Talk me into or out of buying an eMTB

Equipment
21

Yup same on the SL.

Super convenient.

1 Like
22

I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting a MTB, and have also been kicking around the idea of an e-bike to commute on. E-mtb seems like it would solve both things for me…

23

It works for some but it wouldn’t work for me.

The best eMTBs are class 1… assist cuts out at 20mph.

For commuting I want at least a 28mph class 3. I can jailbreak a class 1 but the gearing is still too low.

24

Hmm. Yea I looked into it quick today, 20mph seems to be the tops.

I have no idea how to jailbreak anything. But couldnt you just throw a 46 tooth chainring on and be good to go?

25

Depends on the bike, but at least on Specialized Levo and Kenevo bikes, the max chainring size is only around 38t.

Jailbreaking used to be done on a bluetooth app, but now it requires a physical chip.

26

I’m going to have to keep an eye out for you out here in SD. If I get lucky I can get a little motor pacing in.

1 Like
27

My wife has an e-bike. It’s a Specialized hybrid, she uses it for commuting and gravel. I also have several friends with e-MTBs.

First, make sure the bike can take a range-extender/extra battery. I know some Specialized and some Trek can do this. Published range is best-case, an intense ride will burn through that battery super fast. This is true off-road even more than on pavement.

The Specialized e-bikes usually report power just like any other wireless sensor (there’s a profile for e-bike metrics that includes power, battery state, maybe some other stuff). Not sure if Trek (or others) use this profile. Something to check, as that will allow you to train with power, without figuring out how to get a PM on the bike.

My wife will join me on outdoor interval workouts (me on analog, she on e-bike). She couldn’t do that on her analog bike.

My friends with eMTBs use them to keep up with faster/fitter friends, especially on longer rides (2+ hours). Some of them are pretty fit themselves, some not so much, either way, none are abusing the ‘e’ part of the bike - it’s just an aid to keep up with friends.

They’re all on name-brand bikes, not the Amazon/Alibaba specials that are more like mini-dirt bikes than bicycles. Class 1 or 3, mostly, I believe.