JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE EDITOR
Despite the common claim, e-bikes are nothing like motorbikes – as our Will can attest, after spending a day riding moto and MTB with SuperEnduro world champ Billy Bolt (p42). They do, however, feel a bit different to regular mountain bikes. This is where ‘lightweight’ e-bikes come in. These sacrifice a bit of torque and range for lower weight and livelier handling, enhanced by lighter parts and reduced travel. And I, for one, am sold on them. While ‘full-fat’ bikes still have their place for epic missions and self-propelled uplift, ‘semi-fat’ designs bring back the singletrack-slaying flow and ‘flickability’ that got me into MTBing in the first place. Read our verdicts on this year’s top options on p78.
If a machine like this is way beyond your budget, then don’t worry – you’re far from alone. Thankfully, there are still brands out there doing their best to keep prices down, from Germany’s Propain with their top-value Tyee enduro bike (p29) to UK-based Calibre, back after a three-year hiatus with the bargain-priced Rake (p32).
Remember, it’s not what you ride that matters, but how much fun you have riding it. See you on the trails – which finally seem to be drying out!
IN THE MAG THIS MONTH
BILLY BOLT
MOTORCYCLE RACER
Turns out three-time FIM SuperEnduro world champ Billy is pretty handy on a mountain bike, too. We check out his skills on p42
WILL SOFFE
FACE OF MBUK VIDEO
Our YouTube presenter was the man given the unenviable job of trying to keep up with Billy, on both his trail bike and his two-stroke
JU
