Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[Thor Buttox]

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Edited November 9, 2018 by Thor Buttox

[Thor Buttox]

Going to need more than 50km/h to take my KOM’s [emoji51][emoji51][emoji51]

What about the downhill, downwind ones?

[Andrew Steer]

Rode the Cycle Lab test Ebikes at the 94.7 Mtb expo yesterday... they're coming folks, like it or not. They will definitely get more people out on the trails... 

 

And luckily we all ride for our own personal reasons, so what others do will fortunately not detract from the great pleasure we all already enjoy pedaling our bikes 

[Headshot]

We can go around and around, but if you look at the forecast, there will be more and more of these bikes on the trails in future.  More of the races will include an e-bike category.  This will not change, who knows in a few years they might even have the ebikes road start in front of the tandem group.

 

So if you have a problem with e-bikes, what are you going to do about it because talking will not stop the tide.  If you feel strong about engage with the organisers of races and for them it will be a number games, if enough pedal rider vs e-bike riders complain they might exclude e-bikes.  Else it is just something you will need to get use too.  

There is always sabotage !!!

[Headshot]

I had an encounter with an ebike rider on Chappies just before the CT Cycle Tour this year. I was out training and riding the route in the opposite direction, climbing Chappies from HB side when an elderly gent around 70yrs old plus came cruising past me.

I wasn't climbing too slowly at the time (well I didn't think so) and it took me a while to realize he was an ebike (commuter type jobbie) and during this lag time he pulled quite a gap on me.

 

My brain processed this and then I thought "stuff you old man" and started climbing tempo to catch him. Well it took me some time but I eventually pulled him back but by the time I got to him my HR was so high I could barely chat to him and ask him about his bike.

 

Anyway, about 2mins later, with us still climbing at a decent lick his elderly wife came cruising past both of us and he shouted "oh here you are love, I've been waiting for you"... then a quick "thanks for the chat" and off they went into the distance, leaving my ego absolutely shattered

You see, this is what happens to us when these things are allowed out. Their owners pretend they are cyclists but in fact are very different. I like the analogy of a guy with a hang glider trying to outfly iron man. The only time you have a chance is when the battery goes flat.

[LeoKnight]

I have heared some pro's put out the same argument about doping

 

Should that not have been in comic sans, as it is not really the same is it?

[LeoKnight]

There is always sabotage !!!

 

Ahhh.. someone with a plan

[Paddaman]

Should that not have been in comic sans, as it is not really the same is it?

Depends.  It is external assistance in both cases.

[Paddaman]

Maybe it is time to start a new sport called e-biking.  In this instance, each competitor gets one battery cell.  Obviously the course must be much longer than the range on the power in the battery.  He must then plan his usage wisely.  Does he cycle economy mode and use the power at the end?  Does he recharge on the downhills? 

 

The viewership will be even more than the TdF especially on the last 100km of the first day, when all the batteries are finished......

[Red Bird]

https://u5508955.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=GPwMGvUGbciJSs8I-2F5UeoFhsiLj0PV0ppJBQH0-2FV-2FB0ggx8DG97Ro2IPayKRqvA89bKBK-2BpWd-2BCk1u4xgb7fvjL9vou7rYgRMvh-2Fi9Gv4vPdfLIah-2BxqSbCtZYflVyIo9eADgockbzxmWWgEg-2B67PhJq-2BFyHtHPqv3fKSqQPn1jgBsX9uOcLtf-2FaFY-2BfHhb-2FTmQOM2RJ8MAitr7rwgu5F2RmwVonNwIUYVZf7wBb8gFM6snv1qnvyrID4gIR5wFMwwvoDJr8tgG-2BFpB4AZNmk80x-2FlRuCVqh4-2FoQvaWBvDSmK4bbGEA-2F2kaPd2-2BYjg4JdG7QgpxzhZ0-2BOVRVpL3v2g-3D-3D_5qiv-2BW0LMlOQvqKaN9QKzU4ej0GXWFKPEDiftKDnaw4YoNnUM6JqZkwZzeDc8HoCrF59H2My4BvO7EgqLw-2BrJ9hIkeQZaTYbPvAbQYCNyY9P1hMzxW1hU6h4HCv1gWj-2FvWd6PbuzP3BrNn85JiDYTJtfDcai8FVf2cT8j-2BjqY6TaI6meSyTMViyHURsTb7n3xBc8nzyqzNFtjWtOCk-2FNL0WE6oMJNtAsrBPAjmzYfLj-2BBhiS-2BUBU-2B-2FNpfSWU0eHyw1lY9twPMy-2B0GPpEufDt-2FlGAntYi4g25pifz3Fk5sabvehwyoGiMxEWeMJbtcrcDJVtkICd1kTLtPnFAF4nieZ5kZGpWItpwfVMyjEHNSW0XM3bp6der7v4s0Ex6Roww75io8ZrlGy7ZXkojgguZC3UL8913-2BqVVz4eg6o66-2BdG2QBkUmak7-2FsfBAC3HJapRifRmOl0qklojuxT1rRdr6PsFrnJ0qyxgCtyktinBnHjFhqn-2BbZVF-2BDP16uaM34XpDXxXLpdmY6aMEHeHgdIqB1LHebrpiE8gq-2B-2B-2FMO-2F7z9zY9fPiDC1YnxfSfHtiZ58A

[LeoKnight]

Depends. It is external assistance in both cases.

As is lots of other things that certain riders have that others don't. Could even argue it is an tool to equilize things between those that have spare time to exercise on their smart trainers at home with powermeters on a feather light bikes, etc

 

Of course all being said tongue in cheek.

[Forthelove]

The same persons who opposed 29 wheels to 26er are the nay sayers for Ebikes on this forum. It’s the next biking tidal wave and all the posts in the world will not stop this magical revolution.

[Patchelicious]

The same persons who opposed 29 wheels to 26er are the nay sayers for Ebikes on this forum. It’s the next biking tidal wave and all the posts in the world will not stop this magical revolution.

For the love of god! Nobody is against eBikes!!!!!

 

The problem in this thread is not eBikes, it the people who are either too lazy to think, too stupid to understand, being obtuse or they are trolling.

[Paddaman]

For the love of god! Nobody is against eBikes!!!!!

 

The problem in this thread is not eBikes, it the people who are either too lazy to think  pedal, too stupid to understand, being obtuse or they are trolling.

fixed

[bambooozle]

So to all the purest out there i say get off your multi-speed bikes and ride a single speed in its purest cycling form before you complain and be Hippocrates, you are cheating as much as me on my e-bike, yes i did my once a week Saturday or Sunday ride killed me couldn't keep up with my mates and didn't like cycling, e-biking has changed that for me i cycle every day at least 30km on trails i would never even think of doing and enjoying life, getting fit and exploring out beautiful city. to the hatters out there consider the facts that you might be a dying breed and that e-bikes are out selling conventional bikes 2 to 1 the tables might turn in the future and you might feel like the outcast. as long as im having fun getting fit and can ride with my mates i will continue doing my e-bike thing, i weigh a 115kg and look forward to the purest making comment as they cycle past me remember im faster with my pedal assist and you should have a few good reasons why i shouldn't be on the trail at that point.... haha boys you are all to serious life is way to complicated to add a e-bike vs pedal power to the mix just chill greet each other and share what beauty we were given to explore.

[Rigardt@Scott]

The cycle (everybody hates e-bikes > no one hates it > they are cool > just be considerate of other riders > don't race them > etc) has now decreased from 3 or 4 pages to half a page. Is anyone even reading a bit of this thread before posting their opinion (which probably has been voiced several times already)?