{"id":66199,"date":"2024-06-25T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/7fbd6e20-1f1e-44d3-8dd7-d9ff210a2ae3"},"modified":"2024-06-25T18:25:27","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T16:25:27","slug":"7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over\/","title":{"rendered":"7 reasons why electric mountain bikes are taking over"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\">We explain why eMTBs are more popular than ever <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By <\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 25 June 2024 at 16:00 PM<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>If you\u2019ve visited a trail centre recently, you\u2019ll have noticed there are more eMTBs than ever before.<\/p><p>We\u2019re big advocates for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-mountain-bikes\">electric mountain bikes<\/a> and it&#8217;s difficult to ignore the level of fun they provide.\u00a0<\/p><p>But why are these once-ridiculed rides growing in popularity? And what has shifted in the psyche of mountain bikers to make that growth possible?\u00a0<\/p><p>Watch the video below or keep reading to find out why eMTBs are now so common and how we got here.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WHY Are E-MTBs Taking Over?\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QpqFreg_mzc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-they-re-so-much-fun\">They\u2019re so much fun<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Modern eMTBs provide impressive capability and self-shuttle up the hills. &#8211; Mondraker<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>If you\u2019ve had the chance to swing your leg over an electric mountain bike, you&#8217;ll know how much fun they are to ride.<\/p><p>With what feels like a second set of legs, you can take in more hills and shred more descents than on a non-assisted mountain bike.<\/p><p>Modern electric mountain bikes are good all-rounders, with long-travel eMTBs easily keeping up with regular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-enduro-bikes\">enduro bikes <\/a>on the descent.<\/p><p>Electric mountain bikes can also open up the trails to those who may have been restricted due to health conditions or older age.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-they-re-getting-cheaper\">They&#8217;re getting cheaper<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/04\/Canyon-StriveON-CFR-electric-mountain-bike-2.jpg\" alt=\"Male riding in light coloured top riding the Canyon Strive:ON CFR full suspension mountain eBike eMTB\" class=\"wp-image-851225\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Although not cheap, electric mountain bikes are becoming more affordable. &#8211; Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>In the world of ever-inflating bike prices, the gap that once separated eMTBs from non-assisted mountain bikes has shrunk, bringing down the barrier to entry for those once priced out of eMTB ownership.<\/p><p>For instance, a top-of-the-range <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/mountain-bikes\/orbea-rallon-m-team-first-ride-review\">Orbea Rallon M-LTD<\/a> enduro bike is priced at \u00a311,399. This is only \u00a3600 cheaper than the brand&#8217;s similarly specced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/electric-bikes\/2023-orbea-wild-m-ltd-first-ride-review\">Wild M-LTD<\/a>, with both bikes having similar downhill credentials.<\/p><p>This price difference can be seen throughout the market.<\/p><p>Almost a decade ago, a full-suspension 2014 Haibike Xduro FS SL with 120mm of travel, a 250W motor and a 300Wh battery would set you back \u00a32,850.<\/p><p>These days, entry-level electric mountain bikes such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/electric-bikes\/vitus-e-mythique-lt-vrx-review\">Vitus E-Mythique<\/a> cost \u00a33,299.<\/p><p>Taking into account inflation, this is an overall reduction in price, with the newer bikes also benefiting from 10 years of research and development.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-best-bikes-are-better-than-ever\">The best bikes are better than ever<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/05\/Specialized-Turbo-Levo-SL-II-04-298af3f.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL II lightweight full suspension electric mountain bike\" class=\"wp-image-727971\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Top-of-the-range bikes continue to improve. &#8211; Ian Linton \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>High-end eMTBs are better than ever, with the ranges brands offer expanding as demand increases.<br\/><br\/>The top-of-the-range Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL Limited is \u00a313,500 and classed as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-lightweight-electric-mountain-bikes\">lightweight eMTB<\/a> \u2013 bikes that have a smaller battery and motor than a full-powered eMTB.<br\/><br\/>Despite the compact motor, the Levo SL still has a peak power of 320 watts and 50 Nm of torque. Thanks also to a smaller 320Wh battery and some seriously bling components, it only weighs a claimed 17.35kg (38.25lb).<\/p><p>This isn\u2019t too far off the weights of heavier enduro bikes.<\/p><p>Along with a drool-worthy spec, the bike features <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/news\/rockshox-flight-attendant\">RockShox\u2019s Flight Attendant<\/a> electronic suspension, which automatically adjusts your damping for you as you ride.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>While these bikes are outside the price range of most people, we\u2019re hopeful the tech will trickle down to more affordable models soon.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-they-don-t-look-like-emtbs-anymore\">They don\u2019t look like eMTBs anymore<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/11\/Scott-Lumen-eRIDE-910-front-side-shot-e5d5fdd.jpeg\" alt=\"Scott Lumen eRIDE 910 full suspension mountain eBike\" class=\"wp-image-753947\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is an electric mountain bike with TQ&#8217;s drive system. &#8211; Steve Behr \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>It\u2019s getting harder and harder to distinguish between electric and non-assisted mountain bikes.<\/p><p>The majority of eMTBs integrate their batteries into the down tube, with motors sitting neatly in the bottom bracket area.<\/p><p>While this has happened, there appears to have been a shift in non-assisted mountain bike design, with the down tube widening for a perceived increase in stiffness.<\/p><p>Looking at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/electric-bikes\/scott-lumen-eride-910-review\">Scott\u2019s electric Lumen<\/a>, with its integrated rear shock technology, it would be hard to separate it from the brand&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/reviews\/bikes\/mountain-bikes\/full-suspension-mountain-bikes\/scott-spark-900-tuned-axs-review\">Spark trail bike<\/a> unless you were told beforehand.<\/p><p>This makes it less obvious that you&#8217;re riding an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-electric-bikes\">electric bike<\/a> and avoids any stigma attached to eMTBs that may still exist in the mountain bike community.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-modern-motors\">Modern motors<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"8640\" height=\"5760\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/04\/24_Mondraker_DUNE_byKikeAbelleira-05016.jpg\" alt=\"Mondraker Dune XR with Bosch Performance Line SX motor\" class=\"wp-image-825367\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Modern motors have a natural feel that allows for fine inputs. &#8211; Mondraker<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Early <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/electric-bike-motors\">electric bike motors<\/a> could deliver wayward boosts of energy, but modern motors no longer give you this out-of-control feeling.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>The way the electronic drive is transmitted to the chainring now augments the rider&#8217;s own input synergistically and cuts in and out smoothly, giving a more natural feel.\u00a0<\/p><p>Motor refinement has reached a new level, and modern examples are smooth and quiet \u2013\u00a0as well as incredibly powerful.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-larger-capacity-smaller-batteries\">Larger-capacity, smaller batteries<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Applying-dielectric-grease-to-electric-mountain-bike-battery-connector-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Applying dielectric grease to electric mountain bike battery connector-1\" class=\"wp-image-868394\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Battery technology is always improving. &#8211; Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Enhanced battery tech is one of the main ways eMTBs have developed.\u00a0<\/p><p>The latest generation of batteries offers larger capacity, shorter charge times, and smaller, lighter packaging than ever before.<\/p><p>This reduces range anxiety and increases the bike\u2019s playfulness, with some lightweight electric mountain bikes not feeling too different from the latest enduro bikes.\u00a0<\/p><p>Range extenders are also available for various bikes, especially lightweight eMTBs. These external batteries mean riders can increase their bike\u2019s battery capacity to match their riding and range.\u00a0<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-because-your-friend-bought-one\">Because your friend bought one<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/06\/Aint-no-mountain-high-enough-09.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain bikers on eMTBs in Queyras National Park, France\/Italy.\" class=\"wp-image-866135\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Don&#8217;t be surprised if your friends try to entice you into the world of eMTB ownership. &#8211; Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>If you don\u2019t have an eMTB, they can prove frustrating. While heading up long fire-road climbs, your electrically assisted friend can leave you breathless, by either setting a pace your legs can\u2019t match, trying to engage you in conversation, or both.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>Riding any form of mountain bike is better with friends, so while the first person in your group to pull the trigger on an eMTB may be considered a traitor, it might not be long before your peers also make the jump to an electric bike.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We explain why eMTBs are more popular than ever <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":66200,"template":"","categories":[1,36],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over.png",1600,1067,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over-300x200.png",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over-768x512.png",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over-1024x683.png",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over-1536x1024.png",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7-reasons-why-electric-mountain-bikes-are-taking-over.png",1600,1067,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"We explain why eMTBs are more popular than ever","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/66199"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}