Go to eMTB: tips
Have you ever done mountain biking and want to switch to electric? We give you some tips to find the ideal ebike for you.
What kind of ebike do I need?
To answer this question you have to ask yourself what routes you are doing now and what you expect to do with an ebike. From our experience, we can assure you that you will make longer and more uneven routes, and surely, if you can, you will also go out more days a week.
Due to the overweight of an electric and that you will spend more time on the saddle, we advise you to look for a comfortable bike and do not haggle in the suspension route. Forget about 100mm forks (minimum 120), do not discard double suspension bikes and make sure you have good brakes. Wide covers (minimum of 2.50) will give you extra comfort.
The best selling ebikes are those of trail and allmountain. The sales of rigid and rally models are minority. For something it will be, right?
Is weight important?
Obviously, in an ebike the weight matters, but it has a secondary role compared to a conventional bike. It is possible to save two kilos by replacing components, but these two kilos that you will gain at the cost of a high investment will represent only 10% of the total weight. Above all, value the strength and reliability of the components of the models you like best.
What engine?
In this section we already enter into a delicate issue, since it depends on the tastes and phobias of each one. Now, choose what you choose, if we talk about the main manufacturers, surely you will be right, since all the engines work well. We highlight the virtues of the main ones:
Bosch 2020: low weight, power, eMTB mode, 625Wh battery, low consumption and great after-sales service.
Brose S Mag: very low noise, low weight, powerful, superlative fineness of operation and models with large battery capacity (unlike other brands, Brose does not force manufacturers to mount their batteries).
Shimano: the most compact and lightest motor on the market, possibility of configuring assistance from the E-Tube application and models with more than 500Wh of battery.
Yamaha: it is the most reliable engine on the market.
Double or rigid?
Double, double, double ... It's what we always say in the store, and in fact they represent more than 90% of our sales. A good conventional rigid bike weighs 10-12 kg and when the rear wheel receives a violent impact the cyclist finds it more or less easy to cushion without the mount getting out of control. In the case of a rigid ebike, which weighs almost double, it is your back that will receive the impact.
Apart from that, a double suspension will allow you to climb impossible paths without losing traction.
In short, and if yours is the mountain bike and not the green roads, double, double, double.
Battery capacity?
Up to now, the vast majority of electricians have mounted batteries of maximum 500Wh, and it is not insufficient. With 500Wh you can make demanding routes of 40 km using high assistance (60-80 km with low assistance). But for that day, from time to time, that you want to make a long route, this capacity will fall short and will force you to carry the charger - counting that you will find a place to charge - or to buy a second battery ... You will only use four days a year. So we advise most cyclists to choose models of minimum 625Wh, which is what many Bosch 2020 models will mount, but also Brose and Shimano.
Now, we must not pass. Next season there will be models up to 1250Wh, such as the Kettler Quadriga Duo CX12 FS. It would not make sense to make the disbursement of a bike with so much battery and overweight if you really do not have to take advantage of it regularly.
27.5, 29, plus ...?
This section also includes personal preferences. The plus will give you more traction and cushioning capacity, while with the 29 "you will have more precise paths and the ability to overcome large obstacles. The models that combine the two measures (29" front, 27.5 plus last) combine the best of both worlds, and facing 2020 there will be a few (like the Sonic Bulls AM). What we advise against are narrow tires (2.25, 2.30 ...), which force you to go with much more pressure.
Transmission?
Looking ahead to 2020 there will be many models with 12-speed transmission and we consider that an ebike is unnecessary. A change of 12 speeds implies that the chain is thinner, and therefore more fragile, than in a change of 10. Luckily, these same changes (Shimano and Sram) are already specific for ebikes, and this means that, by Avoid excessive chain crossings, they do not allow you to climb sprockets two by two. Fortunately too, cassettes grow in size. The large pine nuts of 36 and the ones of 46 and 50 are generalized that will allow you to overcome the most beast slopes.
And the brakes?
An electric company has a lot of poise and takes a lot of speed, so when you get to a curve you will need good brakes. Until now, the four-piston brakes were reserved for the high ranges but now there are much more affordable that will incorporate many 2020 ebikes. If you do not make large slopes, 180mm discs will be sufficient. For any other use, choose a model that mounts 200 discs (at least in front).
Telescopic seatpost?
The telescopic post is no longer a component reserved for bikers who love enduro or descent. Double suspension bikes are higher than a conventional bike, so the telescopic seat will give you a lot of security every time you have to put your foot on the ground, and this can be in a trialera but also every time you stand in a traffic light.
How much should I spend?
Well, we already have the robot portrait of a very complete eMTB by 2020: wide covers, double suspension, 625Wh battery, telescopic stem and four-piston brakes. Until now, a model with these characteristics did not fall below € 5,000. The Bulls 2020 range has two models with these requirements for € 4199 that differ only by the size of the wheels and the route of the suspensions (120mm the Sonic Evo TR2 and 150mm the Sonic Evo AM2): Bosch 2020 engine, battery of 625Wh, double suspension, Magura MT5 / MT4 brakes, Sram SX Eagle 12-speed gearbox with 10-50 cassette.
Brands?
All brands have turned to the electricity market, so your choice is yours and only yours. There are customers who put the brand (or brand image) first, while others prioritize the list of components, aesthetics or proximity of an official distributor. And you, what do you prefer?
Go to EMTB: tips
Have you ever done mountain biking and want to switch to electric? We give you some tips to find the ideal ebike for you.
What kind of ebike do I need?
To answer this question you have to ask yourself what routes you are doing now and what you expect to do with an ebike. From our experience, we can assure you that you will make longer and more uneven routes, and surely, if you can, you will also go out more days a week.
Due to the overweight of an electric and that you will spend more time on the saddle, we advise you to look for a comfortable bike and do not haggle in the suspension route. Forget about 100mm forks (minimum 120), do not discard double suspension bikes and make sure you have good brakes. Wide covers (minimum of 2.50) will give you extra comfort.
The best selling ebikes are those of trail and allmountain. The sales of rigid and rally models are minority. For something it will be, right?
Is weight important?
Obviously, in an ebike the weight matters, but it has a secondary role compared to a conventional bike. It is possible to save two kilos by replacing components, but these two kilos that you will gain at the cost of a high investment will represent only 10% of the total weight. Above all, value the strength and reliability of the components of the models you like best.
What engine?
In this section we already enter into a delicate issue, since it depends on the tastes and phobias of each one. Now, choose what you choose, if we talk about the main manufacturers, surely you will be right, since all the engines work well. We highlight the virtues of the main ones:
Bosch 2020: low weight, power, eMTB mode, 625Wh battery, low consumption and great after-sales service.
Brose S Mag: very low noise, low weight, powerful, superlative fineness of operation and models with large battery capacity (unlike other brands, Brose does not force manufacturers to mount their batteries).
Shimano: the most compact and lightest motor on the market, possibility of configuring assistance from the E-Tube application and models with more than 500Wh of battery.
Yamaha: it is the most reliable engine on the market.
Double or rigid?
Double, double, double ... It's what we always say in the store, and in fact they represent more than 90% of our sales. A good conventional rigid bike weighs 10-12 kg and when the rear wheel receives a violent impact the cyclist finds it more or less easy to cushion without the mount getting out of control. In the case of a rigid ebike, which weighs almost double, it is your back that will receive the impact.
Apart from that, a double suspension will allow you to climb impossible paths without losing traction.
In short, and if yours is the mountain bike and not the green roads, double, double, double.
Battery capacity?
Up to now, the vast majority of electricians have mounted batteries of maximum 500Wh, and it is not insufficient. With 500Wh you can make demanding routes of 40 km using high assistance (60-80 km with low assistance). But for that day, from time to time, that you want to make a long route, this capacity will fall short and will force you to carry the charger - counting that you will find a place to charge - or to buy a second battery ... You will only use four days a year. So we advise most cyclists to choose models of minimum 625Wh, which is what many Bosch 2020 models will mount, but also Brose and Shimano.
Now, we must not pass. Next season there will be models up to 1250Wh, such as the Kettler Quadriga Duo CX12 FS. It would not make sense to make the disbursement of a bike with so much battery and overweight if you really do not have to take advantage of it regularly.
27.5, 29, plus ...?
This section also includes personal preferences. The plus will give you more traction and cushioning capacity, while with the 29 "you will have more precise paths and the ability to overcome large obstacles. The models that combine the two measures (29" front, 27.5 plus last) combine the best of both worlds, and facing 2020 there will be a few (like the Sonic Bulls AM). What we advise against are narrow tires (2.25, 2.30 ...), which force you to go with much more pressure.
Transmission?
Looking ahead to 2020 there will be many models with 12-speed transmission and we consider that an ebike is unnecessary. A change of 12 speeds implies that the chain is thinner, and therefore more fragile, than in a change of 10. Luckily, these same changes (Shimano and Sram) are already specific for ebikes, and this means that, by Avoid excessive chain crossings, they do not allow you to climb sprockets two by two. Fortunately too, cassettes grow in size. The large pine nuts of 36 and the ones of 46 and 50 are generalized that will allow you to overcome the most beast slopes.
And the brakes?
An electric company has a lot of poise and takes a lot of speed, so when you get to a curve you will need good brakes. Until now, the four-piston brakes were reserved for the high ranges but now there are much more affordable that will incorporate many 2020 ebikes. If you do not make large slopes, 180mm discs will be sufficient. For any other use, choose a model that mounts 200 discs (at least in front).
Telescopic seatpost?
The telescopic post is no longer a component reserved for bikers who love enduro or descent. Double suspension bikes are higher than a conventional bike, so the telescopic seat will give you a lot of security every time you have to put your foot on the ground, and this can be in a trialera but also every time you stand in a traffic light.
How much should I spend?
Well, we already have the robot portrait of a very complete eMTB by 2020: wide covers, double suspension, 625Wh battery, telescopic stem and four-piston brakes. Until now, a model with these characteristics did not fall below € 5,000. The Bulls 2020 range has two models with these requirements for € 4199 that differ only by the size of the wheels and the route of the suspensions (120mm the Sonic Evo TR2 and 150mm the Sonic Evo AM2): Bosch 2020 engine, battery of 625Wh, double suspension, Magura MT5 / MT4 brakes, Sram SX Eagle 12-speed gearbox with 10-50 cassette.
Brands?
All brands have turned to the electricity market, so your choice is yours and only yours. There are customers who put the brand (or brand image) first, while others prioritize the list of components, aesthetics or proximity of an official distributor. And you, what do you prefer?
