Is changing life an exaggeration? I don’t think so. Credit: BikeRadar I’ve been mountain biking for more than a quarter of a century, but until recently I had shied away from purchasing an electric mountain bike (eMTB). I know, I’m late to the game. In fact, last year, an Outside article argued that eMTBs have quickly gone from niche to mainstream, predicting that they could eventually account for more than half, and potentially 75 to 80%, of mountain bikes sold, indicating how quickly electric mountain biking has become a dominant part of the sport. After experiencing owning one, I totally see it. They are incredible. If you already have an eMTB, you already know this. If not, you should probably get one. Background For me, mountain biking began in college when, one spring semester, my roommate asked me 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 of which was worth one credit, and as long as you were already taking 12 credits, the additional credits cost nothing. So I signed up for the class. It was amazing. Exploring the trails around Corvallis, Oregon and experiencing the thrill of going downhill had me hooked. I liked it so much that 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 ground, I was very against them. I was a “purist.” I enjoyed the sometimes grueling physical challenge of pedaling up a long climb, and wanted to preserve the traditional experience. As the popularity of eMTBs grew, I began to look at them more closely. About two years ago, a friend called me to tell me he was selling his eMTB and that I should buy it. So I wasn’t prepared for it. But soon my feeling went from disdain to jealousy. My thinking changed 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 that these bikes are expensive. So, I did my research to figure out what I wanted and started watching Facebook Marketplace like a hawk. It didn’t take me long to find one that fit my criteria, and after some good faith negotiations, I ended up with a new-to-me Specialized Turbo Levo Comp. I had debated whether to buy an eMTB SL (super light) or one with maximum power. I thought the lighter weight of an SL bike would be 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 big factor and it suits my needs much better. Now that I own an eMTB and have completed dozens of rides, I can tell you why it has changed my life. You can have twice (or three times) fun One of the biggest advantages of an eMTB is simple: you can travel farther and faster in the same amount of time with less effort. This is the biggest advantage and should not be taken lightly. A 10 mile ride on my analog bike can turn into 20 or even 30 miles on an eMTB, depending on 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 continue exploring. More mileage means more mountain biking, and more mountain biking means more fun. Then there is the climb. On an analog bike, going up may seem like the price you pay for going down. On an eMTB, especially in Trail (or turbo) mode, the climb becomes part of the fun. I still have to pedal, but the motor smoothes out the steep inclines and allows me to go faster. Technical climbs become something I look forward to rather than something I have to endure. I can focus on picking lines and enjoying the trail instead of counting the vertical until the suffering ends and the descent begins. There have been many times when I’m ascending a trail and mutter under my breath, “awesome,” because it really is. Double and triple the fun on the Buzzard Butte Trail Network near Pacific City, Oregon. Credit: SnowBrains You’ll Explore Places You Wouldn’t Have Explored Before One of my favorite things about riding an eMTB is that I’m much more willing to explore. On my analog bike, I often follow trails I already know I like, ensuring some enjoyment from my efforts. Why waste energy climbing an unknown trail when I can hike one I already know is fun? With an eMTB, that mindset has changed. I’m much more willing to take a different course, climb a trail I’ve never hiked, or visit an unfamiliar section of the grid because I know I have the energy and speed to keep going. It has also opened up entire networks of trails that I probably wouldn’t have bothered to visit before. Knowing I can cover more ground makes exploring a new area seem much more manageable, especially if it’s a further drive away. I can travel farther, climb more, and see a lot more trail system in one outing. Instead of showing up with a plan to hit some familiar trails, I find myself looking at the map and thinking, “I wonder what’s there.” For me, that sense of exploration has added a whole new dimension to mountain biking. It’s still a great exercise. An eMTB is still pedal-assisted, meaning you still have to pedal. The motor provides assistance but does not do all the work and you can adjust it depending 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 assist mode on easier terrain and increase it for steep climbs or longer rides. An eMTB can also be a great way to get some cardiovascular conditioning in without raising your heart rate too much. Assist can help prevent overexertion on steep climbs, allowing you to maintain a more consistent effort for longer. That makes it easier to stay in a comfortable aerobic zone while still getting meaningful work done. You can get a good workout without completely exhausting yourself, which can mean more time on the bike and more miles. Towing Your Children Obviously, this doesn’t apply to everyone. If you don’t have kids, you can skip this one. But for parents traveling with their children, an eMTB can be an incredible tool. Kids may not be old enough to ride their own eMTB, and purchasing multiple e-bikes can quickly get expensive. With an eMTB, you can tow your kids uphill and save their legs for the fun part. This was an important factor in achieving a maximum power eMTB. This works especially well on gentle climbing trails or road climbs, which are common in my area. My son and I have explored many new trails or done twice as many laps downhill because I can tow him. Instead of spending most of the trip climbing uphill and complaining, you can take your kids to the top and make another descent. More laps mean more time practicing skills, which helps kids progress faster. It is similar to skiing. A chairlift allows you to ski lap after lap, while walking each run would drastically reduce your skiing time. An eMTB gives your kids their own chairlift, and more laps usually mean more fun and faster progression. There was a time when my kids looked forward to the one or two days a year when we visited a bike park with lift access. Now, although a bike park still has its place, we don’t have to count the days until the next day at the bike park because we can now transport ourselves. It is a wonderful luxury. Towing my son along the access road to the Sandy Ridge Trail System in Brighton, Oregon. Credit: SnowBrains I’m more likely to go out for a ride My eMTB has also allowed me to go out more often. Because cycling is more fun, I look for more opportunities to do it. Before, I might skip a trip because I didn’t want to face a long, grueling climb, or because I knew I had limited time before another commitment. Now, the trip seems easier to fit into my day and more worth the effort of getting out the door. Even when I don’t have much time, or my legs are a little sore from another workout, I’m much more likely to go. The eMTB eliminates some of the physical cost of traveling while still giving me the fun of being on the trails. It also makes the drive to the trailhead worth it because I know I can get a good trip in without needing several hours. Just a few years ago, I never thought I’d say this, but my eMTB has made me enjoy riding more. It’s made the climbs fun, opened up new trails, given me more time on the descents, helped me ride with my kids, and made it easier to enjoy a ride on a busy day. I still have my analogue bike and I’m sure I’ll still use it from time to time 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 allows me to ride more often. If you are thinking of purchasing an eMTB, do it. If you’re a veteran mountain biker who’s been hanging in there like me, or someone new to the sport, you’re likely wondering why you waited so long. The only thing I regret is not having done it sooner. Explorer. Credit: Peter Walker
