Electric assist MTB”s anyone tried one?

ThorpyFX

has anyone here tried one of these bikes? I’m looking at an electric motor assisted MTB, basically as a commuting tool and to ease me back into a physical hobby.

any pros, cons?

duotone

Never tried one but this video might be worth a watch (even though it’s 2 years old now)

https://youtu.be/lRGOY0wgPqs

stickyfiddle

I haven’t tried them in a mountain biking context, but had a day on an electric touring bike in Japan and it was great fun. I keep the system off most of the time but used it for a little extra push on big uphills. Greta fun and very easy to use. 

Charging might be annoying depending on your storage logistics, but I don’t see any issues if that’s all good.

sweepy

I like the idea, especially having knackered knees, so any assistance whilst still doing some Cardio is ideal. I miss my old Proflex, Marin and Specialized and indeed bought another Marin to try and get some fitness back but my right knee had other ideas, so I'm seriously  tempted

spark240

My pal does off road cycling with some people with these...he said they were great at up the hills and was amazed how they managed to power the bike over the rough ground...

littlegreenman

MtB

What you trying to say about me - I'm not up to the job? 
I don't need any outside assistance.!

stimpsonslostson

I commuted around 20 miles per day on one for 6months last year...
my initial thoughts (from another thread) 

“I did 14miles today, all over Edinburgh in a variety of traffic conditions, hills & carrying a variety of loads. 

This used up less than half of one of the two batteries... By this maths I should be able to do about 60 assisted miles in total. Nice. 

I hated it on the way to work. Heavy, slow & boring... But then I thought about the target audience- folk who want cycling to be easier, not faster. So I adjusted my approach to accept this. 

The riding experience isn't like a "normal" bike. It's about working with the motor to make journeys effortless rather than faster. 

There's not much point trying to go over 15mph unless you're on a downhill, just pick a comfortable gear & let the bike top up your effort, cruising along with no fuss. 

I kept the bike in "Eco" almost all the time, switching to "normal" on reasonable inclines (and at traffic lights for a good get away). I used "sport" on two particularly steep hills- that REALLY saps the battery- it WAS funny to breeze past a MAMIL on one hill though.  

My intention is to ride the bike for a month or so & then make a more informed decision.”

then the informed decision, just after I’d sold it-
“Ebikes are heavy. There’s no getting around the weight added by the battery and motor. Once you get them rolling along it’s fine, but hills and stop start stuff are no fun without the motor helping you. They can also feel a bit cumbersome due to the weight. Mine had a front wheel motor and batteries on the rack so the weight distribution was ok but it didn’t feel “chuckable” in corners- I learned to judge my braking distances too! 
Dont forget that you might need to lift it onto/ off a car rack- not ideal if you’re back isn’t great. It’s also noticeable if you ditch the bike and have to pick it up again. 

an ebike WILL get you fit. You’re still getting exercise but it’s nice to have the option of a wee boost when you’re feeling a bit tired, or to arrive at work without a sweaty back. I was on cycle paths mostly where the 15mph limit was easily achievable, I’d love to try one on a trail where I was always within the range of the motor. 
My biggest criticism was that the bike was great in the city- the motor made it zippy in the stop start traffic and great into a headwind where I’d be toiling but when i got out of town it felt slow. 

I dont have a car & the ebike was really handy for collecting a big shop (or the kids) and lugging it home with minimal effort too...

I sold mine because I stopped using it- the ebike got me fit enough that I can now do the mileage without the motor & I am MUCH quicker on my cyclocross, it’s more fun too!”

this is obviously just my experience and there are days when I miss the ability to cruise into a headwind/carry a heavy load/pull my kids trailer bike without busting a gut. 

If the motor limiter were set to 20mph I’d definitely get another one- 15mph is slightly too slow for dealing with traffic sometimes & doing over the motor is tough. 

HAL9000

Mrs9000 and I bought a pair of electric assist commuter bikes earlier this year. Brilliant for a short commute or an evening saunter to the local, etc. Range is about 40 assisted miles on one charge. Only downside is that, due to the battery and motor, they are quite heavy - you wouldn’t want to ride them very far without the battery assistance. As others have already said, they make cycling easier rather than faster - by law no electrical assistance is available over 15mph

Other thing is to invest in decent security for when you leave the bike unattended. They’re not cheap.

Blaendulais

ThorpyFX said:

has anyone here tried one of these bikes? I’m looking at an electric motor assisted MTB, basically as a commuting tool and to ease me back into a physical hobby.

any pros, cons?

Just get a decent low geared hybrid and get the fitness back more quickly

crunchman

ThorpyFX said:

has anyone here tried one of these bikes? I’m looking at an electric motor assisted MTB, basically as a commuting tool and to ease me back into a physical hobby.

any pros, cons?

How long is your commute?  How hilly is it?

If it's short and flat, then I'd just get a conventional bike.  If it's long and/or hilly then it might be worth it.

Most ebikes are more hybrid style than MTB.  I suspect they will be lighter than an MTB version.  Unless you really want to go properly off road, a hybrid style might make more sense.

Jimbro66

I got myself a Scott hardtail electric MTB back in April and have put quite a few on- and off-road miles on it since. I still have my non-electric MTB.

The electric MTB is a lot heavier and has fairly wide 2.35 knobbly tyres so is really hard work to pedal with the motor switched off. The Bosch 500 motor has four settings: ECO, Tour, EMTB and Turbo. ECO mode does little more than overcome the weight and rolling resistance of the bike so it feels much like riding a standard bike. The other modes give increasing amounts of assistance. I stress 'assistance' because you still have to put in effort. In Turbo mode you can positively fly up hills but the more assistance you get the less miles you will have for a full charge. It's a balance. The Scott is also quite a bit bigger than my non-assisted bike.

The weight is not an issue when riding but is if you have to, for example, carry it up steps or lift it over a gate. Not all bike racks can carry them either.

Overall it's great fun and rides in hilly terrain are not so daunting for those of us who are not teenagers any more If it's just for commuting I would recommend a hybrid, not an MTB.

ThorpyFX

My  plan is initially just for commuting until my fitness improves and I can get back to some downhill MTB action......

thanks for all all the advice here I’m going to go for it! 

sweepy

ThorpyFX said:

My  plan is initially just for commuting until my fitness improves and I can get back to some downhill MTB action......

thanks for all all the advice here I’m going to go for it! 

Looking forward to seeing it 

ThorpyFX

sweepy said:

ThorpyFX said:

My  plan is initially just for commuting until my fitness improves and I can get back to some downhill MTB action......

thanks for all all the advice here I’m going to go for it! 

Looking forward to seeing it 

This one..... with an extra 10% off too.....

littlegreenman

ThorpyFX said:

sweepy said:

ThorpyFX said:

My  plan is initially just for commuting until my fitness improves and I can get back to some downhill MTB action......

thanks for all all the advice here I’m going to go for it! 

Looking forward to seeing it 

This one..... with an extra 10% off too.....

Really light!