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Simply, a powerful electric motor, powerful brakes, and a high-quality full-suspension build are the most important things to consider when you’re looking for the best off road electric bike for hills. But not all eBikes (even those with the above-mentioned qualities) are created equal.
First, before you start considering your options, think about what kind of terrain is ahead of you: are you cruising over rolling hills on a relatively well-maintained trail? Are you getting deep in the backwoods and powering over tall roots and up steep inclines? Equally as important as choosing an ebike that will thrive in your particular conditions is choosing one that suits your riding style.
For our purposes here, we’ll consider you an experienced rider navigating tough terrain and searching for a bike that can help you get far from the trailhead. So, we’ll suggest the burliest, most well-built ebike and then you can pare down from there.
Want to fast-track the process and get out there? See our full line of off road fat tire electric bikes. When it comes right down to it, no matter where you’re headed you can’t go wrong with a QuietKat.
What is the Best Electric Off Road Bike?
Truth is, if you’re searching for your first electric off road bike, if you make a point to invest in a well-built two-wheeled machine that’s sized right for you and equipped with high-end componentry, you’re going to feel great.
A few years down the line, though, once you spend hours scouting, climbing, commuting, and getting to know every element of your bike, you’ll start to notice the difference between an air and a coil suspension fork, a dropper post and a fixed post, and mechanical versus hydraulic disc brakes, but when you’re considering your first bike it helps to know how to choose. Here’s where we can help.
1. Suspension
First things first, a full-suspension bike is the better choice for hills (as opposed to a hard tail—or, a bike that does not have a rear shock, only a fork). So, when it comes to choosing what kind of fork is right for you, here’s where you’ll want to consider of your terrain: are you going to be running over roots? Navigating rocky terrain? Will you be biking off trail? The more travel your bike has (meaning the longer the fork is) the smoother the ride will be.
Next, know the difference between an air suspension fork and a coil suspension fork: the air suspension fork is the more sophisticated option and they’re much easier to adjust to your weight and riding style. The coil shock is more challenging to fine tune and weighs more, sometimes a hard sacrifice to make on an e-bike.
The better electric off-road bike for hills: a full-suspension bike with air shock and fork.
2. Dropper Post
This is the one major upgrade that can completely enhance an experience. While a dropper post can sometimes seem like a luxury, when you’re switching rapidly and often between uphill and downhill travel, a dropper post can make your ride safer, smoother, and quicker.
A simple rule of mountain biking: stand up when you’re descending. Even if you’re toting a heavier load, standing up out of the seat can make a notable difference in your ability to stabilize yourself, react to obstacles big and small, and maintain your center of gravity when you’re biking over roots or steeper rocks.
The better choice for hills: a dropper post.
3. Brakes
Similar to an air suspension fork versus a coil suspension fork, there’s a clear winner when it comes to choosing the braking system for your pedal assist electric bicycle that’s built to take on hills.
There’s an easy-to-spot difference between a mechanical braking system and hydraulic disc brakes. Mechanical brakes employ a cable pull system that activates the braking mechanism—imagine the rim brakes on your childhood bike. Hydraulic brakes, on the other hand, use fluid housed in the master cylinder to force close the pads together at the other end. Simply, the force applied to a cable brake is less than the force applied to the caliper and the opposite is true when it comes to a hydraulic braking system. So, hydraulic brakes are the clear winner when you’re planning on braking on a hill.
The better choice for hills: hydraulic brakes
What Makes QuietKat eBikes Great Off Road Electric Bikes for Hills?
When it comes to powerful electric pedal assist bikes, QuietKat builds from the ground up. Fat tires, high-quality suspension, over 30 miles of power, powerful brakes, and a full suite of extra options and accessories make for the ideal choice for taking on tough, hilly terrain.
