Anyone with mountain bike experience has a clear advantage. Nevertheless, even experienced riders have a lot to learn when e-biking. Especially on steep uphills. These are the top 15 tricks from professional trialist and EMTB riding technique expert Stefan Schlie:
1. correct gear selection
Most e-bike motors require rather high pedalling frequencies to achieve the greatest possible range. In technical terrain, however, it is often worth shifting up a gear or two. Especially on gravel, where the rear wheel tends to lose traction, a higher gear is better for digging through.
2. sloping approach on the mountain
If you get stuck going uphill on steep terrain, you're in a bad position. Or you have the right starting technique. Step one: Never set off in the fall line, otherwise the rear wheel will spin mercilessly. Always set off at an angle to the direction of travel. Step two: Pull the brake, put your second foot on the pedal and only then start off. This requires some balance, but it's the only way to get full pressure on the rear wheel. The We show the right E-MTB technique for starting off on the mountain in this video.
3. pushing on the rear wheel
Looks more spectacular than it is: pushing the e-mountainbike downhill on the rear wheel. This technique is suitable for steep downhill bottlenecks that are too narrow to push the bike alongside you. Simply pull the rear wheel brake and firmly lift the bike onto the rear wheel. The climbing is controlled with the brake, and the e-bike even acts as an additional support.
4 Carry correctly
It happens to everyone at some point and the e-mountainbike has to be carried on the back. Not least because most e-MTBs weigh well over 20 kilos, the right carrying technique is crucial. But this technique makes the drudgery bearable: get down low, grab the bike by the cranks and fork and hoist it over your shoulder. The e-bike motor should rest on the rucksack.
5. press into the curve
Whether slow or fast, the pushing technique comes into play as soon as you leave the paved road. You push the E-MTB underneath you on the inside of the bend, keeping your centre of gravity on the outside. The position is right if you can feel the (low-set) saddle on your inner thigh when cornering.
6. battery handling on long E-MTB tours
The horror scenario has been playing out in the Alps ever since long mountain tours became possible with e-MTBs. You've got everything you need, the spare battery is fully charged and waiting in your rucksack. But unfortunately, the battery key is deep down in the valley in the car. Unfortunately, this little key often makes the difference between a good and a bad day on the bike. So it's best to keep the key on the e-bike in the saddlebag. Battery handling on tour is also a tricky issue. The spare batteries are heavy and can cause serious injury in the event of a fall if left unsecured in a rucksack. It is best to transport them in specially secured E-MTB rucksacks. In classic bike rucksacks, the batteries should be stored at the bottom and well padded with clothing. This lowers the centre of gravity and protects your back in the event of a fall.
7. better pushing
The new Push aids on e-mountainbikeswhich every engine model now offers, make life easy. But what if the unloaded rear wheel spins uncontrollably? Quite simply, you simply lean with your full weight on the saddle while pushing.
8. overcoming an obstacle
A small obstacle lies across an uphill trail. The motto here is: take it easy! Get out of the saddle briefly to lift the E-MTB over the root. It's best to accelerate a little beforehand in order to have enough momentum.
9. avoid pedal contact
The best way to overcome obstacles that get in your way on the way uphill is to use the tipple technique: turn the cranks forwards and backwards a few times at the critical point. This maintains propulsion and avoids bouncing. Here you will find a detailed Video on how to avoid pedal touchdowns with the right technique.
10. check air pressure
As little as possible, as much as necessary. Less pressure in the tyre improves traction and riding comfort. The wider the tyre, the less pressure it can take. Rule of thumb off-road: Nobody needs more than two bars of tyre pressure. More here Tips and advice on the optimum tyre pressure for (e-)MTBs is.
11. view in the direction of travel
This actually applies to all riding situations, whether uphill or downhill: look as far forwards as possible and scan the line. It's already too late for anything that happens directly in front of the front wheel.
12. always ready to brake
This also applies to e-MTBs on uphill sections: you can use the brakes to control the motor power. This makes it much easier to control the e-bike. So: One finger is always ready to brake on the lever.
13. tight bends
Don't be afraid of hairpin bends - you can shift the rear wheel just as easily on a heavy E-MTB as on a classic bike. You just need a little more pressure and enough momentum.
14. load the rear wheel
You can tackle the steepest climbs with the E-MTB. Traction sets the limits. On gravel in particular, you have to put so much weight on the rear wheel that the front wheel almost rises into the air. To do this, lower the seat post by one to three centimetres.
15. steep ramp
Short, steep climbs like this one on Lake Garda are the salt in the soup on an E-MTB. On hard surfaces where you have enough traction, you can tackle almost unbelievable climbs. The key is to shift your weight forwards so that the front wheel does not lift. So slide all the way forwards and even get out of the saddle a little if necessary. A detailed Video tutorial on how to conquer steep climbs with the E-MTByou can see here.
Interview with Stefan Schlie, former professional trialist and EMTB riding technique expert
EMTB: In terms of riding technique, what are the main differences between normal biking and e-mountain biking?
Stefan Schlie: Two aspects: The ample motor power and the significant extra weight. Some off-road situations are simply unrideable with non-motorised bikes because the power in the legs is lacking. But the motor power also needs to be tamed so that it reaches the ground as traction. This is how a whole new riding technique has emerged for E-MTBs.
What is the fascination of uphill flow for you?
Uphill Flow means keeping a grin on your face even in almost unbelievable uphill riding situations. The motor power alone makes this possible. It's playing with the terrain, according to the motto: the journey is the destination. And all of this no longer takes place in dangerous downhill speed ranges, but at a relatively leisurely pace uphill. If a trick goes wrong, the consequences are far less serious than on the downhill.
What is the quickest way to achieve a sense of achievement?
Strength lies in tranquillity. Riding slowly in a controlled manner is the key. That's why balance exercises are the be-all and end-all. On the one hand, balancing on the spot, but also simply riding up your favourite trail as slowly as possible. When balancing on the spot, look for an incentive to make you stand for a long time. For example, watch a whole film while balancing. Or at least watch the news. An effective pastime not only for the winter months. Riding technique training on the side, so to speak.
