Electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) can be a great way to get the most out of your rides.
They will help you power up steep hills so that you can enjoy the descents and will aid you in climbing slopes that are steeper and more challenging than you can usually manage.
With an eMTB, you can quickly cover ground and explore areas that you normally wouldn’t with a regular mountain bike.
In this article, we will look at some of the best electric mountain bikes available on the market.
We will also discuss the features and functions to look out for in our buying guide and we hope that the information and advice will help you choose the best electric mountain bike for you.
Let’s begin by looking at some bikes!
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
ANCHEER Electric Mountain Bike
OUR TOP PICK
HITTROAD Electric Bike
This electric bike from Hittroad has three modes. The first mode is fully electric, where the bike will accelerate with a simple twist of the throttle.
The second mode is assisted, which will give you some power from the motor to aid your pedaling and the final mode allows you to use the bike as a regular, non-electric bike.
It charges quickly and it only takes three hours for the 375Wh battery to fully charge. You can get enough juice to travel for seven miles from a short 15-minute charge.
When fully charged, you can travel for up to 40 miles.
The 350W Bafang motor has a top speed of 20 miles per hour.
The front fork will allow you to smoothly ride over rough terrain and both the front and rear of the bike have fenders to protect your tires from bad weather conditions.
The bike can take loads of up to 309 pounds and has an LCD display to show distance and speed.
You can adjust the handlebar by up to 50 degrees so that you can ride comfortably, regardless of your height and posture.
Pros
- Quick charge – three hours to fully charge and only 15 minutes for a quick ride
- Shimano gears – the bike has 21-speed Shimano gears
- Three modes – you can choose from fully electric, assisted pedaling, or regular bike
- LCD display – check your speed, distance, and battery level
Cons
- Assembly – bike needs to be assembled and some instructions are not clear
EDITORS CHOICE
TotGuard Electric Bike
This e-bike from TotGuard requires five hours to achieve a full charge. That charge will give you up to 30 miles when the bike is in full-electric mode and up to 60 miles in pedal-assist mode.
You can also choose to use the bike as a regular, non-assisted bike. It has a 350W battery that is removable and waterproof enough to withstand wet weather.
The lockable front suspension is tough enough to deal with rough terrain and the rear mechanical disc brakes give you the control you need regardless of the conditions or terrain.
The bike is lightweight yet durable thanks to its aluminum alloy frame and the Shimano 21-speed gear system gives you plenty of options and control.
The LCD display allows you to choose how much pedal assistance you need and keeps track of all of your important data as you ride.
There is an LED headlight to keep you safe when riding in the dark and you can choose from one of four colors. There is some assembly required with this bike and you will need to inflate the tires.
Pros
- Distance – travel up to 60 miles in pedal-assist mode
- Shimano gears – the bike has 21-speed Shimano gears
- Waterproof battery – don’t submerge it in water, but it will survive rain and snow
- Four colors – choose the best color for you
Cons
- Battery is difficult to remove – although the battery can be removed, its position makes this difficult
BEST VALUE
ANCHEER Electric Mountain Bike
With its 350W battery, this electric mountain bike from Ancheer will allow you to travel for up to 40 miles when using its pedal assist mode.
It has a load capacity of up to 300 pounds and will be fully charged in four to six hours.
When charged, it can travel for up to 22 miles in throttle mode. It has a top speed of around 20 miles per hour and is suitable for commuting, casual riding, or taking on an off-road trail.
There are four different levels of power assistance offered by the bike so you can choose how much assistance you need depending on the terrain type.
If you need an extra boost you can turn the throttle to give you some extra speed for a short period of time.
The bike has a 21-speed transmission and high strength carbon steel forks to help you ride smoothly over awkward terrain.
The bike frame is made from an aluminum alloy to keep it strong but lightweight and there are brake discs on both front and rear wheels for added control.
Pros
- Four levels of assistance – choose the mode that suits your needs
- Throttle – turn the throttle for an extra burst of speed
- Carbon forks – shock-absorbing, tough suspension forks
- Water resistance – both the battery and motor are water resistant enough to survive bad weather
Cons
- Small – bike might be too small for those nearing, or over, six foot tall
RUNNER UP
VELOWAVE Electric Bike
If you want some power and speed in your eMTB, this bike from Velowave might fit the bill.
It has a 750W motor that is capable of generating speeds of over 28 miles per hour when pedaling and under the right conditions.
When using the throttle, the bike can manage speeds of 20 miles per hour.
The battery is removable and after a full charge it will be able to power your bike for up to 40 miles of travel distance when pedaling. This falls to a still impressive 35 miles when using the throttle.
The battery is also waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about being caught in bad weather.
The suspension forks are adjustable so you can tackle any type of terrain. It has a hydraulic disc brake system and an anti-skidding fat tire to keep you safe and secure as you ride.
The bike is suitable for people between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 2 inches and has a maximum load of 300 pounds.
Pros
- High powered motor – a 750W motor powers the bike
- Fast speeds – under the right conditions, the bike can hit 28 miles per hour
- Distance – you can get 35 miles of throttle distance from this bike
- LCD display – has all of the relevant information you need
Cons
- Price – at $1,600, the bike is expensive
RUNNER UP
Vivi Folding Electric Bike
If portability is important, this folding eMTB from Vivi has your back. It has a 350W motor and the battery can be fully charged within six hours.
Once charged, it will manage up to 50 miles in pedal assist mode and up to 25 miles in throttle mode. It has double shock absorption forks to absorb bumps and a 21-speed transmission.
The dual disc brakes will also help you keep control of your bike and ensure you stop smoothly.
Pros
- Folds – easy for transportation or putting in your trunk
- Shimano gears – the bike has 21-speed Shimano gears
- Carbon forks – shock-absorbing, tough suspension forks
- Adjustable handlebar – make yourself comfortable
Cons
- Poor customer service – difficult to resolve problems if they occur
Best Electric Mountain Bike Buying Guide
Before you decide which electric mountain bike to buy, there are a few things you should consider.
In this buying guide, we’ll discuss which features and functions to look out for and what must-haves your bike needs.
Battery
The batteries on electric mountain bikes have come a long way and there are several options available to you.
It’s nearly impossible to say with certainty what the range of any eMTB will be because it will depend on a variety of factors, including rider weight, battery capacity, selected assistance mode, and the route chosen.
The battery capacity is also closely tied to the maximum power of the motor. Skilled riders that need only moderate assistance and can ride their eMTB in the most efficient ways might be able to get over 60 miles out of a single charge.
Luckily, eMTBs come with a variety of different battery systems that can give you a safety net and the potential to ride for even longer.
The standard system found on eMTBs is one battery that is fully integrated into the bike. For most riders, these will have sufficient capacity and range for their purposes.
However, if you are likely to ride for hours at a time or use the highest support modes and want more reassurance, you can opt for a bike that has an interchangeable battery.
This allows you to change batteries so you can keep riding when the first battery has gone dead. Batteries are heavy objects, however, so be aware that you will need to keep the spare battery with you.
There is also the option of a dual battery system, which is a hybrid between the standard system and an interchangeable one.
These have an integrated battery but this is combined with an optional extra battery. You can choose to use the extra battery to add more capacity and range, or remove it and have extra storage.
Having an additional battery can change the handling of the bike due to the additional weight, however.
Purpose
Your reason for buying an eMTB will greatly influence which bike is best for you.
If your primary reason for buying a bike is for more relaxed rides such as extended tours and rides on gravel roads, then you should prioritize a comfortable ride over a powerful one and opt for a full-suspension bike.
Look for bikes that have an upright riding position and reliable brakes. Contact points become very important in this circumstance too, as high-quality ones will reduce the chances of your back hurting after a long ride.
For off-road adventures on singletracks, then you will need a capable and sturdy suspension with a travel of at least 140 mm.
A balanced bike that is reliable will also be of utmost importance. If you want to go even more extreme than this and want to tackle the highest climbs and descents, look for eMTBs that are designed specifically for this.
They will need extreme geometry and long-travel suspension for maximum performance and safety.
However, if you’re just looking for an eMTB to ride to the office and replace your car in the daily commute, then you will need something that is sturdy but low-maintenance.
We would recommend bikes that have lights, mudguards, and racks for your bags. Check the weight limits of the bikes to make sure that they will be able to carry your bags as well as you.
Hardtails are a good choice for this purpose but you will find a full-suspension model to be more comfortable.
Travel
This is an important measure on a mountain bike. It refers to the maximum distance that the suspension (either the front or rear) will move when absorbing force before it bottoms out.
It’s usually measured in millimeters and the lower the number, the less force it can absorb.
The most suitable travel will depend greatly on what purpose you’re intending to use the eMTB for, but as a general rule, 130 to 170mm is the best range for all-purpose use.
If you’re looking for a trekking bike, you can dip below 130mm and for more demanding terrain, consider bikes over 170mm. For most riders, however, 130 to 170mm is the best option.
Suspension
The suspensions you will be looking at will either be classed as hardtail or full-suspension. Both versions have advantages and disadvantages that you will need to consider.
Full-suspension bikes are more comfortable to ride and can handle descents and drops better than a hardtail suspension can, however, you will find that a hardtail bike will allow you to put more power into your ride.
A full-suspension eMTB will have more moving parts and components than a hardtail, so typically, full-suspension bikes are heavier.
As they have more parts, they also need more maintenance and have more things that can go wrong with them. This also results in full-suspension bikes becoming more expensive.
Frame Size
This is less of a concern with eMTBs than with regular bikes. As eMTBs have a lot of weight positioned low down on the bike, they’re naturally more stable than non-electric bikes.
This means you don’t have to worry as much about choosing the right frame or slack geometry to keep the bike balanced.
You can safely go smaller with an eMTB than with a regular bike, although there’s no need to opt for a smaller bike if you don’t want to! If you can, give the bike a try and see how it feels.
Best Electric Mountain Bike – FAQ’s
Here are some of the most common questions regarding electronic mountain bikes and their use.
Are There eMTB Restrictions?
The laws that govern the use of electronic mountain bikes vary greatly from state to state. Currently, there are 30 states that class eMTBs as regular bikes, but the other 20 states classify them differently, for example as scooters or mopeds.
To make things even more complicated, the National Parks Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management all consider eMTBs to be motorized vehicles, so they can only be used where other motorized vehicles are allowed.
This means that eMTBs are not permitted on many trails. There are some exceptions to this for electric mountain bikes, but we would advise checking the rules in your state and on specific trails before you decide to ride.
Is It Easy To Ride An eMTB?
Riding an electronic mountain bike is different from riding a non-assisted mountain bike and you will find that there will be a period of adjustment in the beginning.
As eMTBs are heavier than regular bikes, you will need to exert more energy and effort to get them to respond the way that you want to.
Instead of having sore legs and aching lungs after a bike ride, however, it will be your arms and upper body that will be sore.
Many eMTB riders look into some strength training to help control their bikes, especially until they get used to the difference in weight and handling.
Final Thoughts
The best electronic mountain bike for you will depend on what you will be using it for and what type of performance you want from your eMTB.
For most users, battery capacity and range will not be much of an issue as integrated batteries will have sufficient range and performance.
If you’re looking for something lighter and needing less maintenance, consider a hardtail suspension over a full suspension bike. As with any other type of bike, it’s best to try an eMTB before you buy, if possible.
Whatever electronic mountain bike you choose, we hope that it gives you hours of fun on the trails!
