6 Things To Know Before Buying An Electric Mountain Bike | E Bike Advice

In this video, we highlight the 6 things that we think you should know before purchasing an electric mountain bike. We question things such as; where you may ride, budget, what motor and battery, who to ride with, do you live on a ground floor or in a flat and where you can buy a bike?
What top tip would you say to someone before they get their first E-MTB? Let us know 👇
Subscribe to EMBN: embn.me/subscribenow
Pick up official EMBN merch: embn.me/wg
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook! @emountainbikenetwork
Sign up to the EMBN newsletter: embn.me/newsletter
Please submit your content to our uploader: upload.embn.com/ we love to check out what you have been up to and may feature it on the show!
Watch more on EMBN...
📹 embn.me/SkillsPlaylist
📹 embn.me/FindLocalTrails
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link 👍 embn.me/wf
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
Real Walk - Shoulder B
#EMBN #EMTB #MountainBiking #eBiking #MountainBike #MTB #BikeLife #Cycling #Ebike
The Electric Mountain Bike Network (EMBN) is the world’s leading electric mountain bike (eMTB) channel and community.
Dedicated to igniting your passion for eMTBs, EMBN delivers weekly original content to inspire you to take your riding further, faster - and with more fun.
Whether you live to conquer the techiest terrain - both up and down; to access and explore the beautiful backcountry; or simply to pack as much fun as you can into the precious riding time you have, EMBN is dedicated to covering eMTB from every angle.
From inspiring you to go electric - helping you understand what you need, where and how to ride to get the best from your eMTB experience, and more - through showcasing and exploring the latest, most innovative tech, empowering and entertaining features, to skills videos that help you progress and can tackle ever-more adventurous terrain, and much, much more.
Every week we bring you informative and entertaining videos on…
- The know-how…
- The skills…
- The tech…
- The inspiration…
...to go faster and explore more!
EMBN is mountain biking… fully charged: helping you go faster, further, and with more adventures than ever before.
Join the EMBN community:
Facebook:
Instagram: embn.me/instagram
Twitter: embn.me/embntwitter
Thanks to our sponsors:
Specialized: embn.me/specialized
Haibike: embn.me/haibike
Canyon: embn.me/canyon
Ergon: embn.me/ergon
Maxxis: embn.me/maxxis
Park Tool: embn.me/parktool
Garmin: embn.me/garmin
Muc-Off - embn.me/MucOff
Mavic Wheels: gmbn.eu/Mavic

[@embn]

What top tip would you say to someone before they get their first E-MTB? Let us know 👇

[@Rnegade944]

Hire / Demo as many as possible before dropping serious money on this investment! Try different brands, sizes, suspension levels and motor / software tune setups as it makes a massive difference.

[@PuppyMan599]

Buy a full suspension bike, and spend as much as you can afford. I think a full Susser is so suited to an ebike, you don’t feel the extra weight and your bum will thank you for it because you’ll be doing the extra miles with a big smile on your face!

[@Acceleronics]

Keep a spare chain on hand. My Turbo Levo eats chains in 4 to 5 months. None have broken, they simply wear out. But, my regular ride (2 to 3 times per week) includes about 700 m of total climbing, and some of the stretches are steep. Those climbs put a huge load on the chain.

[@curtrichardson8002]

Shop around, so many choices now, don't cheap out you'll pay later.

[@lukecarolan4425]

@@Acceleronicsdo what the racers do... downgrade to a 9-speed steel cassette and get a KMC E bike 9 speed chain and you'll get up to 10,000 kms. You really don't need more than 9 gears on an ebike.

[@PuppyMan599]

I found the channel while in lockdown and love it! My wife talked me into hiring ebikes for the day while camping at Rutland Water. I was against it as I had my regular mtb but I went with the idea and we had a great time despite the weather. 26miles in pouring rain and smiling all the way around. The way I describe e-biking to non-e-bikers is:- for fourty odd years I have been riding a bike in 2D, I now ride a bike in 3D and have so much fun. E-biking has introduced me to proper mountain biking. I’ve ridden Dalby Forest red route in an hour and half I’ve set KOM in Keilder Forest and I’ve learnt to do jumps at Gleneagles, I’m 57! Don’t wait until your knees are playing up before getting your first e-bike!

[@Richard-dh8ny]

Glen, I'd love to get your advice on one or two good options for my first e-MTB Bike. Our age and background is the same! :)

[@PuppyMan599]

@@Richard-dh8ny sorry for the late reply (just noticed your comment while checking old emails). If you haven't already bought a bike, get your leg over a few that are in your price range and try and test them on trails. If I were buying a new bike right now, it would definitely be full suspension with 150(+)mm travel. I had a Whyte e150s during the first lockdown (while mine having problem). I didn't particularly like the bike but the motor (gen 4 Bosch) was brilliantly capable, and it's had a big update since then. I have an old (2017) levo, its still a great bike and specialized warranty and aftersales is awesome - had a new motor and battery replaced after 2 years of ownership! For that reason I probably would go for a new Specialized! Good luck with your choice - there's a lot for bikes worth consideration.

[@Richard-dh8ny]

Thanks Glen, sounds like solid advice! Feel free to reach back out to me if you're ever ready to part with your 2017 levo. I live in Southern CA so not sure if the distance would prohibit such a transaction. :)

[@phantombigballs8165]

KOM by selecting ebike on strava I hope

[@Itsthejourneynotthedestination]

That's it, I'm buying a dog.

[@mogeking56]

Just make sure it has a big battery 🔋

[@bobbybox3968]

Love your honesty and content. An absolutely great channel for this new breed of MTB. ( E MTB ). Kind regards from Bonnie Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@davosb]

Definitely need more videos of your dog out on the trail with you!

[@ianstoker1]

Need advice on which type of dog is best for downhill etc lol

[@njgagen]

another great video guys, once I have some spare money I will be buying one, juts not sure which one yet, but watching your video's is helping loads.

[@yakbiker75]

Love the channel, well done. I sold my acoustic/analog bikes. I've bought a cube Nutrail hybrid for winter riding, a custom 29er wheelset built for it for summer trails/commuting to work and just got a killer deal on a devinci ac XT 2019 for shredding the bike parks and local gnarly trails here in East Kootenays BC.

[@gavindean]

Great vid guys love the channel

[@darrenwilliams6827]

Gr8 vid yet again,keep them coming guy's

[@glasjanus]

Got myself two S. LEVO hardtail 29s bikes (his/her) during lockdown...loving every minute with them.

[@srfrsean]

Very helpful video. Really appreciate the research EMBN does on their topics. My tip for new eMTB buyers is to get enough suspension. The motor gives you so much more mileage you need the suspension to smooth out the trails or your arms will fail before your legs.

[@mojmaildljaandroida]

From my experience service stations are so important as few el bikes which I bought got errors and cut offs issues . Luckily they were under warranty and close service stations. 😅. Nice video! Thanks !

[@kevin6666123]

Not really a 'before their first EMTB' comment but a 'must do' is make it tubeless...can't believe how underrated this is purely from a no punctures pov, absolute game changer. + get a second battery as you're going to want more when you get back

[@yakbiker75]

Depending on the trails I'd also recommend an insert at least in the rear tyre too.

[@14TacomaDR]

James Goodsell has a 2021 Specialized Levo comp and has a KZbin channel. Only had it a few weeks and had water inside the charging port. After a wet ride . Also the the bike was cycling on and off without touching the button.

[@Execuor]

I highly recommend the Brose S-Mag-Motor, unlike Bosch and Yamaha (haven't tried a Shimano) that Motor Fully decouples, makes it really easy to peddle without support ! It also engages pretty softly, thus feels really natural. Same with the Yamaha Motor, both feel more like an extension of your muscles. The Bosch Motor in contrast goes full power from the first pedal stroke. You really feel the Motor kicking you forward. You are definitely more aware of the extra power in your pedals, thus the Bosch feels rather unnatural until you get used to it.

[@TCK71]

Great advert for eMTBs

[@russcoaus2043]

Hi nice stuff👍🇦🇺

[@dominokid7996]

Hey , what is the bike being riden on 3.45? It’s the greeny one with the guy wearing orange abs black shorts ? any help? Great informative video guys

[@danielcholewinski1110]

Have you guys tested/ reviewed the specialized levo hardtail version?

[@donvee2000]

Not sure about the UK.... but ive seen decent full suspension ebikes available in the US for $1200-1400 US if your on a budget. I know alot of people bad mouth the Chinese off name brands.... but I bought an Ecotric for $800 (no suspension) -2 yrs ago and I used it all the time and never had any major problems. I actually just replaced the battery after 20 months of daily use (normal ). I found a replacement battery on Amazon for $165...a great deal. .And I put new brake pads in. It's gotta have several thousand miles on it. I love it and it didn't break the bank.

[@srspower]

For me with a pedal bike a hybrid type bike was most suitable as it gave me a lot more speed on the roads (with postman tyres) than a mountain bike but could still go a bit off road on trails etc. But an ebike changes things, with the extra power an emountain bike will still have a lot more speed then a pedal hybrid but I need one with just front suspension, mud guards, integrated lighting (turn on/off from handlebars), rear bag mount and a 250 watt mitor with around 30 miles capacity. I have a budget of about £1500 or so. What would you suggest?

[@mtbfree4914]

Awesome trail dog :)

[@MrLaszlo1962]

After couple of years off the bike due to injury, I'm looking at ebikes and have a budget of £2k...im 58 now 🤦‍♂️and have been looking at the rockrider est 900. Do you recommend this as a decent starter emtb.... I prefer mid mounted motor over the rear hun type but don't want to spend over £2k.

[@D4ggers89]

New to ebike thinking about buying a gt amp for my first one would you recommend this buy or not thx

[@SuperSavage1972]

Can you do a review on why you can’t fit a wireless dropper to a Whyte ebike. The torque settings needed on the axs dropper are too soft for the Whyte seat post design

[@ironis1067]

I would say look how much time battery need to fully recharge. Even if you have low range battery, you can take your charger with you and recharge your bike on a quick break.

[@BullFPVs]

my emtb's is allways a size smaller than my normal bike I have the extra power to the pedals and a bike that is easier to move around on

[@woppo1408]

I’ve found a full sus allegro 500w hub motor bike, would this be alright for off road use and long bike rides

[@ianhorsekelly9144]

I love the channel and because of the channel I bought my first E-bike. Over 1400km in 9 weeks. Can you advise about Yamaha motors, for servicing? You never seem to mention Yamaha motors or giant bikes, is there a reason for this? Giant Trance E+ pro 2 owner

[@Edou2001]

Yes they dont mention giant because they are sponsored by canyon, specialized, haibike and others so they never go over other brands, but Im looking to buy a giant trance E+2 pro how are you liking it?

[@amc8425]

What's your dogs name? Love how he / she looks sideways or back at you all the time! Interesting about prices above £4K ish not having such a big difference. I've got a Trek Rail 9 which is a bit more than £4K, it's £5,400. I'm glad I spent that bit more as, among other things, it has a dropper post with a range of 170mm, which I think is important for the riding I do.

[@lyncyr9441]

Perfect bike for travel!

[@steeltribe3967]

Getting my motor replaced in Australia for a Specialized Levo took six (6) weeks.

[@chinoski6413]

What's the best e mountain bike to buy between £1400 - £2000. Been looking at the Rockford EST900. Not in stock though. Any other recommendations on par or better

[@johnwoodland5723]

I am in the market to buy a EMTB. I am a larger rider 131kg and getting up on age 52. i currently ride an older Norco hard tail. I would like your opinion on the Trek rail 7 Trek rail.9.7 or the specialized turbo levo comp.I mostly do trail riding (fire roads) but want to get into the down hill single tack stuff. I live in Vancouver Canada area. I am willing to spend around $9000 CAD ($5500 GBP) can you recommend a bike for me. I plan on buying the bike from a local bike shop. Thanks in advance for the help. John

[@hgfhghghgfhfghgfhghg538]

Anyone had a shimano steps e7000 odo randomly just reset on Them? I have only just got mine and it reset randomly it has been sent back to shimano under warranty but for my first ebike not a good start shimano!

[@dalem1140]

1. How noisy is the motor 2 how big is the battery 3 can i add a range extender. Top 3 most important for my next E bike⚡🤙👍

[@davewatkins966]

E bay bikes for sale

[@MrMartinSchou]

I'd argue that the main reason hub-drive bikes are cheaper, is that they can use existing frames manufactured in huge numbers. Mid-drive bikes requires a frame that's built to the motor in question, as most mid-drives motors have different sizes and profiles, which means the frame is going to be produced in much lower quantities and drives up the price significantly.

[@likeher9]

Couldn't agree more! And much cheaper to replace if need be, which is very unlikely, beautifully basic design means not much can go wrong. Also much less harsh on chains and running gear! I have both, but hubs for Me every time

[@everywherelocal]

yeah! 👍

[@oviii6085]

I really don't have any real hobbys but I ride my bike (normal trekking bike) around my town and out of town (30 miles one way maximum) every now and then. Should I switch to an E-Mountainbike or will I have problems on normal roads? I ride about 25-35 km/h max if I go down a hill. Either way what I wanted to say: i basically have no hobbys and other people have expensive horses, other shit etc. so I was thinking about getting an E-Mtb fully but I'm afraid I won't ride it long enough or get bored. May sound stupid, but I start a lot of things and quit after a few months (hi gym membership)

[@SuperBill68]

Quality

[@jayhoughton4174]

what full suspension ebikes start are around £2,000"?

[@johnf3326]

Never!

[@maxb7281]

Consider buying 2 as mine has spent 3 months in 12 being broken waiting for parts 😀

[@danielgreen4213]

Build yourself a diy conversion while you wait u may be pleasantly surprised with the out come good quality second had frame of a bike you like wack a middrive motor on it and a battery and away you go.

[@maxb7281]

@@danielgreen4213 built myself an e tandem it's awesome 🤟

[@montemaguire4596]

How do u keep ur dog from chasing deer ??

[@youngbairn]

Main problem is finding stock of the good models.

[@EmmetPowermootski]

whats the best value full suss emtb please ?

[@jal274]

I've been looking at a decathlon stilus, great value for your money

[@gavindean]

You can't go past the Canyon Spectral on 6.0 for price.

[@sincoliveapb]

never gona review the ghost bikes ?

[@TravelWithLinAndBilly]

Videos like this I find very helpful, but I can’t seem to find a mid drive bike for less than 2k

[@charliew12phaeton28]

Watch their budget emtb vid you'll find something there

[@davewagstaff2]

Leisure wheels hemel Hempstead. Just brought a Haibike sduro fullseven 1.0. Its brilliant and cost £1900

[@donjon1733]

Specialize motors crap out. Good luck getting a replacement in a timely fashion!

[@LECMTB]

Thinking about getting an e-bike 🤔

[@kingsknightuk]

I ended up buying two ebikes. a lower powered road ebike and a emtb then i get the best of both worlds.

[@ddtddt2165]

EMBN sponsored by Haibike these days 😆 still waiting for a review of the new spectral:on!

[@likeher9]

I reckon you're right there, but Haibike is a fabulous bike, so could be worse! 🤘

[@johnchristopher5075]

A full suss E-mtb for £2K! I don't think so....And then consider the performance gains between a £1800 ht and and entry level e-full suss would be marginal to say the least. In terms of maintenance the HT wins again with far less linkages to worry about. If you're going to go e-full suss, spend a little more time building up the piggy bank and buy a bike that can actually do the job. Buying a cheap e-full suss, to my mind, simply doesn't make sense, (unless you're looking to go down the upgrade as you go route, which would make sense). Last point, considering all the things that can go wrong with any e-bike, as a first purchase, I would NEVER buy a bike online. BTW: Love the dog! Name please.......

[@tuckerluna6366]

What breed is you dog?

[@antifugazi]

Border Collie I think?

[@tainted180]

Number 1 thing I wish I knew before buying my E-MTB (Norco Sight VLT). The resistance of the motor when above the 25km/h cut off will slow you down in descending trails that you pedal in.

[@mickrowe1600]

Not really an issue on the latest motors, Well the Gen4 from Bosch as no resistance that I can tell, not like its predecessor

[@tannerjack9520]

why not metion bafang man there awesome mnotors

[@jimbo4203]

Video s are fun to watch and all but the problem in America is that you can't get any e bike's ! Last summer only very few made it to Tennessee. This year none have showed up because of corona. Not sure we will ever see any of the bikes y'all are always talking about

[@JamesLorentzen]

Not all true, Mr Jim. Pedego has 18 brands and still delivering (Blue Ridge near you?), with the Elevate FS w/Shimano E8000 STePS that’s made it to EMBN airwaves. They’re in stock ready to deliver.

[@volt8684]

Yeah if only findone that is available😂

[@mtootm]

Is a dog included with purchase of an E-Bike?

[@ilcapitano9915]

i hope not

[@glenparey9382]

Do not ass ume these will run 80 miles the fact is they run a few miles before the battery pack is drained

[@mogeking56]

What do you think 🤔 of the E Cell 1000 watt bike it’s 92 lbs two batteries 🔋 and two motors.

[@WillN2Go1]

I'm sorry. I keep turning up like a bad penny. Okay, so I decided just spend the money, buy a Specialized Levo (available locally raved about in videos). But then I started to find threads of tales of broken motors, but terrific warranty service...but only for two years. It's not just the Brose motors, it seems to be all of them. I don't need an $8-10,000 lawn ornament in two years. Fix it yourself? I'm mechanical. Motors are units that cost $1200. Some reports are of motors that break in a matter of months. What are the factors that break the motors? I'm in my 60s, I won't be slamming down any ski runs. Steep climbs seem like they might be a factor. I'm no superman, but I do have very strong legs - I have to conclude that I probably fit the category of 'motor breaker.' The companies aren't saying much. Some recommend the less smoothly integrated Shimano motors... but not enough information. I hate being a naysayer. I think at the very least I'll buy a new mountain bike- that is long long over due; but it won't satisfy my dream of climbing 5000 feet of fire roads. I wouldn't even mind having to do a large motor/gears/belt repair even twice a year, but $1200? Even if I could afford it I'd feel like a sucker. The 2021 models are about to be announced.... maybe the new selling point will be tougher motors and five year warranties. I'd be first in line for that. I think I have figured out that there's a really interesting engineering challenge. An E-bike is in effect a tandem bicycle. The best path might be the current hardware, but training riders to integrate with the machine. Right now they work the other way round and while they work they're terrific. And yeah, beat me up. I accept that I'm a crank, but hopefully not a troll. Of course the other option is a less expensive EMTB, then a two year life expectancy might be okay.

[@ronrandquist7762]

I feel your pain, things are changing so fast with EMTBs and and MTB technology in general that some times it makes it hard to pull the trigger, particularly when it involves this level of cash. I purchased a '19 Levo Comp Carbon in early May this year and don't regret it one bit. it has the same motor 2.1 motor and frame as the 2020 models and was on sale as a model close out ($5,200). I recently started reading about the motor issues that can happen on this bike, but I figure I'll just have it fixed if it happens to me. Meanwhile, I have ridden this EMTB more in 2.5 months than some full seasons in the past. I'm 53, and have ridden MTBs for the past 20 years. I started on a Wal-Mart steel framed Mongoose full suspension bike. After about a year, I purchased a Specialized Stump jumper and the quality difference was significant. The frame broke at the end of it's 5 year warranty and Specialized replaced it, but I had to purchase the new shock since the old one would not fit the new frame. By this point I wanted something a little more sturdy, so I sold the Specialized and purchased a 2005 Giant Reigh 3, over time I upgraded almost all the parts going from the Manitou Splice fork to a Fox TALAS RC2 36 fork. That was huge. I rode that bike for the past 15 years. So getting on a new EMTB this year was a significant upgrade. The motor and battery are, of course, the coolest and most impact-full changes, but I have noticed a lot of other tech changes as well, The one-by drive trains, dropper seat post, carbon frame, 29" wheels, tubless setup, are all big up grades to my 2005 Reign. This bike is significantly more quite, the suspension is fantastic, (I would have liked to have a Fox 36 again, and probably will given some time) but the 2019 Fox 34 performs at least as good as my 2009 Fox 36. I guess I'm taking the long way around to say this: don't succumb to analysis paralysis, make the purchase and get out there and have fun. Riding the Levo makes me feel like I did 15 years ago when I ride. I have a couple of down hill flow trails that are about 5 miles from my house. I can get my fat old body (245 lbs) on the bike and ride to the trail, do 8 runs, and ride home on about 75% battery (500Wh) 2 hours 20 minutes, and 3,000 feet of climbing. Before the EMTB I would drive to the trail head, ride 2 or maybe 3 laps, in about the same time and drive home exhausted. Now it is just so much fun. So maybe buy a little lower model, ride it until the motor dies, and replace it, even if its $1,200 you could do that a 2 or 3 of times for the price I paid and still not hit the $10,000 price tag you mentioned. And did I mention how much fun you will have, it's hard to put a price tag on a smile! Good luck with your decision.

[@taronyoung5768]

One thing to know....Levo.

[@CrotZari]

One thing that is really tricky to get is the information of max allowed weight allowed for riding on the bike. If the bike is guaranteed to stand a combined weight of 110 kg and it´s own weight is 25 kg, the rider fully equipped and with a backack must not weigh over 85 kg. It´s not only an issue about the warranty, It may also reveal a thing or two about the fork and damper setup. If a bike is guaranteed to manage 135 kg of total weight, then the suspension setup on the bike will probably reflect that as well with sturdier parts. What are your thoughts on the subject of combined riderweight?

[@JogBird]

the 'safe' weight that they determined in testing is usually at least 2x higher than the stated max weight for liability reasons

[@jonascape9777]

I like this channel but you say Emtb way way to much.

[@yakbiker75]

It's something I've looked at, being 110kgs fully kitted plus bike weight I definitely look at build kit.

[@andyclemmow]

Don’t hesitate: buy an e-bike rather than a self pedal you will never regret it

[@ur2slob724]

No thanks not all of us are ladyboys

[@beaubeaukitty5301]

I Believe it’d be far more interesting to build my own bike i would never buy one

[@ImMikoFreako]

Ha ha EVANS CYCLES yesterday some c#$@ behind the till told me not to touch the bikes, despite wearing disposable gloves. Im not going to buy anything from ppl who dont have a clue how to treat customers

[@spookmore]

I notice you have a hard tail..

[@SeenaTabatabai]

First thing to know you can't ride it on trails it's designed to get you interested in non electric bikes.

[@spookmore]

Why where you hiding behind the bushes..had you just been to the bog..

[@DeBasler]

Stay away from hub motors and crome forks cheap bikes are crap if you are serious buy a Santacruz Heckler.

[@likeher9]

Depends what you're after, I have both mid drive, and hub drive, I would actually choose My hub drive if I could only have 1.... No question! 🚴💨

[@FWCaptain-kv6sm]

Take it from Steve. He’s never bought a bike with his own money