Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[stefmeister]

I can confidently state that I still won't be buying an e-bike - they're just too damn expensive.

Before I would even consider it, quite a few things still need to change around them that I feel they're not getting right.

Looks - I can only think of the Orbea that isn't ugly AF.

Weight - 24 kg is too much. Call me when you've lost some weight, and none of that Spez SL nonsense that sacrifices range and power. 

I don't get the point of 12 speed/520% range drive trains on an ebike. Of course more gears is better for spreading range, but it's an ebike - you're not relying on your legs for efficiency. Somehow I always thought a more compact 10 speed cassette with electronic shifting that's balanced with optimal cadence and torque output would be the way to go.

They're still not cool - especially when I only see a bunch of boomers on them.

[Robbie Stewart]

6 hours ago, I FLY said:

15 years at a private school in total

Older one - 5 years full time varsity and two years of articles. luckily her company paid for MBA

Younger one - 11years full time varsity. Bsc; Msc and Phd

Your daughters are so blessed to have a dad who could invest in them in this way. I hope to be able to do the same for my princess and have already started the investing.

[Robbie Stewart]

4 minutes ago, stefmeister said:

They're still not cool - especially when I only see a bunch of boomers on them.

I dunno hey, Greg Minnaar looks rather cool on his. I dunno if that's because of who he is or if its his bike . . . 

[Pieterlab1]

39 minutes ago, stefmeister said:

I can confidently state that I still won't be buying an e-bike - they're just too damn expensive.

Before I would even consider it, quite a few things still need to change around them that I feel they're not getting right.

Looks - I can only think of the Orbea that isn't ugly AF.

Weight - 24 kg is too much. Call me when you've lost some weight, and none of that Spez SL nonsense that sacrifices range and power. 

I don't get the point of 12 speed/520% range drive trains on an ebike. Of course more gears is better for spreading range, but it's an ebike - you're not relying on your legs for efficiency. Somehow I always thought a more compact 10 speed cassette with electronic shifting that's balanced with optimal cadence and torque output would be the way to go.

They're still not cool - especially when I only see a bunch of boomers on them.

So ugly...

[Robbie Stewart]

1 minute ago, Pieterlab1 said:

So ugly...

I mean, it can't even take two water bottles either . . . who in their right mind would want to go shred on this bike?

[Chadvdw67]

40 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I mean, it can't even take two water bottles either . . . who in their right mind would want to go shred on this bike?

2 x water bottles? That bike cant even take 1 x water bottle as it stands there

[Eldron]

Apart from being a proper purist just the hassle of all that extra stuff to worry about puts me off ebikes.

A front derailleur is excessive for me never mind battery, charging, wires, cintrols etc.

They have their place - just not between my legs :-)

[Shebeen]

20 hours ago, Duane_Bosch said:

I was wrong.

Awesome to say that in such a black and white way without trying to justify perceptions at the time. kudos.

Looking back quickly at those initial posts, the one that still sticks out to me 5 years later is the fear that wankers are going to be just that and there is no easy way to control ebike wankers and the damage they can cause to trails (and cycling reputation and large). For me it is simple, education and acceptance - if we don't have a big analogue vs ebikers fight, then it's better for everyone.

[Pieterlab1]

19 minutes ago, Chadvdw67 said:

2 x water bottles? That bike cant even take 1 x water bottle as it stands there

I only drink beer

[Robbie Stewart]

6 minutes ago, Pieterlab1 said:

I only drink beer

Now there's a thought . . .  use all that battery juice to drive some form of cooling mechanism rather than the "engine" and cool down your beverage of choice while riding. 

mmmmmm

 

[Chadvdw67]

12 minutes ago, Pieterlab1 said:

I only drink beer

Cant even hold 1 x beer bottle.....

[Robbie Stewart]

12 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

Awesome to say that in such a black and white way without trying to justify perceptions at the time. kudos.

Looking back quickly at those initial posts, the one that still sticks out to me 5 years later is the fear that wankers are going to be just that and there is no easy way to control ebike wankers and the damage they can cause to trails (and cycling reputation and large). For me it is simple, education and acceptance - if we don't have a big analogue vs ebikers fight, then it's better for everyone.

I have thankfully not come across any wankers while riding . . .

Also, the folks passing me on e-bikes while I'm out on the trails have never been anything but polite, albeit somewhat "smirky" as they pass. I usually silence their jesting by making "braaaap" "braaap" sounds. They seem to find that somewhat offensive and tend to pedal faster to get away.

On an aside, during the late 80's my folks took a trip to Greece which included a bit of a cruise and a stop at Santorini island. The tender dropped them at the pier where they were met by a rather lengthy switchback climb up some stairs to the top. At some point of the climb, there was a view point and graffitied onto the wall was the instruction to "wank here" . . . I digress

[Duane_Bosch]

24 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

Awesome to say that in such a black and white way without trying to justify perceptions at the time. kudos.

 

I think they are great and any negative comments I make are 100% out of jealousy.

As an aside there's a company called Stark making an electric motocross bike called the Varg. It claims the same range as a motocross bike with a full tank of gas. The full monty one produces up to EIGHTY bhp and is fully tunable. So it can emulate anything from a 125cc 2 stroke up to an 80 bhp firebreathing monster. For reference a 450 motocross bike makes around 50 bhp and that's generally way more than enough.

Now if Asics could please make some E-running shoes for me......

[Steady Spin]

5 year plan here. We are planning a move to the KZN Midlands and e-bikes will definitely be in our future. I'm all about the descents and dragging up those hills kills the body.

I did my time on the hills during my XC days. Now I ride to relax and 100% for my mental health. I want to extract the maximum enjoyment out of a ride.

[Headshot]

1 hour ago, Pieterlab1 said:

So ugly...

So frikkin expensive 🙂 

[W Smith]

2 hours ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I dunno hey, Greg Minnaar looks rather cool on his. I dunno if that's because of who he is or if its his bike . . . 

I am  considering to buy  an e bike. After 30 years of cycling my legs are no longer what they used to be. Getting older is unforgiving .Especially in cycling . An ebike allows you   to climb  that 1 or 2 kays faster than what you can do on your bike.. Not to prove a point or to chase other younger riders but , simply but to flow with other riders and not to have to pull off continuously on the single tracks to allow faster riders to come through.. The cool factor is not something I consider at all.