Do eBikes belong on the mountain?

[Rigardt@Scott]

Sam Pilgrim just did his first enduro race on an E-Bike with some of the stages as the non powered guys then 1 bike specific version. I don't see any issues with them in races at all as long as they have their own category & throw in a couple of specific stages that need to you make certain decisions specific to those bikes.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtbZxh-A_hc

Enduro races are inherently very different to marathon races. Also don't see an issue with e-bikes in Enduros as long as they are in their own category (b/c e-bikers obviously get to start of special stages alot fresher than riders on bicycles). Starts of stages are staggered and mostly gravity oriented, so it removes all the problems found with e-bikes in marathon races anyway.

[Odinson]

Unboxed last night with a short spin around the block.

 

Colours are awesome in the metal, pics kind of wash it out.

 

Very tidy integration! Looks like a rippa, m8!

[Rigardt@Scott]

Unboxed last night with a short spin around the block.

 

Colours are awesome in the metal, pics kind of wash it out.

Really like the look of it, much nicer than the previous itteration. Integrated batteries are a bit harder to remove but look a gazillion times better than the external ones.

[Dirt Tracker]

Enduro races are inherently very different to marathon races. Also don't see an issue with e-bikes in Enduros as long as they are in their own category (b/c e-bikers obviously get to start of special stages alot fresher than riders on bicycles). Starts of stages are staggered and mostly gravity oriented, so it removes all the problems found with e-bikes in marathon races anyway.

 

Yas. Can't see any reason not to have them in the enduro world. I hadn't actually thought about the xc or marathon angle as frankly it's not a world I know anything about. 

[Mamil]

I just hope the za power grid can take the massive load of all theae ebikes ... if we have to start load shedding again ....

[NotSoBigBen]

So 2 of these came into the shop today ... 800 watts of pure power, accelerator like a quad bike, even has walk mode so that if you feel the need to walk you don't need the effort to push the bike as well.

 

At least you aren't sneaking into any races/rides unnoticed ....

[MORNE]

So 2 of these came into the shop today ... 800 watts of pure power, accelerator like a quad bike, even has walk mode so that if you feel the need to walk you don't need the effort to push the bike as well.

 

At least you aren't sneaking into any races/rides unnoticed ....

eeeeeuuuw...what are those? 16"s? Everybody knows if it doesn't have 29"you aren't cool anymore...

 

16" AND an E-bike?...man you are going to get pitchforked

[Hilton.]

So 2 of these came into the shop today ... 800 watts of pure power, accelerator like a quad bike, even has walk mode so that if you feel the need to walk you don't need the effort to push the bike as well.

 

At least you aren't sneaking into any races/rides unnoticed ....

 

I think I saw one of these cruising from Camps bay up to Llandudno the other day. I did a double take. The guy was wearing flip flops, but motoring. I didn't know it was motorised at the time, but it looked crazy, like he was hardling putting in any effort.

[Duane_Bosch]

So 2 of these came into the shop today ... 800 watts of pure power, accelerator like a quad bike, even has walk mode so that if you feel the need to walk you don't need the effort to push the bike as well.

 

At least you aren't sneaking into any races/rides unnoticed ....

$?

 

I still want a cheap as chips commuter but i can't shower at work so it needs to be an e-bike.

[NotSoBigBen]

$?

 

I still want a cheap as chips commuter but i can't shower at work so it needs to be an e-bike.

No idea, the gent imported them himself. If I'm there when he comes in to get them I'll ask.

 

They are also of the 'foldable' type BTW

[Dirt Tracker]

 

eeeeeuuuw...what are those? 16"s? Everybody knows if it doesn't have 29"you aren't cool anymore...

 

16" AND an E-bike?...man you are going to get pitchforked

 

 

I'd like to take these on the tygerberg trails and see people freak out. 

[AllAboutRides]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/333036-e-bike-tours-on-proper-trails-on-levos/?source=topad

 

 

Can anyone please explain why someone will pay that amount to ride bikes with that price on trails where you can buy day permits for much cheaper?????

[Rigardt@Scott]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/333036-e-bike-tours-on-proper-trails-on-levos/?source=topad

 

 

Can anyone please explain why someone will pay that amount to ride bikes with that price on trails where you can buy day permits for much cheaper?????

You are paying for bike rental and maintenance... I'm assuming this is aimed at tourists, or people that do not have bikes in the area. Normal bike rental is expensive (R800-R1200) per day. These are e-bikes, so maintenance and initial cost is more - so you as the customer will pay more to rielde them. And... it is a business.

 

I won't be a customer, and I am probably gonna be annoyed when I encounter a group of e-tourists out on the trail, but I think it's good for mtb in Western Cape - more funding to trails means more trails (that is assuming a portion of these guys profits go into the trails they are using).

[Forthelove]

I had a chance to ride the new Levo this weekend , whhhhho whoooooo this is the best fun I had on a mountain in 25 years! The fastest growing segment of biking in the world. For good reason.

 

There is always resistance to the unknown till you try it. We us MTB BIKERS did not want suspension on bike years ago ,the claim it was to much like a motocross.. then the massive pavlova with pages and pages of haters of the 29ers. Then it was the pages of comments on the forum moving from 3x8 to 2x10 and then pages of comments of when it went to a 1x10 ahhh what a frenzy we reached, the same thing with Ebikes. Yes they great and not for every one, I not selling my bike just yet but I will tell you a whole lot of people that could not enjoy MTB will no discover this great adverure sport with a passion!

[gummibear]

If it has a motor...is it a bicycle or a motorcycle?

[patches]

Like most things in life, they have their place.

 

Yes, whether or not they are permitted in events is debatable, and the purists will always poo-poo them.

 

But one of their purposes is aiding those that struggle to ride (whether injury, ailments, or just poor fitness) to get out on trails. That in itself is a good thing.

 

Recently a friend of mine (and author of the book From Para to Dakar) posted this on his FB:

 

 

The blood stains are a joke... I hope 

 

I remember not long after he started gaining movement in his legs after his accident, but before he hopped back on a motorcycle, he went and bought himself a GT Force/Marathon because he challenged himself to turn some pedals. He succeeded and even managed a few slow and careful laps of the old Teak Place BMX track.

 

Not long after that he was back on the dirt bikes. The MTB gave him the confidence that his core and legs could hold up to 2 wheeled off-road transport. Fast forward some years and he was completing off-road rallies (some even in Malle Moto class), and even the 2017 Dakar rally.

 

But as seriously impressive as that is, a simple 2-3hr Cradle or Spruit ride is outta reach. That is where the eBike comes in and makes up the difference.

Edited December 2, 2018 by patches