Heavier, faster and more powerful than a standard MTB, the electrically assisted mountain bike (e-MTB) is designed to withstand high stresses on the trail. Its components must meet the same level of demand in order to last and perform.
Suspensions are among the most heavily used components on an e-MTB, influencing its handling behaviour and helping to control its power, both uphill and downhill. Suspensions must withstand the demands of aggressive riding sessions, absorb heavy impacts, while at the same time promoting traction on climbs and comfort. In short, the fork and shock absorber are key components of an electric mountain bike, which must be chosen and set up with the greatest care.
Probikeshop offers you this guide to understand all the specific features of e-MTB suspensions.
Forks and shock absorbers: checking compatibility with your e-MTB
In terms of frame compatibility, changing a suspension on an electric mountain bike is exactly the same as changing a suspension on a standard mountain bike. Before even choosing the brand, model and technology of your new suspension, you absolutely must check the usual compatibility points.
The criteria to check when choosing your e-MTB fork:
The criteria to check when choosing your e-MTB shock absorber:
Reminder: the specific features of the electrically assisted mountain bike
The rapid advances in electric mountain bikes have pushed suspension brands to develop optimised models, such as telescopic forks with reinforced chassis.
Specific equipment to manage the power of the e-MTB
The electrically assisted mountain bike is a high-powered MTB, boosted by a motor-driven bottom bracket and powered by a battery. This additional weight (motor + battery) directly influences the riding feel, which does not quite match the habits of a standard mountain bike. Otherwise, the appearance, geometry and frame kinematics remain familiar. As for the e-MTB's equipment, it does not change radically but does present a few specific features.
To keep pace with the young and dynamic e-MTB market, manufacturers have designed increasingly well-adapted, more durable components, which often bear the label "E-Bike", "dedicated E-Bike", "E-Bike compatible", "E-Bike Approved"... This includes e-MTB tyres using specific rubber compounds, as well as chains, cassettes or brake pads with improved longevity. Suspensions are no exception to this market evolution.
Suspensions for electrically assisted mountain bikes
You can find electric mountain bikes suited to every discipline – leisure touring, XC, All Mountain, Enduro. Depending on the model chosen and the intended discipline, your e-bike is either a hardtail (a single suspension at the front) or a full-suspension (front suspension and rear shock absorber). The hardtail e-MTB is generally lighter and better on rolling sections. The full-suspension e-MTB is more comfortable and better equipped to tackle rough terrain, where the work of the shock absorber promotes rear wheel traction. Given their enormous potential on challenging trails, full-suspension e-MTBs really need suspensions that are up to the task and can push the limits of mountain biking.
The development of forks and shock absorbers specifically configured for electric mountain bikes is of real benefit on the trail, given how essential suspensions are to the proper behaviour of the e-MTB. The quality of the suspensions has an impact not only on comfort (shock absorption) and safety (grip), but also on pedalling performance (traction, balance) and handling (precision, dynamism).
By applying the special "e-Bike" label, brands specify that the suspension in question has undergone safety tests and presents no risk related to the additional load represented by the motor, battery and reinforced frame. The specific features of e-MTB suspensions relate to both visible (chassis) and invisible characteristics (factory setting, hydraulics, internal components). These suspensions also offer numerous adjustment possibilities, allowing them to adapt to the wide spectrum of e-MTB riders, from the leisure user to the dedicated enduro rider.
What are the specific features of an electric MTB fork?
Forks have evolved and been reinforced to meet the needs of electrically assisted mountain bikes.
Electric MTB fork: a reinforced chassis, sturdier and more rigid
Choosing a fork optimised for e-MTB is essential for safety reasons: you need the assurance of having a sufficiently robust suspension, capable of withstanding the type of riding for which the bike is designed.
The most obvious characteristic of a "dedicated e-MTB" fork is seen at the chassis level, which is sturdier and more rigid. It is easy to understand that forks with a reinforced chassis respond better to the deformation stresses imposed by the weight of the e-MTB, combined with inertia and speed. A rigid chassis also benefits downhill performance, trajectory precision and braking stability. In practical terms, the stanchions of e-MTB forks have a larger diameter (up to 38 mm), thicker walls, and a more robust crown and arch. This "heavy duty" construction allows the best e-MTB forks to achieve a level of rigidity worthy of a double crown fork.
Electric MTB fork: specific adjustment
The telescopic forks of electrically assisted mountain bikes also benefit from a finer adjustment, precisely adapted to the needs of this type of high-powered bike. The primary objective of the suspension is to follow the terrain closely. As a result, you will often find great sensitivity on small impacts, to maintain traction on fast and rough sections, as well as to keep the front wheel planted on steep and technical climbs, where it tends to lift with the power of the motor assistance. The secondary objective of the e-MTB suspension is to increase its damping capacity, to support aggressive riding and manage the weight of the bike. A suspension optimised for e-MTB has a more progressive action, with a high level of firmness at the end of the travel.
Finally, manufacturers have worked on the internal components of e-bike suspensions. The optimisation of internal parts, such as the use of oversized guide bushings, helps to promote stability, smoothness, reliability and longevity of the fork.
What are the specific features of an electric MTB shock absorber?
The shock absorbers of full-suspension electric mountain bikes can also benefit from an optimised design, which particularly concerns the robustness and the factory setting of the suspension.
Like the e-MTB fork, the e-MTB shock absorber must withstand significant forces on the trail, absorb heavy impacts and contribute to the good handling of the bike in all circumstances. It is worth noting that there are a few specific models on the market, but most brands use standard MTB shock absorbers that already meet e-Bike safety standards. When fitted to an electric mountain bike, a shock absorber is calibrated accordingly: it is more sensitive on small impacts and maximises progressiveness at the end of the travel. It is chosen to work in perfect harmony with the specific kinematics of the e-MTB frame.
Technically, a rear suspension for an electric mountain bike is built around a reinforced body. Manufacturers also carry out extensive work on seals and surface coatings to drastically reduce friction and achieve extreme sensitivity to the slightest impact. E-MTB shock absorbers with a coil spring system receive specific, stiffer springs.
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