability.

All three versions come paired to the same 36-volt, 635-watt-hour, removable Darfon battery pack. This battery pack is fully approved and supported by Shimano’s service network.

FRAME

An aluminum frame keeps the Wire Peak affordable, but it sees a long list of improvements, particularly in the geometry department. The head tube angle slackens to 65 degrees and the seat tube angle gets steeper at 77.5 degrees, and grows an average of 30mm across the size range, with our size large coming in with a 480mm measurement. There is a flip chip in the linkage that Ari calls the “GA link,” and it steepens the angle by 1 degree or compensates for a 27.5-inch rear wheel.

Other frame upgrades include UDH rear-derailleur-hanger compatibility and enhanced rear-triangle stiffness. The cables and wires are internally routed and are anchored to the frame above the battery to keep them rattle-free. Custom-molded rubber frame protectors and epoxy-infused paint are designed to keep it looking good over the long haul. Plus, Ari offers a lifetime warranty for worry-free ownership.

SUSPENSION

Ari gives the Wire Peak a Horst-link-style rear-suspension design it calls “TetraLink.” Rear-wheel travel grows from 140mm to 145mm, and Ari says the system sees improved kinematics with updated leverage ratios, as well as enhanced anti-squat and anti-rise characteristics.

Our Elite build features a custom-tuned DVO Opal shock with an external three-position compression-adjust switch and rebound knob. Its 160mm-travel DVO Diamond fork is the E3 ebike-specific spec fork that has increased bushing overlap within the fork’s casting for better structural stability and longevity. It has adjustable low-speed compression and rebound.

COMPONENTS

Ari offers the Wire Peak in three different builds, ranging in price from $3899 for the SRAM SX drivetrain-equipped Comp to $5699 for the Pro with Shimano’s durable XT Linkglide setup. We reviewed the mid-level Elite build that comes with Shimano’s SLX drivetrain, which fires off shifts reliably even under the power of an ebike. It may not match LinkGlide’s smoothness under load, but it’s still very good in this regard.

SRAM’s G2 brakes get the job done, generally speaking, but left us wanting more. Stan’s Flow S2 wheels laced to Bear Pawls hubs took a solid beating without issue; although, somebody wanting to spice up this build can upgrade to carbon Forge+Bond 30 EM wheels for an additional $1200. Ari specs all Wire Peak builds with Maxxis Minion DHF front and Dissector rear tires with EXO casings, which work really well in a wide range of conditions. We did experience a few rear flats with punctures between the outer knobs and center tread, so we wish they spec’d the EXO+ version of the rear tire, but keep in mind that this is a value-based build.

The cockpit consists of Ari-branded lock-on grips, aluminum bars and machined stem, all of which drew high marks from test riders. The 200mm-travel, TranzX, adjustable-travel dropper post that came spec’d on our test bike may not be flashy, but they have worked well on past test bikes and did on this one, too. Selle Italia’s 148mm-wide X3 Boost saddle looks like it might offer questionable comfort, but most riders really like its fit and feel, so it’s a solid overall spec as well.
Ari also offers various spec upgrades and add-ons in its bike builder for anyone looking for a few personal changes.

CLIMBING

Even though Shimano’s EP800 motor is based on the previous-generation EP8000, it is still a spunky system on the trail when turned up to the max settings in the app. It may not quite match the output of Shimano’s newer EP801, or Bosch, Brose or Rocky Mountain’s drive units, but our seat-of-the-pants dyno says it has more output than SRAM’s Eagle Powertrain. Because of its power, we were able to climb some challenging and steep trails.

Other factors that helped our ascent are the steep seat angle that helped keep us centered and the efficient suspension that doesn’t move excessively yet remains active enough to keep the tire tracking on the ground. If there is a downside, it’s overall bike weight and the Dissector rear tire that we generally like on descents, but it isn’t the most aggressive tire we have used for climbing traction.

DESCENDING

The Wire Peak feels right at home on most descents and makes quick work of rough ones, thanks to its excellent suspension that’s nice and plush initially but with lots of support for bigger hits. The rear suspension in particular has a very progressive feel to it that worked great for our heavier test riders, but some lighter ones had to run sag at or just under 30 percent to get full travel.

Our test bike came set in what Ari calls the “short” position, which offers the slackest angles and lowest bottom bracket height. Geometry keeps the bike lively in tighter, slower terrain, but there’s still enough stability to let off the brakes when the going gets faster and steeper. And let off the brakes we did, because on longer, steeper descents, our finger would start cramping up due to a lack of power. It’s the only real fly in the ointment on what is otherwise a really well-rounded bike.

It’s not until you ride it on some unreasonably steep trails with really big hits that it starts feeling out of its comfort zone, but you have to push things pretty far to get there. This kind of terrain is simply better suited to an enduro-style bike with more travel and a burlier build, like Ari’s 170mm-travel Timp Peak. However, when in its element, the Wire Peak is a blast to ride.

WHAT DID WE LOVE?

This bike costs half as much as many others we’ve tested, and we were able to ride the same trails and at pretty close to the same speeds. Sure, those other bikes are lighter and perform better when pushing really hard. Many riders might want those expensive high-end models, but for most, the Wire Peak is all they really need.

WHAT DID WE HATE?

Our biggest gripes about the Wire Peak revolve around its brakes. The SRAM G2 brakes generally lack in power and feel. The lever bushings got creaky, so we had to lube them occasionally to keep lever action smooth, too. We upgraded the rotors from 200mm Centerline to 220mm HS2 and saw improvements in every way. The larger diameter required less pressure from our finger to achieve the desired results, and they manage heat and resist fade much better, too.

Another detail that we didn’t care for was the fact that small protrusions on the chainstays touch the linkage and rub the paint at bottom-out. And, the chainstay guard came unglued and hit our heels until we stuck it back down. Ari says that its warranty department would handle these issues.

BOTTOM LINE

Ari’s Wire Peak sits smack dab in the middle of the electric all-mountain category with a wide range of capabilities out on the trail. It’s a great full-power ebike for somebody wanting something they can ride just about anywhere. It has a smart spec that with a little tweak can be great, but perhaps the best part of all is that you don’t have to take a second mortgage out on the house to get a great electric-assist mountain bike.

ARI WIRE PEAK 2.0 ELITE

aribikes.com

CATEGORY: All-mountain eMTB

SUSPENSION: 160mm (front), 145mm (rear)

TIRE SIZE: 29″

Price: $4799
Weight: 52.3 pounds (without pedals)
Sizes: S, M, L (tested), XL
Frame tested: Aluminum, 145mm travel
Motor: Shimano EP8
Controller: Shimano SC-E8000
Battery: Darfon 36V, 635Wh
Shock: DVO Opal, 210×55, custom-tuned
Fork: DVO Diamond E3 160mm
Wheelset: Stan’s Flow S2 aluminum rims, Bear Pawls hubs
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 29×2.5″ WT Exo tubeless-ready 60-tpi front; Maxxis Dissector 29×2.4″ Exo tubeless-ready rear

Seatpost: TranzX JD-YSI05J (170mm travel)
Saddle: Selle Italia X3 Boost 148
Handlebar: Ari Team 35
Stem: Ari Charger CNC 35
Grips: Ari lock-on grips
Headset: FSA Orbit
Brakes: SRAM DB8
Rotors: SRAM Centerline 200mm front/rear
Rear derailleur: Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed
Shifters: Shimano SLX M7100 Trigger, 12-speed
Crankset: Shimano FC-EM600, 160mm
Cassette: 12-speed, 10-50T
Chain: Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed
Chainrings: Shimano CRE80 34-tooth

GEOMETRY SIZE LARGE

Head tube angle: 65°
Effective seat tube angle: 77.5°
Reach: 480mm (18.9″)
Stack: 628mm (24.7″)
Bottom bracket height: 345mm (13.6″)
Chainstay length: 434mm (17.1″)
Wheelbase: 1,234mm (48.6″)