My first outing on an e-bike was hardly a success. At the 2018 Interbike Trade Show, the CrossVegas cyclocross race held an e-bike race before the “real” racing began. I was working Interbike for VeloNews, so I definitely didn’t have the time, energy, or motivation to race the elite UCI race — something I’d done in years past. So instead, on a lark, I thought I’d hop in the e-bike race.
I borrowed a bike, spun around on it for a few minutes in my street clothes, and lined up for the two-lap race around the grassy park nestled into Las Vegas’s sprawling concrete kingdom.
As soon as the gun went off, I could tell something was wrong. I was going slow. Everyone was dropping me. This 50-pound behemoth was certainly not holding up its end of the bargain with any sort of pedal-assist. After the first lap, I swung into the pits and the mechanic quickly diagnosed the problem, the reason the digital display was giving me an error message. I shouldn’t have applied pedal pressure when I turned on the motor. Oops.
After a sweaty, exhausting, and frustrating experience like that, I’ll admit I wasn’t ready to jump on the e-bike bandwagon. But that’s changed. Here are five reasons why I want to get an e-MTB — you might find they’re some of the same reasons why you should consider buying one too.
E-Bikes Are Good For Riding Alone
A few factors have conspired to make me more of a solo rider than I used to be. Friends have had kids or moved out of town. I moved up into the mountains above Boulder, where it’s easier to ride on my own program, rather than meet someone in town, and especially with mountain biking, I just like covering ground and riding my own pace.
It’s a little awkward to ride an e-bike with someone on an analog set-up, unless they’re drastically stronger than you are. So, if you’re naturally inclined toward solo riding, an e-bike can be a fun way to change up your routine, fit in longer rides on your lunch break, or explore trails with tons of tough climbing.
But Also, E-Bikes Are Good For Riding With Friends
I have several friends who recently got e-mountain bikes, and I suspect more will follow soon. So, contrary to what I just said above, if you can organize a crew of buddies who want to get out on e-bikes, especially e-MTB, the new technology could change the whole dynamic. You might end up riding with people that wouldn’t ordinarily be able to keep up … Or vice-versa. To that end, more and more, I’ve noticed couples riding around town, one on a conventional bike and one on an e-bike. Relationship goals!
E-Bikes Can Help You Ride Harder Trails and Go Farther
There is a trail network just on the other side of the canyon from my house. It’s basically all moto trails that are rough, whooped out, and extra steep, both up and down. I love getting out to this zone, but it takes some motivation to tackle those tough climbs. Plus, I want a bike with longer travel and more capable geometry for the downhills, so it is rather sporty to head up there on my cross-country bike. With an e-bike, I can imagine myself riding those trails at least once a week, adding more variety to my typical mix of ride routes.
E-Bikes Are Great For Easy Rides
One of my favorite pro mountain bike riders is Keegan Swenson. You’d think that the guy who won the Lifetime Grand Prix, national championships, and many, many other tough events wouldn’t bother with an e-bike. In fact, he loves getting out on his Santa Cruz Heckler on recovery days. Easy spins on fun trails — count me in!
E-Bikes Are Low-Maintenance
Yes, a lot of bike technology feels like rocket science these days. Adding an electric motor to the mix certainly doesn’t simplify matters. Fortunately, e-bikes are nearly maintenance-free and very user-friendly. Apart from charging the battery, there isn’t much you need to worry about. Most of your regular maintenance will be the same work required on a conventional bike, such as drivetrain cleaning and lubrication, suspension adjustments and service, and regular replacement of wear items like brake pads and tires.
Conclusion
E-bikes aren’t for everyone, but they’re great for a lot of people who might not initially think they want one. As you can tell, I’m primed to find the perfect e-MTB for my trails. Stay tuned to Direct Current and I’ll walk through all of the key considerations as I shop for an e-bike, from e-bike classes to motor types to bike weight, and much more. Thanks for reading, and leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!