While eMountain Bikes are dominating sales, here’s my hot take: I think many of us who are thinking about — or planning on — picking up an eMTB should actually be taking a closer look at XC bikes instead.
If you’re a regular follower of our bike content, you’ll likely have noticed an uptick in how much we’re covering XC bikes, even though our team of reviewers hasn’t typically identified as much with the more Lycra-clad side of the sport. And while I’m still not one to stuff myself into spandex, recently, I’ve become convinced that modern XC bikes deserve a lot more attention from your typical, non-sponsored, time-constrained mountain biker — in other words, most of us.
Why? Well, these short travel rigs can unlock more fitness, better skills, and more fun on local trails. In a world of maximalism, many of us have lost sight of the fact that less (no motor, less weight, less travel) can give us more.
Read on for my take, and let’s hash this out in the comments section below.
High Output, High Reward
A common refrain among my friends buying eMTBs is how they unlock more riding in a given amount of time. Lots of them have kids and find themselves shoehorning a ride into precious minutes between kid bedtime and sundown. Others are just busy with increasingly delicate balances of work and life, and still find themselves fighting daylight. And an eMTB delivers more riding in a given period than would be possible otherwise. But…
…there is a tradeoff there, and that tradeoff is fitness. Sure, it’s totally possible to hammer on an eMTB and get a solid workout, but even if you’re putting out serious watts to complement the motor, the speeds you’re hitting can overwhelm what’s feasible and safe on lots of bike-specific ascending trails.
But low and behold, XC bikes exist, and they, too, allow you to maximize finite windows of ride time. Modern ones are light and ridiculously sprightly, while also making you feel a whole lot less likely to die when it’s time to go downhill compared to “XC” bikes from just a few years ago. There are a lot of reasons for that, from better suspension to longer, slacker geometry, but all that really matters here is that XC bikes make it a boatload of fun to hammer out fast-paced laps on trails that would be rather dull on a longer travel, far heavier rig.
That XC bikes feel so rewarding at high effort makes them an incredible fitness tool. When I’ve got an hour of riding time between work and evening plans and want to get a solid workout in, an XC bike is the ideal choice. Trying to push the pace on climbs on a bigger, heavier bike tends to feel like a case of diminishing returns pretty quickly. Doing the same on an XC bike produces far more tangible results, and I’m amazed how often I set out on an XC bike for a “chill ride” only to return home absolutely gassed, having beaten a personal best lap time on a familiar loop.
Spicy in a Good Way
It’s not just a fitness game, though. I also think XC bikes can help foster better bike handling skills. Their sharp steering and efficient suspension bring a little extra spice to the descents, requiring an attentive pilot but rewarding proper line choice. They certainly make difficult trails feel a lot more challenging than bigger bikes do, but they also make for a good time on flat, meandering trails that would be downright dull on an Enduro bike, let alone an electrified one with 10+ pounds of motor and battery onboard. It’s worth each of us asking ourselves how much bike we really need for the trails we regularly ride.
Furthermore, lower-travel XC or Trail bikes can be a fantastic way to inject new life into local trail loops you’ve ridden a million times before.
All that said, as sweet as modern XC bikes are, they still won’t fully scratch that adrenaline itch that an Enduro bike can. The efficient suspension, skimpy tires, and pointy geometry that make XC bikes so rewarding when you’re pedaling hard don’t exactly make for a composed ride when descending rough trails. And, if you’re dead set on lapping burly, fast descents in a short period of time, an eMTB may still be the right call. But if you’re looking to balance a workout, test your skills in a new way, and still have a damn good time, there’s a lot to be said for what an XC bike can bring to otherwise familiar local trails.
Is Less More?
I’m lucky to have multiple bikes, but when work and life are really competing for my attention, I’m finding myself a lot more excited to ride my XC bike than my eMTB. It’s just the right combination of engaging, fast, and a little scary, and its snappiness goads me into a good workout every time.
But what about you? Agree? Disagree? Let’s hash it out in the comments below.
Yup. This is why I own a Druid v2. Strikes the best compromise in all ways. Nice take.
I’ve been riding in the Chuckanuts for over 35 years, more than 20 of them on Santa Cruz Blurs.
So I’d like to think I’m living proof in support of Zack’s premise.
If eBikers could read, they’d be very upset.
Ha, damn, shots fired! I’ve got to say, all the people I know who own eMTBs are *very* good riders. But I also think Zack makes some very good points.
Park City still trying to fight off the motorized crew, but losing the battle for sure. :(
All good insight! I’m on my third Blur xc and loving it. However age has caught up to me after 30 yrs of mtbiking(I’m 76) the climbs aren’t fun anymore so e-bikes will keep me out there(if I get one). Main point here is climbing! If you ride where you have long/steep climbing e-bikes make sense otherwise just do what you can on any bike.
Hell yeah Greg, I hope to follow your lead and keep riding well into my 70s and beyond too!
To be clear, I’m not giving up my own eMTB anytime soon! It’s a great option for big days and brutal climbs that would otherwise be a stretch. Locally I see lots of folks that buy big, burly Enduro-focused eMTBs just burning lots of laps on fairly mellow flow trails, and just using using Boost mode to get back up to the top of short, easy climbs…and while I’m not here to take away peoples’ fun, I think there’s value in finding some form of challenge out there both physically and skills-wise
Well one reason is E bikes come in xXL , and with proper,length chainstays. XC Bikes? Only for small people apparently.
“…all the people I know who own eMTBs are *very* good riders.”
But are they good readers…?
Not saying xc bikes are rad. But if you’re short on time and want the best ride for your time then you can’t beat E. Especially with weights coming down.
I can definitely get down with a quality e-bike rip, but totally depends on priorities. If it’s all about getting a big descent then I hear you, but sometimes the e-experience can feel a little like skipping dinner and going straight for dessert.
Well, I do have a sweet tooth… But I’ll also counter by saying I can absolutely bury myself on an eMTB (and heart rate data supports that), and in the same amount of time, I can usually go around one and a half times further, sometimes more, depending on the elevation gained, which opens up a ton more trails in the same time window. Now, that said, the post-ride endorphins feel a bit different to me. On an XC bike, there’s a sensation of getting more exercise, despite what the data says. On an eMTB, I feel more adrenaline mixed in there from going faster and processing more trail at higher speeds. Additionally, on an eMTB, you can be lazy and do very little in the exercise department if you’re not feeling super peppy that day, which can be either good or bad. It’s good, because sometimes getting out the door on those days is the hardest part, and eMTBs make that part wicked easy. It’s bad because when you feel lazy, an eMTB is the ultimate enabler, whereas, had you forced yourself out on the XC bike, you would have gotten more exercise and likely felt better afterwards.
For me xc bike is practically riding and exercising.
eMTB – not really. It is good for some people though: olders, health issues, poor shape or riding techniques, etc.