Global E-Bike Market Forecasted to Exceed $120 Billion by 2030, eMTBs Fastest Growing Segment

Dec 3, 2021 at 13:11
by Alicia Leggett  
photo

A report from Vision Research Reports found that the e-bike market is projected to be worth more than $120 billion USD by 2030, BikeBiz reported.

The market, which was worth about $41 billion in 2020, is expected to expand nearly threefold over a decade, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.6%. The eMTB category is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period, the report states. Similarly, when divided by class, class I e-bikes - pedal, not throttle powered - are expected to be the largest segment, in part because of legal restrictions of class II and III e-bikes on roads and trails.

Still, e-bike market growth is limited by consumer and manufacturer costs, as well as technological challenges in battery design. The report states that since e-bikes must travel long distances, it's difficult to design a battery with enough storage capacity without adding prohibitive weight. (As with other areas of cycling, power-to-weight ratio turns out to be important.)

By volume, the Asia Pacific region made up roughly 88% of the market in 2020 and is expected to continue to lead sales. By value, Europe holds 39% of the market share, led by Germany, France, and Italy. Europe's large share despite the high volume sold in Asia likely points not only to the growing popularity of e-bike commuting but to the massive increase of eMTBs in European countries.

The market's growth will depend on city infrastructure for commuter e-bikes, improved battery technology, and the increased prevalence of eMTBs on the trails.

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196 Comments
  • 76 35
 Some trail systems will be able to handle the added speed and traffic, others won’t. There should be a small tax on ebike sales for grants to maintain and develop trails similar to the hunting industry.

www.mdwfp.com/conservation/who-pays-for-it/pittman-robertson-act.aspx
  • 70 5
 That is basically what all the hikers said when MTB went mainstream! Maybe there should be a small tax on every MTB sold electric or not? Which I wouldn’t mind doing if I knew it went to trail work which it never would!!
  • 33 3
 “Tax the ebikes not us!” -Peasants
  • 29 1
 Its interesting to see the different perceptions towards Ebikes in different countries. Anti E-bike sentiment seems to be very US centric, I assume this is to do with less trail networks per capita and land access issues. Where I live we just don't have these problems and Ebikes have never effected land access, we are also lucky enough to have an abundance of volunteer trail builders and funding for new trails and maintenance. Maybe spend more time digging and less time winging about ebikes?
  • 21 13
 @Daaaaaaaan: The e bike hate in America isnt all about trail access. It might be sort of a cultural thing, I think at first they were viewed as dorky or just stupid. But now I think part of it is the resentment from being passed by somebody on an E bike. Part of it might be just a resistance to the change, for a variety of reasons. But definitely not as many haters as there used to be.
  • 13 11
 @rednova: Taxes never prevent people from making shit.
Taxing polluting firms and countries: doesn't work
Taxing greedy polluting cars: doesn't work
Taxing cars in city centers: doesn't work
Taxing accesses to fragile ecosystems: doesn't work
Taxing cigarettes: doesn't work
Taxing alcohol: doesn't work
Taxing crap food industry: doesn't work
Etc... etc...
  • 31 4
 Ebikes: " lets make billions while disguising our products sustainable"

Almost 90% of warranties in our shop are ebikes now. Hardly have any issues with mtbs now except the usual things (Reverbs, SX, NX)

People exepct obviously no charge for these warranty jobs as well and most of them have 2-4 drive units replaced in 1 year. I am shipping 5-7 drive units a week back under warranty a week. Costs me 60usd each time. Had to hire 2 more mechanics this year because of these warranties. It is appaling.
  • 4 0
 @alpha-bio: What motor? I’ve heard Brose motors are like that but Shimano and Bosch are better with Bosch being the most reliable
  • 20 2
 @PHX77: Bosch I cant comment on because I dont sell them thank god, but Brose and Shimano constant issues same with rocky mountain. I tried selling them but had loads of issues and the support is quite bad. Shimano has constant issues with e01020, e01021, e01023 and e01030 error codes all the time. There is a recent update which apparently fixed it but it really didnt. They fail every 400miles some can do 1000 or 1500 but that is the max I have seen. after the 2 year warranty expires you are f*cked. I get that most people sell their bikes after one season, but that in itself is the epitomy of unsustainability to me and I hate that about mountainbiking.
  • 5 0
 @alpha-bio: Yeah that sucks. I would love to see a user serviceable motor With online video tutorials on how to perform the service. I have three Shimano’s (2 e8000,1epCool each with just above 2k miles And I hope I’m not jinxing myself here when I say that they’ve all been flawless. Definitely want to see how many miles I can get out of them.
  • 9 7
 @Daaaaaaaan: As an American ebike fanatic, this will sound odd, but I kind of like the ebike hate here. I like that some folks insist on showing the grit it takes to earn their turns. I see them and I’m just like: Right on, man. America, f*ck yeah.
  • 8 1
 @danstonQ: not so fast. Although I’m not sure I would support the tax idea, you can’t claim taxes don’t work at all. If I take sone of your examples, taxing pollution led to mega investments in renewable energies, while that didn’t solve the whole problem, it helped significantly. Taxing alcohol reduces consumption amongst poor communities and at the same time funds prevention campaigns and health care. While this doesn’t solve the whole alcohol problem either, it certainly makes a noticeable difference.
  • 4 0
 @alpha-bio: talking to guys in the shop, what I find very unappealing is the fact that the warranty work is so frequent, and that the manufacturers don’t actually pay you as a dealer any labour for carrying out this warranty work. Is my understanding correct?
  • 4 0
 @PHX77: the difference in reliability you’ve seen may be because you are in Arizona and @alpha-bio is in the UK. The wet and mud is hard on bikes. I moved from San Diego to the PNW five years ago and can attest to that.
  • 2 0
 @fpmd: ahhh. Makes sense.
  • 7 1
 @alpha-bio: Funny because I've not seen that in my shop. There are some issues, but not like the numbers your stating. I personally ride Bosch and Shimano, with friends I ride with on Rocky and Brose. Collectively maybe 5000km between us all on weekends this season. None of us had any issues this year other than failed speed sensor on my Santa Cruz, which was a 10 minute fix once I had the wire, and a buddy blew up his Brose belt but it has 2800km on it after 3 seasons. I believe you, but it's not the norm I'm my experience.
  • 4 2
 Pinkbike should tax comments like this one!
  • 3 0
 @rokdktr: several people here on their 3 and 4 brose in the space of 18 months. I’ve had a shimano e8000 die within 2k km, plus a battery. Sold it and didn’t get another. Numerous other stories too…reliability is a huge issue
  • 1 0
 @danstonQ: here in the states RTP grants (recreational trails program) are paid for with fuel taxes. Not a pro tax guy, but this tax puts millions of dollars put towards trails.
@Daaaaaaaan you have a point, but I’ve done 75+ hrs trail work this year, bought an ebike and still talk about the negatives (and positives) they bring.
  • 1 0
 @alpha-bio: Is it possible to get a count of the number of ebikes your store has sold vs the number of them that have come back for electronics related warranty issues?
  • 2 0
 All off high way vehicles like dirt bikes have to be registered every year in every state you ride. These cost about $25 per state per year. These funds often go toward trail work etc. If mountain bikes would also have to be registered imagine how much revenue for trails this would create. Also anyone that claims e bikes do more damage than non e bike is just ridiculous. It’s just more dam people out there.
  • 3 7
flag konadan (Dec 5, 2021 at 12:03) (Below Threshold)
 @Daaaaaaaan: The trend here in the PNW (There are exceptions of course) is that Ebikers have little respect for the trail builders, trail etiquette and rules in general. They will donate, yes, but otherwise could give a F*** about the effort that went into the trails, or the effort it takes to keep the trails going. The biggest offense is constantly putting people in danger by riding up the one-way downhill trails. They should be riding the huge array of already provided OHV trails, instead of poaching mountain biking trails.
  • 2 1
 @alpha-bio: so you had to hire more people with no increase in revenue?... interesting.
  • 4 6
 How about tax no one, F-Taxes they suck balls.
  • 2 2
 @DoubleCrownAddict: I pass e-bikes on my leg powered bike often. One problem is many e-bike riders are new to mountain biking, often new to trail etiquette, and lack the skills and judgement to ride in a safe manner around fellow trail users. However, I don't speak for everyone!
  • 3 0
 Man, people actually like taxes. People are odd.
  • 1 1
 You can pay tax all you want. The governments are pretty much making a tax grab and padding their salaries and not putting the money where it should be. So, you want more trail maintenance, they're gonna tax you some more and you'll see the same shit year after year. Sure, go ahead and pay that tax. Those politicians will gladly put out their hands for their retirement trust fund. What do you think the lobby group does when they go to lobby for this and that? You're better off donating that money to a local trail association that actually does the work of building and maintaining trails. Also, donate your time to help building and maintaining the trails. Taxes in the hands of politicians mean dick all.
  • 3 0
 @Daaaaaaaan: I find it to be very North American centric, not just the US. This anti-E-bike thing seems to have stem from misconception and the ego of machine vs human power. Mountain biking is probably one of the toughest sport there is and it is very challenging. I think people's misconception of e-Bike being a motorized vehicle is totally way off. Then, when that misconception turns into hate, that's when you get people saying how the power of these motors will damage trails like motorcrosses and ATV's. Secondly, there are Strava people who feel that their KOM's and QOM's are gonna be taken over by e-Bikers. I get that and I hope e-bikers mark their activities properly not to downplay the efforts of some that are true to the sport. I was in between those two categories before until I tried an e-MTB. It totally blew my mind how good it is. However, I still ride a geared bike because I still don't believe the technology, standardization, and the prices are where it should be. There's still a long ways to go. But I definitely am pro-E-bike since this is where the future lies. There's still a place for human powered bikes for eternity though and people need to learn to ride normal bikes before they should jump onto an e-Bike. It's like learning how to walk first before you learn to run.
  • 2 0
 @rednova: there should be a small tax on hiking shoes to support trails because.... have you ever seen a hiker with a shovel in their hand?! Like spotting a unicorn!
  • 2 2
 @danstonQ: Calling bullshit... higher taxes have been proven to reduce cigarette and alcohol consumption. Most likely have helped in most if not all of the other things you mentioned. No they don't make the problem go away, but they reduce it.
  • 3 0
 @DoubleCrownAddict: I bought an E bike a year and a half ago, and Really don't ride any faster then I I rode my old bike just a couple of years ago. When I hit 60 it as like a wall, just couldn't keep up with all my younger friends. I could ride faster if I wanted to on my E bike, but honestly it's pretty dam hard. Trails here in the northeast aren't wide open and e bikes don't spin tires like a dirt bike. They're no more damage to a trail then any other bike. I'm 63 now and it is nice not holding my group up. They kid me all the time but, they love that i'm still banging it with them. When you ride with someone on an E bike, you get a better understanding of an E bike. And yeah if I'm in the parking lot and someone wants to try it, I'll put it in boost and its easy from 0 to 18.5 mph, but no one rides around the woods in boost that I've seen. I ride in eco which isn't much easier then my regular bike, but it sure helps going up where I need it. My car does 160 mph, I don't go that fast...same thing..
  • 1 0
 @alpha-bio: so thank god you don’t sell the one brand that has a ‘service first’ business philosophy and continues to support obsoleted product lines for 7 years? But you sell / service the 2 most unreliable brands in the market that also have the largest supply issues. Your comment makes zero sense.
  • 53 21
 These should be by prescription only
  • 23 3
 You win the comments section today. I prescribed myself an e-bike last summer. Your comment is still hilarious.
  • 15 15
 The other day there was a guy in the trailhead parking lot who looked just plain unhealthy. He was very obese and was smoking a cigarette. I’m guessing he was in his 30’s but he had that homeless guy unhealthy complexion that made him look old. I figured he was just hanging out waiting for someone. But a little while later he passes me on the climb on his ebike. Sure I guess it’s better he’s out doing something than not, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the motor was an enabler in his case to continue his unhealthy lifestyle…to have his cake and eat it too, literally.
  • 22 5
 @fpmd: yeah, cos only healthy people are allowed to enjoy the great outdoors. Damn that ebike for allowing him to go outside. Ban ebikes and get that unhealthy fat man back on the couch where he belongs. How dare he have fun.
  • 7 13
flag fpmd (Dec 4, 2021 at 11:52) (Below Threshold)
 @Cord1: that’s why I said I guess it’s better he’s out doing something than not. But maybe he should just pedal a regular bike, no?
  • 13 2
 @fpmd: Get this though.

Maybe he doesn't want to?

Crazy right?
All that freedom must have gone to his head.
  • 7 9
 @dirtyburger: So this guy can’t get off the couch and enjoy the great outdoors without an ebike? Wow what did we ever do before without them? I’m all for freedom, but freedom without responsibility isn’t real freedom, like the freedom to be terribly obese in your 30’s. Around 42% of Americans are obese now, up from 30% just a couple decades ago. Our healthcare system is overburdened by this. I’m a physician so I see it daily. But hey maybe strapping motors on bicycles will help, And I’m not talking about the elderly or disabled here. This gentleman was neither. And the climb was not steep, my 6 year old did it easily.
  • 4 4
 @fpmd: 'murica in a nutshell my friend...
  • 3 1
 @fpmd: This. I not only see it daily, I have to lift them daiIy. Have been a ff/paramedic for 22yrs now. This obesity you speak of is taking its toll on the ones who get called to pick these people up all the time for non emergency loft assists, let alone moving obese people in any type of emergency. Going to "lift assists" is something we do all the time now, and almost every one involves a geriatric 200 or more lbs. Its like the entire geriatric population is out at the buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The obesity in this country is real and appaling.
  • 2 3
 @jason475: Thanks for all you do. I really do appreciate our first responders. It's definitely one of the hardest jobs in healthcare.
  • 2 0
 I’m adduced to gravity, do you think this medication will help with that?
  • 2 1
 *Addicted, man autocorrect sucks balls today.
  • 53 31
 been riding ebike's for a couple years, don't see any extra damage to my local trails.
  • 9 10
 On certain technical ups I'm beginning to see more erosion from wheel spin which is starting to annoy me as its hard enough going up already.
  • 4 6
 I don't think E-bikes damage more a trail, but it brings more people to this trail. Even if it is not always true, most of the times, E-bike riders are not really used to shape trails, it looks to me more like people who are just trails customers
  • 10 5
 it's exactly the reason why we gonna extinct as specie, very soon. you pretend that your single, arbitrary, unproof, perception of things it's an attendible source of information. if you cannot see no damage in 2 years on your trails someone has fixed them, even if your riding tarmac.
  • 6 0
 @jpnbrider: yeah but my milkshake brings all the boys to my yard and my lawn still looks ok.
  • 1 1
 Hard to see something you make yourself blind to.
  • 2 0
 @jpnbrider: It takes skills to ride really steep technical sections. So, if you can't ride up anything with a human powered MTB, you're not gonna be able to ride up that same section with an e-MTB. What's worse is, if someone did try, the hardship of pushing a 50lb+ bike is not fun, even with a bit of throttle assist. It's a misconception that a pedal assist motor will bring enough power to churn through the dirt and wreck the trails. What wrecks the trail system is people braiding through trail systems to dumb down technical trails and people riding in conditions that actually ruin the trails either by braiding or through total erosion. Trail riders need to be more educated trail usage rather than just looking for an excuse to blame something that we're not accustomed to out on the trail.
  • 19 0
 Without universal motor mounts, standardized batteries, and non proprietary control system, there is gonna be a LOT of old burnt out of date ebikes. Why do most people buy a new phone? Because battery life goes in the crapper. When you cant service or replace major parts on a bicycle, it is useless junk.
  • 4 0
 WORD
  • 3 7
flag headz (Dec 4, 2021 at 9:47) (Below Threshold)
 Cars don't have universal parts. Why do you expect e-bikes to have them?
  • 8 0
 @headz: computers do have universal parts, why don't you expect ebikes to have them?
  • 1 3
 It's not true. For example, Apple doesn't have them. I don't expect universal parts on the e-bikes for the same reasons why they don't exist on cars. One of them is that they prohibit innovation.
  • 3 1
 @headz: why do you defend this. get your head out of your rear. it's a terrible thing. stacks of unrideable bikes.
  • 1 0
 @headz: Cuz e-Bikes are not cars Wink I think in my other post above, this is one of the reason why I haven't bought myself an e-Bike yet. Manufacturers have always wanted proprietary parts to fit their brand of bikes similar to what we have in motorized vehicles. However, parts have been standardized for so long until companies like Trek and SRAM tried to do what car manufacturers have been doing. When there's a standard for parts, it's so easy to get the parts from one OEM to another. When you have proprietary standards, you're pretty much SOL and you'd have to pay up - if you can find the part, Great for the companies selling you expensive stuff, shitty for the person who buys the non-standard system.
  • 1 0
 @headz: I don't think you know the history of Apple long enough - they're had a closed proprietary system and almost went bankrupt. Nowadays, Apple computers have mostly standardized components, which are pretty much like any other PC's.
  • 22 3
 Still no trade for mechanics, imagine a $130b car market with teens guessing as the mechanics.
  • 1 0
 min wage for the win
  • 4 0
 My dad keeps asking me when I am going to get a "real" job Frown
  • 6 0
 You're not supposed to fix them silly! You just get the new one, like computers.
  • 15 4
 Serious question for ebike owners: does it get old? Like, it's appealing to think about doing two laps in the time it normally takes to do one, and to save some of my legs for the descents. But does that become the new normal after a while? Would I be wishing I could do three laps instead of two after the novelty wears off?

Not trying to be a negative weirdo, I'm sincerely curious.
  • 7 1
 Same as any bike, most people end up doing more. Yes, if you exclusively ride ebikes you generally lose a little leg strength, but you can still build cardio. For some scenarios, I tend to think ebikes are actually better as, let's say you're riding to a target HR on a given day, you have an additional option (the motor) to remain consistent. For instance, it's generally accepted that for base fitness you need to do volume at a low(ish) HR, where I live on an MTB that means soft-pedalling up fireroads for hours on end, which is painfully boring. Or I can use the motor and zip round a fun 2-3 hours at the same HR. If I had a hard day the day before, I'll stick it in turbo and grab an easy hour - which is an extra ride I wouldn't have done on my MTB.
  • 3 2
 For me the rest of me gets tired before my legs often, if my legs start giving out I just raise the assistance level. It does become the new normal but the new normal for me is so much better, can't imagine going back. Just not enough descending time.
  • 4 1
 Have regular and an ebike. I ride the regular bike for fun and fitness. I ride the ebike for fun and maximum laps. I spend way more time on the regular bike, but smashing out laps on the ebike is amazing.
  • 15 1
 I have both. As more and more of my riding friends get e-mtbs I find I am riding my e-bike more. I ride longer, have more fun and a lot more energy to do other things after the ride. Personally I don't understand the hate for e-bikes, other than the increased climbing efficiency it really is just a mountain bike. If you get a chance try one I'm certain you'll get the appeal.
  • 7 1
 For me, it has never gotten old in three years and 6k miles of Eebing.
  • 3 11
flag danstonQ (Dec 4, 2021 at 8:25) (Below Threshold)
 @Rollfast2: my "hate" is only related to ecological purposes; I don't care if you're lazy and assisted.
  • 3 0
 I'm sure each person has their reasons why they like their ebike. I'm a regular mtber, ride a lot with my full sus and am getting in better and better shape. I love taking out the ebike for something different... From cruising around hitting urban hits in grass fields that would be impossible on a regular bike to getting speeds on poorly built jump lines that no one can clear the jumps because they were built with no flow (there are a lot of these around everywhere), getting an extended day in when you're exhausted from smashing all day in lets say a place like Bentonville, next day eeb it and have fun.. I could go on but no it won't get boring!
  • 3 3
 @sasquatchclyde It got old for me after about a year. It takes the challenge away so I would return home from my ride unsatisfied. After awhile I stopped being so excited about the descent or even the ride in general, because it was easily attainable, taken for granted, and I could ride all the trails in one ride. Sure, it’s fun, and amazing to cover so much ground in a short time, but it’s definitely not the same. From time to time I do still wish I had it as a supplemental bike.
  • 2 0
 Here is my use case:
I take my wife's ebike whenever I want to go for a local ride after work (usually 6 pm-8 pm in the summer). I get in 7-8 laps max within 2 hours, bottom to the top takes 10min on average. On my own bike I get 4 laps in the same time, bottom to the top takes 24min on average. IMO I'm equally exhausted after the 2 hours, simply because I put in the same effort on the ebike as on my normal bike. I did an experiment with a heart rate measurement and it was around the same level on both bikes. I just get faster to the top.

To answer your initial question - does it get old?: yes and no, haha! On a tight time schedule, I definitely prefer the ebike! That being said, based on my personal data described above the battery is dead the latest after 8 laps (I turn it off every time I get to the top). If I was to ride up and down all day long I would take the normal bike, then again I wouldn't ride my local trails if I had a whole day planned for riding my bike.

Does it become the new normal? - kinda yes, sometimes I catch myself thinking about how I could be already at the top with the same input. Anyhow, like with any gadgets, it adds unnecessary stress - is it charged?, how much battery life does it still have? etc. Like with all these smart and sport watches which tell you that you are stressed and then you become even more stressed because you don't know what is stressing you out, or that your sleep score is low although you feel totally fine and then you start thinking about stuff you never wasted time on before...
  • 2 0
 @bradwalton: If you're riding a lot of the same trails over than ya it will get old, I travel for work and find myself in new trails all the time so no matter what I ride it won't get old!
  • 3 0
 It does not get old. Riding at a bikepark for example you dont all of the sudden want to pedal yourself up the fireroad. Have you ever seen someone with a lift pass do that, of course not. Its like 60-70% as good as having a highspeed chairlift to work with. What does get old is trail riding a regular mtb, at least it did for me. Once I started riding bikepark I no longer saw the appeal of trail riding until I got the ebike.
  • 1 0
 @mastakilla: there are these things called dirt bikes that you don’t have to pedal at all, you should check that out
  • 2 0
 @bradwalton: Your missing the point. You can't take a dirt bike through a homeowners park with sweet grass tabletops and create lines that can't be ridden on a regular bike. Even a Surron would tear up the grass.
  • 1 0
 @bradwalton: haha what a whiny comment
  • 1 0
 @mastakilla: yeah dude, super whiny

“ What does get old is trail riding a regular mtb, at least it did for me.”
  • 23 13
 What a frivolous and short sighted use of a technology that could be monumental if deployed in other ways than as a luxury recreational toy.
EBikes for commuting yes.
EBikes as alternative forms of transportation yes.
EBikes for luxury outdoor recreation though?
  • 16 3
 Who are you kidding, literally any form of MTB is a luxury past time. If that's not enough most people here live by the rule n + 1
  • 6 11
flag chacou (Dec 4, 2021 at 13:05) (Below Threshold)
 @IMeasureStuff: Exactly, so eMTB is even more frivolous then. eCommuter, eCargo bike, etc. make sense. But eMTB is so nonsensical, but the companies want higher margins and most people want more (speed, distance, vert, laps) and easier effort :shrug: this technology could be deployed in other ways to solve actual transit problems rather than inconveniences of a luxury recreational activity
  • 10 2
 @IMeasureStuff: Why do some MTB riders think that their level of luxury outdoor recreation is the "good" amount?!? It's insane, any less and you're lazy, any more and you're immoral.
  • 2 5
 @dirtyburger: what’s next is what I wonder. If 500% gear range isn’t enough, and pedal assist is necessary, then what’s next? More pedal assist?
  • 7 10
 @dirtyburger: apologies if you’re offended by my calling out an eMTB as what it is, a frivolous luxury item
  • 5 0
 @chacou:
Can you explain to me what a frivolous luxury item is? Seems you’re posting this on and I’m reading this on a frivolous luxury item.
  • 5 8
 @reed81: the internet? The internet is something that’s widely available and adopted as a tool available to many people worldwide to solve problems related to communication, research, commerce. Riding a bicycle with a motor, knobby tires, and suspension is frivolous enjoyment if a few and cost prohibitive to most. I just don’t see it as a good use of the technology by the companies deploying it. I’d gladly buy an affordable eCargo bike so I could do my errands on bike from a big brand but they’re not available because instead they’re focused on eMTBs for people that want more and easier laps.
  • 5 7
 I’ve clearly struck a nerve but I stand by my beliefs. The brands producing and marketing an eMTB so people can get more laps or a quicker ride in are simply marketing a frivolous luxury good instead of using a cool technology to solve real transit problems. I’m completely aware my buying a new “analog” hardtail when I’ve already own an “analog” full suspension mtb is also a frivolous luxury. It’s not a competition of which is better or worse, I’m simply saying I wish the brands would solve real problems instead of offering more luxury
  • 5 0
 @chacou:
I appreciate the honest response. However, who is the gatekeeper for where the line is drawn on what is frivolous luxury?

Do you need the internet, PC/Smartphone to sustain life? It’s a luxury in my opinion.
  • 2 2
 @reed81: sure, the world functioned just fine before the internet, maybe it should’ve remained as a niche technology for only defense and reasearch institutions. We’d probably be better off today, no Pinkbike and keyboard warriors arguing over eBikes. :beers:
  • 2 2
 @reed81: I think what @chacou is getting at it the level of harm/waste and benefits associated with the activity, and that in their opinion (and also mine) e-mtb (compared to a traditional mtb) have a shorter useable life and contain more harmful materials. The harm outweighs the benefit.
We all make loads of decisions like this every day and live our lives accordingly. Some people smoke, some people are vegan, some people drive cars that are ridiculously too big for their needs, other people don’t own a car.
  • 3 2
 @Mike-Jay: Sorta, these main drivers of the eMTB market seem really into greenwashing (spec, trek, etc.), if they really wanted to walk-the-talk, then instead of continuing to pump r&d and marketing budget into eMTB they'd be putting that into eBikes that can actually help society as a whole. Rather than those privileged to be able to afford purchasing an eMTB as a recreational "toy". I'm looking forward to the "whataboutism" that comes up to support eMTB.
I'm not anti-eBike, I am fairly anti-eMTB aside from certain circumstances. If Specialized or Trek or others offered an affordable pedal assist "cargo" bike, something I can actually use to run my errands and kids around town, I'd be all for that, but instead they continue to push these "enduro" eMTBs marketed toward simply more recreation, when the technology can actually really benefit larger parts of society than a niche group (ie: us)
  • 2 0
 @chacou: I'm not sure where you are looking but there are plenty of eCargo bikes around to buy. Lots of cycle couriers use them and I've seen families use them on their daily commute. The likes of Spesh,Trek etc... never really were in the cargo market it's not really aligned with their ethos/brand story or whatever you call it. I do get what you're saying the way that eMTBs are being designed and made is all for short term and not long term sustainability. Then again eBikes are relatively young in our sport and are still finding their place.
  • 1 1
 You're on a website that gouges their eyes out at the mention of a road bike. wrong audience.
  • 12 0
 But will they make e-ee wings cranksets?
  • 8 2
 I guess we'll see how things pan out in 8-10 years. I suspect the growth will be somewhat dependent on the local infra/laws concerning them. But I'm sure it is still a growth area for most brands, as they are still pretty darn "new" in the public eye. And this article covers everything from commuters, to eMTB.

Currently, eMTB's are illegal on all the trails near where I live. And until that changes, I won't even consider them.

That said... IF I was in the market an eMTB, I'd be looking for something like the new Orbea Rise Hydro. Its both not (as) absurdly expensive, and not (as) absurdly heavy, and with less power than a full class 1 ebike.

I like mountain biking for its intersection of fitness, and fun. I'd like to think I'd push myself just as hard as I would on my normal bike, but I can totally see how a mild assist could be appealing on those 20%+ grades.
  • 8 2
 Ebikes are awesome, but I still love my analogue bike just as much. I am glad they are giving the bike industry a boost and getting more people who otherwise would not be biking into the sport.
  • 14 10
 Less overall effort and fitness required, I can't say I'm surprised. I've seen more people riding long travel e-bikes wearing jeans while without helmets than I ever previously thought possible.

I support truly disabled and impaired riders on e bikes. I don't tell people they shouldn't be on a non-motorized but educate them on the potential fines they will face if caught. Not into gate keeping but e mtb is going to ruin the fun for the rest of us analog mtn bikers here in the rockies.

Not to mention as a builder and maintainer you 100% see the impacts of growing e mtb technology on the trails. I would be lying to say that regular tech bikes isn't also part of the problem.

New riders (& schralping bro-brahs emulating mtb edits) on incredibly powerful brakes are ultimately destroying the trails.
  • 4 2
 Jean and climbing with their dropper all the way down haha
  • 8 1
 Good too know what the rules are. Luckily I'm impaired most of the time I'm riding my ebike. ;P I'm also often wearing jeans and no helmet.... Usually on my way to build and maintain trails.
  • 6 0
 Read between the limes.

This article is basically saying "We will now focus most of our content towards the E-bike market and demographic"

Sorry folks, shows over.
  • 5 1
 Those e-bikes that are popular in Asia have nothing in common with what we are thinking when we hear e-bike. They are basically electric mopeds, and the cheapest mode of transportation available in man places. They exist in huge number because a) China in many places only allows electric mopeds b) in many countries they can be ridden without license.
  • 5 0
 My ebike fooled me into a 20km ride today. Even though it was only 2° outside. I would have never even touched my acoustic bike come December. But the ebike keeps riding long into my 40's.
  • 38 35
 I hate ebikes. What reason should I use in every comment?

A. They’re bad for the environment. I really care for the environment and I do nothing to damage it.

B. I earn my turns. They’re fat and lazy. They need to stay on the couch and out of the woods. Only I can enjoy the woods. They also are in the way when we’re shuttling up the fire road.

C. Ebike riders are unskilled newbs.

D. Ebike rider newbs somehow manage to destroy the trails since they are skidding like I do in my sick edit. I like really smooth manicured trails. No ruts, roots or rocks. Did I mention I’m a highly skilled rider with great endurance and powerful legs?

E. They’re going to hurt themselves or someone else since they’re going so fast even though i talk about how they’re a newb and really slow. I really care about people.

F. All of the above.

G. Alternate between asshat reasons.
  • 23 7
 H. Folks like reed81 ride them.
  • 6 1
 @inside-plus:
Funny. I’ll give you that.
  • 15 7
 @reed81 you forgot

H. They're "motorbikes"

I: You're cheating ( at Strava )

J: The uphill speed is dangerous

K. They're gonna scare other trail users when going downhill ( even though the power cuts at 20mph and they're generally a tad slower than a modern enduro bike)
  • 12 1
 You hear none of those things from non E-Bikers at E-Bike legal parks, pinkbike is full of people who cannot get up from a computer and find the real facts.
  • 6 0
 i'm sorry i downvoted before realizing this was funny lmao
  • 2 1
 Lmao, you must not have many friends irl.
  • 4 0
 "The eMTB category is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period"
I have a hard time wrapping my head around this. Is the commuter segment already saturated? Or is it a demographic thing?
  • 1 0
 I checked the article, it merely states that it is expected to be the fastest growing but doesn't explain why so. Maybe there is more acceptance recently (judging by the PB articles and comment section) and more than a few e-mtbs no longer look horrible? I live in The Netherlands so our situation is probably different from elsewhere. Most people who want an e-bike for commuting already have one by now. Whereas our "mountains" don't really call for pedal assistance as much as someone riding the in the alps and wants to rush/skip the boring zero-tech fireroad climbs.

But yeah, seems to me in places where people don't commute by bikes much because of the hills and/or distances, pedal assistance sure may be what's needed to get people out of their cars. More so than that people need assistance for their work out.
  • 5 0
 My best guess is yeah, because the places where e-commuting is likely to be popular/where there's good bike infrastructure are already somewhat saturated with e-commuters and sales are decelerating, whereas in the US and other countries where there are MTB trails but fewer eMTBs than Europe, there's still a pretty massive population that's slowly becoming more accepting of eMTBs. I can't say for sure though.
  • 10 1
 It's a framing thing. You take a new segment of users with a smaller representation and compare it to a much larger segment of users with a greater representation and express it as a percentage to make it look like 'OMG the GrOwTh'. Using some easy round numbers, it works like this: let's say there are 100,000 mountain bikers in the US, and there's 10,000 eMTB riders in the US. Each segment gains 10,000 new riders this year. The traditional mountain bike segment grew by 10%, where as the eMTB segment grew by 100%. They literally both gained the same amount of new riders each, but 'Wow eMTBs are on fire you better go out and get one because they are THE new thing and you don't want to be left out, do you??'. It's the same way the Mormon church can say the world's 'fastest growing religion', when as a percentage of the whole they are still a tiny minority (just an example, nothing against some of the rad Mormon folks I know).

This is bike brands framing their new revenue streams with marketing BS, that's all. Today we have Outside+, tomorrow we'll have the option for Outside+MAX. Or the Giant eReign 29 Advanced Pro+ Live Valve. Tiresome.
  • 1 0
 Probably our biggest ebike customer base is old people buying them to just tootle around town rather than commuters or e-mountain bikers. A large portion of those people are buying emtbs because the big tires are confidence inspiring and a Fox 36 means you can bump up or down whatever size kerb you like.
  • 8 4
 Why so much hate? Majority pedal assisted bikes used for commute purposes! Driving 20 years old tacoma to ride trails on mtb is nothing better then riding emtb for commute or recreational purposes
  • 10 7
 Most of the trail builders ( in my areas ) ride Ebike Class I ( pedal assist). We built 25- 35 ft table tops or try to carve one from a natural formation, and routinely do weed maintenance during the spring to fall season. I just took up emtb (Class I ( pedal assist) a few months ago and selling all my regular bikes. I'm obviously against E dirt bike with peg and full throttle ruining my jumps.
  • 3 0
 Yeah dude, E bikes as a tool for trail building and maintenance are awesome. Won't surprise me if this becomes a marketing and design point soon enough.
  • 14 10
 This just in, "society is becoming a bunch of lazy a holes"... It's gonna be like WALL-E before too long with people living their whole lives in a motorized chair and only using screens to interact with the world.
  • 9 3
 @stiingya I see what you are saying, but that is the individuals choice. You do what you want as long as though it isn't affecting anyone else negatively. E-Bikes are fun, a lot of fun and they can still get you fit. I really do not see why people are bothered about what someone else chooses to do. For example, how do you know that the person who you see riding an E-Bike has not got multiple bikes they ride and are fitter then you?
  • 2 7
flag stiingya (Dec 4, 2021 at 12:01) (Below Threshold)
 @teamdoa: SO what your saying to me is the people who ride ebikes are actually super fit?

So that skinny dude wearing what looked to be a rain suit who passed me uphill on a green trail in a fullface DH helmet the other day was actually some kind of professional athlete...?

That's what your telling me...
  • 5 1
 check out this old, lazy guy shredding the trails on an Ebike. How dare him!!
youtu.be/6WorXed-qcI
  • 2 1
 @dee12641: Nice! Is he an athlete in "training", a full time Dad, or in Grad School and so he needs the Ebike to get in enough ride time with his busy schedule? It's usually one of those...




Smile Smile Smile
  • 5 3
 I work on trails every Saturday with a local group. The only damage I've seen from e-bikes is from them riding backwards against some jump features that are vulnerable given how they were constructed and how dry it gets here. Often times these are trails that are too steep for folks to ride up normally. The other thing I've seen more than a handful of times this year alone is ebikers buzzing hikers on the way up. Any cyclist can be inconsiderate and do this one the way down, but ebikers have a new and unique opportunity to do it on the way up. In about twenty years of riding the only time I've been buzzed or charged at while descending on a trail is by an e-bike.
  • 3 1
 Just came back from vacation where the wife and I rented a tandem kayak for the first time. It was fun, the scenery was out of this world beautiful but damn, the rowing in open ocean and battling motor boat wakes was quite a strenuous affair for first timers. Came back home and started googling "kayaks with motors" and then I caught myself.....Oh! So this is what it feels like wearing the other shoe! Wait till I start calling non-motorized kayaks acoustic tubs..... : b
  • 1 0
 The city infrastructure doesn't have to be different for commuter e-bikes than it for unassisted commuter bikes. Most commuter e-bikes are the class I type which travel at or only slightly above the speed of unassisted commuter bikes (the internal gear hub, hub dynamo, heavy durable steel stuff). What does take more room is the increasing number of delivery services which make the shift from cars to cargo bikes. Just sacrifice another car lane for wider bicycle lanes and you're good. The faster e-bikes (capped at 45km/h) obviously won't fit and are resignated to the car lane. But people opting for those typically travel larger distances between towns rather than use them much in the city.

What's probably accelerating the transition is that in more and more cities the max speed for motorized traffic is being capped at 30km/h so the bike (assisted or unassisted) soon becomes the fastest option through town.
  • 5 2
 Not news to me, ebikes are great! However, hopefully the powers to be and profiteers from the industry can use some of the profits to lobby for more & better access..
  • 2 1
 Yes, ebikes are going to explode in next five years once manufacturers catch up. They are a ton of fun. Only limitation is battery life as suggested. 625w battery just doesn’t cut for me on mine. Can get more riding on regular bike/ride, just takes longer to do so
  • 7 3
 Stop complaining, accept that all bikes are fun, and appreciate that Ebikes are keeping the industry moving forward.
  • 4 3
 What we really need moving forward to 2030 and beyond is exactly the opposite of a massive growth of a market based on churning out batteries that only last a couple of years, that pollute and are difficult to recycle. We had the perfect tool to deal with mobility in a world that really need as less added pollution as possible but we had to put an electric motor on it. I'd rather pedal.
  • 6 2
 I can spot an ebike rider from a ways off. Usually its because they are smiling.
  • 3 0
 I used to be an e- bike hater, but I realized I'll wind up with one eventually, but just not yet.
  • 1 0
 Kiss was laughed off the stage in their early years. Humans generally always resist change, until it becomes the norm; then they go looking for the next "new thing" to spit on!
  • 4 1
 So this is how Skynet takes over.
  • 4 1
 Your days are numbered Banjo bikes.
  • 2 0
 Here's a fun game - Two Truths and a Lie:

1. ebikes have motors
2. ebikes are not motorcycles
3. ebikes are motorcycles
  • 2 0
 @rednova:

1. Is the lie.
  • 2 3
 e-bike. AKA Human Power Assisted Electric Motorcyle
  • 2 0
 Came here only for the heated arguments in the comments section--did not disappoint!
  • 1 0
 I will simply ask you one question when I catch up to you on my Ebike. Do you help build trails or jumps? If you answer no, I'm gonna pickup my ebike and smash you head.
  • 4 3
 oh well, there goes all the single track. But seriously is most of this growth not Deliveroo riders.
  • 3 3
 Also industry news, fat bikes the poised to be $100 billion segment.... I mean plus bikes... I mean mullets... I mean 36ers...
  • 1 0
 Oh yea well
If you’d d look at things the way i do
Then we’d see things the same way. Smile
  • 2 3
 E-MTB is the sector being pushed the hardest by the bike industry and there’s little wonder that it’s the fastest growing one.
Probably see as many E-bikes at the FOD than normal bikes now.
  • 1 0
 Also - I only look at Pink Bike while I’m taking a poop. Not while I’m working at my desk hahahhhaa!
  • 1 0
 eMTB - fun up, fun down, analog - work up, fun down. 2x fun for the win.
  • 2 0
 dont poke the bear...
  • 19 17
 Sweet, E-Bikes are RAD!
  • 8 2
 Yes but Rad's ebikes are not sweet
  • 3 1
 @Kimura: I thought you were just flipping my words around, but I looked it up and Rad definitely not Rad.
  • 4 4
 Haha I knew I was going to offend at least 10 slow people with that comment. (Slow people is code for E-Bike haters)
  • 19 18
 Laziness is growing. What’s new.
  • 11 9
 Or push just as hard and have more DH
  • 14 7
 I think you mean wealth is concentrated in an aging demographic that wants to relive their youth
  • 3 2
 The REAL victims here are professional bicycle mechanics.
  • 1 0
 Dammit meant to upvote
  • 4 3
 Fat bikes were the fastest growing segment at one time too….
  • 5 3
 Now its fat people on electric "bikes"
  • 1 0
 @lenniDK: haha
  • 2 5
 I feel like this has as much to do with E bikes themselves as it has to do with MTB becoming mainstream right at the time that E bikes are pumping. If E bikes didn't exist, this growth would still be happening for normal bikes.
  • 1 0
 MTB has been "mainstream" for quite some time now. Are you new to the sport??
  • 2 0
 @mattwragg: Too true.
  • 1 3
 Between this and “why haven’t these loser brands gotten with the program and made ebikes yet” it’s obvious that this is part of the new vision Outside has for Pinkbike. “Inclusiveness” for ebikes
  • 1 4
 1 in 3 US comments are from obese pinkbike users...E bikes are great if you have a legitimate disability or are recovering from an injury, they aren't ECO friendly at all, neither really are bicycles these days. 100% Ebikes cause more damage than pedal bikes but only marginally more. The big issue is they allow uterly hopeless people to access further reaches of trail networks or forested areas when they have no business being outside the reaches of a mcdonalds.
  • 1 0
 boomers with money, trying to ride as long as possible...
  • 3 3
 Why? I really don’t get it
  • 5 7
 I can see this happening. People don’t want to work anymore. Plus more gen X’ers will be hitting there mid 50’s by then. Prime ebike customer.
  • 5 2
 quietly working too hard to comment - gen x
  • 1 0
 @jaznomore: you should take a break and go for a ride
  • 3 3
 Pedal damnit.
  • 3 5
 #1 it isn't ecological, ok? If you want ECO, go bicycle!
#2 it is a fu...ing ELECTRIC MOPED!!!!!
  • 4 1
 Long Live the Moped riders!
  • 2 3
 How depressing.
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