More powerful, faster and heavier, the electric mountain bike is not quite the same as a conventional mountain bike. Its behavior doesn't revolutionize the terrain, but it does offer new sensations, both in pedaling and riding. If you're new to riding a VTTAE, you'll probably need a little time to get used to it... It's important to take the time to tame the beast!
Probikeshop will point out the little mistakes to avoid and give you some advice to help you tame your VTTAE.
The specifics of an electric mountain bike: weight, steering, power
Aesthetically, an electrically-assisted mountain bike looks a lot like a muscle bike, especially with the progress made in recent years in integrating the engine block and battery. MTB and VTTAE equipment is also comparable, although there are more and more components optimized for the VTTAE (telescopic fork or special e-MTB transmission and E-25-approved tires).
An electric mountain bike belongs in a class of its own, given the presence of an electric pedal-assist system, comprising a motor, battery and display with handlebar controls. This specific equipment adds a certain weight, which changes the habits acquired when riding a conventional mountain bike. On average, a VTTAE weighs around 25 kg, with the lightest models just shy of 20 kg.
At speed, this substantial weight can easily trap inexperienced riders in technical descents. But with practice, a VTTAE can be tamed just like any other bike, in a very gentle way. Electric mountain biking allows you to discover a different kind of riding, one that's highly enjoyable, all about anticipation and flexibility.
All electric mountain bikes use a motor with high power and torque potential. The motor helps you on uphill sections, but can also trap you if the assistance mode is not well chosen. The main risk is to get stuck in the steepest, most technical sections, due to loss of rear-wheel drive or, conversely, uncontrolled camber.
How to choose the right VTTAE assistance mode?
Engine torque is an important factor in assessing how your VTTAE performs in the field. Assistance modes allow you to dose power to suit the circumstances.
Sporty, dynamic VTTAE motor assistance
The pedaling behavior of a VTTAE is determined by the technical characteristics of its motor. Electric mountain bikes are powerful, sporty machines that let you tackle trails that would normally be inaccessible with a muscular mountain bike. Thanks to their sporty nature, VTTAE motors are ideally suited to this kind of extreme terrain and riding. By sporty, we mean highly dynamic, responsive and responsive assistance, which efficiently accompanies the rider's effort when he presses on the pedals.
The sporty behavior of VTTAE motors translates technically into high maximum torque, between 70 Nm and 90 Nm for the most renowned solutions on the market:
All these motors offer different levels or modes of assistance, enabling support to be adjusted to suit the terrain (more or less technical or uneven), the user's profile (sporty or leisure) and the type of outing (cruising speed over a long distance or short, rhythmic outings). Each assistance mode delivers a well-targeted maximum torque. The first assistance mode delivers the lowest torque (60 Nm in Eco mode for the Performance Line CX engine), while the most powerful mode delivers the highest torque (85 Nm in Turbo mode for the Performance Line CX engine).
Adapting your VTTAE's assistance mode to the terrain
Depending on your mountain bike's motor manufacturer (Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano...), you have 3 or 4 assistance modes at your disposal.
You always have the first "Eco" mode, which is great for a smooth start, sufficient for relatively easy pedaling sections, and useful for sparing the battery and prolonging your outings as much as possible. At the other end of the scale, the most powerful mode ("Turbo" on Bosch, "High" on Yamaha, "Boost" on Shimano) is best used on short, steep climbs - it exploits the full power of the motor but quickly drains the battery. Intermediate modes ("Tour" on Bosch, "STD" on Yamaha, "Trail" on Shimano) are well calibrated for most steep, winding, technical and long climbs.
The Bosch and Shimano brands let you precisely calibrate the different assistance modes (via an app), to find the right dosage, according to your preferences. These 2 major motor manufacturers also offer you modes optimized for VTTAE ("Trail" from Shimano, "eMTB" from Bosch), which automatically adjust the assistance dosage according to the terrain, thanks to an intelligent multi-sensor system.
Getting the most out of your electrically-assisted mountain bike: before the ride
The usual checks before a VTTAE outing are identical to those before a conventional mountain bike outing, with a few specific points of attention.
Essential checks on a VTTAE
Always check the braking system by applying pressure to each lever. Carefully and regularly check the wear level of the brake pads and the condition of the discs. It would be a shame to discover brake failure in the middle of a descent.
Regularly check the tightness of the various fasteners: wheel axle, seat post, cockpit. Also check the general condition of your bike, for dents or cracks in the frame, especially in the engine area.
Adjustments on a VTTAE
Check tire and suspension pressure, following the manufacturer's recommendations and fine-tuning according to your weight, riding style and terrain. Bear in mind that with a VTTAE, 2 qualities are paramount: pedaling traction and braking grip. To climb the steepest climbs, you can adjust the suspension settings for maximum front-end compression and rear-end firmness.
On an electrically-assisted mountain bike, it's also a good idea to lower your usual saddle height (just a little), for greater stability and pedaling agility. You'll be more at ease and more efficient on difficult uphill sections.
Once you've followed this checklist, you're ready to switch on your assistance system. To get started, we recommend you select the first assistance level (Eco mode). You'll get off to a smoother, more controlled start.
Using your electric mountain bike: during the ride
As we've said before, pedaling and steering a VTTAE is a rather special exercise, and one that will change the habits of novices.
General rules for good VTTAE riding
As a reminder, motor assistance only kicks in when you pedal. As a general rule, you should aim for a steady cadence of around 70 to 90 rpm to benefit from optimum motor efficiency. At this pedaling frequency, the VTTAE motor is in its comfort zone, where it consumes the least energy.
On a long climb, we advise you to change gear rather than assistance mode to adapt to the terrain, anticipating slope variations. The idea is to use the different modes wisely, while maintaining smooth, efficient operation.
In the early stages of use, it's important to get to grips with the machine. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the "Eco" mode, to get a feel for your bike's behavior - you'll appreciate the assistance more accurately. You can then try out the intermediate assistance mode, followed by the maximum mode, to explore the full potential of your VTTAE.
Our tips for efficient climbing with a VTTAE
Your VTTAE has the potential to climb the toughest mountain trails. If you're taking on very steep trails, on shifty terrain and a very steep slope, control of the engine's power is essential. Without control of the bike on the slope, you'll be forced to put your foot down. If you apply full power to the engine in the wrong position, there's a good chance you'll rear-end or skid the ATV. The challenge is to find the right formula, the most balanced one, to make good progress on the slope. Good climbing on a VTTAE means finding the best combination of gear and assistance level, adapting your position to distribute your weight evenly.
Riding uphill requires you to anticipate the pitfalls (roots and stone steps), to plot an efficient line. At all costs, avoid getting stuck on an obstacle, at the risk of turning your powerful machine into dead weight.
Riding an electric mountain bike
As with uphill riding, riding downhill requires a great deal of anticipation. Because of the weight of the VTTAE, braking time is necessarily longer. Piloting your VTTAE means taking care when entering a bend, anticipating your line, and keeping your trajectories as smooth and fluid as possible, in order to maintain control, stability and speed.
Obviously, beginners to VTTAE are advised not to dive headlong into overly technical trails.
Getting the most out of your VTTAE: after the ride
After an outing, it's essential to take good care of your VTTAE, which will inevitably have collected dust or mud. Before cleaning the bike, remove the console and battery and wash them separately with a damp cloth. Maintaining a VTTAE follows the same steps as maintaining a muscle bike. In particular, you need to focus on the drivetrain components, cleaning and relubricating them more regularly to extend their life.
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