Thread: E-Bike for hunting?

Yip, I bought a Specialized Turbo Levo for 1)MTBing the port hills and 2)hunting access in the high country.

I used to bike wherever doc land would permit - ie. old station land that has old 4wd tracks like Ahuriri and up behind Twizel. You do it OK on a regular MTB, bit of a grind though. Replace it with the right e-bike and you take less than half the time and not break a sweat. I run up to 3.0" tubeless tyres with sealant - good grip, more comfort and super durable - I used to always puncture on my old bike tubes with the matagouri.

Sometimes I'll mount a rear pannier but the tail being heavy makes it real tricky on steep inclines (eg. tracks running straight up an embankment) and awkward to walk it up as the bags hit your legs.

I've got a handlebar mounted bag carrier now if I need extra storage on the way out. From my experience, if you can walk your pack load on your back, you can bike it out on your back.

Dropper post is a nice luxury when you want stop and glass without getting off the bike or when descending.

As it's pedal-assist, technical sections or even small rocks can grind you to a halt. Not sure if the throttle type bikes would do a lot better, I don't think the bicycles have the mass, tyre size and suspension to not get bucked off.

Biggest ride on a hunt I've done was close to 900m vertical, about 16km return trip. Used 85% of the 504Wh battery, though I could have stretched it more. You want your 4-piston, 203mm rotor brakes on an unrelenting descent like that! On a trip like that, I reckon you save half a day's food and hydration in energy saved.

I love my e-bike, real capable and the mid-mount motor and battery gives it good balance and low centre of gravity. Believe it or not, it's still easy to pedal without assist (just slower).

Some trails will catch you out - whether it's washed out, boggy, or there's rockfall. Only one way to find your limit though!