Making the move to an eMTB - The Nuurd Speaks
Reasons why making the move to an electric mountain bike are a plenty... and why it's not just for old men.
The Island’s MTB scene might be small, but it punches way above its weight. There’s a mix of everything from mellow trails to some seriously gnarly descents and for those who love a challenge, there’s no shortage of rough, technical sections that’ll keep you on your toes. While some tracks are a bit easier, others really reward riders with aggressive, bigger-travel bikes that are built for downhill fun.
But here’s the thing: when you’re riding a bike that’s designed for big descents, the uphill sections can turn into a real grind. The extra weight and slower climbing ability can make rides feel like all-day efforts, especially if you’ve got other stuff on your plate outside of biking. That’s where eBikes come in.
February's Wuurd from the Nuuurd
Switching to an electric mountain bike lets you keep the aggressive geometry and the big travel for the descents, but with the added help on the climbs. You’re still getting all that fun on the way down without feeling wrecked from the uphill battle. eBikes let you ride longer, explore more trails, and tackle technical climbs that would normally be a huge energy drain.
You can really push your limits and get into terrain that would’ve been tough without the assist you get from a motor on-board. It really opens up the possibility to explore further with the confidence that you have the beans!
eBikes used to have this rep as being for older riders or those just looking for an easier ride, but that's changing fast. They're actually becoming an awesome tool for younger riders too, especially when it comes to training and improving technique. The ability to tackle those steep, technical climbs with ease, opens up new possibilities—riders can focus more on skills, strategy, and having fun, rather than just trying to survive the ride. Plus, with the assist, you can take on longer routes and explore areas that would have been out of reach otherwise.
And let’s not forget, the competition aspect gets pretty fun too. When everyone’s on eBikes, technical climbs turn into mini races or simply who can make it all the way up. It’s a great way to push each other and have some friendly competition within your group, all while enjoying the ride.
I began my eMtb journey in summer 2023 and from big Brecon Beacons epic rides to local eBike enduro racing I have sampled a variety of different rides on my eBike, the Specialized Levo SL 2, and the biggest benefit I have found is the quality of ride you can get from just a one or 2 hour time period is drastically better in comparison to a traditional trail bike.
This is where we hear the same issues with so many people, they have a couple of hours to kill and it's not quite enough to get to the trails, have a blast and get home to continue the business of life and work!
