Buying your first or fifth off-road e-bike is an intimidating process. Not only brands, there are variance options from price, motor, battery system, and even frames.
Oftentimes people get confused with a lot of features and end up buying expensive ebikes. It’s extremely essential to note down your use case and based on that create a list of features you require otherwise you will unnecessarily end up paying more.
In this blog, we will cover some of the most important aspects to consider before buying electric mini-bikes and mountain bikes.
How much are e-bikes?
Before deciding anything, you will have to note down your budget.
The discounted electric bikes consist of hardtails and basic full-suspension bikes. In this category, you can find the best electric mountain bike under $3000. These bikes are great if you are riding recreationally on rail trails, bike paths, and smooth dirt roads.
However, if you are someone who loves off-roading and driving on technical trails, then you might have to take your budget a notch up.
To give you an idea, here are the prices of some of the best cargo e-bikes:
- Ibis Ripmo V2 XT – $5000
- Stumpjumper EVO Comp – $3999
- Specialized Fuse Expert 29 – $2499
- Norco Fluid FS 4 – $1999
- Canyon Neuron 5 – $1800
There is a considerable difference between the cheapest and the most expensive one on the list. Certain American electric bikes are costlier than $5000 too.
Usually, the higher price of the e-bike is because of the premium frame construction and higher spec components. The suspension is better, the brakes are stronger and the tires are tougher.
The best cargo e-bikes are costly because they are made out of exotic materials like carbon fiber which results in a lighter overall bike weight.
Also, you will get a more powerful motor if you go up the range. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a good motor in the cheaper models. Higher-end models also come with bigger batteries which include additional range extender batteries.
Secondly, how you buy your bikes will also affect the price. Purchasing it online as compared to a local store will be cheaper but the service might vary.
The sweet spot of getting a good lightweight electric bike lies between $3000 – $6000 but you can always go lower if the e-bike meets your demands.
What is your riding style?
Your riding style will determine the kind of suspension you need for your e-bike. For instance, if you love riding on rougher and more technical trails then you must buy full-suspension bikes.
Most riders also buy a hardtail eMTB but it’s not the best experience while riding on rough trails as the suspension fork in the front adds weight to the motor and battery which makes the wheels slam into objects a lot harder.
It is recommended that even recreational riders go for full-suspension e-bikes. You will enjoy the complete riding experience as it will give you a greater grip and control when taking a single track.
You can segregate full-suspension electric bike dirt bikes into 4 groups based on the amount of travel. Some e-bikes do blur the boundaries but on average they fall in the same category.
- XC / Trail – Up to 140mm of travel
- All Mountain – 140-160mm of travel
- Enduro – 160 – 180mm of travel
- DH – > 180mm of travel
As a general rule, the more travel a mountain bike has the more stable it will be on rough and technical terrains.
If you are someone who loves descending on rocky trails with big jumps and drops then you will want eMTBs that have better suspension so that they can offer the right amount of grip for landings.
If you are someone who views chopper electric bikes as a self shutting DH bike then you will have to look for an eMTB that offers more than 160mm of travel.
Although, depending on the terrain, a shorter travel bike can give you a more joyful riding experience. They are usually lighter and easier to manage when things get tight. If you are someone who enjoys techy climbs but also the descents, then you must avoid the heavy electric bike dirt bike.
So, the sweet spot is between 150-160 mm of travel. The best cargo e-bikes in this category are Trek Rail, and Specialized Levo as they provide all-round riding.
How fast can an e-bike go?
How fast an e-bike goes depends on whether you are choosing a full-powered or lightweight mountain e-bike.
Full-powered are usually the traditional e-bikes with larger and more powerful motors. They have 90 Nm of torque with a bigger battery of 700-900Wh. They are heavy and bulky but they also offer more support and help you climb faster with less effort.
They are a great option for beginners or people who aren’t very fit as the motor does most of the work for you. They are also the best option if you are climbing big mountains and want to cover as much distance as possible in a day.
A few examples in this category are Trek Rail, and Specialized Levo
Lightweight electric bikes take a slightly different approach and they are much newer to the scene. These bikes offer limited support and aim to enhance your leg power instead of overpowering the riding experience.
The motors are very compact and as a result, produce less power with torque outputs of less than 60 Nm. These motors are usually paired with 320-430 WH battery which allows the frame to be much sleeker.
So, the entire weight of lightweight electric bikes ends up being 4-6 kg lighter as compared to a full-powered eMTB.
The entire experience of riding a lightweight electric bike is more agile and playful but you will have to be a fitter rider to get the most out of this ride. It’s also important to note that if you are doing a lot of climbing and using the motor in the most powerful setting, you can drain the battery quickly. So, many brands are offering optional range extender batteries.
A few examples of lightweight electric bikes are Trek Fuel EXe, Specialized Levo SL, and Orbea Rise.
Do e-bikes have a motor?
Yes, they do. After you are done deciding on the price, suspension, and power, you need to decide on the motor because power is useless without control.
Motors are an integral part of any American electric bike. You don’t necessarily buy a bike just for its motor but it should be an important consideration before purchasing because you can’t swap between different drive units. So, whatever frame comes with it, stays with you for the long term.
There are a lot of well-known motor brands like Shimano, Yamaha (giant), Bosch, Dyname and SRAM. These are used across some of the best cargo e-bikes. Certain manufacturers like Bosch manufacture 4 different motors for eMTBs.
The major difference between motor brands is the peak torque and power output. These two things will give you a good understanding of how much grunt the chopper electric bike will offer.
However, when it comes to motors, there is no one verifying these claims except for the brands themselves so you will have to take them on their word.
What do the brands claim?
- Shimano EP801 – 600W peak power & 85 Nm torque
- Yamaha/Giant SyncDrive Pro 2 – 500W peak power & 85 Nm torque
- Bosch Performance Line CX – 600W peak power & 85 Nm torque
- Dyname 4.0 – 700W peak power & 108 Nm torque
- SRAM Powertrain – 680W peak power & 90 Nm torque
Also, note that electric mountain bike motors are employed to do more. They usually have sensors that understand your riding cadence, speed, input torque, and even the gradient of the trail you are riding.
The system collects this information and decides the power output delivery to the rear wheel. The interaction between your legs and the motor determines the efficiency of support on the trail.
You can have all the power you want but if the electric bike isn’t controlled well, it can make the whole bike imbalanced on steep climbs and tight corners.
However, the best cargo e-bikes are getting good motors like Bosch and Shimano which have special adaptive modes. They provide progressive assistance which is directly proportional to how hard you are pushing on the pedals. The result is a smooth and intuitive ride.
Also, it’s important to remember that each motor provides different assistance levels based on how much support you want. Certain brands also have an option to tune specific parameters like how quickly the motor accelerates or reaches its peak power output.
How long does an e-bike battery last?
How long an e-bike battery will last depends on its watt-hours. Also, remember you can’t mix and match, which means if you are using a Shimano motor, the battery is also from Shimano.
Batteries with more cells offer more watt hours. However, batteries with higher watt-hours are bigger and heavier.
Take a look at 3 different battery sizes:
- Specialized Levo SL – 320Wh battery (1.8kg)
- Merida eOne-Sixty – 630Wh battery (3.7kg)
- Canyon Spectral: ON – 900Wh battery (4.78kg)
In simple terms, if the battery is heavier, the longer you can ride. The downside of this is that all the mass of the battery goes towards the head tube which makes the front heavy-handling.
A smaller battery of 320-430Wh is lighter and shorter. It lowers the bike’s overall center mass and gives an agile ride.
Most American electric bikes are designed around a specific battery shape, so when you are choosing a bike you are locking yourself in that shape. Certain eMTBs also have a bolt-in battery which can be removed.
So, it depends on you if you want a removable or a fixed battery. Remember the weight of the e-bike is based on it.
Conclusion
When it comes to purchasing your first or fifth off-road e-bike, making an informed decision is crucial to ensuring you get the best value and performance for your needs.
The detailed guide above walks you through everything from budget considerations to motor types, battery life, and suspension options.
By carefully considering these factors, you can avoid the common pitfalls of overspending or buying a bike that doesn’t suit your riding style.
Don’t get confused with the vast array of options. Instead, research and understand the importance of each feature to buy the best cargo e-bike that suits your preferences.
