Do eBikes Make You Unfit?

[@techne9992]

If your out riding and not sitting around watching tv. Who cares if you have some help from a motor

[@AGKRex]

100% this! I'm a big guy, with some mental health issues. Getting outside is good for my mental health.

[@Wheelsanstuff]

Fitness gatekeeping, or just jealous riders

[@ridedirtymtb9938]

I agree, it’s a ton better to be outside🤟 for those ebikers that wanna say you get the same workout as regular bike……your dreaming.

[@mikelesh9513]

Funny…my ebike not only is making me a better rider, it is also making me work harder the way I ride.

[@scottamolinari]

Good one and absolutely correct!!!!!!!

[@dogit5988]

At 67 decided to get an e mtb because my ride enjoyment was on the decline. I now find I’m riding twice as far, twice as long, in more varied terrain and having three times the enjoyment. I’m also not as broken down after a ride and recover faster. As an older rider I would definitely recommend getting one to extend your riding experience and beat back Father Time.

[@Bchurch9060]

I too am 67 and can give you some hard metrics....I would be an advanced rider for my age and regularly ride with 40 somethings in high climb technical terrain (in the Rocky Mountains of Western Canada). My typical ride would be 90-120 minutes with an 8 km climb of 475-500 meters followed by an equal downhill so Enduro type ride (i prefer All Mountain but we'll say Enduro given the cool factor). Here's where it gets interesting, on my All Mountain/Enduro meat driven bike I would spend 75% of that ride in the Red Zone (>150 BPM Heart Rate), with 25% in the Yellow Zone...with my eBike, I would typically double that climb and distance while staying in the ideal HR with an overall average in the low 140's....which quite frankly is far more healthy than spending so much time in the Red Zone and double the fun....enough said,

[@ridedirtymtb9938]

Right on brothers, keep shredding🤟

[@ridedirtymtb9938]

@@Bchurch9060that’s fair, good point.

[@andybiker-hiker4343]

I am in your age bracket and still ride analog 90% of the time, on tough Whistler BC area terrain too. That said, I know the day is coming when I go all E MTB simply because, after decades of pushing it I'm genuinely wearing out. Wear + tear is a reality we all face at some point

[@scottamolinari]

Yup. Me, 58, in the same boat. I'd probably not even be riding, if it weren't for my eMTB.

[@JasonFoxLCB]

Got my E last June. Ride harder, farther and have much more fun. And my fitness shows it (in a good way).

[@ebikeprepping]

Spot on

[@scottamolinari]

Same here!

[@ryanmichels2981]

Sometimes for me, if I’m not feeling 100% or am tired, it can be the difference between still getting out, or just staying indoors. Other times I charge hard on it when I’m feeling good. People have all sorts of different energy levels, health challenges, time constraints, etc, and the most important thing is that people can get out and ride, no matter what you are on.

[@muddymaker3721]

In 2020 I had a terrible accident at work that destroyed my knee. After countless surgeries and four years later I have been told by my orthopaedic surgeon that I have severe osteoarthritis that resemble an 80 year old and because my knee is bone on bone that I need a full knee replacement. I am scheduled for that surgery in 2025 but my surgeon told me that I need to lose weight before he would be comfortable to do it. He suggested the usual things, physiotherapy and water therapy etc but he also suggested getting an e-bike because I could still get a work out by adjusting the levels of assist to where I get a good balance of low impact comfort and fitness and more importantly get me out of the house which is beneficial for my mental health as the upcoming surgery and past surgeries were weighing on my mind. To cut a long story short I have ended up losing over 40kg riding my e-bike and I am now in the acceptable weight range for my surgeon to be happy to go ahead with the operation. I only ever use the second highest level of assist, which I think is called Tour Mode which is a good balance of assist for a work out for me. I could ride it constantly in Turbo Mode but the motor would be doing most of the work and that would negate the purpose of having an e-bike for me. So it goes to show that e-bikes have a multitude of use case scenarios for many people in my honest opinion. Besides, who's to judge anyone that wants to ride an e-bike whether you're a child, a fit young person or an elderly person anyway or someone like me that has an injury? I say do you and do whatever brings a smile to your face and to hell with everyone else:)

[@scottamolinari]

Nice story. Good luck with the surgery and staying fit!!!

[@waynerichards2944]

Well said mate..

[@stuartbayliss9251]

Similar story, I couldn't ride a bike prior to knee surgery and my knee still can't handle exceptionally high loads (i.e. going up steep climbs). E-bike has me covered for this and now I'm back out there riding trails, and can add in the odd 12-mile each way bridleway commute.

[@Acceleronics]

This whole emtb-sucks drama reminds me of the flat earth drama. Each side needs the other in order to keep going. Isn't it obvious that YOU determine how much effort you put into the ride. It can be as demanding or as lazy as YOU want it to be. The bike doesn't know or care. Maybe if I ignore this drama, it will go away.

[@sled5196]

3 times I have compared an hour's worth of riding on my trail bike and the following week did the same trail centre on my eMTB for an hour and every time. I burned within 30 calories on my eMTB as I did on the analog bike. But I covered more ground on the eBike, E-Bikes = More Fun.

[@Mountain-Viking]

Fun up, and down the hills.

[@andresamson8859]

I got the same result, it all depends if your pushing on the pedal, or if you let the bike do the job. Personally, i instinctively push as hard as a can for the expected duration of the climb, and then race back down. Most my rode I average between 155 and 160 bpm for 2 hours

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

That's the whole point I've been trying to make in the last year of using an e-gravel bike. You will want to pedal as hard as on your analog bike, the motor is just an additional altitude and range. It doesn't change you as a rider to ride lazy today. Though that's still an option, 95% of the time it's business as usual like on an analog bike.

[@dragosvestemean4229]

how cares? emtb are really fun, if u want to strugle, get a job :)

[@ondrejjanoska660]

Just got an e-bike a month or so ago....I would not even dream about doing 4000m of elevation a week in February. Worth the money.

[@halloweennr2]

On my emtb my heartbeat is also high, because i ride faster. Faster riding is more fun🎉

[@motoadveBackcountry182]

When I bought my E bike , I bought a heart rate monitor, so I don't get lazy and loose my fitness level, always ride as hard as I can, last year went to Peru and rode regular bike after 4 years of not touching one, no problem at all, and we had long climbs, it just felt really boring to climb that slow again :)

[@GEKKO_Archery]

I'm fat, lazy and unfit. E-Bike gets me moving again and the situation is getting better!

[@commuterbranchline8132]

Amen to that!

[@RosenBaum176]

I have the same situation! Fat, Lazy and unfit. Nowadays I can go for a ride maybe once a week. Next week i get my first emtb. I am so excited. I've been waiting for this for a year now.

[@jeffhawkes3380]

It's all about how you use your E bike. I have a Santa Cruz Bullit (which has been in the bike vault, THANKS) with a 630wh battery I like to save power as much as possible. So I ride mostly in eco and trail unless extremely steep or challenging terrain. I now ride on average between 20-25 miles every ride and burn around 1000+ cals. My E bike is without doubt the best bike I've ever owned. I've been riding MTB 30 years, I now ride more than ever which can only be a good thing!

[@hein_mcleod]

I ride my full fat in the lowest mode most of the time to increase my fitness and bump the power when my HR gets out of control. Doing this also gives me great insights into how far I can go on a full charge for races and epic adventures!

[@embn]

What's the furthest you've got out of it so far?

[@supertouring22]

My rides used to be around 20miles on my old MTB, now they are around 30miles on my eMTB. I can got further, climb higher (3k ft+) and ride more often. I love it.

[@waynerichards2944]

With 4 power modes on mine, I just swap modes depending on how much I want to suffer. 67 Yo, wouldnt be riding at all if not for the emtb..

[@paulbry754]

Of course it doesn't make you unfit I'm fed up of hearing it an ebike is the only way I could ride because of knackered knees,plus it's made me fit since I've had one I've lost 7 stone and I'm way fitter

[@worldstallestmidget]

Here comes the e-bike haters and calling people lazy! Until thy get one and say it’s the greatest ever!

[@siriosstar4789]

@ world,,,,,- OR when they reach an age where your mind says " lets go " and your body answers with " hell no "

[@soulglowdeej]

I'm intrigued by this...I have nothing against e-bikes, yet I haven't heard or seen any real evidence that they improve the fitness of people who are already fit. There's no question they help improve the fitness and health of people who aren't already on the high end of fitness, yet for fit people (e.g. people with an ftp over 3.8w/kg), I've not seen anything to say they help improve things. And the people who aren't as fit, are almost certainly going to have a low Vo2 max score - and there are 100s/1000s of studies out there that show having a good Vo2 max helps with all-cause mortality - with e-bike exercise, it's rare to see people hitting this zone, if ever...so something to be aware of if you're using an e-bike for fitness; make sure you really push yourself to help get into that area at the end of a ride every so often (don't do it at the start, unless you're already fit and know what/why you're doing it). What I have seen though, are the smiles, laughs, reinvigoration and enjoyment e-bikes give people...and that might be just as important 👊

[@clintwedel5704]

I ride the same 10 mile single-track loop with virtually no elevation change, with motor turned off it takes an hour, in Eco I average 49 minutes, and did the loop in Trail mode knocking the time down to 44 minutes, and each has near identical HR specs, if any difference the e-loops have a higher average and max HR by a couple beats. True I am almost 55 and thicker than I wish I was, so the young lightweight athletes probably do get less of a workout with assist, but I'm grinding as hard as I can and just have more speed and fun with the motor!

[@kayakutah]

I'm 71. In Utah. Trails go from 7000' to about 10,000'. I always lived for the climbs. Still do. BUT - I can't run 95% max HR for 45 minutes anymore. Well, not safely! And I can't keep up with my youngest (33 y.o.) son on a donut bike. I can be at 70% on my ebike. I can't do that around here on my mtb. Maybe I'm losing a little fitness, but I'm also not having a heart attack! And I get to laugh at my son! We were on a long ride here and my son said, "man, I'm gassed!" I said, "yeah, me too!" He said "really?" My response - "NO. I'm on an ebike, I could do this all day!". I still do both, as Moab (All hail Moab) is ebikes not allowed. A big deal, pedaling up to Burro Pass at 11,200'! But I do like my ebike!

[@P67R_Nick]

I ride my ebike in the lowest power mode my legs and lungs will let me. I don't give in until I sense a cardiac arrest becoming inevitable. The motor assists me rather than does it for me.

[@99MrJ99]

I found myself avoiding a lot of rides with friends when they wanted to do big technical climbs. I was over it and not into doing that anymore. So I got the e-bike last year and now i'm far more motivated to come out for a ride as I am not dreading the mega climbs and feeling like death the rest of the day 😅. Now after the ride I can go about my day fresh and get stuff done. Best decision I've made to keep enjoying the sport of mountain biking. It wasn't about doing bigger rides or because I am old (im 36) , it was more about keeping the drive to enjoy riding with friends still. I believe moderate exercise is just as good as high intensity. Its perfect for a weekend warrior like myself.

[@DieterVanHolder]

FINALLY an honest look into it. Most ebikers ride them because it allows them to do more (volume) in equal or less time. But as Neil clearly demonstrates, the average intensity is a lot lower. Who can honestly say that more than a small % of people on ebikes use them to bomb up technical climbs or to push their HR? Unless there's sufficient "intensity" your training effect is going to plateau at very modest levels and it's going to stay there. Beside the positive parts about ebiking, we need to be able to honestly and logically admit that they don't deliver fitness gains for the majority of riders. You'll gain while going from "no fitness" to "some fitness" but that's where it'll stop for most people.

[@zizusaid]

"You'll gain while going from "no fitness" to "some fitness" but that's where it'll stop for most people." That step alone is why it should be and will be allowed everywhere and for everyone. Evolution is not stopping for ignorance or conservativeness.

[@glasjanus]

52 years old, love to ride. Suffered a heart attack, grateful for the ebike! Trying to stay fit even without single track mayhem 😂

[@mikedwiles]

Last year, I got my first ebike; a YT Decoy 29. Been riding it almost exclusively since then. Last week I got on my Pivot Switchblade that I recently changed the wheelset to 27.5. Rode what I normally think of as a blue trail. I thought I was going to die on those climbs. I realize it's the beginning of the season. But at 67, that was a struggle. I'm going to spend more time on that Pivot and get in shape. I noticed that I was well into the VO2 max stage for a lot more of the ride than usual.

[@brianbathgate4944]

The beauty of e-bikes is you an choose how much effort you put in, if you’re in a rush, crank it up; if you’re wanting a work out, crank it down. Im having a health kick just now, put the eco support on my Levo up a notch and try to only use that, got 5000ft of Glentress black runs on Sunday - my Garmin said 28hrs recovery needed. Felt brilliant after it

[@andrewmudge7273]

Got to be better for fitness when compared to shuttling/uplift. That was my main style of riding pre emtb. I didnt know half the trails in Redwoods, Rotorua until I got emtb and started exploring further away from the shuttle runs!

[@kiwibob72]

And yet I saw somewhere that per a proper study that was done, E-bikers ride more often, further, and for longer than traditional MTB'ers. As a VERY large, overweight +50YO who has had both my shoulder and knee repaired surgically before, my e-bike is a blessing that has improved my fitness, motivated me, and removed that feeling of inadequacy that can haunt those of us who suffer from poor past choices and allowed me to ride with my friends without feeling like 'that fat slow guy'. E-bike's can give so much back to their riders when said rider can find a normal MTB a struggle than just their ability to ride - they can offer dignity, enjoyment, accomplishment of goals, and over all, their life back. F' anyone who states that they are just "cheating" - as I am looking forward to taking my MTB to the local MTB (chairlift) DH park over Easter, BECAUSE of what my e-bike has given me!.

[@kenjones5408]

At 70, I bought an R&M Superdelite and the fitness comparison for me is the difference of doing hundreds of miles a year on my analogue bike to now I’m averaging 5000 miles a year and a lot of this in the Trossachs off-road. So, yes I’m much fitter since buying an eBike!

[@keithattwood59]

I am 65 with two bad knees. I have an analogue and an ebike. I live in a hilly area and the ebike has helped me greatly in staying active.

[@JohnFireThunder]

I want an emtb because i can't climb the hills where i live and I'd like to ride with my friends who can lap me on our local trails.

[@lja3657]

Sounds like the easy way out….

[@dannyrivera9805]

Sounds like your about to have fun

[@kayakutah]

Excellent!

[@dorsetwurzle]

I purchased a cube reaction performance to shed the lard after a heart attack, in hilly Dorset the Bosch system has been very helpful, on the back of this a year after I have also got an Ibis Mojo HDR 650b and, providing it’s not too hilly I can go 30miles at a stretch.

[@patdoherty901]

Just thought all my e-bikes friends now rarely ride- where b4 on analogue we ride twice weekly?? Sort lost the vibe repeatedly doing the downs.. reminds me when I got bored on my motorcycle just doing same rides.. just a thought 😊

[@andybiker-hiker4343]

Good discussion ... Here, on the sunny SW coast of British Columbia I'm about to head out for an afternoon ride. First, my usual standard question is; "is this for fitness, fun or a bit of both?" today it's about physically ramping up for the season so without any doubt I take the trail MTB. The eMTB stays home😉

[@growlith6969]

You are a rare person for that self analysis. A lot of my friends don't even consider "why" they ride. I'm a fun only rider, they are grind only riders.

[@joshphillips9033]

I ride the grinds for the maybe 6 days a month I can purely ride for fun

[@embn]

Great pre-ride question to start with!

[@Coolcmsc]

Well, we’re all a bit different. I’m 67 retired indoors person. The e-bike gets me fitter and out to all the well known U.K. tracks in a season. 30 to 40 k and 2-3000 up (and down🎉). I can’t really manage much at all left to my muscles alone on a manual. So, it’s not about which makes me fitter, it’s about going or not going 😊

[@mikenimmick3920]

If you are riding a bike just to get fit, I feel sorry for you. I ride emtb's for fun and they are awesome. And, once you ride an emtb, you will never want to ride a regular bike again. You definitely will ride more and look forward to it.

[@Mountain-Viking]

Yea, almost 50, I ride to keep fit. I keep riding because it's f*ing fun.

[@ERone43]

I have lost 14 pounds in 3 months since I got my Levo… the real comparison is “motivated to ride vs. not motivated to ride” in the emtb context. I was already a person who did 60-100 miles a week on a road bike, however that required putting the road bike in my truck and driving to the paved bike trail. Now I get on the emtb and ride to the bike trail (paved & single track) and average 100-120 miles per week. Average ride distance went from 17 miles to 27 miles, pedaling the entire time. Also should be mentioned that I almost never take my emtb out of Eco setting.

[@wgnwheels333]

I didn't start mountain biking till i was 45 am now 64 and have had an ebike 18 months and love it and can ride more

[@bucharestbiketraffic]

No. But they do make your poor.😢

[@americanidiotz]

I’m mostly in eco mode on my Levo SL and while I don’t get the exhausted feeling, I most certainly get a workout. I feel like I’m at XC speed with an enduro rig. I love it!

[@mikebirkett010]

Being an old fart who has ridden Muddy Fox (the real ones) and three Oranges since 89,I'm currently riding a Cube Stereo (SO much Kashima) and doin' so much more stuff than ever.

[@alexerioeduardo2844]

Proof that ebikes are for lazy people. I'm getting mine soon!

[@Greyarcher1]

I have been biking mtb sins the early -90 and four years of Emtb the difference between them for me is i dont build Muscle in my Leggs and get Stronger Riding my Emtb, but i burn Fat like cracy i loose about 8kg every season and i kan Wear Jeans! For many years my Leggs was so big i could not wear Jeans 😂 so i do get Fit and slim but not strong and "really Fit with my Emtb but ok i am turning 60 this Year and only ride Trails ( no Hills here) and my bike is De-restricted so i go a' bit faster on the Trails, but without my Emtb i would not Ride at al, its too hard! I could only Ride about 12km tvice a week, now i do 37km every other Day and dont even feel it the Next Day, Emtbs are a Dream for me.

[@benjameng9475]

Wish people would speak from experience and not opinion about mtb/e-mtb 😊

[@rustychain9518]

I agree 100%, I'm 56 so I can see an e-bike in my future, several friends have them so I've tried them...I know me... I wouldn't ride any longer or any further if I had an e-bike so I'm guessing my hill climbing ability would decline a little. That being said...GET OUT THERE AND RIDE!!!

[@lja3657]

Compared to someone who rides a normal bike. The only answer is yes. But to a person who does nothing it’s exercise.

[@goingoutotheparty1]

I swapped my car for an ebike 4 years ago and I know the answer to this one....

[@Dannyjones1]

It helps when you've got a base level fitness. Some people don't have his fitness levels to fully enjoy a mtb ride, so therefore an ebike for average people will improve their overall fitness. And enjoy it more.😊

[@siriosstar4789]

if i was young ,i would ride a regular bike to get super fit , but now that i'm old (78) and can't ride without assistance due to injuries and constant pain i ride an EMTB or i stay home and watch tv . The days of top fitness are gone for me so i'll settle for any level of exercise i can get .

[@germurphy4986]

I can do more riding hence more fun using an emtb. I get a good heart and lungs workout, but my legs don't be knackered. I'm also in my 50s and recovering from cancer, so any critics can go and take a sh1t.

[@bikeninja956]

With ebikes, because you're able to keep your momentum going in flatter, slower sections, it begs you to keep pedaling. So you essentially just end up pedaling all the time to keep the flow going, that extra pedaling effect on the legs, is slightly countered with some help from the motor but you can still get majorly winded doing this. On the normal bike, in those sections you just end up in granny gear and light, slow pedaling, talking with your buddies until the next flow section... so the overall effect is about the same, but longer, more fun rides on the ebike :)

[@IIISentorIII]

So much BS😂 "slightly help from the motor" "overall about the same" ....I start here in Verbier from 1500meter and pedal up to 3300 at the age of 42 with my Stumpjumper. Other people sitting on there ebike literally doing nothing going up. On 3300 meter they get off the bike and when they walk the last 30steps to the visit platform they alsmost collaps 😅.

[@MTBEAST007]

The point is, for the average person who just likes riding, they make you ride more as you look forward to the fun, and therefore you get fitter even in turbo. Of course the is the option to turn the assistance down, but for someone training for distance type competitions where you need the leg strength and cardio, a norm would be better if you are able to force yourself to actually get out there and train hard. Me...I'm just there for the downhill jumps. When I want to get really fit I train for marathons, which to be honest is torture rather than fun.

[@philipschrantz8402]

Riding is better than not riding. It’s that simple…

[@mscustomlures]

Live local to the peak District, got an E-mtb at the end of January, I've ridden more, done more downhill laps, not been tired riding back up the fire roads or 'push ups' then dropped straight back in again without stopping. It's been an absolute game changer

[@deividas_kimontas]

Just ride whatever you've got! 🤘

[@Seppster58]

Got a Trek Rail last year. It just made me more brave to climb the hills that I would not normally do. I feel like I still get the same health benefits but with a bit more fun. Still ride the Orbea Oiz as well. Just different fun.

[@Juraj_H.]

As someone with cardiac issues, eMTB help me get more exercise, because sections of steep uphill won't make me turn around and go home. I can boost myself up and continue riding for much longer time than I'd ever be able to do on normal bike

[@jorgecampos8317]

My emtb made me get off the couch so... Its good 😊

[@Rideoak]

When i ride my Kenevo SL 2, for 80 km, the Motor runs 25- 30 km. Bike: 580 km, Motor: 180 km. That`s how i ride E- Bikes. My last one (Kenevo SL): 8500km, with Motor: 2500 km.

[@wenlambotomy6231]

Come ride with me for a day out with two full batteries doing reds and blacks downhills all day. Then we’ll see who’s unfit.

[@dangerfulmind]

Come out with me on a proper MTB and we'll soon see who's unfit..... 2 batteries 🤣🤣🤣

[@wenlambotomy6231]

I race endurance mountain bikes and road bikes so no problems there. You miss the point that 4000+ ft of descent on reds and blacks in a day is a different game to a few 100ft of descents on a ‘proper bike’ in a day (spoiler its not just your legs that feel it ).I’ll do your day (I already know what that feels like a thousand times over)… and you take your blinkers off and have a willing to be educated and do my day…Let’s go cupcake..

[@wenlambotomy6231]

@@dangerfulmind It’s a deal proper bike princess.

[@dangerfulmind]

@@wenlambotomy6231 2 full batteries though 🤡

[@kharris0465]

I was 230 pounds when I started riding. 6000 miles later I am 185 pounds.

[@robertsmark2650]

i love my ebike. but i also love hiking snorkelling bodysurfing swimming and have an exercise routine. we dont all get exercise from one discipline. im a disability carer and ebikes trikes have literally opened the door to a whole new world to my clients. best thing ever!

[@sheadleeful]

I ride more days since getting my ebike a year ago, so you have to take that into account. Raining, wet days on my analog bike don't happen, but they do on my ebike. 2022, 139 activities, 950 miles(no ebike), 2023 140 activities, 1630 miles(got ebike in Jan).

[@crt269]

What’s interesting, I recall the episode you did when you first rode the Kenevo SL. You said, at the time, this was your idea of an eMTB. Now you’re on the opposite spectrum, a full fat monster truck. I’m interested to get your take on this. Why did you transition to full fat opposed to staying on a SL. I ask this because I’ve just transitioned to an Orbea Rise from a YETI SB130LR. Is it a case of when you get the taste of a full fat that you have a new mindset of exploring it further in terms of the higher power supplemented with more range.

[@crankshoptv8141]

You have the option to be lazy on an eeb.

[@boogiedownbronx73]

I was and sometimes still skeptical of emtbs....i live in Mexico and the hill nearby is very rocky (loose rocks) and steep climbs and slabs...I got now a 160mm non etmb and the climb to the top is just a nightmare and burns all my energy before I even enjoy riding. I see lots of people on emtbs here and I can see the benefit of it depending where you live and your riding style. The other day a dude on a emtb joined me and we went on a very steep section that I havent ridden before...he was so fast and comfortable that I got scared and had to climb down...even tho he had 150mm travel suspension...his bike was more enduro than my Giant x trance 2....perhaps if i were on a propain i be more comfortable...i wouldn't say just because he had an emtb he can ride steep parts better...but the climb up i was so exhausting...and he was able to do 5 laps while im done after 1...give it couple of years and emtbs will be taking over non emtb and it will be lighter than 20kg and more efficient...DH bikes are dying...enduro bikes taken over...

[@buzzbartholomew3714]

I ride both. TBH I prefer the normal bike. The E-Bike is good for when you have limited time to ride, you're looking to practice some technical trails repeatedly or you're towing kids up a hill. They don't keep me as fit. I don't generate nearly as much heat on the climbs and my effort is far less. I know you COULD ride in lower power modes but I'm usually in the top two. I never take the E-MTB for a full day's ride TBH because I prefer the normal bike.

[@deeks3747]

I want an EMTB, I have the Canyon Spectral... Love it, but I hate hill climbs!! To bad Canyon doesn't sell Canyon EMTB to Canadian's!!

[@troymortimer3487]

The part that was discussed was the comparison between being a shuttle pig vs lapping the emtb. I’m the same as rich, I got a emtb because I like decending and hate pedalling up. Now I just pedal up, where I previously would get shuttles, and if I didn’t get shuttles I would do hardly any laps because I was lazy

[@redtill1]

Firstly with that oversized down tube e-bikes look ugly.Too many issues with the electrics,Still haven’t optimised battery size.I ride park so absolutely no need for me & a good un is fcuking expensive as hell ….. dentists bike

[@RosenBaum176]

I'm fat, Lazy and unfit. Nowadays I can go for a ride maybe once a week. Next week i get my first emtb. I'm so excited. I've been waiting for this for a year now.

[@Mountain-Viking]

Almost 50 yo here. If it wasn't for EMTB I wouldn't be able to ride as much as I do. It keeps me off my ass longer. I love riding I just can't do the climbing like I used to. So yea, EMTB for the love of riding.

[@Biffo1262]

If you are riding with maximum assist all the time it won't give you a workout. I ride road and trail and 90% of the time my motor is actually OFF. My average ride is 30 miles. I am disabled with spinal injuries and cannot walk unassisted. I have had one heart attack and my heart has lost 15% function. My biggest problem is stopping and starting. Cycling is my only exercise so I only use the assistance of the motor when I really need it. For me it is there simply for emergencies and those steep bits that I simply cannot ride up otherwise. Dismounting and walking isn't a viable option. My age? 76 years and yes I do intend to carry on cycling with as minimal assistance as possible. At the end of the day it's up to the rider what they want to get out of it. I want ride my bike as much as I possibly can as a normal bike. Strictly speaking I am riding harder than if it were a normal bike due to the extra weight. The motor is there as a safeguard in case I get into trouble so my 300w battery is saved for times when it is a necessity. Because of that I can get over 120 miles on one charge and that is my weeks cycling. My bike is a Raleigh Motus Crossbar now six years old, bought new and converted from road to hybrid road/gravel with a tyre and wheel change, freewheel 14-28 changed to 12-32 cassette, MTB pedals and the addition of a suspension seat post. It's easy to pedal motor off which was a very pleasant surprise. I love it.

[@echidna1263]

A very specific set of parameters. "Downhill", Let's face it if we only had fire trail and road for our uphill. Who would want to ride😂. Still very interesting but us mortals ride a mix of conditions and trails. I have a Norco range 180/170 . 906 wh battery and some days I'm lazy and boost most of the day and other days, I will go out with half charged battery and get range anxiety really bad and use Eco and trail more. The best thing is, I can choose. E-mtb rule.😂

[@leavemealoam]

Those wheels look lush

[@davetscantech]

Well since I’m huffing and puffing, tired and sore depending on how hard I push, I figure I’m getting exercise. It’s all about how hard you push yourself

[@Ponyo3816]

Bros. Turbo Levo 2021 owner here. I've put about 4500 miles on my bike. On my second motor. And just replaced my rear rim because I'm an idiot and over tightened my spokes or just wore it out. I have spine problems. Riding hills is out of the question in any other situation. Now I can be found on the trail as often as anyone. I don't lose a day from absolute pain in my spine. And I'm able to really jump off the trail like a pro once I get comfortable with a spot. Because the bike is amazing for a novice like me.

[@mikehzz9848]

I'm 70 and ride my ebike every day on the lowest power setting. My fitness has gone through the roof. I wouldn't enjoy doing that on a normal bike because I live in a hilly area. I now plan my vacations around biking opportunities.

[@steviedownie4622]

Just bought an E-Bike a few months ago i was one of the your a cheater crowd :) not now, i ride for fun and fitness and do everything in eco mode. When I'm struggling I'm in tour plus, when I'm dying I'm in turbo for a rest. I compared my stats from my manual rides to my ebike rides and my effort is more on my ebike. I can see how it can be easier on a ebike, stick it in turbo mode and there's very little effort but stick it in eco and average 12 - 13 mph on a 40- 50 mile xc ride you know you have been trying. Anyway each to there own whatever you do enjoy :)

[@maxwelllong3308]

This is more of a use case study than an Emtb vs. MTB comparison in my opinion. Of course climbing in boost on a fire road climb is going to keep your HR substantially lower than on a mountain bike. What would the results have been if Neil had been in trail or eco for the climb? Would still go faster than a mountain bike but would also work harder than in boost..The “All boost, all the time” program is dumb in my opinion. You’ll go from working hard on a mountain bike to hardly working on an ebike. There’s a lot of middle ground in between. That said who gives a rip about fireroad climbing. It’s the worst part of any ride so may as well get it over with. It’s a means to an end. EMTB’s really open up the possibility for tech/steep climbing that will absolutely get your HR going. When it comes to descending, I absolutely think it’s harder on an ebike than a mountain bike, especially if you have to Throw the bike around much at all.

[@allancrawford9979]

I have an hard tail MTB and a full supension EMTB I love riding both, if I purely want a fitness work out I'll ride the hard tail, if I want to go further faster in a shortish session then the EMTB, especially got the EMTB to access remote mountains quicker and feeling fresh enough to climb a mountain when I get there. Depending on how I ride the EMTB determines the workout but even in ECO it is easier going up hill than MTB, I'm a fit 55 yrs young.

[@scottenman2005]

I love my EMTB so much that when I don't have time to ride during the week I am doing exercises for more leg strength so I can ride more the next time I go out. Absolute game changer in every single way.

[@Mark_Williams.]

So the presenter admits he rides for fun (downhills) then proceeds to assess the two bikes based on how much of a workout he gets from them, despite admitting that he used max boost to get up the hill to have more fun. If you're in it for the fitness you wouldn't use max boost on the uphills. The test is flawed. But what he did is kind of the point of eMTB's imo for the average Joe. It enables you to go further, quicker so you can have your fun more frequently. Since I got my eMTB I've ridden further and gone places I never would've been able to enjoy on my regular MTB. eMTB's let you have fun more often and are great for those with time constraints, like Dad's with kids per the video presenter.

[@livefreeandshred9818]

I do the same type of rides on my emtb as Neil and I find that well it may not be beneficial to my fitness it helps my dh speed by doing repetitive runs on dh trails and pushing a bit harder every time. I use the heavy emtb as a training tool, much like in baseball with the weight on the bat.

[@PaulCoull]

I got a e-bike December 2023 and I gone from riding once a month to riding most weekends. Way more fun and I couldn’t care less who thinks I’m lazy, i ride bikes to point it downhill nothing else👍

[@leroywilliams7210]

I use trail mode and my heart rate is same or higher than on my trail bike. I get 7-10 downs vs 2-3 on trail bike. I can also ride for 2-3 hours vs only 1.5 on analog bike.

[@Emponix]

If your heart rate is the same you should be able to ride for the exact amount of time regardless of bike choice.

[@leroywilliams7210]

Nope, my cardio is fine it’s my legs that die on an analog bike not my fitness.

[@dylansalt1]

Isn’t the main reason for that due to the e bike being a lot heavier than an analogue- a full fatty can be at least 25kg

[@keithstephenson7882]

First time commenting but wanted to share, I've found similar results between riding an eMTB and an MTB. My average heart rate was lower on the emtb as was my aerobic scores on the Garming etc. and my heart rate was generally much higher on the MTB as well as my aerobic score. Completely agreed with your results Neil. I wouldn't say eMTB's make you unfit, especially since you're more likely to ride more, however, the aerobic intensity will not reach what result an MTB will give you. Neil, I suggest doing a comparison of results of a group on eMTB's, and then have that same group completing a similar ride together on MTB's. Chances are when riding with a group who are all on eMTBs, everyone will end up with results closer to that of when everyone are on MTBs.

[@Petermcpete]

It generally comes down to what you want out of it. The beauty for me is the flexibility to chose. I ride most of the time in a Custom low ECO setting and average 145bpm over about 22-25miles. However if im feeling fatigued towards the end of the ride i knock the power up to prevent feeling rinsed for the rest of the day.

[@DZig]

3 thumbs up Neil! very good comparison to Steve's brand of Ebiking. I'm 68 and still riding! No shame. Haters are gonna hate. Personally, I love it!

[@dirtyoffroader2093]

The 2000+cals I burnt today would suggest NO.. they don't make you unfit.. but then my bike has never seen turbo or emtb mode, so you can make it as easy or hard as you want. Just ride and enjoy. 👍

[@davefreeman9347]

Completely agree with Neil, although I only have a light weight e-bike I have a busy life with two kids and I’m fortunate to have local tracks that I can pedal to from the house, I find myself riding more now if I have a spare hour and jumping on the e-bike and doing a power hour in Turbo, I would never ever do that on my analogue bike it would have been worth lifting the bike off the rack. When I jump back on my Hardtail now my fitness has not suffered and I can easily keep up with my mates who still have analogue bikes I just don’t enjoy it as much as my e-bike. I certainly feel in the coming years analogue bikes will become the minority and brands will switch even more focus on the development of their e-bike range.

[@owenjohn1192]

No because I was an unfit 50+ bloke who didn't get much exercise until I got my e mountain bike! You don't have to use full power but it's great to have it 24 miles in with a steep climb still to be conquered!

[@smc2811]

Age, age and age... Hence the difference in performance, to the average old Joe like me EMTBs are much more enjoyable .

[@Emtbwebb]

People just get on a bike get out riding and enjoy life, no matter what you ride its all about fun i never bought a bike to get fit its for pure pleasure! I get fit from cardio in the gym and weight training!!! My ebikes my escape from reality❤️‍🔥✌🏼

[@gamertherapy8221]

Had to switch back to my specialised Allez road bike after my ebike was stolen. Well i can tell you, i still have my fitness. i guess its down to how you want to ride. My legs feel stronger than ever, with my ebike.

[@TheGifted93]

Besides the fact that your moving and fun is the most important factor, its been proven that zone 2 riding improves your vo2 max and fitness better since you recover faster

[@Aboutaweekago1787]

Yes they do 100% make you unfit , after a month on my ebike I'm absolutely knackered riding an acoustic again. I've since varied my riding a lot and use all my bikes more often. E bikes are still awesome though but if fitness is your goal they are definitely not for you.

[@SH44527]

more inclined to ride my ebike than my non-ebikes, as such I'm getting exercise that I would perhaps not get. Further for longer and get home smiling, what's not to like?

[@MikeO-dr7hn]

He said he was using full assist all the time. The beauty of the e-bike is that you can dial back the assist to work harder, burn more calories, and STILL get in more rides than he did. He is comparing no assistant to full assist all of the time. I don't think that is how Steve normally rides and may be why they have different experiences?

[@mikechap85]

Right I’ve just done eight hours shift on site I’m knackered. but I’ve got a pop to my mates house who is 6 miles away either I get in the van or ride my E Bike…. But I would never get my mountain bike out after work😬 so I’m on the E Bike E Bike is a great