Mountain Biking

[Begbie]

I admit it. I'm prejudiced against them. Being fit enough to ride uphill unassisted is something i aspire to and cherish. Anything else is cheating but if having a motor gives people the confidence to get outside on a bike then I'm all for it. However, the notion of spending £6k on a bike makes me shudder!!! (Retired Scottish person mentality)

I used to think the same way, now I get double or triple the runs down for the same energy burnt. I still get the same fitness but I get more fun, plus I have more energy for the bits I go mountain biking for.

Sadly thats just part and parcel of pricing these days and not inclusive to bikes.

Hired my cousin one recently, 13, and what a day. No moaning, laps and laps around glentress. So many laps he was clearing the tables at the end of the day, which would've took multiple visits otherwise.

 

[413x]

I personally wouldnt want an extender, but only because I would have it attached all the time. Yhe advantages are nice though, having a lighter bike when you need it and more range when you do too.

Ill get a good 1500m of climbing out of mine, 750Wh battery.

Tonnes of riding, done a few racing nearby there. Dyfi and defi woods just down the road, foel gasnach etc.

Yeah luckily mine is £6k now.



Tfw you've never tried one, or you dont do the type of riding where it shines

I went down the bike shop today.
Had a chat. Saw a few bikes.

9ne thing he did say.. I'm. Pushing my cheap hard tail waaaay over it's limit. And no wonder I'm finding the stuff I find hard.. Hard.
He did warn me I may not get the enjoyment out of the trail riding I do with a FS as it may be too easy. Which has unsettled me a tad.

I have to say I'm shying away from the 400+250 extender. And moving towards a 800.

2 reasons.. As you say, I can't see a time when I'd not have it on. 400wh is less than my hard tail. On a bigger, torqueier motor.
I don't really go on evening rides very much either. My rides tend to be weekends.
Sure, I get by on 500wh. But there have been times I've gotten to 0 when I'm home after heavy rationing.

The guy also said, weight isn't actually as important as good gear. So yes, the 24kg 800 will be a bit heavier. But with FS and better brakes (etc) that is more important than weight. And the light bikes are not so popular now.

Also. Many of the 800s also have removable batteries. The 400+250 doesn't. Which could be a pain in Airbnbs. It takes 1.5 hours to charge that 400 to 50 percent. So it's not even like you can get 2 long rides out of it. (and usually I'm out all day.


So looks like I'm looking at 700-800 most probably.

I'm not totally off the 400+250..ifnit was 600+250 I'd definitely have it. But 400, non removable is a difficult sell.

 

[413x]

I admit it. I'm prejudiced against them. Being fit enough to ride uphill unassisted is something i aspire to and cherish. Anything else is cheating but if having a motor gives people the confidence to get outside on a bike then I'm all for it. However, the notion of spending £6k on a bike makes me shudder!!! (Retired Scottish person mentality)

As begbie said, you just get more fun time.
And really, for me, I just wouldn't be able to do it without assist. As in it would be physically not possible. It is a lot of money. But it's also not. It's same price as a PCP car for a year. And many people spend that perpetually on a car. And you can't take money with you.

 

[Begbie]

I went down the bike shop today.
Had a chat. Saw a few bikes.

9ne thing he did say.. I'm. Pushing my cheap hard tail waaaay over it's limit. And no wonder I'm finding the stuff I find hard.. Hard.
He did warn me I may not get the enjoyment out of the trail riding I do with a FS as it may be too easy. Which has unsettled me a tad.

I have to say I'm shying away from the 400+250 extender. And moving towards a 800.

2 reasons.. As you say, I can't see a time when I'd not have it on. 400wh is less than my hard tail. On a bigger, torqueier motor.
I don't really go on evening rides very much either. My rides tend to be weekends.
Sure, I get by on 500wh. But there have been times I've gotten to 0 when I'm home after heavy rationing.

The guy also said, weight isn't actually as important as good gear. So yes, the 24kg 800 will be a bit heavier. But with FS and better brakes (etc) that is more important than weight. And the light bikes are not so popular now.

Also. Many of the 800s also have removable batteries. The 400+250 doesn't. Which could be a pain in Airbnbs. It takes 1.5 hours to charge that 400 to 50 percent. So it's not even like you can get 2 long rides out of it. (and usually I'm out all day.


So looks like I'm looking at 700-800 most probably.

I'm not totally off the 400+250..ifnit was 600+250 I'd definitely have it. But 400, non removable is a difficult sell.

Weights irrelevant really, never took my battery out either so that wouldnt phase me.

Ive ridden a few trails that normally bore me, (most of glentress) and they are far more fun on an ebike. Being able to power in to corners, being able to power into jumps that normally dont exist etc.

The full sus does kill trails if it's too much though.

I took my full sus round coed Y brenin and it was far too much bike. But youll just find stuff more fun.

 

[SDK^]

I admit it. I'm prejudiced against them. Being fit enough to ride uphill unassisted is something i aspire to and cherish. Anything else is cheating but if having a motor gives people the confidence to get outside on a bike then I'm all for it. However, the notion of spending £6k on a bike makes me shudder!!! (Retired Scottish person mentality)

Who are you cheating?
Unless you are in a race on an Ebike, which should be pedal analogue bikes only, then no one!

I used to have spare time to get and stay fit - riding 5,500 miles per year, equivalent of 10x up Everest each year, 3.6 watts per KG. Then we had a child, I focussed on my career and time for exercising all but vanished. Should I no longer ride because I find it challenging riding up long climbs, or lack the stamina to do longer distance on a pure pedal bike?

I now ride with my son - we started in 2019 (he was 8) with pedal bikes and it was fun. Then as he got older he got fitter and I'm not getting any younger (now 48) and we wanted to do longer rides/more laps of the fun MTB tracks.
In 2024 I bought us both an eMTB and it's been amazing : Multi laps of trail centers possible, the climbs are much more enjoyable, we have done rides we couldn't otherwise have done on pedal bikes, e.g Afan Skyline trail, which still took 5 hours on our eMTB's , we did 11x visits to Bike Park Wales last year without an uplift, so riding up to the top (That saved £700 in uplift costs). The BPW climb is about 400 meters up and we do around 8 runs per day. The ebike specific climb has sections at 32% gradient, with big roots. It's challenging to get up even in Turbo mode!

We are both a lot more fitter and it's been a complete blast on the way

 

[413x]

This anti new stuff thing is quite common.
We all use cars when a horse and cart would do Etc.

Having an ebike and getting out is better than not getting out at all.

I was quite early on the ebike bandwagon. When I got mine there weren't many around. Fast forward to 2025. Last year I barely saw any non motorised bikes. Especially on the local trails.

A ebike allows you to skip the boring sections, or allows people to do their hobby when their body gets past it. You can absolutely turn the motor to Eco/off if you want. On my 500 I ride a lot in eco as I don't have the range to go on epic rides otherwise.

Its just another tool. And evolution of technology.

Personally ebikes for me is the top piece of life changing things this last 10 years. I've seen so much and done much that would be impossible without one. It's lovely seeing people able to still do their hobby who wouldn't be able to otherwise.

There is the issue of once you get one, you'll probably never go back!

 

[robj20]

I wish people would stop thinking emtbs are a replacement to MTBs, they're just another category.

Don't actually see that many around here and none of my friends have them but we all ride for similar reasons.
I'd really love to know what's impossible on an MTB Vs an Emtb besides getting up some silly techy hills.

 

[413x]

I wish people would stop thinking emtbs are a replacement to MTBs, they're just another category.

Don't actually see that many around here and none of my friends have them but we all ride for similar reasons.
I'd really love to know what's impossible on an MTB Vs an Emtb besides getting up some silly techy hills.

Climbs. The climbs would be impossible without an electric motor assist for me.

 

[robj20]

Climbs. The climbs would be impossible without an electric motor assist for me.

Id only struggle with the silly technical climbing that's my weak point, but generally hills don't bother me, or smashing out big distances.
My limiting factor these days is usually my boredom, ie after 6 hours I've usually had enough anyway.
I'll 100% get an ebike if anything changes in my life.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

I've came round to getting a eMTB, it's mainly downhill time vs going uphill. In general I can do 2-3 as many loops compared to a MTB in the same time frame. It's the downhill sections I enjoy the most so time vs reward is better for me on a eMTB.

On the main trails centres in Scotland eMTBs are very popular it's not unusual on a week day for me to be the only MTB on the trail with everyone else on eMTBs (I've not bought a eMTB yet)

 

[413x]

I've came round to getting a eMTB, it's mainly downhill time vs going uphill. In general I can do 2-3 as many loops compared to a MTB in the same time frame. It's the downhill sections I enjoy the most so time vs reward is better for me on a eMTB.

On the main trails centres in Scotland eMTBs are very popular it's not unusual on a week day for me to be the only MTB on the trail with everyone else on eMTBs (I've not bought a eMTB yet)

That is same around here.
There are some serious big lads on ebikes. I saw someone very very heavy in the bike shop on Saturday with a huge cube bike that needed repair.

 

[Martynt74]

A ebike allows you to skip the boring sections, or allows people to do their hobby when their body gets past it. You can absolutely turn the motor to Eco/off if you want. On my 500 I ride a lot in eco as I don't have the range to go on epic rides otherwise.

Agreed, it's very rarely a case of "oh you have an ebike you must be weak, watch me ride up the hills without assistance". Most people riding ebikes are probably better riders than your average cyclist. They just choose to have fun on descents.

I'm generally working on fitness for long rides so i'm not averse to long slogs up mountains, but sometimes it's fun to use my ebike for long rides and blast up hills at 15mph rather than slow down to a crawl!

 

[413x]

Agreed, it's very rarely a case of "oh you have an ebike you must be weak, watch me ride up the hills without assistance". Most people riding ebikes are probably better riders than your average cyclist. They just choose to have fun on descents.

I'm generally working on fitness for long rides so i'm not averse to long slogs up mountains, but sometimes it's fun to use my ebike for long rides and blast up hills at 15mph rather than slow down to a crawl!

For me the issue is having to push down on the pedals too hard causes me knee issues. And some of the hills round here? Yeah, without motor assist you're going to be pushing.

That said, the guy in the big shop did say what I thought, that my bikes gear ratios are not for what I'm doing. The bikes I'm eyeing up have massive sprockets on the rear (much bigger than mine) meaning the ratio is much lower than my lowest gear. Which should help.


I'm still torn on ultra light/ full fat 140mm or 170mm.

 

[robj20]

Some of the stuff I do I wouldn't fancy an ebike on my shoulders carrying it up mountains. The full suspension is heavy enough as it is at 15kg.

 

[Begbie]

Who are you cheating?
Unless you are in a race on an Ebike, which should be pedal analogue bikes only, then no one!

I used to have spare time to get and stay fit - riding 5,500 miles per year, equivalent of 10x up Everest each year, 3.6 watts per KG. Then we had a child, I focussed on my career and time for exercising all but vanished. Should I no longer ride because I find it challenging riding up long climbs, or lack the stamina to do longer distance on a pure pedal bike?

I now ride with my son - we started in 2019 (he was 8) with pedal bikes and it was fun. Then as he got older he got fitter and I'm not getting any younger (now 48) and we wanted to do longer rides/more laps of the fun MTB tracks.
In 2024 I bought us both an eMTB and it's been amazing : Multi laps of trail centers possible, the climbs are much more enjoyable, we have done rides we couldn't otherwise have done on pedal bikes, e.g Afan Skyline trail, which still took 5 hours on our eMTB's , we did 11x visits to Bike Park Wales last year without an uplift, so riding up to the top (That saved £700 in uplift costs). The BPW climb is about 400 meters up and we do around 8 runs per day. The ebike specific climb has sections at 32% gradient, with big roots. It's challenging to get up even in Turbo mode!

We are both a lot more fitter and it's been a complete blast on the way

Friend is an ultra marathon runner and a good one, usually top 10 (mostly top 5) and it was him that convinced me to get an ebike. He doesnt have the energy after a week of training for a big mtb ride and claims it helps him get fitter as he doesnt need to ride at a high hr on the big climbs but can sit below his usual working hr at weekends now.

Its like skiing, the sport wouldnt be the same without an uplift. And for those who go mtb with the downs in mind, the fitness from climbs is really just a byproduct.

Emtbs are a great evolution in this stupid hobby.

 

[CraigN]

I have 4 bikes, I spend most of my time on the e-bike because of the utility. I love it. My only regret is that i knowingly bought a bike with a 600wh battery. Since its been cold i run the range extender everywhere. Notice it a little bit. Its probably more in my head than anything else. I was very close to sticking my name down for an atherton 170e but don't need another mavity focused ebike. If anything I need a shorter travel trail ebike with a massive battery. When its warmer weather the 600wh was fine.

I keep a 1kwh power bank in the van and 2 chargers. I charge my bike and range extender at the same time usually over lunch. Will give me around 25% bump in an hour or so.

Just got some new stoppers for it! Decided to go for fixed rotors that are 2.3mm for better heat management that the pretty floating rotors that are only 1.8mm thick. Dont look as nice but work very well. Using the Purple e-bike pads first see how they are.

Riding a 24mile loop round Afan on the weekend, condition are bound to be horrific so will see how they perform.

 

[413x]

I have 4 bikes, I spend most of my time on the e-bike because of the utility. I love it. My only regret is that i knowingly bought a bike with a 600wh battery. Since its been cold i run the range extender everywhere. Notice it a little bit. Its probably more in my head than anything else. I was very close to sticking my name down for an atherton 170e but don't need another mavity focused ebike. If anything I need a shorter travel trail ebike with a massive battery. When its warmer weather the 600wh was fine.

I keep a 1kwh power bank in the van and 2 chargers. I charge my bike and range extender at the same time usually over lunch. Will give me around 25% bump in an hour or so.

Just got some new stoppers for it! Decided to go for fixed rotors that are 2.3mm for better heat management that the pretty floating rotors that are only 1.8mm thick. Dont look as nice but work very well. Using the Purple e-bike pads first see how they are.

Riding a 24mile loop round Afan on the weekend, condition are bound to be horrific so will see how they perform.

If you could chose you'd go with the heavier, bigger battery bike?

I'm very close to committing to a cube one44 (just checking if there's anything better).

 

[CraigN]

Cube 144/177 great bikes.

I had a heavy bike before with a 720wh battery. I wanted a lighter more balanced "riders" bike. I never had any range issues with my 720wh so thought 600wh would be fine. I bought the range extender anyways.

So in reality my bike weighs 24 odd KG anyway as i have to use the range extender. I love the bike, only downside for me is the battery size. But in summer i take the range extender off and i can loose 2kg.

If i didnt have the range extender option It would be a different proposition. If you get the cube id still recommend a range extender. 1050wh will let you do some epic treks.

If I were to buy another ebike I would get a lighter more trail focused bike with a larger battery. New Avinox M2 with a 900wh battery methinks. For trekking/XC/Bimble style riding. I will still keep this and would probably get rid of my analogue enduro.

 

[Andrew Moore]

I’m on the fence on whether I should get the Atherton even though I have a perfectly fine maxed out spec 177. The carbon frame still scares me given how easily I’ve shafted rims in the past. Tempted to strip the 177 back to stock and to sell it. Fingers crossed a frame only option for the atherton comes about in time for the summer!

 

[CraigN]

Got two friends who ordered in the first 50. Will wait and see if the battery is the 700wh or the 900wh. Im pretty sure they will use the new avinox system which is the reason for not disclosing the battery.

I convinced myself not to order one. I might get fomo when i see it in the flesh