Thanks to E-MTB, a dream comes true: 365 bike days a year! Because organic bikers have a really hard time in winter. Soft snow, wide, heavy rollers or tough rolling spiked tyres. No problem with e-assistance - the motor compensates for the higher resistance in soft snow. And it allows you to control your effort better. With the right clothing, you can spend several hours in the saddle even in the freezing cold. The e-mountainbike is therefore ideally placed to compete seriously with winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
But biking in the cold element requires a few technical tricks. There is a lack of traction on frozen or slushy snow and it is difficult to keep your balance in soft, deep snow.
Spike tyres are a worthwhile purchase for anyone who is really often on the road in winter. They provide considerably more safety on hard, icy roads. But even with classic tyres, you can make surprisingly good progress in winter. EMTB riding technique expert Stefan Schlie reveals the most important tips for the new winter sport.
Traction and control in deep snow
Bike setup: The lower the air pressure, the better the tyres can grip the snow. Also adjust your suspension to the cold. The colder, the tougher the damping. And if the suspension is too slow, traction deteriorates. So: open the rebound damping a few clicks. In these difficult conditions, ride the seatpost a few centimetres lower than usual. This gives you more room for equalising movements. Support level: The following applies here: as low as possible. Turbo mode is hardly suitable in slippery snow.
Riding technique: Put as much pressure as possible on the rear wheel. So: stretch your arms and stay seated (picture 1).
Now you need to keep your balance. The front wheel likes to find its own way, especially when travelling slowly. You compensate for these swerves with your upper body and knees (Fig. 2).
Furthermore, the faster, the more stable. The gyroscopic forces of the wheels work wonders here. Hold the handlebars loosely in your hand and look far ahead. It is important to operate the brakes. Use them as traction control (picture 3).
Always hold the brake lever ready to brake with your index finger. In tricky situations, do not be afraid to let the brake slip while pedalling.
