Mountain bikes were spared the e-bike craze for a long time. That little bit of torque - yawn! Batteries that only managed half the hill? Boring! But then suddenly drives came on the market that also rock on mountain bikes. The off-road bikes equipped with a lot of power and large battery capacities can now be seen everywhere and no longer lag miles behind their riders' plans in terms of performance. The fact that motors and batteries have now become practically invisible has given sporty bikes with motors an extra boost. And now it's time for you to get that extra boost on your mountain biking adventures, too!
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This is an e-bike mountain bike - Things to know about MTBs with motors
With an "E" or without, what a mountain bike can do, and when it's worth buying one, doesn't really depend on whether or not the bike comes with a drivetrain these days. Much of the buying information you'll find on our non-powered mountain bikes, hardtails and fullys applies equally to the E versions. The area of use, the advantages and the equipment are very similar. Only in one thing they differ - the effortless riding pleasure is clearly "e-bike only".
E-Hardtails and E-Bike Fullys
Mountain bikes come in two major subtypes, namely as hardtails and as fullys.
A hardtail is all-terrain and rideable on almost any surface. It brings a sturdy frame, generous tires, and a suspension fork, so it rolls over hard, soft, loose, rocky, rooted, or other surfaces and is a lot of fun to ride. The rigid rear end makes it run efficiently, though it makes it less "bouncy" than a full. When it gets really rough, a Fully is clearly the better candidate, it can handle even the most technical terrain, thanks to an additional shock in the frame. Then, of course, there are MTB special editions like enduros, race fulls, trail bikes or the versatile AllMountains.
The most important difference between a hardtail and a fully is the off-road capability and furthermore the suitability for everyday use. A frame shock not only absorbs shocks, it always bounces along when you pedal. So a fully is absolutely fearless in the wild, but unsuitable for long distances. A hardtail rides much more efficiently, it's also usable for daily rides, but the terrain may not be quite so demanding.
If you want to know more about it, you should definitely surf over to our MTBs, you'll find plenty of information there. Here we mainly take care of the features of the e-bike versions.
> Here you can read all about mountain bikes, hardtails and fullys.
Since an e-bike mountain bike is ultimately an e-bike like any other, you can find plenty of additional information in our e-bike buying guide. Here we have collected everything you need to know, you can learn more about the batteries and motors, the legal requirements or the general advantages that an e-bike can offer you.
> Here you can find e-bikes and all the important information
Good drivetrains for an e-bike mountain bike
An e-bike is no lightweight; even a Fully without a motor adds about 14 to 17 kilos of weight. If then still motor and battery hang on the frame, most bikes weigh well over 20kg, so the drive gets to do properly. E-mountain bikes are therefore equipped with the thickest drives on the market!
- Electric motors for mountain bikes
The motor power of an e-bike is limited by law to 250 watts and a maximum speed of 25km/h. Here, even most MTBs make no exception. Only S-pedelecs are allowed more, assisting with up to 45W and 45km/h. If you go faster under your own power, the drive decouples, you then continue to propel your e-bike on your own. Unlike older versions, modern motors don't put up any uncomfortable resistance after decoupling.
The much more exciting parameter on MTBs is torque, and that's where people like to dish it out! The torque quantifies the torque with which the engine supports. The higher the number in Nm, the more support is noticeable. Normally, an e-mountain bike has a drive with about 80 Nm and more, the upper limit is currently a massive 120 Nm. This means that the bike can easily manage steep climbs. For comparison: A simple city e-bike gets just 40 Nm of maximum torque on the bike path!
An e-bike motor weighs about 3 to 4 kilos, mountain bikes are usually equipped with mid-mounted motors.
The majority of all e-bike mountain bikes today have a battery integrated into the frame. Especially off-road, falls can never be ruled out so completely, so it doesn't hurt if the battery has an extra layer of protection through the frame. The bikes are of course also much more pleasing in appearance by the invisible battery. Depending on the battery installed, you get between 500 and 750 Wh performance. A battery weighs about 2.5 to 3.5 kilos, the exact range depends on various factors such as the weight of bike and rider, the surface or the age of the battery. Tailwind or inclines also shorten or increase the range. There are usually different battery options, more watt-hours mean longer riding pleasure, but also more weight, higher purchase costs, and longer charging times.
- The display provides full control
You control the drive of your e-bike via a display. There are two different philosophies here: you can opt for a networked cockpit. Here, there's a mount for your smartphone, and all control is via your phone with a pairing via BlueTooth. Other e-bikes have a display. On MTBs it often turns out rather small, so it doesn't obstruct your view or distract you on the road. To prevent it from breaking in a crash, it can be mounted at an angle between the handlebars and stem, so it's well protected. To dose the assistance, there's usually also a control within reach of your left thumb.
Every e-bike has them, the little sensors that register and calculate how much assistance you currently need. On the MTB, the sensors are especially important, because if you react intuitively in a fraction of a second in the terrain to master technically challenging passages, your e-bike should not throw a spanner in the works and just keep on plodding!
Smart software is essential, especially on a mountain bike. After all, you're supposed to be concentrating on the slope in front of you when you're on the road, not tinkering with your display. That's why mountain bike drives are getting smarter, there are already versions available that make actively changing the support level unnecessary. The drive analyzes the terrain and the rider's movements and adjusts itself automatically.
- Which is the best motor for an e-bike mountain bike?
There are three manufacturers in particular that provide you with e-power on the go, first there is the well-known German electronics giant Bosch, the bike giant Shimano and furthermore the Japanese company Yamaha. However, the big boom in e-bikes has ensured that many new manufacturers are developing e-bike drivetrains or the bike builders themselves are launching a motor system that fits their e-bikes perfectly. Which one is best for your e-bike is hard to say. A mountain bike needs decent power, so you should make sure it has a sufficiently "big" motor. Big here means that the power, i.e. the torque, is sufficient to support your off-road rides in the best possible way. If you prefer a manufacturer with a lot of experience, you should have one of the "big three" working for you. If you're more into exciting innovation, you can get going with the support of a new kind of drive.
The components of an e-bike mountain bike
Gears, brakes, handlebars and vario-bars - the features of an e-MTB are very similar to those of organic bikes. There are, of course, special e-bike parts that can withstand the big speeds or get along with the drivetrain, but the function is very similar.
With your E-MTB you buy biting discs, most of the time a 1x12 or 1x11 derailleur is mounted, deflectable seatposts are also part of the equipment in most cases.
The shocks make the bike off-road capable, depending on how much travel the suspension fork and frame shock have, the bike can bend 100 to 200 mm on bumps. The lockout immobilizes the shocks.
E-bike mountain bikes for men and women
Bikes that are divided into women's bike and men's bike are becoming increasingly rare. Especially with sporty bikes like mountain bikes, there are more and more unisex models that are equally suitable for men or women. Bicycles are built in many sizes, there is a wide variety of frame shapes, there is no need to differentiate by gender. You'll find the exact dimensions of the frame in the specifications of the bikes, so you'll get a good idea of fit.
Is an e-bike mountain bike the right bike for you?
Sports aren't for you, the effort is actually too much for you? When in doubt, the sofa usually wins when it comes to leisure activities? Just try out how much fun an e-bike is. You'll see, it will lure you outside more and more often! E-bikes have already converted many a hardened opponent of exercise and turned them into a convinced recreational athlete! Especially a versatile mountain bike is here a real bringer for all who like to spend time in nature, and would like to be off the beaten track. As long as you stay on the designated trails and don't flatten fauna and flora beneath you, there are few trails that an MTB can't handle.
"It has nothing to do with sport anymore", a common prejudice when it comes to e-bikes! However, an e-mountain bike can definitely be considered a piece of sports equipment. Every e-bike has different assistance levels that support with more or less power. So you don't always have to ride at full motor power. If you ride at a lower level, you can work up a good sweat. It also helps your battery last longer. So, if you like to do your workout in nature, but also want to go on a leisurely ride now and then, an eBike is the right bike for you. If it doesn't involve riding on tarred roads and you encounter climbs and descents along the way, an e-bike mountain bike is a good choice.
When you're on the road, do you value riding comfort, a comfortable and sporty riding position, and you don't want to feel every little stone directly? Then you will appreciate a mountain bike with good damping. The riding position is rather sporty and comfortable, the wide MTB handlebars give you good control over your bike. A well-balanced mountain bike e-bike gives you a safe, confident riding experience.
If you like zippy riding, big motorization just good enough for you.
The features of an e-bike mountain bike at a glance:
- off-road capable
- suitable for mountains
- versatile
- sporty to ride, good propulsion
- comfortable, as generously damped
- Sporty, comfortable riding position
- confident riding experience
- Training or pleasure touring, both are possible
- Large engines, long ride times
How does an e-bike mountain bike ride?
At this point we have to put 1 and 1 together, because there are not only the riding characteristics of the e-bike here, but also the special capabilities of a MTB.
Just like any other e-bike, an e-mountain bike rides absolutely effortlessly - if you allow yourself full motor support. At a lower support level, you have to do more yourself, but your battery will last longer. Difficult sections and steep climbs can be easily mastered thanks to the support.
The sensors of the drive measure your pedalling motion, so the on-board computer can precisely dose the support you get from the motor. You can steer the bike through the bike park just as sensitively as you would with a re-powered MTB. Some drivetrains even come with their own climb sensor that detects climbs before you reach them, allowing you to proactively adjust your assistance.
Einclude a mountain bike that's just as responsive as a re-powered MTB.
A mountain bike makes you independent of paved trails.The suspension fork and frame shock not only smooth out bumps, making bumpy rides much more comfortable, they provide good ground contact where another bike would bounce helplessly. The wide tyres with their large studs also stick securely to the ground. Not only does this make for a much smoother ride off-road, it also makes your ride safer, as the bike won't swerve or slide sideways and you'll lose control. The mid-mounted motors give the bike a low, centered center of gravity, this delivers a solid, safe ride that resembles a re-motorized bike.
While a hardtail also lends itself to everyday transportation, a fully is more of a sport and fun machine. Overall, the efficiency of a MTB, especially a fully, is rather meager, but the motor provides on the e-bike but of course generously for the compensation.
The big motors push you well-metered, but powerfully forward. The big motor power is really necessary, because E-MTBs are not lightweights - with a Fully you have to reckon with 23 to 27 kilograms of weight, hardtails are a bit lighter.
The riding characteristics of an e-mountain bike at a glance:
- comfortably cushioned
- effortless to sporty
- safe, thanks to good grip
- grippy tyres
- powerful engines
- fine-tuned support
- Hardtails are also suitable as an everyday bike
The advantages of an e-bike mountain bike
An e-bike mountain bike will go anywhere you can go with an organic MTB. It just rides with significantly less effort.
There are many reasons why an e-bike is a good choice! No one is getting any younger, there is absolutely no shame in switching to an e-bike at some point! After a break from injury, for example, the lack of fitness is very frustrating. This is where an e-bike provides a motivational boost to help you build on old successes. Even if you haven't exercised for a long time, or simply don't have enough time to maintain the fitness level you need for extended bike rides, an e-bike provides you with targeted support. You don't have to dread group bike rides anymore, as the motor ensures that you can keep up.
Not least, a day in the bike park or on the trail trains your balance and reactions, whether with or without a motor!
The good traction of the mountain bike lets the bike roll forward reliably and safely, and completely independent of the surface. To ensure that it copes well with the vibrations on the road, an MTB is always optimally processed and equipped with durable components.
Mountain bikes come with many different features and capabilities. While a downhiller is best downhill, an enduro with its generous chassis can cope anywhere in the mountains. Arace bike will go fast, a trail bike offers good comfort in hilly terrain. No matter what you're up to, there's a mountain bike for it.
The advantages of a motorized mountain bike at a glance:
- Many different types of bikes for many different uses
- robust workmanship
- safe riding experience
- Training or relaxed excursions - both are possible
How much does an e-bike mountain bike cost?
In our price classification, we have to separate each into two categories here. A Fully comes with an additional shock, and you usually don't get that for free. In addition, the construction of the frame is much more complicated when a few joints have to be installed. Therefore hardtails are always cheaper to get than fullys. Prices vary of course, here you get a rough guide.
The cost of e-bike hardtails:
The entry-level class of e-bike hardtails starts at about 2300 euros to 3200 euros. There are also cheaper e-bikes on the market, but often these are 24-inch bikes, so youth bikes or older models with external battery. From 2300 euros you get a simple, but reasonable E-MTB. Here, the motors and batteries are usually smaller, so the drives that were specifically developed for mountain bikes are not yet installed. You also get the simpler shift groups from Shimano or SRAM. These bikes are suitable for occasional rides, short daily commutes or easy off-road riding.
In the hardtail mid-range from 3200 to 4200 euros not only do the bikes get more powerful and durable, the terrain you can ride them on also gets more versatile. You get better shifting groups and disc brakes, the motors are optimized for MTB use and the bigger batteries promise a long ride time. Depending on the model, there's enough room for comfortable +tires.
From 4200 euros you call an absolute top hardtail your own. The bikes score with excellent workmanship, they are durable and do not resent even the roughest off-road tours. The frames are not only sophisticated in their geometry to the smallest, they are torsionally stiff and efficient. There are usually internally routed cables that offer a flawless look. Along with the sensitivity of the drivetrain, it also improves off-road performance by leaps and bounds.
This is what e-bike fullys cost:
For fullys, the entry-level class starts just under 3000 euros. It ranges up to about 3800 euros. These bikes can cope with light terrain, even a rather flat bike park should be possible.
Bikes for 3800 to 5000 euros represent the E-Fully middle class. Processing and components are better and more durable, the functionality, durability and ease of use increases significantly. The terrain may still be a bit more fun for these bikes, but still you should not overstrain them.
For e-fullys, the upper league ranges from 5000 euros to five figures. Thick Intube batteries promise long ranges, even if the brute motor draws a lot of current on a high setting. The installed shift groups are the legendary flagship parts of SRAM or Shimano, they have a wide range, shift smoothly and buttery. Not completely uninteresting: Although you can quickly mount other tires, such a bike of course comes with luxury tires. Where such a mountain bike doesn't get anywhere, only a helicopter will help!
The cost of an e-bike mountain bike at a glance:
- The entry-level class for e-bike hardtails starts at around 2300 euros and goes up to 3200 euros. For fullys, the entry-level class starts just below 3000 euros. It ranges up to about 3800 euros.
- The hardtail middle class ranges from 3200 to 4200 euros. Bikes for 3800 to 5000 euros represent the E-Fully middle class.
- From 4500 euros you call an absolute top hardtail your own. For E-Fullys the upper league ranges from 5000 euros to five figures.
What do you have to look for when buying an e-mountain bike?
E-bike mountain bikes don't come cheap, so it's all the more important that you don't make a mistake when deciding what to buy. Here are a few important questions to help you find the right bike for you
- Where do you want to ride, what are the surfaces like?
This is where the question is decided: full or hardtail? For easy terrain and trails, a hardtail is best suited, it is also usable in everyday life. If you're looking for an adrenaline rush off-road, a fully is your bike!
Both get more versatile as the price goes up, because forks and suspension improve.
If you ride your mountain bike on the bike trail, a smaller motor may be enough. Even on the flats, you don't need to buy a big motor. For "real" MTB terrain, a dedicated mountain bike drivetrain is definitely the best option.
- Which battery do you need?
Short trails and minor climbs don't gobble up too much power, so a smaller, lighter battery will suffice here. For big off-road tours you need more battery capacity.
- How do you find the right frame size?
There are e-bikes in many different fits. So you don't have to worry, there is the bike you can ride comfortably and safely. Here in the online shop we also have the bikes in many different frame sizes, with our Frame Size Advisor you can find the right size for you quickly and easily.
- What wheel size do you need`
Mountain bikes usually have 27.5-inch wheels or 29-inch tires. Generally, the smaller wheels are more playful to ride, they accelerate easier. They are, however, less fast once up to speed. Big wheels ride smoothly and briskly. Wheels on mountain bikes are always thick and have lots of rough lugs. So they bite into almost any surface and offer enough trip even when wet or on loose ground. Some MTBs also allow you to mount a +tire. Here the tires are almost as expansive as on the fatbike, especially on loose ground, gravel or sand, this is very comfortable.
- Can you easily swap parts on an e-bike?
Your bike and you - off-road it is especially important that you form a perfect unit. Therefore, on the mountain bike bike tuning is particularly common. And especially an e-mountain bike consists of many different parts, after an extensive test phase it is quite normal that you want or need to swap one or the other of them. But is that easy on an e-bike? Of course, there are parts that can be replaced quickly, for example, another saddle can be fitted in a flash. But even the handlebars can be tricky, because the control element for the electric drive and the display would also have to move. Many parts of the current bikes are also e-bike specific, they are built specifically for the higher weight and fast speeds that only an e-bike can achieve. These include brakes, wheels, tires and forks.
Buy an e-bike mountain bike from the best manufacturer
We've already introduced you to the drivetrain manufacturers above, and it's no secret that SRAM and Shimano also build the best complete groupsets. But which manufacturers build good bikes? That's actually quite simple: Ours! Here at BMO you can only order bikes from well-known and proven manufacturers. To make sure we can supply you with good quality, you'll find e-bikes from Orbea, Trek, Cannondale, Haibike, Giant or Liv.
An e-MTB would be cool, but would you like a gravel bike too? Here at Bike Mailorder Onlineshop we have all the bikes, and with our buying guides you can quickly and easily find out what they can do and which bike suits you! Gravel Bikes, Urban Bikes and City Bikes, Touring bikes, Dirt bikes, Race bikes and regular E-bikes, each has its advantages and disadvantages, but thanks to our many offers, you're sure to find your new favorite bike! Plus, we'll help you buy a cool kids bike for your little one. Just read our buying guides and you'll know which bike you'll be happy with!
