Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[Ascension]

You dont need to do trail maintenance to be able to see the damage to trails. You can just ride the trail also to see the type of damage, and all damage I have seen is from mtbs and not from water.

[Mamil]

Whenever i see an ebike i automatically judge the rider. I attribute qualities of weakness, laziness, entitlement to them without even knowing their story. This is accompanied by feelings of superiority and moral righteousness. I can't help myself. I recognise that this is pure prejudice and bigotry but that doesn't stop the feelings.

[Patchelicious]

The eBike weight point does raise another question when it comes to kids.

 

When buying a bike that weighs the same the rider, doesn't that worry other trail users a little?

 

Mambats lightie clearly shreds its harder than most of adults on here, so the question is not aimed at him. Its a more general question. I know that if I had to try and control an eBike that weighs 80kgs that I would be a safety hazard.

[Ascension]

Whenever i see an ebike i automatically judge the rider. I attribute qualities of weakness, laziness, entitlement to them without even knowing their story. This is accompanied by feelings of superiority and moral righteousness. I can't help myself. I recognise that this is pure prejudice and bigotry but that doesn't stop the feelings.

 

I suffer the same thing. And then when an eBike rider with boep and zero riding skills get to the top just before you and then you are stuck behind the thing on the st = anger.

[GaryP]

Whenever i see an ebike i automatically judge the rider. I attribute qualities of weakness, laziness, entitlement to them without even knowing their story. This is accompanied by feelings of superiority and moral righteousness. I can't help myself. I recognise that this is pure prejudice and bigotry but that doesn't stop the feelings.

 

Now that is an honest response...! 

[GaryP]

I have been looking for some actual research on the subject. Not sure if this has been posted before but here is one:

 

https://b.3cdn.net/bikes/c3fe8a28f1a0f32317_g3m6bdt7g.pdf

 

Basically the conclusion is: "This study found that the impacts from Class 1 eMTBs and traditional mountain bicycles were not significantly different, while motorcycles led to much greater soil displacement and erosion. Observations suggest that Class 1 eMTBs may lead to more displacement under certain trail conditions. More research is needed before conclusions can be drawn regarding the environmental impacts of Class 1 eMTBs as compared with traditional mountain bicycles".

[marko35s]

You dont need to do trail maintenance to be able to see the damage to trails. You can just ride the trail also to see the type of damage, and all damage I have seen is from mtbs and not from water.

Sorry but no.

A large amount of time and effort is expended dealing with the effects of water run off on trails.

I'm no fan of ebikes (I tend to hiss like an angry badger when I see one) but they in their current guise are not going to tear up trails any more than a normal bike with a 'panic braker' riding.

[Duane_Bosch]

I suffer the same thing. And then when an eBike rider with boep and zero riding skills get to the top just before you and then you are stuck behind the thing on the st = anger.

Same. But they never get to the top just before me. it's always LOOOOOOOONNG before me.

[MrJacques]

Also depends on how you ride. If you're skidding around corners and roosting berms you can cause a lot of damage on a normal mtb.

[GaryP]

Also depends on how you ride. If you're skidding around corners and roosting berms you can cause a lot of damage on a normal mtb.

True that. I am a generally cautious rider who cares about his teeth and bones. However, on one race I did, a dude with no such qualms came tearing down the hill behind me riding with a lot more skill and speed but with much skidding and sliding. Looked like fun but had no concern whatsoever about the results of that skidding an sliding 

[Headshot]

An Ebike makes about 500w which is less than 1 BHP. It also weighs about 25kg. So very little difference to a strong rider on a normal bike.

 

A motocross bike makes about 30bhp and the wheels go a LOT faster. The tires are designed to tear at the ground. They also weigh more than 120kg so your logic is off.

 

They are loads of fun and they are here to stay.

Yep...

 

edit. That does not of course mean that there will be blanket acceptance of them or that they will have unfettered access to all trails. In the US there are already bans in certain places I think

Edited May 16, 2019 by Headshot

[rorydewet]

Who said he cant?

 

I asked why he does, based on his statement that his son is small and having an eBike helps him keep up with his dad. That makes sense, but it doesn't square back to why the dad has one. so I asked. I am allowed to ask, he doesn't need to answer.

this is what s so wrong in south africa nowdays

 

everyone worrying about other peoples stuff

 

wanting to know about stuff that is private

 

what makes you entitled to ask him about his private stuff

 

your excuse that he doesn't have to answer is very weak

 

its frankly none of your business

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Sorry but no.

A large amount of time and effort is expended dealing with the effects of water run off on trails.

I'm no fan of ebikes (I tend to hiss like an angry badger when I see one) but they in their current guise are not going to tear up trails any more than a normal bike with a 'panic braker' riding.

This. Water is the primary cause of erosion on trails. Panic brakers & roosters second. Then rogue building & removal of obstacles on teh trail (a continual problem)

 

Walkers rank above MTB's and eMTB's in terms of damage to trails. 

Edited May 16, 2019 by Captain Fatbastard Mayhem

[Patchelicious]

this is what s so wrong in south africa nowdays

 

everyone worrying about other peoples stuff

 

wanting to know about stuff that is private

 

what makes you entitled to ask him about his private stuff

 

your excuse that he doesn't have to answer is very weak

 

its frankly none of your business

Erm, then why did he come and post it on a public forum.... asking him why rides an eBike is NOT a big deal.

 

Don't get involved in my discussions with other people, its frankly non of your business.

 

On a side note: To type the capital case of any letter, hold down the shift key while typing the letterkey. You will notice there are two shift keys on your keyboard - one on each side. You should press the shift key with the pinky finger of the hand opposite the one you are typing the letter with.

[Ascension]

this is what s so wrong in south africa nowdays

 

everyone worrying about other peoples stuff

 

wanting to know about stuff that is private

 

what makes you entitled to ask him about his private stuff

 

your excuse that he doesn't have to answer is very weak

 

its frankly none of your business

 

Yeah if everybody just mind their own business it will solve most of the problems in SA.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Ascension

[rorydewet]

Yeah if everybody just mind their own business it will solve most of the problems in SA.

agree

 

South Africa has more important public issues than a dad riding an e bike with his son

 

so lets cut the dude some slack to manage his private affairs

Edited May 16, 2019 by rorydewet