The e-bike revolution is happening right here. If you have ever ridden our trails around East Sarajevo, Trebević or Jahorina, you know what I mean: the smell of pine mixed with sweat and dust, and tires fighting for grip on our very particular soil. This is my personal story of moving from a classic full-suspension bike to an e-MTB.
The short version:
- On an e-MTB I ride three laps in the time I used to ride one, so I get three times more descents to practice technique.
- Steep, rooty climbs I used to push the bike up are now rideable: that is “uphill flow”.
- Thanks to the battery and motor the center of gravity is low, so the bike feels more stable on descents through berms and rock gardens.
- An e-bike does not kill your fitness: your heart rate stays in a moderate zone while your training volume goes up.
Before the e-bike revolution: the Cube “Beast” and necessary suffering
For many years my philosophy was simple: raw power and an analog machine. My faithful companion was the Cube “Beast”, a classic full-suspension bike. And it really was a beast. Together we rode everything from mud to rock fields, breaking derailleurs and shredding tires.
But let's be honest, climbs were always “necessary suffering”. You know that moment when you reach the bottom of a trail in Bike Park Evolution or somewhere on Trebević, look up and know what is waiting for you. A fight.
You push. You pedal until your lungs give out, then you push again. On the steepest technical sections there was no chance of riding: the bike was carried or pushed while sweat ran into your eyes. “No pain, no gain.” I thought that was the only real way and that everything else was cheating.
Why I switched to an electric mountain bike
Then came the turning point, and my own e-bike revolution began. I tried an e-bike, and it did not stay a one-off test ride. Now I ride it regularly and my perspective has turned 180 degrees.
The first time I took the e-bike to the same trail where I used to leave my soul pushing, I switched it into Turbo mode. I expected it to be easier, but I did not expect it to be this much fun. I explained what each mode does in the guide Bosch riding modes.
Uphill flow: attacking climbs instead of pushing
Instead of stopping, I just press the pedals a bit harder. The motor whirs with that sound of its own, the rear tire bites into the ground, and I literally jump uphill.
— Marko Ristivojević
There is one rooty climb where the gradient is so steep that the front wheel wants to lift off the ground. On my old Cube I had to get off there 9 times out of 10. You simply have neither the power nor the traction.
On the e-bike I get there with my heart working normally, not on the verge of a heart attack. I see the root, I see the slope, and I hop over it like a small curb. That was not just climbing, that was uphill flow. Where I used to push and swear, I now look for a line to “attack” uphill. For me, that is the real e-bike revolution.
Does an e-bike kill your fitness?
Many people think an e-bike kills fitness. Not at all. Instead of doing one lap and being dead tired for the descent (and making mistakes because my legs shake), I now do three laps. If you want to structure this properly, take a look at our e-bike training protocol.
- Three times more riding: bigger training volume in the same time.
- Three times more descents: more chances to practice technique.
- Constant effort: your heart rate sits in a moderate zone instead of the red.
I described the pros and cons of electric bikes in more detail in the article e-bike: pros and cons of electric MTB bikes.
Descending stability: the “tank” effect
The best part is the descent, because that is where the e-bike revolution is felt the most. Thanks to the weight of the battery and motor the center of gravity is low and the bike feels glued to the trail. When you fly into a berm or “iron out” a rock garden, you feel like a tank.
The fear that a rock will throw you off balance is smaller, because the weight works for you and punches through obstacles instead of bouncing off them.
Conclusion: the e-bike revolution is pure riding evolution
The Cube “Beast” will always have a special place in my heart. It taught me the basics and how to pick a line when you have no help from a motor. But what I have now is pure evolution of riding: the climb has become a game, and the whole ride one continuous shred.
When I get to the top, look at Sarajevo in the valley and know I still have 50% battery left, there is no better feeling. I can even explore that trail I never had the legs for before. That is what the e-bike revolution gave me.
If you see me on the trail charging uphill with a smile while you push, don't be mad. I was where you are, but I decided I want more riding and less pushing.
What do you think about this “electric revolution”? Is it cheating, or are you ready to try it? Write to me in the comments, see you on the trail!
Frequently Asked Questions About Switching to an E-Bike
Is an e-bike cheating on an MTB trail?
No. The motor only helps while you pedal, so you still do the work. The difference is that in the same time you ride more laps and more descents.
Do you lose fitness on an e-bike?
Not if you ride regularly. Your heart rate stays in a moderate zone, and your total training volume is usually higher than on a classic bike.
Why is an e-MTB more stable on descents?
The battery and motor lower the center of gravity, so the bike holds its line better through berms and rocks and bounces less off obstacles.