GaryvdM Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 For the A-batchers worried about e-bikes, pedal assist on ebikes doesn't work over 26km/h. The pointy end of A-batch averages a lot more than 26km/h, so there's zero chance of an ebike featuring. If they are averaging 30km/h, they are probably only doing 20km/h on the uphills, which leaves plenty of room for assist < 26km/h. Having the assist would also mean you get to the top of a hill less fatigued, which means you will have greater cognition for following technical downhill sections.
GrahamS2 Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 If they are averaging 30km/h, they are probably only doing 20km/h on the uphills, which leaves plenty of room for assist < 26km/h. Having the assist would also mean you get to the top of a hill less fatigued, which means you will have greater cognition for following technical downhill sections.Semantics. The bottom line is you will not average more than 26 on an ebike unless you are an extremely strong rider to begin with. So your ebike might help you to finish in the top 100 as opposed to the top 200 on a proper mtb, but it definitely isn't going to get you anywhere near the podium. And let's not even bring battery life into it.
Patchelicious Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 Semantics. The bottom line is you will not average more than 26 on an ebike unless you are an extremely strong rider to begin with. So your ebike might help you to finish in the top 100 as opposed to the top 200 on a proper mtb, but it definitely isn't going to get you anywhere near the podium. If you put that same rider on a normal bike, would they average 26?
Paddaman Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 This becoming another thread which is devolving into rubbish, simply because there are people that do not want to accept the rules and believe if you whine and complain long enough about it, things will change.
Skubarra Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 This becoming another thread which is devolving into rubbish, simply because there are people that do not want to accept the rules and believe if you whine and complain long enough about it, things will change. But on the other thread the whiners did get what they ask for though, there are now meetings to change the rules
Paddaman Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 But on the other thread the whiners did get what they ask for though, there are now meetings to change the rules I am interested to hear the outcome of that discussion. The implications for school sport will be far reaching if the discussions are conducted with openness and honesty.
Milosh Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 Jokes aside - the fact that the photographers on ebikes can catch and pass the RACERS tells the story .... at least in terms of potential "race times". On a side note the Ebike Cameraman on Epic was a previously 3 time winner. https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/insight/bikes-of-the-epic-stefan-sahms-bulls-e-stream-evo-fs-3-29-e-bike-r4367 I did hear the comment that the skills to keep up with the leader still has to be there
Patchelicious Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 On a side note the Ebike Cameraman on Epic was a previously 3 time winner. https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/insight/bikes-of-the-epic-stefan-sahms-bulls-e-stream-evo-fs-3-29-e-bike-r4367 I did hear the comment that the skills to keep up with the leader still has to be there Of course it must, a dragster can't go around corners.
Skubarra Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 Semantics. The bottom line is you will not average more than 26 on an ebike unless you are an extremely strong rider to begin with. So your ebike might help you to finish in the top 100 as opposed to the top 200 on a proper mtb, but it definitely isn't going to get you anywhere near the podium. And let's not even bring battery life into it. Not sure what the point is you are trying to make? Yes a complete noob on an ebike is not going to win the race, but that is also not what people is worried/complaining about?
Skinnyone Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 Not sure what the point is you are trying to make? Yes a complete noob on an ebike is not going to win the race, but that is also not what people is worried/complaining about? I also don't understand what people are complaining about....IF a person riding an ebike in a race does wind up competing for a podium then perhaps there may be issues...from what I can tell the guys on ebikes, cripple or not didn't even get close to the top 50?
Patchelicious Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 We never actually solved it, because we never addressed the core underlying issue. Its not an eBike issue, its a human nature issue. People inherently have an issue with others achieving something through a perceived "short cut".Its in our DNA, its a core human thing. Forget eBikes, think about somebody at work who gets ahead of you through a short cut, or those who unfairly get jobs, or those who take a short cut at a park run, the guy who skips a red robot because he is late, or the guy who skips the queue.... etc etc it all triggers the same emotion. If people understood and accepted that, they might understand why there is emotion in this. I also don't understand what people are complaining about....IF a person riding an ebike in a race does wind up competing for a podium then perhaps there may be issues...from what I can tell the guys on ebikes, cripple or not didn't even get close to the top 50?
GrahamS2 Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 If you put that same rider on a normal bike, would they average 26?It really depends on the route. From what I see (and I ride with a few guys on ebikes), they help up your average by around 4km/h on the routes we ride. The more climbing the more they help.
Shebeen Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 I think you are underestimating exactly how fast someone can go on an e-bike. Look at the results attached of last years Stormsriver traverse. A mixed team on e-bikes actually came second and they definately weren’t racing snakes. They had to start at the back each day and apart from the technical bits were way faster than everybody elseI think everyone knows you will be faster on an E-bike. If you're coming top30, you will win on an ebike.
Jakkals. Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 forkit. just reading page 1 and 8...what a load of BS. it should be simple. cycling and assisted bicycling is not the same thing. have, trail, adventure, race and separate event for e-bike. all the other races guys brag about their bikes, might as well have a e-bike bragging race.
GrahamS2 Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 Not sure what the point is you are trying to make? Yes a complete noob on an ebike is not going to win the race, but that is also not what people is worried/complaining about? Precisely. An ebike isn't going to take you from c batch to the podium. So why is it an issue if people choose to ride them in the non-race versions at Sani then?
Milosh Posted May 16, 2018 Posted May 16, 2018 Back on track The OP's issue was ebikes in the Race , and he felt it was ok in trail and adventure but not race My take is that outside of A & B group the events are much the same and was not phased Taking this a step further into mid field is where there is suddenly food for thought and I need to change my tune. I had to vasbyt a lot through the Race and am now super proud wear my Sani2c jacket having earned it. 2016 & 2018 I am not sure an eBike should be afforded this honor. I conquered Iconic or Spionkop (but on an eBike) somehow does not cut it !
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