I'm a Downhill rider thru and thru, and ever since I started riding my heavy AF Ebike, I've been able to start just tossing my DH around like a feather and I love it. It is a phenomenal training tool that anyone can add to their arsenal. They're also just great fun. Honestly could never bring myself to enjoy trail riding before cause fitness isn't a main focus of mine and I don't particularly care for climbing BUT now I'm riding almost every day having the time of my life. And surprisingly in great shape because of just how much I'm riding. :D So, anytime I hear someone diss me or call me a cheater, I just remember that I'm enjoying life and at the end of the day, that's what MTBing is all about isn't it? Enjoying yourself and having fun with your mates.
Mate, most people are struggling to fuel their cars, heat their houses and feed the kids let alone add a full suspension e-bike to their collection as a 'training tool' lol
Excellent point about the heavier ebike being a training tool for riders just like the weights on bats are tools for warmup swings. When they remove the weight they proceed to swing the bat around like a feather. I believe you would travel more miles on an ebike and therefore get just as much or more exercise.
E-bike has changed my life. I have lost over 60 lbs because I ride more and I can overcome my disabilities that my knees have constrained me into. At fist I thought e-bikes were cheating but after my results I am a believer in the e-bike. I work hard on the climbs but do not hurt my knees as much which means I ride more and still burn calories doing so.
He is now. When you look at old videos you can see that he had some work in front of him to get to this level. He was very awkward and tense in the beginning of his gmbn videography, but he really grew into the role as a presenter.
I am considering an ebike for commuting (I'll got the DIY route though) - at 45 years old and 25km to work one way, I'm noticing my endurance just isn't what it used to be (my short explosive sprints are as strong as ever thankfully). I'll never get rid of my roadie or MTB, but if it means I can get into work more comfortably, less sweaty and less tired, then I'm for it.
Exactly my situation. I am 63 years old and commute 36 km every day on my bike here in Vancouver Canada. I abhor e-bikes that allow ghost pedaling (I.e. without torque sensor), so bought a Trek Powerfly 4FS this year, and it has been a lifesaver for me. I still get decent exercise on my daily ride but can again get to work without being totally knackered.
I am 50 now and still enjoy pedaling up hill for conditioning! I been kicking the idea of an Ebike in my head for some time now. Maybe I'll eventually get a lightweight Ebike.
I just got my new E-bike 4 days ago, I had stopped mountain biking years ago because the slopes outside of my house were not inviting and despite being fit from kitesurfing and snowboarding, MTB was not rewarding at all. I live north of Barcelona in the mountains that surround the coast, a paradise for hikers and bikers that I have re-discovered thanks to EMTB. Now I’m planning every day new routes, some days up to 40 or 50 Km, I climb crazy rugged slopes that I otherwise would have to walk my bike through and I’m doing more workout than I had ever done with my former analogical MTB. So yes, you should definitely get an EMTB!
Just got one. Its the same as normal biking just faster. Im no less tired and in low power mode has just enough assistance to overcome the extra weight, its almost the same as a regular bike. Apart from hills. Yes, its easier to climb. Other than climbing its the same, you just go faster/further. But again, low power is always an option to have a harder time climbing. If it runs out, its a bummer but its far from impossible to pedal if there was no choice. Its a bit like a combination of mtb green laning and moto x - all on a machine that doesnt require petrol !
I had a friend of mine who bought an E-mtb and my initial reaction was 'lol what are you...lazy?' but he gave me a very good argument which is that with an E-mtb, it takes him less effort to do one lap of a trail, which in return meant he did that trail more than one time. Basically, the trail itself might be easier, but because it's easier you end up riding longer. Instead of doing just one lap, he would do 2 or 3 so in the end he still burned a good amount of calories and had a decent workout, and he spent more time riding. And my mentality changed a lot too as soon as I tried one. The trails I did for when I rented one were much easier, so I just did it several times instead of being out of breath and my legs being tired after just one round. The only problem of course is that e mtb's are just really expensive if you're looking for a good full suspension bike
I’m a 66 year old with Parkinson’s and just got my e-bike and love it. I’m able to keep up with my buddies and not restrict their rides waiting on me. I found that over the last year my endurance had dropped because of my Parkinson’s and now with my e-bike I am having fun again.
Most of all I just don't like to rely on any kind of electricity for any of my bicycles. That's really not what cycling is about for me. Just have it ready in the shed at all times and all weather conditions, grab it and go as far as you feel like going and for as long as you want to.
Hey hey! Thanks for the video! I just did my 2nd e-bike ride on my Specialized Levo turbo comp carbon. It was amazing - what usually takes me 4:30 I did in 3:30 - 5000 feet of climbing. I will say that in no way am I replacing my analogue MTB for the ebike - because I just don’t get the same suffering when riding the ebike. I love the e-bike as a cross trainer or when I want to go on a long adventure and explore different trails.
Made my choice 4 years ago and never looked back! Still have analog bike but last time i rode it was about 4years ago. E-bikes are future for older men. I own now 2 s-works turbo, 1pro, and 1comp levo for myself, wife and family friends.
Americans only talk about riding uphill in bike parks, but in Europe we use these to go to work, ride cross country, have more range to find new places to ride without having to transport bikes with cars. My problem is, I like the feel of traditional bikes. I do not hate e-bikes. They are just a different sport. Nothing wrong with that. It is just that if bikes did not cost an arm and a leg, I would like to have a good traditional MTB and and good eMTB - for different uses, for different experiences.
Right now I'm in my 30's and happy with my full suspension "normal" bike. However I have no doubt that in some point in my life I will switch to a (light) E-MTB.
Aside the bike my dad bought when I was a kid, I've never owned my own bike. Went straight to emtb and never looked back. The hills at the start of the tracks around where I live make life miserable first thing in the morning
I love my e mtb for everyday use. When I'm shooting for conditioning/training I turnoff the power, cranking the heavier weight is an obvious positive. When you want fun, crank up the boost and hit the gnarly bits.
As Im getting older. less flexible and more injured my riding has changed. i can no longer downhill due to knee, ankle and back and wrist injury(yes, all sport related, some from 30 years ago). i also find road biking boring and the position hurts. my e mtb bike has helped me alot
A few years ago, I hated them because they carried people deep into the woods that were not able to ride technical trails but tried and blocked up everything. Either they have learned to ride or lost interest, the problem seems to be gone. If E-Bikes make people start their ride at home instead of driving their bikes into the woods with cars, I‘m all for it. Personally, I will stick to normal bikes for now.
@@chrisridesbicycles Life is soo funny and full of irony, I've gained some pounds, some time before 2019, I have some issues with heathl, however I was able to ride 4yrs straight on an e-bike, and guess what I am dreaming of now? Yes, again - on this elusive thing that went into dust - 'to be able to ride on acustic bike as far and as hard as I would like, similarly as I was during my teens years' - that's the irony. Don't dismiss ebikes - they will bring many ppl back ''on the right path'.
I bought my first e bike this year for one reason,my health! At 55 i just couldnt climb anymore without coughing my guts up,my e bike literally changed my life,im enjoying it again! I nearly gave up something i love,but for me,an e bike is a game changer!
At 3:17 Neil mentions a video he made at EMBN about the versitility of an E-MBT.. I can't find that video no matter how I search for it. Does anyone know the title of that video so I can look it up?
I've scanned their embn page and I think this may be the video that he's referring to: ruclips.net/video/fVDJ55Vhbn0/видео.htmlsi=w5XMV2_fhjeu4BJu Haven't looked further in time though.
I've recently bought an E mountainbike. And I mostly ride on low support or none. But on those heavy commutes where I carry a lot of stuff it's a handy feature
Idk man, essentially being able to use my enduro which is basically a downhill on some local trails would be pretty awesome with a mini motor.. haha I say that because often I just want to hit the downhill but some trails with some gnarly downhill make you do some heavy ascending to get there. So take my XC bike which obviously doesn’t allow for the same downhill experience or use an E bike rated for downhill… anyways I’ve never been on an E bike but it def appeals to me for those situations I mentioned. That is of course my perception of what an E bike would provide..
The number one negative sidr of e-bikes, is that there is so much more electronics on it that can stop functioning or batteries that just get worse and worse over time. A normal bike, that is purely mechanical, will always be repairable (as long as the companies don't change their bb- or hub standards suddenly again for no reason). A 20 year old bike can still be used. I'll bet you won't find usable e-bikes from these years in 20 years time.
I think it’s a good point. I’m super paranoid about getting my ebike wet and ruining the electronics (ebike conversion kit). That goes for riding and transporting the bike.
They’re like buying a fancy ass car. It’s one thing being able to afford the monthly payments but the tyres, the brakes, the maintenance, that starts adding up
I rode bikes for many years for leisure and transportation. Then didn’t for several years. During the pandemic I got an E-bike (a kinda road EMTB with upgrade potential). This summer I went MMTB (muscle mountain bike), so the opposite way. I have both in my garage and they both have a place in my biking world.
No intention of getting an ebike at this point, certainly not while I’m still fit enough to haul myself to the top of the hill under my own steam. Seems like at least half of the riders you see at trail centres are on them now and even young kids, which I do struggle to get my head around.
Different goals. I used to ride motocross bikes as a kid. I rode then and ride now only for fun. An ebike for me is WAY more fun than my regular MTB. I can season hills and never stop at the top to rest. I’ve ridden way more since I’ve gotten my ebike.
Some people dig challenge, and some people dig fun. Sometimes those goals are parallel and sometimes they are on opposing sides. For some people, quantity is more important than quality and vice versa. Some people think the juice (that thrill of FINALLY nailing it) is worth the squeeze (the months of sweat and failure leading up to it), and some people want to get the prize and peg the needle without the heartache.
A woman on a dating app, after finding out I ride an ebike, said "I will never ride with you." Then unmatched me 😂 Later I talked to a guy that dated her, dodged a bullet 😅
I just got my Trek ebike and I will never ride my old bike anymore . Ebike is more vibrant and you can cycle up a steeper hill as well as for a longer distances.
My friend group that I normally ride with have all gotten Ebikes, and I'm the only one on analog. That shit sucks some times. Last year we went to several enduro races, and having to follow them was hard.
In the MTB world there's room for both. I keep my normal bike for lung and leg burners in order to maintain a minimum level of fitness. My ebike is for exploring places I couldn't even think of reaching with my normal bike.
Can't wait for more light ebikes, but I would definitely consider it. They're good in so many ways. But then again, I saw that little full-sus jump bike on GmbH tech the other day and that's my n+1 obsession for this week. Better to put the scree away and go ride.
I'm good with regular bike I'm 63 and ride with guys 20 years younger they joked that they should all chip in to get me an ebike I had to laugh because I'm at the top of the trail before them 😆
I ride both. Definitely pros and cons to both. Like Neil said, ebikes aren't as flickable and maneuverable compared to analog. But on an ebike, you can go further. When it comes to power, 500watts is enough to handle most climbs, your drive train choice makes more of a difference. Think of it as quality vs quantity.
Over the last 6 yrs I’ve had 2 wheel driven electric bikes , I’m on beta blockers cos of 2 heart attacks 7 yrs ago , my max heart beat is 120 , bpm so it really helps me with hills , even if slight , however have a normal hardtail at the min , my friend has a electric mid drive , he has a bad hip, he’s in his late 6os and doesn’t want to give up riding ,,, Cheats are only cheats on Strava , if they take quick times or king of the moulin the non ebike section of strava , cheers shane
Nothing against eMTBs (They're inevitable as you get older; I'm waiting until the decision is forced on me by my aging body), but I heard a term the other day for 'acoustic' or 'analogue' bikes)which I love: MUSCLE BIKES! Now we're talking!
I've been mtbing so long that i remember when people said oval chainrings aka biopace were cheating and hated on and seatposts and full suspension bikes were looked down on or were thought to be a waste of money and now they are an industry standard. Every single improvement to mtbing has had its haters and whiners. Ps I use all of these once hated tools of our craft, and life is good.😅😊
I demo'd an ebike once and it was way too easy. When i turned down the assist it was way too hard. Its big, heavy, and expensive. If I need some conditioning ill go on a ride or 2 on some long xc trails before I hit the steep chunky stuff.
It would be nice to get more laps in, but I’d just rather ride my new transition spire. What’s the point of getting more laps in if you wish you were on a lighter mountain bike on the decents?
You don’t even notice or feel the weight in the descents. If anything you actually have more traction. Due to the weight and once you’re used to the feel of the bike they’re just as playful as a traditional bike in my opinion. Ebikes are 10x more fun. More laps, less energy exerted, and if you want to burn your legs up just switch it to eco mode or turn the motor off.
My mates all chip their bikes to remove the speed limit and they think it's a no brainer too. As I don't ride an Ebike, I think it's only more 'downhill'. To the point that they need it to have fun. I don't like that development.... however I'm still a little bit jealous. When I'm flat out trying to keep up, they still have plenty of energy to play around and chat and all that stuff.
I live on a mountain foothill. The only road not full with cars is the one which goes up. I’m 46 and not fit. I tried a regular mtb. I did 200 meters and was miserable the whole time. With an e-bike I was able to climb the mountain. I really did more exercise than with the regular bike. 10 minutes of misery vs 2 hours of exercise at a pace I could do.
And the nice thing is that when you have gotten in better shape on that EMTB, you could always get a MMTB (muscle MTB) for the short, max pulse training sessions that will send you flying even more on your EMTB.
I’m older, not as in shape. I also have a full time job and 3 kids. So staying in riding shape is hard to do. E-mtn bikes def helps me ride the trails I would now struggle with which = not a fun time. I’m a rider, I love riding. I’m not doing this to be in Lance Armstrong type shape. Pick what you like and have fun.
I haven't been able to ride my rebular MB for the past few year now, due to health reasons. I've also been looking into getting an E-bike for getting into town and back, especially for the hills around here; that would certainly help with getting my fitness back on track, before getting onto my MB again!
Con: e-bikes aren’t allowed on a lot of trails, at least not in the US. I hope that changes because my next mountain bike will be electric if the access is there. I’m not getting any younger here and the hills are getting tougher.
Unfortunately I don’t have a choice but have to get an ebike. I had a major heart attack a couple of months’ ago, and my heart is not as strong as it was and beta blockers will prevent the HR going too high, so I’ll get tired quickly on the hills. At the moment I have both the Scott Spark (for XC) and Scott Genius (for bike parks, rough stuff etc.). I’ll probably ditch the Genius, keep the Spark for flat rides, and invest in an ebike so I can go venturing further afield.
Ebikes are great fun, I have the Levo SL and for me it’s a perfect balance on normal bike and with added assistance, I can ride for longer, go further, climb higher, the descents are as much if not more fun than my acoustic, and the best bit is I can do it day after day, total game changer for me specially having arthritis in my knees and being the wrong side of 50
E-bikes are great fun and introduces a different style of riding as I did consider one, however I’m fit enough to take my non E mtb on all kinds of trails and tracks and take it long distance.. I can see that one day In my older years when my legs may beg me to buy an E… If someone wants to get back to riding a bike and dont have the fitness level or confidence, then I’d say they should defs consider the Ebike. Or hire one every now and then.. it’s a lot cheaper..
ridding dirt bikes my whole life i prefer the weight of an E bike over a normal mtb i feel more grounded and comfortable hitting tracks and jumps with pace
Same here, I've ridden mountain bikes for years as well but always disliked the geometry of them and never felt confident compared to the dirt bikes. Now on a turbo levo the tracks I used grind through at a modest pace I now attack on the e bike and have improved my cornering and over all technique a lot as it feels more like a dirt bike.I have also removed the assist limit and it has made a massive difference to the way the bike feels, and it's not about high speeds or anything as now I ride mostly in eco and can spin up with a consistent load that is limited by physics and doesn't change abruptly at a certain speed. In eco it now feels like a normal bike and I can still manage over 1000 metres of climbing over 90 plus kilometres.
the only reason for me to get an ebike would be a serious medical problem like rheuma because that could be the end else. when i'm getting older i will adapt my style of riding to my abilities, no need for an ebika.
I see so many ebikes out on the trails nowadays its crazy. So many people with money out there. I am considering an ebike in a couple years when I don't enjoy the feeling of clearing a climb under my own power.
@@ChrisG1967 I understand that's an option for some but I believe if you can't pay for one straight up then you can't afford it. Even if its interest free there's a chance you may not be able to make a payment and that can ruin your future credit. Not the best route for everyone.
Can you do a full review on the sl and orbea rise, I'm not interested in a full fat ebike whatsoever, but the lightwieght ones are getting my attention,
I have been just thinking of buying one when i got a bit older, problem for me is most of the mates i ride with have either brought a ebike or are planning on buying one . Though situation for me. They are becoming so popular.
Biggest issue is the cost. Rather take the better spec, save more money for better kit and have money left over, than get worse specced e-bike. If money was no object, then of course, top spec e-bike would be awesome.
the SL range would be my choice for sure, i don't want full assistance i just want a bit of help for my 14 mile bike ride home after standing on my feet for 85% of the day, know what i mean, those hills that are normally easy become harder after standing up all day at work, so yeah I don't want a super fast ebike I just want a little assistance for the way home
I love my Whyte e180 it's taken me places I wouldn't normally of gone and a lot of great long day rides. I've even given a hater a go n said have you tried them once he did it turned his opinion. I do go through break pads for fun though I use mine for rides n commuting.
what motor do u think i should go for? Shimano or Bosch? im seeing Shimano EP600 and Bosch CX. i havent seen videos versus but i did see a EP800 and that beat the Bosch CX.
At the moment I'm trying to recover from long covid and my next step is to buy a good budget full Sus electric bike, such as the yt decoy base or the vitus esommet vr. If anyone has a suggestion for a good review page or just a good ebike for around 3700 ish
More light weight emtb’s and hardtail versions, I have a Merida big trail 600 I’m sure it would be more fun with even the most minimal assist climbing I’m not into massive rides just like sessioning trails I like when I find them.
Well that was one of the best pro's and con's between the two I've seen so far. I've been thinking about an ebike although I've not ridden one yet. My conclusion is its an even more expensive way to enjoying mtb riding. Chewing through parts and battery life is my biggest issue. My cordless drill destroys a battery within a year so how long would you get out of one before needing to buy a new one.
i was very hesitant on buying an e bike but i knew in my riding crew i was the slowest at climbing hills. they kept encouraging me to consider an e bike as an option in the future. the one i really liked was being discontinued so to speak, i like the 29 but the new 2022 version is now a mullet setup to which i hate. so after almost a year of searching i found one bike store with a med and a large in stock. so i drove the 7.5 hours there and back and bought it very impulsively. first time out on it was great but i was not ready for it and very painful after wards as i did no warm ups. second run was with the crew and with proper warm up and power management it was incredible especially climbing. i love my turbo levo 29 now and like Neil said i can climb hills faster and can get more runs in per day then with a regular mtb. but don't get me wrong i still have my rigid, my hardtail, and full sus bikes along with the new full sus e bike. i still use all of them.
Here's a silly question does an ebike make you quicker on your enduro MTB ,could Neil do a month on the Ebike then see if he's improved his times on the unduro trail bike ??/
I'm a Downhill rider thru and thru, and ever since I started riding my heavy AF Ebike, I've been able to start just tossing my DH around like a feather and I love it. It is a phenomenal training tool that anyone can add to their arsenal. They're also just great fun. Honestly could never bring myself to enjoy trail riding before cause fitness isn't a main focus of mine and I don't particularly care for climbing BUT now I'm riding almost every day having the time of my life. And surprisingly in great shape because of just how much I'm riding. :D So, anytime I hear someone diss me or call me a cheater, I just remember that I'm enjoying life and at the end of the day, that's what MTBing is all about isn't it? Enjoying yourself and having fun with your mates.
Mate, most people are struggling to fuel their cars, heat their houses and feed the kids let alone add a full suspension e-bike to their collection as a 'training tool' lol
Yeh man, same here, I don’t give a flying F what people around me thinks or say, I’m enjoying and that’s all it matters.
@@tc8066 "most people" don't have ebikes.
Excellent point about the heavier ebike being a training tool for riders just like the weights on bats are tools for warmup swings. When they remove the weight they proceed to swing the bat around like a feather. I believe you would travel more miles on an ebike and therefore get just as much or more exercise.
Crack on make, well said!
To be honest it used to be a novelty to see an e-bike on my local haunts. Now its a novelty to see a non-e bike.
I'm 68 and love my Evil Offering. So nope, no motors for now. Maybe later on if I get too old to have fun. HA
E-bike has changed my life. I have lost over 60 lbs because I ride more and I can overcome my disabilities that my knees have constrained me into. At fist I thought e-bikes were cheating but after my results I am a believer in the e-bike. I work hard on the climbs but do not hurt my knees as much which means I ride more and still burn calories doing so.
How many money did u buy for it?
Neil is a excellent presenter
He is now. When you look at old videos you can see that he had some work in front of him to get to this level. He was very awkward and tense in the beginning of his gmbn videography, but he really grew into the role as a presenter.
@@daray666 I think we would all be the same in front of a camera, I really like the presenters on these bike channels
Neil is brilliant! Thanks for the support, Tony!
Thanks Tony
Blake and Neil are the best!
I am considering an ebike for commuting (I'll got the DIY route though) - at 45 years old and 25km to work one way, I'm noticing my endurance just isn't what it used to be (my short explosive sprints are as strong as ever thankfully). I'll never get rid of my roadie or MTB, but if it means I can get into work more comfortably, less sweaty and less tired, then I'm for it.
For those kinds of distances an E-Bike is a great choice.
Buy a scooter
Exactly my situation. I am 63 years old and commute 36 km every day on my bike here in Vancouver Canada. I abhor e-bikes that allow ghost pedaling (I.e. without torque sensor), so bought a Trek Powerfly 4FS this year, and it has been a lifesaver for me. I still get decent exercise on my daily ride but can again get to work without being totally knackered.
@@Chladimir Why?
I am 50 now and still enjoy pedaling up hill for conditioning! I been kicking the idea of an Ebike in my head for some time now. Maybe I'll eventually get a lightweight Ebike.
I just got my new E-bike 4 days ago, I had stopped mountain biking years ago because the slopes outside of my house were not inviting and despite being fit from kitesurfing and snowboarding, MTB was not rewarding at all. I live north of Barcelona in the mountains that surround the coast, a paradise for hikers and bikers that I have re-discovered thanks to EMTB. Now I’m planning every day new routes, some days up to 40 or 50 Km, I climb crazy rugged slopes that I otherwise would have to walk my bike through and I’m doing more workout than I had ever done with my former analogical MTB. So yes, you should definitely get an EMTB!
Just got one. Its the same as normal biking just faster. Im no less tired and in low power mode has just enough assistance to overcome the extra weight, its almost the same as a regular bike. Apart from hills. Yes, its easier to climb. Other than climbing its the same, you just go faster/further. But again, low power is always an option to have a harder time climbing. If it runs out, its a bummer but its far from impossible to pedal if there was no choice. Its a bit like a combination of mtb green laning and moto x - all on a machine that doesnt require petrol !
I had a friend of mine who bought an E-mtb and my initial reaction was 'lol what are you...lazy?' but he gave me a very good argument which is that with an E-mtb, it takes him less effort to do one lap of a trail, which in return meant he did that trail more than one time.
Basically, the trail itself might be easier, but because it's easier you end up riding longer. Instead of doing just one lap, he would do 2 or 3 so in the end he still burned a good amount of calories and had a decent workout, and he spent more time riding. And my mentality changed a lot too as soon as I tried one. The trails I did for when I rented one were much easier, so I just did it several times instead of being out of breath and my legs being tired after just one round. The only problem of course is that e mtb's are just really expensive if you're looking for a good full suspension bike
I’m a 66 year old with Parkinson’s and just got my e-bike and love it. I’m able to keep up with my buddies and not restrict their rides waiting on me. I found that over the last year my endurance had dropped because of my Parkinson’s and now with my e-bike I am having fun again.
You should also test entry-level hardtail mountain bikes like Trek Roscoe and Marlin which beginners like me can afford.
The trek roscoe is amazing. I bought it during covid and it's been a great mountain bike
Most of all I just don't like to rely on any kind of electricity for any of my bicycles. That's really not what cycling is about for me. Just have it ready in the shed at all times and all weather conditions, grab it and go as far as you feel like going and for as long as you want to.
Hey hey! Thanks for the video! I just did my 2nd e-bike ride on my Specialized Levo turbo comp carbon. It was amazing - what usually takes me 4:30 I did in 3:30 - 5000 feet of climbing. I will say that in no way am I replacing my analogue MTB for the ebike - because I just don’t get the same suffering when riding the ebike. I love the e-bike as a cross trainer or when I want to go on a long adventure and explore different trails.
Made my choice 4 years ago and never looked back! Still have analog bike but last time i rode it was about 4years ago. E-bikes are future for older men. I own now 2 s-works turbo, 1pro, and 1comp levo for myself, wife and family friends.
Last year I took the plunge and got myself a Trek Fuel Exe and I can say is it’s an amazing bit of kit - best of both worlds in many ways.
Ive just picked one up, hands down the best bike I have ever owned hands down, it is so addictive 👍
Americans only talk about riding uphill in bike parks, but in Europe we use these to go to work, ride cross country, have more range to find new places to ride without having to transport bikes with cars. My problem is, I like the feel of traditional bikes. I do not hate e-bikes. They are just a different sport. Nothing wrong with that. It is just that if bikes did not cost an arm and a leg, I would like to have a good traditional MTB and and good eMTB - for different uses, for different experiences.
Right now I'm in my 30's and happy with my full suspension "normal" bike.
However I have no doubt that in some point in my life I will switch to a (light) E-MTB.
Emtb all the way
I am 45 and have some health issues. In the past I loved to ride my mtb. So, I have ordered an ebike and hope to enjoy riding a bike on a trail again.
I’m starting to feel the same way, I’m 40 and don’t ride like I use too due to a knee injury
how's are you liking it? I'm absolutely in love with mine
Aside the bike my dad bought when I was a kid, I've never owned my own bike. Went straight to emtb and never looked back. The hills at the start of the tracks around where I live make life miserable first thing in the morning
I love my e mtb for everyday use. When I'm shooting for conditioning/training I turnoff the power, cranking the heavier weight is an obvious positive. When you want fun, crank up the boost and hit the gnarly bits.
Exactly..
As Im getting older. less flexible and more injured my riding has changed. i can no longer downhill due to knee, ankle and back and wrist injury(yes, all sport related, some from 30 years ago). i also find road biking boring and the position hurts. my e mtb bike has helped me alot
Great to hear that the E-bike still gets you out riding the good stuff!
A few years ago, I hated them because they carried people deep into the woods that were not able to ride technical trails but tried and blocked up everything. Either they have learned to ride or lost interest, the problem seems to be gone. If E-Bikes make people start their ride at home instead of driving their bikes into the woods with cars, I‘m all for it. Personally, I will stick to normal bikes for now.
@@matthewkuhl79 On the other hand, e-bikes seem to have completely replaced stupid mopeds amongst young people.
@@matthewkuhl79 You have to go to real rural areas but yes
@@chrisridesbicycles Life is soo funny and full of irony, I've gained some pounds, some time before 2019, I have some issues with heathl, however I was able to ride 4yrs straight on an e-bike, and guess what I am dreaming of now? Yes, again - on this elusive thing that went into dust - 'to be able to ride on acustic bike as far and as hard as I would like, similarly as I was during my teens years' - that's the irony. Don't dismiss ebikes - they will bring many ppl back ''on the right path'.
I bought my first e bike this year for one reason,my health!
At 55 i just couldnt climb anymore without coughing my guts up,my e bike literally changed my life,im enjoying it again!
I nearly gave up something i love,but for me,an e bike is a game changer!
At 3:17 Neil mentions a video he made at EMBN about the versitility of an E-MBT.. I can't find that video no matter how I search for it. Does anyone know the title of that video so I can look it up?
I'd like to know as well
I've scanned their embn page and I think this may be the video that he's referring to:
ruclips.net/video/fVDJ55Vhbn0/видео.htmlsi=w5XMV2_fhjeu4BJu
Haven't looked further in time though.
@@Veire Wow, thank you! That was fast!
Such clean riding by Niel! Would love to see him ride full Pay-Rise now it's done :)
Cheers, it was a fun day out
I've recently bought an E mountainbike. And I mostly ride on low support or none. But on those heavy commutes where I carry a lot of stuff it's a handy feature
@@matthiasfloren2610 mostly no support to low.... interesting
Considerimg an emb for an all purpose commuter/trail bike. I live in kansas, so not really a lot of opportunity for downhill riding
Idk man, essentially being able to use my enduro which is basically a downhill on some local trails would be pretty awesome with a mini motor.. haha I say that because often I just want to hit the downhill but some trails with some gnarly downhill make you do some heavy ascending to get there. So take my XC bike which obviously doesn’t allow for the same downhill experience or use an E bike rated for downhill… anyways I’ve never been on an E bike but it def appeals to me for those situations I mentioned. That is of course my perception of what an E bike would provide..
Great vid, tells it like it is for good and bad. Just got my first E-MTB and I'm already towing my "acoustic" mates up hills.
YES!
The number one negative sidr of e-bikes, is that there is so much more electronics on it that can stop functioning or batteries that just get worse and worse over time. A normal bike, that is purely mechanical, will always be repairable (as long as the companies don't change their bb- or hub standards suddenly again for no reason). A 20 year old bike can still be used. I'll bet you won't find usable e-bikes from these years in 20 years time.
When was the last time you saw a 20 year old mountain bike on the trail?
That is what people said when cars came out for the first time. If everyone was thinking that way, we would be still sitting by the fire in the caves
I think it’s a good point. I’m super paranoid about getting my ebike wet and ruining the electronics (ebike conversion kit). That goes for riding and transporting the bike.
They’re like buying a fancy ass car. It’s one thing being able to afford the monthly payments but the tyres, the brakes, the maintenance, that starts adding up
Like gasoline, tags,insurance and tyres and brakes,oil changes. 😅
I rode bikes for many years for leisure and transportation. Then didn’t for several years. During the pandemic I got an E-bike (a kinda road EMTB with upgrade potential). This summer I went MMTB (muscle mountain bike), so the opposite way. I have both in my garage and they both have a place in my biking world.
No intention of getting an ebike at this point, certainly not while I’m still fit enough to haul myself to the top of the hill under my own steam. Seems like at least half of the riders you see at trail centres are on them now and even young kids, which I do struggle to get my head around.
Different goals. I used to ride motocross bikes as a kid. I rode then and ride now only for fun. An ebike for me is WAY more fun than my regular MTB. I can season hills and never stop at the top to rest. I’ve ridden way more since I’ve gotten my ebike.
Some people dig challenge, and some people dig fun. Sometimes those goals are parallel and sometimes they are on opposing sides. For some people, quantity is more important than quality and vice versa. Some people think the juice (that thrill of FINALLY nailing it) is worth the squeeze (the months of sweat and failure leading up to it), and some people want to get the prize and peg the needle without the heartache.
🤔maybe, if i had money to burn, and I'm sure they're a buzz to ride, but i just like to rely on pedal power, because i enjoy the burn😅
A woman on a dating app, after finding out I ride an ebike, said
"I will never ride with you."
Then unmatched me 😂
Later I talked to a guy that dated her, dodged a bullet 😅
I just got my Trek ebike and I will never ride my old bike anymore . Ebike is more vibrant and you can cycle up a steeper hill as well as for a longer distances.
I retired from MX and just bought an EMTB hard tail. LOVE IT!
My friend group that I normally ride with have all gotten Ebikes, and I'm the only one on analog. That shit sucks some times.
Last year we went to several enduro races, and having to follow them was hard.
In the MTB world there's room for both. I keep my normal bike for lung and leg burners in order to maintain a minimum level of fitness. My ebike is for exploring places I couldn't even think of reaching with my normal bike.
Can't wait for more light ebikes, but I would definitely consider it. They're good in so many ways. But then again, I saw that little full-sus jump bike on GmbH tech the other day and that's my n+1 obsession for this week. Better to put the scree away and go ride.
Those jumps / landings are smooth af
I'm good with regular bike I'm 63 and ride with guys 20 years younger they joked that they should all chip in to get me an ebike I had to laugh because I'm at the top of the trail before them 😆
I ride both. Definitely pros and cons to both. Like Neil said, ebikes aren't as flickable and maneuverable compared to analog. But on an ebike, you can go further. When it comes to power, 500watts is enough to handle most climbs, your drive train choice makes more of a difference. Think of it as quality vs quantity.
Over the last 6 yrs I’ve had 2 wheel driven electric bikes , I’m on beta blockers cos of 2 heart attacks 7 yrs ago , my max heart beat is 120 , bpm so it really helps me with hills , even if slight , however have a normal hardtail at the min , my friend has a electric mid drive , he has a bad hip, he’s in his late 6os and doesn’t want to give up riding ,,, Cheats are only cheats on Strava , if they take quick times or king of the moulin the non ebike section of strava , cheers shane
Nothing against eMTBs (They're inevitable as you get older; I'm waiting until the decision is forced on me by my aging body), but I heard a term the other day for 'acoustic' or 'analogue' bikes)which I love: MUSCLE BIKES! Now we're talking!
I've been mtbing so long that i remember when people said oval chainrings aka biopace were cheating and hated on and seatposts and full suspension bikes were looked down on or were thought to be a waste of money and now they are an industry standard. Every single improvement to mtbing has had its haters and whiners. Ps
I use all of these once hated tools of our craft, and life is good.😅😊
I demo'd an ebike once and it was way too easy. When i turned down the assist it was way too hard. Its big, heavy, and expensive. If I need some conditioning ill go on a ride or 2 on some long xc trails before I hit the steep chunky stuff.
0:34 damn that is super smooth
Please research the battery life and battery recycling for EMTBs. Thanks!
Also worth mentioning are e-mtbs like the Kinesis Rise with the removable Fazua motor system giving you an e-bike and a normal bike in one.
9:44 what is that trick called and how do you do that without slamming the brakes?
It would be nice to get more laps in, but I’d just rather ride my new transition spire. What’s the point of getting more laps in if you wish you were on a lighter mountain bike on the decents?
You don’t even notice or feel the weight in the descents. If anything you actually have more traction. Due to the weight and once you’re used to the feel of the bike they’re just as playful as a traditional bike in my opinion. Ebikes are 10x more fun. More laps, less energy exerted, and if you want to burn your legs up just switch it to eco mode or turn the motor off.
@@mc9069 fair answer. When I can’t get to the bike parks as often as I’d like, maybe I’ll give it a go.
My mates all chip their bikes to remove the speed limit and they think it's a no brainer too. As I don't ride an Ebike, I think it's only more 'downhill'. To the point that they need it to have fun. I don't like that development.... however I'm still a little bit jealous. When I'm flat out trying to keep up, they still have plenty of energy to play around and chat and all that stuff.
Like he said though, you can push it to limits normal bikes can't go on uphill too. No way a regular bike climbs the wall or anything close to it.
We don't have such hills here.
@@OverMotoren ah man. Sounds like a bmx haven
I live on a mountain foothill. The only road not full with cars is the one which goes up. I’m 46 and not fit. I tried a regular mtb. I did 200 meters and was miserable the whole time. With an e-bike I was able to climb the mountain. I really did more exercise than with the regular bike. 10 minutes of misery vs 2 hours of exercise at a pace I could do.
And the nice thing is that when you have gotten in better shape on that EMTB, you could always get a MMTB (muscle MTB) for the short, max pulse training sessions that will send you flying even more on your EMTB.
I’m older, not as in shape. I also have a full time job and 3 kids. So staying in riding shape is hard to do. E-mtn bikes def helps me ride the trails I would now struggle with which = not a fun time. I’m a rider, I love riding. I’m not doing this to be in Lance Armstrong type shape. Pick what you like and have fun.
7:19 Can't run out of battery on a normal mountain bike you say? Hold my beer.
haha!! Feel ya!
Nice in depth review, I just wish he spoke about how long the batteries last in lamens terms rather than KWH etc.
Big con in my area is that e-bikes aren’t allowed on most of our trails.
good video i can't Wait for another🤘
More coming your way! 👀
I haven't been able to ride my rebular MB for the past few year now, due to health reasons. I've also been looking into getting an E-bike for getting into town and back, especially for the hills around here; that would certainly help with getting my fitness back on track, before getting onto my MB again!
absolutely don't hesitate so 😇
Can pretty much ride my Kenevo SL like a normal bike without using the motor! Great bit of kit! It doesn’t really look like an ebike either!
In the United States, most trails are band to ebikes at 62 years old that stops my purchase of one 😢
@3:25 What was the name of the SUV video you made?
Con: e-bikes aren’t allowed on a lot of trails, at least not in the US. I hope that changes because my next mountain bike will be electric if the access is there. I’m not getting any younger here and the hills are getting tougher.
Unfortunately I don’t have a choice but have to get an ebike. I had a major heart attack a couple of months’ ago, and my heart is not as strong as it was and beta blockers will prevent the HR going too high, so I’ll get tired quickly on the hills. At the moment I have both the Scott Spark (for XC) and Scott Genius (for bike parks, rough stuff etc.). I’ll probably ditch the Genius, keep the Spark for flat rides, and invest in an ebike so I can go venturing further afield.
Ebikes are great fun, I have the Levo SL and for me it’s a perfect balance on normal bike and with added assistance, I can ride for longer, go further, climb higher, the descents are as much if not more fun than my acoustic, and the best bit is I can do it day after day, total game changer for me specially having arthritis in my knees and being the wrong side of 50
Have you tried the Orbea Rise? It's really good. I think it's better than the SL.
@@regiezero I originally wanted the orbea rise but couldn’t find one in stock anywhere
E-bikes are great fun and introduces a different style of riding as I did consider one, however I’m fit enough to take my non E mtb on all kinds of trails and tracks and take it long distance.. I can see that one day In my older years when my legs may beg me to buy an E…
If someone wants to get back to riding a bike and dont have the fitness level or confidence, then I’d say they should defs consider the Ebike. Or hire one every now and then.. it’s a lot cheaper..
ridding dirt bikes my whole life i prefer the weight of an E bike over a normal mtb i feel more grounded and comfortable hitting tracks and jumps with pace
Same here, I've ridden mountain bikes for years as well but always disliked the geometry of them and never felt confident compared to the dirt bikes. Now on a turbo levo the tracks I used grind through at a modest pace I now attack on the e bike and have improved my cornering and over all technique a lot as it feels more like a dirt bike.I have also removed the assist limit and it has made a massive difference to the way the bike feels, and it's not about high speeds or anything as now I ride mostly in eco and can spin up with a consistent load that is limited by physics and doesn't change abruptly at a certain speed. In eco it now feels like a normal bike and I can still manage over 1000 metres of climbing over 90 plus kilometres.
the only reason for me to get an ebike would be a serious medical problem like rheuma because that could be the end else. when i'm getting older i will adapt my style of riding to my abilities, no need for an ebika.
I see so many ebikes out on the trails nowadays its crazy. So many people with money out there. I am considering an ebike in a couple years when I don't enjoy the feeling of clearing a climb under my own power.
Most are bought using interest free finance these days as there are some good deals out there.
@@ChrisG1967 I understand that's an option for some but I believe if you can't pay for one straight up then you can't afford it. Even if its interest free there's a chance you may not be able to make a payment and that can ruin your future credit. Not the best route for everyone.
Can you do a full review on the sl and orbea rise, I'm not interested in a full fat ebike whatsoever, but the lightwieght ones are getting my attention,
I have been just thinking of buying one when i got a bit older, problem for me is most of the mates i ride with have either brought a ebike or are planning on buying one . Though situation for me. They are becoming so popular.
I’ve got both but the Amish bike hasn’t been ridden for months.
Biggest issue is the cost. Rather take the better spec, save more money for better kit and have money left over, than get worse specced e-bike. If money was no object, then of course, top spec e-bike would be awesome.
Is there an emtb with the battery mounted in a small backpack? To save weight on the bike?
the SL range would be my choice for sure, i don't want full assistance i just want a bit of help for my 14 mile bike ride home after standing on my feet for 85% of the day, know what i mean, those hills that are normally easy become harder after standing up all day at work, so yeah I don't want a super fast ebike I just want a little assistance for the way home
SL e bikes cost way more money.
I love my Whyte e180 it's taken me places I wouldn't normally of gone and a lot of great long day rides. I've even given a hater a go n said have you tried them once he did it turned his opinion. I do go through break pads for fun though I use mine for rides n commuting.
how can you add a baby/todler/child seat on a carbon frame?
What can I do if my brakes squeak when they're cold, but when they heat up they gain a lot of braking power and the squeaking stops?
that's normal.... synthetic pads?
@@ig7567 I have resin pads
@@samdanin4125 should be normal then
The problem is if the e-bike runs out of battery than it’s just more weight to ride around
what motor do u think i should go for? Shimano or Bosch? im seeing Shimano EP600 and Bosch CX. i havent seen videos versus but i did see a EP800 and that beat the Bosch CX.
At the moment I'm trying to recover from long covid and my next step is to buy a good budget full Sus electric bike, such as the yt decoy base or the vitus esommet vr. If anyone has a suggestion for a good review page or just a good ebike for around 3700 ish
@@heinzbeanzz7267
Cuckooo
@@heinzbeanzz7267 you mong im shadow banned for truth
Censored by you tube !
@@whollyspokes3645 kekw if RUclips bans you I don't think you are in the right
@@heinzbeanzz7267
Yes You Tube censors Virologists and doctors
Back in 2018 I got an ebike, now on my new Kenevo and love I can ride a long slack bike up and down. Ebike love 😘
Cheater? It's another sport on the same tracks. It's like ski's and snowboards.
Torque on would be great ebike, if i won the lottery.
Neil, what’s the park your riding at the beginning ?
Cheater ? I'm having fun and I don't care if someone saying to me cheater lol
It cant be cheating unless you compete, thats what i usually say to people.
Its not cheating. Its just riding a moped in the Forest
@@JustCarsss yes a moped that doesent move an inch unless its pedelled.
@@MrMarcusNilsson Yes exactly
@@JustCarsss call it what you want, call it a dinosaur buttfking a chimpanzee playing a violin. I'll call it lapping..
Hi do You have a link for the child seat?? regards from Jan in Denmark
that green bike is soo clean and slick ❤️
would a 10 speed drivetrain, and a thicker chain, make more sense, on a MTB?
More light weight emtb’s and hardtail versions, I have a Merida big trail 600 I’m sure it would be more fun with even the most minimal assist climbing I’m not into massive rides just like sessioning trails I like when I find them.
I'd get one so I could go farther and explore more, kinds like and enduro moto but much quieter.
My next bike will not be an e-bike because ... they are too expensive
Likewise
Overpriced
Well that was one of the best pro's and con's between the two I've seen so far. I've been thinking about an ebike although I've not ridden one yet. My conclusion is its an even more expensive way to enjoying mtb riding. Chewing through parts and battery life is my biggest issue. My cordless drill destroys a battery within a year so how long would you get out of one before needing to buy a new one.
i was very hesitant on buying an e bike but i knew in my riding crew i was the slowest at climbing hills. they kept encouraging me to consider an e bike as an option in the future. the one i really liked was being discontinued so to speak, i like the 29 but the new 2022 version is now a mullet setup to which i hate. so after almost a year of searching i found one bike store with a med and a large in stock. so i drove the 7.5 hours there and back and bought it very impulsively. first time out on it was great but i was not ready for it and very painful after wards as i did no warm ups. second run was with the crew and with proper warm up and power management it was incredible especially climbing. i love my turbo levo 29 now and like Neil said i can climb hills faster and can get more runs in per day then with a regular mtb. but don't get me wrong i still have my rigid, my hardtail, and full sus bikes along with the new full sus e bike. i still use all of them.
Great education Neil
do you think they are harder to ride on technical singletrack
Here's a silly question does an ebike make you quicker on your enduro MTB ,could Neil do a month on the Ebike then see if he's improved his times on the unduro trail bike ??/