Purists think they are for cheats, but an electric mountain bike can easily turn a bike trip and make it much more exciting and durable. Higher speed, torque, and power levels for you to enjoy can’t be a bad thing, can they?
For me, I love the feeling of riding a bike downhill at high speed; the hard work getting back up on the other side is a challenge (great, I like challenges!), but it can wear out a bit as the hours go by.
Now suppose you have a powerful battery to back you up, you can keep going even further, faster, and with more power to enjoy the scenery and excitement around you. And turning off the power is just a button away if you want. You have the choice.
You can use the electric assist mode to get to and from your favorite mountain biking routes and use the electric assist on the way home instead of perhaps taking the car when you are tired (or exhausted!). They are more practical, cheaper, and much more energy-efficient.
Like in a car, getting a mountain electric bike wet is not a problem, but just like in a car, once you are submerged in water, it is a bad idea to continue. There are a couple of precautions you can take to avoid water damage.
An electric mountain bike has four main components that must be protected; the motor, the battery, the controller, and the connection cables. All of these need to be waterproofed in some way, either by the factory that made them or by DIY means.
If you wrap some of the components in plastic (silicone or electrical tape works well) to preserve the parts without obstructing the moving parts or prevent it from reaching the parts if you need to check them. The waterproof coating will prevent daily moisture from leaking out.
Electric mountain bikes also need to be tough enough to keep their electrical components safe when riding on rocks and off-road tracks. A good rule of thumb is to have a mountain bike that is a little better equipped than necessary, in case something goes wrong. Also, try to have standardized parts (like chain links) made by a big brand that is easily (and affordably) replaced. That is worth a lot!
