4. Preparing yourself technicall
Of course a bike in good working order is the most essential prerequisite for a tour. More importantly it needs to work for you and allow you to ride a whole day without causing your bits to go numb or your neck to feel sore the next morning. We’ll help you find the correct saddle height on your E-MTB. The longer the tour the more you’re likely to have to deal with mechanical breakdowns. We already gave you a list with 5 of the most common breakdowns and showed you how to fix them. However we strongly recommend signing up for a day-course in your local bike shop or a few riding-technique classes with your local coach.
5. The battery
The source of power of your eMTB is also its weakest point. Once the battery is flat you’re left alone fighting a 25 kg monster in the middle of nowhere. And that’s exactly why it’s important that you’re familiar with the range of your bike! Unfortunately this isn’t as easy and straightforward to work out – battery capacity, software, riding style, tire pressure, load, cadence, terrain, gradient are all factors that make it impossible to work out an exact range… and the list goes on. We recommend a gradual approach – take it step by step and work out the autonomy of your battery. Sometimes it’s even a good idea to ride until you run out of juice to understand how far you can push your battery. Here you can read our tips on how to improve your range!
The source of power of your eMTB is also its weakest point
If you’re planning a longer tour an additional battery is a wise investment. Several manufacturers are already selling backpacks with special battery compartments. Alternatively you can plan your route around several charging stations or book your overnight stay in hostels and hotels that provide one. If you want to save weight make a few phone calls before setting off and ask your hosts if they can provide the appropriate charger. If that’s not the case don’t forget to bring yours and always remember to bring your battery key.
