Renting electric mountain bikes is definitely an interesting option for everyone who would like to try all the advantages of this type of visit to the mountains and become addicted to a new type of sport - mountain e-biking. We tested the mountain e-bikes rented from Elpec eBikes and rode them on one of the most interesting tours in the Dolomites.
Electric mountain bikes are a new trend and allow us to cycle where we couldn't until now. Either because of poor physical fitness, or because even professionals would not be able to climb this type of mountain. This is where mountain bikes, assisted by an electric motor, come to the fore. These, in hybrid combination with your legs, allow you to reach truly unimaginable mountain spots by bike and thus experience a different kind of cycling.
For all of us who have already descended with a mountain bike into the valley and the ascent was taken care of by a funicular or a gondola, we have always wondered how cute it would be if we could do this kind of ascent by ourselves with a bicycle. With electric mountain bikes, in the vast majority of cases, you can make sure that you overcome unimaginable height meters, along more difficult mountain supply routes, with the hybrid drive of legs and wheels. Of course, you must also do something for your body. Mountain e-bikes are definitely not for the lazy, as serious ventures require good fitness as well as technical knowledge and some prior training.
Basically, the essence of e-mountain biking is that we can cover longer distances and overcome a huge amount of altitude. So we are on the bike all day. Literally, with one battery charge and moderate fitness, you will easily overcome 1300 meters of altitude. Which is more than enough to burn a lot of calories for a day trip. 2000 and more without problems. Or almost as many as you would with less altitude covered and with a normal mountain bike. The bottom line is that you will experience more with an electric bike and spend the whole day on it. This is also why anyone who gets on it and takes a real tour finds it extremely difficult to switch back to the usual one. What really buys you is the great range freedom you have with this type of bike.
Since it is recommended to test an electric mountain bike before buying, this time in cooperation with Elpec eBikes we tested two of their selling points, which are also available as bikes for rent and you can try them out. And went on a 45-kilometer long tour in the Dolomites.
- Where to rent an electric mountain bike?
- Electric mountain bike rental
Electric mountain bike rental
Currently at Elpec eBikes in BTC they offer a summer promotion, namely the rental of two e-bikes, where you get a 50 discount for the second e-bike. Thus, a weekend rental (Friday - Monday) costs 85 euros for one bike, and 127 euros for a pair. Daily rentals start from 45 euros further. In any case, there is also the option of weekly rental, where prices start at 150 euros. Definitely a very affordable option. With the company, the cost of the rental is deducted from the price if you decide to buy a bike after the rental.
This time we tried it in the editorial office NOX Hybrid 7.1 Enduro and Malaguti Brenta – electric mountain bikes.
NOX Hybrid 7.1 Enduro
The NOX company was presented to the public in 2004 in Berlin. They wanted to develop a real competitive e-bike and did not want to look for compromises in the composition and components of the bike and offer a mountain e-bike that even the fastest cyclists can ride without hesitation on the most demanding tracks. That's how it came about NOX Hybrid 7.1 Enduro. It is equipped with extremely high-quality components from established manufacturers Rockshox, Sram and Continental. It is powered by a powertrain Brose S Mag of German origin with Kar 90 Nm of torque, which is more than the vast majority of the competition. It offers a quiet but powerful ride, during which we can freely set the level of assistance we need at any given moment. To make exploring even more carefree, the bike is equipped with a car 630Wh a large battery that can take the user over 100 kilometers away. NOX wheels they are definitely an eye-catcher, because it is the design and fashionable color combinations that make the bike really stand out.
Malaguti Brenta
To overcome mountain and other poorly maintained trails, you will need a robust mountain e-bike that can handle all terrains. Pre-suspension electric mountain bikes are the most popular category of bikes on the market. They cover a very wide spectrum of use, ranging from unorganized crossroads, gravel paths and even well-maintained asphalt roads. The Malaguti Brenta e-bike is equipped with the manufacturer's most powerful engine Bosch (Performance Line CX) and a superior fully integrated Bosch battery (Powertube 625Wh), whose range is up to 130 km. It boasts a superbly designed geometry that complements it large 29” rims, which allows you to accelerate quickly, maintain good speed and, above all, ride comfortably with a feeling of safety on the bike.
Recommended tour for medium to very brave: this is the mountain pearl of the Dolomites for mountain e-bikes
1,700 meters of altitude, 45 kilometers traveled, all mostly on macadam mountain service roads, will take you through the beautiful panorama of the Dolomites and one of the most epic tours in the world in just over 4 and a half hours. Some knowledge of mountain biking is definitely required, so the tour is recommended for experienced cyclists. However, we do not recommend it to absolute beginners on e-bikes. Start at the National Park car park not far from Cortina d'Ampezzo and climb up to the Malga Ra Stua hut and then continue along Val Salata. Almost at the top, turn right towards Rifugio Biella, located on the slope of Croda del Beco. This will be your highest point at around 2400 meters and the first of two major climbs. You will use around 40% batteries up to the top. Then there are descents, but we still recommend that you save battery in the first part of the tour and do the first part of the ascents with a considerable cadence of your personal foot drive. The power of the assist should be at a medium level. Take the rare planes without the help of electricity. Otherwise, you may run out of battery for later climbs. At Rifugio Biella, the prices are reasonable even for a quick mountain lunch. The cottage is a more traditional retreat and that's why it's so charming. Installations are simple and good. The same goes for delicious Italian food. An easy descent follows to the picturesque Sennes lodge, which has its own airstrip for small planes and brave flyers. Rifugio Sennes spoils its guests, cyclists and hikers with traditional, simple South Tyrolean cuisine.
Particularly popular and well-known are "Sennek noodles" and "mountain omelette". After this charming post, there is a "hellish" descent, more than 1000 meters to the Aussicht post. You have to be careful when going down, because the torrential waters start quite a bit on the road, which is also concreted in difficult sections, but therefore also quite dangerous. There are a lot of stones on it, and the surface is very slippery. Above all, there are difficult slopes, which in certain sections exceed the physical abilities of a normal - even controlled - descent. For this reason, a short walk alongside the bike is recommended for inexperienced cyclists in this part. This is followed by an ascent to the magical Piciodel river - about 350 meters above sea level, and then another 300 meters above sea level to the Fanes hut. At 2060 m above sea level, this very well-kept chalet is located in the heart of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park.
You can run without a battery for the last 100 vertical meters to the Limo Pass, but from Lake Limosee there is only a descent and you will no longer need the e-drive. All that remains is a fairly easy but constant descent along the service forest path to the Cascate di Fanes – a picturesque gorge that strongly resembles the Soča gorge, but is somehow even more pompous and, above all, different. Another kilometer and you are already at the starting point of your journey. We believe that despite the electric drive, you will burn at least 2000 calories and experience one of the gems of mountain e-biking.
Footnote: The route is only possible in a counter-clockwise direction and as described. Because of the slope, it is not possible to cycle in the opposite direction.
Tour link: Komoot
Photo gallery - tour with mountain e-bikes in the Dolomites
