Ebike gives joy of mountain biking a boost

I FOUND such joy cycling up Penang Hill on an electric mountain bike.

I arrived at the peak still fresh and with a good appetite for ais kacang and a sumptuous breakfast.

From the top of Penang Hill, I had a panoramic view of the island and beyond, with the shimmering ocean stretching out before us.

On the way down, I took an off-road track through a network of trails that wound through lush forests with stunning view of the surrounding landscape.

I must conclude that ebikes make it possible to tackle more challenging terrain with less effort.

In general, an electric bike, or simply ebike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor and battery that assists the rider in pedalling.

The motor provides varying degrees of assistance between 20% to 60%, depending on the pedalling input, which can make riding uphill or over difficult terrain much easier.

For those who may have physical limitations or injuries, ebikes can be a game-changer, enabling them to participate in the sport they love without worrying about the strain on their joints and muscles.

An ebike is a bicycle with an electric motor and battery that assists the rider in pedalling.

As a seasoned mountain biker for the past 20 years, I once believed that control and being lightweight meant everything when tackling tough terrain.

Mountain bikes have evolved through the years, from aluminium hardtails with 26in wheels (some consider them retro now) to carbon-fibre full-suspension bikes with larger wheels to allow the rider to roll over obstacles more efficiently.

However, the main limitation of mountain biking has always been the rider’s stamina.

But thanks to the technology behind ebikes, even retirees can enjoy a happy ride through the woods.

Fortunately for me, Uncle Sim, a cycling sifu who got me into mountain-biking during the early days, persuaded me to try an ebike.

I was initially sceptical. An ebike weighs over 20kg, almost twice the weight of an ordinary mountain bike, so I figured the weight would reduce agility.

But I must say, after a long 60km ride in trails over several days, and that 5km journey to Penang Hill, I was pleasantly surprised.

The ride up Penang Hill usually takes well over an hour but it took just 40 minutes to complete with the motor-assisted bike.

As someone who enjoys pushing myself to the limits on tough climbs and technical descents, I was initially worried that an ebike would somehow dampen my sense of accomplishment after conquering difficult trails.

However, I soon realised that the electric-assist motor on the ebike simply allowed me to focus more on my technique and strategy, rather than expending all my energy on pedalling.

This made it possible to ride for longer periods, explore more challenging routes, and push myself further than I ever thought possible.

The love that the growing community of ebike users have for their ebikes becomes understandable, and it is definitely less intimidating for starters in the sport.

With rapid development in the industry and new gears rolling in every season, ebikes are a celebration of technology and testament to how advancements enhance our lives and hobbies.

Apart from utilising advanced electric motor and battery technology to assist riders, they often come equipped with other features, such as tracking sensors, LCD display screens and app connectivity, which enhance the overall riding experience.

It takes between three to five hours to fully charge the battery stored in the bicycle frame’s down tube, and they can run up to 150km range on a single charge.

Ebikes require little to no maintenance on their electronic parts, only regular software updates that are provided for free by dealers. And they come with a two-year warranty.

If not for the five-figure price range starting from about RM18,000 for a good mid-range model in Malaysia, I would have gotten one long ago.

For high-spirited riders to attack the trails, there are models that weigh only 16kg with the battery and 12kg without, but they cost over RM40,000 each.

The motor on ebikes only kicks in when the speed is less than 25kph.

Some may scoff at the idea of using an electric motor, but to each his own.

I still love my old bicycles on certain days, but technology is moving forward.

On a side note, ebikes are not to be mistaken for escooters, which have an electric motor and a battery to move the wheels without the need for pedalling, such as those operating in tourist areas and banned in many places.