E-BIKE SPECIAL
Mbr presents an essential guide to the electric mountain bike
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Whether you’re in the market for your first e-bike, or you’re already a convert and looking to upgrade your existing rig, you’ve come to the right place. This is our most comprehensive guide to electric mountain bikes yet, with over 40 pages of e-bike content and 14 of the hottest models reviewed. There’s advice from our experts on what type of e-bike to buy, how to choose the best motor, and how to set up and care for your new e-bike. We’ve got tips on how to maximise your range, as well as advice on how to adapt your technique to the extra weight and stability of an e-bike chassis. The only thing we can’t help you with is spreading an ear-to-ear grin across your face; that comes standard with every e-bike.
ANATOMY OF AN ELECTRIC MTB
DRIVE UNIT
The motor on all good electric mountain bikes is mid-mounted, that’s to say it drives the bottom bracket axle and the chainring, rather than being incorporated into the rear hub and powering the wheel. The advantage of this is a lighter rear wheel, which means better suspension performance and more dynamic handling as the weight is more centered on the bike. There are various different motors on the market, but almost all of them transfer power from the motor to the chainring through a system of cogs. Peak power can range from 300-600W depending on the system, and peak torque is typically between 50-90Nm. Drive units are fully sealed in an aluminium or magnesium case.
DISPLAY
Most e-bikes have some sort of display, to indicate the power mode selected and the battery life remaining. Some even have screens showing speed, cadence, power output and a host of other features. Recently brands have been starting to integrate their displays into the top tube, saving space, adding protection and making them easy to read. Most systems hook up to a smartphone app, giving you the ability to change the response of the motor and the amount of power in each mode.
