Beginner E Bike Mistakes | How To Climb Any Slope On Your EMTB

Despite the fact E Bikes have pedal assistance, climbing steeper gradients is not a case of simply motoring up them as if they were flat. Steve talks you through all the common mistakes he sees new E bikers make when climbing and shows you how to avoid them.
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Choosing the right gear, whether to sit or stand, your tyres and tyre pressure, and line choice up the climb itself are all things to consider when climbing on your electric mountain bike.
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[@embn]

Did you find these tips helpful?

[@derekharper6031]

Yeh was helpful ta. I have found more and more recently that I can climb crazy steep and tech stuff better by staying in the seat with dropper right down and just use a low gear and keep up a medium cadence in trail mode. I can now climb stuff that before when I used the trusty standing method shifting weight forward and back has caused loss of rear wheel traction or front wheel leaving the ground. Sitting has allowed me to climb way steeper and tech stuff. The only issue with the ebike is it's weight and loss of momentum means gravity is quick to drag you to a halt if you lose that critical forward speed

[@Trueace21000]

Were you in Eco, Trail or Turbo when did the high cadence low gear?

[@hypersailor]

Brilliant! The first two mins made the best case for smooth e bike riding ever! Today I rode the van shuttle to 10,000'. Lady gets out 'with bad knees', but she has a Giant Trance e mtn bike. Big envy from me. Her biking family is doing 20 cross country miles on the Wasatch Crest Trail in Utah. I catch up to her, she can barely whip the turns in the first mile! We get to infamous Puke Hill, 9% grade, 3/4 mile, rising to 9.400'. Yells at her husband "you want a tow, get over here!" Races up Puke Hill in 4 mins like a champ, as I walk...her husband is hanging on to her shoulder getting a free ride! The channel is a font of real knowledge, A to Z, thanks for the effort.

[@Runnenshjorne]

Thanks for a great show! Just got my Turbo Levo Comp, and had my first ride on it yesterday. I’m loving it!

[@racepnd]

Great video thanks, you can keep the heights as I can’t stand them. Made me feel uneasy at the end up on that cliff, all yours buddy.

[@bustergoddess]

That place looks amazing! Such sticky rock with loads of uphill line choices. Great show.

[@IchimokuCloud]

Great video and addresses my recurring problem! I get the gearing ok, and spin up a hill, but frequently towards the top, my speed decreases, my front wheel goes weightless and wants to wheelie. I know the solution is to put my weight over the handle bars, but then I lose spin momentum and line accuracy......and its walk mode! I suppose practice makes perfect.... One real challenge are narrow single tracks that require a tight line and no pedal strikes 😣. And even more challenging are small water gullies in the middle of the trail that require accuracy, otherwise slide into the gully and again.....walk mode. Future video request - How to avoid pedal strikes in various scenarios.

[@NicolaiSyvertsen]

The worst part for me is when I hammer it uphill but then the rear tire slides on a slick rock or some loose pebble and loses momentum. Shit happens. I just walk the bike a bit until I can get back on the saddle.

[@fatbikeymikey]

We gotta get you to visit Moab, Utah. Lots of red sandstone there (Slickrock is the famous trail), which is like riding on sandpaper. That's probably the grippiest surface there is!

[@mova_2020]

I got this exact same bike and I love it! Thanks for the video though Steve 👍

[@motorcyclesandthings8633]

A great video Steve , it was informative not boring and you never mentioned that you weigh 93 kilos , brilliant 🤩 cheers shane uk 🇬🇧

[@sitchad]

I have found keep the cadence high and weight on the rear to center works best. Being in a high gear with low cadence will kill you every time no matter Eco, Trail or Turbo.

[@DaveWright-vn1yz]

Mint video as usual can we have a gear review I love the shorts! I’ve struggled to find shorts that fit in the past

[@macsiebb]

Thanks for the clip. Seems it is dedicated to people who began their bike Adventure with ebike, because its obvious for analog riders. Feel free to concider to use larger farme or at least higher your seat. Cool Video, enjoy!

[@jerryminus7252]

Amazing rock. And the climber the rider. Those moments you lift the front to get you over the final humps, I would fall off...

[@michaelsarkins4554]

Thank you very much for the video I'm a 62 year old rookie just learning to ride your bikes I bought myself a bike me here in America that is what they classify as the mule it's a Colt 750 Pro 750 w rear drive at 48. Volts with a good battery about 11 amp hours right now I'm learning how just to get comfortable on the bike and I'll show you how to ride safely. Could you or have you done a video on riding safely with e-bikes now I was originally you're ever going to road bike person but you biking at your right is totally different than riding a road bike I have about for bicycles I use. What is a 3-wheel Schwinn which is for leisurely riding through the neighborhood or so which I have Kevlar tires and filled full of ants. My second bike is my Mount Rainier Ross Road Bike which is not a powered but I put many many miles on it has been a very good bicycle. 1/3 bike age is a full-blown suspension front and rear mountain bike called a mongoose which I purchased at Walmart which is better very good bike what's a good shifting raise a good mechanics. And my last bike I have is my electric bike which is called the sky it's a pro or Colt 75 Pro which is more like a I'm going to call a mule bike rack system Spaniards and it's a very good bike but I say 20 inch by 4 1/4 inch tire sizes but not aggressive tread more of a road cruising bike which I enjoyed it a lot. Anyways that'd be great to show the difference of Nani bikes and e-bikes in the safeties of how to ride them and maintenance of them I know that's a tall order but you sound very confident and I've always loved the British people because the great engineers and you have a great perspective on how to do things. Once again thank you very much for seeing this video and I will be looking forward to seeing all your other videos you have. Thank you when you're you're very viewers in America Michigan

[@palmtemple]

I was hoping you would address a technique for uphill gravel or sand, my rear wheel spins out losing traction, losing momentum and then bail. There should be a lowrange mode like with 4x4 vehicles that prevents the wheel spinning out.

[@5492sparky]

Good tips there Steve.

[@timothyt.meadowsjr.421]

Ouch that hurts 😊... thanks for the instruction. I needed that humbling. I was thinking why can't I get up this hill. Anti gear!

[@Ovalblade1]

Really useful - its items like this that really highlight the major benefits of emtb.... and things you might not think of when first on your emtb (like I am - 5 rides in). Why is Jonesy wearing bowling shoes though?

[@embn]

Glad we could help Andy! 😂🎳

[@JubeProductions]

If I keep my cadence up between 70-80 on my Turbo Levo it will power up most any slope. If I am in Turbo mode, the rear wheel will continue to get power even if I stop pedaling for a second.

[@nr1251]

Great video as usual Steve. Just one question why dont you guys wear gloves? I cannot ride without. Always use motox gloves.

[@Xanavi23]

Totally agree - as an ex-motorcyclist I cannot ride with out gloves. I have a selection to cover all seasons, but I have to have gloves on!

[@downhillgroovy5859]

These KZbinrs are handling camera hardware more than actual riding and gloves just make it more work taking off and putting on repeatedly

[@jonquinlivan4208]

Loving the video as usual guys please keep up,the good work. Would it be possible to get Rob Warner back and do a video just like this I think it would be great. But not at this difficult time.

[@bugrist]

Very good video. I would like to see you there with the Canyon Spectral ON, which I've ordered and I am nervous about the extreme short chainstay.

[@tolgaakyay]

Shion Tanaka I also ordered the same bike. Probably it’s going to be a manual machine:)

[@TheRossiDucati46]

Good video since you mention hike a bike .how about showing methords of getting an e buke of gates, styes etc.

[@NicolaiSyvertsen]

I just want to learn how to properly ride to maximize battery. I'm not sure I'm going to buy an extra battery to bring with me on longer trips. Bike itself is expensive as it is. I didn't buy an emtb to not use my muscles at all but I do have a bit weaker knees.

[@mtber75]

Props to you for not wearing any armours. Does that mean emtb will prevent you from falling LOL

[@Steveman61]

I am just puzzled and ask myself why are you sitting so very low when attacking a slope? Regards from Austria ;)

[@onzi10000]

Because on an e bike the hill can be extremely steep and the power produced by the bike in combination with the ride can spin the wheel at the back so the extra weight is required for the grip. It goes against traditional ride form.

[@porroco]

Off ourse there is grip on that hill, lets make it on a very incline dirt slope. Tires will slipt. We need a video of how to tune the motor torque for a hill climb on specialized app

[@toniratty7134]

Love this site - great tips for riding my Cube! Steve - can I ask what size Canyon you have please...! Looking at one to buy for my husband but the geometry seems large compared with the Cube.

[@embn]

Steve's on a size Large Canyon but prefers the bike to be a little on the smaller side, he could ride a L or XL really!

[@toniratty7134]

@@embn Hey guys!! Cheers for that! Just had a look at your post on emtb sizes which was very helpful. Stay safe and keep up the good work!! 😎

[@Nomadnordic]

Nice 👊

[@kaioberst1899]

You can’t beat the value.

[@chargeriderepeat7024]

Keep your momentum going...never back off till youre at the top.

[@NicolaiSyvertsen]

Exactly just because you got an electric mountain bike doesn't mean you can't use some of that muscle power you have saved up on the flats. I hammer it in the steep inclines because I really want to get to the top. An EMTB just gets you there quicker.

[@onetwo3706]

Can you do a tutorial on How To Stare At Your E-Bike

[@unclebirdman]

I want this skill. The clue is definitely in the name electric >mountain< bike. If you can't get up a mountain then you might as well be walking.

[@max_p4wer]

What are your settings normally? Eco, trail and boost. Thanks

[@derekharper6031]

Really depends on many things. Steepness, how tech the surface is, loose etc. It's about using the right gear ratio and power setting. Practice in different conditions and surfaces means you know the correct combination. Boost doesn't always mean better or easier as often lower torque combined with the right cadence for the incline is better. I use trail a lot for climbs and also means you have a setting in reserve if the climb is long for an occasional boost :)

[@max_p4wer]

Yes, but specy and brose allow you to vary the assistance to your preference support and peak power (from 0 to 100); my question is which ones are you using? exemple eco 20-30, trail 40-80, boost 80-100

[@mova_2020]

I personally use these Eco - 40-40 Trail - 50-80 Turbo - 100-100 Most of the time I am at Trail and Turbo and I get 30-40 miles range on a loop trail. Hope that helps. I use Eco when slope is non technical, linear and long

[@anyssen]

I noticed that you climb with the dropper down, Why?

[@kenleach2516]

Imagine the need to get off a high post on a steep hill, those extra seconds have you at risk to get feet down

[@onetwo3706]

It's almost as if you're saying a mountain bike has gears! Amazing!!

[@jpen5599]

Jeah, I Have to show this video for my better half....

[@AndrewThomasHelliwell]

hi just something iv thought about for ebikes on ebikes can u still do jumps ie bmx track etc are do u need different wheels sets ?? Thanks

[@SimonBauer7]

little late reply but yes you can jump an emtb look up sam pilgrim

[@billthemumper6854]

Hi Guys I have been Mountain Biking for many years but after accident gave up now that im 65 years old and retired im looking at a e bike am I to old

[@makitar3351]

HI Red Gauntlet. Of course not. Buy the bike as soon as you can and enjoy again. My uncle is 70 years old and we enjoy a lot together in the mountains.

[@haraldhannelius]

Why do You climb with the dropper down? Wouldn't it give more efficcient pedalling with the saddle up? Better for your knees too.

[@derekharper6031]

It is counter intuitive yeh. I rode many, many years on non ebike and technique has been modified on this bike to climb way steeper tech stuff. It feels a bit weird but it is way more effective on the Ebike. I used to climb with seat at a marginally lower setting than normal riding height but so many hills especially short tech was not doable as front got very light or rear lost traction. You are low and bike is way more stable with more weight on the back wheel and front wheel stays down too. It is fine on the knees as you re not spinning fast at all. I use trail on E8000 or if smoother surface i.e. no large, loose rocks will hit boost to make it even easier. Boost on loose stuff can still cause traction loss.

[@haraldhannelius]

@@derekharper6031 Techy climb OK, now when I watch the video I realize how steep it really is. Easier to bail out with the dropper down. Slopes are like waves, they don't look at all scary on video or film but you will need a change of underpants after experiencing them in person.

[@derekharper6031]

@@haraldhannelius yep true mate and as I am clipped in it does mean easier to recover and get a footing before you and a 24kg bike get sucked backwards down the steep climb you stalled on :)

[@embn]

Sitting on a lower seat provides the rear wheel with more traction! Check out this video here: embn.me/seatedvsstanding

[@haraldhannelius]

@@embn thanks. Maybe a video on how to use a dropper post in different situations would be an idea? Cheers from Helsinki

[@bassw1758]

😂 good old tried-and-true walk mode,

[@SBSTNPPR]

i don't know why im suddelny reminded to view TimTheTatman :D

[@drewgilker417]

im going right of this bloke

[@imsraxyt8122]

His 4th gear peddles quickly my 4th gear on my mountain bike it doesnt peddal quickly like his, only my gear 2 peddles that quickly like his 4 th gear does on his mountain bike.

[@NYREPS]

Are you boys wearing steel toe shoes when riding?

[@alfredfeuerstein9517]

Mistake number one: weighing in at 120kg 🐷🐖🐗🤔🤣

[@TheHyTek]

You can make the difference, I believe

[@phillevin6651]

I feel your pain, I’m at 108kg, and… 65 years old. Ugghhh.

[@Nilz4FR]

if I get off the saddle like you my back wheel loses trackion

[@alexanderscott2567]

Without proper horsemanship, one cannot learn the EMTB!

[@comptonbg]

if u had a better motor you van climb anything

[@dantasanen5833]

specialized = marketing

[@likfrikbik]

Just buy 1000w or more stronger motor,ignore this tips and fly across this slopes like a butterfly...

[@thedogtutor4998]

adults look sooo big on these little bikes..."they" more or less make 1 size now, less production, more profit