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

[Eddy Gordo]

I think E-Mtb are great!! I dont see an issue with them on the trails at all.

[SwissVan]

I don't think that is the case anymore.

A couple of us spotted some guys testing a pair of e-bikes at Tokai recently and had a chat with them.

They mentioned that one of the bikes was seriously powerful and had enough oomph to pull a wheelie and throw the rider if too much throttle was applied.

 

Throttle as in twist grip on the right side?

imo if its got a twist grip or a starter motor then it durrent belong on MTB trails

 

No problems with a bicycle that has got a battery system to help with pedaling

[marko35s]

Throttle as in twist grip on the right side?

imo if its got a twist grip or a starter motor then it durrent belong on MTB trails

 

No problems with a bicycle that has got a battery system to help with pedaling

I could be wrong on this one (I wasn't looking that closely) but that was what the conversation seemed to indicate.

[Hackster]

It's all very well talking about your bokkie who'll finally be able to keep pace with you going up hills, or your oupa who's only got one leg and wants to share in the fun at mtb races, but it won't be these people who cause the k*K.

 

It'll be the oke with more kilowatts than common sense, who thinks that trail etiquette is a french rock band, who wipes out your laaitie while doing 50 km/h on the flat.

 

If you want a taste of what it'll be like mixing powered and non-powered two wheelers, take your mtb to an MX track this weekend, put some earplugs in (e-bikes don't make a noise) and then go do some laps. Okay, don't actually do this, it's a really bad idea, either someone will crash into you or klap you. Or both.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

Throttle as in twist grip on the right side?

imo if its got a twist grip or a starter motor then it durrent belong on MTB trails

 

No problems with a bicycle that has got a battery system to help with pedaling

That's what they were. Pedal powered with a 9kg battery pack powered motor attached to the cranks. Only works when pedal power is applied. And it was controlled much like a jet ski throttle, with a little flappy paddle.

[SwissVan]

That's what they were. Pedal powered with a 9kg battery pack powered motor attached to the cranks. Only works when pedal power is applied. And it was controlled much like a jet ski throttle, with a little flappy paddle.

 

I'm no expert on E Bikes, dont want to get to familar with them incase i like it......but i think the switch regulates or adjusts how much battery power is used WHILE you are pedaling, i.e. when you dont need it you can switch to a lower setting to conserve the battery.

[SwissVan]

It's all very well talking about your bokkie who'll finally be able to keep pace with you going up hills, or your oupa who's only got one leg and wants to share in the fun at mtb races, but it won't be these people who cause the k*K.

 

It'll be the oke with more kilowatts than common sense, who thinks that trail etiquette is a french rock band, who wipes out your laaitie while doing 50 km/h on the flat.

 

If you want a taste of what it'll be like mixing powered and non-powered two wheelers, take your mtb to an MX track this weekend, put some earplugs in (e-bikes don't make a noise) and then go do some laps. Okay, don't actually do this, it's a really bad idea, either someone will crash into you or klap you. Or both.

 

Well at least E Bikes can have a proper hooter that runs off the battery instead of a bicycle bell to warn slower riders....Thats anothe rthing thats impressive with some E Bikes i've seen, they got lights to die for at night

[IH8MUD]

This e-bike business is like "draadtrek" . . . .

For some it is ok . . .

But it is NOT THE REAL THING.

[IH8MUD]

[reteid]

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

o crap now i remember i must start training for this.maybe just get one of these bikes.

[Stoffies1]

The first big climb and they will *** off!!! don't think they will venture ours side thought. Too much dirt!!! Lets hope!!

[Catatonic_Joe]

I was all against e-bikes/motorised bicycles until I saw this. I know it's not an 'e-bike', but who's going to argue with me when they see me on the trails with this?

 

More info here

 

http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/motoped.jpghttp://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/22.jpghttp://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/61.jpghttp://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/96.jpg

Edited August 6, 2014 by Catatonic_Joe

[RocknRolla]

I was all against e-bikes/motorised bicycles until I saw this. I know it's not an 'e-bike', but who's going to argue with me when they see me on the trails with this?

 

More info here

 

http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/motoped.jpghttp://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/22.jpghttp://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/61.jpghttp://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/96.jpg

 

Exactly what my Zombie apocolypse arsenal has been missing, the assault MTB.

 

Thank's for sharing!

[Tree Hubber]

Just a thought... if your pumping 45-60km on a e-bike would a standard MTB helmet cuts the mustard. Surely you'd be in the realms of Full face protection. Obviously your going to be running at constant higher speeds which intern means greater risk.

[Kranswurm]

From what I understand most grown up countries and people have laws and regulations for e bikes limiting them to 25km/hr with some other provisos re cutting out when they reach 25 or when the rider stops pedaling

Seems pretty reasonable and nothing to get ones knickers knotted about

Perhaps there are similar regulations is RSA

[SwissVan]

From what I understand most grown up countries and people have laws and regulations for e bikes limiting them to 25km/hr with some other provisos re cutting out when they reach 25 or when the rider stops pedaling

Seems pretty reasonable and nothing to get ones knickers knotted about

Perhaps there are similar regulations is RSA

 

In Switz they are divided into:

"slow where the electric support stops at 25kmh" with less than 500W motors.

and

"Fast where the electric support stops at 45kmh" with less than 1000W motors.

 

These 2 categories are classed as "light motor bicycles" and "motor bicycles", if the electric motor can produce more than 1000W then its classed as a motorcycle.

 

Here's a screen shot of recent regulation revisions wrt E Bikes

Sorry the translated version is not 100% perfect

 

Edited August 6, 2014 by SwissVan