Blog
Notes from
the trailhead.
E-MTB riding, what to wear for it, and the arguments that come with it. Written by the one person behind ORU. No sponsored posts.
- Polyester or cotton for cycling? And where merino fits Polyester, cotton or merino for cycling and mountain biking? How each handles sweat, heat, cold and smell, what each costs, and which to pick for your rides.
- e-MTB trail etiquette: 10 rules that keep trails open Ten trail etiquette rules for e-MTB riders: access, passing, yielding, speed, Strava, trail damage and charging, so e-bikes keep their place on the trail.
- Funny mountain bike t-shirts that you can actually ride in Most funny mountain bike shirts are heavy cotton joke tees. What to look for if you want one you can ride in: fabric, print, fit, and a joke that lasts.
- E-bike classes 1, 2 and 3 explained for mountain bikers E-bike classes 1, 2 and 3 in plain English: assist, throttle and top speed, which class e-MTBs are, where each is allowed, and how to tell what you own.
- Where can you ride an e-MTB in the US? Trail rules explained Are e-bikes allowed on mountain bike trails? How US federal, state and local land managers treat e-MTBs, which classes are allowed, and how to check a trail.
- Funny things people say to e-bike riders, and what to say back Every e-MTB rider has heard these at the trailhead. The usual e-bike comments, the jokes behind them, and replies that keep it friendly. No arguments required.
- Are e-bikes good for mountain biking? Which ones are, and which are not Are e-bikes good for mountain biking? A real e-MTB is; a city or hub-motor e-bike is not. What makes one trail-worthy, and where you can ride it.
- Gifts for an e-bike dad: what he will actually use Gift ideas for a dad who rides an e-bike or e-MTB: safety upgrades, comfort, maintenance, ride days and a shirt he can ride in, by budget.
- e-MTB vs MTB calories: how much do you really burn? Calories on an e-MTB vs a regular mountain bike: a simple estimate, what the heart-rate studies show, and why ride length matters most.
- Cycling jersey vs t-shirt: does it actually matter? Cycling jersey or t-shirt? What a jersey does that a tee cannot, when a t-shirt is fine, and why fabric matters more, on road and mountain bikes.
- Why do people hate e-bikes? The real complaints, answered Why some riders hate e-bikes: cheating, trail access, speed, battery fires, city riding. Which complaints are fair, and what e-bike riders can do.
- Gifts for mountain bikers who have everything Gifts for the mountain biker who owns all the gear: things that wear out, experiences, trail support and small upgrades they never buy themselves.
- e-MTB vs regular mountain bike: which should you buy? e-MTB or regular mountain bike? How they differ on cost, weight, fitness, trail access and maintenance, and a simple way to decide which fits you.
- Is riding an e-bike good exercise? What the studies say Is an e-bike good exercise? Studies on e-MTBs and e-bike commuters say yes: moderate to vigorous effort, and people ride further. What that means for you.
- Christmas gifts for e-bike riders (2026): what to buy and when to order Christmas gifts for e-bike and e-MTB riders: stocking fillers, under-the-tree picks, big ones, and when to order made-to-order gifts in time.
- Gifts for e-bike riders: 12 ideas that actually get used Gift ideas for e-bike and e-MTB riders by budget, from under $30 to the big ones. What gets used, what to check before you buy, and what to skip.
- What to wear mountain biking in summer: jersey, tech tee or cotton? Jersey, tech tee or cotton for summer mountain biking and e-MTB rides? What each is good at, where it fails, and the rest of the kit you need.
- Is riding an e-MTB cheating? An honest answer from someone who rides one Is riding an e-MTB cheating? Only in a race or on a leaderboard. What the research says about effort, where the complaint is fair, and how to ride one well.