My First Month Owning and Riding an E-Bike...Here's what I think

[@dontolhurst9887]

At 72 my bike lets me ride for another 10 years. I still ride my other bikes as well.

[@charleswhite7612]

@@dontolhurst9887 exactly! They’re awesome. Some people just haven’t experienced them yet.

[@GarthFlint-nc2vj]

I am 71. I feel the same way. I love my mtb but the emtb gives me the power I used to have. With the emtb I can do stupid stuff into my 80s.

[@Mike-gv1rz]

I'm 76 and I can do emtb rides I could never do on my mtb. I still ride my road bike but there are times when I wish it was electric.

[@charleswhite7612]

@@GarthFlint-nc2vj awesome! I see that very “fountain of youth” you’re referring to weekly where I live. Keep pedaling brother!💪😉👍

[@charleswhite7612]

@@Mike-gv1rz off-road or on-road, e-bikes are awesome! I’ve left my gas guzzler truck in the driveway for 5 years by commuting on an ebike. You go Mike!💪👍😉

[@okamisan3642]

I’m 200lbs w/ my bike. I don’t tell heavier riders on regular bikes to be careful about damaging trails.

[@ClintGibbs]

Extra weight plays into it, but It’s more the extra speed.

[@ridingdeep8530]

As many other people have pointed out, you need to actually ride the eMTB in the mountains, that is the point of an ebike - to make the climbs more mellow, you can even have fun climbing. Technical climbs can be so much fun, I leave my bike in Trail mode, such a great time. I feel like you are overstating "trail damage" being caused by an ebike, any person on any type of bike can push hard in corners and skid. Just riding a bike for a month in limited terrain (no mountain riding) is not really a fair appraisal of its capabilities.

[@JCreole]

💯 agree

[@jeromep4148]

I just came back from Duluth. Rode my regular bike in the Duluth Travers - amazing trail system. Next day took my emtb to Split Rock Wild. I was riding Fade-to-Blue south to north and it was rock garden after rock garden for close to 3 miles … up hill. I am 68 and fit but I could never have done this on my regular bike. I do use my emtb for workouts since I ride 90% in eco mode. Ebikes are awesome. They allow you to ride trails previously unridable, let you ride on your “rest days”, and much more. Clint, it will truly come alive in the mountains

[@charleswhite7612]

Clint, you’re late to the party!🎉 Don’t kid yourself, You are riding e-bikes for the SAME reason everyone else is😂. They are AWESOME and the answer to SO many barriers and challenges with regular bikes. From pulling trailers full of tools for trail maintenance,to rapidly improving one’s riding skills, eliminating noisy/dusty/fuel burning shuttle vehicles, to getting more fun TRAIL time and less fire-road CLIMB time, the benefits are many! I’m listening to your video as I’m tinkering on my 1st Gen Levo from 2015. (The 2025 models are out). Some of us have upwards of 10 years on e-bikes. Do you have 10 rides on yours? And the Europeans are pretty much 5-10 years ahead of us all! All of us are in the learning curve somewhere. So I would caution you to share your story as YOUR story as a noob to ebiking, not as an authority on e-bikes. You often attempt to cast an air of superiority about certain topics, when you are really actually behind the times compared to other parts of the country/world. It’s a turn-off. ie. Your series. “Are 29er trail bikes becoming a thing?” 5 years after most manufacturers have a solid lineup of 29ers. Maybe it’s a flat Florida thing? I like much of what you do. Your methods are sound and intelligent, your Garmin knowledge is solid, etc. I want to like your content, I’m just turned off by the sometimes arrogant tone. Your videos have vastly improved over the years, but that tone still pops up occasionally. Take that feedback for what it’s worth. No hate. I know we have a choice in what we view.👍😉 signed: Wannabe Fan from the PNW

[@paulchoiniere7322]

Nailed it. Years ago he did a life advice video about only picking one hobby sport and concentrating only on this. Boy, must be a blast to hang out with.

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

@charleswhite7612 . Spoken just like the entitled, all knowing self-important clod that you are.

[@ibanez2010]

LMAO now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? Your comment absolutely reeks of condescension. I'm sorry but I have never detected even the slightest bit of what you're saying about Clint. I think this is a you problem.

[@BH-cy9tb]

I’ve had an ebike ( Trek Rail) for the last 3 years I also ride a regular bike , don’t feel guilty about liking the ebike better it’s just more fun. If it puts a smile on your face that’s all that matters.

[@ChefIan73]

Way to promote a false narrative. Plenty of forestry service studies show e-bikes do not damage a trail anymore than a standard bike. Anyone who skids on a trail is damaging it. 🙄

[@ChefIan73]

@@Macuhdohnadadoh 😂😂🙄

[@chrisgravel7157]

Ya Ok now cross reference with trail associations that actually maintain the trails in places like BC and they will all call BS. Higher impact, more traffic as they're riding 2x as much trail and riding up at nearly the pace of the downhill.

[@ChefIan73]

@@chrisgravel7157 citations please for said reports.

[@pilotleader]

I’m 55 and have a Trek Fuel EXe 9.7 in my bike fleet. I love it because I can ride more without destroying my body or need a long recovery time with long gaps between rides. For example, I rode it in the mountains yesterday (big accent) and feel well enough to go on my analog bike today. It allows me to ride more which is awesome.

[@acuhealer62]

I bit the bullet this year and bought an Orbea Rise. I turned 62 recently and have not had the time to ride as often as I used to this year with a full time job and helping elderly parents etc. I got tired of getting dropped on group rides and being winded to easily. Now I can do laps on my local trails and have found that I can stay in the cardio optimal zone more consistently. I get a good work out on this rig. My bike is considered a mid power ebike and is only 7lbs heavier than my Orbea Rallon. I tend to ride it in a mix of trail and turbo mode. Not thinking this will do any more damage to the trail than my 36lb Enduro bike.

[@xtrainerchronicles2085]

Florida is probably not a good metric for analyzing an ebike. Having said that IMO. the best use is for the adventure. I rode moto for years. The ebike is something in-between. It's all mountain bike for sure but 25-30 mile epics in rough conditions are a real thing with them like a dirt bike. Didn't pigeon hole the ebike just as a shuttle or for going fast. It's much more than that.

[@charleswhite7612]

Agreeing (from the PNW).👍

[@xtrainerchronicles2085]

Me too , Yakima​@@charleswhite7612

[@mattposvar8193]

Yep. My “normal” ride is at least 20-22 miles and it’s always epic.

[@osint6372]

Yes too FLAT...I will get an eBike soon

[@markorjoycedehaan2855]

Clint, I assume you never rode dirt bikes? It sounds like you're looking for a dirt bike experience. I would love for you to ride a lightweight dirt bike and compare to an E-bike. Or even try a newer electric dirt bike. I really enjoyed riding dirt bikes, but the true non-E mountain bikes have a huge amount of things that are great and you don't get on a dirt bike. It's great stuffing a dirt bike into the corner and turning the throttle, but railing a corner on a mountain bike is even better I think!

[@GarthFlint-nc2vj]

Comparing mtb to emtb is not really a good comparison, especially after a month. Come ride in the Rocky Mtns to get a true feel of why emtbs are nice. They are two different sports. Yes, the bikes look a lot alike but they are very different. I ride both regularly. When I go to a riding area I do not want to compare the two different bikes. I ride each differently with two different objectives. On the mtb I like the challenge of making the climb then enjoying the down. On the ebike I enjoy the climb and the downhill but I can do it multiple times longer. The ebike allows me to do longer technical rides with steeper climbs and not lose a lung. Today I am going out on the emtb. I figure I will ride 20 miles in about 3 hours with stops to enjoy the views. 3 hours on the same trails on my mtb and I would be wasted. I will climb a little bit faster than on my mtb, will be able to maintain speed longer and use a lot less energy. On the downs I will not be as fast as on my mtb but even if I was I would still have to be careful of hikers, horses and bikes coming up. When I am done with the ride I will stop at a brewery, have dinner and a beer and not be totally exhausted.

[@jimjigga]

💯brother, totally on point

[@drahoslavhorvath]

I am 100% sure that this guy ride ebike on wrong place...

[@jimjigga]

@@drahoslavhorvath this guy forgot more about mtb than you know

[@outaouaispov5828]

Just a quick thank you for a nice balanced comment and refraining from going after a particular group. Not sure where all the anger comes from in the first 24 hours of comments (and some after). Happy to see MTB growing in popularity, but maybe its an issue of overcrowding at a lot of bike centers. I certainly don't feel it.

[@justinlambert2447]

I ride both mtb and emtb every week, live in Colorado mountains, adjust your settings and you definitely get a great cardio on the emtb. I don't get the power training on the emtb like on my yeti 115, but I do put out 850 watts rider input on the emtb. emtb rides are 27 miles, 4k climbing.

[@charleswhite7612]

Exactly. I have a 1st Gen Levo from 2015 with a small battery and just use eco 95% of the time. For me, it’s good to stay “honest” in my efforts. Then, TURBO is a treat! Plus, it’s easier on your whole drive system.😉👍

[@pittsburghandy]

I think there are a large portion of us going to emtb’s specifically because of some health issues. Bad knees after all these years, etc. I love looking up bike reviews like this, but often feel they can’t relate to our situation, and we can no longer relate to your situation. :) 20 years ago when I had super healthy knees, probably I also wouldn’t be doing somersaults over an emtb. Now, I’m checking email every hour for notice that it’s ready for pick up! If I tested the world’s best wheelchair, I would probably be less than enthused, but I bet the right person would find it to be the best thing since sliced bread!

[@TCraigLinz]

Where I live the topography is much different than Florida and an ebike has just made more sense. I tend to ride it as a shuttle bike or when the days climbs will be long and intense. Flat sandy tracks are really not where these things shine. Mini (non lift assisted ) DHs and continuous climbs are where they have provided me the most fun. These types of rides can also provide a good workout. My average top speeds on these courses while going downhill feel different due to the bike's weight, but are very similar to those when I ride my regular bikes. I love all my bikes. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses. And since there's no cardboard check waiting for me at the bottom of the hill, I choose to have the most fun possible. Clint, as always, thank you for your clear and concise opinions.

[@mikeg8777]

What's the difference between a 150lb rider on an a 50lb e-bike, vs a 175lb rider riding a 30lb analog? I don't agree with your take on the E-bikes damaging the trails, that's more of the rider, not the bike in my honest opinion. Moto's? now what will damage trails for sure.

[@TroyKasper]

I did a local race series on my emtb and for the 8-10 miles in turbo my HR was jacked. Living in the PNW, I bought mine as a self shuttle, but have also found, like others have, on backcountry hard climbs that kick my ass on the regular MTB, the emtb lets me enjoy the ride and it’s not a total sufferfest, but still earn your turns.

[@tico78742]

I love my fs e-mtb. I can ride more often and don’t have to push hills. I have found myself missing the analog bike. It’s good to mix it up sometimes depending on how I feel. I’m not so young anymore.

[@jamiesteiger6140]

We did have a local guy that was on an ebike recently crash and complain that the trail was unsafe. This was not his first ebike either. He was simply riding too fast on a bike he was not used to.

[@mybadvideos]

One thing I have noticed is that especially on the heavier full fat e-bikes if you make a mistake that you fail to recover from and the bike falls on you it's a lot different when the bike is north of 50 lb versus roughly 30...

[@stevemendelson4711]

get over it all bike are FUN!!!

[@frankfattore8400]

I disagree with your assessment of e-bikes having a “skidding” problem. I kind of feel like that is a mtb problem in general. Proper brake modulation is an essential skill that needs to be demonstrated, regardless of what type of bike you ride.

[@ClintGibbs]

True. The point is on an e-bike you are typically coming into a corner a lot fast faster so it’s even more of a problem.

[@outaouaispov5828]

Sorry Clint... going to have to agree with the other viewer's comment. Rode with someone (Mont Ste-Marie, Quebec) fairly new to mountain biking a couple days ago and he was grabbing a hand full of rear break on corners and even on steeps. No judgement, we all have to learn... but point is, think it is user error often that causes damage.

[@brianbathgate4944]

Xc trails aren’t where these bikes shine. Take it to the mountains. Climb what you couldn’t before. Here’s one of my videos from here in Scotland, massive day out I couldn’t have done on an analogue bike - that’s where the ebike shines the brightest :-) Ben Alder Biking -Some of Scotland’s Finest Singletrack kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYW5ZIegq7uqors

[@jamiesteiger6140]

One thing about people talking weight and trail wear with e-bikes. why don't we talk about heavy riders and shimano brakes for example? Inexperienced riders? From my time owning both bikes, we’re splitting hairs. Nothing worth talking about. My Heckler SL does make my Tallboy 4 feel like an XC race bike. The difference wheel and tire selection makes a huge difference on any bike. All said, very different bike set ups that you don’t fully understand until you have time on both.

[@streddaz]

Yes, weight on its own is not a contributing factor in trail were for Ebikes. There far more variance in weight in the rider than the difference between a normal bike to and Ebike. I could see that you may get some more wear into uphill corners where you would be braking on an Ebike and there's a possibility of a bit more wheel slip on steep stuff but that's the rider, not the bike.

[@redwingsgo12]

Weight arguement is always funny. I weigh 200lbs, a 250lb rider on a 30lb bike will weigh more than me on my 60lb ebike

[@jackbauer562]

Sold my ebike and keep my regular bike… i got bored and regaining my 6 pack.

[@skifischer]

Use walk mode for cleaning and lubing your chain while in a bike stand.

[@outaouaispov5828]

or hex wrench in a front chain ring bolt while on a bike rack works really well. Just don't move your crank against your wrench... found out the hard way what happens 😁

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

Nothing personal brother but I have to say the new terminology people are using for what we've always called "bikes" is somewhat annoying. Acoustic bikes? Analog Bikes? Wow. We can't just say "bikes" and "e-bikes" anymore? What dark force is behind this?!

[@BlackMan614]

Bike company marketing teams. "Make traditional bikes seem old and outdated so no one cool wants to have anything to do with them". They know how the weak-minded work.

[@awesomexistence]

Have to say I’ve been guilty of coining an analogous word or phrase that has been spread and repeated. I find no reason to disparage the use of analogous words.

[@charleswhite7612]

I will agree & disagree with you. Agree: yes, I’ve been mtb’ing “forever”, since before KZbin/internet. Yes, I get SO sick of all the buzzwords. An example from few years ago the word was SUPPLE. The tires are supple, the seat is really supple, the grips and bars are so supple, the shock’s supple, supple supple supple… from virtually every “expert/professional” KZbin bike reviewer.🙄 That’s our American language culture. If you want to hear more intelligent reviews with a better English, watch British or European videos. EMBN, Rob Rides e-bikes, Sam’s Bikes, eMTB review, etc. However, the funny names people use like Amish, Acoustic, or Peasant bike😂 are just for fun. And that makes me laugh.😄👍

[@solaradam7470]

​@@charleswhite7612nah, its ghey influencer language you would hear out of logan paul and that ilk. I can hear it, "This accoustic bike is low key fire"

[@mattposvar8193]

Agree. All are bikes

[@stonepa]

I ride a Pivot Shuttle XTR Team emtb. I almost always ride ECO unless I have an extremely long and steep climb. Then it is TRAIL mode all the way. Although I usually ride my manual bike, the E Bike definitely has its place for some trails.

[@andy5478-MTB]

Same here w/my Levo. 85%-100% of my rides are in Eco with a 15%-25% assist setting. It's perfect for those pesky easy climbs. If I have a tough climb then it's Trail mode for a short period. Turbo mode is ridiculously strong and I've tried it a few times for giggles--- like last night I crested a long climb at 17MPH whereas on my manual Stumpjumper I'd be at 2mph and completely wiped out. In Eco same climb I can crest about 9-10mph.

[@TheRCNetwork]

It’s funny reading the comments from the e-bikers. And y’all wonder why there’s a division in the biking world. Clint is giving his honest (imo) review of riding an e-bike for the first month.

[@outaouaispov5828]

A read the comments above, I don't get a sense that e-bikers are being divisive. Maybe you mean defensive. Think we can all come together and agree roadies suck... I'm kidding, just kidding!

[@TheRCNetwork]

@@outaouaispov5828 It's all about trail etiquette - on both sides. I just seem to have more instant gratification ebikers in my area for some reason. Here's some examples I saw: "Way to promote a false narrative.", "Trail degradation? C'mon, that's not a thing at all. That's an emtb hater talking point", "your review is half-baked", "And you think everyone with an ebike is this way, how are you any better?" You even said "Now I understand where the divisiveness comes from."

[@outaouaispov5828]

@@TheRCNetworksounds like we agree. Sorry you have so many jerks on e-bikes. I have not experienced any ill will from any riders in my area. Maybe because I ride with a big ass smile on my face and am courteous with other riders and hikers. Hope it gets better in your area!

[@MTBr-of-SoCal]

@@outaouaispov5828 hey now! That's just going too far buddy!! 😋

[@chingly4006]

I went back to mechanical bike after e-biking for a few weeks. Just love riding under my own power.

[@saddleweary2777]

Hope y'all stayed safe during the storm.

[@ClintGibbs]

Thanks. Safe but still no power or running water. And no idea when I’ll be able to mountain bike locally.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

​@@ClintGibbswe had a tornado skimming us in 2023 I had no power for 8 days until they put the poles and lines back in place, what did I do? Post apocalyptic MTB adventures... 😅

[@osint6372]

@@ClintGibbs No running water?

[@ClintGibbs]

@@osint6372 we’re on well powered by electricity

[@ToddDegiovanni-p7v]

Great that you’ve got yourself an ebike but really no reason to ride on xc trails. Ebikes really shine with vertical…up and down. Get yourself to the mountains as planned and get your “ton of descending”

[@tinshield]

@@ToddDegiovanni-p7v huge point. Would love to have an e-bike on vacations when you’re riding every day with big vert

[@JP-mp5st]

The most dangerous part of mountain biking these days is e-bikers flying uphill with no bells and no respect for trail etiquette. And btw, as much as ebikers want to believe it, riding an e-bike is NOT the same workout as a regular bike.

[@streddaz]

That's a rider problem not a bike problem. Would be no difference to calling out a fit XC rider flying up hill. It's not the XC bikes fault.

[@KN-vl7nk]

@@streddaz. A fit xc rider spent years riding to get there and likely learned bike handling skills and trail etiquette during that time. E-bikes allow people with no knowledge of safety, bike handling, and trail etiquette to hop on and go 20 mph through the woods.

[@streddaz]

@@KN-vl7nk being a fit XC rider doesn’t stop you being an arrogant arsehole and chasing Strava KOMs. People choose to be a dick on the trail, not the bike that they are riding and again, you’ll find that most Ebike riders are seasoned MTB riders. Sure you’ll get some noobs that do the wrong thing but they are by far in the minority. There’s always some outlandish hypothetical scenario that can be thought up that Ebikes are the end of the world, but they aren’t and there’s more positives than negatives. I myself have witnessed far more dick moves by riders on normal bikes than on Ebikes. Did you know that mountain bike were once touted as being dangerous as you could cover a lot more ground than walking and people were concerned that riders could get themselves out in a remote area and in trouble?

[@outaouaispov5828]

Again, user issue. There are jerks out there, e-bikes or not. To the commenter that only people with no experience ride e-Bikes, have a look at Remy Metailler, Geoff Gullevich, Danny MacAskill and many other pro riders training and using e-bikes for pleasure.

[@acuhealer62]

I disagree. I've been mountain biking nearly 40 years and have seen a lot on the trails. There are plenty of riders ebike or non ebike that are dicks and don't follow trail etiquette and I have had far more run in's with idiots on acoustic bikes trying to get a Strava time than ebikers "flying up hill". It is a rider problem plain and simple. As for the workout not being the same, well, it depends on what your goals are. If you are looking to train for the Leadville 100 then yes, an ebike is not gonna get you in shape. For us older mortals (I just turned 62) its easier stay in a cardio optimal zone for much longer (and build cardio endurance) on an ebike than with a regular bike. I find I can ride a lot further and longer and can continue to ride with younger riders and not get dropped.

[@HawkEurope]

If you want a workout, just use the micro tune feature on the Turbo Levo. I do it most of the time on mine.

[@shafiqjan1474]

I was an early adopter and picked up a '19 Kona Remote Control, trail travel and 27.5+. The tires immediately got swapped for better 3" WTBs with a gentle XC tread and she was fantastic. Now she has been upgraded to coil suspension (upforked 150 to 170mm) and a set of hand built Mullet wheels with 29x2.6 & 27.5x2.8 Schwalbe Eddy Current tires and now she's a beast. All the other nice bits made her fit and gave me excellent contact points. My trail bikes feel wicked light in comparison so upgrades to those are about performance and to me a bit of added weight does not matter when you add rider weight to the bike and then look at tiny weight saving against 200 lbs or more. My eMTB has been a fun toy and a great tool (I go shopping with a B.O.B. trailer) so buy once & cry once and then enjoy. My riding have benefited from pedaling that heavy motorized bike. 👍🏻

[@Ody-up6kg]

At 66, I have no interest in trying or buying an eMTB. When my body fails me, I see it as a way to continue doing what I love.

[@emonty62]

Belt drive my friend, e-bike every day!

[@grantbierlmeier7641]

“I have not taken this to the mountains yet” I’ll check back in once that happens- until then I’ll wait to view

[@jerryscott9598]

Hey Clint, great, informative review, as always, and I appreciate your bringing up Being Responsible when riding an e-bike. I've had a few close calls while riding my regular mtb and emtb's. Some riders don't have the skills to go as fast as emtb's can take them, and some don't realize, or care, that a 50 lb. motorized bike can have much more impact on the trails. Totally understand the benefits, and may own one, one day, let's just tread lightly.

[@ZenEndurance]

Even if it’s not a good workout, at least it’s good for working on skills at high speed.

[@Echoes-]

I am never going back to an acoustic mtb after getting an emtb. It's so much more fun and I can ride much longer trips before getting exhausted.

[@alistairhall5993]

WoW! I knew this was a polarising topic with lots of you pointing out where the e-bikes shine and true, easy flow trails aren't where these beasts shine, as they just become faster and for some less skilled riders they'll find their limits soon enough (hugging trees). Some of you folk commenting on returning to non e-bikes to get back a decent workout, obviously haven't pushed your limits on them hard enough yet, for if you go and look at ANY of the bigger commentators on KZbin, all will say if you ride an off-road e-bike hard, you'll get your heart rate well up and you will get more of an all-over workout, especially the upper body. I've ridden techy blues, black & double black trails for the last 6yrs on a full powered bike, doing some local enduro & DH races and they have you fair gasping. At 61 years young, joints don't get the same stresses but all the muscle groups still do. A BIG revelation in the last month, was riding a Specialized Turbo SL carbon Comp (initially on loan), while mine was being fixed. I realised how you can 'Have you cake & eat it too'. Even with big burly tires it still only weighing19.3kgs, with it's magic carpet-like kinematics handed down from the Stumpy Evo gene pool, this as a lighter rider, gives the feel and feed-back of a normal acoustic bike, with shuttle-friendly assistance. I can't even look at my full power bike now, this is so much more FUN!

[@mrskywalker115]

Im not familiar with specialized's tuning software but typically you can turn down the sensitivity of the torque sensor which means you have to put in more effort to get the power from the bike. You still get the same peak power from the motor, you just have to earn it. This is great for transitioning between the two types bc you still do feel the resistance of the wheel(feels less like just moving legs or ghost pedaling) and when you are in the mountains, it will significantly boost range as you may not have had an issue in flat florida trails but in big climbs you will eat battery very fast. Id recommend trying that so you will still have a lighter than normal workout(still a good workout) but still have the same speeds as just running factory settings that are just for absolutely minimizing effort

[@michaelrieser9928]

Clinton you ride probably more than most of us. You are the power that propels your bikes. I ride for enjoyment and fitness. When we get home I bet we are spent. I’m 59, sure if I was going out for 6 hours maybe an e mtb would be a good choice, but for now I just choose to ride 4 hours or less on my modern mullet hardtail or full suspension. I think we are just going to be less fit riding e bikes in the long run.

[@SmittyMTB]

I get a great workout on ebike. I keep it on the second level which is tour+ because the trails I ride are very techy and I find too much power can shoot you off the trail pretty easily. I'm dripping in sweat when I get back to the truck. There's so many trails I'd skip at my local park cause it's just too grueling and even the ones I was comfortable doing, I'd be dead tired after 10-12km. With an ebike I'm able to do way more trails I normally wouldn't do and get 16-20km in. Just depends on how you use it I guess. But yeah it would be way harder to get a workout on an XC trail using turbo lol.

[@groupnakub]

we not call motor great workout guy

[@NOK2014_Corfu_Activities]

Your thinking on ebikes are those of the newbies. everyone has been. That being said, expect to have a different opinion a couple of years later. I am not telling you anything. It is going to be your thinking when time has matured enough. GL!

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Great review. I did experience and confirm the sketchyness of analog bike after riding the e-mtb. Looking forward to your thoughts going forward once testing in the mountains ! 👍

[@EdgarSnowSki]

II had stumpy 2019 and got turbo levo last year, after riding e-bike for a while I realised there is no way back, e-bike feels more planted indeed, also reach is longer that’s why it feels more stable. I sold my stumpy and fully enjoying levo riding on trails or just commuting to local trail.

[@andy5478-MTB]

I have a 2021 Stumpy and got a Turbo Levo 2.5 weeks ago. I will likely sell the Stumpy in the spring as the Turbo Levo is so much more fun to ride (even in Eco mode). The extra distance and climbing I can do in the same time is introducing me to new trails. The extra weight does make it more stable for sure.

[@johnyounkin8603]

For me personally, an ebike would be like a toy since I love hardcore cardio and in fantastic shape. If I was 70 and not in great shape due to injuries or just the slowing down process I can see this is greatness! The only other thing i see it useful for is commuting and not get too much sweat on before work if you use it as transportation... For me personally, an ebike has no place.

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

amen

[@stackingdimes6939]

This is the first time I’ve ever heard anyone refer to a bike as analog bike lol. Damaging a mountain trail with a bicycle is not gonna happen. Mother Nature will change the trail faster than anything. But the video dose say you’re opinion so I can respect that.

[@ClintGibbs]

Yeah, “analog” is an industry term that is a bit weird. This is from Google Gemini: The term "analog bikes" is used to differentiate them from electric bikes (e-bikes) because they don't rely on electronic components to assist with propulsion. Here's a breakdown of the comparison: * Analog bikes: These are traditional bicycles that rely solely on human power to propel them. They have no electric motors or batteries. * Electric bikes (e-bikes): These bicycles have an electric motor that assists the rider's pedaling. They often have a battery to power the motor. The term "analog" is used because it refers to systems that use continuous physical quantities (like human muscle power) to represent information, as opposed to digital systems that use discrete numbers. In this case, the "analog" refers to the continuous physical effort of pedaling.

[@alistairhall5993]

Hi Clint, quite enjoyed your (very new) perspective on owning and riding your e-bike, quite entertaining. I don't normally comment much on vlogs with forums being where I'd comment time-to-time but what incenses me is what I call (in my opinion) provocative comments which keep fuelling this bizzar phenomenon being the 'Non E-bike trails', which seem especially prevalent in the States & parts of the UK (I in New Zealand S.I). It's nonsensical. You said that you with the heavier, more planted e-bike you had to be careful not to blow out corners, thereby damaging the trail. Get used to the bike weight first before riding so fast, it is a bit different for sure BUT a counter argument which I say holds up better to your claims, is a heavy person (or less skilled rider) on an acoustic bike, can and will do far more damaged through poor technique than a good rider on an e-bike. A good rider is a good rider, no matter what they ride. Here in the New Zealand there a very few trails I know of (unless National Park walks), that are excluding. I'm a trail builder for our local cities mtb club and all trails are built for all pedal-assist bikes. Hearing on overseas vlogs certain trails are No-Go to e-bikes gets me frustrated. Your thoughts back Clint and others please.

[@brennan43drift]

Muc Off has a tool for cleaning/lubing your chain...works great!

[@Harma224]

I got the exact bike. Looove that Ebike ! To clean the chain i just put it on the Park Tool Stand and it works fine. I even take it to downhill parks and have a blast!

[@intertube1000]

to clean the chain, I just use strap on the crank and chainring, and spin backward, easy peasy. my strap is like a mini waist belt, for tool strap, or you can use velcro strap.

[@skchalk]

I actually prefer my normal MTB, but having bought my son and E-bike and trying it i certainly do understand why ppl love em. I can get so many awesome long rides with elevation in about 1/2 the time, which is huge when you are super busy. And yea it feels really planted and solid. Usually I only run in ECO mode until i get to the street, and then I run trail or Boost just to get home since its just logging meaningless miles at that point. Good vid

[@MusicStillRules]

got levo 3 weeks ago, will never go back to analog bike, so much fun, and yes, you do get a workout, keep it in eco mode everywhere.

[@kountatalk]

What's with everyones gripe about getting a workout on the ebike? Who cares if someone else isnt getting the same workout as you? You dont get an ebike for the fitness. You get one for the fun of it. More downhill laps

[@outaouaispov5828]

Good response. Just have fun, be kind and be chill!

[@richchin5163]

Most honest talk about mtb ebikes I've heard. Thanks!

[@johnspooner4128]

I'm 74 and just started riding my e bike in the mountains here in the CO mountains and with the altitude it's definitely a game changer, problem is most trails around Boulder don't, allow e bikes but no one seems to mind, better to ask for forgiveness than permission sometimes.

[@TheRayDog]

Golden, CO here. No one is around to check. The irony is, e-bike users are not shredders. We're older, slower, more cautious. Youth is the best predictor of being hard on trails, not bike type.

[@Drforce2311]

62 years old and I’m having a blast on my Ebike. I can’t ride my regular bike nearly as long or as fast.

[@mytwocoins]

“My other bike is a bike”

[@PaulMoody]

Finishing off my 3rd season on my Turbo Levo (8250miles) and see no reason to ride an acoustic bike anymore. At 66yrs old, the ebike has unlocked so much of our mountainous terrain here in Stowe VT - both trail and gravel (yup emtbs are great gravel bikes too). I ride harder and longer than I ever did on an acoustic. And pain free (hips hurt at night after a big day on acoustic). Time for everyone to stop poo poo’ing emtbs and accept that they are good for you and more than double your riding fun as uphill is the new downhill. Only folks cheated by ebikes are those who are missing out on all the fun by riding acoustic bikes.

[@milktop1]

I know Stowe fairly well, what trails are you riding?

[@PaulMoody]

@@milktop1 Sterling Forest has allowed class1 emtb for 3 seasons, Cady Hill allowed them since last June, and Trapps and Adams Camp just opened up last week. I ride them all plus gravel all over Stowe, Elmore, Craftsbury and the NE Kingdom.

[@suspicioustumbleweed4760]

🤮 get a dirt bike

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

If you wanna great fork, put a Marzocchi coil kit in your Fox Rhythm 36. But, make sure you take into account the extra weight of the bike when choosing the correct spring.

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

I'm surprised you didn't get an SL

[@charleswhite7612]

@@cliffsangelsphotography agreed. I thought the same thing.👍😉 That weens people off the big battery & big motor and sort of forces you to ride it more like a regular bike.😉👍

[@cheddar76k]

Yup, I have an SL for local xc type trails, and just slap a battery in when I want to go bigger

[@ralva2779]

The Levo rocks! (I also jump back and forth from emtb to analog (XC) and understand well planted 😎🤘🏽)

[@lenolenoleno]

eMTBs (barring for people with physical limitations/disbilities etc) make more sense the more gravity fed your trails are. For me (my super local trails are very XC (and all your trails in all your vids are what I'd consider tame/XC trails) I'd prefer my normal MTB. For the trails I don't ride from my door, blacks and double blacks, they do allow me to focus on the technical side of my riding/hit steep/knar lines multiple times over. They have their use (but for sure if I had one MTB, it would not be an eMTB, it would be a regular Enduro bike). The logic between switching between the two has as much to do with it being an eBike as it does with it being a totally different genre of bike. It would be like riding a DH bike at Whister and not liking it because it doesn't let you "feel the trail" like your XC bike. Of course you're the common denominator in both equations and it's a matter of getting used to it (though again, you're really riding a eMTB where it doesn't really shine nor the category of bike. For those trails it is way over-biked).

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

you don't need to put in eco to get a workout it's just harder to keep your effort up to the same level in higher modes.

[@Sir-Kay]

The thing about electric is, one doesn't have to be lazy, or one can actually choose to be whatever they want on it. Soon as they cut the weight & PRICE to regular acoustic bikes, It'll be the best of both worlds. So, electric scooters for me.

[@markkligerman6861]

OK Clint, I’ve got a solution for you with the chain cleaning. Yes, use the Allen key but put a Pedro’s tire lever between the Allen key and the crank arm. It’s so easy to remove the Allen when you have the Pedro lever in between. I’m about halfway through your video and I think you’re exactly where you should be with levo. I would challenge you to write it in 30 or 35% with 20% ease when you get to the mountains. If you do that you should be able to get about 8000 feet in about 60 miles. And it’s like riding an Enduro bike on your best day.

[@Tomzzzzzz]

Interesting point about feeling more planted with the 2.6 tires and heavier e-bike. After recently having a horrible high speed crash due to losing front wheel traction (and end up in the hospital with a lot of broken bones), I'm really warming up to the e-bike idea.

[@outaouaispov5828]

Oh man! Sorry to hear about the crash. Get well and get out there and ride no matter what you decide to go with.

[@samdawson3383]

I had a levo, ended up selling it because I didn't like how it felt on XC trails. It felt great on more enduro-style trails. I realised after selling it that I had my expectations wrong by wanting it to feel the same on all trails as my regular bike. Keen to get another one soon, and maybe save it for rides where it shines.

[@tntrailrider7379]

I have the same bike and live in the East TN mountains and I ride my Izzo normally and use my Levo for mostly shuttling downhill trails. Great bike

[@hollenbeck2nowhere]

I am having my first motor replaced on my 2022 Turbo Levo. The bike is an absolute beast. I’ve ridden in bike parks and gnatly rock gardens. There’s a KZbin channel guy that works on Brose motors. I am getting some crank seals and a carbon belt from them to put on my Turbo Levo. Otherwise an awesome bike.

[@ZillaYT]

Use Velcro to wrap the drive side crank to a spline on the chain ring so you can rotate it backwards to move the chain.

[@andy5478-MTB]

Having had a Turbo Levo Comp for over 2 weeks now I can say I'll probably sell my Stumpjumper in the spring. I've been riding mostly in ECO mode and climbing is so much more fun and less draining. I don't get people just riding in Turbo mode--- buy a motocross bike instead. As for the e-bike I'm still getting great cardio with better HR zone management and I ride farther in the same period of time with more technical climbing. Example a 12.5Mi ride with 1700ft of ascent: on my Stumpy (no assist) took 3:23, no breaks and I was totally gassed before the end of the ride. Same ride on the Turbo Levo (85% Eco mode, 15% trail mode)took 1 hour less at 2:19, we took a 20 min break to enjoy the scenery and eat some apples--- felt great at the end of the ride. Tonight I'll take an 18.5Mi ride with 800ft of climbing. If it weren't for the Levo I'd do 1/2 that ride. Average Calorie burn/hour across multiple rides is 480/hour on the Stumpjumper and 460/hour on the Turbo Levo according to data from my Garmin Fenix--- again largely in Eco mode. (I've only used Turbo a couple of times just to see what it's like and the power is insane). I love the extra weight of the ebike when going over roots and rocks, both up and down. The range thus far mostly in Eco mode is fantastic. Across 4 rides totaling 41 miles, 3100 ft of climbing and 61% of battery used. I actually bought 2 Turbo Levo's as I also got 1 for my wife to replace her Stumpy. The best thing about the Levo so far is that now at the end of a brutal climb instead of her looking at me like "I want to kill you" she now has a smile on her face!🤣 These things are a crap ton of money especially when buying two of them. If I lived in FL which is much flatter than the finger lakes region of NY, eastern NY ADK region and VT, I'd probably not spend the money on an ebike.

[@IanWebster-q3j]

I had the same full powered Levo as you but sold it for a Levo SL. What a difference 10 pounds make. The 52 pound bike was just too much for the tight single track I prefer. My SL is right at 40 pounds and rides more like a regular bike. It turns faster and switches direction much better. It also slows down way faster. I would try and demo one you won't regret it.

[@rahulgupta2707]

2 months into riding my Transition Relay. I’ve had more crashes on the E-bike. Mostly uphill. Fractured ulna. Be careful. It really is a whole other ballgame.

[@awesomexistence]

Easy to overide your skill level. Local bike shop owner and skilled rider proved this several years ago demonstrating how he could negotiate trails faster and planted into a tree.

[@rahulgupta2707]

@@awesomexistence It’s the over confidence on an E-bike that will get you.

[@gainknowledgeandinsight]

Hey Clint. So funny. I’m on the fence about getting an eMTB. I have a Trek 9.8 XT slash (enduro) and top fuel. Love them both for different reasons (I got them both in 2024). I started to doubt my decision - and was saying to myself, why didn’t I buy an eMTB as my other bike. But after watching this, I’m glad I have both of my analogue bikes 😊 - I’m 57. I will get an eMTB one day for sure. Maybe at 60 (?). Seems like it’s fun - and I can use around town too. But I figure in 3 or so years the tech will be a lot better and the bike a lot lighter. I’ll def get the 900+ battery. Thanks for sharing.

[@pilotleader]

It really depends on where you ride. At our age, if you are doing big climbs, it is hard on the body and recovery time is needed if only analog. I've said elsewhere that eMTBs allow us more experienced folk to ride more.

[@gainknowledgeandinsight]

@@pilotleader man oh man isn’t they true I did a couple of long rides back to back this week and I didn’t have enough recovery between them. I rode late in the day on Friday and then late morning on Saturday - about the same distance - and I thought my lungs were going to come out of my chest - it was a suffer fest. So, I hope I can wait 2 - 3 years before I bite the bullet on an eMTB - because I’m sure the tech will improve and the older versions will be less expensive. Thanks for sharing!

[@jeffhuang5061]

when it comes down to it, just just another toy to make life more fun. and that's the whole point.... to have fun! Do I need step-in bindings on my snowboard instead of regular bindings? no, but it makes things more fun at my age. it's the same thing. i don't NEED an assisted motor on my bike but it sure makes it more fun at my age!

[@mikepurnell5645]

From someone who does not ride an Ebike your assessment is spot on. Especially when you talk about riding responsibly. My main gripe about Ebikes isn't the bike, it's the A-hole riding them. People with zero experience and zero trail etiquette either getting in over their head and crashing into others around blind corners, or not yielding when appropriate to do so. Your Epiphany about switching back and forth from the Levo to the Spur makes me wonder if you should have bought an SL Ebike that feels more like a proper mtb?

[@newttella1043]

There's a-holes that were never fast riders. Now that they can actually pass other riders, they have no clue how to do it safely or politely. In fact I feel they enjoy being a trail bully.

[@streddaz]

@@newttella1043 some may do that but it's not the majority. That's the same mentality that cyclists get accused of never obeying red lights. Sure, some don't but the majority do. Also, there's a pretty big assumption that all Ebike riders are noobs, when in fact, most have been riding for decades, but it's the noobs with no trail etiquette that give the majority the bad name.

[@outaouaispov5828]

Your first sentence confused me, but then you rallied back with the user being an A-hole. I agree, its less about the type of bike and more about the attitude.

[@redwingsgo12]

And you think everyone with an ebike is this way, how are you any better?

[@downundermtb4744]

I have the Rail 9 these days for self shuttling and having a blast.. I double the distance I did in the past with other bikes,this bike is a little longer for a Medium frame and feels planted. I just ride it in Tour mode.. Getting workouts for sure.. The fuel ex8 is gathering dust and still comes in handy from time to time.. I’ve been riding my Gravel bike mostly on every other day…

[@loganrhodes1741]

Do shuttle laps and the novelty doesn’t wear off…

[@frankmiller668]

I just picked up a Husqvarna MC-4 what an interesting experience. I'm climbing up the race ski hill at my local resort how much fun is that! It will take some changes in riding technique, realize right away you are on a heavier ride and have respect for that when running DH flow trails. I'm changing out the Fox 35s for Fox Float 38 before I ride DH again. With the extra weight, you need the heavier more sensitive forks. Enjoy the ride

[@LoamerMTB]

Another cool thing is making a 38 lb DH bike feel like a light flicky trail bike after riding a 56 lb ebike. 😂

[@endymion8672]

I think you're getting a little closer to the ebike world with every video you do on this subject... looking forward to your impressions on long, steep and maybe technical climbs in the mountains😀

[@BlackMan614]

I understand the "sketchy" feeling. I get it going from my super lightweight hardtail to my full suspension. It's the weight, pure and simple. Thanks for an honest assessment. It is so hard on YT to get honest reviews on eBikes. It is nothing more than paid advertisements and the bike companies feel that selling eBikes is the only way out of their financial morass, coupled with all of the overweight, out-of-shape folks out there looking for an easy way out of their own personal morass. hehe

[@PaulSelka-b9b]

I’m 65 and I try to ride my e-bike everyday, i don’t drive so for me it’s a God send

[@justinharrell9256]

Full Levo in turbo is the extreme opposite of analog bike, you really need to try a Levo SL, 10 lbs lighter much easier to manhandle and feels more like an analog bike, less planted. Def can get a workout with the SL, but can still shuttle in the mountains especially for a lighter fit person. Full Fat Levo is great bike and really nice out west doing 5k elevation change, love doing that, but SL is better in the east IMO. Chainring spin issue no big deal since allen wrench is in multitool right in stem.

[@alaskathespeedofplay2724]

I am one of the first to view this! Awesomeness! I love how you and I have shared a very similar progression through bikes and types of riding. From the Trance to my Sentinels to this Spur and my now to my latest e-bike curious wonderings. 😂 Your thoughts and experiments and experiences have been pivotal for me along my journey. Thank you Clint! You need to come up to Alaska and ride with us!

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

E-bikes are emblematic of modern society’s desire for instant gratification. Instead of slowly building fitness and technique over time, e-bikes offer an easy shortcut to experiencing the outdoors with minimal physical effort. While this can open up access for those who may not be able to ride traditional bikes due to age or disability, for able-bodied riders, it reduces the reward that comes from working hard and achieving a goal under one’s own power. In a broader societal context, e-bikes reflect a shift toward convenience and speed, mirroring how technology often replaces effort in daily life. The drive for quicker, easier experiences means that riders may miss out on the deeper, long-lasting satisfaction that comes from gradual improvement and personal achievement.

[@DSC800]

Nahhh. Ebike's increase the overall enjoyment of riding by reducing the time and effort required during the least enjoyable part of the ride and increasing the most enjoyable ride time.

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

@@DSC800 hench, not mountain biking. And motorized machines not welcomed on the bicycle trials by actual mountain bikers.

[@Jacob99174]

Let’s keep our eyes 👀 on Clint’s waistline, will begin to grow now 😂

[@ClintGibbs]

Won’t happen. Health and fitness are a top priority. 🙂

[@Nick-cs5yc]

Ebike is great for those that can afford it, and for those that are injured and to get places!!

[@markorjoycedehaan2855]

How much of the "planted feel" is due solely to the wider tire?

[@goldenstardust]

I ziptie my crank to the chainring to enable back peddling when I clean the chain of my eMTB.

[@xXWiNXx]

hey Clint, just buy a Muc off e-bike drivetrain tool for rotating your e-bike chain like a regular one. It will save you a world of annoyance. Your welcome. 🤙

[@patrickgibbons8353]

Clint,so happy someone else finds going from emtb back to analog is a drastic change, bike felt so light and twitchy! I had zero confidence!!😩

[@runelarsen2492]

I also switch back and forth between my xco racer KTM Scarp and my Giant Trance e+ and going from 203mm. 4 piston brakes for 160mm 2 piston is really a challenge. you really have to try and race on an e bike, I did a 70 minute xco race yesterday, I had an average heart rate of 146 (86% of max) and burned 1026 kcal. according to Garmin. I rode in the second highest level trail+. I would guess it is 10% below what would have been my effort on my xco racer. It must be said that I live in Denmark, one of the flattest countries in the EU. there was not a hill that was more than 15 meters high. had a blast

[@mray8519]

Over 5 decades riding Italian steel road bikes, always pushing hard. Nowadays it’s a fat tire e-bike around town and an E-MTB full suspension on the trails. E-bikes are the future IMHO.

[@dadventuretv2538]

You will get used to switching between them or you ride them both. Now my analog bikes just feel light and flick in a good way. However, they also feel slow and boring af too. Lol. You are going to love it in the mountains at the Fredrick watershed the trail three saw normally takes me 25 minutes to go up and then when I get to the top, I have to take a breather, a fair amount of water before dropping in. I have two maybe three climbs at the sense in on an analog. On an E bike 12 minutes take a quick swig of water at the top and drop right in. And can easily do 6 to 10 runs. I will warn you, however, you will get a much better upper body workout doing downhill on an e-mountain bike. You won’t notice it while doing it because with the speed, the bikes get off the ground pretty well, but the next day you will feel it in your back and shoulders.

[@skinny8019]

please for the love of god....bike and ebike....not analog...not acoustic....just bike and ebike....please god ol mighty.... bike or ebike. loll

[@FrankLempka]

Bike or moped

[@skinny8019]

@@FrankLempka used to feel that way...until i got a trek exe...at 36 lbs...its a blast...use it on fun days where i have already put in good workouts on my bikes.

[@igorgetsin3646]

$25 rollers from Amazon or Harbor freight, sold for motorcycles but work awesome for ebikes. You still have to prop it and may be zip tie front brake, but saves your back from having to lift it.