Trend topic e-mountain bike
Do you even still buy a MTB without a motor?

Should I buy an EMTB or a normal mountain bike?

Mountain bikes with motors have not only kept the industry busy in recent years, but also the scene. Above all, the hustle and bustle on the trails was strongly influenced by the motorization of the bike. The ongoing trend towards the E-MTB and constant technical advances mean that even hardened mountain bike purists are now faced with the question: should I maybe buy an e-mountain bike too?
Buy an e-mountain bike
EMTBs make the climb easier, allowing more people to experience mountain biking.
The mountain bike scene has always been strongly influenced by emotions. And when the industry delivered the first e-mountain bikes to bike shops more than 10 years ago, it was almost clear that this development would trigger a heated debate. The question of whether you should go mountain biking with or without a motor became almost a choosing of faith. The electrification of the mountain bike drove a wedge between many bikers, at first. If you look back today at the first decade in which mountain bikes were equipped with motors, you can say: the emotions have calmed down a lot in the meantime!
“E-MTB
Mountain biking together: The e-bike can perfectly compensate for different fitness levels and thus enable riding fun with a buddy or in a group.
E-bike for mountains
For many people, the e-mountain bike makes it possible to experience nature in remote places in the first place. That’s why we created an extra portal for E-MTBs with emtb-test.com.
Enduro e-mountain bike
If you only want to shred downhill anyway, you can significantly reduce the time uphill with an e-mountain bike. This leaves more time for more trails.

In 2023, buying an e-mountain bike will no longer trigger stigmatisation

The heated discussions of the past are increasingly leading to a broad acceptance of E-MTBs. In 2023, motorised and non-motorised mountain bikers will ride handlebar to handlebar through the forests. One reason for this is definitely that the trendy topic of e-mountain bikes has become a mass movement. In the high-priced segment, more e-mountain bikes are now being sold than classic mountain bikes without a motor. But technical progress also contributes to the merging of camps that were once separate.

Technical progress is making e-mountain bikes sexy for the first time

The mountain bike industry is known for its rapid pace of development. The latest e-mountain bikes are clear proof of this. While the first motorised mountain bikes were still referred to as “Frankenstein bikes”, you can now hardly see the difference to non-motorised mountain bikes. Especially the new light E-MTBs, with perfectly integrated batteries and motors and weights well under 20 kg ensure that even tough critics of the e-mountain bike trend fall silent. These bikes are increasingly blurring the once hard line between classic and motorised mountain bikes. In doing so, they ensure that long-established mountain bikers are asking themselves one question more and more: Should I buy an e-mountain bike after all? So let’s get to the point.
E-mountain bike test
On emtb-test.com we clarify all the important and specific questions about e-mountain bikes.
E-mountain bike motor
The motor of e-mountain bikes raises so many specific questions, that we at bike-test.com cannot do it justice. With emtb-test.com we therefore have created an extra portal for e-bikers.
E-bike battery
Battery, motor, range, weight… the key issues in the decision to buy an E-MTB are more fundamental than with non-motorised mountain bikes. In many respects, these two topics cannot be mixed up.

You shouldn’t buy an E-MTB, if…

  • …you love to push your body to its limit.
  • you love the freedom of a muscle-powered bike more than anything.
  • you are on a budget under €2000.
Even though E-MTBs are enjoying increasing acceptance, there is one mistake that should not be made: E-mountain bikes should not be confused with non-motorized bikes. Firstly, the significantly more complex technology requires a completely different approach to the purchase decision. This is why we have created a portal for purchasing advice with emtb-test.com. Second, just because an e-bike is trending doesn’t necessarily make it the right mountain bike for you. If you want to do sports, maybe even push your body to its own limits or are looking for absolute freedom on the bike, then don’t let yourself be influenced. Because then a classic mountain bike without a motor is also the right choice for you in 2023. A limited range battery and a technically complex E-MTB only bother you if you want to get on a bike with the motivations listed above. The bicycle is often referred to as mankind’s noblest invention. Each additional component (battery, motor, display) also makes this noble invention more complex, heavier and increases the dependencies. Because one thing is clear: If the power in the battery is empty, such an E-MTB becomes cumbersome and a hefty burden on the trail. Of course, there is also another way of looking at things.
Scott Lumens
Current light E-MTBs like the Scott Lumen are visually almost indistinguishable from modern mountain bikes without a motor. All information about the Scott Lumen can be found at emtb-test.com.
Orbea Rise
As a light E-MTB, the Orbea Rise is also a crossover between normal and motorised mountain bikes. This approach arouses interest in a new target group. At emtb-test.com we have specific purchase advice for light E-MTBs.

You can think about buying an e-mountain bike if…

  • you want to enjoy nature within a large radius.
  • you want to ride in a group with stronger bikers.
  • you only want to shred downhill anyway.
  • you can´t/don’t want to really cycle without motor assistance.
The motivation to get on a mountain bike can have many reasons. If you want to enjoy nature above all else, an e-bike can extend the radius around your home. In addition, an E-MTB can satisfy the desire to do sports together with a stronger partner or friends. Because the engine perfectly compensates for differences in physical performance and ensures that everyone involved has fun during the ride. An e-mountain bike can bring huge feelings of happiness to unfit, elderly or physically impaired people. Because without the motor support, many people can hardly move in the fresh air. And last but not least, of course, adrenaline junkies, who are mainly interested in the descent, are also addressed. Because with the power from the socket, the annoying climbs between the trails become a negligible act. And with the modern Light E-MTBs, downhill handling is almost identical to that of conventional enduro bikes. If you find yourself in any of these arguments, the question naturally arises as to which E-MTB you should buy.

Our website for e-mountain bikers

the best E-MTB comparison portal
“E-MTB
The much-touted “Uphill Flow” is an experience that can only be had on an E-MTB. span>

Purchase advice: This is what counts when buying an E-MTB

The basic requirement for electrified riding fun on two wheels is that you have a decent budget. Good e-mountain bikes cost €3000 and more. Sporty e-enduros are normally not available for less than €5000. Otherwise, there are completely different factors to consider than with conventional MTBs. Battery size, motor torque and motor control open up completely new questions. The higher weight of the bikes mean that components such as the suspension fork or brakes need to be dimensioned differently. To answer all of these questions, typing a paragraph in an article is not enough. Even a whole article would not be enough. We have therefore created a specific portal for e-mountain bikers with emtb-test.com.
Radon Render Action
Modern E-MTBs don’t shy away from even the steepest of descents and can be handled off-road in a similar way to mountain bikes without a motor.
Radon Jealous Action
If you only travel on paved roads, you can also be happy with a cheap-ish E-MTB. We clarify how much you really have to spend on an e-mountain bike in our e-mountain bike purchase advice at emtb-test.com a>.

emtb-test.com is our portal for e-mountain bikers

On emtb-test.com there is not only a detailed and really in-depth purchase advice, but also the market overview you are used to from bike-test.com and full consulting expertise at every level. On emtb-test.com you can filter over 1000 E-MTB models with uniform filters and thus find your personal dream E-MTB. That is, if you’re looking for one.

Check our new e-mountain bike portal emtb-test.com

In 2023, the E-MTB market will provide more reasons than ever to buy an E-MTB. The technology for motors and batteries is progressing rapidly. Engines are getting smaller and quieter and their integration is getting better and better. Current Light E-MTBs primarily appeal to a sporty, trail-loving target group. Anyone interested in an E-MTB will find all the information they need in the usual quality and variety at emtb-test.com. All of that is nice, but it doesn’t make the mountain bike without a motor second choice. If you put the sporty aspect into the foreground, you are also well advised in 2023 with a mountain bike. The complex and electricity-dependent e-bikes make it clear, why the bicycle without a motor is often referred to as the noblest of all inventions. The puristic technology and movement using your own muscle power will never lose its appeal.
the best EMTB comparison portal

About the author

Ludwig

... has spent more than 100,000 kilometers in the saddle of over 1000 different mountain bikes. The essence of many hours on the trail: Mountain bikes are awesome when they match your personal preferences! With this realization, he founded bike-test.com to assist cyclists in finding their very own dream bike.

Recommended for you