I’ve been riding mountain bikes for twelve years. I switched to an e-MTB two years ago — a Specialized Turbo Levo — and it changed how I ride in ways I hadn’t fully anticipated. Longer rides, more technical terrain, more time on the bike. The e-assist means I can ride trails that would have been too demanding for a full day on an analogue bike, and I can do multiple laps of climbs that I’d previously have done once and called it a day.
It also introduced a problem I hadn’t had before: the spare battery. On longer rides, I carry a spare battery to extend my range. A spare Levo battery weighs about 2.9kg. For the first year, I was carrying it in a standard cycling pack that wasn’t designed for it — the weight sat wrong, the pack moved on technical descents, and I was constantly aware of it in a way that affected my riding.
The EVOC E-RIDE 12 was designed specifically for this problem. Eight months of riding with it has confirmed that it solves it completely.
The E-Bike Pack Problem
The specific issue with carrying a spare e-bike battery in a standard cycling pack is weight distribution. A standard cycling pack is designed for tools, food, a hydration bladder, and a layer — items that are relatively light and distributed across the pack. A 2.9kg battery is a dense, heavy object that needs to be positioned close to the body and centred on the spine to avoid affecting balance and handling.
In a standard pack, the battery ends up wherever it fits — usually at the bottom, which puts the weight low and away from the body, creating a pendulum effect on technical terrain. On steep descents or tight switchbacks, I could feel the pack moving independently of my body, which affected my confidence and my line choice. I was compensating for the pack rather than focusing on the trail.
I’d been aware of e-bike specific packs as a category but had assumed they were a marketing distinction rather than a meaningful design difference. The EVOC E-RIDE 12 convinced me otherwise.
Why the EVOC E-RIDE 12 Specifically
EVOC is the brand that serious mountain bikers trust for packs. They’ve been making purpose-built cycling packs for over a decade, and their understanding of how a pack needs to behave on technical terrain — staying close to the body, moving with the rider rather than independently — is reflected in every design decision.
The EVOC E-RIDE 12 Bike Backpack has a dedicated e-bike battery compartment positioned at the centre of the pack, close to the spine. This is the design decision that makes it e-bike specific rather than just a standard pack with a marketing label. The battery sits in a padded, centred compartment that keeps the weight where it needs to be — close to the body, on the spine, not hanging away from it. The difference in how the pack handles on technical terrain is immediately apparent.
The 12L capacity is the right size for a full day’s e-MTB riding. Tools and spares, food and snacks, a waterproof layer, a hydration bladder — all of it fits without the pack being so large that it affects aerodynamics or handling. I’ve done rides of up to six hours with the E-RIDE 12 and never felt like I was carrying too much or too little.
The hydration bladder compatibility was the feature I needed for longer rides. The pack integrates with standard hydration bladders — the bladder sits in a dedicated sleeve, the hose routes cleanly to the shoulder strap, and drinking while riding is straightforward. On a six-hour ride in summer, hydration management is not optional.
The ergonomic carrying system — the harness, the back panel, the hip belt — is designed for cycling rather than hiking. The fit is closer to the body, the straps are positioned for a riding position rather than an upright one, and the ventilation channels in the back panel keep airflow moving even on climbs. I’ve worn it for six hours without significant discomfort, which is not something I could say about the standard pack I was using before.
I found it in the Cycling and Bicycle Accessories collections, and also in the broader Outdoor Recreation and Sporting Goods ranges. It arrived three days after ordering.
First Ride — The Difference Was Immediate
I loaded the E-RIDE 12 for the first time on a Saturday morning — spare battery in the dedicated compartment, tools and spares in the main compartment, hydration bladder filled, a bar and a gel in the top pocket. I put it on and immediately noticed the difference in how it sat. The battery weight was centred and close to my back rather than hanging away from it. The harness held the pack against my body rather than allowing it to move independently.
On the first technical descent of the day — a steep, rooty section that requires precise weight placement — I didn’t think about the pack once. It moved with me rather than independently. I was focused entirely on the trail rather than compensating for the pack. That’s the difference between a pack that’s designed for the activity and one that isn’t.
Eight Months On — The Honest Verdict
Eight months of regular trail riding. Here’s the honest report:
- The battery compartment works exactly as designed. Eight months of loading and unloading a 2.9kg battery, multiple times per ride. The compartment holds the battery securely, the padding protects it, and the weight distribution is consistent every time. The pendulum effect I experienced with the standard pack is gone.
- The pack has held up to trail riding conditions. Mud, rain, the occasional crash where the pack takes some impact. The materials are robust and the zips are still functioning correctly. EVOC builds packs for people who actually ride, and the construction reflects that.
- The hydration system works seamlessly. I’ve used it with a 2L bladder on every long ride. The routing is clean, the bite valve is accessible from the riding position, and I’ve never had a leak or a routing issue.
- The ergonomic system is comfortable for long rides. Six-hour rides, technical terrain, significant climbing. The harness and back panel keep the pack stable and the ventilation channels prevent the back panel from becoming a heat trap. I’ve had no significant discomfort attributable to the pack.
- My riding has improved. I’m cautious about attributing this entirely to the pack — eight months of riding also means eight months of practice. But not having to compensate for a moving pack on technical terrain has freed up mental bandwidth that I’m using for better line choice and technique. That’s a real benefit.
The Difference It’s Made
I ride better with the E-RIDE 12 than I did with the standard pack. That’s the honest summary. The pack does what it’s designed to do — carries a spare battery in a way that doesn’t affect handling, keeps everything organised and accessible, and stays comfortable over a full day’s riding. When the equipment works correctly, you stop thinking about it and start thinking about the trail. That’s the goal.
If you ride an e-MTB and you’re carrying a spare battery in a standard pack, the EVOC E-RIDE 12 Bike Backpack is the upgrade that makes a genuine difference. Browse the full Cycling and Bicycle Accessories collections for more options.
Load the battery in the dedicated compartment. Fill the hydration bladder. Adjust the harness properly. Then go and ride without thinking about the pack.
Rob Calloway is a structural engineer and e-MTB rider based in Kendal. He has been riding mountain bikes for twelve years, switched to a Specialized Turbo Levo two years ago, and is currently working on his technical descending with considerably more success than before.
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