Are you considering buying your first EMTB bike but don’t know where to begin? Well, you have come to the right place. We will be sharing several tips that should point you in the right direction.
First, an electric mountain bike is one of the best investments a rider can make. These ebikes are designed to offer the best riding experience, thanks to their advanced features and improved performance.
They have opened a floodgate for different manufacturers to pour onto the market. This could make it hard for beginners to find the best electric bike.
And that is why we came up with these tips. The information here will give you the right clues and the best path to follow.
Read on.
9 Tips to Choosing Your First EMTB
Here are the nine best tips that are sure to give you a good machine.
1. Define your riding needs
Buying an electric MTB is wrong just because everyone else is doing it. Every ride has a reason why they find a specific bike more appealing than the other.
So, the first and perhaps the most important step is to clarify your riding needs. That is, how will you be using the bike? It is for grocery shopping, everyday commuting, or for trail and mountain riding.
There are different ebikes designed for each of these situations. For instance, you will find the cruiser ebike and commuter ebike to serve specific purposes.
2. Understand electric mountain bikes
Once you have set your goals, you can then look for the different offers on the market. But you will only get the best one when you know about electric mountains. Learn about the different types and what makes them special.
There are two main types of electric mountain bikes, hardtail and full suspension:
- Hardtail Electric Mountain Bike: A front suspension or hardtail electric mountain bike has only one suspension system attached to the front fork. They are mostly recommended for climbing mountains and trail riding.
- Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bike: These ebikes come with a dual suspension system, one on the front forks and another attached to the rear tires. They are the most advanced and comfortable rides on the market today, perfect for the roughest trails.
If you will spend most of your time riding trails, rough roads, and mountain terrain, a full suspension ebike is the best recommendation. But a hardtail ebike should be great if you want a more versatile solution for daily use.
3. Learn riding safety
Many first-time riders get so excited about the first EMTBs that they forget to read about the most important aspects. You must know and understand a few things before you get there. As mentioned earlier, these include the right brakes to match your motor power and the suspension.
Safety should be one of the first things to check. Many bike-related accidents are caused by ignorance and riders not taking the time to consider safety concerns.
Your city probably has rules concerning e-bikes that can be ridden on the streets and those specifically for rough terrains. Consider those ones too, and you should have an easy time choosing.
4. Assembly and maintenance
Electric mountain bikes are different from other e-bikes as they come with more features and moving parts. So, when choosing your first one, you need something that is easy to assemble and will not give you a hard time in maintenance.
The former is much easier to assemble between a hardtail and a full suspension ebike. A full suspension electric mountain bike has more moving parts and advanced features, which could make it a bit challenging for beginners.
However, it all comes down to how fast you can learn. Riders with a technology-oriented mind can choose any option, and it will be just fine.
5. The motor
The motor is one of the most important components of an electric MTB. It gives you the power you need to push forward and handle those tough terrains. Hence, choosing the right motor is crucial.
You can choose either a hub motor or a mid-drive. Hub motors are more common than mid-drives but are less efficient. They are most popular because of their affordability, making them ideal for beginners.
6. The pedal assist
Understanding some of the basic features that propel you forward can save you a lot of time when choosing your first EMTB. The pedal assist is among the features that will determine your experience with the machine you choose.
Most EMTBs come with either pedal-assist or throttle functionality. The pedal assist pushes you forward when climbing hills, while the throttle may require some more input from the rider.
Different countries have different regulations regarding this feature. So, be sure to read about it before you hit the market. Focusing on legalized classes will make things much easier for you.
7. Weight
Weight is another factor that is crucial when choosing your first mountain ebike. You don’t want something that is too heavy or too light. Think about your body size and choose the weight according to how comfortable you want to be.
8. The battery
An electric mountain bike is nothing without a battery. This is the part that produces the electric power needed to power the motor and other electrical components. Go for an e-bike that has a larger battery capacity, and you will get more range from it. A good example is the Magicycle Cruiser Pro with a powerful 1040Wh battery, but a 750Wh battery for uphill should be enough.
9. Your budget
How much do you want to invest in your first EMTB? We can discuss all the best features, but it all comes down to how much you have saved for it.
You will need around $2000 to buy the best beginner EMTB bike. There are cheaper options, some costing less than $1000, but you should be extremely alert with such an offer.
Also, the features you want will determine the final price. We recommend choosing something with wide gear ranges.
Conclusion
It is quite exciting when you are finally ready to get your first electric MTB. Perhaps you have been saving for it for a long time, and now you can wait. You need to be careful to make the best choice that you won’t regret later. We hope these tips will help you so.
