Home > Buying Guide: Electric Mountain Bikes
An electric mountain bike is a just like a normal mountain bike but equipped with an electric motor that
gives you additional power to your pedalling action to help you tackle any terrain and enjoy the ride.
Electric mountain bikes are a fairly new concept and although the first electric bike was patented in the
United States, in 1895, the idea of an electric mountain bike has only been around since the early 90’s.
Systems used in those early years were normally homemade, with it not being until the early noughties, that
we started to see full production bikes.
Enduro, cross country, trail, singletrack, downhill, aggressive trail and all mountain bikes - whatever you
call the discipline - the lines between them all become a little more blurred when talking about electric
bikes.
Why? I hear you ask.
Thanks to the motors, weight and the pedals, the discipline styles are all but eliminated. It therefore comes
down to the type of terrain you plan to tackle on your electric bike. The more technical and aggressive the
terrain, the more travel you will probably need.
Full Suspension
this is the area that has had the most development over the last couple of years, this is to accommodate all
the things we take for granted on a conventional mountain bike. Short chainstays, longer front centres,
lower bottom brackets and even the bottle brands have had to re-think how they design these to fit onto an
electric mountain bike. This development in the full suspension electric bikes does mean that these bikes
have some of the most advanced technologies the industry has ever developed, allowing you to tackle the most
gruelling of terrains.
Hardtails
Hardtails have had an easier transition to the electric bike market meaning integration of batteries and the
progression of geometry has moved quicker. Hardtails will appeal to a much broader spectrum of people. Not
only are prices considerably lower but also because of the lack of suspension, the bikes can be made
considerably lighter. This means they are more manageable for all ages and abilities on the track or trail;
to get it in and out of cars, or on and off bike racks.
SUV's
to the untrained eye a lot of these bikes will look very similar to most of the other hardtails on the
market. In most cases, they use the same frames, wheels and gearing as most hybrids or hardtail mountain
bikes but with a different function. SUV’s are designed to be more utilitarian than a hardtail mountain bike
and more robust than a hybrid.
With additions such as racks, mudguards, lights and slightly more upright riding positions, these are your
off-road commuters. Towpaths, unpaved or old roads, cobbles and light singletracks can all be covered on an
SUV.
Best Selling MTB Electric Bikes
What are the differences between a MTB and an Electric MTB?
As with most Electric bikes the Drivetrain, Brakes and Suspension components change very little from conventional
bikes. So whether you are a convert to electric bikes or new to them all these things will be familiar or you
will be able to get help from any mechanic in your local Evans Cycles store.
One thing manufactures of electric mountain bikes have worked incredible hard to make sure of though is that
electric bikes ride as well, if not better than their non-electric counterparts. There are some very subtle
differences like the increased use of ‘plus’ sized tyres and 1 x drivetrains as standard, on almost all electric
mountain bike systems, but otherwise these can just be considered mountain bikes with a motor.
How far can you ride an electric mountain bike?
The amount of range you get from an electric bike is dependent on a multitude of factors. Terrain, undulation,
level of assistance, tyres and even the gear selection can affect the amount of battery life you get from your
electric mountain bike. Not to worry, most motors will give you a couple hours on full power to get the riding
in that you want, not forgetting the amount of assistance can be adjusted depending how much you need for a
given situation, so there should be plenty of range for your desired requirements.
Do electric mountain bikes need a lot of care?
As a kid were you always told to keep water and electric as far apart from each other and always make sure that
you have dry hands before operating appliances? So you might think that an electric mountain bike, in what UK
mountain bikes call ‘the slop’, might be a bad idea. Well not to worry, all the normal bike parts like gearing,
bearings and suspension are all maintained in the same way you would on a conventional bike - by keeping things
clean and well lubed.
As for the electrics, these are completely sealed units and can handle way more than our English weather
conditions can throw at them. To get technical, all electronics on electric bikes are rated to IP56 or higher.
Are there any laws surrounding electric mountain bikes?
The same laws apply for electric mountain bikes as they do for any other electric bike. You must be 14 years of
age or older to ride an electric mountain bike plus the bike must not assist you to over 15.5mph or 25.kmh.
Additionally, as always, the Highway Code must be abided by at all times.
As electric mountain bikes or Pedelecs (their official name) are classed as bicycles, there are no additional
rules for mountain bikes. So that means you can take your electric mountain bike anywhere you would take a
conventional mountain bike.