Muddymoles mountain biking in the Surrey Hills and Mole Valley

An Electric Mountain Bike?

Posted by Matt | November 11, 2013 | 10 comments so far

Scott e-bike in the Dolomites

Those of you who frequent our forum might be aware that Yvette has managed to get a number of us this weekend (November 17th) to meet up and try out one of the latest trends in mountain biking. Electric bikes.

Yep, that’s right, e-bikes.

Now this is the sort of thing that’s sure to polarise opinion so we asked our demo organisers, e-bike specialists in Coulsdon, Cycling Made Easy, to give their view on the question of whether using an electric bike to go mountain biking is ‘cheating’? Here’s their take on the debate…

“Imagine the following scenario: You have been invited to a weekend MTB cross-country event. You love cross-country cycling and you haven’t seen your cycling buddies for a while. However, the working week has not been kind and just contemplating a day of pedalling exhausts you.

Do you sit it out, wait for the photographs to go up on Facebook and then regret not going?

The above scene is so common when it comes to cycling. It is a big reason why bikes get left in garages and sheds, unused and rusting away but with an electric bike, you know you won’t get into unmanageable situations because the motor takes some of the strain away. For many cyclists who don’t see themselves as the next Tour de France champion, it’s far more important to enjoy cycling as often as possible rather than limiting yourself to days when you feel fully fresh – which, if we admit it, is hardly ever!

e-bike zoom!

Electric mountain bikes are very useful for beginners and improvers. If you’re just getting into mtb’s and haven’t quite developed your ‘mountain thighs’ the electric bike gives you the extra oomph to tackle rides you might otherwise shy away from. Also, since you don’t expend all your energy on each ride, you can cycle for longer and get more practice in.

The electric mountain bike fans at Cycling Made Easy know they are benefitting from the versatility that an electric bike offers. If you’ve ever been at the top of a hill and thought, ‘I’d love to explore that valley but I’d have to come back up the hill. I’ll leave it’, an electric bike giving you that extra boost back up the hill helps you explore landscapes you might have missed.

Mountain biking is for everyone, not just those up for competing. Electric mountain bikes can help more people take part more often. Is that cheating?”

Cycling Made Easy is an electric bike specialist based in Coulsdon, Surrey.

Read more about electric bikes on their website: www.cyclingmadeeasy.co.uk

Filed under Mutterings, Trends in November 2013

Matt

About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.

There are 10 comments on ‘An Electric Mountain Bike?’

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  1. Yvette says:

    This is going to be fun and it looks like it may well be dry!!! But I do t want to jinx it.
    So far we have 10 of us:
    Albert, Dave, Jonsey, Karl, GinGin, Me, Jessica Weston, Al, Loardonone (don’t know your real name;-) & alloys is a maybe.
    Roy will be coming with 3 e-bikes and one other rider, so there shod be plenty chance for every one to have a go.

    Is anyone else interested in coming along?

    See you all on Sunday 17th at 10 am.

    Yvette

  2. stevend says:

    The only time I have come across electric bikes was when two elderly couples arrived at a pub in the Chilterns where we were replenishing vital nutrients mid ride. They said that without electric bikes they could not have do their bike ride. If electric bikes keep us biking longer then that has to be a good thing.

    Note to Matt; love the new look but I am finding it difficult to read what I am writing in the comments section.

  3. tony says:

    Hasn’t JR already got an electric MTB? 🙂 There has to be some reason for his hill climb speed? I’d be interested to try one but sadly not around.

  4. Dandy says:

    As one who’s fitness ebbs and flows, and who isn’t getting any younger, then an electric bike could eventually prove useful in prolonging outdoor activites. Don’t plan to buy one just yet though, even if I could do with the help!

  5. Karl says:

    What D’Andy said!

    Electric assist bikes are inevitable as batteries become lighter and more efficient. They will get a lot more people out on bikes I think, and a more bike-centric attitude can only be a good thing.

    Unlike JR, I have only the one heart, so it will most likely be sooner than later for me. All the better to get to the gnarr quicker too!

  6. MuddyJohn says:

    This looks a very interesting electric bike option if it can get development funding, an electrical assistance wheel that you could fit to an existing bike:

    http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/this-allinone-smart-wheel-locks-tracks-and-powers-your-bike-it-can-even-recharge-your-phone-too-8935308.html

    A couple of downsides are the 20mph top speed for road use (!?) and whether it would be rugged enough for off road use.

  7. Markymark says:

    Thats cool. If it keeps me out riding when my knees go and am considered a ‘creaking gate’ then all the better.

    On the subject of tech, have a look at this. Two girls raised 10 million in venture capital to develop the ‘invisible helmet’…

    http://vimeo.com/43038579

    Great for urban riding and the belt-driven/arsecrack&pantsdown crew (sorry Matt :-0 )crew but not entirely sure of the aero properties.

  8. Gordo says:

    Electric mtb – sounds like a vehicle for the future.
    I wonder if they’ll work out a way of fitting giant airbags.
    Edit: the thought of stacking it at the top of landrover and then proceeding to bounce down it inside something like a spacehopper may not be appealing.

  9. Karl says:

    JR, Marky Mark, Great articles!

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