Electric Mountain Bikes on a MTB race.

[AlanD]

With the introduction of e-bikes should come a new set of races catering for them.

 

It doesn't seem a like for like competition having e-bikes competing with non e-bikes.

 

Even if its just a non professional, casual rider using an e-bike in a race, it doesn't seem fair either as there are the non professional, casual riders enjoying the race trying to do well on their own physical ability only to be down played by a rider using an e-bike which clearly he is not doing it on his own physical ability.

 

This seems like a whole new discipline that is being born.

[pista]

Giant making them for road and trails.

 

http://ebiketips.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/970wide/public/thumbnails/image/Giant%202017%20e-bikes%20-%20Road-E2.jpg?itok=V5oQM9qL

 

http://ebiketips.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/970wide/public/thumbnails/image/Giant%202017%20e-bikes%20-%20Full-E0SL.jpg?itok=Ewdb1mat

[pista]

2017 will be an exciting e-bike year 

A flood of premieres: Eurobike 2016 to show the pedelec trends of the 2017 season – Large test fleet at the Eurobike Festival Days on the weekend

http://www.eurobike-show.com/eb-wAssets/fotos/news/Xduro.jpg

 

Over the last few years, e-bikes have been more than just an important driver of economic growth in the bicycle industry. The bikes with electric assist motors have also generated new engineering and technology impulses in the market. Now, in just a few weeks, the Eurobike, the industry’s largest innovations show (August 31 to Sunday, September 4, 2016), is on the agenda. Once again, exhibitors will be bringing along plenty of interesting new e-bike innovations.
Since the e-bike trend took off in Germany eight or nine years ago, the market for bikes with electric pedal assist has only moved in one direction: up. A new record was reached in 2015 when 535,000 e-bikes were sold in Germany. The word among industry insiders is that e-bike sales are likely to remain at a similarly high level in 2016, despite less favorable weather conditions. So it’s no wonder that bike manufacturers and component suppliers have once again put a lot of time and energy into the development of new technologies. A special focus of these efforts is sporty e bike models, whose share of overall sales has grown rapidly in the last two to three years. 

 

For example, for the coming model year, component manufacturer Sram will offer a special e-bike variant of gear shift technology that is already available in its mountain bike segment. The new EX1 components’ ace up the sleeve is their design that relies on one front chain ring and eight rear sprockets. The American components manufacturer uses the space that is saved by this design to invest in a broader chain and gears made of hardened tool steel that can better deal with the forces at work on an e-bike than conventional bike components can. Such solutions have their origins in the Franconian town of Schweinfurt, where the US company develops all of its shift technology.

 

In contrast, the new Boltron suspension fork from Magura is a German-Austrian coproduction. The Swabian components supplier, especially known in market circles for its powerful hydraulic brakes, got together with Motocross specialists WP Performance Systems with the aim of building the perfect suspension fork for e mountain bikes. The result is a suspension fork in an optically unconventional upside-down design that, with its especially robust construction, offers an alternative to the intrinsically higher weight of e-mountain bikes. The new suspension forks can be seen at the Eurobike on new models from Haibike and KTM, among others.

 

Attention to detail from the market leader
When you think of e-bike components suppliers, one name in the industry comes to mind more than any other: Bosch. After the electronics company’s e bike division set off innovation fireworks at last year’s Eurobike, for 2017 the company from Swabia is focusing above all on details, such as the dual battery concept that uses a second battery to summarily double the range of an e-bike. This makes a lot of sense on cargo bikes, for example, or on e-bike models intended for long distance trips, such as those that can be seen at the Eurobike stands of Riese and Müller. Bosch will also present a 2017 update for its Nyon graphic display for e-bikes at the Eurobike. The highlight of the system is the new depiction of range, which can best be described as a “fried egg” view. That’s because, depending on the topography and quality of the road surface, the range is not presented on the map as a smooth circle, but rather as an irregular white shape. 

 

E-bikes also conquer the niches
E-bike technology is especially clever when it becomes possible to combine it with other forms of transportation in everyday life. Manufacturer Tern is already a vanguard of urban life with its folding bikes, at least as far as bikes without electric drives are concerned. Now, the Taiwanese company’s first folding e-bike, the Elektron, will celebrate its premiere at the Eurobike. It’s worth a close look: the folding e-bike with a Bosch drive and 300 Wh battery is the most compact bike of its kind, according to its manufacturer.

 

Bike manufacturer MAXX is also a specialist serving a niche, albeit one of another kind. In the bicycle market, the company from the Bavarian town of Rosenheim is considered one of the pioneers of custom-made bikes that are built individually to meet every customer desire, from the frame to the last screw. Of course, in light of this, it was only a matter of time until the first custom-made e-bikes left the Maxx workshops. E-bikes with Brose and Shimano drive systems are available and in the future Maxx will also be able to fulfill customers’ more unusual e-bike requests, like large sizes up to XXXXL or fatbikes with electric motors

[AlanD]

Okes on e-bikes typically aren't the ones racing for prizes. They are fat guys who are just trying to lose a couple kg, or are just on the e-bike to be able to take part in the sport. I reckon if it gets unhealthy people into the sport and get then to change their lifestyle it's awesome.

 

Just from personal experience - my dad has lost allot of weight and is all of a sudden able to rude with my very fit mom who he could not previously even dream of riding with. He has also been able to take part in a few stage races with her. All in all it has been a massively positive experience for me.

 

But you make a good point - it relies on an honesty system by which everyone will not abide. BUT - even the most 'stealthy' ebikes are pretty easy to spot. So I don't think anyone is gonna be fooling their way onto the podium with one.

Its great to get people into the sport and though i have not ridden an e-bike i think it's great that it helps the not so thin okes.

 

I do feel though that you really dont need an e-bike to get into the sport if you are not so fit. All it takes is some will power and the choice to partake on a "normal" bike and through training you will be able to ride at the same pace as your partner. This was the case long before e-bikes came about. You can still loose the kgs on a non e-bike.

 

Just my thoughts

[pista]

Specialized Turbo Levo is hard to spot in a bunch

 

 

[BSG]

Somehow I don't see either of those beasts barging their way through the pack in the late stages of the epic ????

 

 

Haha you're so right, actually they belong to the in-laws and they use it for transport when they go camping with their camper. Load them on the back and the old people have a very relaxing time together.

[BSG]

Specialized Turbo Levo is hard to spot in a bunch

 

 

Awesome bike I must admit.

[Mamil]

that's fantastic. Commuting and sightseeing on a bike without having to sweat and puff up the hills ... What a pleasure. I could definitely see myself doing that now and when i get older.

 

In terms of mtb though, Slow as i am to pedal my 100kg plus bike mass up the hills i actually enjoy the reward of getting to the top and it makes me love the downhill all the more. I don't think i would appreciate the descent as much if i could just turn around and climb up again at 25kph without really getting out of breath.

 

Haha you're so right, actually they belong to the in-laws and they use it for transport when they go camping with their camper. Load them on the back and the old people have a very relaxing time together.

[Spock]

Worth the read:

 

http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/reviews/tested-2016-specialized-turbo-levo-fsr-6fattie-e-mountain-bike

[Thor Buttox]

that's fantastic. Commuting and sightseeing on a bike without having to sweat and puff up the hills ... What a pleasure. I could definitely see myself doing that now and when i get older.

 

In terms of mtb though, Slow as i am to pedal my 100kg plus bike mass up the hills i actually enjoy the reward of getting to the top and it makes me love the downhill all the more. I don't think i would appreciate the descent as much if i could just turn around and climb up again at 25kph without really getting out of breath.

 

 

As I was semi-joking the other day, I have forgotten about the few KOM's as I was probably having a great day and was klapping the trails (aka my driveway segment) . But I have a great memory of all the disastrous rides and climbs, hunger flats and crashes. In hindsight I'm not sure which meant more.

[ians H2Sport]

If riding an ebike gets someone out there on a bike, I say let it be. That person won't be challenging your KOM's and they wont be A batch riders. Chill out, the more people on bikes the better.

[NotSoBigBen]

If riding an ebike gets someone out there on a bike, I say let it be. That person won't be challenging your KOM's and they wont be A batch riders. Chill out, the more people on bikes the better.

 

I think you'll be surprised but anyway just the cynic in me  .....

[CogitoErgoSum]

There is only one place/discipline within MTB suited for e-bikes......

 

Enduro!

 

Ideally suited for the lazies going up!

 

And hereby I duly take my coat and head for the closest window/door.....

 

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[ians H2Sport]

I think you'll be surprised but anyway just the cynic in me  .....

ja, I suppose you could be right

[Grease_Monkey]

Its great to get people into the sport and though i have not ridden an e-bike i think it's great that it helps the not so thin okes.

 

I do feel though that you really dont need an e-bike to get into the sport if you are not so fit. All it takes is some will power and the choice to partake on a "normal" bike and through training you will be able to ride at the same pace as your partner. This was the case long before e-bikes came about. You can still loose the kgs on a non e-bike.

 

Just my thoughts

 

It's true you don't really need it, but it does help allot. Let's just take Jonkershoek as an example.

 

There is a 10km circle route which is really all my dad could manage (140kg+), whereas my mom goes out for regular 60km+ rides at a good pace of 20km/hr+. So the gap is massive to say the least. In order to bridge that gap would take a couple of years of riding on his own and allot of will power - This is possible, but very unlikely.

 

Now all of a sudden he can go for a 3 hour ride, access all the nice routes at the top of the mountains in Stellenbosch, and do it with someone instead of on his own - something both the fit and unfit person benefits from. And on top of that overall cycling is a hell of allot of fun for him now (where previously he would hate every second). And... the biggest advantage of all - he is burning the same or more calories over a 3hr e-bike ride than he would have on a 1hr normal bike ride, difference being that he is itching to get back on the bike as soon as possible.

 

So yeah, I'm not advocating that every guy that is a bit overweight go and get an e-bike (I'm over 100kg and I wouldn't even consider it), but they certainly do have their place, and can be a massive role-player in getting people fit, healthy, and into the sport.

 

And to those worrying about your KOMs, seriously? If that is what makes you be "against" e-bikes you seriously need to reconsider how easily your egos are bruised. 

 

And just to everyone wondering, you cannot go up a mountain on an e-bike at 25km/hr with no effort, it's still a heavy workout, especially for the target market. My dad is still slower up the hills on his e-bike than my mom is on her normal bike!

 

Like I have said before, the regulations of e-bikes at races is an issue and needs some thought, but let's just try make room for everyone in the sport, it can only be good for the mountain biking industry in South Africa!

[AlanD]

It's true you don't really need it, but it does help allot. Let's just take Jonkershoek as an example.

 

There is a 10km circle route which is really all my dad could manage (140kg+), whereas my mom goes out for regular 60km+ rides at a good pace of 20km/hr+. So the gap is massive to say the least. In order to bridge that gap would take a couple of years of riding on his own and allot of will power - This is possible, but very unlikely.

 

Now all of a sudden he can go for a 3 hour ride, access all the nice routes at the top of the mountains in Stellenbosch, and do it with someone instead of on his own - something both the fit and unfit person benefits from. And on top of that overall cycling is a hell of allot of fun for him now (where previously he would hate every second). And... the biggest advantage of all - he is burning the same or more calories over a 3hr e-bike ride than he would have on a 1hr normal bike ride, difference being that he is itching to get back on the bike as soon as possible.

 

So yeah, I'm not advocating that every guy that is a bit overweight go and get an e-bike (I'm over 100kg and I wouldn't even consider it), but they certainly do have their place, and can be a massive role-player in getting people fit, healthy, and into the sport.

 

And to those worrying about your KOMs, seriously? If that is what makes you be "against" e-bikes you seriously need to reconsider how easily your egos are bruised. 

 

And just to everyone wondering, you cannot go up a mountain on an e-bike at 25km/hr with no effort, it's still a heavy workout, especially for the target market. My dad is still slower up the hills on his e-bike than my mom is on her normal bike!

 

Like I have said before, the regulations of e-bikes at races is an issue and needs some thought, but let's just try make room for everyone in the sport, it can only be good for the mountain biking industry in South Africa!

I certainly agree that they sure have their place and reckon this as a new kind of discipline taking form here.

 

Sure does make routes previously not ride able for people now ride able for them which is a good thing but I do hope that this will not always be the go to bike for newbies or people looking for a quick win (and I am not referring to your dad which clearly this is not the case).

 

MTB sure has come a loooooonnnggg way since I first ride....BTW...what's are KOMs? Honestly don't even know.