| Purists reckon they're for cheaters, but an electric | | | | water it's a bad idea to continue. There are a couple |
| mountain bicycle can easily turn a bike trip around and | | | | of precautions you can take to avoid water damage. |
| make it far more exciting and enduring. Speed, | | | | An electric mountain bike has four main components |
| torque and higher energy levels for you to enjoy | | | | that need to be protected; the motor, the battery, |
| yourself can't be a bad thing, right? | | | | the controller and the connecting leads. These should |
| For me, I love the feeling you get taking a bike | | | | all be waterproofed somehow, either by the factory |
| down a hill at speed; the hard slog to get up again on | | | | that made it, or by DIY means. |
| the other side is a challenge (great - I like challenges!) | | | | If you wrap some of the components in plastic |
| but it can wear a bit as the hours go on. | | | | (silicon or electrical tape works well) to preserve the |
| Now, suppose you had a powerful battery to | | | | parts without obstructing the moving parts or |
| support you, you could keep going even longer, | | | | stopping you from getting at the parts if you need |
| faster and with more energy to enjoy the scenery | | | | to check it over. The waterproof coating will keep |
| and excitement around you. And turning the power | | | | everyday damp from riding out. |
| off is only a button away, if you like. You have the | | | | Electric mountain bikes should also be rugged enough |
| choice. | | | | to keep their electrical components safe when |
| You could use the power-assist mode to get you to | | | | travelling across rocks and off-road tracks. A good |
| and from your favourite mountain biking routes and | | | | rule of thumb is to have a mountain bike that is a |
| use the power-assist on the way home instead of | | | | shade better equipped than you need, just in case |
| perhaps taking the car, when you're tired (or | | | | something goes wrong. Try also to have |
| exhausted!). They're more practical, cheaper and | | | | standardized parts (like chain links) made by a big |
| much more energy efficient. | | | | brand which are easily (and affordably) replaced. |
| Like a car, getting an electric bike wet isn't a problem | | | | That's worth a lot! |
| - but like in a car, once you're up to your axles in | | | | |