If you choose the proper cog, you shouldn’t need any motor assist at all on a descent but your E-mountain bike gives you a distinct advantage over non-motorized mountain bikes: A lower center of gravity.
FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY, CARVE LIKE A MOTO
When you are not pounding the pedals, you are actually floating above your bike. Your arms and legs bend to keep you flying above your bike. Your bike’s suspension is what keeps the tires in contact with the trail.
E-mountain bikes’ battery and motor add weight to the bike in the best possible place: Low and centered between the wheels. You may be floating over the bike, but all that weight so low in the frame gives the rider a feeling that the tires are attached to rails. The bike sticks in the corners.
This lower center of gravity allows you to ride smoother on descents and carry more momentum out of corners. The key is to modulate your brakes rather than getting on them hard. You want to flow a descent, not chop it into pieces.
And it is almost impossible to look too far down the trail. Get in the habit of looking as far ahead as possible. This technique will turn you into a smoother rider in all situations.
SOAKING UP THE BUMPS
The added weight of the battery and motor seem to have a positive affect on the suspension while descending. The traditional mountain bikes I tested over the years were very touchy when it came to suspension adjustment. A few clicks to the fork’s rebound setting or 5 p.s.i. too little pressure in the shock could change the personality of a bike. The E-mountain bike doesn’t seem to be as touchy to suspension adjustment. You don’t have to get spot on. Getting close works.
I’m still experimenting with the suspension setting on my Pivot and hope to post a story on that when I get more time in the saddle. Stay tuned.
PUT IT IN NEUTRAL
While the lower center of gravity is awesome, the motor’s power doesn’t have much influence when descending. Toggling to no-assist is a great way to manage your battery range and still have plenty of fun. Let gravity do the work on the decent. Most E-mountain bikes stop assisting at 20 miles per hour anyway.
You can still choose between all the cogs to mechanically find to a gear appropriate for your downhill speed (or just tuck in and enjoy). If you lose too much momentum, a different cog selection should be all you need to get back to your flow.
BE KIND TO ANIMALS AND OTHER TRAIL USERS
I’d be remiss not to put in a little trail ettiequte advice. People, pets, peddlers and wild animals (especially wild animals) coming up the trail have the right of way. You may be riding under the trail’s speed limit (usually 15 miles per hour) but slow down anyway and give other trail users plenty of space.
Chapter Index (Click on any title to read the chapter)
Chapter 1: Intro To A New Breed
Chapter 2: Understanding Your Drivetrain
Chapter 3: Assisted Living
Chapter 4: Climbing To The Top
Chapter 5: Descending
Chapter 6: Cornering
Chapter 7: Trail Obstacles