Would you like to rejuvenate your VTTAE, adapt it to your technical or aesthetic preferences? Or how about upgrading it to better exploit its potential, enhance your comfort or improve your performance?
Here are a few ideas for upgrading your electrically-assisted mountain bike.
The modifications you can make will depend on the following factors:
- your bike model ;
- your riding style;
- your frequency of use; and
- your riding style.
UPGRADING YOUR VTTAE: FOR SMALL BUDGETS UP TO €200
You can start by looking at the tires on your electrically-assisted mountain bike (EABT). If you haven't already done so, choose tires that bear the E-Bike" label.with a reinforced structure, higher load capacity and rubber optimized for E-MTB use. With VTTAE tires, you'll win on every level: longevity, braking performance, speed, etc. Original equipment tires are rarely 100% suited to your riding style. Yet they are major components that greatly influence the behavior of the VTTAE. The first step in upgrading your electric mountain bike is therefore to replace the original tires with "E-Bike" tires with a profile adapted to your riding style.
It's also a good time to switch to tubeless tires, if you need to use a "E-Bike" tire. tubeless conversion kit - you'll reduce the risk of punctures, and gain points for traction and grip. If your e-bike is already configured for tubeless, you may want to think about the anti-pinch foams. They enable you to engage downhill while reducing the risk of punctures or material breakage. With anti-pinch foams, you also reduce pressure and increase grip on the terrain.
On an electric mountain bike, as on a muscle bike, changing the original pedals is often a must for riders looking for a minimum of performance. The flat pedals of the entry-level range are replaced by lighter aluminum pedals, which are more comfortable to ride. automatic pedals or combination pedals. It all depends on your riding style and habits, whether you prefer power transfer, secure support or weight savings.
You can make adjustments to the cockpit of your electric mountain bike. Depending on your profile/practice, you can seek to improve your position by adjusting the shape of the handlebars (rise, upsweep, backsweep), or the length and inclination of the stem. Replacing these peripherals is also an opportunity to save a few grams by opting for CNC-machined aluminum parts. For highly committed VTTAE bikes, opt for oversized handlebars (35 mm diameter) for greater power, strength and rigidity. Replacing grips to improve feel and personalize the style of your bike.
If your first outings are painful, it's imperative that you find a saddle that's better suited to your morphology and your VTTAE riding style. There's a huge choice of mountain bike saddles, with a multitude of models available in different widths and profiles. Our advice page choosing the right MTB saddle goes through all the comfort criteria.
The high-torque drive of the crankset motor puts the transmission of electric mountain bikes. It's important to look after the various components (chain, cassette, chainring) and monitor wear. If your e-bike uses a conventional mountain bike drivetrain, it's a good idea to invest in components specifically designed for VTTAEs - chain and cassette first and foremost. Your drivetrain will last longer.
If you find that your on-board computer is limited in its functions, or that its screen is too small and difficult to read, you can change it. You'll need to check compatibility carefully, and probably call in a specialist for installation. Top-of-the-range VTTAE consoles offer several advantages: better ergonomics, color display, numerous functions, advanced connectivity, GPS function, etc.
UPGRADING YOUR VTTAE: FOR BUDGETS BETWEEN €200 AND €400
If your e-VTT is not directly equipped with a telescopic seatpostit's definitely a major shortcoming for your downhill comfort. A telescopic seatpost is an essential component for easy riding - whatever your riding style or level. The telescopic seatpost allows you to find the best position and balance on downhill sections, whether fast or technical.
Visit braking system The braking system of your electric mountain bike is an important, not to say critical, element! Because an e-MTB is heavier and more powerful, it needs more effective brakes to control its speed. If you have any doubts about the reliability of your original brakes, opt for a new, special e-MTB system, with a 4-piston caliper and VTTAE brake pads, with optimized linings. Upmarket braking is a question of safety and performance. To meet the needs of the most aggressive riders, manufacturers have developed special braking solutions for electrically-assisted mountain bikes.
These include specific discs for electric mountain bike brakes. Thicker, they stand up better to intensive use and are better at dissipating heat.
With a budget at this level, a significant upgrade of your transmission is also possible. You can upgrade your derailleur and buy a new cassette with a new chain (e-VTT specific). You'll feel the difference in the life of the parts and the smoothness of gear changes. There are also cranks specially designed for electric mountain bikes, in machined aluminum or carbon, for greater strength and rigidity. Top-of-the-range VTTAE cranks can add color and enhance the design of your bike (motor compatibility to be checked).
UPGRADING YOUR VTTAE: FOR BUDGETS OVER €400
Visit suspension are key components of electric-assist mountain bikes, determining their full potential. Visit fork and shock absorber do a great deal for comfort, but also for the bike's safety, performance and dynamism. On a VTTAE, suspensions need to be calibrated differently, to support the bike's weight and power. This is why specialist brands have adapted specific solutions, such as forks with reinforced frames (with oversized 38 mm plungers). A sensible upgrade is to replace your original suspensions with higher-performance, more robust VTTAE suspensions, with settings adapted to your riding style. Alternatively, you could consider entrusting your suspensions to a specialist, who will be able to adjust the settings to suit your profile and riding style.
If you opt for new suspensions, look out for forks and shocks marked "E-Bike" - you'll be sure to get components that have been tested and approved for the VTTAE you're using.
If your budget allows, consider replacing your original wheels with new ones. E-MTB wheels Tubeless-compatible wheels. Top-of-the-range VTTAE wheels are a guarantee of dynamism in the field. Designed for experienced riders, rigid carbon rims are the most efficient: they offer significant weight savings, maximum responsiveness and improved trajectory precision. On wheels optimized for electric-assist mountain biking, the wheel body benefits from a reinforced construction. More robust, VTTAE wheels take into account the strength of the motor in the design of the various components (rim, spokes, hub).
If your VTTAE allows, add a second external battery to increase autonomy and boost total capacity to 1000 Wh or more. This extra energy will come in handy for VTTAE touring enthusiasts who prefer a change of scenery to pure performance, and who are used to riding autonomously over several days.
Finally, your quest for performance may lead you to change your entire drivetrain for an electronically controlled system, connected to your VTTAE console. This ultimate transmission upgrade gives you greater reliability, smoothness and speed when shifting gears.
UPGRADING YOUR VTTAE: ATTENTION TO DETAIL, SETTINGS AND MAINTENANCE
Upgrading your VTTAE is a long-term mission: everyone can set their own priorities and progress at their own pace, one step at a time. As a priority, you can look to improve the performance and comfort of your electric mountain bike. You can also take care of the small parts (seat collar, headset, grips...), with the idea of enhancing the bike's aesthetics by matching colors and imposing your style.
Upgrading your electric-assist mountain bike wouldn't make much sense if you didn't take care of maintenance. Regardless of the quality of its components, you should always maintain your VTTAE regularly. Clean, adjust, maintain... Don't forget the basics to get the most out of your bike!
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