If you are a true American who loves mountain biking sports, it is high time to get a mountain bike and enjoy the thrill of those off-road adventures.
However, for this, you’ll need a mountain bike that matches the level of adventure you’re looking for.
If your budget is small, you are still fairly young, and you do not usually go on long biking adventures, a traditional mountain bike may be alright for you.
However, if you have the means to afford a more technologically advanced mountain bike that allows long mountain bike rides without putting too much strain on your body, an electric mountain is the only option you should consider.
An Electric Mountain Bike Versus a Regular Mountain Bike
Mountain biking sports may be extremely popular in many countries, such as the USA; however, it is not for everyone.
Not all novice or regular bike riders have the balance, skill, and experience needed to control and ride a heavy, high-speed mountain bike on rugged, steep, and arduous landscapes.
However, if you enjoy riding a mountain bike for the adrenaline rush and love to test your limits, you need to make sure you invest in the right mountain bike – whether traditional or electric.
Usually, people can choose between a commonly available and relatively less expensive manual mountain bike or a slightly more costly and new electric mountain bike.
Although both mountain bikes are designed to carry the rider’s weight over challenging and steep biking trails, one type of mountain bike offers far more advantages than the other.
However, whether a person should invest in a traditional or a modern-day electric mountain bike will depend on multiple factors.
These factors are as follows:
- The rider’s budget
- The rider’s income
- The rider’s age
- The rider’s physical fitness and medical condition
- The kind of biking trails or terrains the rider plans to ride their mountain bike on
- How often the rider plans to use their mountain bike
- The rider’s mountain bike riding experience and skill
- The rider’s main purpose behind investing in a mountain bike
Moreover, apart from the factors that can affect a rider’s choice of a mountain bike, one should also check the following attributes of the bike before they make the purchase in order to make a wise investment decision:
- The top speed of the mountain bike
- The running and maintenance costs of the mountain bike
- The regional legal laws that apply to the usage and type of the mountain bike
- The availability of the mountain bike’s counterparts
- The maximum traveling range of the mountain bike
- The durability and expected lifespan of the mountain bike
- The care routine and maintenance of the mountain bike
- The resale value of the mountain bike
- The weight and transportability of the mountain bike
- The regional weather conditions
Once a person has taken the time to go through each of these factors and attributes, they will know exactly which mountain bike will fit their unique needs and requirements.
This saves their time and money as it inevitably means buying the right mountain bike on the first attempt as opposed to buying something and then not liking it.
Continue reading to learn more about the different types of mountain bikes that one can choose from, along with learning how both kinds of mountain bikes work.
Moreover, the article will elaborate on all the factors that will affect a rider’s purchase decision when choosing a mountain bike.
Finally, the article will shed light on the different attributes of the different mountain bikes to help draw a clearer comparison between the different types.
Let’s get started!
The Different Types of Mountain Bikes
Manual Pedal Mountain Bike
The most commonly available and abundantly used type of mountain bike is the manual one.
When you look at one of these bikes, you’ll notice that they look almost entirely similar to traditional bicycles.
However, the frame and tires of these bikes are designed to have the endurance and strength needed for riding on rugged and arduous landscapes.
The top speed and momentum of the traditional manual mountain bike will be directly dependent on the rider’s weight and their ability to pedal the bike physically.
Hence, the more aggressively a rider is able to pedal their mountain bike, the faster they’ll be able to go. This is incredibly important when crossing difficult paths and having to make dangerous jumps.
How Does a Manual Mountain Bike Work?
A manual mountain bike works just the way a traditional bicycle does. It has different gears, a braking system, a chain, a crank arm, and a set of foot pedals that must be rotated to make the bike move.
Gasoline-Powered Mountain Bike
A gasoline-powered mountain bike is more advanced than a manual mountain bike. As the name suggests, this mountain bike uses fossil fuel combustion to create the energy needed to move the bike forward.
However, a gasoline-powered mountain bike is not like a gas motorbike, as it still has a pair of foot pedals that the rider needs to use to make the bike move forward.
How Does a Gasoline-Powered Mountain Bike Work?
A gasoline-powered mountain bike comes with a fuel tank and a small combustion engine. When the rider gets tired of pedaling or wants to boost their speed, they can do so using the throttle on the bike.
Gasoline-powered mountain bikes work similarly to regular motorcycles in this regard. However, they only work this way when the rider hits the throttle.
Battery-Powered Electric Mountain Bike
Finally, the newest and most technologically advanced mountain bike is the battery-powered electric mountain bike.
These bikes come with a lithium-ion battery pack, an electric motor, motion sensors, energy transmitters, and many connective cables running through the bike’s frame.
Although the electric mountain bike also comes with foot pedals that the rider needs to use, the bike’s speed and momentum can greatly be influenced by the pedal assistance the bike’s electric engine is designed to offer.
How Does an Electric Mountain Bike Work?
When a rider begins to pedal their electric mountain bike, the built-in motion sensors pick on the pedaling motion and transfer the detected signals to the bike’s electric motor.
As soon as the motor receives the signals, it begins to discharge the electric mountain bike’s lithium-ion battery to make use of the stored chemical energy.
The motor then converts this chemical energy to kinetic energy, which is carried to the electric mountain bike’s tires via the built-in energy transmitters.
This makes it easier for the rider to pedal as it means the bike does most of the heavy lifting while they don’t have to put in much effort to move the bike forward.
Factors that Affect a Rider’s Decision When Choosing a Mountain Bike
The Rider’s Budget
The first thing a rider needs to pay attention to when selecting a mountain bike is their budget. Although mountain bikes are more expensive than basic bicycles, there is a range of price differences between different kinds of mountain bikes in the USA.
For instance, if your budget is quite small, you can probably only afford a traditional manual mountain bike.
Since its mechanisms are quite basic and it doesn’t come with high-tech features that affect the bike’s quality and ride, these bikes are highly affordable.
Moreover, if the rider has a slightly bigger budget, they can use a gasoline-powered mountain bike. These are more expensive than manual mountain bikes and can offer greater speed and a more adventurous mountain biking experience.
However, if the rider has the means to invest in an electric mountain bike, they should jump at the opportunity the first chance they get.
Although these bikes can be quite expensive, their multiple benefits and technological superiority usually outweigh the hefty investment.
The Rider’s Income
When choosing a mountain bike, you shouldn’t make the mistake of focusing only on the initial purchase decision.
Instead, you should also keep in mind the running and maintenance costs. This includes fixing signs of wear and tear and ensuring that your mountain bike is in top shape at all times.
For instance, if the rider has a limited income, a manual mountain bike that does not require refueling or recharging is ideal for them.
Moreover, if their income allows them to afford higher running and maintenance costs, they can consider investing in gasoline or battery-powered mountain bikes.
However, if they still want to keep their costs low, choosing an electric mountain bike over a gasoline-powered mountain bike is a better idea as electricity is far cheaper than gasoline everywhere in the world, especially in the USA.
The Rider’s Age
Although age is just a number, there is no denying that age can affect a person’s vision, vigilance, and reflexes. Hence, if you are older, riding a mountain bike that is not too fast or heavy is better.
However, if you’re an experienced mountain biker or a young soul with plenty of energy, you should definitely consider any of the three mountain bike types. You can’t go wrong with your choice.
The Rider’s Physical Fitness and Medical Condition
Apart from age, a rider’s physical fitness and medical condition will also affect which mountain bike they should choose.
For instance, if a person is not physically capable of continuously pedaling a mountain bike for a long time, they should invest in an electric mountain bike.
This is because, unlike a manual mountain bike, an electric mountain bike’s speed and momentum do not only depend on the rider’s physical ability.
Instead, the rider can rely on the bike’s electrical pedal assistance, allowing them to travel at high speeds without demanding aggressive physical effort.
The electric mountain bike enables a larger group of people to enjoy mountain biking sports, and its advanced features also help protect a rider’s knees, ankles, or leg muscles.
This translates to a smoother ride and ensures that the rider has a good time instead of being completely out of breath and cramped by the end.
The Kind of Biking Trails or Terrains the Rider Plans to Ride their Mountain Bike On
If a rider plans to ride on biking trails that are extremely uneven, arduous, steep, and long, it is best to invest in an electric mountain bike.
This is because an electric mountain bike’s pedal assistance will allow the rider to pedal for longer periods without tiring themselves out.
Moreover, when the trail requires the rider to climb a surface or make a high jump, the high speed of an electric mountain bike can make this easily possible, even when the rider is too tired to pedal.
On the other hand, a traditional mountain bike will do just fine if you’re only looking to travel on flat surfaces, where you probably won’t exert too much energy.
How Often You Plan to Ride Your Mountain Bike
If you’re a regular mountain biker, you must ensure that you care for your body. Mountain biking is incredibly demanding, and you can seriously damage your muscles and joints if you’re not careful.
Although physical pedaling can be a great cardio workout, doing it every day over steep and uneven surfaces can strain the rider’s knees and leg muscles.
Hence, if the rider wishes to ride daily, an electric mountain bike that minimizes the strain on their legs and joints will be perfect.
The Rider’s Mountain Experience and Skill
An electric or gasoline-powered mountain bike is much heavier and faster than a manual mountain bike. Hence, one should only go for these bikes if they have the experience and skills to control and balance such strong mountain bikes.
Comparison Between the Different Attributes and Characteristics of Different Kinds of Mountain Bikes
The table below clearly compares the different characteristics and attributes of the three kinds of mountain bikes.
This information will help you choose which mountain bike is ideal for your physical limitations, finances, and mountain biking needs.
| Different Characteristics | Manual Mountain Bike | Gasoline Powered Mountain Bike | Electric Mountain Bike |
| Top speed | 5 to 10 mph | 15 to 22 mph | 15 to 25 mph |
| Running and maintenance costs | Low | high | Medium |
| Regional laws | No laws limit its usage | Speed laws exits | Speed laws exist |
| Availability of the mountain bike’s counterparts | Easily available | Easily available | Available at only a few places at the moment |
| Maximum traveling range | Depends on the rider | 40 to 100 miles | 40 to 85 miles |
| Durability and expected lifespan | High durability | High durability | Battery damage can reduce durability |
| Maintenance | Easy | Easy | Costly |
| Resale Value | Low | Low | High |
| Weight and transportability | Low weight and high transportability | High weight and low transportability | High weight and low transportability |
Final Thoughts
Although all kinds of mountain bikes can help a rider enjoy an adventurous bike ride, an electric mountain bike is still superior due to its many benefits and unique attributes.
For instance, the electric mountain bike will reduce the rider’s carbon footprint and protect their leg muscles and joints from any damage caused by regular riding.
However, if one does not have the means to afford an expensive electric mountain bike in the USA, they can go for the other options presented in this article.
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My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.