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More riding = more fun to me.
I do wonder though, does the e-biker of today really have more fun that he/she would have done 30 years ago on a rigid MTB? Are there really more smiles?
You seem to have missed the rest of my post...
More bike time is always more fun in my world
A direct answer to your question though is yes my Ebike is a lot more fun than my first MTB back in 86.
Rigid bikes with road geo and plastic brakes were no fun at all compared to MX/Enduro bikes of the time...
Modern bike however are a lot closer on the fun front.
A direct answer to your question though is yes my Ebike is a lot more fun than my first MTB back in 86.
It's my feeling that fun levels just normalise out as technology gets faster/stronger/better.
When I was a kid I could have loads of fun on a shitty BMX, but now that I've experienced long travel bikes and specially design trails it would be hard to go back, but If I'd never experienced the latter I think I would still be having loads of fun on the old shitty bikes.
You get the adrenaline or dopamine hit and then get used to it.
Good luck with turning time back then...
They should only be available in NHS colourways
Hearing aid beige or zimmer frame grey?
I have just bought an ebike. First ride tomorrow. Cannae wait.
When I was a kid I could have loads of fun on a shitty BMX, but now that I’ve experienced long travel bikes and specially design trails it would be hard to go back...
Oh, I don't know; I have a progressive geo long(ish) travel bike that is far more capable than I am, and I love a good purpose-built trail - but I have just as much fun mooching about on my rigid SS on byways and bridleways. Maybe I need an E-bike..!
What's Strava?
The most fun I had on a bike was on BMX between age of 10 and 18. I have bought BMXes since then and last one was when I was in my forties but it is just not the same now. I do enjoy riding the bike that I ride (which is clearly why I ride it) but 99.99% of people would go nowhere near riding a bike like it so only the individual can decide what bike is fun for them.
What’s Strava?
I don't know, what's Google?
I have to say it really amuses me that someone gets so upset that e bike riders are stealing their strava placings. * points and laughs*
If you stop looking at them as a sporting good and more of as a hobby item they make more sense.
Less maintenance then a jet ski.
Cheaper then a Porsche.
Don't need a motorbike licence and she won't mind as much.
Takes up less space then a boat.
More blingy and more dick swinging factor then a set of golf clubs.
They will make you a nice cup of tea as they massage £5k out of you for a £1200 bike with a golf caddy motor attached.
And best of all, after you've spent 45 mins fannying around in the car park with mode selection, and inexplicably skidding around then pumping your fork up and down 500 times...
I don't see where I was going with this.
I just hope golf becomes the new cycling again soon.
And best of all, after you’ve spent 45 mins fannying around in the car park with mode selection
One click on
Two clicks to get EMTB mode.
Off we go...... Maybe 3 seconds wasted (if I click reeeaally slow)
One click on
Two clicks to get EMTB mode.
Off we go…… Maybe 3 seconds wasted (if I click reeeaally slow)
no time needed at all as you can adjust on the move as you pedal away
I was totally against E-Bikes until yesterday when I had a go on one, what a revelation! It was a top spec Merida and even in economy mode it was amazing. It is making me re-evaluate my future bike plans!
I have to say it really amuses me that someone gets so upset that e bike riders are stealing their strava placings. * points and laughs*
Why does it amuse you ???? Genuinely interested. E-bikes have their own section, would it amuse you to log your rides in the running section ??
It amuses me that someone takes it so seriously that a ebike rider not declaring as an ebike upsets them. Really? Taking strava that seriously? Does it matter in any way? I ride for fun. anyone doing anything on an ebike makes no difference to my fun. someone putting something into strava makes no difference to my fun.
Is your ego really that fragile ?
E-bikes are fun. Why not enjoy them? Mrs Moses has a road e-bike, which lets her cycle farther than she could before. Faster, too. It's great for a hilly commute, it's good for days out.
Have a go, you might be surprised.
So are quad & mx bikes are “fun” - assisted with an engine or motor.
Riding mtbs (or any type of bike non assisted) for a long time, then come along e-bikes and piss all over your efforts. Strava is great to compete with yourself & others - Ebikes make a mockery of it!
I've been watching the eMTB channel on youtube a lot recently and they do look like a lot of fun. They've explored the workout aspect of them and its certainly possible to get just as good a workout as on a normal bike- you just go 2-3 times further and have 2-3 times more downhill fun. Also the stuff you can ride up is insane and they seem to do just as well on jumps drops- in fact better as you are effectively riding what was a downhill bike only a few years ago. I'm thinking about hiring one but I'm worried it'll put me off normal bikes.
It amuses me that someone takes it so seriously that a ebike rider not declaring as an ebike upsets them. Really? Taking strava that seriously? Does it matter in any way?
It's nor a case of taking strava "that seriously," simply that many people enjoy the leaderboards, and you take pleasure in seeing their enjoyment spoiled. Who are you to judge what other people do or don't enjoy ?? There's only one reason I can think of is that your a massive prick. There I said it, somebody had to, and if it gets me a ban so what.
"Fragile ego" I don't really have one, there's no way I can go faster than a bicycle with an engine, the same as no e-mtb is faster than my MX bikes.
I ride for fun.
So do I and part of that fun is being fastest, top ten etc,. on various Strava segments. Is it wrong for me to enjoy that just because you don't?
Well, it really is handbags stuff in this thread! Some people need to count to ten or go for a cold shower.
Anyway, first outing today. Fantastic. There is going to be a bit of re-learning required as it is a little different from acoustic riding, but as someone who swaps between single speed, fat bike, hardtail and fs trailbike, it's just another string to learn. I like learning, and I reckon there is always a positive feedback to every other bike from any progress made or insight developed.
The assist is amazing, but I still found myself working hard. Essentially the climbs were faster, easier, and more fun.
flybywire - with your user name?
Compete with yourself yes - but with others you don't know? Get upset when someone with an e bike beats you? I just don't get it and it amuses me someone takes strava that seriously.
Edit - taxi - really that angry and its that important to you? sorry if my amusement annoys you - and no I won't report the post.
Well I apologise for calling you a name tj At least the massive bit 😉
But the angry isn't about Strava, i don't get angry about that, I flag E-mtb rides that come on to the leaderboards , not because I'm angry about them, just because it's more fun for everyone (who cares) to have honest leader boards. I got miffed about why someone would enjoy seeing someone elses fun spoiled. I don't like football, but have nothing but support for those who do. I'd get equally cross if someone tried to spoil their fun, its just the way I am.
Some people need to count to ten or go for a cold shower.
Hmm... preferably a hot shower. I generally prefer my spit roast clean and trimmed.
Ebike fear is funnyAF. Take this utterly clueless idiot for example
you just can’t play with the trail, pump and make gaps in the same way.
Give them a keyboard and they roast themselves.
I just can’t play with the trail, pump and make gaps in the same way.
FTFY bro.
Is your ego really that fragile ?
Ha, somewhere in Canada Alanis Morissette just exploded
somewhere in Canada Alanis Morissette just exploded
still would tho
Regarding the Strava argument you could also ask why e-bikers would want to compete on the Strava leaderboards against regular bikes. Do they have fragile egos perhaps?
(For the record, I stopped using Strava a year ago so this doesn’t affect me personally)
There’s only one reason I can think of is that your a massive prick. There I said it, somebody had to, and if it gets me a ban so what.
Ha 😄
Dont ban him!
I wish I could afford one. Am well jel
Ban him - for the bad grammar? your / you're / yore / yaw?
Or should it be You have not is ?
Or maybe just remove the "a" " Your massive prick"?
Can't we all come together and agree that e-bikes should be banned off road?
And...... flounce!
<div class="bbp-reply-author">vickypea
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<div class="bbp-reply-content">Regarding the Strava argument you could also ask why e-bikers would want to compete on the Strava leaderboards against regular bikes. Do they have fragile egos perhaps?
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No, I think it's just a case that many don't realise they have an strava ebike setting and others just like to be arseholes, same as everyday life really.
Regarding the Strava argument you could also ask why e-bikers would want to compete on the Strava leaderboards against regular bikes. Do they have fragile egos perhaps?
Despite the passive agression in your question I'll actually answer it honestly from my point of view. I've used strava since its beginning and recored thousands of rides and still do (to record mileage more than anything these days) but in the last 3 years or so it's been set to upload everything privately. I rarely ever make my rides public. I don't upload Ebike rides in the ebike section because there are very few segments there, I can't compare my times to my own old times and the majority of Ebike riders on strava aren't very quick descenders. (this should change in time) If I've had a good day and know I was riding well/fast I'll look at the results. If I've had a PR on a steep enough trail where pedalling doesn't come into it I'll sometimes upload it. Same as I might do if I'd been riding one of my non-Ebikes. My Emtb is pretty much the same speed as my Enduro bike descending steep trails so I don't see I've cheated anybody riding a 16lb heavier bike I didn't use pedal assist on. Apart from being fresher at the start of the descent. Similar to if I'd been uplifted there.
It would help if the milkfloat option could be set as default. I sometimes forget to change the activity when uploading and have to do it later. Usually when some Strava Queen has a cry.
My first instance of an Ebike was 2 years ago at Marin, me and a friend were slogging up the fireroad when an uncouth oik came past claiming this was the only way to ride and when we caught up to him at the top and saw him smoking a massive herbal joint he became that years Audi driver !! and was instantly disliked and all like him!
Since then a two other friends one who has a bad back and another whos always had a poor heart have bought them and started riding again.. brilliant they are out and about. A third friend who clocked 5k miles last year and was always good for a 40 mile lakeland special has just bought one, obviously hes been called all the names under the sun about needing it, but since he does photography as well the ability to use it to get to places where carrying a load of gear as well would be an arse is beneficial. I have had a go and while its much fun doing climbs with little or no effort or setting speed cameras off (its been chipped) i also think its bloody dangerous. For one i know i would find myself using trail or turbo almost all the time meaning the need for a normally aspirated bike would go out the window. And secondly as a road user too home any car drivers will see a bike and think "oh i can make that " pull out and before you know it there s an ebike in the rear of the car , they have their place but not for me just yet, as i imagine trying to hike a bike and shoulder a 25kg beast up Helvellyn might be a struggle..
Geex
My Emtb is pretty much the same speed as my Enduro bike descending steep trails so I don’t see I’ve cheated anybody riding a 16lb heavier bike I didn’t use pedal assist on. Apart from being fresher at the start of the descent.
Wouldn't some say having all that weight low down enhance handling though?😏😁
Helvellyn might be a struggle..
Not a great example, you'd easily climb Keppel cove on an e-bike.
was nearly hit by a cretin doing about 30 on a chipped ebike walking back from the pub, this is not going to end well for any cyclist
Wouldn’t some say having all that weight low down enhance handling though?😏😁
Swings and roundabouts dear. Apparently if you're a weak whingebag who's never even ridden an Ebike in all that low down weight means "you just can’t play with the trail, pump and make gaps in the same way."
Other than the extra weight of the battery/motor they actually handle exactly like a non-ebike.
and that extra weight just means you have to pre-load more to overcome it when lifting the wheels. You can still hop, jump, pump, manual, nollie, scrub, whip, change direction in the air or just supertweak the **** out of them. but... Shhhhhhhh.... don't tell anyone.
Makes going uphill fun. Stealth MX bikes are even more fun, don't deny yourself!
Shhhhhhhhh...
GW has an ebike and he has all the mad skilz...
@nobeerinthefridge Kepple maybe but further up there aint no-one riding that ..still you must get my point that some of the best rides involve a shoulder and not many people are going to want to hump a 50lb dead weight are they
Aye, I love a hike a bike, but in the grand scheme of things, we're not even a small percentage of Mtbers.
Lots of my MTB mates wouldnt ever contemplate taking their bike somewhere that involves pushing or carrying.
Then they are simply missing out 😉
Then they are simply missing ou
Depends where you live though. I imagine in Wales/Scotland there's plenty of Hike a Bike locations, but in West Berks i can't think of anywhere i cannot realistically ride to that i'd actually want to reach. Sure we've had the odd moment when you get off and push as your trail has disappeared in a random forest, but apart from that, why would you ?
You can still hike a bike with them as most have the powered walk function now. As long as the trail is wide enough to have the bike along side and you can lift the front wheel. you will get over most obstacles. Throwing them over gates and high styles is less fun, and anywhere that is so steep that you need to strap bikes to backs to use both hands to climb up would be downright uncomfortable , but there’s not many like that in the uk.
Big group of E-bikes in Swinley yesterday, we ended up doing a chunk of the red at roughly the same time as they would stop and wait for each other after each section and I was on a short leash. You would struggle to find a more polite / respectful group of MTBers on the occasions they needed to pass me, given my limited interactions with them.
Most ebikers I have encountered seem to remember what it was like to be the guy being passed on the trail so give you plenty of time to pick a suitable passing spot. Perhaps I've just been lucky so far.
You can still hike a bike with them as most have the powered walk function now
I don't think of pushing as hike a bike, hike a bike is carrying your bike, nothing to do with needing hands to climb. Think the steps on Dollywaggon pike, it's easier to carry your bike than it is to push it. That's when the extra weight of an e-bike would be an arse.
It's not even due to the levels of tech, I tend to just prefer carring my bike when it gets seriously steep and loose underfoot. Kinda questions the need for push assist, anything that's smooth enough to have to push up, surely you could pedal on an e-bike?.
So in short
ebikes are BAD because they make pedalling up hills EASIER.
Ebikes are BAD because they make carrying up hills HARDER
Is that about right 😂👍
Geex- so in your opinion, it’s not passive aggressive to suggest that people have “fragile egos” if they’re frustrated that e-bikes are making the Strava leaderboards pointless, but it IS passive aggressive for me to challenge that by making the opposite argument? 🤔
Dollywaggon pike.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Dollywaggon+pike
In the Lakes then... Only 250+ miles from me 🙂
ebikes are BAD because they make pedalling up hills EASIER.
Ebikes are BAD because they make carrying up hills HARDER
No, it's because people are having fun that they haven't earned. The moral balance of the universe is thrown off, baby kittens have died for less.
Last time I looked you didn't have to fill out a health questionnaire before you bought an ebike.
As for the younger ones getting them, why not, they probably enjoy riding more DH trails so getting an ebike makes sense to them, or maybe that was the case but now they enjoy riding longer XC rides because they don't spend half of the ride hating all the uphill climbing?, thing is, we all enjoy different aspects of days in the saddle, for all you know they may go the gym three times a week and also ride a normal bike in-between.
Swings and roundabouts dear. Apparently if you’re a weak whingebag who’s never even ridden an Ebike in all that low down weight means “you just can’t play with the trail, pump and make gaps in the same way.”
Ha, I made that comment, life long hench 90kg (some of that mass may be fat) BMXer who has gone out on a few proper rides on ebikes.
Consensus between mates of similar disposition have come to the same conclusion, different kind of fun though.
Did I have loads of fun on an ebke? Definitely. Would it scratch all my itches? No.
I'd definitely have an ebike, great fun. Would I only have an ebike, no way.
I blame ebikes for ruining the babymaker renovation at swinely, so many braking bumps already, kenevo rider, not even putting saddle down, turbo pedals everywhere followed immediately by hard dirty braking, so much flow. I saw one ebiker behaving in this manner, so must be all ebikers.
In the Lakes then… Only 250+ miles from me
Not our fault you live in the arse end of nowhere! 🙂
In interest of balance Nealglover, I'm pro ebike, I'd bloody love one!.
I don’t care what people are riding, it’s a personal choice, but I do think some kind of etiquette should be established on trails. I’ve had Ebikers suddenly appearing from nowhere on a narrow climb and then buzzing my back tyre to get past. As the number of Ebikes increases, if no etiquette is established, human-powered bikers will become second class citizens having to pull over on climbs every 2 minutes.
but I do think some kind of etiquette should be established on trails.
Agreed, although this has nothing to do with ebikes and everything to do with people in general.
Vicky - what you met was dickheads. Sounds like they'd have been dickheads Ebikes or not. just less likely to catch someone so quickly on a climb.
What makes folk think you can't carry/hike-a-bike a 17lb heavier bike?
Lots of folks backpacks weigh about 10lb+. Riding an Eeb means I never carry a backpack (just a small tools/tube pack on the bike) and rarely ever need to carry water. I've pushed and carried mine up lots of stuff that couldn't be ridden.
gone out on a few proper rides on ebikes.
Consensus between mates of similar disposition have come to the same conclusion,
Yeah. It definitely takes a few rides to get your head round the slight difference in timing and increased pre-load effort required to make them behave like a normal bike. But trust me they can be ridden just as "playfully with the trail, pumped and can make gaps in the same way.” Stylishly too infact.
That extra pre-load isn't difficult for a decent/strong rider to achieve. infact it's quite subtle once you're used to it.
They're not all the same, the heaviest ones (the kenvos/Devinci AC/XT etc. with dual plys) ride like like pigs IMO if you're a playful rider. as they get below the 48lb mark they liven up markedly. over 51lb they start to oink and squeal. Heavy/Plus tyres spec'd on many from new make them handle like shit too.
The trade off with weight is a more nimble/light bike Vs a much more stable bike. Same with sizing. longer being more stable, shorter being more nimble. same with wheel/tyre weight.
Mine is 47lb and If I remove my battery it reduces the weight to 41lb (sort of still an acceptible weight for a DH bike). I've ridden it a fair bit with no battery just to see how it felt and it changes the ride characteristics a lot. Because I'm now really used to the extra weight of the bike I actually prefer it with the battery fitted in all situations except carrying it. I actually ride mine switched off a lot (about 40 XC miles while switched off last week. When riding anywhere with a slight uphill gradient with other riders who aren't on Ebikes it's taking the piss even using eco.
When I ride my non assisted mtbs they always feel far too light for the first few minutes. (26lb hardtail to 31lb Endurobike to 35lb DH bikes). Until I tune back into their handling.
anything that’s smooth enough to have to push up, surely you could pedal on an e-bike?.
Not really. eg. It's useful for the soggy push up to the top of No Social/Feeding the pony which is pointless trying to ride even in boost. Although I mainly use it for changing gear while stood still. - hold the front brake, push the bars forwards to lift the rear wheel, engage walk mode and shift through the gears as the bike turns the cranks.
Kinda questions the need for push assist, anything that’s smooth enough to have to push up, surely you could pedal on an e-bike?.
Not really. Walk mode gets my cargo bike up flights of steps easily. And the bike is 2 metres long and 70lbs (before you start loading it up)
Not really any question about the need for it personally 👍
Someone link this properly as I'm on tablet.
They are for the weak!
wouls have been interesting to see the downhill or flat speeds as well.
Looks like some dont need to walk
Agreed TJ.
In my limited experience it's not hard to drop ebikes on flat tarmac or fireroad, even riding a heavy enduro bike, but undulating trails can be a bit tortoise-and-hare - and downhill it comes down to rider skill really.
For someone with my lack of skill the ebike was harder work downhill. Mines a kit and has been on several frames - but going from a sub 25lb bike to a 45lb+ bike really made a huge difference on rough twisty stuff. I have the kit on the light bike now so need to see how that rides but I don't think I have the ability to ride it as fast with all the extra weight on the bike
was nearly hit by a cretin doing about 30 on a chipped ebike walking back from the pub, this is not going to end well for any cyclist
So what were the long lasting effects for cyclists in general when that guy on an illegal fixie with no brakes killed a woman crossing the road ?
Nothing at all possibly?
Don’t see how another numpty on another illegal bike would be any different, you may need to explain.
Isn't the law being reviewed, or has been reviewed over the guy on the fixie?
I remember back in the day how we used to rant over full suspension.
Isn’t the law being reviewed, or has been reviewed over the guy on the fixie?
In what way though.
And will it it “not end well for any cyclist”
Negative impact for all of us a result ? Probably not 👍
They are for the weak!
I agree.
2 months of descending/jumping/hopping/manualling a 50lb Ebike and you'll have a way stronger core and upper body.
Don't ditch the old bikes though or your sprinting power and endurance will suffer.
I’m not anti-ebike. Ride what you like, it’s all good and I can see the advantages, but man, that extreme climb video is annoying. Presumably it was designed to wind people up or something. Referring to standard bikes as “old fashioned” bikes and all that stuff about Ebikes and old fashioned bikes being like a word processor to a typewriter. That’s just clickbait right? But leaving that aside, I was curious about Ebikes before watching the video but now I’m left thinking, what’s the point again? So you can ride a bike with a motor up slopes that you couldn’t get up under your own steam. Fair enough. You could presumably get up even steeper slopes with an even more powerful motor and more sticky tyres. And yes (referring to the earlier video), if you give me an extra few hundred watts of power I could beat a champion cyclist up a climb (especially if I made them do it twice), but so what?
As as I say, I’m not against the concept, but I’m not sure the propaganda is doing their cause much good.
I remember back in the day how we used to rant over full suspension.
I remember when it was front suspension, then disk brakes, full suspension, dropper posts, with riser bars, short stems, and tubeless tyres mixed up in there too. Goddamn skill compensators all of them, takes all the challenge out of it.
And will it it “not end well for any cyclist”
Negative impact for all of us a result ? Probably not
It's certainly a big distraction those in the advocacy community could have done without, but you guys are having a bit of a pointless argument really (yes I know this is STW).
We've already had an e-bike related death....
The reactionary press did try to whip up a storm but it's not got the same traction as the Briggs case... yet.