Between $2,500 and $3,000 hits the sweet spot for entry- to mid-tier electric mountain bikes. That price range opens up the range of e-MTBs from top brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized, and others with innovative designs and quality parts. Models that fall into that price range are typically hardtail mountain e-bikes or pre-owned full-suspension models.
Spending less than $2,000 means the e-bike will likely come with a rear hub motor, less premium mid-drive unit, or an external battery. Riders can browse the best mountain bikes for under $2,000 designed for recreational riding and lighter mountain biking.
Most Electric Mountain Bikes are Class 1: Here's Why
Written by: Rémy Rossi | August 6, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
Why are nearly all electric mountain bikes Class 1? It’s not just motivated by trail rules—it’s about ride feel, trail access, and keeping the peace.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
You may have noticed that virtually every electric mountain bike is designated as a Class 1 e-Bike. That means it offers pedal assistance up to 20 mph as you ride, and there’s no throttle. Class 1 e-MTBs have become the norm, a simple standard supported by most brands, e-mountain bikers, and trail managers as they adapt to the skyrocketing popularity of electric bikes these days. Here’s why that Class 1 status earned first place among electric mountain bikes.
Class 1 e-MTBs feel more natural
Riders who love the experience of cycling but who just want a bit of a boost turn to Class 1 e-Bikes. That includes mountain bikers who enjoy ripping the descents and get less pleasure from steep, strenuous climbs— and let’s be real, who actually loves climbing?
Choosing a Class 1 e-Bike means you have to pedal to receive any assistance, and that help tops out at a zippy 20 mph— much faster than anyone would normally be climbing any uphill trail section anyway. This way, you get the benefit of a motor when you need it, without transforming your ride into something entirely different, say, like a faster dirt bike or motorcycle.
Electric mountain bikes mainly have mid-drive motors, which provide better handling, torque, and efficiency for riders. The centrally placed motor also helps preserve the natural ride experience and center of gravity that you’re used to on the descents. So not only are most electric mountain bikes designated as Class 1, they also typically have mid-drive motors.
🤝 Get an even better discount when you trade in your electric bike now!
Click here for a price estimation
Class 1 e-Bikes are more likely to be allowed on trails
As e-Bikes became more popular, trail networks and managers had to decide whether or not they were going to allow motorized bikes— and if so, which ones? Bike paths or multi-use paths have often allowed all classes of e-Bikes or set certain speed limits, but traditional mountain bike areas and off-road trails have been more hesitant, likely because of the narrowness of the trails and nature conservation efforts.
A while back, national bike advocacy group PeopleForBikes recommended Class 1 e-Bikes for mountain bike trails at the eMTB Summit in 2022. The National Forest Service and other agencies were in the midst of nailing down their e-Bike policies. It’s a simple single-class approach, and Class 1 e-MTBs are the most similar to traditional bikes and the most frequently used type of e-MTB anyway. In the UK and Europe, Class 1 e-Bikes are allowed on pretty much all trails.
If electric bikes are going to be allowed on a trail at all, that permission will most likely be for Class 1 models. The throttle mode on Class 2 e-Bikes and the faster speeds of 28 mph of Class 3 e-Bikes often leave them out of certain areas. As a mountain bike rider, you’re going to want to choose the model that’s most likely allowed on your local trails. So at this point, e-MTBs being Class 1 has now become a bit of a self-supporting cycle.
🤝 Why you can trust us for buying an e-Bike?
- Great prices: Get your next e-Bike for up to 60% off retail prices, in new or like-new conditions.
- Quality Guaranteed: Every e-Bike is rigorously certified by a team of professional mechanics, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Delivered to Your Door: Delivered to your home within a week. Change your mind? Return it thanks to our 14-day return policy.
🚲 We also buy e-Bikes. Click here for an estimation!
Standard mountain bikes and e-MTBs co-exist (most of the time)
Electric mountain bikes are here to stay— though trail rules govern where they can ride— and there has been a healthy debate ever since they touched the trails. The increasing popularity of e-MTBs has caused some rifts in the community, mainly caused by irresponsible speed demons. But most of the time, riders on traditional MTBs and e-Bikers coexist on the trails perfectly well.
And the growing use of electric bikes has invited new riders to the activity, flattening the climbs and allowing them to enjoy the downhills with less effort. And those Class 1 capabilities keep things in control out there for everyone, capping the speed at 20 mph and omitting any use of a throttle. The landscape is changing now that e-Bikes are so ubiquitous, and I’m in favor of making gradual changes, accepting Class 1 e-Bikes without letting Class 2 and 3 bikes run wild— heck, those electric bikes aren’t even legal in Europe.
And the growing use of electric bikes has invited new riders to the activity, flattening the climbs and allowing them to enjoy the downhills with less effort. And those Class 1 capabilities keep things in control out there for everyone, capping the speed at 20 mph and omitting any use of a throttle. The landscape is changing now that e-Bikes are so ubiquitous, and I’m in favor of making gradual changes, accepting Class 1 e-Bikes without letting Class 2 and 3 bikes run wild— heck, those electric bikes aren’t even legal in Europe.
Why aren’t Class 2 e-Bikes allowed on trails?
It’s a good question— why aren’t Class 2 e-Bikes that travel the same speed allowed on as many trails? They max out at 20 mph as well, but the inclusion of a throttle is a sticking point for many. The advantage of a Class 1 e-MTB is that the pedal assist allows for variation with different levels, but throttled e-Bikes tend to encourage traveling at the top speed all the time— and we want to keep speeds and accelerations controlled on our trails.
There are also worries about increased trail erosion due to throttle use. The International Mountain Bicycling Association conducted a study that debunked the e-Bike myth that Class 1 e-MTBs cause increased soil displacement and erosion compared to standard mountain bikes, but there haven’t been studies conducted on Class 2 e-Bikes. From a policy standpoint, the single-class approach also tends to be simpler and gain more traction (no pun intended) when first introducing electric bikes to a riding area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you spend on an electric mountain bike?
Where can I find trails that allow electric mountain bikes?
Apps such as Trailforks have an e-MTB filter to find routes that allow electric mountain bikes. E-Bike owners can filter the Trailforks map on the website or app to show trails where e-MTBs are permitted.
Key Takeaways
- Natural Ride Feel: Class 1 e-MTBs offer pedal-assist up to 20 mph without a throttle, preserving the authentic mountain biking experience.
- Trail Access: Most trail networks allow only Class 1 e-Bikes, making them the safest bet for legal off-road riding.
- Simplified Regulations: A single-class system reduces confusion, encourages acceptance, and avoids issues tied to speed and throttle use.
