As the popularity of electric mountain bikes grows every single year, so does their versatility, design, technical properties and ease of driving. There are hundreds of options on the market nowadays, and it can become overwhelming to choose if you don’t know what you’re looking for and where to look.
What’s an E-Mountain Bike?
An eMTB is a mountain bike that has a built-in engine to help you pedal. Because it lacks a throttle, the motor won’t help you if you don’t pedal on your own. These e-bikes are often referred to as pedicels or power-assisted bicycles. In order to be classified as bicycles, they should provide motor assistance only up to a certain speed. Otherwise, they’ll become motorbikes.
In Australia, that limit is 25km/h. The same goes for Europe, and in North America it’s around 20km/h. The lithium-ion battery and the motor are the ones that give the bike the power, besides your own two feet. You can also switch off the motor if you like. If the terrain isn’t rough, you might want to ride it on your own. If you know what you’re looking for, you’ll find the best, high-performance electric mountain bike in Australia.
What to Consider when Buying
Type of Motor System
There are two main types of motor systems, hub and mid-drive motors. The hub type was the first that appeared on the market. Nowadays, the mid-drive motor is the most popular and the safest one to ride. The hub is also known as wheel-motor. This is because it’s connected to the (usually) back tire, rim and spokes. These motors aren’t good for long rides or rides on rough terrain because they can overheat.
Class 1 eMTB bikes are the most common on the market. They have a motor that doesn’t have more than 750 Watts and can’t reach a speed of more than 32km/h. These bikes need pedalling to engage the motor because they don’t have a throttle. Sometimes, people refer to these bikes as pedalec bikes.
Class 2 bikes have a throttle and a motor that can have more than 750 Watts. These bikes usually have hub motors and can reach a maximum speed of 30km/h. They’re not allowed on most trails because of the overheating problem they have. Class 3 bikes can go up to 40km/h. They’re made for rough terrain and are one of the favourites among riders.
Batteries
Most of these bikes have a battery that’s installed at the top of the bottom tube. This is the most common battery installation. There are some manufacturers that are making in-tube installations. Besides giving the bike a sleeker look, they also lower the centre of gravity. You’ll find bikes with different battery powers. The standard battery is 500Wh, but there are manufacturers that offer a dual-battery bike that has a combined battery power of 1000Wh.
Tires
A lot of bikers say that the tires are the most important part of the bike because they’re the contact point with the ground. You don’t always need to use a really aggressive tread or a very wide tire on gravel roads and hilly terrain. If you’re doing trail riding, your first choice should be 27.5 or 29 inch tires because of their great angle of attack.
You’ll be able to go faster because the larger wheels don’t need a big angle to go over obstacles like tree roots or bigger rocks. If you’re riding in rain, the wider the tire the better the ride. You can also choose between riding the tires tubeless or with a tube. Almost every electric mountain bike in Australia comes with a tube but there’s always the option of getting it out.
Forks
A front suspension fork is necessary to absorb the bumps on twisting gravel roads and mountainous tracks. The rear suspension on these bikes is not a must-have, but it can help the bike ride smoothly when there are gravel roads. Be careful when choosing the fork. It should be at least 120mm of travel. Always go for a reliable manufacturer. Someone who has a lot of experience in this field and many satisfied customers.
Dropper Seatpost
If you want to lower and raise your saddle, you should get a bike that has a dropper seatpost. This will help you get more comfortable during your rides. All e-mountain bikes have a remote on the handle that helps you control the seat’s height.
This is a very convenient option because you can easily fix the height even when you’re on the go and about to enter rougher terrain. Besides making you more comfortable, it also lowers the centre of gravity and you won’t go over the handlebars when you’re going down uneven trails.
Brakes
The brakes are a crucial part of the bike, especially if you’re riding downhill a lot. The majority of e-bikes have brakes with 180mm disk rotors. They’ll most commonly be double-piston brakes, but some are 4-piston caliper ones. They have a 203mm rotors for more stopping power.
Frame Material
When it comes to material, the two main choices are alloy and carbon fibre. Carbon is always the most expensive option because it’s a tough material to work with. Making a frame out of carbon is more labour-intensive. One big advantage is that manufacturers can play with shapes and create something unique every time. Metal, on the other hand, is easier to work with but it’s not that pliable.
