Popularity for e-bikes grows, as more cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts find benefits Since they hit the market several years ago, many riders have turned to e-bikes for a wide variety of uses, such as mountain biking up and down steep hills, hunting isolated spots and camping. Written By: Sam Fosness | × Three e-bikes lined up along the window at Ron's Bike Shop in Mitchell. (Sam Fosness / Republic) As more cyclists find ways to benefit from electric bicycles, more commonly known as e-bikes, they are becoming a hot commodity in the biking world. While there are a variety of e-bikes being manufactured by major bicycle companies like Giant and Specialized, most of them are equipped with small electric-powered motors that assist bikers when pedaling. Since they hit the market several years ago, many riders have turned to e-bikes for a myriad of uses, such as mountain biking up and down steep hills and hunting isolated spots.