How to choose your perfect Pole
Choosing the perfect bike can be daunting, especially when deciding between an E-Bike or a Mountain Bike or how much travel you need. Don’t worry – our guide is here to lend a helping hand in selecting the bike that perfectly suits you.
What is an E-MTB?
An Electric Mountain Bike (E-MTB) is a mountain bike equipped with an integrated motor that assists you as you pedal. It’s important to note that the motor only engages when you pedal, so it’s not a free ride!
E-MTB (Motor-ON) vs MTB (Motor-OFF):
The key difference between an E-MTB and a traditional Mountain Bike (MTB) is the integrated motor in the E-MTB. This motor provides pedal assistance, making tackling steep climbs and long rides easier. For riders recovering from injuries or trying to regain fitness, E-MTBs can serve as a gentle re-entry into the sport. The electric assist can provide the extra boost needed to rebuild confidence and strength without overexerting.
On the other hand, a traditional MTB relies solely on your pedaling power, offering a more physically demanding but also potentially more rewarding experience.
TRAIL VS. GRAVITY: WHICH PLATFORM SUITS YOUR RIDE?
TRAIL:
Perfect for those who seek versatility across diverse terrains. Whether you’re on a casual trail ride or navigating challenging trails, this platform offers adaptability and balanced performance. MORE INFO + The Trail platform comes as a MTB or an E-MTB in three different customizable build options.
TRAIL: The Trail-bike is designed for those who prioritize excellent pedaling and climbing capabilities. Less travel allows for an efficient and effortless ride. (160mm front and 150mm rear) With reduced suspension travel, the bike feels light and agile. It offers the ideal combination of efficiency and performance.
Enduro: With 190mm front and 190mm rear and big wheels, the bike absorbs impacts and maintains traction, ensuring a smooth ascent and descent. This is your choice for confident climbing and fast descending. The Voima Enduro E-MTB version has been piloted to the podium by our Pole Factory Race Team at E-Bike World Series.
Downduro: This is where downhill and enduro meets. You are looking for max travel and a playful setup when coming down the mountains. Pedal up the biggest hills and smash the trails on the way down. This bike caters to experienced riders who enjoy exploring their limits. (Available with a double crown 200mm fork and 190mm on the rear).
GRAVITY:
Tailored for thrill-seekers, big-hitters, and those looking for flat-out speed. If downhill, Enduro or high-speed trails are your playgrounds, the Gravity Platform is your go-to choice. MORE INFO + The gravity platform comes as a MTB or an E-MTB in three different customizable build options.
Enduro: For those who embrace thrill and seek the finest trail riding experience. Larger wheels optimize traction and impact absorption, while less travel (170mm front and 160mm rear) ensures a nimble, lighter ride. This bike offers the right balance of efficiency and performance, pushing your limits beyond expectations. Opt for this bike, elevate your excitement, and shred like never before!
Downduro: Get to the top and don’t compromise on the way down. The Adaptive Platform can handle a 520% gear range, making ascents a breeze. It’s a bike that transforms your trail rides, offering versatility even for Enduro racing. Proof? Our CEO won the Masters category at the Trans Madeira race with Sonni. The lightweight aluminium frame paired with the long-travel suspension (190mm front and 200mm rear) to ensure lots of grip and bucket loads of control. Ideal for skilled riders who appreciate the reward of fast descents after the climb to the top.
Downhill: DH is the exciting cutting edge of mountain biking. Riders blast down hills, plough through rock gardens, and past trees at breathtaking speeds while hitting jumps, drops, and railing corners. Sonni Downhill rocks 200mm of travel front and rear, and lets you push the envelope, find new limits, experience the adrenaline thrill, and hit the gnarliest trails or biggest jump line.
Travel Considerations
Our bikes have what some might consider a lot of travel. But thanks to our Sensei Suspension, we have created a platform that exhibits a predictable BOB-free ride regardless of what gear you are in. The amount of travel your bike has will determine the type of terrain it can comfortably handle. More travel means better shock absorption for rough terrains. Our Trail and Gravity platforms allow you to customize your ride based on the terrain or trails you ride.
Aluminum vs. Carbon
Our unique manufacturing technique allows us to mill frames lighter than traditionally welded aluminum frames and possess nearly double the strength. Additionally, our frames are in direct competition with carbon frames in terms of weight. One prominent distinction lies in our exceptional precision, maintaining an incredibly tight tolerance of just 0.01mm! A level of accuracy that even Carbon manufacturers can only imagine achieving.
Our bikes are a testament to Finnish engineering excellence, made from aerospace aluminum with the highest tensile strength. This choice of material ensures remarkable durability and aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility. Aluminum is endlessly recyclable, which is in sharp contrast to carbon manufacturing processes. Our method boasts zero waste – each fragment from the meticulous milling process is recycled, reflecting our dedication to minimizing environmental impact.
DESIGN / ADAPTABILITY / AESTHETIC / BUILD
Voima: Features a unique torsion box surrounding the battery opening and a slimmer design with patent-pending technology. It’s built for those who want a blend of power and adaptability. It has a more compliant design with room for bottles and other accessories. Voima comes with an external charging input, ensuring easy and hassle-free charging. It’s designed for those who prioritize convenience.
Vikkelä: Using the same tried and tested suspension system as it’s E-mtb sibling, Voima, the SENSEI Suspension System is the pinnacle of modern mountain bike suspension design. With its highly efficient pedaling characteristics, SENSEI is much more than just a system for long travel applications that are only meant to be ridden uphill with the aid of a motor or a chair lift. On the contrary, SENSEI was developed and tested alongside the Voima to prove the platform across multiple MTB designs.
Sonni: Features a double-sided hollow sidewall design, making it around eight millimeters slimmer than Voima. It’s built for straight shooting and high-speed terrains. It boasts a massive main pivot axle for greater stiffness and a sleeker, slimmer profile. It’s designed for those who want to switch between downhill and enduro without compromising on performance. Sonni prioritizes performance with its design; It does not to come with water bottle mounts and it requires battery removal for charging, but it has a keyless option for added convenience.
Onni: Like its E-mtb counterpart, Onni possess a massive main pivot axle for greater stiffness and a sleeker, slimmer profile; A World Cup Downhill proven frame designed for those who want to switch between downhill and enduro without compromising on performance. Supplied without water bottle mounts, Onni focuses on performance in it’s design.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Motor-ON is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a bike that can help you tackle steep climbs, long rides with less effort. If you want to get more laps in, sharpen your skills, get back into riding after an injury, or are concerned about your fitness level, this is for you.
If you prefer a more traditional, physically demanding ride, a tradational Motor-OFF might be right up your alley.
If you’re looking for a versatile bike that can easily handle various terrains and offers convenient features, the Trail Platform is for you. However, the Gravity Platform is your match if you’re an adrenaline junkie seeking high speed and a bike that can seamlessly switch between downhill and Enduro.
Choose wisely, and let the adventure begin!
