Electric mountain bikes are quickly becoming a favorite of many mountain biking enthusiasts. With their powerful motors, adjustable assistance levels, and relatively high battery range, they make mountain biking easier for newcomers and allow experienced riders to travel longer distances. Electric mountain bikes are also ideal for group rides as they level the playing field, helping riders stay together throughout an entire ride.
If you’re on the fence about using an electric mountain bike during a group ride, find out more about an electric mountain bike’s benefits for groups and the pros and cons of riding one as a beginner.
4 Reasons Electric Mountain Bikes Are Great for Group Rides
Electric mountain bikes are perfect for group rides, as they reduce the amount of energy riders have to expend, help groups maintain a consistent speed, and provide groups with more opportunities to socialize and sightsee. They’re also great for people who are learning the basics of mountain biking and want to keep their minds focused on the terrain.
As you plan a group ride, learn more about the following four top benefits of e-mountain bikes for group rides:
1. Electric Mountain Bikes Are Ideal for Riders New to Mountain Biking
Due to the uneven terrain and high chance of encountering obstacles, mountain biking tends to be more difficult than standard cycling for new riders. This added difficulty only goes up when the rider has to put more effort into pedaling and maintaining their speed, like they would with a standard mountain bike. Instead of focusing on cornering correctly, they might be distracted by how much their thighs are burning, which can lead to a mistake.
When you’re riding with a big group, chances are you’ll have a few beginners who still need to get comfortable on their bikes and mountain biking trails. Electric mountain bikes make the learning process easier by reducing the physical effort required for your ride.
As a result, beginner riders can put more of their mental energy into tackling difficult terrain, tight turns, and rocky downhill descents. In a group setting where they’re getting lots of advice from other riders, this ability to focus on technique rather than the strain on their body can do wonders for improving their skillset.
2. Electric Mountain Bikes Make It Easy to Ride at a Consistent Speed With Your Group
Whether you’re riding with your kids or out with a large group of friends, it’s almost guaranteed that someone’s going to pull ahead while others fall behind. This issue can be caused by rider skill, age, fitness level, or just general comfort level.
Whatever the cause, the riders up front usually won’t want to slow down, while those in the back will struggle to ever catch up.
However, electric mountain bikes make it far easier for a group to stay together and ride at a consistent pace. You might still need to tell your child to slow down around corners, but with an e-bike, you can easily adjust your speed without too much effort.
3. Electric Mountain Bikes Allow for People of All Fitness Levels to Have Fun
While you can mountain bike if you’re out of shape, some trails will likely be too difficult for you to have a good time on or even finish. A trail’s difficulty can also make it hard for groups to stay together, as mountain bikers who are in shape tend to pull ahead of those who aren’t.
Electric mountain bikes solve both of these issues by giving unfit riders extra assistance on extended hills and steep inclines. They can also help you speed up without having to put as much effort in, which is essential for any large group ride with people of different fitness levels.
Though electric bikes will help with tougher parts of the trail, don’t think that they’ll totally stop you from exercising. In fact, one study’s findings suggested that electric bikes provide riders with a moderately intense workout.
Unless you’re riding with a group that really cares about their times, your mountain biking group is probably more about exploring local trails and socializing with others.
Electric mountain bikes make sightseeing easier, as they can help groups travel longer distances to reach more remote lookouts or landmarks. Additionally, these bikes make it possible for your whole group to explore more physically challenging sections of a trail without leaving anyone behind.
Due to the reduced physical requirements, groups who want to socialize during their rides can also benefit from electric mountain bikes. No one wants to have a conversation while they’re struggling to breathe, and e-bikes significantly lower the chance of you feeling out of breath.
Are Electric Mountain Bikes Good for Beginners? Pros and Cons of EMTBs
Though you can find many benefits of using an electric mountain bike if you’re new to mountain biking, you should also be aware of some potential drawbacks. Below, you can review the primary benefits and drawbacks of electric mountain bikes for beginners:
Pros of Electric Mountain Bikes for Beginners
- Climbing power: The motor assistance makes steep hills and technical climbs easier to handle, helping beginners tackle terrain that might otherwise feel out of reach.
- Extended rides: With less fatigue from pedaling, riders can cover more distance and enjoy longer adventures in a single outing. If you’re interested in mountain biking for exploration purposes, the extra ground you can cover makes e-bikes a great choice.
- Accessibility: Electric mountain bikes open the sport to people of all fitness levels and ages, encouraging new riders to explore trails without worrying about stamina.
- Adjustable support: Most electric mountain biking models offer multiple levels of pedal assist, so beginners can tailor the amount of help they get to match their comfort and trail conditions.
- Joint relief: The added motor support reduces strain on knees and joints, making rides more comfortable, especially on rough or uneven ground. If you’re older and just getting into mountain biking, the extra joint relief can make the experience far more pleasant.
Cons of Electric Mountain Bikes for Beginners
- Heavier weight: Extra components like the battery and motor make E-MTBs heavier than standard bikes, which can affect handling and make transport more difficult.
- Higher purchase cost: Electric mountain bikes are significantly more expensive due to their advanced technology and parts, which may be a barrier for beginners. Typically, renting an electric mountain bike is more affordable for beginners and can help them decide if they want to invest in one.
- Complex maintenance: These bikes’ electrical systems make maintenance a bit more complex and less beginner-friendly.
- Trail limits: Not all trails allow electric mountain bikes, and regulations may restrict where beginners can ride, limiting access in some areas. Beginners will have to do some research on their local trails’ restrictions to make sure they’re e-bike friendly.
Explore the Smoky Mountains with an Electric Mountain Bike Rental in Pigeon Forge
If you’re interested in renting electric mountain bikes in Pigeon Forge, TN, WildSide is ready to welcome you to our adventure park. When you visit, you can take advantage of our jump park and 20+ mountain biking trails that range in difficulty from beginner-friendly to expert only. We also have a selection of conventional and electric mountain bikes you can rent, and if you’re a beginner, you can sign up for our bike classes to master the fundamentals of mountain biking!
Learn more about our mountain biking trails and electric rental options today.
4. Electric Mountain Bikes Make Sightseeing and Socializing Easier