How to Choose Electric Mountain Bike?

May 15, 2025

Electric mountain bikes have been around since the early 2000s. However, their popularity grew only a decade ago, when manufactures enhanced eMTBs with mid-drive motors and more advanced designs. Today, almost every bicycle brand has an electric MTB on offer, and their variety increases rapidly. So, how to navigate such a big range of products, ongoing releases, and special offerings to choose a model that matches all your needs? This guide reveals everything you should know for buying the best electric mountain bike.

Understanding the Basics of Electric Mountain Bikes

Electric mountain bicycle is a 2 wheeled bike with electric pedal assistance designed to make off-road rides much easier. eMTBs come with several key components that differentiate them from traditional bicycles:

Motor: the heart of an electric bike that gives you assistance when pedaling.
Battery: a removable power unit consisting of lithium-ion cells that serves as a source of energy for the motor.
Controller: the brain of an e-bicycle that manages the power generated by the motor and allows you to regulate the speed and pedal-assist level.
Wide tires: puncture-resistant, wide tires are used for handling rough trails with ease.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Electric Mountain Bike

Selecting the right eMTB requires you to consider a number of important aspects that will affect the quality of your rides. Here’s how to choose an electric bike that will suit you best:

Type of terrain and riding style: electric mountain bikes are designed for various riding styles and conditions. Some models are more suitable for long tours on gravel roads, while others are optimized for technical climbs and aggressive rides through rocky paths. If you tackle rough terrains, consider buying an eMTB with a more powerful motor and extended battery capacity.
Motor power: the power output in electric bikes is measured in watts and typically varies between 250W and 750W. However, these are not just simple numbers in a specifications sheet. The point is that motor power influences a bicycle’s climbing ability and acceleration, and the best eMTBs are great in this regard. For example, the 750W Bafang geared hub motor mounted in the FX-Series 750 bike from Avant can reach speeds up to 25 mph and handle the most challenging terrains with ease.
Battery capacity: the energy capacity of an e-bicycle battery is measured in watt per hour (Wh). The bigger it is, the further and longer you can cycle. Most modern eMTBs are equipped with 400Wh - 700Wh batteries. However, FX-Series 750 features an extended battery capacity of 800Wh+ so that you can enjoy riding without frequent recharging. Keep in mind that a number of factors may affect the battery life, including the rider and cargo weight, terrain, and cycling style.
Suspension and frame: a well-chosen suspension and bike frame provide comfort during mountain climbs and descents. Here’s the information you should know beforehand:

Suspension type: eMTBs have full or hardtail (front) suspension. The first option will suit you better if you ride technical trails and do not mind spending a bit more on a mountain bike. Hardtail suspension, in turn, is ideal for flat terrains with fewer road bumps.
Frame material: electric mountain bike frames are usually made from carbon or aluminum. Carbon models are lightweight and more costly, although they are less durable than the aluminum ones. Both options feel good in practice, so it’s primarily a question of money.

Brakes and tires: the best electric mountain bikes have front and rear hydraulic brakes providing perfect stopping power on wet, muddy, and hilly terrain. You should also consider models with wide 3.0"+ tires if you prefer extreme rides. Hence, you will cut down the chance of rim damage and punctures, as well as maintain strong traction on rugged roads.
Weight and size: eMTBs are very diverse. So, make sure the bike feels great and meets your body type before you decide on a purchase. For this, choose the right bicycle size based on your height and weight. The weight of an eMTB is also important since it affects the handling and maneuverability of the bicycle.

Additional Features to Look For

Besides basic components, electric mountain bikes also come with a range of additional features designed to make your rides more efficient and pleasurable:

Display screens: these are small on-board computers allowing you to see all the important information while riding, including distance traveled, battery life, speed, and travel time.
Pedal-assist systems vs. throttle: pedal-assisted electric mountain bikes activate the motor only when you pedal, which gives you a more natural riding feel. Throttle e-bicycles are similar to motorcycles, as they are set in motion using a thumb lever or twist grip. Riders usually choose pedal-assisted bikes, finding them more convenient.
Safety accessories: never neglect your safety when riding a bike, no matter if you climb the steepest hill in your area or explore the neighborhood. Invest in a helmet, lights, gloves, mirrors, and other bike accessories to increase your safety on the road.

Choosing Between Different eMTB Types

Electric mountain bikes are divided into three categories based on their purpose and efficiency. Check them out to define which one will work better for you:

Trail bicycles: versatile mountain bicycles for handling different trail conditions. They often feature low or medium motor power and 2.3"-2.6" wheels.
All-mountain bikes: built to climb more challenging terrains with steeper hills and descents. They prove to be slightly heavier than trail eMTBs and have a more powerful motor.
Enduro eMTBs: best for aggressive riding in the roughest terrain. Enduro bikes often have wider tires, full suspension, and the most powerful motors. However, they are heavier than other eMTBs.

Budget Considerations

A reliable electric mountain bike will cost you at least $2,000, depending on the brand. Cheaper eMTBs tend to have less powerful motors and fewer battery capacities. They also often sacrifice on components or materials, so their quality inevitably suffers. This affects not only the overall bike performance but also its durability. With that in mind, a more expensive yet quality eMTB is a good long-term investment. Cannot pay the full bike cost right away? Avant offers financing options to make the purchase more affordable.

Read also: Benefits of Electric Bikes

Testing and Reviews

Last but not least, arrange a test ride before buying an electric mountain bike and do the following:

Make sure the bike size and weight suit your body type
Check if all pedal-assist levels work smoothly
Test the brakes on descents – they should stop the bike immediately
Evaluate how suspension absorbs impacts
Pay attention to how maneuverable the bike is

In addition, search for reviews on a mountain bicycle you are interested in. Many riders share their experiences with others on YouTube, manufacture websites, and online forums. Hence, you can learn valuable information to make a successful purchasing decision.

Conclusion

A bike perfect for everyone simply does not exist. However, you can still find a model that is perfect for you – the one that will serve you well for as long as possible, enabling you to handle whatever trail you want with ease and confidence. This guide will help you choose the best eMTB, and you can also turn to Avant Bikes specialists if you are struggling to find what you need.