Collection: Electric Mountain Bikes | Offroad E-Bikes

Mountain bikes are some of the most popular pedal bikes in the world. Their construction makes them hard-wearing & durable, and while their primary purpose is to conquer rough terrain, they are excellent all-rounders suited to both the urban and the more adventurous lifestyle.

It makes sense, then, that electric mountain bikes are surging in popularity. The concept isn’t difficult - strap an electric motor to a mountain bike and you have an e-MTB.

While manufacturers such asAventon &Fiido do this with a little more finesse & style than you’d get using an e-bike conversion kit, the end result is hard wearing e-bike capable of withstanding some more rigorous riding.

Today, e-Bikes come in many styles. You’ve gotcruisers, fat tyre,commuters,folding, and gravel-ebikes. Where does an e-mountain bike fit into the mix?

All these bikes have their specialities, but they all have their limitations as well.

Cruisers are great for relaxing rides, but they can lack suspension that limits them to on-road use only.

Fat tyre e-bikes tend to be very strong, but they can be incredibly heavy as well, meaning their overall practicality can suffer.

Commuters tend to be lighter but can lack power.

Gravel e-bikes can handle loose terrain such as rail trails and gravelly walking paths, but still can’t handle genuine offroad, and folding bikes sometimes aren’t that powerful or comfortable (except theAventon Sinch, which is both powerful and comfortable).

An electric mountain bike, however, blends all the strengths of each model into one.

You get the strength and durability of the fat tyre e-bike, as well as the off-road capabilities, but you don’t get the 30+ Kg weight.

You get the comfort of cruisers, as well as the performance, but the added benefit of suspension.

You also get the lower weight of commuters and folding e-bikes, and thanks to the knobbly tires, you have the gravel-handling ability of gravel e-bikes.

Whether you’re actively planning on throwing yourself down the side of a mountain, or you will predominantly be using it on bike tracks & roads, an electric mountain bike doesn’t place limits on what you can and can’t do, just like their non-electric counterparts.

If you’re keen on getting your own electric mountain bike, here are some key factors you need to consider:

High Battery Capacity

In Australia, most eMTB motors are limited to 250W. This might seem like a limitation, especially when you’re used to more robust motors, but this is enough to provide a significant power boost for conquering hills and navigating challenging terrain.

However, where e mountain bikes can truly differentiate themselves is in battery capacity. A high-capacity battery, likeAventon Ramblas’ 708 Wh battery, translates to extended range—up to 128 kilometres on a single charge. If you want the freedom to explore further, focus on battery capacity.

Lightweight Frame

While an eMTB doesn’t carry the weight of a fat-tyre e-bike, it’s built to withstand some punishment, and that extra strength comes with extra weight. Look for frames constructed from lightweight but durable materials such as aluminium alloy or carbon fibre.

Reliable Suspension

e MTBs tend to come in two suspension setups: front suspension only, and full suspension. Full suspension electric mountain bikes are built for ultimate shock absorption, making them an excellent choice for downhill mountain biking. However, if you’ve ever pedalled a full suspension bike on a regular road, you’ll note that a significant portion of your pedal power is lost in compressing the suspension up and down with each stroke, meaning they aren’t particularly practical for anything else.

If you want suspension and you want to maintain the practicality of a regular e-bike, choose front suspension only.

Superior Brakes

On electric mountain bikes, brakes are about more than just slowing you down. They are an important part of how you control the bike, particularly when flying down the side of a hill.

Generally, a disc brake of some sort is recommended, but hydraulic brakes guarantee the stopping power you need to avoid accidents.

Capable Tyres

E-Mountain bikes come with thick, knobbly tyres that provide superior traction on loose, rough terrain. The knobs also keep the tyre wall as high off the ground as possible, reducing the chances of punctures. The dimension (size) of the tyre isn’t as important as the width, which should always be above 2” for maximum traction.

Motor Power

If you’ve ever bombed down a mountain bike track, you’ll know the worst part is cycling back up to the top to do it again. This is where you need to consider the power output of the bike.

A 250W motor is the standard for electric mountain bikes, as well as the legal limit in most of Australia. However, you should pay particular attention to the motor’s peak output. Peak output is achieved when a motor temporarily puts out more power than its standard rating, and this power is generally produced when the motor is under load (i.e. climbing up a hill).

While peak power is unsustainable for long periods of time, it’s the peak power that produces the torque to get you up hills easily. Look for ratings of 500W and up.

Off-road enthusiasts and riders who enjoy tricky terrains often face a choice between a fat-tyre electric bike and an electric mountain bike. Although both are designed to handle challenging landscapes, they have distinct features that suit different riding preferences.

Fat-Tyre Electric Bikes

Fat-tyre ebikes specialise in stability and traction over soft or loose surfaces like sand and snow. They feature wide oversized tyres that provide excellent grip; however, due to the size of their components, fat-tyre electric bikes are often heavy and bulky, which may not be ideal for navigating mountain terrains.

Electric Mountain Bike (eMTB)

On the other hand, electric mountain bikes are more lightweight and agile. Like fat-tyre e-bikes, they also feature advanced suspension systems and high-torque motors that provide smooth rides over rocks and exposed tree roots. However, unlike the former’s oversized tyres, the narrow tyres on e MTBs offer good control and speed on downhill descents and technical trails.

Ultimately, your choice between a fat-tyre e-bike and an e-MTB should be based on the terrain you'll be riding on. If you plan to ride on beaches or snow, a fat-tyre electric bike is a suitable choice. For tackling steep trails and rugged paths, an electric mountain bike is the better option.