[This article contains sponsored content]

E-bikes are sometimes called the great leveller, because of the way they can offer assistance in situations where higher power output is required. Be it hills, longer rides, or simply some commutes into a block headwind, e-bikes are the bike of choice to make a bike ride more enjoyable.

Everyone's reason to ride a non-electric or electric bike is different, and we'd be keen to hear what yours are. Rider Research Hub is running a short survey for electric mountain bike and mountain bike riders to understand more about what they are looking for in a bike, how they decide which bike to buy, and what they feel about various bike manufacturers.

So if you already ride an eMTB or plan to buy one, this survey is for you. It should take you around 15 minutes to complete, and once you've completed it and provided your email address, you will be entered into a competition to win a POC helmet of your choice, up to the value of £300 (or equivalent $350/C$450/€350). Check the survey details at the end of this article. 

 ENTER THE SURVEY HERE  

And if you need inspiration on what to say about electric mountain bikes, then read on! 

What are e-MTBs good for?

We might be biased, but perhaps the best cycling discipline for e-bikes is mountain biking, where downhill is where the fun stuff starts. Riding an e-MTB really allows you to power up the hills, and then zoom down on the trails, only to repeat it immediately after as you won't need as much rest with the climbing being done so quickly. This means you actually get to ride more than you would with a push bike - so don't even think that you're lazy if you love an e-MTB. 

2023 Saracen Ariel 50E riding e-mtb, by Saracen

You're not lazy if you ride an e-bike

Some might think that having an e-bike means that you're lazy, or unfit, but they have likely never ridden one. Even for a fit cyclist, riding an e-bike allows you to stay in an easy zone on climbs, and makes sure you don't have to exert yourself if faced with a headwind.

E-bikes also allow riders of different abilities to ride together. If one of you is a serious mountain goat and loves climbing, but you much rather just enjoy the views instead of worrying about your alarming heart rate, an e-bike enables that. 

E-bikes can, of course, be a good way to get back into fitness or recover after an injury. They nudge the intensity of riding down, meaning you can focus on feeling good on the bike and easing back into your loved sport. 

The booming e-bike industry

Reasons to ride e-bikes are numerous, and the cycling industry has also acknowledged this. Most major bike brands have several e-bikes in their ranges, for commuters and serious mountain bikers alike, responding to the increased demand. Some e-bikes barely look like they have a motor, and some don't even weigh much more than a regular push bike because of the advanced technologies.

Governments across the world are subsidising e-bike purchases with grants and loans, which has heightened their appeal to many even more. Research has estimated that the global e-bike market is going to be worth over $120 billion (£100b) by 2030, and much of the boom is due to the low cost of an e-bike (compared to a car) and the recreational value of them. 

E-mountain bikes have the exact same suspension qualities as non-assisted mountain bikes and very few drawbacks. They are heavier, but that is really only an issue when you are trying to transport them. They come in different price points, as well, so even though the premium models require deep pockets, the basic models barely cost more than a regular mountain bike would. 

Kinesis RISE e-mtb-9.jpg, by Rachael Gurney

Survey T&C: The survey is being run by the Rider Research Hub, an online community where riders take part in surveys and share opinions on a wide range of topics related to mountain bikes and cycling. Your email address will only be used for the purpose of confirming the prize draw winner, and will not be shared with anyone or used for any other purpose - unless you decide to sign up to be a member of the Rider Research Hub. The prize draw will take place after 1st March 2023 and the winner will be contacted shortly after this time. No email addresses will be held after the conclusion of the prize draw.