Is EMTB Actually Harder Than Mountain Biking?!

There's often been the debate whether EMTB is easier than MTB or vice versa, but the reality is they are both very different sports that require different muscle groups, riding skills and riding tactics! Join Chris Smith for an afternoon of riding as he breaks down the key differences and highlights some important factors to think about!

⏱ Timestamps👇
0:00 - Intro
01:21 - Along & Across
01:32 - Forest Track
02:14 - Singletrack
02:42 - Technical Trails
03:21 - Uphill
04:37 - Singletrack
04:53 - Technical Trail
06:32 - Downhill

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Which riding genre do you think is harder? Let us know down below! 👇

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[GlaucusBlue]

I find effort about the same, but ride far more on emtb. Just go faster and further on emtb which makes it more fun, so use it more as well.

[faceinthecrowd]

My EMTB has taken my MTB skills to new levels. The ability to ride more terrain in a riding session both tech uphill and all the flats and downs gives me more useable experience in the same time spent on a standard MTB. Example, yesterday I rode a trail system on my EMTB with flow trails and plenty of uphill woven into the ride. I used the trail mode on all uphill sections boosting my speed to the same speed I do on the flats and even some downhills, the extra speed let me jump the bike while climbing and of course I did many more laps than I would have on my non-EMBT. More miles more practice with line choice and that will improve all of my riding.
I would not want an EMTB as my only bike. I like the strength building on a regular MTB and the playful lighter weight makes for a different and desirable experience, but the joy of cruising uphill at an air catching speed and not taking a break once at the top, the EMBT experience is very hard to find fault with!!

[nomad-pqywiyv]

It's all about effort! That being said mtb riders tend to work harder but it comes down to the rider. On the other hand someone who is way out of shape and starts out on emtb has more of a chance of sticking with it and getting in shape then someone starting out on mtb.

[PaulMoody]

Another aspect of emtb effort is how much of a upper body workout techy climbs provide. I used feel that my legs got all the workout on my mtb, but with a full fat Turbo Levo I now get a more balanced workout as I wrestle 50lbs of bike up rooty rocky Vermont trails. Add to that my desire/willingness to ride twice or trice as much means I get a way better workout on my emtb. No cheating, no slouching, emtbs are great workout machines that always put a smile on my face.

[ridingdeep]

Based on the numerous drastically overweight guys on eMTB's I see shooting past everyone climbing on our trails around here, I'd have to say that generally speaking they are not working as hard a regular bike. I have both, a good climb on my regular bike will leave me pretty worked, whereas even in Eco mode on my eMTB I might be sweating but not have received the same workout, if I put it in Tour mode, very little energy is used on my part. My eBike is super fun but not nearly the workout my regular enduro bike is within the same time frame and on the same trail.

[The_Privateer]

The biggest difference?
- Non-electric mountain bikers are much more elitist and rude. Much more focused on their own selfish goals, desires, trails, and how they are 'better' than anyone else.
- Electric mountain bikers are much more about just having fun, being friendly, and enjoying the ride, just for the sake of enjoying the ride.

[gcprost]

When I switched from a mountain bike to an EMTB, one thing was a pleasant surprise. I expected the motor to make hill climbing less physical, what surprised me was it was technically easier. On a traditional mountain bike when you are going up a steep hill the challenge is to keep the front wheel down and the rear wheel from spinning. On an EMTB the weight of the motor and battery makes it easier to keep the front wheel from coming and the added weight gives you more traction. I love my EMTB because with the same effort as a conventional mountain bike, I can cover more ground and have more fun.

[kyled]

I used to have a lovely hybrid road bike which I couldn't use due to osteoarthritis. I had a shot of an e-bike (hub drive shopper) and found I could cycle and it didn't hurt! Due to using it and then buying a e-mtb hardtail I've been able to get out and about, lose weight, get fitter and above all have fun. An e-bike is easier if you want it to be but, if you're prepared to push it, it can be much harder. The thing is, you have the choice!

[_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

I think the real question should be. What can you do on a regular bike that you can't do on an emtb?
If you're looking for a really hard workout drop the assist way down in eco.. You can make it harder than any regular bike, including single and fixed gear bikes.. (eco with 10-0% assist with a 50lb bike is no joke) There is a reason people don't pedal DH bikes uphill. They don't do it efficiently. If going for the hardest climbing method was the goal, that would be a norm. It isn't though.
Currently the only thing they still have over any form of emtb is weight. That gap is closing..
So, if you're asking what's harder? Well, emtb is harder in the sense you can MAKE it harder. It is also easier in the sense you can MAKE it easier.
That was the goal...
The fact of the matter is, lightweight emtb's will replace regular bikes as a standard at some point. Especially since you're getting an EMTB mixed with a regular bike.. (Take the battery out for the same current weight and it pedals and feels all the same, and you can still pedal it with the battery in with the little added weight) People already pedal the SL's off.
That doesn't mean they will ever go away. They will just be yesterdays technology, like buying mountain bikes with 24 speed gear sets... Still available, just no one uses them as a majority.
Once superlight emtbs get to the desired weight (around 15-16kg ) and the entry level models are comparable to a regular bike there is no reason to not buy one.
The full powered emtbs will always have a place as well, but I'd expect to see them get to the weight of around 16-18kg in the future.. as battery and motor tech advances..

[sjaan]

Great piece 👍 E-mtbing is definitely easier going up on non tech trails, but maneuvering a ~50lbs e-mtb around while climbing crazy tech that most riders would not even consider attempting and usually choose to walk, is a hell of a lot of work. It's not so much that its easier, but more so that it makes certain climbs that are near impossible on an acoustic bike possible on an e-mtb.
And then there's throwing a 50 pound + e-mtb around on long, gruelly downhill runs. Well that's a huge work out compared to my 33lbs trail bike! My legs may be getting a break which allows me to ride with less recovery, but my upper body and core are getting absolutely ripped! Actually there are many things that are easier on my trail bike, but getting to the top isn't one of them 😛

[codebender]

When my emtb broke down for a month and I lost 2kgs. I can safely say the normal mtb makes you lose more energy, but it's a lot more boring ride since it takes forever to get to the top. I almost died out of running out of patience than the actual additional effort.

[Seppster]

I just entered the eMTB world buying my wife a Trek Rail 9.7. Of course, I will be taking it out once in awhile and see how it compares to my Orbea Oiz. Love the channel and can say it really had an influence on my choice to get into this world. Thanks Chris and Steve for all your great videos. Can't wait to do my own comparisons!!

[josephcruz]

All that matters is how much fun you have regardless of what anyone thinks

[stevenbond]

I ride both, riding my hardtail doing big climbs definitely gets me fitter than emtb.

[nixon_mtb]

Hi love you vids I live in nz and I think you would love a place called woodhill it has big jumps and a lot a cool trails

[jeffriley]

All about the effort and what you want. And the type of riding. We sometimes ride 7k ft elevation gain and 42 miles. Would not be doable for me on a standard bike with some very step technical sections. Its all riding and up to you.

[SimonBauer]

with an emtb you can push it way more in terms of tech climbs. tech climbing is my favourite discipline.

[VadikRamm]

Riding an eMTB is a skill, much like riding a regular bike. Remember, practice always beats theory. Theory is nothing when you have no experience beforehand. The more you practice your riding skills the better you get at taming your eMTBeast. Your body adapts and naturally stays in synergy with the bike.

[twotwentyswift]

Let's be honest. If it was just as hard as a regular MTB would we spend the extra money on the EMTB?
*Not a chance!*

[Yayo]

I'd like to see the difference in riding a 28kg ebike in eco to rising a 12kg MTB.