EMTB Beginner Special

E-MTB beginners' specialAll the facts you need to have fun on an e-bike

Marc Strucken

 · 14.04.2023

E-MTB beginners' special: All the facts you need to have fun on an e-bikePhoto: Markus Greber
Our special is all about one thing: having fun on an e-mountainbike. We show tips and tricks for beginners in (almost) all areas of an e-bike. From adjusting the saddle and maintaining the e-MTB to legal issues in the event of defects. Above all, we want to give simple and practical tips on how everyone can continue to enjoy the versatile sport of e-mountain biking after their first few tours.

For decades, mountain bikes have represented the perfect blend of fun, sport and, of course, technology. Back in the 1990s, people were already chasing after purple or gold anodised components, spending a lot of money on custom bikes or passionately discussing the advantages and disadvantages of these new disc brakes on joint summit tours. In recent years, our MTB sport has become even more technical with the advent of electrified mountain bikes: Suddenly it's no longer just about the chain and tyres, but about the motor, battery and range!

With the technical development of E-MTBs, a few new fields of knowledge have also emerged, riding techniques have changed due to motorisation and unfortunately also the way bikes are repaired and maintained. In our Beginner special We are particularly focussing here on e-mountain bikers who see themselves as newcomers. In the following articles, we want to provide you with the necessary knowledge and the right resources to motivate you to do more on your next tours, to make your first holiday with an e-MTB a happy memory of a lifetime or to ensure that a breakdown on your newly-introduced e-bike doesn't spoil your enjoyment.

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Our beginners' special "All the facts you need to have fun on an e-bike" at a glance:

  • The 20 most important questions about e-mountainbikes - Anyone who does a sport wants to tell others about it, wants to rave about their experiences... But what if there are questions? And how do you store your battery over winter? Are you actually riding a pedelec or an e-bike? Can you even take your e-MTB on the train? We have impressive 20 facts about the E-MTB so that mountain bike beginners - and perhaps some others - have the right answer to many questions. Or did you know the difference between the power and torque of your e-bike motor?
Power and torque are two different values that have a particular impact on hills.Photo: Thomas ThiesenPower and torque are two different values that have a particular impact on hills.
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  • How do suspension forks and shocks work? - You may have already done your first tours, utilising the greatly extended range of an E-MTB to really go the distance. But there's still something not quite right about your bike: it bucks at the front and slides over sticks and rocks at the back! In our article, we answer almost all questions relating to suspension forks and shocks. How do these essential parts for a mountain bike work? What kind of bolts are they anyway? And what is the perfect individual setting for me? We help e-bike beginners with lots of tips and pictures on how to set up the suspension of your e-bike correctly.

  • Stay seated without whining - tips for choosing the right saddle - Just as important as the chassis of an E-MTB are the contact points with the rider. Above all, however, the largest and probably the most underestimated: the saddle. It is the executioner on a tour. It makes the difference between enjoyment and suffering, because the panorama, the hut or the dream trail can't hide the pain on your bum in the end. So that you now know exactly what you can do about it, how to adjust your saddle or, if in doubt, what to look out for when buying a new one, we have compiled a whole series of tips in our article. Tips on the subject of saddles compiled.
How soft a saddle is only has a limited influence on seating comfort. You can find out what else is important in our <a href="https://www.bike-magazin.de/komponenten/sattel/sitzen-bleiben-ohne-jammer-tipps-zur-richtigen-sattelwahl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tips on choosing the right saddle</a>Photo: Georg GrieshaberHow soft a saddle is only has a limited influence on seating comfort. You can find out what else is important in our tips on choosing the right saddle
  • Pain when e-biking? How to get through the season safely! - Anyone who does more than just the 25 kilometre after-work ride on an e-mountainbike - and we always assume this for motivated e-MTB beginners - spends several hours in the saddle, in more or less the same position or strain. Unfortunately, this can also lead to pain in other areas of the body. Fortunately, this is often less due to the level of training than to the ergonomics of your e-bike not yet being correctly adjusted. Have you ever thought about the saddle height? Is the adjustment of your pedals optimal? In a big check, we go through 9 pain points when bikingexplain the cause and give you tips on what you can do to cycle through the whole weekend without pain.

  • The big how-to video series: EMTB riding technique - If the set-up on the bike is right and the suspension is perfectly adjusted, then there is plenty of room for improvement for e-mountainbike beginners when it comes to optimising their riding technique. But even advanced riders can learn more in our large video series on eMTB riding technique. Our uphill flow expert Stefan Schlie starts with the basic ingredients, such as the Riding steep climbs with the E-MTB, Mastering tight bends or the Starting uphill. The second session is all about overcoming small steps with a jump or braking on difficult surfaces. In PART 3 - Expert riding technique - Stefan shows us professional tricks for off-road riding.
Low centre of gravity, robust tyres - no question: E-MTBs have their advantages even downhill. But the higher weight also requires special riding technique.Photo: Markus GreberLow centre of gravity, robust tyres - no question: E-MTBs have their advantages even downhill. But the higher weight also requires special riding technique.
  • MTB gears jumping - what to do when the gears get stuck - At some point, every bike with gears reaches the point where the gears no longer run smoothly. A small inaccuracy in the rear derailleur with annoying consequences. The chain rattles, it takes too long for the easier gear to kick in on a climb or you can't get going because the gears jump without any action on your part. This article is about how you can Adjusting the front derailleur and rear derailleuras well as what to do in the event of a Bent derailleur hanger - bend or replace? With our hacks, even e-MTB beginners can manage the necessary steps and the drive runs smoothly again.
If the derailleur hanger is badly bent or broken, the only solution is to replace it. Depending on the bike frame, there are countless types of derailleur hangers.Photo: Georg GrieshaberIf the derailleur hanger is badly bent or broken, the only solution is to replace it. Depending on the bike frame, there are countless types of derailleur hangers.
  • Quick help with dragging disc brakes - The brakes of an e-mountainbike are also not maintenance-free and are probably the most exposed to wear and tear - assuming you don't only ride your mountain bike on flat terrain. As disc brakes also have to deal with very high operating temperatures, they can sometimes fail, for example after a long downhill. The brake also squeaks or grinds after the brake disc comes into contact with a stone or a root. With numerous tips, we show you how you can easily optimise the Changing brake pads, fitting brake discs or the Realign the brake calliper.

  • Changing the sprocket - How-to instructions - While the cassette, also known as the sprocket set, does not need to be changed as often on non-motorised mountain bikes, the powerful motors on E-MTBs cause different forces to occur. This wears down the small teeth much faster and requires attention - even from E-MTB beginners. With our workshop, it's not difficult at all. The only point is the purchase (or loan) of a few special tools. But it's worth it, because the replacement itself is not rocket science and you'll be able to Save on workshop costs. But why not read our How-to change a sprocket?
Large tools (sprocket pullers) are used when the cassette needs to be changed. <a href="https://www.bike-magazin.de/werkstatt/schaltung-antrieb/workshop-kassette-ritzel-wechseln-how-to-anleitung-and-werkzeug/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">However, the steps are not difficult to carry out</a>, even for e-MTB beginners.Photo: Georg GrieshaberLarge tools (sprocket pullers) are used when the cassette needs to be changed. However, the steps are not difficult to carry out, even for e-MTB beginners.
  • Puncture repair on the road: How to repair tubeless tyres in seconds - In a proper beginners' special - whether e-MTB or mountain bike - one thing must not be missing: puncture repair! Sooner or later, more often or less often, it happens to everyone and the tyre is flat. Thorns, stones, glass - those with tubeless tyres have an advantage. We show you how you can quickly get your tyres back on the road with "salami", plug and milk. And if you want to convert to tubeless, simply follow the links at the end of our article. E-MTB beginners can easily manage this on their first attempt.
Insert the repair plug - also known as a salami - into the tool and even quite large holes in the casing are sealed.Photo: Georg GrieshaberInsert the repair plug - also known as a salami - into the tool and even quite large holes in the casing are sealed.
  • Guarantee and warranty: these are your rights with e-bikes - Whether 2500 euros or 12,500 euros, no e-mountainbike is perfect and faults or defects can always occur that neither e-mountainbike beginners nor professionals can fix: Motor damage, battery faults, frame breakage. In a comprehensive article, we take to the rough trails of Guarantee, warranty & liability. Professionals explain why dealers are often unable to help with complaints or what customers need to bear in mind. We also provide further information in linked articles, for example on warranties for wearing parts or how to recognise a really good workshop.
BAM... and the handlebars were through! It doesn't have to be that bad for parts to need replacing. Our guide "<a href="https://www.bike-magazin.de/mountainbike/garantie-und-gewaehrleistung-diese-rechte-haben-sie-bei-e-bikes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">These rights you have with e-bikes</a>" shows you what you should bear in mind when making a complaint.Photo: Georg GrieshaberBAM... and the handlebars were through! It doesn't have to be that bad for parts to need replacing. Our guide "These rights you have with e-bikes" shows you what you should bear in mind when making a complaint.