Ever been approached by a go-go dancer in a reputable Michelin restaurant? The latest developments in the E-MTB market feel similarly out-of-place and pushy, and they’re close to putting the whole scene at risk. Who tried to claim that innovations automatically go hand-in-hand with improvement?
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What does innovation even mean when we’re talking about E-MTBs? Is the main aim to imitate how conventional mountain bikes ride? If so, given the long-running discourse about how E-MTBs are striving for the ultimate downhill performance, is it right to follow the idea of the more radical and aggressive, the better?
Don’t E-MTBs have other criteria to meet than those put upon them by experienced, hands-on mountain bikers? Shouldn’t innovation within the world of E-MTBs refer to efforts to inspire ‘new’ mountain bikers and spread accessibility? And it’s for exactly those reasons that we’ve tested the market’s current most appealing hardtails – in our eyes, these are the true gateway drug for many of us.
As the most democratic form of mountain biking, E-MTBs give everyone the same opportunity to conquer mountains and deliver a serious dosage of fun. Our most recent readers’ survey had more than 3,000 respondents, and the results reveal a clear image of the reality of the sport. There’s still time to participate in the readers’ survey.
Who is up for big drops or riding trials like a pro? For a discipline that doesn’t need to rely on marketing to grow, are motocross and full-face helmets really hitting the right sort of advertising tone for a sport that thrives on the success of its products? Even without the drive to emulate pros, an E-MTB ride never fails to fulfill the fun aspect – but be warned, don’t be tempted to amplify that sensation.
Fortunately, our UK editor Trevor Worsey came away without any breakages when he rode the legendary Megavalanche, a race that takes human and machine to their absolute limits (and often beyond). Yep, he survived, but what about the E-MTB? Just how much are they capable of these days? The whole answer, as well as an adrenaline-fuelled rerun of the event, can be found in this issue. After reading that, you might be keen to check out this article for our skeptical stance on competitive E-MTB racing.
All this and much more can be found in E-MOUNTAINBIKE Issue #007, available for download as of now. Kick back, relax and enjoy reading this issue!
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Words & Photos: Robin Schmitt
