Best Electric Mountain Bike: Reviews with Comparison

Can Electric Bikes be Used in the Rain?

Absolutely. Despite having electric components, e-bikes are mostly water-resistant, meaning that you don’t have to abandon your bike because of a little rain. However, note that these bikes are water-resistant, not waterproof as there’s a world of difference between the two.

The electric components on these bikes make them a tad more delicate compared to traditional bikes. Unlike your typical electronic devices, e-bikes can endure a considerable amount of wet weather since they are water-resistant. However, long-term exposure to inclement weather, including rain, can wreak havoc on them, leading to extensive damage.

You can ride your electric bike in the rain without worrying about damage as the parts are specially crafted to handle this kind of weather. The bikes can endure a considerable amount of rain but will not survive a full submersion, such as riding through deep puddles or streams.

For the best results, you should avoid riding your electric bike in heavy rains as that is simply not a smart move. If you get caught in the rain, be sure to wipe down the bike and dry the battery and other electrical bits with a dry towel. As with any electrical device, trapped moisture is your enemy, so you shouldn’t leave the bike out to dry on its own.

Can Electric Bikes Go Uphill?

Yes. An electric bike will carry you to the top of any hill as long as there’s a sufficient amount of charge left in the battery. Should the charge run out, you will have to pedal your way up the hill, but that will take a considerable amount of effort. The amount of effort necessary to climb any mountain boils down to the type of electric bike you have.

With a fully electric bike, you only need to crank the throttle, and the bike will take you up the hill as if you were riding a motorbike. With a pedelec, a bike that operates on both electricity and pedals, you will have to pedal your way to the top. Thanks to the motor engine, pedaling up the hill on an e-bike takes considerably less effort than the standard bike.

Pedal assistance not only lets you get up hills without torturing your legs but also enables you to overcome severe headwinds. If you’re up against heavy wind resistance, you only need to hit the “Turbo” button and turn the entire climb into a cakewalk.

Are Electric Bikes Safe?

Yes, electric bikes are safer compared to most other motorized modes of transport, including cars, scooters, and motorbikes. You’re safer riding an electric bike than a convectional bicycle because the former has a superior braking system.

Whenever you apply the brakes on an electric bicycle, the motor stops spinning instantly to let you bring the bike to a stop. You can argue that such bikes have a superior braking system than cars since they need a little stopping distance.

Again, e-bikes have exceptional power of acceleration compared to regular bicycles. Rapid acceleration gets you through intersections quickly while making it easy to maneuver through the urban environment. It takes a lot less effort to pick up speed after giving way at a junction or stopping at a red light.

As with other motorized modes of transport, e-bikes aren’t without their fair share of risks. Accelerating too fast from a dead stop and causing the bike to do a wheelie is the most common risk among new riders. Luckily, taking proper precautions such as wearing protective gear, reflective vests, and avoiding baggy clothing keeps you safe on the road. That said, you need to obey all the traffic laws and signals while on the road for a safe and enjoyable riding experience.

How to Clean an Electric Mountain Bike?

How often you clean your electric mountain bike depends on usage, the terrain you drive on, and the prevailing weather. If you’re a light user who uses the bike to get to work in an urban setting, clean the bike at least once a month. On the other hand, if you plow through snow, mud, or rain, wash the bike at least once a week.

To clean your e-bike, you need a bucket of water, a bike cleaner or soap, cleaning sponges and brushes, degreaser, chain lube, and poly film.

1. Confirm the bike’s water resistance level; it’s often indicated as IP on the user manual – the higher numbers translate to high water resistance. Hose the bike off if the figure is higher than 38; otherwise, use a bucket to avoid damaging electric components.
2. Cover the display with the poly film or detach it from the bike if it’s removable.
3. Detach the battery from the bike.
4. Flip the bike upside down and have it resting on the saddle and handlebars as this gives you better access to the wheels.
5. Wet the bike by hosing it down or by pouring water on it using a small container.
6. Scrub the dirt from the e-bike using a soft cloth while paying particular attention to the brakes, tires, and drive chain.
7. Coat the drivetrain with the degreaser and leave it on for five minutes then clean it off with a wet cloth.
8. Scrub the brakes with the disc brake cleaner to remove any dirt, mud, or debris.
9. Wipe down the bike with a clean, dry cloth, taking care to remove all traces of moisture, especially in the battery compartment.
10. Leave the bike out to dry in a cool, dry place.

How Fast Do Electric Mountain Bikes Go?

In the US, the top speeds on e-bikes are capped at 32 mph, but the speed achievable on a bike depends on the bike’s class and engine capacity. The engine capacities range from 250 to 750 watts.

Class I bikes have a motor but no throttle. The motor kicks in when you start pedaling but will disengage when the bike hits speeds of 20 miles per hour.

Class II bikes are known as low-speed throttle-assisted electric bikes. The motor is powerful enough to drive the bike but tops out at the speed of 20 miles per hour.

Class III bikes are known as speed pedal-assisted electric bikes and are equipped with a speedometer. The engine kicks in when the rider is pedaling and tops out at speeds of 28 miles per hour.