Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[SCD]

This whole eBike thing is a development from mountain biking into a new sport. It is great for who likes it. But not everybody does like it. I don't like it. I am out there for a lot of reasons, and my reasons just don't gel with the concept of a motor.

To allow eBikes into our trail networks is debatable, and there is always the argument about the handicapped person enabled to participate at our great sport, or the 'weak' wife able to ride with her 'fit' husband. To be honest I haven't seen the 'handicapped' eBiker yet. I am sure they are there but there are certainly not many of them. And my better half was furious about the other argument.

Most eBikers I know are loving it for the new sport it is. More shredding for the time out there. Faster up the hill, more downhill time. Fair enough. For this reason I think that trail fees for eBikes should be at least double of us mortal bikers, for the same argument. More trail use, more maintenance, simple logic.

And eBikes in races - is most idiotic idea ever. It is a different sport so have different events. I will not be able to appreciate the war storys of an eBiker, nor will he appreciate mine. The whole flair of an event is simply down the drain, the minds divided. Keep it separated. But I know this will not happen. Industry has too much interest in tapping into the pedal bike market so they want to mix up and exposure...a great pity in a way...

[Dieter!]

 

And eBikes in races - is most idiotic idea ever. It is a different sport so have different events. I will not be able to appreciate the war storys of an eBiker, nor will he appreciate mine. The whole flair of an event is simply down the drain, the minds divided. Keep it separated. But I know this will not happen. Industry has too much interest in tapping into the pedal bike market so they want to mix up and exposure...a great pity in a way...

You want a separate event? Enjoy! 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/177256-e-bike-four-cross-xc-short-course-eliminator-series/

[SCD]

You want a separate event? Enjoy! 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/177256-e-bike-four-cross-xc-short-course-eliminator-series/

Thanks for that link, this idea is hilarious. I would be the guy stealing the remote and sending EMPs, BOOSTs and MAXs over the course at random... that would be so much fun!

[Thor Buttox]

Ebiking is not the same sport as XCO mountain biking in the same way that judo isn't karate, F1 isn't rallying and Nordic skiing isn't ski jumping. Even tow-in surfing isn't the same as normal drop in surfing but it does allow you to take the big waves. And if surfers can understand that at Tea'hupoo or Jaws then why not ebikers at the local bike park? (Except surfers have now gone back to trying drop ins into the big stuff because they want a challenge, it seems)

 

But they all provide fun for their participants and are all perfectly valid recreational pursuits.

[SCD]

Ebiking is not the same sport as XCO mountain biking in the same way that judo isn't karate, F1 isn't rallying and Nordic skiing isn't ski jumping. Even tow-in surfing isn't the same as normal drop in surfing but it does allow you to take the big waves. And if surfers can understand that at Tea'hupoo or Jaws then why not ebikers at the local bike park? (Except surfers have now gone back to trying drop ins into the big stuff because they want a challenge, it seems)

 

But they all provide fun for their participants and are all perfectly valid recreational pursuits.

 

Nice analogy. This is why a toe-in surfer would be frowned upon at the Pipeline Classic...it is a different sport that blooms at different conditions or locations...

[Shebeen]

Nice analogy. This is why a toe-in surfer would be frowned upon at the Pipeline Classic...it is a different sport that blooms at different conditions or locations...

great analogy. Because there was never ever any turf war over who is right and who is wrong with tow in surfing [massive sarchasm]

[Patchelicious]

great analogy. Because there was never ever any turf war over who is right and who is wrong with tow in surfing [massive sarchasm]

The mistake you make is saying that one is right and that one is wrong. That’s not the case, they are different, and therefore need to compete in different categories.

[Shebeen]

One for the haters, from the archives.

 

Toppie cleans past the riders on his ebike.

 

Edited June 12, 2018 by Abdoujaparov

[Rigardt@Scott]

One for the haters, from the archives.

 

Toppie cleans past the riders on his ebike.

 

https://youtu.be/bOy06fwTXbM

I think this proves the point of everyone that says e-bikes should not be allowed in races (read: races, not on the mountain).

[Eldron]

That's not an ebike - THIS is an ebike.

 

 

It's the evolution of the ebike - you don't even have to "pedal assist" this one!

[Rigardt@Scott]

That's not an ebike - THIS is an ebike.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqxsABSnEvA

 

It's the evolution of the ebike - you don't even have to "pedal assist" this one!

Whilst googling this evolution I came across an offroad version, and guess what - you don't even have to charge it. Looks dam capable too. I think they call them "Moto X" bikes. You think I can race it?

[Eldron]

Whilst googling this evolution I came across an offroad version, and guess what - you don't even have to charge it. Looks dam capable too. I think they call them "Moto X" bikes. You think I can race it?

 

For sure. I've heard that the extra weight is so devastatingly huge that the motor makes almost no difference :-)

 

One idiosyncrasy I love is that motor bikes have engines but are not called enginebikes, ebikes have motors but are not called motor bikes!

 

Each to their own - ride what you like but race what is fair.

[stefmeister]

 

And eBikes in races - is most idiotic idea ever. It is a different sport so have different events. I will not be able to appreciate the war storys of an eBiker, nor will he appreciate mine. The whole flair of an event is simply down the drain, the minds divided. Keep it separated. But I know this will not happen. Industry has too much interest in tapping into the pedal bike market so they want to mix up and exposure...a great pity in a way...

Yup, lamest thing I've heard next to vaping.

Who's the winner in such a race, Duracell or Bosch? Obviously not the wuss on the bike.

 

Next we're going to read complaints of losers whining about people cheating in these races due to e-doping.

[L.T.G]

I like riding my Ebike...  

 

I like it A LOT!!

it's an insane amount of fun and an even insaner workout I get when riding it. 

 

I'm confused how being on an Ebike negatively affects anyone around the rider, unless said rider is a chop.

a chop will be a chop no matter what he rides.

I, am not a chop.

I agree with the "not in races" point

but...

I respect all other riders as I do when on any other bike while riding my Levo.

How do I negatively impact the environment or them while on it?

 

If you don't like it or disagree with the concept, cool.. that's your right

 

in the meantime I'll mind my own business on the trails  and enjoy my Levo

Edited June 12, 2018 by L.T.G

[SwissVan]

Imho, try see it as evolution... is it F1 a shortcut to running?

I guess there is space for everything, as long as it doesn’t interfere with other space

RUNNING ????‍♂️

Wrong thread

 

Just saying, and I know I’m a day behind on my hubbing but I thought I would pick on you before I read the rest of the thread

????‍♂️????‍♂️

I’ll run off now

[Goodbadugly]

In the year 19voertsek when I wrote st.10, we were not allowed to use pocket calculators. 

Watching TV would shrink your brain.

Exercise was good for you.

We competed to see who was the strongest. Not the weakest.

"Ag shame" was seen as an insult.

Competition was seen as a good thing.

If you loose a fight after school behind the rugby field, you had to go back the next day not to loose face.

When I got 6 of the best from the headmaster, my father also added a few strokes if he found out. For putting him to shame.

"Man up".

 

How things have changed.

In primary schools an academical top 10 was discontinued in the lower grades. Too much competition they say.

If Jannie did not pass his exams in 1975, his backside burned. Now the teacher gets fired.

We really did not need viagra. More like blue vitriol.

And men must come in touch with their feminine side.

 

What I am trying too say is things change. We can resist. But change will happen. Like pocket calculators, TV, human rights and getting in touch with your feminine side.

 

This is not really a rant. Nostalgia on a era gone by.

I won't be surprised if ebikes are allowed to compete in races in the future.