An Electric Bike for Every Rider

From savvy commuters looking for an alternative to public transport to mountain bikers looking to squeeze in extra laps of their local trail network, electric bikes have made their mark on the sport across a whole range of disciplines. Thanks to an array of technological improvements, electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular. Lightweight battery integration, compact motor systems and intuitive user interfaces have made them more fun and user friendly than ever, yet to many performance-focused cyclists they are still ill-perceived.

This article focuses on dispelling common myths and highlighting the advantages of electric bikes, throughout all forms of cycling.

Can I use an electric bike offroad?

Much like a non electric bike, electric bikes come in a wide variety of styles, each designed to excel at a certain type of riding and terrain. Many, such as electric mountain bikes and electric gravel bikes, are built with off-road cycling in mind, and some such as electric leisure bikes and electric road bikes are developed to perform across a range of surfaces. With high-capacity batteries and powerful motors, electric off road bikes allow you to explore further than their manual counterparts, flattening out calf-burning climbs and enabling you to expand your riding horizons across pathways, singletrack and more. There some rules and laws to be aware of when using a e-MTB in some areas.

Can I ride technical trails?

Equipped with modern, confidence-inspiring geometry, electric trail bikes such as the Specilaized Turbo Levo SL are equally as capable as their non electric equivalents despite the weight penalty. Electric mountain bikes and technical trail riding are a match made in heaven, with the assistance of a motor injecting an all new element of fun on rough singletrack. Contemporary electric trail bike design sees the motor and battery integrated into the bottom bracket and downtube, effectively lowering the bike's centre of gravity. This has a resoundingly positive result when riding rocky trails, with the additional low-slung weight delivering a planted ride, which encourages you to let off the brakes. For some of the best eMTBs, check out our list.

Are there electric gravel bikes?

A genre of bike that has boomed in recent years, gravel bikes bring the efficiency of a road bike to an all-terrain platform, capable of seamlessly riding singletrack, roads, and everything in-between. Off the back of this popularity, brands have raced to release electric gravel bikes, with the performance bonuses of a motor and battery creating an unrivalled tool for exploring far-reaching tracks and trails.

Are electric bikes good for commuting?

Environmentally friendly and cheap to run, electric bikes are undoubtedly the future of town and city commuting. Skip the Lycra and the traffic to claim back your mornings, with an electric bike for commuting you can set that alarm a little later. They allow you to filter through traffic jams with ease, with fast acceleration powering you ahead of the gridlock. The powerful modern motor systems overcome the hurdle of arriving at your destination drenched in sweat, so you'll turn up fresh and ready to go with no need to change or shower. Many electric bikes for commuting come pre-equipped with mudguards, making them a viable option all-year-round. Learn more about electric hybrid bikes for commuters.

Can I carry luggage on an electric bike?

The support provided by an electric bike is more than capable of transporting both you and your luggage from A to B. Geared towards the commuter market, many touring electric bikes are equipped with pannier rack mounts to add extra storage to your journeys. Additional carry weight can take a slight toll on the bike's range, but this is heavily offset by the high-capacity batteries seen on contemporary electric bikes. These larger batteries have made touring with an electric bike a reality, allowing you to load up the bike with bikepacking storage and hit the road.

Can I take my electric bike to mountain bike parks?

A significant benefit of electric mountain bikes is self-uplifting yourself to the top of your favourite trails, often skipping the cost of a shuttle ticket in the process. Almost all bike parks permit the use of electric full suspension mountain bikes, as long as they meet legal standards - if in doubt, do your research and check before you travel.

More laps equal more fun, the powerful motors and high capacity batteries found on our electric full suspension mountain bike range provide lasting assistance all-day-long. By packing more downhill riding into your day, electric bikes drive your progression forward, helping to make you a better rider.

Does it matter if my electric bike gets wet/muddy/dusty?

Are electric bikes waterproof? Designed to resist ingress from dirt and water, electric bikes can be ridden in the rain, mud, and dust. Built for the elements, the sealed motors on electric bikes are for riding through all seasons, but much like a non electric bike, jet washing is not advised as it can force water in and grease out of vital areas. Once your electric bike is dirty, cleaning is as simple as using soapy water and a sponge, or a cycle-specific cleaning product. Manufacturers recommend taking special care around sensitive areas such as the motor, battery and controls to protect the electric components.

Can I do jumps on an electric bike?

Electric bikes can be sent off jumps just like non electric bicycles, with their low centre of gravity and longer chainstays improving stability while airborne - as long as you have a model that is up to the task of course. Equipped with durable components to withstand the additional weight of a motor and battery, you can jump your electric mountain bike, with many long-travel full-suspension models being built especially for this type of riding. The latest lightweight electric bikes with suspension mirror the ride quality of non electric models, providing a predictable platform that is equally manoeuvrable in the air.

Feeling inspired to ride? No matter your cycling discipline or skill level, there is an electric bike designed to suit you. New models of electric off road bikes, touring electric bikes and full suspension MTBs continue to come out with more and more capability. Here are some of the highlights available in 2024.

Discover your next ride with our extensive range of the latest electric bikes from top brands, whether road, gravel, mountain or leisure.

Learn more about living with an e bike.