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TO "E" OR NOT TO "E"

Should you go full "E?" Tim from ONtrail shares his thoughts on riding an e-Mountain Bike.


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I recently had the chance to ride a very sweet e-mountain bike. It was my third time riding an e-mountain bike, but the first time I got to test a high-quality e-mountain bike on my home trails, head-to-head against my beloved acoustic rig.


Our local trail system features everything you want: fast flow, steep climbs (both punchy and grinding), technical sections, and spicy descents. Some sections I clean every time on my own bike, others I don’t. So this felt like a fair, honest test.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SPEED AND STABILITY ON THE DESCENT

The trail kicks off with a fast descent that always sets the tone. This e-mountain bike felt great right out of the gate. It handled the tight hairpin turns confidently, and while I’m not sure it was faster than my own bike, it felt every bit as fun. The weight of the bike added a planted feeling and helped carry momentum without compromising control. That theme kept coming up again and again.


LEARNING CURVE: CLIMBING WITH A BOOST

Climbing on an e-mountain bike definitely requires recalibrating your gearing and cadence. On the way out, the familiar tight chicane section that I usually tackle with ease on my acoustic bike suddenly became unpredictable—I shot into the bushes a few times before figuring out the power delivery. That’s not a knock against e-mountain bikes; it's just the reality of adapting to the torque and pedal assist that all e-bikes bring.

Once dialled in, though? Climbing felt like cheating—but in the best possible way.


THE IMPOSSIBLE CLIMB: CONQUERED… MOSTLY

There’s one legendary section of trail we call The Impossible Climb. Very few in our group clean it consistently. Riding with assistance? Still tough—but I cleared a particularly nasty stretch I rarely make on my acoustic rig, thanks to the assist and a bit of newfound confidence.

This is where e-mountain bikes shine. When you learn to harness the motor’s power, especially in low-speed technical climbs or when you’re caught off guard by sudden elevation changes, it opens up trail possibilities that feel just out of reach on a regular bike.


INSTANT POWER IS A GAME-CHANGER

Whether you’re stuck in the wrong gear, surprised by a techy section, or digging through an endless rock garden, the ability to lay down power instantly is a serious advantage. It’s not just about going faster—it’s about maintaining flow and confidence.

By the end of our ride, we were hot, sweaty, smiling—and still had gas left in the tank, both figuratively and literally.


SO… SHOULD YOU GO FULL E?

Here’s the thing: e-mountain bikes are amazing. No question. But I’m still holding off for now. Why?

  • I love my own bike. It’s a do-it-all machine, and the only thing holding it back is… me.

  • None of my riding crew has gone full e-mountain bike—yet. And going solo on an e-mountain bike while your friends are suffering uphill just feels weird.

  • Cost is a real factor. Adding another bike to the stable isn’t always in the cards.


Would I recommend e-mountain bikes to someone who’s considering it? Absolutely. If e-mountain bikes get more people riding more trails, more often—and with less intimidation—then I’m all in.


FINAL THOUGHTS: E-BIKE CURIOUS?

E-bikes are playful, capable, and fun, and they don’t take the soul out of riding—it just turns up the volume a bit. If you’re even a little bit curious, I say: go demo one. Just be warned—you might not want to give it back.


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