e-MTB items you never knew you needed
Our list of e-MTB-specific products that'll make life on the bike easier.
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Although e-mountain bikes serve a very similar purpose to regular bikes, the extra weight and assistance cause premature wear on various components such as the motor, battery, bearings and suspension. There are a bunch of e-MTB-specific products that can help prolong your e-MTB's life, which we've outlined in the list below.
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Layer up your clothing
The best thing about e-mountain bikes is that they make climbing easier – some 400 per cent easier. That alone means that e-MTBers don’t generate as high a body temperature as they would if cranking a regular bike up a hill. E-bike riders also travel faster, in general, so windchill is more of a factor.
2022 leatt trail jacket mtb 3.0 hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
With that in mind, it’s wise to expand your MTB wardrobe with extra thermal layers that’ll make for a warmer, and more comfortable time out on the bike, especially in the colder months. Whether that’s something as little as a base layer, or a full-on thermal jacket, something to stave off the cold is a big upgrade to your ride.
Look out for products that contain insulated fabrics such as Polartec or 7Mesh’s WTV fabrics. These are designed to balance breathability while keeping warm air in. Then, choosing a jacket with a DWR coating, or some level of waterproofing will double up in usefulness when the weather eventually takes a turn.
e-MTB-specific tyres
Although many ride similarly, e-mountain bikes are harsher on tyres due to the overall weight and torque put through the rear wheels. While normal tyres are perfectly fine, e-MTB-specific tyres come into their own when it comes to puncture protection, longevity and even grip.
2024 michelin e wild rear.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Most e-bike-specific tyres utilise heavier but better-protected carcasses and that’s all to account for the extra weight that they typically carry. More comprehensive protection will allow you to put just as much abuse through the bike and its tyres without having to dial back your riding through the risk of a puncture. These kinds of tyres also provide better support in their sidewalls so they can cope with the increased speeds and weight of an e-MTB without feeling vague or prone to burping or rolling.
Some tyres for e-bikes come with specific tread patterns, such as Michelin’s E-Wild Rear, which is designed to provide maximum grip when climbing. Others also utilise specific rubber compounds for longevity.
Steel-toothed chainrings increase drivetrain life
This probably won’t be the first time this is said throughout this article but e-mountain bikes put more stress on their drivetrains – in fact, analogue bikes can go through multiple chainrings a year if you ride regularly enough, so you get the idea. That’s where products such as SRAM’s XX Eagle Transmission chainrings and AbsoluteBlack’s Super Steel E-Bike chainrings come into play.
2024 canyon speconfly chainring.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Products like these use aluminium spiders bonded to steel rings and teeth with the idea of balancing weight savings with increased strength. Admittedly, these are pricier than normal chainrings, but a single steel-toothed option will outlast fully alloy rings – so think of upgrading as more of an investment.
Hope also offers a chainring with a tooth profile designed to wear further before the negative effects of a completely worn chainring kick in.
A drivetrain cleaning tool
Cleaning your bike’s chain is as important as charging your battery. Owing to the chainring and the drivetrain having to move independently of the crank, a regular chain-cleaning device won't cut it.
2024 muc off emtb drivetrain tool.jpg, by Liam Mercer
A drivetrain cleaning tool is a must-have for any e-mountain biker as it locks the crank against the chainring spider so you can backpedal the crank. Lots of brands offer them, including Muc-Off's e-bike drivetrain tool. We advise against using a stick or Allen key as this can mark or damage your crank.
Brake pads
One of the smaller components on your e-mountain bike is easily overlooked – brake pads. With the extra weight and subsequent speed, e-bikes are hard on brake pads and you’ll find yourself swapping pads frequently.
A number of brands offer brake pads that are built especially for the rigours of e-mountain bikes. Such pads often feature a blend of friction materials designed to provide top-notch braking performance and durability. These pads are also less abrasive on your rotors and should increase disc brake life.
e-MTB-specific saddle
Due to the extra time spent in the saddle, e-bike-specific saddles can be a serious upgrade that boosts comfort and support.
2024 sdg bel air max hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
E-bike-specific saddles benefit from all the technologies found on regular saddles but provide extra benefits. The most obvious is that many e-mountain bike saddles feature a kick or a steep ramp at the rear – the idea is to keep you in place as you tackle steeper climbs. Additionally, the nose is flatter to boost support and there’s more padding to improve overall comfort.
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