Is EMTB Actually Harder Than Mountain Biking?!

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

My EMTB has taken my MTB skills to new levels. The ability to ride more terrain in a riding session both tech uphill and all the flats and downs gives me more useable experience in the same time spent on a standard MTB. Example, yesterday I rode a trail system on my EMTB with flow trails and plenty of uphill woven into the ride. I used the trail mode on all uphill sections boosting my speed to the same speed I do on the flats and even some downhills, the extra speed let me jump the bike while climbing and of course I did many more laps than I would have on my non-EMBT. More miles more practice with line choice and that will improve all of my riding. I would not want an EMTB as my only bike. I like the strength building on a regular MTB and the playful lighter weight makes for a different and desirable experience, but the joy of cruising uphill at an air catching speed and not taking a break once at the top, the EMBT experience is very hard to find fault with!!

[@SimonBauer7]

i have an emtb as my only bike. i just push it harder.

[@skeith9144]

Could not have said it better myself!!!!!

[@GlaucusBlue]

I find effort about the same, but ride far more on emtb. Just go faster and further on emtb which makes it more fun, so use it more as well.

[@Magoo71]

Yep....when I ride my eBike I still ride over 20+ miles and between 3000 and 4,000 ft of climbing....not bad for a dude who is to be 71 in couple weeks...

[@embn]

That's what we find with e-biking! You can always get the same workout with an e-bike, you just have to cycle further. 👍

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

It's all about effort! That being said mtb riders tend to work harder but it comes down to the rider. On the other hand someone who is way out of shape and starts out on emtb has more of a chance of sticking with it and getting in shape then someone starting out on mtb.

[@embn]

Agreed! E-biking is so much more inclusive for people that may struggle with fitness. Having the support of the motor doesn't mean you're being less active. You end up riding further and faster anyway. 👍

[@PaulMoody]

Another aspect of emtb effort is how much of a upper body workout techy climbs provide. I used feel that my legs got all the workout on my mtb, but with a full fat Turbo Levo I now get a more balanced workout as I wrestle 50lbs of bike up rooty rocky Vermont trails. Add to that my desire/willingness to ride twice or trice as much means I get a way better workout on my emtb. No cheating, no slouching, emtbs are great workout machines that always put a smile on my face.

[@The_Privateer]

The biggest difference? - Non-electric mountain bikers are much more elitist and rude. Much more focused on their own selfish goals, desires, trails, and how they are 'better' than anyone else. - Electric mountain bikers are much more about just having fun, being friendly, and enjoying the ride, just for the sake of enjoying the ride.

[@downhill64]

Absolutely correct. Totally agree. I own and ride ebikes enduro bikes and DH bikes

[@twotwentyswift]

You have an amazing ability to know what's going on in someone else's head! How elitist and presumptuous of you! 🤣🤣🤣

[@norcalchrismeister]

Especially the lycra wearing mountain bikers with their 10k XC bikes lol. They just want to show everyone up. I ride both e-mtn bike and reg mtn bike but I try to be friendly on the trails

[@ridingdeep8530]

Based on the numerous drastically overweight guys on eMTB's I see shooting past everyone climbing on our trails around here, I'd have to say that generally speaking they are not working as hard a regular bike. I have both, a good climb on my regular bike will leave me pretty worked, whereas even in Eco mode on my eMTB I might be sweating but not have received the same workout, if I put it in Tour mode, very little energy is used on my part. My eBike is super fun but not nearly the workout my regular enduro bike is within the same time frame and on the same trail.

[@albi16121983]

Put in the same effort as on your regular bike and the additional motor power just makes you faster. But if you stick to the speed of your regular bike you putting less effort into that session

[@craig8638]

I agree. I wouldn’t say I’m the best mountain biker or in the best shape, but I have a hard time getting my heart rate up on my E bike on the same rides where I have to consciously keep it lower on my regular bike.

[@TheBarnaby25]

Thanks for being honest

[@gcprost]

When I switched from a mountain bike to an EMTB, one thing was a pleasant surprise. I expected the motor to make hill climbing less physical, what surprised me was it was technically easier. On a traditional mountain bike when you are going up a steep hill the challenge is to keep the front wheel down and the rear wheel from spinning. On an EMTB the weight of the motor and battery makes it easier to keep the front wheel from coming and the added weight gives you more traction. I love my EMTB because with the same effort as a conventional mountain bike, I can cover more ground and have more fun.

[@sjaan7370]

Great piece 👍 E-mtbing is definitely easier going up on non tech trails, but maneuvering a ~50lbs e-mtb around while climbing crazy tech that most riders would not even consider attempting and usually choose to walk, is a hell of a lot of work. It's not so much that its easier, but more so that it makes certain climbs that are near impossible on an acoustic bike possible on an e-mtb. And then there's throwing a 50 pound + e-mtb around on long, gruelly downhill runs. Well that's a huge work out compared to my 33lbs trail bike! My legs may be getting a break which allows me to ride with less recovery, but my upper body and core are getting absolutely ripped! Actually there are many things that are easier on my trail bike, but getting to the top isn't one of them 😛

[@Nobody-md5kt]

Went to Tahoe and rented out a e-MTB. Awful experience trying to haul that bike up mountain and through really rough, steep terrain. Awesome going down hill and pedaling back home though.

[@kyled121]

I used to have a lovely hybrid road bike which I couldn't use due to osteoarthritis. I had a shot of an e-bike (hub drive shopper) and found I could cycle and it didn't hurt! Due to using it and then buying a e-mtb hardtail I've been able to get out and about, lose weight, get fitter and above all have fun. An e-bike is easier if you want it to be but , if you're prepared to push it, it can be much harder. The thing is, you have the choice!

[@josephcruz3262]

All that matters is how much fun you have regardless of what anyone thinks

[@embn]

Absolutely right Joseph! Great comment! 🙌

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

I think the real question should be. What can you do on a regular bike that you can't do on an emtb? If you're looking for a really hard workout drop the assist way down in eco.. You can make it harder than any regular bike, including single and fixed gear bikes.. (eco with 10-0% assist with a 50lb bike is no joke) There is a reason people don't pedal DH bikes uphill. They don't do it efficiently. If going for the hardest climbing method was the goal, that would be a norm. It isn't though. Currently the only thing they still have over any form of emtb is weight. That gap is closing.. So, if you're asking what's harder? Well, emtb is harder in the sense you can MAKE it harder. It is also easier in the sense you can MAKE it easier. That was the goal... The fact of the matter is, lightweight emtb's will replace regular bikes as a standard at some point. Especially since you're getting an EMTB mixed with a regular bike.. (Take the battery out for the same current weight and it pedals and feels all the same, and you can still pedal it with the battery in with the little added weight) People already pedal the SL's off. That doesn't mean they will ever go away. They will just be yesterdays technology, like buying mountain bikes with 24 speed gear sets... Still available, just no one uses them as a majority. Once superlight emtbs get to the desired weight (around 15-16kg ) and the entry level models are comparable to a regular bike there is no reason to not buy one. The full powered emtbs will always have a place as well, but I'd expect to see them get to the weight of around 16-18kg in the future.. as battery and motor tech advances..

[@stevenbond1410]

I ride both, riding my hardtail doing big climbs definitely gets me fitter than emtb.

[@peterlundgren8867]

Doesn’t matter. What matters is that ebiking is much more fun!

[@funnelfpv9435]

When my emtb broke down for a month and I lost 2kgs. I can safely say the normal mtb makes you lose more energy, but it's a lot more boring ride since it takes forever to get to the top. I almost died out of running out of patience than the actual additional effort.

[@jeromelmarois]

Same, I'm a good climber, but the minute we hit a double track or have to climb the road I just get sooooo bored, it just always seems to take forever. I much prefer a technical climb to keep my interest with many little challenges along the way.

[@tobyehillier]

EMTB only and I lost 34kg in under a year

[@Quedz9]

fair enough but I can lose 2kg by taking a big shit

[@nixon_mtb8383]

Hi love you vids I live in nz and I think you would love a place called woodhill it has big jumps and a lot a cool trails

[@Seppster58]

I just entered the eMTB world buying my wife a Trek Rail 9.7. Of course, I will be taking it out once in awhile and see how it compares to my Orbea Oiz. Love the channel and can say it really had an influence on my choice to get into this world. Thanks Chris and Steve for all your great videos. Can't wait to do my own comparisons!!

[@embn]

Hey Steve! Sounds great! We appreciate your support so much! Safe riding out there! 🙌

[@SimonBauer7]

with an emtb you can push it way more in terms of tech climbs. tech climbing is my favourite discipline.

[@jeffriley2502]

All about the effort and what you want. And the type of riding. We sometimes ride 7k ft elevation gain and 42 miles. Would not be doable for me on a standard bike with some very step technical sections. Its all riding and up to you.

[@davidgeorge7443]

Ebikes don't always have to be turned on. When you really need a push, it's there.

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

If you like pedaling a farmers gate then keep the motor turned off. What's the point of an e-bike then?

[@davidgeorge7443]

@@fuckinellitsraymo Nasty hills, end of a long day, tired AF, getting old, lots of reasons.

[@jmo2752]

Exactly - the point is you can decide how much assistance you get... whether that be helping to pace yourself for a longer ride, or (as Chris suggests in the video) to allow you to actually ride up the kind of terrain that you might otherwise have to end up pushing/carrying your bike - giving you more choice of some alternative trails and routes.

[@embn]

Now that's a workout! 😅

[@JB50713]

Having an ebike is definitely easier but I ride harder, further and more often. Technically it's easier but I put more effort into my laps now. Just a different workout.

[@VadikRamm]

Riding an eMTB is a skill, much like riding a regular bike. Remember, practice always beats theory. Theory is nothing when you have no experience beforehand. The more you practice your riding skills the better you get at taming your eMTBeast. Your body adapts and naturally stays in synergy with the bike.

[@Yayo11111]

I'd like to see the difference in riding a 28kg ebike in eco to rising a 12kg MTB.

[@TheWebstaff]

The issue is mixed riding groups. If I'm riding with non MTB riders then I'm normally on minimum assist mode or even off so I'm not setting the pace.

[@steveptasznik6147]

Emtb is easier for the skill level I'm at. I'm going to sell my mtb because I have not ridden it since I got the emtb. Sure it is harder to put in the back of my suv and harder to get around technical stuff I don't feel comfortable on but I'm also hitting trails I'd never ride on a mtb due to the hill climb. Even on climbs, I smile on my emtb. I look forward to each ride and ride more with my emtb.

[@Paganiproductions84]

I love to chase anything when i have on my one xc hardtail even e mtb´s uphill or down i love climbing and also go down it also fun if everything is right.

[@TheAngryHusky]

I ride a Turbo Levo, and an Intense Primer. Been riding ebikes since my first YT Decoy in 2019. I can say that they aren’t that comparable in my experience unless you drop the assist level. Ebike is more of a full body workout while normal bike for me is more legs and cardio. Both have their merits.

[@NerdsonDirtMTB]

I've been coming home just as exhausted or even more so after riding my eB on the same trails I used to ride MTB on, mainly due to the weight difference and the fact that I'm able to do more laps with the eB in the same amount ride time.

[@godzilllla2452]

Lifting my ebike over fences/gates, is epically tough after a few

[@emtbtrailrider539]

u guys are awesome and making these educational vidz

[@embn]

Thanks! We couldn't make these videos happen without all of you amazing people! 👍

[@oldblokeswhoshouldknowbett8108]

riding, whichever you choose to ride is always only as hard as you wanna make it. the future is less divisive and more fun when we appreciate that these things are 'earned' when you go to work and earn the cash for your toys rather than on the climbs, with or without assist.

[@smtkelly]

Its as hard as you make it honestly. Just less down time on a eMTB. Only thing I would say is it levels those peaks effort inputs which stop me blowing myself up because I'm too stubborn to get off and push that 10m near vertical climb regardless of the type of bike.

[@barriobarranco]

I reserve my 26" XC "real" mtb as an old skool fitness bike on fireroads (when weather is bad)and not too bad forest singletrack. I road cycle too (last jaunt was a 3hr45m, 102km with 800m ascent), but as for winching up a natural trail singletrack that's techy, rooty, full of stoppers on a 30x42 geared mtb, that is just pure and utter s**t and needs to be consigned to a museum.... the KTM is just superb for that and unlike most "real" bikers I'll be doing them all riding the bike hard and having fun. Don't know why Scarpa and other walking boot manufacturers don't fit SPD's to their products and aim it at the "real" mtb market because that's what nearly all of them spend their time doing, walking a bike and an even heavier huge ego up a hill lol

[@tone351998]

I am jealous of your riding skills...big fan XD

[@embn]

Chris is insane on an e-bike! Thanks for the support! 🙌

[@twotwentyswift]

Let's be honest. If it was just as hard as a regular MTB would we spend the extra money on the EMTB? *Not a chance!*

[@craig8638]

I think you just ended the argument. FTW

[@johnlever6696]

I am out the house for the same amount of time on my eMTB than I was on my analogue, I am just as tired and I ache the same but I cover about 35% more ground on my eMTB in comparison. Plus I don’t have times of boredom and getting annoyed on the ups.

[@bradsanders6954]

There is a near undefinable "fun level" about EMTB riding, they are simply a blast! Ive ridden normal Mt Bikes since they first came out. Then I ordered a very good EMTB with out ever riding one. I just knew it was the thing. You can get what ever kind of work out you want on an EMTB, then if you decide its time to get back to the truck, stick it in boost and fly up a hill to get there. Many retired pro Mt bike racers are now riding and racing EMTB's. Ned Overend says for sure he gets more of a thrashing on E Mt bike than he ever did on a normal pedal bike, just go faster and further and harder.

[@andreregini5928]

The only thing limiting the power a rider puts in on an eMTB is their will power. If more effort is wanted then the rider needs to exercise their will power to turn down the motor assist.

[@Stockfish1511]

For me its the pedaling that is easier on Emtb than on a mtb. Rest is pretty much the same. It makes your legs to not get killed on an enduro bike when you climb uphill which makes world of difference. Downhill i would say there are ups and downs. Mtb is lighter and more flowy, emtb is more planted and less of a bike experience sort of. But pretty much near same thing. enduro riding you get like 90 percent of the biking on emtb compared to mtb. Also Emtb makes things easier for riders that like to do technical trails. With the speed and power of the motor you just shred trough this stuff. Also much easier for winter riding, riding enduro bike on a trail with snow is very challenging while the emtb gives that assist. I currently dont have an ebike, but tested several. Have a high end trek slash, will get a rail and have both worlds.

[@melnickharris1177]

I get a higher heart rate on my ebike as I go harder and go up hills I don't go up on a normal bike people say it's cheating but u still have to pedal it or it won't work I go everywhere in eco

[@embn]

Nice, Melnick! It sounds like you certainly get a good workout when you head out riding! E-biking definitely isn't "easier"! 😂

[@CurvedSlightly]

All the people I pass huffing-and-a-puffing, moaning and sweating their nads off seem to think it's harder, LOLZ?

[@scottjameseaton5503]

I would agree but unfortunately loads of people ride unrestricted bikes . So workout is nothing like a normal no cut off.

[@scooby22nz]

Wrestling a big heavy eMTB on a tech DH is not easy

[@stunthumb]

Bike weight plays a huge part... especially if your emtb is a little top heavy, really need those shoulders. Pushing my emtb up a steep craggy hill is about as much a workout as any human should need!

[@simonbowlzer9046]

I’ll sum it up . No it isn’t , I own both . Not even close 😂

[@embn]

What if you were climbing up terrain a normal mountain bike couldn't climb up?🤷😅

[@topheavy7616]

My heart rate on technical trails is about 20bps lower on the ebike.

[@Xaltae]

Normal mtb is harder for me, as i cant be bothered with the need to keep the fitness up. I can go weeks sometimes without cycling. But i can hop on the Ebike, it compensates for the lack of fitness and i can still go wherever i want. So for me ebiking is way easier. However, when it comes to hike a bike sections that theres no way you can ride up, i always wish i had my normal bike with me. But only till i get to the top, then the weight is forgiven.

[@gillesrenaud964]

It"s just a lot harder on an EMTB to ride without smiling all the time

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

Not all riders have restricted bikes, in fact the numbers of deristricted bikes is growing.

[@mremtb7689]

I would not enjoy mine anywhere near as much if it was not derestricted.

[@AerialMediapro]

This question is complete nonsense but I get the need to create content that exploits a stupid dispute between people. It's what internet is all about nowadays. The right question would be: when to choose one over the other depending on one's needs/expectations/skills/phisical condition ...

[@1968Stratocaster]

They are both the same regarding difficulty. but emtb is a ton more fun.

[@finroddd]

I do not agree that "It is not easier - you just get there faster" - it is easier, you do get there faster and it is much more fun.

[@humbertonajera5312]

Rationalize.- attempt to explain or justify (one's own or another's behavior or attitude) with logical, plausible reasons, even if these are not true or appropriate. You are trying to rationalize a simple fact. No, eMTB is not (under normal conditions of the mountain bike in use) more difficult than a regular one. I want an e-bike. I have ride MTBs for almost 30 years. And I would love to have an electric one, so I am not part of the righteous crowd that want eMTBS to disappear from earth. I watched the video as I was intrigued on how you would make a case and must tell I am not disappointed. Rationalization, that’s how.

[@donbenincasa7442]

You can make it as hard, or as easy as you want…You will ride more is the difference!

[@embn]

Completely Agree!

[@skypiratez]

Yesyerday did a 30km, 1100m vertical (400m of which were quite technical and about 100m pushing uphil). 500m black technical descent.. Did it in about 2:30 and at the end was completely wasted... So, who's saying ebiking is easy, heh?... LoL

[@robociock]

Yes it is, usually I do 1000 feet ascend with emtb and I noticed are harder than using a muscolar bike

[@downhilljedi]

It's as hard as you make it.

[@emveeess839]

If hard =work=energy used then im definitely doing less work on the eeb as , like the presenters here, I’ve gotten fatter on the eeb!

[@jamsxr]

My MTB is far tougher no doubt, unless I turn the motor off my eMTB.

[@vasipro]

Emtb is better than mtb because you don't need a car to go to the hills near your town. You are an adult. You have limited time. With emtb you can have mental therapy without sacrificing all day.

[@reedymc]

LOL! no its definitely not harder! its a heavier bike for a bit of maneuverability other than that I can run laps around my mate on a non ebike.

[@Bonky-wonky]

4:47 how respectful towards mountainbikers who use their skills and fitness, as opposed to just putting your ebike in turbo and whizzing up a hill. Clickbait crap like this only widens the rift between ebikers and mountainbikers.

[@NallePu83]

Harder when the battery goes flat

[@daleburton3591]

This is a joke right? You're riding a bike with a motor HELPING you...!!! Overall riding without a motor is harder as it is all about you and the effort you apply. Flip a switch and electrons flow making what would be a tough accent less demanding.

[@Dubnside]

As Electric mountain vehicles evolve they should diverge more from Mountain bikes, they look similar now but there's no reason why a "gearbox" couldn't be integrated with the motor and a single cog out back, already most EV's have bigger tyres weighing as standard around 1.3kg, 38mm stanchions on forks, coil shocks, heavier duty chains etc. as weight isn't a consideration. Sure you can go further and faster than on a Mountain bike but I could also go even faster and further and improve my skills on a GasGas TXT GP 250...

[@xistsixt]

It always depends on what's the person doing , you can kill your physical ability with all bikes 😉

[@Shauny808]

People that hate ebikes, and ebikers, are people that have never ridden one, and likely can’t afford one.

[@sjaan7370]

I really think its all about climbing and a bit of ego. People work really hard to have bragging rights pertaining to their climbing prowess on an acoustic bike. On a e-mtb one can not only climb longer and faster, they can climb tech tracks that many fit riders would find themselves pushing up. Ego bruised, self worth deflated 😉

[@TheBarnaby25]

BS. This is a comment that is simply validating your own need to take the easier route in your cycling endeavors, and assuming that everyone else would want the same corners cut as you do. Not everyone does. The mere thought of using one of these assisted bikes to help me up climbs makes me not want to even ride, and if my only option was to use an E-bike, I wouldn't ride.

[@TheBarnaby25]

@@sjaan7370 I ride up terrain like he's struggling on (on his E-bike at minute 5:35 or so in the video) all the time. Gaining 1000's in climbing elevation. It isn't about bragging rights. It's about how I view life. I started riding more than 25 years ago, and it has ALWAYS been about perfecting the skill sets needed. All I see in these comments are comments like yours that are indicative of taking an easy way out, and then claiming that the people that haven't done what you've done are somehow jealous of you. No, we're not jealous. We're really just disgusted. It's just another indication that society is going downhill. Getting softer, making more and more excuses as the days go on, and deluding themselves that they're somehow not.

[@Jan_Capek]

It's you, only faster.

[@garymartin557]

no, just different.

[@neilelliston]

Nope!! A hill on my ebike vs a hill on my pedal bike. Ebike is easy

[@embn]

E-power for the win!

[@islandaerial3414]

NOT harder, just more enjoyable

[@kingerz]

No. Except in money!

[@marekj.]

Hello, I want to buy an Ebike, why? Because I want to ride harder:)))))))))))))))

[@22Jeffers]

FFS same old “is EMTB better than mtb” topic. Bore off.

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

Are you a bit simple

[@caramba10]

Of course it isn't, common sense should tell you this, the motor is doing work your legs should be doing. A 50 miler on my mtb leaves me tired, the same route on the e-mtb I finish faster and am less tired because I've put in less effort.

[@jmo2752]

I think you were missing the point of the video - on like-for-like terrain, then sure you've probably put in more effort [burnt more calories] on your non-assisted bike, but an e-bike allows you to ride far more challenging [uphill] terrain if you wish, requiring a different kind of effort.

[@bakedscience6888]

It's a motorcycle. Nothing wrong with that.

[@sjaan7370]

More science, less bakage