For those that know me, mountain biking isn’t something I do very often but e-bikes changed that for me. It's still not my favorite, I don't love scaling a trail on a bike and I find it intimidating. An e-bike has helped me and made a huge difference in our outdoor adventures as a family.
E-Bike Classes
The questions people often ask are do I want an e-bike? Is an e-bike worth investing in? Can my e-bike go everywhere? What states allow e-bikes on their trails?
There are three different classes for e-bikes, however, the majority fall into one class. I used a class one e-bike, and what makes it a class one is the fact that it doesn’t go over 20 miles an hour, and there is no throttle.
A common misconception with e-bikes is that there is a button you press to make the bike go. But that isn’t the case. With e-bikes, the amount of power you put into the pedals is how much power you’re going to get out of the bike.
A lot of trails across the US allow class one e-bikes. Bikes that fall under class two and class three are usually not allowed. Class two and class three bikes have a throttle which means they can then go much faster.
When purchasing an e-bike, it’s important to know what type of class. Then know which trails you can bike on.
Cargo E-Bikes VS Mountain E-Bikes
My family’s really lucky as we have one cargo e-bike and one mountain e-bike. Of the two, the mountain e-bike is definitely Nick’s baby, as he loves to go mountain biking and uses it way more than I do.
The cargo bike is the one that I take the kids out on when we go grocery shopping or to get ice cream. I’ll often choose the cargo bike over hopping in the car as I get the pleasure and the dopamine hit that you get from being outside and moving your body.
Why an E-Bike?
Before our e-bikes, I would never go to the top of the mountain to bike down. But now, I have that extra boost that allows me to get outdoors and breathe in the fresh air. Whether you’re feeling tired, sick, or just not up to the fitness level of your fellow bikers, e-bikes get you out enjoying the experience taking some of the required effort of biking away from you.
E-Bikes Powered by Bosch
There are a lot of different companies out there with their own e-bike variations. But for us, we’ve opted to use bikes powered by Bosch.
Bosch is a huge company, and I bet so many things in your house are powered by them without you even realizing it. Bosch’s level of innovation, expertise, and the amount of detail they put into their products is very high. We knew that when investing in e-bikes powered by Bosch that we were investing in something high quality, sustainable and safe to use.
Tips for Mountain Biking
Here are a couple of little pointers if you’re getting into mountain biking:
Go with a group
- It is always good to go with a group as it makes you feel more safe. Some people like to head out on their own—which is totally fine— but for me, I like to enjoy beautiful places
with those that I love.
Relax while riding
- Often, when we get on bikes, we’re really tense. One of my biggest pointers is to just relax. Try to have as much fun as possible while you’re riding by loosening yourself up and forgetting about everything that is bothering you.
Choose shorter distances
- When you’re first starting out, choose shorter distances and get yourself to a point where you feel comfortable. Don’t feel discouraged if you have to walk certain parts of the trail, as your safety and mental well-being are more important. Set achievable small goals and enjoy your time outside.
Choose the right bike
- I can’t express enough the difference the right bike can make. For me, when I first got into mountain biking, I had a frame that was a little too big, and it really altered my ability to ride. Then, when I got a frame that was right for me, it clicked, and I felt much more comfortable as the bike was more manageable. Make sure when you’re bike shopping, whether that be for a traditional mountain bike or an e-bike, that you go into a store and have a professional help you choose the right sized bike for you.
Be prepared
- My final pointer for getting into mountain biking is to always be prepared. Take along snacks, water, a charged phone, and other safety pieces that can help you along the way.
Bikes: E-Bikes Powered by Bosch – Yuba Spicy Curry, Riese & Muller, Bulls Mountain Bike
Camera: GoPro Mini
Sunglasses: Wiley X
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