Riding an electric mountain bike, in many ways, is no different than riding an entirely self-powered mountain bike; both styles of bike deliver the joy of being on the trail and the opportunity to challenge yourself as a rider. However, there are some nuances to keep in mind while preparing for your next eMTB ride. Set yourself up for success with the key guidelines, below.
1. Make sure motorized vehicles are allowed.
Before loading up your eMTB and heading to the trailhead, it’s mandatory to find out whether or not your trail system of choice allows electric bikes. Here in Boulder County, this takes some attention to detail. Boulder does not currently allow eMTBs on any Open Space or Boulder County Parks trails, which means many of our favorite after-work rides are off limits.
But don’t worry: our neighbors to the south in Jefferson County are wide open for eMTB fun! In addition, e-bikes are allowed in all 42 Colorado State Parks, meaning places like Golden Gate and Staunton are great places to ride your eMTB.
Local eMTB Rides:
- Golden Gate State Park
- Staunton State Park
- Maryland Mountain
- Switzerland Trail
- All Jefferson County Open Space trails!
For a comprehensive list, check the extensive Boulder County website. Note that BCPOS and OSMP allow exemptions for mobility impaired visitors on most trails. USFS does not consider eMTBs an assistive device.
2. Familiarize yourself with your bike.
Each electric mountain bike will have a different interface, and it’s important to know how these controls work before you find yourself heading up technical terrain on an exposed trail. For example, the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay features a top-tube display mount so that all your key metrics are a glance away, while the Santa Cruz Heckler and Yeti 160E have control centers affixed directly to the handlebars. From there, each will feature different levels of assistance, from eco to turbo. Just like with any new bike, it will take a minute to dial in the touchpoints and feel of your new eMTB. Take some time to get familiar before heading out.
3. Hone your electric-specific riding skills.
Electric mountain bikes have power controls, but as we like to say, “they don’t have a technical skills button.” Even the most seasoned mountain bikers have a few things to consider when switching over to an electric-powered ride.
The biggest difference in terms of riding awareness is simple: eMTBs are heavy. As a result, you’ll need to brake earlier on descents, and remember to move your weight forward even more than you may be used to when climbing. And as we mentioned earlier, it may also take some time to get confident with the different modes on your eMTB of choice. A good rule of thumb is to resist kicking it into turbo mode so that you’re still getting a workout in with good tire traction and trail etiquette—and so that your battery will last the entire ride.
The Electric Mountain Bike Network has a library of helpful videos for progressing your skills. (And there’s always Danny MacAskill on e-bikes if you need even more encouragement.)
If all else fails, don’t forget to pedal!
4. Remember to follow all trail etiquette.
As always, trail etiquette is king. Remember that all mountain bikers–e-bike or otherwise–must yield to hikers, horses, and uphill traffic. When you yield, try not to step too far off the trail into delicate foliage. Rather, lean your bike to the outside to allow enough clearance for the other trail users to pass. For more trail guidelines including Leave No Trace, check out our 10 commandments, here.