Mountain biking has been around for quite some time now. It’s a popular sport and exercise for millions of people across the world. New electric tech is working its way into the pastime, giving you a fresh take on an old activity. In other words, mountain biking is beginning to change with the introduction of “e-bikes.”
As e-bikes grow in popularity, so do their capabilities. If you’re looking to use e-bikes for mountain biking, you’ll enjoy the benefits of speed, terrain handling and the balance of physical exertion with ease of use. Though some remain skeptical of e-bikes’ effectiveness, others see them as a helpful way to get active.
So how does mountain biking benefit from electric tech?
1. Electronic Assistance
Part of the skepticism towards e-bikes come from people’s disbelief that they offer the same amount of exercise as standard bikes. However, one study recently showed a correlation that suggests the opposite.
E-bikes offer a similar amount of physical exertion and activity to regular bikes. The difference is that e-bikes make you feel like you’re exerting yourself less due to their electronic assistance.
This capability can help numerous people. Those who are new to exercising or mountain biking will have an easier time transitioning into the activity with an e-bike. Similarly, if you’re looking to step up your skills, the electric tech in an e-bike can help you handle more physical activity at farther distances.
For instance, if someone uses a standard bike for the full length of a mountain trail, it can feel like a full workout. However, with an e-bike, an individual may still feel energetic and willing to continue after the entire trail, getting in more activity. This dynamic helps you ease into mountain biking or push your existing goals even further.
2. Speed and Power
Speed and power go hand-in-hand with e-mountain biking. One of the selling factors for e-bikes is their different power levels. You’ll find that many have settings that include eco, trail and boost or something similar. These levels let you match your desired speed and power with your terrain.
If you’re on a trail, for example, then the trail option will work best. If you’d like to challenge yourself, the eco setting lets you do that. You can save battery power since it reduces the level of assistance it provides. Then, with the boost setting, you can get that extra power you’re looking for when the time is right.
For mountain biking, you’ll probably be looking for class one e-bikes. These have no throttle and can come with a top assisted speed of up to 20 miles per hour (mph). Other bikes may come with a turbo power boost that reaches a maximum capacity of 700 watt-hours.
Each e-bike will come with different settings, so find out which one will meet your biking preferences.
3. Terrain
E-bikes are versatile. Class one is typically for mountain biking, while classes two and three have different top assisted speeds and throttles. However, you can still use a class one e-bike on pavement — it might just go slower than it would in the mountains.
On mountain trails, you’ll notice an e-bike can handle steeper inclines and rockier trails than standard bikes can. Manufacturers specifically design mountain e-bikes to work with narrow dirt roads and bumpy terrain.
They are more durable, with wider and flatter handlebars than other bikes. Their wider tires also help you navigate through the most mountainous terrains. These bikes can handle a significant amount of rockiness, which makes them a long-lasting investment.
Additionally, if your e-bike runs out of battery while you’re on a trail, most models will be light enough to continue pedaling on your own. However, you can monitor your battery level with most e-bike models and gauge your distancing and timing proportionately. Enjoying the terrain can then become your primary focus.
E-Bikes for Mountain Biking
There are some things to keep in mind before you start your e-bike mountain adventure. First, you’ll want to see if your state or region has any regulations regarding e-bikes. Some places consider them similar to standard bikes, and others require a license. Second, you’ll want to see which trails are best for biking. You can check your local park or trail rules as well.
Once you’re ready to buy, you can compare models and see which is right for you. Are you looking for a model with the most features? How do the batteries hold up across brands? From there, you can enjoy a more personalized experience.
