E-mtb tour of Codgers: Beginner-Intermediate Loop

Exploring Nelson’s amazing mountain bike trails on a rental Electric Mountain Bike.

Nelson is rightly famous for its mountain biking trails, but also somewhat infamous for how steep and high the climbs are.  With so many great trails it often seems like visitors only get to sample a tiny portion of them before they are worn out from the climbs!

Gravity Nelson has two solutions for this problem: Shuttles and E-mtbs.  Shuttles are discussed elsewhere in this web page (HERE), and are certainly awesome, but not all trails can be shuttled, and for smaller groups it can sometimes be hit or miss organising enough people to ensure a shuttle happens.

To help riders make the most of their time riding in Nelson Gravity  has a premium fleet of Santa Cruz Vally Alloy electric mountain bikes. These electric mountain bikes are set up for Nelson’s trails with beefy tires and tubeless sealant.  These bikes are incredibly stable and handle the rough Nelson trails with ease.   With 29″ front wheels and 27.5″ rear wheels (“Mullet”) they are          incredibly nimble on Nelson’s tight and steep corners, and with tonnes of suspension they roll over everything and are heaps of fun.

What You Can Do in a 2.5 Hour Razz on a Santa Cruz Vala Alloy E‑Bike

Want to know how much Nelson trail you can cover in a quick spin from our shop door? The boss grabbed one of our rental Santa Cruz Vala Alloy Bosch‑powered e‑bikes and headed out for a two‑and‑a‑half‑hour session at Codgers Mountain Bike Park – sticking mostly to beginner and intermediate trails. Here’s exactly how it went.

The stats:
Moving time – 1 hour 52 minutes
Distance – 30 km
Elevation gained and lost – 1,049 metres

Leaving the shop at 140 Bridge Street, the ride started with a roll over to Brook Street and the entrance to Codgers. From there, it was 16 minutes up Tasman Journeys, then Jacks Track to Middle Road, and finally the Firball Climb to the top.

First Run: Firball

A quick spin down Firball proved the Santa Cruz Vala handles flow trails beautifully. The Bosch motor gives smooth, predictable assistance, and the alloy frame feels solid without being sluggish. One small adjustment: the bike is heavier than a standard mountain bike, so jumping takes slightly different timing – but you adapt fast.

Second Run: IV Line

After a 14‑minute grind up the access road past the water treatment plant to the Firball skid site, the boss dropped into IV Line. A 3.5‑minute run on tighter singletrack showed off the Vala’s agility. Then back up the same access road in 15 minutes – still feeling fresh – to the entrance of Hulk n Hogan.

Third Run: Crazy Horse

A razz down Hulk n Hogan led straight into a full Crazy Horse run (1 minute 54 seconds). This is where the Vala really shines: the cornering grip and stability are exceptional. The bike just begs to be leaned over.

Fourth Run: P51

From the bottom, a quick ride back up the climbing trail, over to the top of P51 – 13 minutes of climbing. Then a fun, casual 5‑minute run down P51. Still plenty of battery left.

Fifth Run: Tu Meke and Gully

Up again to the entrance of Tu Meke, then a fast run down Gully (sign missing, but the trail was still excellent). At that point, the boss rolled down to the new bike wash and public toilets at Andrews Field, rinsed off the bike, and cruised back to the shop.

Total time from leaving to returning: just over 2.5 hours. And after all that climbing and descending – over 1000 metres of vertical – the battery still showed one bar remaining.

The Verdict from a Rider Not in Peak Shape

The boss isn’t the fittest rider in town. Heart rate sat at a comfortable 130‑150 bpm for most of the ride. Finished tired, happy, and content – not destroyed. That kind of 30km, 1000m+ vertical loop is simply not achievable in the same time on an acoustic (non‑electric) bike for most riders.

The Santa Cruz Vala Alloy with Bosch power is super stable, planted, and rails corners like a dream. The suspension platform is forgiving without being too plush, and the brakes and tyres are set up perfectly for Nelson’s conditions.

Ready to Razz One Yourself?

Gravity Nelson’s Santa Cruz Vala Alloy e‑mountain bikes are available for rent:

• Half day – $179

• Full day – $249

You can pack an incredible amount of trail into a short time. These bikes are also perfect for anyone who’s “e‑curious” – but be warned: a test ride might just convert you for good.

Book online or drop into our shop at 140 Bridge Street, Nelson.

Email: info@gravitynelson.co.nz
Phone: 027 766 6032 or 03 545 8484