eMTB Guide: How to select the best electric mountain bike
In recent years, the market for electric mountain bikes has exploded. Powered by technological advances and a huge boom in interest for supercharged off-road adventures, there’s never been a better time to ride—or buy—a new eMTB. But are electric mountain bikes any good? And how do you know which bike is the right one for you? After all, the eMTB market can seemingly be trickier to navigate than your local trail network. Don’t worry. In this handy eMTB Buyer’s Guide, we’ve compiled all the information you need to make an informed decision when shopping for your next eMTB.
Back to the basics: What is an eMTB?
To decide on the best eMTB, it’s important first to define exactly what kind of bike we mean. An electric mountain bike, or eMTB, is an off-road-specific bike that provides pedal assistance via a battery-powered electric motor. These bikes may take many forms: hard-tail eMTB or full-suspension eMTB, eMTB with a carbon frame or an eMTB with an aluminium frame, eMTB with 27.5” wheels or eMTB 29er—the variations are as diverse as the individuals who ride them. But most share a few common characteristics:
Further attributes may include rear suspension, different drivetrain types, range extenders, dropper seatposts and more, with the ideal set-up being the one that best suits your riding style, which leads us to the next consideration.
Who needs an eMTB?
In a recent post, we looked in-depth into the health and training benefits of electric mountain biking. But beyond general well-being, all sorts of riders can enjoy the advantages of eMTB adventures. After all, gone are the days of heavy motors, short battery life, and the sluggish riding qualities associated with old-school eMTBs. Today’s e-bikes are lightweight, far-ranging, and nimble.
They’re also fast, good-looking, and fun for a wide range of riding scenarios—from speedy laps at the local park to energetic e-Enduro racing or even weekend bikepacking overnighters. Modern eMTBs come in many styles and are ready to support any off-road rider across the entire spectrum of MTB disciplines.
So, in short, if you’re asking yourself, “Do I need an eMTB?”, the answer is yes—if you enjoy effortlessly exploring trails on two wheels, that is!
Determining the right eMTB for any riding style
Shopping for a new eMTB is similar to selecting any non-electric bike, but with a few key differences. Assuming you’ve already settled the eMTB vs MTB debate and have landed on the powerful and exciting electrified route, the next thing you’ll need to consider is the type of riding you want to do. For this, we’ve added three simple questions below to help narrow your options:
Do I want to ride fast, far—or both?
By determining the type of rides you’d like to enjoy, you can begin to prioritize key eMTB factors such as predicted battery range, motor output and maximum torque, bike geometry, carrying capacity, and more.
Those who prefer speed may opt for a more powerful motor with higher torque while those interested in long-distance adventures will likely desire a bigger battery. Then there are those who want the ride-feel of a lightweight eMTB.
Of course, all can enjoy the balanced performance of Amflow, as explained in a recent blog post: Can the fastest electric mountain bike also be a lightweight eMTB?
What type of terrain will I be riding?
Are the trails you ride rough enough to require a full-suspension frame or do you primarily follow smoother fire roads? If you take on steep, technical trails, you may prefer the manoeuvrability of 27.5” wheels over the long-distance efficiency of a 29er, for example.
Cross-country, Downhill, All-Mountain, and Enduro riders can all benefit from the added comfort and capability of a full-suspension set-up while riders who primarily stick to rolling B-roads and double-track trails can get by just fine with a hard-tail.
But of course, the small weight penalty of full-suspension is negated by the boost of an eMTB motor, so there are very few reasons not to choose the more comfortable “fully” option, regardless of the type of terrain you’ll ride.
Lastly, what’s my budget?
This is a big consideration for many e-bikers and often the area with the least leeway. Price can be the deciding factor between Bike A and Bike B—but it’s always important to remember that, especially with eMTBs, you get what you pay for.
You may not know the answers to all these questions yet, but by considering them at the beginning of your eMTB search process, you’ll already be a step ahead when the time comes to speak to the staff at your local bike shop or the team behind your potential next e-bike’s brand.
Shifting perspectives: eMTB features
After reflecting on personal riding preferences, it’s helpful to consider the external factors that make a good eMTB great.
Battery range:
While today’s lightweight e-bikes can be ridden quite comfortably on a dead battery, the real fun of pedal-assisted cycling happens when you can hit the trails fully charged. Total range will depend on a variety of circumstances, including total rider and bike weight, battery size, power output, terrain, and assistance level.
Bikes with higher predicted battery ranges tend to weigh more or, in some cases, provide less power to maximize distances. The best options for most riders are e-bikes that balance weight, total predicted distance, and average power output, such as the Amflow PL Carbon Pro, which can regularly be ridden over 100KM on a single 1.5-hour charge—reaching distances of up to 157KM under optimal conditions.
Material choice:
Most eMTBs fall into one of two frame-material categories: aluminium and carbon. And while each has its own benefits and drawbacks, the right material for you will likely depend on a desire for weight savings, preferred price point, or even overall look.
Aluminium bikes cost less than their carbon fibre counterparts while providing a high strength-to-weight ratio compared to other frame materials, like steel. For price-conscious consumers, aluminium is a great option, with a few important caveats: aluminium does fatigue more quickly than some other materials and frame repairs can be costly and challenging.
Carbon e-bikes, on the other hand, tend to weigh less and provide a more responsive ride feel than those made from aluminium. They also typically come at a slightly higher price point. And while both materials offer excellent strength and handling capabilities, when it comes to top-of-the-line eMTBs, carbon is king.
Amount of travel:
Different from battery range, which will determine the distance you travel on the trail, when we talk about eMTB travel, we’re referring to the measurement of how much a wheel can move to absorb bumps. The higher the number, the rougher the terrain your bike can comfortably handle.
For riders who primarily explore gravel tracks and fire roads, a hardtail or fully with as little as 80mm travel might do just fine while adrenaline junkies who ride Downhill may prefer something in the 180-200mm range. For all-mountain explorers and those who prioritize versatility, however, we’d recommend something with balanced shock-absorbing abilities, like the 150mm rear travel and 160mm front travel provided by the Amflow Carbon Pro and Carbon Pro PL.
Further features:
Beyond the basics, there are all sorts of eMTB amenities that may play a role in pushing you towards a final, informed purchase. Here are four more important things to look for when selecting your eMTB:
To learn more about Amflow’s powerful line-up, browse our e-bike range—or reach out to a member of our team with any questions. We’re always happy to help.
Amflow PL
The Amflow PL electric mountain bike offers 850 watts of power in an ultra-light sub-20kg build. With an unrivaled combination of power, range, and weight, it delivers the ultimate ride.
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