The History & Development Of The E Mountain Bike

Steve takes a close look at the history of the E Bike, from the humble origins of prototype E Bikes in the 1800s to the development of a specific E mountain bike in the 21st century and the explosion of development which has since been driven by high sales in continental Europe.

E Mountain Biking is still a relatively young sport, with engineering, design and assembly gaining pace step by step every year. This means that a lot of the history of E-MTB specifically is fairly recent, with brands such as Haibike and Moustache leading the charge. Join Steve for a walk around the historic streets of Bath and some more ponderings on the origins of the E bike.

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[scottenman]

First ride on my Turbo Levo yesterday. I am blown away. Thanks for this video. I think I waited until the right time to get an EMTB.. At 55 years old I can ride again and not feel like my heart is going to exode going up an uphill long fireroad. lol

[CelticFan]

Good vid. Having daily pedalled under my own steam these past 40yrs, 2018 I get myself an ebike. Now at 60yrs of age, am able to extend the ride. 40km a day, I commute and luv it. Weekends you will find me on the MBT Gods Gift is an ebike

[kldstl]

No mention of Yamaha? They had a pedelec mid drive motor in the early nineties. How about Bafang? They brought e bikes to the masses in the early 2000's. Bionx? These are some companies that have been a pretty big part of the growth of e bikes.

[brettccrmstrategy]

I rode my first bike today. 80kms later I’m in love. Can’t wait for it to arrive.

[evanblackwell]

Jones is the brilliant in these 'history of cycling' type videos!

[lueyyou]

I've recently purchased a 2019 Trek Powerfly LT7 after being a naysayer for many years and honestly speaking this is the only bike I will ever need now. In the future most bikes will have some type of electric assist, that's where the next evolution of the bicycle will be! Best thing I have ever purchased.

[Bruce.Wallace]

This was a fantastic video. One of the best you've done !!

[diamias]

I think I like these philosophical videos most of all!

[chrisjonesbath]

Very Interesting and filmed on my patch, at least it was until October when I moved to Crickhowell and bought my first eMTB the following week!

[christill]

I feel like Yamaha should have been mentioned since I’m fairly sure they’ve been making ebikes as we know them now longer than any of the other big drivetrain makers.

[HeikoOutdoors]

Very interesting - thanks for sharing! Have a good time getting into 2019 👍🚲

[RobRidesEMTB]

Super interesting video, exciting times ahead for ebikes. I believe that every single bike will have *some* kind of electronic in it in the future (GPS / fitness monitoring / maybe a motor / etc) so will be so interesting to see the next few years of development.

Bike companies are betting big on its future. 👍👍

[ericm]

Hey Emtb Steve! You should grow a moustache exactly like the riders of that early tandem ebike had because it would fit in with your rubber gum boots! Ride ride ride!

[bigkiller]

Hi I'm from GMBN I have never tried E-Bikes probably will in the future 👍

[joemurray]

The first production mountain bike was not the Stumpjumper. It was the Univega Alpina Uno. Specialized worked hard to make sure the Stumpjumper was known as the first for obvious marketing reasons.

[bootsy]

I got a Specialized Levo HT 29er in July of this year...had problems with it and was offered a swap of bikes so I went for a Cube Reaction SL 29er in November. I strongly believe it's not a question of will my friends get an ebike...its more of a question of when..

[JogBird]

'not limited by age, ability...' but limited by cash, emtb is a rich man's sport in todays world

[pauldjerassi]

Thanks Steve a potted history of ebikes which one is your 1st choice we would like to know

[iconaan]

Where are Yamaha, Brose, Bafang, I think you are neglecting some manufacturers...

[beechy]

It would be so cool to see a full on tandem full sus mtb