Should You Choose An E Bike Or MTB? | The Biggest Question Facing Mountain Bikers

You love riding bikes; getting out in the woods and mountains, exploring, socialising, pedalling. But should you buy a traditional mountain bike or a pedal assist E Bike as your next ride? Steve is in Stellenbosch, South Africa, to weigh up the pros and cons of each option ⚡️

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[lieslcastles]

Bought an ebike late last year and it is the best thing since sliced bread loving ebiking!

[PetePPA]

I'm 50 and recently I've got back in to MTB-ing ideal since I live in the Surrey Hills. well so I thought, while doing gravity trails was fun I was knackered trying to get back to the top. That was until I gave in and bought my first Ebike, what a game changer I'm up and down Surrey Hills like a bloody YoYo now and my fitness is increasing thanks to the amount of riding I can now do. So for me its Ebike's all the on the hills!!

[boserbube]

51 years old, on mtbs since 1991. i began to feel bored by fireroad-climbs and the few nice trails in my region and focused on roadbiking for some years. Bought an e-MTB as an experiment and was overwhelmed what game-changer this is to the trails in my region and how much fun tech-climbs are. I spend more hours on the bike than in the 90ties, having more fun with same level of exhaustion. Yes, sometimes I do a tour with my humble hardtail, more or less to prove i can still do it. But the tool for fitness and fun is electrified, no debate for me.

[brianthompson]

My brother has a $40, 000 bass boat and on top of all the fishing gear it costs $150 every time he takes it out! In perspective the ebikes are a great deal for a hobby you love! Plus they have all the health benefits!

[TheTechGiantYouTube]

I don't think me or my partner would have ever owned a bike again in our lives until we rented out some e bikes on holiday abroad.Once we got home both me and my partner both purchased an e bike (Giant fathom E+3 for me, Liv Val E+3 for her) and we love them, they add a level of fun you just don't seem to get on a normal bike.

Ok we don't go up mountains and we just potter about on them really but at least it gets us out and about more and in turn adds a bit more exercise into our lives, which can only be a good thing.

[colinslevin]

I’ve been mountain biking for the last 6 years, I had to have major heart surgery back in December 2018 and now have a mechanical Aortic valve . I bought a 2018 Specialised Levo carbon in August 2018 to keep my heart rate lower and still enjoy getting up the hills to enjoy the downhills, after my operations I bought the 2019 model in February 2019, and was back on the bike within 7 weeks. I would definitely recommend anyone recovering from major surgery to buy an E-Bike and you will definitely recover quickly, I set my bike with 10 percent assist to get a good workout so I think I’ll be getting the levo SL next . I’m aged 63 and ride with a mixed age of riders and slowly the E-Bikes are appearing, setting my power assist to 10 percent means I can be out all day and stay as part of the group and getting a good workout .

[stevem]

I have mild asthma and was struggling to keep up with my friends. Inhaler didnt really help. I eventually got fed up being left for dead and could no longer go out with them. so I bit the bullet and bought an ebike. I can now keep up with them. It's got nothing to do with being unfit. The body is simply getting older. Not happy with the prices of ebikes though.

[yakbiker]

The wife and I bought an E fatbike each for winter riding and local commuting here in Canada BC. Groomed single track night rides or punting up to the ski hill are the best. We use them for training too for when we can use our other full suspension bikes in summer. It's either shuttles or earn your turns where we are with bikes parks in an hour vicinity of us. They make so much sense around here.

[brianthompson]

Maybe the most helpful video I have seen. The idea that riding an ebike may lead to riding my regular mountain bike more is huge. I’m buying a levo comp this week but I have a great fs already. I was thinking I was retiring it but now I’m thinking that buying the ebike is really like getting my old bike back as well. I’m 46 and 225 in the pennsylvania mountains. That initial push to get into shape when I only have big mountain uphills on every ride is tough. The idea that the ebike will break the ice and get me fit enough to have fun on my regular bike again is a big idea. As you have said in your video it’s about having fun.

[richardcorns]

Ebike all day long. Ride faster for longer. Speed is FUN.

[charlesbaker]

Purchased a used Scott Espark “for my wife” to reintroduce her into MTB. Not only can we ride together now, which is an amazing benefit, but I am finding that I will use her bike once a week and it allows me to have a more fun recovery day in between rides on my IBIS Ripmo. An unexpected benefit, therefore, to having an ebike. MORE miles per week and time on the trail. Plus it adds a new dynamic to rides I have known for years. That too is an unexpected benefit. I am convinced I am VERY fortunate to be in this sport during an era when the products are evolving to allow older riders like me (56) a way to remain deeply involved and active, and able to ride along with my 24 year old son and his mates... I am now a solid fan of the eMTB and look forward to further development.

[TCK]

I was totally against EMTB's for all the ususal then I hired one to try and it was absolutely brilliant! I still haven't bought one but its really only a matter of time.

[danytheunicorn]

An ebike hater told me that I was cheating with my ebike (we werent even competing) so I turned my motor off and beat him anyway because I get 3 rides a week and he only goes out 1. What a pitiful attitude to have. Ebikes and Normal bikes are awesome. Just love them and have fun!

[ridingdeep]

I wasn't sold on the eMTB concept until I rode one, I was convinced at that point. I sold my dirt bike a week later and searched high and low until I found a brand new 2020 Cannondale Habit with the Bosch Gen 4 motor. I now ride much faster up-hill and I ride much further and ride much more often, it really is a great deal of fun. I also commute to work on my eMTB.

[MrRupertguy]

Loved the vid. Me, the hairy monster as interviewed, loved the balanced chat.
Morgage the kids and get an e bike now before Carona beer becomes an issue

[humdinger]

Fitness is a big factor. Got into MTB's in my 50's and realised quickly how unfit I was. 15 min rides in my local hills was killing me, so I wasn't riding because it just wasn't fun. Pondered eMTB's for years before taking the plunge, and have zero regrets. One hour rides no problem, and have stepped back assistance as fitness has improved. I've since added a hardtail MTB for flatter rides. Love them both!

[josoap]

Interesting and very timely. I just had my first ride on my new hardtail e-mountain bike, never ridden one before! I’m 70 this year and I think it’ll make me fitter than riding my hardtail which is very light but isn’t much fun riding up the hills. Maybe it’s the novelty but I think I’ll find it more fun covering say 30+ hilly miles rather than 20. At the end of the day it’s up to you how much effort you put in, but on hilly stuff you’re still always going to get a workout on an e-bike. I’ll still keep my regular MTB for flatter tracks though. Do I wish I’d bought one a few years earlier? - no, but I feel the time is now right. I’ll also stick with my road bike. It’s very light and there’s something special about riding on good roads without big hills with no assistance.

[lukeirving]

I have a hard tail MTB and since watching this channel converted over to a giant trance e+2. I use both but can honestly say that the ebike is so much more fun ! Keep up the good work embn !

[Nomads_Rowing]

Interesting debate but for 99% of us ‘average’ riders it is sadly defined by cost! 😎

[aminbazdeep]

Hi Steve at EMBN. I will be 70 in September. I have always cycled but only recently bought a "normal " mountain bike. It's a Lapierre zesty 5.9. I love it but the climb to the top was killing me and especially when out with my sons. I am now awaiting a Trek Rail to be delivered hopefully this week. I can't wait. Had a wee shottie on my son in laws Trek and was immediately converted. I'm keeping the Zesty as having different bike options is the way to go. Keep up the great work.