Is life-changing an exaggeration? I don’t think so. Credit: BikeRadar
I have been mountain biking for over a quarter century, but until recently I had held out on buying an electric mountain bike (eMTB).
I know, I’m late to the game.
In fact, last year, an article from Outside argued that eMTBs have rapidly gone from niche to mainstream, predicting they could eventually make up more than half, and potentially 75 to 80%, of mountain bikes sold, signaling how quickly electric mountain biking has become a dominant part of the sport.
After experiencing owning one myself, I totally see it.
They are incredible. If you already own an eMTB, then you already know this. If you don’t, this is why you should probably get one.
Background
Mountain biking for me started in college when, one spring term, my roommate asked if I wanted to take a mountain biking class with him. That’s right: we had Physical Activity Classes (PAC) at Oregon State University, each worth one credit, and as long as you were already taking 12 credits, additional credits cost nothing.
So I enrolled in the class.
It was awesome.
Exploring the trails around Corvallis, Oregon, and experiencing the thrill of going downhill got me hooked. I loved it so much I bought a new hardtail bike. Then a few years later, I bought a full-suspension mountain bike. Then another and another. It became part of my life.
When eMTBs started gaining traction, I was very much against them. I was a “purist.” I enjoyed the physical, sometimes grueling challenge of pedaling up a long climb, and I wanted to preserve the traditional experience.
As eMTB popularity grew, I started to look at them more closely. About two years ago, a friend called to tell me his friend was selling his eMTB and that I should buy it. I wasn’t ready for it then. But soon my sentiment shifted from disdain to jealousy. My mindset shifted from “I’ll never get one” to “I’ll get one when I’m older,” and more recently, “I need one now!”
The problem is, these bikes are expensive. So, I did my research to find out what I wanted and started watching Facebook Marketplace like a hawk. It didn’t take long to find one that fit my criteria, and after some good-faith negotiating, I ended up with a new-to-me Specialized Turbo Levo Comp. I had debated between getting an SL (super light) eMTB or a full-power one. I thought that the lighter weight of an SL bike would feel more like my analog bike, but I would have to give up battery power and torque. I ended up choosing a full-power eMTB, and I’m glad I did. The extra weight really isn’t a major factor, and it fits my needs much better.
Now that I own an eMTB and have completed dozens of rides, I can tell you why it’s been life-changing for me.
You Can Have Twice (or Three Times) the Fun
One of the biggest advantages of an eMTB is simple: you can ride farther and faster in the same amount of time with less effort. This is the biggest advantage and shouldn’t be taken lightly. A 10-mile ride on my analog bike can become 20 or even 30 miles on an eMTB, depending on the terrain and battery. That means more trails, more descents, more jumps, and more time on the bike. Instead of turning around because my legs are cooked, I can keep exploring. More mileage means more mountain biking, and more mountain biking means more fun.
Then there is the climb. On an analog bike, climbing can feel like the price you pay for the descent. On an eMTB, especially in Trail mode (or turbo), the climb becomes part of the fun. I still have to pedal, but the motor takes the edge off steep pitches and lets me carry more speed. Technical climbs become something I look forward to instead of something to endure. I can focus on picking lines and enjoying the trail instead of counting the vertical until the sufferfest is over and the downhill starts. There have been multiple times when I’m ascending a trail, and I mutter under my breath, “unbelievable,” because it truly is.
Getting double and triple the fun at Buzzard Butte Trail Network near Pacific City, OR. Credit: SnowBrains
You Will Explore Places You Never Would Have Before
One of my favorite things about riding an eMTB is how much more willing I am to explore. On my analog bike, I often stick to the trails I already know I like, which guarantees some enjoyment for my efforts. Why spend energy climbing an unknown trail when I could ride one I already know is fun? With an eMTB, that mindset has changed. I’m much more willing to take a different turn, climb a trail I’ve never ridden, or check out an unfamiliar section of the network because I know I have the energy and the speed to keep going.
It has also opened up entire trail networks I probably wouldn’t have bothered visiting before. Knowing I can cover more ground makes exploring a new area feel much more manageable, especially if it is a further drive away. I can ride farther, climb more, and see a lot more of a trail system in a single outing. Instead of showing up with a plan to ride a few familiar trails, I find myself looking at the map and thinking, “I wonder what’s over there?” That sense of exploration has added a whole new dimension to mountain biking for me.
It Is Still a Great Workout
An eMTB is still pedal-assisted, meaning you still have to pedal. The motor provides assistance but doesn’t do all the work, and you can adjust it based on the terrain and how hard you want to work. I often ride in “eco” mode, which offers the least assistance, and you can still get a great workout. Or ride in a lower assistance mode on easier terrain and increase it for steep climbs or longer rides.
An eMTB can also be a great way to get some cardio conditioning without spiking your heart rate too high. Assistance can help prevent overexertion on steep climbs, letting you maintain a more consistent effort for longer. That makes it easier to stay in a comfortable aerobic zone while still putting in meaningful work. You can get a good workout without completely exhausting yourself, which may mean more time on the bike and more miles.
Towing Your Kids
This obviously won’t apply to everyone. If you don’t have kids, you can skip this one. But for parents who ride with their kids, an eMTB can be an incredible tool. Kids may not be old enough to ride their own eMTB, and buying multiple electric bikes can get expensive fast. With an eMTB, you can tow your kids up the climb and save their legs for the fun part. This was a big factor in getting a full-power eMTB. This works especially well on mellow climbing trails or on road climbs, which are common in my area.
My son and I have explored many new trails or gotten double the downhill laps because I can tow him. Instead of spending most of the ride grinding uphill and complaining, you can get your kids back to the top and do another descent. More laps means more time practicing skills, which helps kids progress faster. It is similar to skiing. A chairlift lets you ski lap after lap, while hiking every run would drastically cut down on your time actually skiing. An eMTB gives your kids a little chairlift of their own, and more laps usually means more fun and faster progression.
There was a time when my boys looked forward to the one or two days a year we visited a lift-accessed bike park. Now, although a bike park still has its place, we don’t have to count the days to our next bike park day because we can now shuttle ourselves. It is a wonderful luxury.
Towing my son up the access road at Sandy Ridge Trail System in Brighton, Oregon. Credit: SnowBrains
I’m More Likely to Go For a Ride
My eMTB has also gotten me outside more often. Because riding is more fun, I find myself looking for more opportunities to go. Before, I might skip a ride because I did not want to deal with a long, exhausting climb, or because I knew I had limited time before another commitment. Now, the ride feels easier to fit into my day and more worth the effort of getting out the door.
Even when I do not have much time, or my legs are a little sore from another workout, I am much more likely to go. The eMTB takes some of the physical cost out of the ride while still giving me the fun of being on the trails. It also makes driving to the trailhead feel more worthwhile because I know I can get a good ride in without needing several hours.
Just a few years ago, I never thought I would say this, but my eMTB has made me enjoy riding more. It has made climbs fun, opened up new trails, given me more time on descents, helped me ride with my kids, and made it easier to squeeze in a ride on a busy day. I still have my analog bike, and I’m sure I will still ride it on occasion, as I don’t think eMTBs have to replace traditional mountain biking. For me, they have simply added another way to enjoy the trails, and one that has me riding more often.
If you’re thinking about getting an eMTB, just do it. Whether you’re a longtime mountain biker who’s been holding out like I was, or someone new to the sport, there is a good chance you’ll wonder why you waited so long. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
Exploring. Credit: Peter Walker