Even as a lifelong mountain biker, on days when I feel like going for a quick ride without too much of a workout, I whip out my e-bike and go. Yes, that might be sacrilege to some but today’s crop of e-MTBs are super interesting as, unlike their urban and cargo counterparts, power isn’t the name of the game.
You see, when traversing technical trails full of rocks, ruts, and tight switchbacks, two things are essential: a lightweight frame and predictable power. Humans have pretty precise control over our legs, and so with a bit of practice, a skilled mountain biker can traverse technical rock gardens with ease and finesse. But if you throw in whatever electric motor you want without tuning it to the discipline, all of a sudden you have uncontrollable power causing the rear wheel to slip and break traction.
