Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[DuncanDoughnuts]

16 hours ago, Hairy said:

as much as I hate to admit it, but e-bikes are the future

I would like to see the next major evolution though, the same way cellphones became smartphones.

displays with navigation (Think gravel bikes for example)

more visual interface with the bike and app on your phone .. being able to input information like a new chain fitted or fork serviced, etc with a projected replacement or next service interval that would in turn give you notice a couple of hours of km before you need to check, service or replace these items.

integration with wireless shifting (And wireless drive trains coming down in price)

simple things like showing tyre and suspension pressure

setting up your suspension via your bicycles interface panel

tons more that can happen.

A lot of that is already there ....  actually all of that is already there if you have the $$

[Eddy Gordo]

6 minutes ago, YaseenEnos said:

Sounds all well but then but shouldnt bikes be low maintenance simplistic modes of transport.

Exactly and that is why an Ebike is a different category of "cycling" much like electric skateboards!

[TIB]

13 hours ago, Hairy said:

Kids out the house ........... Can't wait for that myself

Save up Boet, it's hugely expensive...... spending the equivalent of 8 brand new top-end bikes on my Laatlammetjie's further education over the next four years....

[Hairy]

13 hours ago, madmarc said:

You seriously need to prepare for it, your whole life changes, you have to re-invent your relationship with your spouse. What you had before the kids came along is gone never to return. I know couples who got divorced after their kids left home, they couldn't put up with each other.

Maybe eBikes will save marriages 🤣

All I hear you say is that I can go away on long cycling or motorcycling trips .... with or without the wife.

I will be ok, but the kids are everything to the wife ....... fortunately we know this day will come and our intention is to travel and just get out the house. Seeing as we are young parents, this should be very viable.

[Hairy]

1 minute ago, TIB said:

Save up Boet, it's hugely expensive...... spending the equivalent of 8 brand new top-end bikes on my Laatlammetjie's further education over the next four years....

We started a fund when they were born for their tertiary education ....so that will take the initial sting out of things, and we make sure we live a sensible lifestyle with no debt or fancy cars (Or fancy bikes / e-bikes) as we know what is still to come

[MTBeer]

16 hours ago, Wayne pudding Mol said:

This is the exact opposite of what I’d want from a bike - sounds like a dystopian nightmare in which zwift and reality merge 

but it will happen 

 

 

I'm with you Wayne. I don't want all that info, I just want to ride my bike. As it is I don't even know things like my tyre pressure, shock pressure and settings, etc.

[BigDL]

I was down at my bike mechanic on Friday and he had a couple of e-mtbs in stock. Beautiful until he told me the price. £5200. Can’t see that in my near future. 
 

Was out with a mate at a trail centre yesterday and it was insane how many folks were passing us on ebikes in the hills. I reckon maybe 50% of all the bikes we saw (maybe 100 bikes or so) were ebikes, so no doubt they are becoming normal. I just can’t see how they will take over unless the prices drop significantly 

[Eddy Gordo]

One thing no one has mentioned is the maintenance costs around the ebikes. Battery lifespan( I think this is 3 years) and cost to replace or fix. Motor lifespan and cost to replace or fix. Then drivetrain parts. Chains are ebike specific, are cassettes and chainrings as well? 

I mentioned before, I rather buy myself another car or a motorbike. But I first choice would be to put that money towards investing in holiday accommodation. 

[BigDL]

53 minutes ago, Eddy Gordo said:

One thing no one has mentioned is the maintenance costs around the ebikes. Battery lifespan( I think this is 3 years) and cost to replace or fix. Motor lifespan and cost to replace or fix. Then drivetrain parts. Chains are ebike specific, are cassettes and chainrings as well? 

I mentioned before, I rather buy myself another car or a motorbike. But I first choice would be to put that money towards investing in holiday accommodation. 

Fair point. I suppose for someone like me, who tends to drag a mtb with if I travel overseas, I wouldn’t be able to do so with an ebike, at least without some significant drama

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Eddy Gordo said:

One thing no one has mentioned is the maintenance costs around the ebikes. Battery lifespan( I think this is 3 years) and cost to replace or fix. Motor lifespan and cost to replace or fix. Then drivetrain parts. Chains are ebike specific, are cassettes and chainrings as well? 

I mentioned before, I rather buy myself another car or a motorbike. But I first choice would be to put that money towards investing in holiday accommodation. 

 

2 years and almost 4  000km later here is my experience with this -

 

- drive train ... STANDARD Shimano 11 speed cassette.  First one was swopped out by the bike shop at 2 000km, still in perfect condition and will go back on.  2nd unit still perfect condition.  (bike shop swopped it out due to a ticking sound which they could not trace)

 

- chain ... uhm ja .... despite all the hype, just a standard chain  (not the entry level cheapy)  Less than 0,25% wear on the first 2000km chain, will also go back on the bike.  Current chain also less than 0,25% wear.

 

- I did buy a second battery, wanting to do longer distances.  R20k for Giant batteries, bit more for Specialized .... R5k for many of the other "lesser" brands".  Actually paid R2k for the second battery for my Darrvin, discounted as part of the bike purchase.  Ride Control App suggests these batteries are still 98%.

 

- Motor .... turns out the ticking sound was a bearing in the motor.  Replaced under warantee.  Still want to ask Louise at Knipe_Racing what he would charge for this service ....

 

- BRAKES .... this bike certainly is heavier on brake pads than my previous bikes.  But this is cheap.

 

- Battery charging .... A typical charge is about 1kW.h, so about R2-40 in the Western Cape.  I now charge this from PV 

 

- Shocks etc is much the same ....

 

- Software check ... some shops charge extra for this at a service .... some dont .....   With the Giant you do your own software upgrades from the Ride Control App.  The bike shop needs to plug it into their system during the service to check for faults .... 

 

- tires .... the Giant certainly is heavy on tires.  Or am now riding that faster ... Or is it just the type of tire that wears quickly .... for the terrain and type of riding I do I am sticking to these agrressive tires.  Thankfully the tires are "only" R700 each at CWC.  Actually picked up two tires this morning.  Actually, was just over R600 each after club discount and some voucher.

Edited January 17, 2022 by ChrisF

[ChrisF]

3 minutes ago, BigDL said:

Fair point. I suppose for someone like me, who tends to drag a mtb with if I travel overseas, I wouldn’t be able to do so with an ebike, at least without some significant drama

 

Many airlines dont allow you to fly the battery with ....  THIS comes up often on EMBN.

[Headshot]

I'd love an eBike, solely to do laps for more downhill fun and especially at Jonkershoek which has Euro worthy levels of descent and hard climbs to get back up. If there were lifts at Tokai and JH, I would not even consider an eBike. That said, I hate the idea of increased weight, cost and maintenance that comes with the extra complexity. Its all good if you're wealthy or sponsored, but when a bicycle starts costing more than a car with spares prices to match, I lose interest.

[BrentCGP]

2 hours ago, edkin said:

What's so funny about somebody cycling along Main road Hermanus? They are probably cycling to/from Hemel en Aarde trails as part of their warm up/cool down. Can I assume that you would put your bike on the bike rack to drive to to the trails?

Touched a nerve?

1. You know what they say about assumptions?

They are also probably not coming back from H&A.

2. It's not hard to tell if you have been out on the trails or just strolling along, everyday the same people. And it's not hard to spot people in Hermanus with more money than common sense. Each to their own.

Be lekker.

 

 

[Sepia]

My take...........

+5000 kms on my touring eBike - Planet X  London Road

Converted using existing parts and sold the frame (Trek Superfly)

Costs have been minimal apart from initial outlay.

Drive train - 9sp with XT rear derailleur

                  - Used existing Sram chain (done about 4000kms) Still good as I get approx 7000kms/chain. Well cared for and only oil used.

                    Never change under load and use the run-off to change gears.  Thumbie changer and gears are slick so minor wear.  

                  - Lekkie 36T chainring. Expensive but saves the motor etc. 

Brakes - Shimano 7000 with metal pads.  These seem to last longer. Resin are cheap enough and do the job just as well but only last 1000km                                      the way I ride - conservatively. 

Tyres -        Use the cheapest/good tyres I can buy.  Using Spes Armadillo, Rambler and CSK at the moment.  Less knobblies the longer they last.                                Replaced   my set after 2000kms unless they were ripped.  Do single track once per month

otherwise gravel mostly and some tar.

Battery  -   Custom made R8000 and I get about 70kms with panniers riding conservatively.

Suspension - Have a Cane Creek post and Redshift stem.  Is it needed?

Bike service - Do it myself properly except for spokes.  Have bust three spokes on standard wheels.  Custom wheels with many spokes take the torque                           much better. I do not have a high powered bike, what for? My bike is heavy.

Motor service - easy to grease and replace bearings.  Have not had to replace bearings etc as of yet.  Very little to go wrong.  Basic motor, basic                                       controller, no turbo, less to go wrong.

Unable to cost the difference between an aspirated bike and this eBike but would certainly not have done this mileage or done/seen places with a normal bike - priceless.

I ride every day, rain (never had a problem) or shine and use my bike for transport, shopping, visiting, getting vaccinated etc and have done 300kms in my car during the same period.  I don't drive to ride, at all and prefer to ride to the venue.. Neither do I like to pay to ride my bike.

Would I do it again?  Yes, most definitely.  Should have done it earlier. Having a busted hip does not hamper me and can still mix it with the youngsters.  The rewards are far more than what is expected.

My opinion anyway, thought I would throw it in.

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2022 by Sepia

[Hairy]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

- BRAKES .... this bike certainly is heavier on brake pads than my previous bikes.  But this is cheap.

 

If you are bombing through more brake pads, can I assume you are also flushing your brake fluids on a more regular basis .... this is something many people overlook.

[_David_]

17 hours ago, 'Dale said:

The biggest trouble that comes with e-bikes is ‘ battery range anxiety’ 😩

and of course the the hand-dug cobalt mines in Congo 😜