If you’re curious about just how much faster an eco bike can take you, the answer is – significantly! These bikes typically offer assistance up to 20 mph, aligning with Class 1 e-bike regulations. Without a throttle, you engage the boost by pedaling, transforming your ride in more ways than just shortening your travel time.
Before experiencing an eco bike, the idea of rapidly ascending hills was foreign to me. Conquering challenging, technical climbs at speed unveils a completely new dimension of mountain biking. While some riders might romanticize slow, grueling ascents, for those who crave velocity on two wheels, eco bikes are game-changers.
Speaking of speed, flowing singletracks take on an entirely different character on an eco bike. The trail experience at 18-20 mph compared to 10-13 mph is dramatically different. This enhanced speed pushes you to adopt a more aggressive riding style, making it incredibly exhilarating to become light on the pedals and effortlessly clear obstacles that would typically kill momentum on a traditional bike. At times, it almost evokes the sensation of riding a dirt bike! The readily available power is also a lifesaver when you momentarily lose your flow or need to slow down for a tight corner. A few pedal strokes, and you’re instantly back up to speed. It’s hard to overstate the sheer joy of attacking sections with this bike. Line choice becomes less critical, and maintaining momentum no longer requires delicate maneuvering. You can confidently power through almost anything in your path, and it’s every bit as amazing as it sounds.
Another unexpected benefit was the reduction in pedal strikes. On a regular bike, there are instances where pedaling through obstacles is unavoidable to maintain momentum, particularly in rocky terrains. However, with the increased speed of an eco bike, you often find yourself going fast enough to simply level the pedals and coast through tricky sections when needed.
By now, some might be thinking that riding an eco bike sounds like “cheating” and doesn’t offer a genuine workout like a traditional acoustic bike. After all, the focus so far has been on speed and power. However, it’s important to suspend those assumptions, at least for a moment. Can you ride an eco bike lazily if you choose to? Certainly. But personally, I consistently found myself drenched in sweat and breathing heavily after rides. I was still pushing hard, but covering ground much faster and experiencing a more intense ride, especially through sections that would otherwise be slow and monotonous. My heart rate still reached peaks in the 180 bpm range, although perhaps not quite as frequently. Consider this: riding a dirt bike, which has no pedals at all, still leaves you exhausted after an intense session, right? The same principle applies to eco bikes. They also motivated me to hit the trails more often, resulting in more frequent exercise while having an absolute blast. Ultimately, you get out what you put in, and the sheer fun factor of this bike had me eager to give it my all every time I hopped on.
