Don't miss the bike of your dreams
What is a MTB electric?
The electric mountain bike, also called VTTAE (Vélo Tout Terrain à Assistance Électrique), is a bike equipped with a battery and a motor, providing you with pedaling assistance. The muscles of your lower body will be put to work and the effort required will be less.
Easy to use, you just have to start pedaling and its motor triggers the sensor and sends the necessary power to allow you to move forward at the speed of your choice (with a limit of 25 km/h, speed at which the motor stops).
There are men's and women's electric all-terrain models, even usually mixed. More expensive than the traditional all-terrain products, it is however possible to find a cheap electric MTB by buying it second hand or in reconditioned version.
The MTB electric: for whom?
The MTB electric is mainly intended for two types of public. In the first case, it will be a precious help if you lack training but still want to follow your group in its sporting adventures. Your VTTAE will give you the boost you need to climb steep hills with less difficulty and will assist you when you feel a little tired.
Hardened sportsmen can also have a lot of fun with an electric mountain bike! It allows you to ride for longer periods of time, but also to reach places where you usually don't dare to venture. If you're a thrill seeker, your VTTAE will give you more power and speed: pushing the limits and thrills guaranteed! Heavier than classic mountain bikes, electric mountain bikes also offer better stability, which will be appreciated especially on the most challenging descents.
In short, the VTTAEs make all the most extreme climbs and outings possible!
Why an electric MTB ?
When off-road EVs first came on the market, the more athletic cyclists were quite reserved about their usefulness, considering them a cheat sheet. However, in retrospect, many have revised their judgment. Electrically assisted bikes are a great way to experience a different kind of sporty ride.
The MTB electric bike is ideal for both experienced cyclists looking to boost their performance and novices who want to improve their technique and enjoy the environment
In conclusion, electrically-assisted mountain bikes are an interesting alternative for sports enthusiasts and mountain bike lovers. Thanks to electric assistance, performance is increased tenfold and the sensations are more intense, whether for experienced cyclists or beginners. It also allows you to discover unexplored playgrounds and focus more on the surrounding nature. With this type of bike, everyone can live a unique and enriching sporting experience.
What is the purpose of the MTB ?
Traditional MTB enthusiasts do not see the electric version as a replacement for their two-wheeler. And they are right! The utility of a VTTAE is rather to offer you new sensations during your outings, even the most extreme. This type of bike is notably heavier and offers longer braking than your classic bike: these characteristics push you to improve your technique, notably to better apprehend the curves.
Electric bike assist is a real advantage for cyclists looking to reduce physical effort on difficult climbs. With this technology, climbing becomes more fun and enjoyable, while allowing you to conserve energy for multiple descents. Where fatigue would have made the experience difficult, electric assist allows you to explore new horizons without sacrificing the joy of the ride.
What is the difference between an electric MTB and a VTTAE?
Many people think that electric mountain bikes and VTTAEs are identical. In reality, this is a abus misnomer, as there is a difference between the two. The main difference lies in the type of motors used.
Thus, a VTTAE is a power-assisted mountain bike equipped with an electric propulsion whose nominal power cannot exceed 250 Watts and whose maximum speed is limited to 25 km/h. When you stop pedaling or when you reach this speed, the motor must be switched off. The motor is only activated when you pedal.
An electric MTB has a motor that moves the bike in all circumstances. It was designed to allow you to move forward without having to pedal.
Which electric MTB to choose?
Our selection of all-terrain electric bikes is designed to meet all your needs, whether you're an enduro rider, mountain biker or sand walker. We are here to guide you in choosing the best MTB electric according to your needs and preferences.
VTTAE or Speed bike ?
The VTTAE has an electrical system that can deliver up to 250 Watts of power, in compliance with European regulations limiting the speed of electric mountain bikes to 25 km/h, as for all types of electric bikes.
However, this limit can still be crossed by another type of electric bicycle, which actually belongs to the moped category: the Speed bikes (or speed pedelec). Speed bikes can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h, and therefore benefit from special legislation. Considered as motor vehicles, they must be registered and have a "carte grise". They must be insured, and cannot be driven without wearing a helmet and gloves. They may not be used on cycle paths.
The speed bikes are recommended for those who are not afraid of speed and who regularly travel long distances (over 20 km) on roads. They allow you to easily insert yourself into traffic.
There are also models of VTTAE Speed Bikemodels, which can reach a speed of 45 km/h. They are mainly recommended for those who have mastered high-speed sports riding and are looking for very strong sensations.
All-terrain electric bike "all suspension" or "semi-rigid" ?
A MTB electric all suspension bike has a shock absorber and a fork. This represents the vast majority of all-terrain bikes on the market today. These models are comfortable and have a very good grip on most terrains. They are therefore suitable for most of your sports outings.
The disadvantage of the MTB all-suspension boats lies in their cost, which is higher than that of semi-rigid boats. But the driving sensations they offer (close to a traditional all-terrain vehicle) as well as their versatility on all types of terrain are largely justified by this price difference.
The semi-rigid electric bicycle (or hardtail) has for only suspension the front fork. Its advantages are to be light, reactive and to consume less quickly its electric autonomy. This type of VTTAE is ideal if you ride mostly on trails or technical paths. It will be less pleasant for rougher routes. If you still want to have comfort, choose one with a 27.5 inch tires .
The different categories of MTB electric
For the most demanding users, there are several categories of MTB in the electric range, whose characteristics allow you to take full advantage of your different types of outings.
VTTAE Enduro
The VTTAE enduro is aimed at experienced cyclists who love strong sensations and adrenaline rush! Enduro is a downhill sport, in a mountainous environment and requires an adapted electric bike, offering an excellent comfort, thanks to good suspensions among others.
For this activity, choose an all-terrain Enduro bike, i.e. a fully suspended model with a propulsion element placed in the center of the frame, which must be both light and resistant, ideally in carbon. The electric All Terrain Enduro bikes are recognizable by their 160 mm travel: this rearward inclination allows to compensate the slope when you ride downhill.
You can find excellent Enduro ATVs in the following brands Haibike, Cube or even Mondraker.
VTTAE Cross Country
The VTTAE Cross Country (or XC) is a sport focused on speed and competition. It is mostly done on technical terrain where the effort required is important (steep climbs, very strong descents...). The goal: to go as fast as possible! For this, choose an electric MTB Cross Country semi-rigid electric bike.
If you have the budget, look for a carbon frame which will be lighter than an aluminum frame. The front fork of these MTB has a travel of 80 to 100 millimeters. This offers a more or less plunging riding position: it's up to you to determine the right one according to your practice (leisure or competition). As for the wheels, the 29 inches diameter will offer you more speed and inertia. It is also advisable to choose a VTTAE XC with a single plate transmission, which allows a very fluid gear shift.
There are very good VTTAE Cross Country at Trek, Orbea or Lapierre.
All Terrain All Mountain bike
The VTTAE All Mountain (or AM) is the right discipline for strong sensations! It is practiced in the open country, on trails with relief and obstacles. Its enthusiasts love rough terrain and are able to make jumps that give them a nice adrenaline rush. An electric mountain bike All Mountain is fully suspended. Its rear suspension is essential to absorb the shocks linked to bumps and allow a very good motricity in the most difficult climbs. The fork travel is between 140 mm and 160 mm. The ideal is to choose a VTTAE AM with a partially lockable shock absorber, in order to play with it on the climbs.
For your ATV All Mountainwe recommend the following brands Specialized, R Raymon or Moustache.
VTTAE Trail
The VTTAE Trail is suitable for those who ride on low mountainous terrain or in the forest. It is an all-suspension electric bike designed for long-distance pleasure rides. It is the most represented category of VTTAE. These models have a travel of 120 mm to 160 mm at the front, and 150 mm at the rear. The MTB trail are developed to climb efficiently while offering a balanced riding position, and therefore comfort. You will find on the MTB electric trail 27.5 or 29 inch diameter rims, a telescopic seatpost, as well as wide handlebars to be at ease in your maneuvers.
You will find VTTAE Trail at Scott, Rocky Mountain or even KTM.
Electric fatbikes
As their name indicates, the fatbikes are big bikes tires that are at ease on all types of terrain, even snowy, muddy or sandy. Arrived in Europe in the 2010s, they are easily recognizable with their XXL wheels measuring up to 4 inches and offering an unbeatable grip. Most of them have a fixed fork and a steel frame. The fatbikes are often referred to as the bikes of the future. Very robust, they can go anywhere, are easy to ride, easy to maintain and provide unique sensations.
How does an electric MTB work?
The particularity of an electric bicycle lies in the fact that it includes, among other things, a motor and a battery. Zoom on the main elements and the functioning of an electric MTB .
Which motor for an electrically assisted MTB (VTTAE)
The motor is placed at the level of the pedals in the majority of the electric MTB . In fact, in order to guarantee an optimal weight distribution, allowing a low center of gravity, the pedal motor offers the best efficiency/reliability ratio. The 250 watt motor, common to all VTTAEs, offers a torque ranging from 40 to over 90 nm for the most powerful bikes. In concrete terms, the higher the power of the torque is high and the more lively the accelerations will be on a nervous bike.
The battery, a key element for the autonomy of the MTB electric
It is more and more often integrated in the frame, but it can be placed on the lower tube. Its power is expressed in Watts per hour (voltage in volts multiplied by the capacity in Ampere-hours). The batteries of MTB are between 250 and 600 Wh (watts/hour) knowing that the higher the power of the battery, the more autonomy is important.
An on-board computer for a pleasant and optimized driving
Whether it displays just the essentials, i.e. speed, distance travelled, battery level, or whether it is so sophisticated as to integrate a GPS, a Bluetooth connection or a USB socket, it is essential for optimal use of your MTB.
The constitution
All configurations of the classic MTB of MTB are possible; semi-rigid, full suspension with 27.5 or 29 inch wheels. The material of the frame and fork will be different, aluminum in most cases, chosen for its robustness and integration of the battery.
The weight of a VTTAE
With all these additional equipments, the VTTAE weighs more than a classic MTB . You will have to count between 5 and 8 kg more. Thus, an electric MTB weighs on average between 15 and 28 kg. An element to be taken into account at the time of the purchase.
What is the price of an electric mountain bike (MTB)?
The price of an MTB electric bike is higher than that of a MTB classic or an ordinary electric bike. The latter can thus oscillate between 2 500€ and more than 15 000€. This price difference is justified by the quality of its equipment, its robustness, its durability... The carbon frames, lighter, are for example an element that can make the final price vary significantly.
How to find a cheap electric MTB ?
If you're on a budget, it's still possible to find an electric mountain bike. electric mountain bike electric mountain bike. You can look for a second-hand VTTAE or an electric mountain bike refurbished. This is what Upway has to offer, with a very wide selection of the best MTB electric bikes at low prices.
This makes it possible to buy an inexpensive all-terrain electric bike in a condition close to new. By reconditioning, you can find VTTAEs 20 to 60% cheaper than new.
If you want to buy a used VTTAE, be careful about lhe conditions of purchaseespecially if the sale is made with a private individual.