Technique

E-mountain biking tips from Alberta’s lead Shred Sister

Audrey Duval has led mountain bike clinics for women since 2015, when she founded Shred Sisters in Canmore, Alta. The company has grown each year, and now has more than 15 instructors who offer courses in six communities across the Kootenay Rockies region of British Columbia and Alberta.

Last season, Duval saw that ebikes were becoming more popular. First-time participants were bringing ebikes to the Shred Sisters introduction to mountain biking courses. “Last year, we had a few mixed groups,” Duval says, “and it just didn’t work because the learning curve is so different between ebikes and traditional mountain bikes.”

After a few successful private clinics, Duval developed an introduction to ebiking course that she plans to offer this year. “It’s exciting because of how many people can ebike,” Duval says. “But, it’s important to be patient at the beginning until they truly get a feel for their new ebike.” With that patience in mind, Duval has three tips to help new ebike owners get started.

Start on gravel

Whether you are an experienced mountain biker or new to the sport, do not immediately jump onto singletrack. Duval suggests spending at least an hour on paved or gravel roads to adapt to the bike.“Most ebikes have three power-assist modes,” she says. “It’s important to get a feel for how the motor kicks in. Start with the slowest mode and work your way toward the fastest to learn how the bike reacts when the power kicks in.”

The sudden acceleration created by the motor can feel abrupt. Duval suggests shifting your weight farther forward than you would expect, just to keep the front wheel on the ground.

“When you are turning up hill, an ebike has a much wider turn radius because of its speed.”

Learn to brake

Mastering braking techniques is, perhaps, even more important than understanding the power-assist motor. Ebikes are heavier than their human-powered alternatives, so they tend to move even faster downhill. “The brakes can be much slower to respond,” Duval says. “It’s critical to get used to this behaviour, especially if you’re used to a traditional mountain bike, so that you can stay in control.”

Slow down, on climbs

Once on the trail, Duval says you will immediately feel a speed difference. These bikes can go so fast that it’s often necessary to brake on the climbs. “When you are turning uphill,” she says, “an ebike has a much wider turn radius because of its speed. On tight corners, you have to drag your back brake slightly just to make the corner.”

Aside from coaching with Shred Sisters, Duval is a Rocky Mountain ambassador and a Race Face test rider. Since getting her first ebike, she has ridden it more than she expected. “When I am sore and tired,” Duval says, “it is a great way to remove some of the fatigue and just keep riding. Interestingly, I find it is still a super good workout; it just feels different than a traditional bike.”

She often uses her ebike as an alternative to shuttling laps on Mount 7 in Golden, B.C. The Schacher up track, which climbs 1,625 m over 15.3 km, is physically demanding. But on an ebike, it is an entirely different experience.

“Just be ready to have fun,” Duval says, “because you’ll be able to rail uphill berms for the first time.”