Every day and every journey is an opportunity to gain new perspectives. You learn new things, you get to know yourself better – your quirks, your triggers, your wants and needs.
In a world that seems to be spinning faster and faster, where radical change and uncertainty are the only certainties, our only chance is to invest in ourselves. In our skills, our strengths and our vulnerabilities. We don’t have to be perfect, and we certainly don’t have to want what others want, or what they expect of us. Those who face their fears are destined to grow, because fear serves as our internal compass for further development. Ultimately, we come to realise that navigating our lives as adventurers, facing all of the inevitable ups and downs, transforms us from victims of circumstance into individuals whose self-efficacy and self-confidence flourish with each passing day. It becomes clear that as we learn to face life’s challenges with resilience and a sense of adventure, our dreams come closer and closer, and perhaps we are already living them!
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Our aim as a magazine has always been to encourage our readers with bold impulses and inspiration to follow their own path. This includes providing all the information you need to make independent and informed buying decisions. After all, preparation is the key to every purchase and every (bike) adventure. And by preparation, we don’t mean meticulous planning down to the last detail, but rather gaining clarity about yourself, your skills and what really matters. Without a clear understanding of what to look for in an eMTB and an awareness of your individual wants and needs, you run the risk of being tempted by seemingly irresistible bargains, only to end up with a cheap bike that doesn’t meet either. The result? In the end, it costs you more.
The same holds true for the spirit of adventure: how many unique experiences and unforgettable moments have we missed out on because we lacked the courage? How many times have we looked for excuses and eventually found them? How many times have we settled for easy compromises when our dreams were infinitely greater?
This issue doesn’t even seem that big, but the effort was enormous: we spent weeks testing, discussing and analysing for you to produce our big e-mountainbike group test 2024. To compare all 27 eMTBs head-to-head, we travelled to Spain with a large team for two weeks to test the bikes on a predefined route. We also explored the trails around our headquarters in the wild south of Germany. The result is a huge market overview of the most important e-mountainbikes for 2024, with all the relevant information, exciting insights and clear buying advice. We tell you what to look for, what makes a good eMTB, which ebike is best for you, and why it’s not always the wisest choice to buy the seemingly best or the most expensive ebike.
My father and our editor, Manne, has demonstrated the importance of not accepting every diagnosis at face value and of looking for alternatives – tackling the causes rather than just the symptoms. He literally refused to be brought to his knees and went to a rehabilitation and fitness centre rather than the operating theatre with his knee problems. A very wise decision!
“Which motor is the best?” – That’s the key question in the world of eMTBs and a hot topic. What influence does the motor system have and how does it change the riding characteristics of an eMTB when all other factors remain the same? To answer this question, we rode four almost identical SIMPLON Rapcon models in direct comparison – equipped with a Bosch CX, a Pinion MGU, a TQ HPR 50 and, for good measure, no motor at all. The result? An unmatched comparison!
An insider tip or an emerging destination? Maybe both? In our wildest dreams, we couldn’t have imagined so much untapped potential. But when it comes to e-mountainbiking, Whistler – arguably the world’s biggest bike paradise – seems more like a developing country than a dream destination. Yet eMTBs offer so many advantages, open up so many new possibilities and arguably make mountainbiking safer – and not just because it’s easier to outrun the bears! We’ve been there and racked up a lot of electric metres of climbing and descending!
But it’s not just Whistler that holds immense eMTB potential – the end of the world is also an incredible place to ride! We ventured to the world’s southernmost bike park and explored Patagonia on two wheels, in a stolen shopping trolley, on horseback and in a kayak. And hey, you don’t have to be Ferdinand Magellan – anyone can embark on this extraordinary journey. The level of adventure is entirely up to you!
So what does it take to have a successful season? As well as the right equipment, the most important element is the right mindset! It’s the key that will take you anywhere!
Excited? These (and many more) stories are just a few clicks away. If you’ve already installed our free app, simply open it and download the latest issue right now. If not, first download the free app from the App Store (iPhone / iPad) or the Play Store (Android smartphones & tablets) and then download the latest issue in the app. All you’ve got to do then is sit back and enjoy (ideally with a cold beer or a delicious cup of coffee)! #qualitytime
Words: Manne Schmitt Photos: Diverse
About the Author
Manne Schmitt
Manne Schmitt is a Procurator at 41 Publishing, contributing a wealth of methodological expertise from his career as a Chief Analyst for a state authority. This background ensures the journalistic depth of his research, and the acquisition of exclusive news for E-MOUNTAINBIKE, ENDURO, GRAN FONDO, and DOWNTOWN. Active in cycling since 1989, he combines operative test support with administrative responsibility, strengthening the quality of editorial processes. The world of racing remains a passion; no one on the team knows the EDR professionals better than Manne.
