Why Electric Mountain Bikes Could Also Be Interesting for You!

• The Key Features of an E-MTB
• Who Would Be Best Suited to an Electric Mountain Bike?
• Which Electric Mountain Bike Is Right for Me?
  • The E-MTB Motor Concept
  • E-MTB Full Suspension – With Front and Rear Suspension
  • E-MTB Hardtails – Lighter and Affordable
• Equipment and Accessories Especially for Electric Mountain Bikes
  • Bike Parts for Off-Road E-Bikes
  • All You Need to Know about E-MTB Drive Systems
  • The Best Accessories for Electric Mountain Biking
• Buy the Best Electric Mountain Bikes at BIKE24
  • Entry-Level Bikes
  • Mid-Price Electric Mountain Bikes
  • Premium Mountain Bikes with an Electric Motor
• Finance and Leasing Plans for Electric Mountain Bikes
• How Will My E-MTB Be Delivered?

With older or low-budget models, you can often spot them straightaway by the motor. It’s cradled in a specially-designed frame mounted fairly prominently in the bottom bracket area. 
Luckily that image of a motor added on like a foreign object has largely been consigned to the past.

The models on sale in the BIKE24 online shop often have such good drive system integration that you probably wouldn’t even realise it was an E-MTB at first glance.
Furthermore the frame geometry stands out compared with city bikes and trekking e-bikes with its shallow steering angle and obvious sloping top tube – also referred to as sloping geometry. The seat angle is often somewhat steeper than mountain bikes without motors. This design allows the additional power to be transferred to the ground optimally even when riding uphill.
Another way to tell whether it’s an off-road pedelec is to see what kind of tires are fitted. E-MTBs often have deep-treaded knobby tires that are usually marked with a specific E-bike label on the sidewall. What you can’t see is that the tire carcasses have additional reinforcement.

Almost all e-bikes have suspension, partly because of the extra weight, and partly because of the higher speeds or forces generated. But hardtail electric mountain bikes provide longer suspension travel compared with everyday e-bikes, and full-suspension E-MTBs even have front and rear suspension as well as dampers.
Since an electric mountain bike doesn’t come with a luggage rack, manufacturers often integrate the rechargeable battery into the down tube.
To sum up, an E-MTB provides all the features of a modern mountain bike.

When considering mountain biking in rural and mountainous regions, plenty of ambitious cyclists have often faced insurmountable hurdles.
Another thing is that many of the starting points for promising trail areas are found in off-putting valley locations. If there’s no lift or shuttle, the route to the start is very hard work, or it puts some people off all-terrain riding altogether.

But these problems are a thing of the past with modern electric mountain bikes. Electric mountain bikes combine the versatile off-road properties of mountain bikes with the appealing additional power of an electric motor. This makes it particularly interesting for people with sporting ambitions and physical limitations, as well as newcomers to MTB sports. They effectively expand your scope of activity to public forest trails and footpaths, as well as making uphill routes that might have otherwise seemed too steep into a tempting prospect.
A special treat: Uphill terrain that used to be more of a single-track experience suddenly becomes a lot of fun with an E-MTB. And you can hone your technical skills right from day one. You’ve conquered the mountain, but there’s no gasping for breath, no leg cramps – something’s not right. But don’t worry, we can reassure you – as long as your battery’s charged, this pleasant experience is going to be a regular event for you.

On the way down there’s heaps of potential for some cool downhill action, especially with fully-suspended E-MTBs. However, when you’re choosing the difficulty level or steepness of the terrain, you must be sure to take the extra weight into account, and familiarise yourself slowly with particularly technical singletrack trails.

E-MTBs confront riders with different handling challenges in downhill situations. You can also expect more arm pump on longer descents, especially with E-MTB hardtails. We recommend a short warm-up circuit with a few dry runs before your first proper tour. This gives you a chance to optimise your riding position and adapt to your bike’s motorised power and especially braking distance. It’s also important to be aware of your suspension fork action, and shock absorber if fitted, bearing in mind the following aspects: Is the spring travel on your suspension working properly and cushioning impact? Is there a bouncy ball effect, so that your E-MTB nearly throws you off when the ground’s uneven?

Depending on how your bike handles, you can get the right E-MTB accessories, such as a shock pump, to tweak your set-up until it’s optimal. If you reach the correct pressure but your suspension bottoms out quickly, something called a spring token might be useful. However, you need some expertise and specialist tools to fit them to an E-MTB as well. Easy-to-understand instructions are available from the fork or damper manufacturer, while the right kind of tokens and suitable tools can be purchased from BIKE24.

Mountain bike pedelec, e-mountain bike, S-pedelec – is it all too confusing?

We’ve put together all the common types of mountain e-bikes and their features in the following table:

*At the moment, only off-road pedelecs (assisted speed up to 25 km/h) classified as MTB E-bike are available at BIKE24.

Furthermore you can find specific E-MTBs for women in our online shop. Electric mountain bikes for women, in contrast with men’s E-MTBs and unisex models, are often available in particularly small frame sizes. Many women’s electric mountain bikes additionally offer a low standover height thanks to their trapezoidal frame with significantly lower top tube. This benefits smaller female riders when mounting and dismounting even in rough terrain, and reduces fall risk. With regard to outfitting, women’s bikes feature optimised saddles and customised handlebar width. The suspension of E-MTB hardtails and particularly full-suspension bikes for women is factory-set for the lower weight of the female rider. Of course taste varies, but compared to equivalent models in the men’s E-MTB range there is a tendency towards stylish colours for a stunning look.
But female riders taller than 160 cm, as well as those with previous MTB experience can equally well opt for a men’s electric mountain bike or a unisex model.

We’ve got a positive message for you right from the start here: The mid-mounted motor principle has become established with almost all complete electric mountain bikes, and for good reason. It combines easily controllable power influences, unobtrusive cabling, a mass distribution similar to that of MTBs despite the extra weight, and a low centre of gravity. 

To ensure that the ride offers a really authentic bike feel, power from the mid-mounted motor is transferred straight to the chain. With this category of e-bike motor, its power is always used in a supporting capacity with the help of sophisticated sensors for speed, crank revolutions and rider performance. Unlike front- and rear-mounted motors, this doesn’t cause such an unaccustomed pulling sensation from the front wheel or pushing from behind. And what’s more this drive system is a power-saving option for electric mountain bikes. Since electric mountain biking involves alternating quickly between uphill and downhill riding, as well as speed on bends, the motor software is set up to ensure smooth support even with frequent terrain changes. 
Front wheel traction is often crucial to making it round the bend, which means that the mid-mounted motor is also an advantage when riding through tight bends. It’s practically impossible to skid out sideways as a result of uncontrolled torque on the front or rear wheel. 
Incidentally, do you know the difference between torque, nominal power and peak power?

In short the torque, measured in Nm, describes the force that causes acceleration. If the torque is high, even a heavy E-MTB will be quick off the mark.

The power in watts on the other hand provides information on how easily a certain speed can be maintained. The continuous rated power stated by manufacturers describes the average effective power that can be delivered continuously by an electric motor without overheating in a period of 30 minutes. In reality, modern E-MTBs with mid-mounted motors can even manage to deliver over 800 watts for a short period if the rotation speed is high enough. So in the truest sense, how much output your motor delivers is in your own hands. To combine the motor’s power with your own to optimum effect, the ideal choice of gear is one that allows you to achieve at least a cadence (pedal frequency) of 70 rpm and higher. A high cadence like that has a positive effect on the motor, but it also has biomechanical and physiological benefits for the rider’s power development. And your knees will thank you for it too!

Because of the proximity to the battery, which tends to be attractively integrated into the down tube nowadays, the mid-mounted motor position on E-MTBs means far less cable routing inside the frame or unsightly external routing. Plus this design makes the bike less fault-prone and cleaner-looking. Despite the ever-increasing level of integration, e-bike manufacturers are opting for a sustainable and user-friendly fitting drive system integration. This means riders can replace the motor and change the battery themselves. A handy side effect of that is that you can also attach your drinks bottle where it belongs on these bikes – on the down tube. 

Steep yet pleasantly challenging mountain rides with sustained ground contact and downhill fun involving jumps and drops – all that too is only possible thanks to the mid-mounted motor concept. The majority of the motor and battery mass is positioned so efficiently that the mass distribution is fairly similar to that of a normal mountain bike. As a result there are no unwanted wheelies, and the E-MTB doesn’t tip uncontrollably on downhill jumps and narrow hairpins.

With such clear benefits it’s no wonder that all complete E-MTBs at BIKE24 are fitted with mid-mounted motors.
A concept embraced by many manufacturers – complete bike brands use motors from suppliers like Bosch and Shimano, but the scope is also enriched by in-house developments such as Specialized or Giant.

Bear in mind the following points from our drive system checklist, so you can compare them before buying your E-MTB:

• How well is the motor integrated into the frame, is it attached via a frame structure or fixed directly to the bike? → This lowers the overall weight and increases ground clearance in the bottom bracket area.
• Number of different power levels or assistance settings → How much additional power do you need, how fit are you at the moment?
• As well as the maximum range, the range depending on assistance mode should be rated as well → Do I need the same levels of power continuously? How effective is the motor at converting energy into propulsion?
• What is the maximum torque? → The motor manufacturers often quote the nominal power (continuous) as the primary statistic. However, the acceleration power, which depending on ride mode can be transferred to the crankshaft, provides more information and is comparable.
• Is the power transferred internally to the crankshaft via plastic or metal gears or a belt? → That would affect the operating noise levels and motor vibration.
• Is the motor encased in a magnesium housing? → Further weight savings in the balance
• Does the motor have an internal freewheel? → With the freewheel feature, the motor is decoupled from the crankshaft at any speed above 25 km/h, which ensures a more natural ride, especially downhill.
• How does the drive system fit into the overall frame length? → If you’re hoping for a playful trail-riding experience, shorter chain stays and a steering angle that’s not too flat in relation to the overall weight could be advantageous.
• In line with which standard is the motor protected from environmental factors → Full-blooded E-MTB enthusiasts who aim to be active all year round should make sure they choose a protection classification of at least IP56 (includes protection against strong water jets).

When they talk about full suspension on the cycling scene, they mean a fully sprung bike with mobile suspension front and rear. There’s a sprung fork at the front and a rear suspension pivot system with sprung shocks. This structure has the advantage that the wheels can move almost independently of the frame and rider to handle impact and rough terrain. Also the forces arising when an obstacle is encountered are not transferred 1:1 to the bike and rider. In an ideal situation they are comfortably absorbed whilst the bike maintains ground contact. This suspension concept has long been established for mountain bikes is also perfect for E-MTBs, because the mass requiring suspension is higher as a result of the additional weight of the E-bike frame, motor, battery and control unit. Because of the mass distribution – more inert sprung mass – the suspension is even in some cases more efficient than you would get with very lightweight fully suspended MTBs without a motor. Thanks to these properties and an often flatter steering angle, full suspension electric mountain bikes – providing they have enough spring travel – provide good ground contact even on rough trail rides and downhill. The rider is less stressed and able to concentrate on steering and braking.

Where there’s light, there’s also a little shade. Full-suspension electric mountain bikes usually have a much higher entry-level price than E-MTB hardtails and there’s more potential for things to go wrong with the suspension.

An E-mountain bike hardtail in contrast to a full-suspension E-MTB has a rigid chainstay and a sprung fork. The sprung fork makes the front axle more mobile and absorbs impact. The less complicated design reduces the entry-level price and means that E-MTB hardtails are sometimes lighter even with the same frame materials. This factor has a favourable effect on handling as well as range. The lack of rear suspension makes off-road hardtail e-bikes more suitable as practical everyday all-rounders: it makes a neat e-bike for an urban environment or rural setting, and if necessary it’s also fit for moderate all-terrain use.

However, if you’re looking at electric mountain biking in the mountains with steep downhill trails, rocky sections, tree roots, jumps, drops and so on, it can quickly get too much for the suspension on an E-MTB hardtail, not to mention the rider. This is firstly because the spring travel extent is limited (usually no more than around 120 mm) and secondly because of the higher unsprung mass. A quick succession of obstacles or bumps generates enormous forces in a bike without suspension, and these are transferred very directly from the rear wheel to the frame and rider. The worst case scenario is that your E-MTB will develop an uncontrollable wobble. In some cases riders have so much arm pump by the end that it can completely put them off trail riding again.

Entry-level E-MTBs at BIKE24 are solid pieces of kit and designed for high-performance riding on challenging trails. At the same time they also offer plenty of potential for bike part upgrades, with mechanical, electrical or simple components. Since electric mountain bikes also have all the characteristics of non-motorised mountain bikes, the same tuning options are also available.

Starting with e-bikes brakes – it’s essential to take the extra weight into account here. To achieve more braking power and stability, we recommend either larger brake discs e.g. with a diameter of 203 mm. Or if you want even more delay and better dosability, try combining the large disc with heavy-duty 4-piston calipers on the front wheel. Some brake manufacturers also offer special models with a motor cut-off switch on the brake lever.

If the system weight (bike + rider + luggage) can easily exceed the 100 kg mark and higher speeds can be achieved faster, this also increases the demands on the wheels. They need to be more stable and rigid – yet they still need to be durable. But if you’re now envisaging a heavy wheelset with lots of thick spokes and massive rims, you’re going to be surprised by the performance data for modern E-MTB wheels. These wheels are so solid and yet so light compared with similar mountain bike variants that they are also called hybrid models.

With regard to suspension, in other words forks and shocks, we recommend that your first step is to check your existing set-up. With hydraulic springs, this means checking the air pressure using a shock pump and correcting it if necessary. Most manufacturers produce optimised pressure tables especially for E-MTBs. If the bike handling is poor and the suspension feels too hard having done that, something called a spring token might be useful. With less common steel-sprung forks and shocks, harder springs are worth a try.
If you’d prefer a generally stiffer fork or a shock with more settings, you’re better off going for the suspension ranges of shocks and suspension forks specially designed for electric mountain bikes.

Another important theme for any kind of e-bike is which bike tires to use. Because of the increased weight and faster acceleration they are subject to more wear. Furthermore by fitting folding tires you can quickly and affordably shave a few grammes off your bike compared with the factory-fitted tires. The tires you can buy on the bike parts market have additional model specifications, such as E-25, E-50, E-MTB, EMC or E-Ready. For an E-MTB or S-pedelec with a top speed of up to 45 km/h, you should make sure you buy tires with the ECE-R75 test label. That will keep you on safe footing.
Generally speaking, knobby tires for electric mountain bikes, which are often reinforced anyway, usually have a sturdier carcass, more durable sidewalls and enhanced puncture protection on the tread.

What about reducing the gear range and weight of the gear parts by fitting a new gearing system – can you do that with an E-MTB as well? Yes, that’s possible, because most electric mountain bikes are fitted with a standard derailleur gear system. However, individual manufacturers also offer special gear components designed specifically for E-MTBs, including a cassette with a lower number of gears, a more stable gearing system and gear levers with only one gear change per click. The idea of that is to eliminate chain damage caused by increased gear stress during uphill rides as a result of the extra power from the motor. Tips from the editors: The best way to take the strain off yourself and your E-MTB drive system is to use the full transmission range and achieve a pedal frequency of 70 rpm and more.

As with a normal bike, the pedals are another effective way of reducing the weight of a motorised off-road bike. The retrofit crank arms made of hollow-forged aluminium or even lighter carbon are available for various crankshaft mounts. It’s relatively easy to replace them yourself on your E-MTB. To ensure that everything fits, make sure you check your motor’s crank standard. You can also customise the chainring setup on your electric mountain bike with the common 104 mm, 4-arm chainring.
Finally a few words on bike parts in the cockpit and seat area. As with a non-powered mountain bike, the best way to achieve weight tuning advantages is to use carbon or milled aluminium parts.

With handlebars and a seatpost made from carbon, a lightweight saddle with clamp and aluminium front suspension, you can quickly save quite a lot of weight. And visually your bike will definitely stand out from the crowd with customised parts too. When choosing lightweight components, you should check the manufacturer weight certification and whether they are approved for e-bike use.

CAUTION: With electric mountain bikes that require a licence, they cease to be road-legal if you replace parts such as brakes, suspension parts, tires or even the frame with non-authorised parts. If you have any questions we recommend that you contact your E-MTB manufacturer.

There are also tweaks you can make to the e-bike drive system to improve on the factory settings. For ranges around 40 km where pedal assist is used consistently in everyday conditions, many electric mountain bikers will find a spare battery – also known as a range extender – the most interesting option to consider. In BIKE24 Shop you can find a large number of rechargeable batteries that are ideal for the e-bikes we sell and the drivetrains fitted in the bikes. 
Many of the replacement or additional batteries currently on the market are also compatible with earlier models and offer higher energy density despite being the same physical design. Like bricks in your backpack: Since the additional battery to replace the main battery also adds to the bike’s weight and takes up a lot of space in your rucksack, E-MTB manufacturers also offer some exciting transport alternatives. One of those is the space-saving, lightweight range extender shaped like a drinks bottle. Of course some sacrifices have been made with the capacity of this additional battery. To theoretically double the range or ideally increase it even more, you need an electric mountain bike that supports dual battery operation. These electric mountain bikes usually have a bracket for the second battery as well as a discreetly concealed battery integrated into the frame. It’s linked to the system via a charging socket. The e-bike drive systems frequently rely on the additional battery first. The range shown on the display or battery is based on the capacity of the second battery – not the combined capacity. What else is the range dependent on?

• level of motor assist and defined peak power
• terrain
• rider/system weight
• speeds and ratio up to 25 km/h
• temperature
• number of starts/stops
• rider pedal power

If you already know before buying that you plan to go on longer tours or ride for a few days without access to power, it’s a good idea to order the right battery with the bike. For frequent riders and households with several electrically assisted MTBs with the same drive system, we also recommend purchasing a rapid charger.

As with all modern electronic systems, the user interface and information is particularly important with the E-MTB. Interaction is frequently via the display of the on-board computer (or central control unit) in combination with a speed level controller. Whereas basic displays only provide information about the riding mode, speed, residual capacity and range, more complex on-board computers for electric bike serve as true digital multi-talents. As well as diverse connectivity options with sports sensors, today’s e-bikes also feature special app control so you can control the drive system with your smartphone and also navigate like you would in a car. The motor control function can include selecting the assistance level, peak power, acceleration sensitivity and a feature known as shuttle mode. Furthermore you can run a diagnostics program if you have problems, using an existing online connection to perform actions such as running firmware and app updates, receiving push notifications during your ride and sharing your live status on social media.

All cycling disciplines have their own specific outfitting accessories, from close-fitting racewear for road bike riders to sturdy shoes for step-in pedals for mountain bikers.

So it comes as no surprise that you can buy specialist electric mountain bike accessories. Let’s start with the most important things: rider protection. Higher speeds and longer braking distances also mean that your head and body can be subject to higher impact forces if you fall off. Specific helmets for electric mountain biking usually have a shell construction that fits lower on the head and is reinforced, alongside the usual features. A helmet is required when riding an electric mountain bike with motor assistance up to 45 km/h in the UK. 
We also think special E-MTB trail rucksacks are a great idea. In addition to the usual compartments for the hydration bladder, they also provide extra inside pockets to protect and transport a second battery (aka range extender) and the display. With entry-level prices starting at around €2,000, our list of practical kit also includes a lock appropriate to the high value of the E-MTB. Many of the big-name manufacturers now make variants that make a noise to send thieves packing.

It isn’t just thieves who like to move around in the dark; lots of E-MTB fans love exciting night rides too. So what better idea than fitting your E-MTB with trail lighting. The great thing is that you can wire the front light and also the rear one for use in traffic into the onboard electrics to make it a permanent feature powered by the E-MTB motor. Furthermore the available e-bike lights are bright and licensed for road use. You don’t need a heavy hub dynamo or the hassle of charging clip-on lights. The lamps can simply be connected to some motors via a 6 or 12 volt port, but otherwise the motor has to be opened and activated at software level by a bicycle mechatronics engineer. Our friendly BIKE24 customer service team can help you quickly and easily if you have questions about the most suitable lighting for your E-MTB.

The list of potential accessories is long. In the BIKE24 Shop you can find all the right parts and equipment for E-MTBs by using the search function or looking in the E-BIKE parts category. In the individual categories it’s easy to filter specific e-bike accessories.

But we’ve got one last secret tip for owners of an E-MTB with mid-mounted motor: if you take your bike out in all absolutely all weathers and all terrains and give it some abuse, you definitely need something to protect your motor. You can find the right skidplate for many motors by contacting the manufacturer. Also you could consider a neoprene cover for your motor to protect it from water and dirt.

In our online shop we always list the best new E-MTB products by top brands like Cube, Specialized, Cannondale, Focus, Scott, Giant and Santa Cruz.
Our hardtails and full-suspension E-MTBs are all fitted with mid-mounted motors and you will find the right bike for any discipline, e.g. trail riding or enduro.
To ensure that you can find the right model to suit your needs here at BIKE24, we’ve summarised the key features with regard to frame and outfitting:

• usually E-MTBs with unsprung aluminium frame, sprung forks and solid components
• versatile with plenty of entry-level trail fun thanks to pedal assist motors that are often rated 250 watts (nominal power)
• price category starting around €2,000
• fairly good assisted range thanks to batteries with approx. 500 Wh capacity, but plenty of room for improvement in mid and premium products → range extender
• frame and accessories tend to be heavy and particularly solid, transmission range can sometimes be restrictive with poor gradation, suspension frequently only in front with spring travel of around 120 mm → plenty of tuning potential

• mid-price E-MTBs at BIKE24 start at around €3,500
• for all that money you get the real deal for trail, enduro and even downhill
• the majority of them are designed as a full suspension frame concept
• many frames are made of aluminium but there are also a few made of that high-end lightweight material, carbon
• 1x12-speed drive trains in all models with wide range and deeper suspension with longer spring travel depending on application
• 250 to 450 watt motors provide plenty of thrust in all situations thanks to the low overall weight.

• premium E-MTBs are dominated by lightweight carbon frames
• only full-suspension bikes for maximum comfort
• hight quality, weight-optimised mechanical and even electrical gear components
• with top-end models costing over €10,000 you will find carbon in wheels and attachments too
• lightweight, high-performance sprung forks and shocks
• thanks to a low overall weight you can sometimes get smaller batteries that will still manage higher ranges and assist power (250 to a respectable 450 watts)
• or batteries with higher capacities so you can spend even longer enjoying your electric mountain bike
• the lightest full suspension electric mountain bikes in this category come in at a weight less than 20 kg.

Have you chosen a specific model and you’re ready to order? Great, so the next step is to choose the right frame size.

You can use our frame size guide to find out what size you need for electric mountain bikes too. You will find a link on the bike product page, underneath the price section.
During the order process we also offer you a chance to get in contact with one of our qualified service engineers. All you have to do is check the box marked “Yes, I’d like to use the free advice service” under the option for buying advice.
If you need support before you’ve ordered, you’re welcome to contact our expert BIKE24 customer service team.

Are you impressed by the added value that an E-MTB offers as an individual means of sport transport, but your budget can’t cope with the outlay? No problem, you can easily get your dream bike by taking out a finance plan with affordable payments.

Do you live in Germany? Then you can apply for 0% finance (over a 6-12 month term) for your E-MTB. Next to the product description you can find our sample finance plan and all the information you need to set it up. If you have any questions, you are welcome to speak to our BIKE24 Service Team in confidence.

A mountain e-bike is the perfect way to find peace and tranquillity away from the everyday stress of your job, but it’s also ideal for cycling to work all year round. Wouldn’t it be great if your employer would support you with such a sustainable purchase? Many companies are already doing this in the form of a cycle-to-work bike leasing scheme. Maybe yours does too; it’s always worth checking with your HR department.
BIKE24 has a collaborative arrangement with JOBRAD GmbH. If your employer is signed up to this scheme, there is nothing standing in the way of your bike lease.

Mountain bikes with motor assist are something really special in terms of technology and price. For this reason they also present our workshop crew with some specific requirements in terms of pre-assembly. Alongside the usual points, such as gears and brakes, our certified e-bike mechatronic engineers also test the function of the electric drivetrain and run a software update. Once the bike is fully assembled, the E-MTB is taken for a test ride around the logistics centre.

Once it’s all set up, your electric mountain bike goes into a special shipping carton with dismounted pedals and twisted handlebars, just like all the other complete bikes supplied by BIKE24. The battery is pre-charged and stays on the bike, which is convenient for storage reasons.

With everything so well prepared, we are able to make sure your dream E-MTB is handed over to our shipping agent as quickly as possible, once it has been appropriately packaged by our logistics team. To make sure your new dream machine reaches your front door at the correct time, our shipping agent will contact you before delivery to arrange a secure appointment.