Riding up a steep hill can be an absolute battle, but with the perfect Electric Bike, that conquering feeling of pumping your legs, giving it everything you have, and cresting a summit will come to life. These contemporary wonders and actual "mountain goats" of the e-bike world have been conceived to make the uphill no longer a battle. But our guide does a deep dive on the key elements that make up a great climbing e-bike, and presents some of the best out there so you can choose the machine that will help propel you to your next summit.
Key Climbing Elements
The single most important element for dominating hill climbs is the powertrain, and in particular the motor and the torque it produces. Measured in Newton-meters (Nm), torque is the rotational force that gets you going from a standstill and drives you up an incline. For a lot of hills, a higher torque number is simply non-negotiable. Mid-drive motors are generally less suited for hilly conditions as lifting the chain off of the sprocket can be hard on a couple of components – but they do have a more efficient heel-to-pedal ratio. It’s possible to use hub motors, especially high-torque geared hub motors as advertised on our Kit Index page, but usually mid-drives give a more balanced and natural-feeling climbing ride. When considering a climbing e-bike, look for the following power elements:
Minimum Torque:
The recommended minimum torque in e-bikes is 50 Nm. For very steep or off-road climbs, 80 Nm is fantastic, and even more is ideal.
Type of Sensor:
For climbing, you want a torque sensor, not a cadence sensor. It senses how much pedal pressure you’re applying and provides power accordingly for a more natural, intuitive feel on any type of hill.
Motor Wattage:
Wattage only tells how powerful a motor is, but climbing power is more accurately measured by torque. A high-torque motor (i.e., 250W and 80Nm) can frequently outperform a low-torque one with more wattage on inclines.
| Torque (Nm) | Best Use Case |
|---|---|
| Less than 50 Nm | Light hills and town riding. |
| 50-80 Nm | Medium to very steep paved inclines, light trail riding. |
| 80+ Nm | Very steep climbs and extreme off-road climbing. |
Beyond the motor, a truly capable climbing e-bike comes down to a strong supporting cast of components. The battery, gearing, and brakes are just as important for a successful and a safe climb and descent. The range of your e-bike is determined by capacity (in Watt-hours, or Wh), which is Volts x Amp-hours. Climbing is hugely energy-intensive, so you’re well advised to invest in a larger battery if you don’t want to peter out halfway up the backside of some long incline (most e-bikes come fitted with 500Wh-plus batteries). Gearing is equally important. A variety of gears, furnished by quality systems such as Shimano or SRAM, makes it possible to find the ideal cadence. A lower “granny gear” allows you to pedal more easily on the steeper sections and work in harmony with the motor to prevent it from stalling and conserve battery life. After all, what goes up must come down. Strong, dependable braking is important when you’re controlling your speed down steep descents, and we recommend hydraulic disc brakes. You get stronger stopping power and more precise modulation without having to exert a whole lot of hand force as you would with mechanical ones.
Battery Checkpoints:
You’ll want at least 48V and 13Ah to strike a nice balance between power and range.
Gearing Essentials:
A cassette with a low-gear cog of at least 32 teeth is a good climbing setup.
Top-notch Braking System:
Large (180mm or more) hydraulic disc brakes are the best choice for heavy use.
Our Top Pick for Climbs
Topping the list as our top pick is the all-terrain fat tire e-bike known as the ENGWE EP-2 Boost, designed and crafted for dashing through city streets and unforgiving paths. Its approach is to deliver smart, on-demand power. At the heart of its climbing prowess is the intelligent torque sensor, which delivers a surprisingly smooth and powerful performance, making you feel like you have gained an extra set of legs. Hit the intimidating hills with a push of the big red button for an instant 55Nm Boost when you need it most. This e-bike is not only about power: it’s also about control and stability. The massive 20" x 4.0" fat tires and durable one-piece wheels deliver a stable ride with great traction, so you can tackle off-roading along forested trails to urban streets smoothly. Meet the modern adventurer, the ENGWE EP-2 Boost.
- Model: ENGWE EP-2 Boost
- Motor: 250W Brushless Motor (with up to 500W power as optional Boost Mode).
- Max Torque: 55 Nm, designed to give enough of a power punch for those steep grades.
- Battery: 48V/13Ah high capacity, with the charger and pedal assistant to let you engage in two ways, enjoying up to 120km mileage in full power-assist mode.
- Brakes: Dependable 180mm mechanical disc brakes (front and rear) provide all-weather stopping power.
- Tires: 20" x 4.0" All-Terrain Fat Tires provide excellent stability and grip.
- Drivetrain: 7-Speed Shimano gearing to let you go for a quick spin or cover more mileage depending on your mood.
- Design: Offers a durable folding frame for convenient travel and storage.
Other Great E-Bikes
The favorite here is indeed the ENGWE EP-2 Boost, but there are other willing climbers. Rounding out our top 10, here are nine other great electric bikes for hard-to-climb hills. All these models offer a different combination of power, design, and features ideal for heading off-road and conquering the hills – from specialist electric mountain bikes with suspension systems that are more advanced than you can shake a stick at, to potent all-terrain adventurers. As for when you do begin looking at them, consider a couple of different factors including motor torque, battery size, and a mix of the above tenets we talked about earlier, to find the best fit for your value proposition and for the types of hills you want to be slaying.
- Specialized Turbo Levo: A standard-setting e-MTB for performance with a powerful motor and trail geometry all its own.
- Trek Rail: With a burly frame, long-travel suspension, and powerful Bosch motor system.
- Haibike AllMtn: Versatile all-mountain e-bike that is well known for strong motors and good handling.
- Rad Power Bikes RadRover: The popular fat tire e-bike has beefy hub motor performance, with us at a great value.
- Cube Stereo Hybrid: A well-respected German brand that makes high-performance e-MTBs with impressive integration.
- Santa Cruz Heckler: A top-end e-MTB with an emphasis on agility and potent, buttery support for climbing.
- Canyon Spectral:ON: A direct-to-consumer hit with one of the lightest weights and highest power-to-weight ratios in this roundup.
- Giant Trance X E+: This is a solid trail e-bike that offers a tunable motor and well-balanced suspension platform.
- Aventon Aventure: The brand’s fat tire e-bike is a tough daily driver with decent climbing chops.
Smart Buying & Riding Tips
Finally, a clever rider considers the whole picture anyway and knows how to shop around for value. Rider posture will have a minor effect on climbing due to the frame geometry and tires. A frame that balances the weight toward the middle of the rider helps prevent men from lifting off and women from slipping. Knobby, high-traction tires are a must for holding onto the road or trail, particularly on unpaved or loose ground. But you don’t have to spend a fortune on premium gear, and with smart shopping techniques you won’t trade away quality for value. You’ll often find the best buying opportunity during the off-season, which is late fall and winter when new models are coming in and retailers are looking to clean out inventory from last year. And don’t underestimate the value of good maintenance—an e-bike that’s looked after will run better, and its components will last longer, saving you money on future repairs.
Pro Tips for Quality Picking:
- Test Ride: If you can, test ride the e-bike on a hill.
- Frame Matters: Seek out a slightly longer wheelbase for more stability on the climbs.
- Tire Pressure: Letting a little air out of your tires will allow you to put more tire on the ground and thus increase traction on loose surfaces.
Money-Saving Tactics:
- Go Off-Season: Check out deals from September to February.
- Focus on the Parts That Matter: Spend your money on a good motor, battery, and frame. You can upgrade other components later.
- DIY Maintenance: Educate yourself on simple tasks like cleaning the chain and checking brakes to avoid those costly shop visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts more when climbing, is it motor wattage or torque?
Torque is more important. It is a direct measurement of the rotational force required to take you up a hill; wattage, which compares power over time. A high-torque motor will feel much more powerful on a very steep hill.
How much range do I need for hilly terrain?
Climbing causes a much higher battery drain than riding on the flat. The topography will also play a part; if you have a hilly ride then 500Wh should be the minimum battery size to give you enough range for a decent but not fraught ride.
Do fat tires climb better?
Huge, fat tires are better for climbing up and across loose or uneven surfaces such as gravel or dirt since the large total air volume gives them the most traction compared to smaller volume options. They are slightly less comfortable on the road.
Now go out and find the perfect Electric Bike that will encourage you to climb your next summit.
