Can you hear that? Tick. Tick. Tick. It’s kind of funny. It seems so inflexible. And yet, it’s so subjective, so elastic and, above all, so strikingly individual. There’s no doubt that the hands on our watches tick steadily onwards. Nevertheless, their motion isn’t linear – and even less so is our perception of time.

E-mountainbikes are time machines. They speed up our experiences and increase the time we spend on the trail, though in the same amount of time! Few things make it easier to have fun than our eMTBs. They take us out into nature, to new places, together with other people, while making sure that we grow beyond ourselves. The reward: a colourful cocktail of endorphins, adrenaline and dopamine. But is there more to them than that?

The latest issue is available now in our free magazine app. If you haven’t installed our app yet, now’s your chance to download it for free in the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or in the Play Store (Android smartphones & tablets).

We took a trip to Portugal for the launch of the new Mondraker Dune with Bosch’s SX motor, and while we were there, we took a few days to travel back in time with our art director Julian, aboard a classic, fully restored Land Rover Defender, trading in Marty McFly’s DeLorean for a British off-road legend. Our mission: trying to stop time, with the gurgle of an old engine and the whirr of an ebike motor in our ears, with the forest and sea providing a soul-soothing soundtrack. Time stands still, at least for a moment. Read the full story to find out what all of this has in common with supermarket dates and dishwashers!

How much does it cost to have a good time on the trail? Or, in other words, how much money do you have to spend to get a decent e-mountainbike? Does it necessarily have to be over € 10,000? And what should you look out for when buying an affordable eMTB?
In our 2024 eMTB comparison test under € 7,000, we pitted 5 exciting e-mountainbikes against each other. As usual, our test revealed some very interesting findings.

While some of us were putting the eMTBs through the wringer on our home trails, my brother Max and my dad Manne travelled to Taiwan to take a look behind the scenes of several manufacturers and learn more about where the components on our bikes really come from. In this issue, you’ll find a factory visit to LIMOTEC, an innovative and very exciting dropper post manufacturer that is still relatively unknown to the masses. And yes, I admit it – I would have loved to be there with them. At the same time, I’m totally stoked that my dad and my brother, who founded both our publishing house and this magazine with me, embarked together on this exciting journey to the other side of the globe, that they were so warmly welcomed in Taiwan and had such a great time!

Hard today, easy tomorrow. Easy today, hard tomorrow. If you want to have a good time, usually you have to go through some rough stuff first. Good times require discipline and consistency. This applies not only to young, fit people, but also – or especially – to those who are dealing with the first signs of ageing. My dad Manne already talked about his knee problems and the amazing remedies he found in the previous issue. Now E-MOUNTAINBIKE author Patrick unpacks and talks about gout and rheumatism – and how he got them mostly under control. And while we might not be doctors, we want to share our personal experiences. After the positive feedback to our last article, we want to continue right here and perhaps inspire others.

The rule that there’s usually plenty of hard work behind a good moment also applies to the trails we ride. Because in most cases, they’re the product of someone’s dedication and painstaking work. We spent some time with trail builder Linus and talked about responsibility and all the different things that we, as riders, can do to maintain our trails.

You can have a good time not only on a trail adventure, but also in everyday life. And that’s exactly why we’re cranking it up to eleven with our sister magazine DOWNTOWN, doing things that no one has ever done before. DOWNTOWN is the E-MOUNTAINBIKE magazine for your everyday life – progressive, inspiring and exciting. For more variety, fun and good times when you’re off the bike. If you like E-MOUNTAINBIKE, then you’ll love DOWNTOWN – it’s mostly produced by the same team! And with full commitment. Want some examples?

We spent a whole “working” week in the cosmopolitan chaos of Paris, snaking our way through the traffic with 12 cargo bikes and turning seemingly everyday bike routes into something very special: Stealing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre on a cargo bike? Organising an unforgettable picnic under the Eiffel Tower? Or a unique sightseeing tour with the kids to show you Paris like you’ve never seen it before? Relaxing at the trendy Café Parisien? Or a leisurely commute through the heavy rush hour traffic, to park right in front of the bakery for a café au lait and croissant? Anything is possible. Oh yes, since our visit to Paris, the Mona Lisa has been hanging in our office*. Ocean’s Eleven, eat my dust! 😉

Less than two weeks later, we took 12 unique vehicles on a road trip for our big roof top tent comparison test. With us came friends, family, readers, 50 litres of beer and everything that’s fun: bikes, kayaks, awesome cars and good conversations – and the fact that we were able to see the Northern Lights was just the icing on the cake!

What do design classics from USM & Co., Vitra and Knoll have in common with bikes? Why should every stylish home have at least one bike stand or wall mount? We hijacked one of the best furniture stores in Germany, re-arranged some wickedly expensive furniture and drilled holes in every other wall. We have the ultimate, style-appropriate bike storage for you!

Fancy more? Then check out our website and download our DOWNTOWN magazine app for free. The first issue of this year will be published at the beginning of June and it’s going to be really cool – we promise! If you don’t want to miss out on anything, and enjoy getting cool insights, you should sign up for our newsletter. Yep, we’re advertising on our own behalf – but for a good reason! Our entire editorial team is hyped for it! We still have some really cool stuff on the agenda for DOWNTOWN this year. And don’t worry, for E-MOUNTAINBIKE too, of course 😉

As you can see, bikes can be fun in any situation and all combinations. We consider them as a tool for discovering the world out there, enriching our lives and forgetting about time. You don’t need the best, most expensive or craziest gadget to do this – you just need the right attitude. After all, why would you buy the best watch in the world if you don’t have time? With this in mind: if the ticking in your head gets too loud, it’s time to grab your eMTB and head off down the next trail. Of course, you’re more than welcome to switch into Turbo mode, but if you do, please shift down a gear, stop, pause for a second and take a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Why? Because it makes time better. By the way: you don’t have to stand on a cliff with a sea view like cover boy Julian and his dog Bonnie – your local woods will do just fine. Try it out for yourself – it’s worth it!

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you many great moments this season!
And if something stresses you out, just take a deep breath!

Ommmmmm,

If you want to take a closer look at the Mona Lisa over a delicious cup of café au lait, espresso or cappuccino in our office in Leonberg, you’re welcome to drop me an email. Editorial tour included. First come, first serve. We have 5 free tickets 😉 And with a bit of luck, E-MOUNTAINBIKE tester and art collector Jean-Erique Boetzleau, who is sure that our Mona Lisa is the original, will be there to welcome you too 😉

Covershot: Robin Schmitt
Rider: Julian Lemme & Bonnie


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Words & Photos: Robin Schmitt

About the author

Robin Schmitt

Robin is one of the two founders of 41 Publishing, a visionary and go-getter. While he now enjoys every second on the bike – whenever his busy schedule allows – he used to race against the clock at enduro events and a few Downhill World Cups. Besides that, Robin practises kung fu and Zen meditation, plays the cello or with his dog (which actually belongs to his girlfriend), travels abroad and still reviews numerous bikes himself. Progressive ideas, new projects and major challenges – Robin loves exploring undiscovered potential and getting to the bottom of new trends.