Run, Forrest, run! – The New E-MOUNTAINBIKE Issue #042 Is Here!

Life just happens – and there’s no way to plan or control it. Sometimes it hits you overnight, other times it sneaks in slowly. And suddenly you’re left with one big question: do you fall and stay down, or do you get back up and keep going?

That’s exactly what our trainee Jan – aka JP – asked himself when he unintentionally front-flipped off a mountain during a golden-hour ride on the new Thömus Lightrider E_MAX. Quick, dramatic – and so good it instantly made our next cover.

Crashes and bruises are part of the ride – and part of life. Same with business. What really counts isn’t the fall – it’s the landing. Do we hit the ground like a sack of potatoes and stay there? Or do we turn that wipeout into a flying sprint – like JP?

This issue? Packed with big topics. Deep dives and high climbs. That’s why we’re not starting with dream trails, South Tyrolean wine, or our massive motor comparison. We’re starting with a hike. Up on a remote alpine pasture in the Bregenzerwald, far from Heidis and Karl-Heinzes chilling on sun decks, we took a break, asked the big questions, broadened our view – and found a new kind of everyday freedom. What can you take away from it? Read on to find out!

Craving more torque? A motor that goes higher, faster, further? Welcome to the club – or rather, to your personal mental cinema.
We went all in for our latest motor group test: 11 of the hottest e-bike motors, thrashed on wildly different trails, 7 days in the DEKRA lab, countless real-world scenarios. From acceleration and noise tests to range altitude battles – we measured everything that made sense to measure.

But the outcome isn’t just for data nerds. It’s a motor test with a bigger picture: real insights, clear differences – and a bold call for innovation with balance, not just horsepower wars. And yes, we answer the stuff that really matters: Which motor rules 2026? Which models fall flat? And what does new motor regulation mean for all of us?

Our scene moves fast. New bike, new buzz. New motor, new mindset. That’s what everyone thinks – from riders to brands trying to out-innovate each other with rapid-fire launches.
But are these rapid-fire updates really pushing us forward? Or is it time to rethink? The hard truth: products keep getting better, but the gap between what they can do and how they’re actually used keeps growing. It’s time for a different kind of progress – one that takes real riders seriously and improves the system as a whole.

That’s why we’ve always used our voice to shape, not just report. While others stayed distant, we launched Think Tanks, sparked debates, took a stand – not always perfect, but always passionate.

Now we’re going all in. With our latest Think Tank in Brixen and the 11 Brixen Papers, we’re giving the white elephants in the room a voice. We’re committed to helping revive a crisis-shaken bike industry and set it up for a stronger, more capable, future-proof tomorrow. Not easy. We can’t do it alone. But like Forrest, once you start running, momentum builds. Culture shifts. What once seemed impossible becomes reality. That’s the energy we’re in right now. And this is just the beginning.

Sure, every crisis brings risks – but also opportunities. If we stay open, curious, and ready to learn, there’s always a way forward. You show us that every year. Our readers – you’re shaping the scene. Our latest survey? Over 15,000 participants. Huge openness to new tech. More brand switching than ever before. New players are shaking up the market, and next year, we’ll start to feel the full effect.

We love new things – the future, radical ideas, real innovation. So we went straight to where the future is happening. We visited first movers and rising stars ready to disrupt: the ALSO startup in the heart of Silicon Valley, Aventon’s HQ in L.A., and Spanish brand Megamo in Girona, riding a major tailwind with the Megamo REASON and Avinox motor.

Work hard, chill harder – that’s the balance. That’s why our sister mag DOWNTOWN tests all the good stuff for everyday bliss: Which portafilter machine brings barista vibes to your kitchen? Which Aperol alternatives bring party vibes without the hangover? And which drink pairs best with a piazza toast in Finale Ligure without giving you a gravel headache next morning?
Every crash is a chance to learn – and to come back stronger, smarter, braver. One day, you’ll break past your limits, let go – and do things you never thought you could. Like Forrest, leaving the crutches behind. Or JP, turning a crash into a walk in the park.

Enjoy the ride – and stay smooth.

Cheers,

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Words & Photos: Robin Schmitt