What do you think of e-bikes on your favourite trail?

[Brian Fantana]

Live and let live.

 

I once did a trail ride in the Baakens Valley with a 74 year old oomie riding with me on his e-bike. He had proper skill and negotiated the technical sections brilliantly. However he would not have been able to do this ride if he could not get the assistance from the motor up the steep hills and on the fast flats.

 

There are many people who would love to ride on MTB trails but age or disability prevents them from doing so. If e-bikes can put the smile back on their faces, why not?

 

Nico Vouilloz did some training on one of Lappierre's ebikes while he was recovering from an injury (love the part where he drops the roadies):

 

http://vimeo.com/92316948

[RocknRolla]

I am of the opinion that they should stay off the trails. Use them for commuting.

 

To me it defeats the object of Mountainbiking. For me the real reward is working on that climb, and appreciating the view/ achievements.

 

Soon they will look like the peeps in Wall-e.

 

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/files/2012/05/wall-e.png

 

May as well go for a drive on a golf-cart

[Hackster]

No. Nope. Never.

 

Too fast, too powerful, too easy to hack to be more powerful, impossible to regulate. Give them their own areas, maybe MX tracks

 

Think about it, if they're allowed to share trails with us, you'll have to worry about some bugger riding into the back of you while you're riding UP a hill.

 

But I'm a huge fan of such machines on-road - reckon that's the way the world's going.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Hackster

[Flowta]

As long as there is ZERO pollution!

 

oh yeah, and wtf, strava will have to add a new discipline to run and ride- motorcycling

 

No such thing as ZERO pollution, with electric bikes, the energy (electricity) is generated elsewhere (i.e. power plants).

[Karakoram]

There are many opinions, but I like this one: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/opinion-a-secret-trail-and-the-argument-against-e-bikes-2014.html

[Flowta]

They should not be allowed on MTB trails . Like the OP said , these things are not regulated , so I am going to put a 1000GW motor into mine that will go from 0 -100 in 2 seconds and come and rip up the trail and while I am at it go over you because it takes you to long to get up the hill . Then we must also allow electric MX bikes to use the trails .

 

Put a motor like that in and it's going to look like a Motorbike anyway (though a 1000GW motor "might" not actually fit ).

 

What currently stops motorbikes etc. going on MTB trails? If it looks like a motorbike, it's probably too big to go on the trails and can just as easily be stopped from going on the trails as motorbikes.

[Cyklon]

This could spark a uproar.... shocking, also on the longer trails in ZA they could end up as rolling blackouts.

[Pappa Bear]

(love the part where he drops the roadies):

 

http://vimeo.com/92316948

 

Enough reason to now get one LOL!!!

[braailegend]

I really dont care what people ride, as long as it doesnt make noise or smell.

 

also if you want too look like a idiot riding/ spending big bucks (only 5300 euros) to ride something like this, im all for it, haha

 

http://www.nicolai.net/files/01_11.jpg

 

http://attitudebikes.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/305133_190260544377426_128918397178308_458539_4961515_n.jpg

[eddy]

I'm hauling one out for Karoo2Coast. Ideal bike for that race.....

[Karakoram]

I really dont care what people ride, as long as it doesnt make noise or smell.

 

also if you want too look like a idiot riding/ spending big bucks (only 5300 euros) to ride something like this, im all for it, haha

 

http://www.nicolai.net/files/01_11.jpg

 

http://attitudebikes.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/305133_190260544377426_128918397178308_458539_4961515_n.jpg

Mad Maxxis

[Karakoram]

This could spark a uproar.... shocking, also on the longer trails in ZA they could end up as rolling blackouts.

Don't even mention that it could cause a reVOLT, but hey some people are AMPED up about it.

[porqui]

Price tag locally could limit numbers here.

[Red Zone]

I can never see this taking off in a big way. I spotted an elderly couple of ebikes a few months ago, they were just harmless old duffers enjoying the extra comfort. Not your typical type to take to the trails at all.

 

I promise you this; anyone capable of self locomotion will be stripped of all credibility before they hit the first berm. Let em come, be ridiculed and dropped, last time they will hit the trails.

[Red Zone]

Live and let live.

 

I once did a trail ride in the Baakens Valley with a 74 year old oomie riding with me on his e-bike. He had proper skill and negotiated the technical sections brilliantly. However he would not have been able to do this ride if he could not get the assistance from the motor up the steep hills and on the fast flats.

 

There are many people who would love to ride on MTB trails but age or disability prevents them from doing so. If e-bikes can put the smile back on their faces, why not?

 

Nico Vouilloz did some training on one of Lappierre's ebikes while he was recovering from an injury (love the part where he drops the roadies):

 

http://vimeo.com/92316948

Well.... more like his bike dropped the roadies

[tombeej]

It might become big in DH.

Guys don't have to wait for the truck to haul them back up to the top. Just put-put back up there yourself. And there's no weight penalty in DH...