E-BIKE ESSENTIALS

The three key things you need to know about electric mountain bikes

1. THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES

'Full-power' - aka 'full-fat-e-MTBs use a powerful motor with between 70Nm and 100Nm of torque, powered by a large battery containing 504Wh to 1.000Wh of electrical energy. Generally, bikes of this nature weigh between 23kg and 28kg, depending on frame size, components fitted and battery capacity. The main advantages are more climbing grunt and a longer range. Full-power e-bike motors include Bosch's Performance Line CX. Brose's Drive S Mag (also available as the Specialized Turbo 2.1) and Shimano's STEPS EP8-turn to page 12 for a comparison of these drive units.

'Lightweight' - aka 'semi-fate-bikes are a relatively new development, made possible by improvements in motor and battery design. They use smaller, lower-powered drive units delivering as little as 30Nm of torque but up to 60Nm: are usually fitted with lighter, more compact batteries, with a capacity of less than 500Wh; and often come with trail- rather than enduro-spec parts. Bike weights are usually between 15kg and 20kg. These bikes are designed to give a more 'natural-feeling' ride, with their lighter weight making them easier to manoeuvre. That comes at the expense of some mileage (although optional range extenders are often available) and less all-out power. Examples include the Specialized SL 1.1 motor, FAZUA's RIDE 60 system and the HPR50 from German newcomers (to the bike industry, at least) TQ - see p31 for more on these.

Beyond this, e-MTBs differ in terms of suspension travel, wheel size - 650b, 29in or a 'mullet' mix of both - geometry and, most significantly, price. Most are full-suspension, but e-hardtails are also available, although in our view better suited to tamer trails. See our Buyer's Guide, overleaf, for more details.

2. THEY'RE MOTORISED BUT NOT MOTORBIKES