E-Mountain Bike
E-mountain bikes / E-MTBs
A variety of terms for one and the same phenomenon: FUN!
No matter what you call it – "e-mountain bike", "e-bike MTB", "mountain e-bike" or "electric mountain bike" – behind it lies an exciting concept that combines nature and technology for a lot of fun. Yes, there are still mountain bike purists who turn up their noses at e-MTBs. But not everyone has the stamina or youthful enthusiasm to meet the physical demands of mountain biking. Those who still want to get out into nature to ride their personal challenge over hill and dale don't have to hide with an e-mountain bike: in every other sport, there are professionals and recreational amateurs.
Contents:
- E-mountain bike terminology: hardtails & full-suspension bikes
- Comfort versus weight
- Accessories for e-mountain bikes
- Are e-mountain bikes road legal?
- The future of e-mountain bikes
E-mountain bike terminology: hardtails & full-suspension bikes
Mountain e-bikes offer the same range of options that you would expect from conventional mountain bikes: e-hardtails and e-full-suspension bikes in both classic sizes and trendy 29ers. It makes a huge difference whether you are an experienced mountain biker looking for a freeride thrill on a downhill run, or a beginner who prefers trekking tours on flat terrain or cross-country races. For the latter, 26" and 29" hardtails are particularly suitable, as they have no rear suspension, only front suspension. The absence of additional frame suspension makes them less maintenance-intensive. Full-suspension bikes, or fullies for short, are fully suspended thanks to a front suspension fork and a shock absorber in the frame, which significantly improves balance on difficult terrain. This also includes downhill and freeride fullies with decent suspension travel, which prove their worth not only in extreme terrain but also on long tours through varied terrain. All-mountain or touring fullies offer good riding comfort here.
Comfort versus weight
Of course, equipping e-MTBs with electric motors has one disadvantage: they weigh significantly more. Anyone who finds themselves on a tour in really rough terrain and has to carry their bike over rough and smooth for a certain amount of time will quickly curse the 20-plus kilograms on their shoulders. You should be aware of this when buying an e-mountain bike.
Accessories for e-mountain bikes
E-mountain bikes deliberately do without bells and whistles. If you are looking for accessories, you will find what you need among the standard products for e-bikes, with thermal protection covers for displays and battery contacts being particularly relevant. And even though mountain bikes are not normally equipped with a luggage rack, there are ways to change this situation with accessories so that electric mountain bikes can also be used as a means of transport.
Are e-mountain bikes approved for road use?
Although mountain e-bikes have "mountain" in their name, e-MTBs can also be found on roads and are therefore also approved for use on them. It is therefore important that e-mountain bikes that want to participate in public road traffic follow the same rules as any other bicycle. And public road traffic does not only mean roads! Public road traffic includes all roads, paths and terrain that are open to the general public, including forest paths or private paths across private land, provided they are open to everyone. The equipment requirement therefore applies not only when using paved roads and paths. All of this is regulated in the StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations).
The future of e-mountain bikes
There are interesting discussions and predictions surrounding e-mountain bikes. Some see them as the future for regions destroyed by unsustainable ski tourism in the Alps. Others say that one plague is replacing another. Still others say that lifts would first have to be built for normal MTBs, which e-MTBs do not need due to their off-road capabilities.
We offer a wide selection of high-quality e-mountain bikes from renowned manufacturers such as Bergamont, Flyer, Giant, Haibike, Kalkhoff, KTM and Trek. Everyone can buy the perfect e-mountain bike for themselves in our online shop. Of course, in-depth advice for e-bike novices and e-MTB experts alike is part of the Elektrofahrrad24 service!