Editorial Issue #011 – The summer of your life!
What does freedom feel like?
It’s the same scenario every year as the call of freedom rings out and we charge into the summer holidays, heading to beaches and mountains – anywhere will do, as long as it’s far away from reality! Sounds nice, right? And it is great, of course, right up until the dreaded moment that everyone leaves the city at the same time and you end up sitting and sweltering in traffic jams for hours. Even when you get to your destination, you have to be confident it has more to offer than just a pretty background for a selfie.
But this issue doesn’t care how long your summer holiday is going to be, whether you’re tanning yourself on a beach or raking in air miles so that you can get as far away from your home as possible. This is all about looking beyond the what and the where, and thinking about the how and the who with.
More than just electronically powered mountain bikes, E-MTBs are a virtually unrivalled way to unlock more freedom. More than a tool to boost our fitness or do some sport, they represent a revolution in society, and they’re already changing how we live both urbanely and countryside. Thanks to E-MTBs, we’ve got the freedom to define how we spend our time, where we ride, and whom we’d like to experience these moments with. The motivation to explore has never been so all-consuming. E-MTBs are that coy little voice that tugs at your heart strings, the little “Go on, why not?” that we all want to hear.
Whether as bikes, as tools for adventure, or as vehicles, E-MTBs open up limitless opportunities, encouraging us to re-think old ways and former routes. One of Spain’s most prolific chefs recently rode with us through the Basque Country and summed it up like this: “For every new generation there are new rules.” The same applies to Michelin-starred restaurants, E-MTBs, and even road bikes as you will see in the near future. The idea of sharing an experience is now much more important than just talking about specs, watts, and competition. It’s really making society a lot more laid back!
Not only is this issue packed with summer inspiration for your most laid back, exciting season yet, but we’ve also flexed our pens to compose the best arguments to stop any haters in their tracks. We’ve got stories to suit everyone, from parents, to Transalpers, trail-seekers, and health-conscious E-MTBers.
Our aim is to pass on a wealth of knowledge and experiences in a bid to elevate your rides and holidays to new highs. A fundamental part of this is, of course, technology. We see it as our responsibility to keep pace with the industry and pass considered judgement on new products and developments. For this issue we’ve strayed from our conventional Group Test, and instead invested time in scrupulously testing specific components and bikes, while answering the burning questions of whether we really have to dish out all our cash on a brand’s top-of-the-line model and whether more suspension travel automatically translates into more fun. This year has shown us that E-MTB technology is progressing at the speed of light, which – not surprisingly – means there’s also a growing second-hand market too. However, before you get too excited, we’ve curated an invaluable checklist to run through before buying any used e-bike.
Those looking for a taste of things to come benefit from checking in regularly to our website, and the astute ones amongst you will have already seen that electro-power is now knocking on the door of even more conventional bikes. Meet the E-Road bikes, a segment that’s already looking very exciting. From our HQ at E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine we’re not just documenting the industry’s goings-on, we’re also playing a major role in shaping it. That’s why we’re staging another edition of our E-MOUNTAINBIKE Think Tank directly from our HQ in Leonberg, Germany.
Have a great time reading this issue. I hope you feel inspired to get out for some relaxing rides this summer! Whether you’re riding in the Alps, your local woods, or Mallorca, the freedom is yours for the taking on an E-MTB!
Pioneeringly yours,
Robin Schmitt
Chief Editor
This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #011
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