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[Closed] E-Livid

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pop larkin - The Podge- I'm not seeing where I said I hated e-bikes my point is that the perception issue of additional erosion may just add fuel to the trail access debate

Lets put a gate on the [s]Country[/s] outdoors to stop too many people coming in, and lets put a cap on the population, lets prebook our outdoor life with the "perception government" so that only 1 person can use it at a time so its there for generations to come.

wilburt - @podge you say theres venom in this thread but most of seems to come from you, "case closed" etc.

What makes you think you decide when a discusion is closed?

I fear my lack of smiley face has sent you into a spin, don't worry. The case isnt closed, you can still hope to ban everything just in case someone thinks that someone might do something that someone might not like... when I say you I mean someone other that you, very much not you. and when I say ban I mean you don't want it banned but you'd like to point out reasons why other people (not you) should want it banned.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:35 am
 colp
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All the super-fit, human power only riders should be able to put out at least 1000w peak power, probably in a bursty nature. Surely this would cause more erosion than a fat, lazy, possibly disabled rider with 250w added to their meagre own offering?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:48 am
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The venom on this thread far out strips anything I've come across in person from any other usergroup.

TBH I don't think there is that much venom - other than from the odd rather obvious troll..

As they say "Don't feed the troll!"

I wouldn't let them detract from the conversation.

Lets put a gate on the Country outdoors to stop too many people coming in, and lets put a cap on the population, lets prebook our outdoor life with the "perception government" so that only 1 person can use it at a time so its there for generations to come.

Nobody has said that, but there is reason to be concerned that they might cause extra trail damage - as highlighted by the IMBA link on the previous page.

The case isnt closed, you can still hope to ban everything just in case someone thinks that someone might do something that someone might not like... when I say you I mean someone other that you, very much not you. and when I say ban I mean you don't want it banned but you'd like to point out reasons why other people (not you) should want it banned.

Interestingly, the only folks who mention the word "ban" seem to be those who have an e-bike.....

Over reacting much?

Missing the point just a touch?

FYI I am most definitely NOT in favour of a ban..

The UK has a limit on legal e-bike power. Reading this bit of the same IMBA report, mainly the 3rd point

True, but the IMBA data still suggest that there is the potential for increased damage at turns & grade changes.

Please understand, I don't want to see e-bikes banned in any way. I just feel it's important to be aware that they do have the potential to be more damaging than a normal MTB. That's all.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:48 am
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So you agree I didn't say I hated e-bikes then 🙂

As for the rest of your paragraph on putting a gate on the outdoors- you have lost me and Im not sure where the reference to Country comes in- were you saying my comment had racist undertones???


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:49 am
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mrlebowski - Nobody has said that, but there is reason to be concerned that they might cause extra trail damage - as highlighted by the IMBA link on the previous page.

The link which was instantly disproved by Jameso?

Over reacting much?

Missing the point just a touch?


Yes and Not at all


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:51 am
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The link which was instantly disproved by Jameso?

No, not really as he left out this section:

"We saw some differences between the impacts of eMTBs and mountain bikes, particularly at turns and grade changes. "


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:56 am
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pop larkin - Member
So you agree I didn't say I hated e-bikes then

As for the rest of your paragraph on putting a gate on the outdoors- you have lost me and Im not sure where the reference to Country comes in- were you saying my comment had racist undertones???

Yes, you're a massive massive RACIST and I have a pie chart to back it up.

(to avoid any kind of actual misunderstanding, I was A, taking the piss and B, using the term country as in countryside not as in countries of the world but striking it out as I'm sure many people don't like ebikes in the city too).

This whole tread descended into a big pile of arse long long ago


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:57 am
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mrlebowski - "We saw some differences between the impacts of eMTBs and mountain bikes, particularly at turns and grade changes. "

BAN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!

no one said ban them

BAN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 8:59 am
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As long as its a pie made of free range ethically sourced meat Im happy- and I'm also taking the piss as I will eat any type of pie


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 9:00 am
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pop larkin - Member
As long as its a pie made of free range ethically sourced meat Im happy- and I'm also taking the piss as I will eat any type of pie

Very unhygienic


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 9:01 am
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Mrlebowski - it says that in relation to all the bikes in their study, including the sort that aren't allowed on public rights of way. It then, under all that, very clearly states that type 1 bikes, which are the sort allowed on rights of way over here, have a similar impact to a regular bikes.

You can imagine why some of us speak with venom when presented with people unwilling to process data, facts, figures, actual experience of a thing and the law, regardless of how many times it is presented to them. But then we are living in the times of anti-intelligence, maybe I'll just have to learn to live with stuff like this.

(I don't own an e-bike for reference, I just don't like it when people fly in the face of evidence, especially scientific evidence like that from IMBA)


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 9:04 am
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We saw some differences between the impacts of eMTBs and mountain bikes, particularly at turns and grade changes. "

The smooth, consistent, power delivery of an ebike was better than the mashing of pedals on a conventional bike?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 9:11 am
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Great thread, read most of it.

I'll be honest, I don't like the idea of e-bikes particularly but it's only because I'm a luddite and these new fangled contraptions introduce a whole new level of complexity and elctro-jiggery pokery to something that in essence is a simple machine.

My fear is probably completely irrational so I'll remain open minded and just continue to enjoy my nice simple mechanical machine just like those who chose to embrace technology afterall nobody is holding a gun to your head and saying 'you must e-bike, it's the future' same way as you don't have to ride a 160mm carbon gnarpoon or one of those god awful fat bike things...


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 9:35 am
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'you must e-bike, it's the future' same way as you don't have to ride a 160mm carbon gnarpoon or one of those god awful fat bike things...

😆 I have all three of those...


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 9:37 am
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The ramblers have never openly hated on me whenever I've met them while on the bike, as I respectfully pull over at least 10 yards in advance unless they clearly signal for me to pass, which I do at a crawl and a safe distance. They certainly ain't hated on me as I stop and have a wee spraff and a bit of a laugh with them.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 9:45 am
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Anyone care to explain why twice the usage isn't twice the erosion?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 10:17 am
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don't worry tomhoward...I don't hate you 😀


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 10:19 am
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Depends if hes using a mud claw or a 3.8larry doesn't it.

Can't imagine my electric assist bike is eroding the tarmac much more than the wind.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 10:20 am
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futon river crossing - Anyone care to explain why twice the usage isn't twice the erosion?

Its difficult to measure but we'll assume that twice the usage does equal twice the erosion

Do you propose we limit milage?
Do you propose we limit bike sales?
Do you propose we limit people?

If not, what is your point?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 10:38 am
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If we are really concerned about erosion then perhaps we should stop riding full stop.

We could ban stop those pesky walkers as well, must be loads of them causingerosion as well.........

We seem to be having a weekly thread about the evil ebikes now, perhaps it should be a forum sticky thread......

Almost forgot about the cars and road building causing environmental issues, not to mention the erosion caused by building new roads.....

Come on, it's not the biggest problem out there,


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 10:46 am
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f we are really concerned about erosion then perhaps we should stop riding full stop.

We could ban stop those pesky walkers as well, must be loads of them causing erosion as well.........

Yep, and horse riders and deer and rainfall and wind.
In fact all access should be stopped and people should be limited to looking at pictures of it.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 11:00 am
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So twice the erosion, then;

Good thing?

Or

Bad thing?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 11:07 am
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@Mrlebowski,

True, but the IMBA data still suggest that there is the potential for increased damage at turns & grade changes.
It does, I'd expect that due to added weight and riders being able to climb with added power. I think it's well within the range of difference we'd see between riders of different weight and fitness though or a loaded vs unloaded unpowered bike. Not pitching in against what you're saying, more trying to show the perspective that I think that IMBA doc backs up when a 250W bike is what we're looking at.

Anyone care to explain why twice the usage isn't twice the erosion?
It is. But if that's an argument to act on then bike sales should be capped or we should all have a mileage quota : ) Don't blame E-bikes for that one when I can ride well over 2x as far as I could a few years ago just from a bit of motivation and training?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 11:18 am
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Twice the erosion is good, it means someone somewhere is spending twice the the time enjoying the outdoors.

Of course its not twice because ebikes don't make it twice as easy or cause twice as much damage for the same milage but if you're going to reduce it to such a simplistic level then I'm still going for twice the erosion is good.

I accept I'll be misquoted for years to come on this matter.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 11:20 am
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So twice the erosion, then;

Assuming EVERYONE rides twice as far, and those extra miles are equally off road to what they would have done anyway. And that the off-road they are riding isn't a maintained/reinforced trail.

So nowhere near twice the erosion, then.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 11:28 am
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So twice the erosion, then;

Good thing?

Or

Bad thing?

What about fast riders like Njee then ? I bet he puts out more than 250W constantly, so maybe fast blokes shouldn't be allowed to MTb either as they're causing more erosion than slower ones ?

What about weight... how much of a factor is that then, what about fat riders ? Are they not allowed either ?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 11:29 am
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I am simply unimpressed by e-bikes.

Sure they're a positive enough application for technology to help people who would otherwise be unable or more limited in their riding due to some sort of physical constraint.

But they're now being pitched at the well funded, new golfers aren't they.
So really it's another industry gimmick for "sports tourists" they can hurl £3k at an e-mtb, call themselves "mountain bikers" for six months, then leave it in the shed for the battery and tyres to go flat... Normal product lifecycle innit.

Ultimately when I drag my own lardy arse up a hill using my meagre human generated joules only, I feel a greater sense of achievement than I would if I delegated some of the effort to a bosch motor... doing it all for myself is part of the enjoyment, nothing competitive about it, just a personal [i]'ethic'[/i] if you like...

If others can only derive the same enjoyment through the use of an e-bike, fair enough...


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:02 pm
 km79
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I am over my hate for e-bikers, but have you seen those off-road segway safarists? 👿


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:08 pm
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weeksy - Member

What about fast riders like Njee then ? I bet he puts out more than 250W constantly, so maybe fast blokes shouldn't be allowed to MTb either as they're causing more erosion than slower ones ?

What's needed is a credit system- ebike owners and powerful riders can offset their erosion against the reduced impact of a puny or lazy rider, or the 90% of stw that never actually ride a bike. We could call it gnarbon credits.

Really it's just a formalisation of the traditional stokens system, we just need to work out the transfer methods.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:20 pm
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Ultimately when I drag my own lardy arse up a hill using my meagre human generated joules only, I feel a greater sense of achievement than I would if I delegated some of the effort to a bosch motor... doing it all for myself is part of the enjoyment, nothing competitive about it, just a personal 'ethic' if you like...

If others can only derive the same enjoyment through the use of an e-bike, fair enough...

My thoughts exactly. I can't see me getting an eBike any time soon and going uphill under my own power is what I enjoy most. But that is what I like doing and eBike riders are doing what they like doing


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:21 pm
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cookeaa -Sure they're a positive enough application for technology to help people who would otherwise be unable or more limited in their riding due to some sort of physical constraint.

Do pies and beer count?

I like bikes but I like pies and beer more


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:26 pm
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going uphill under my own power is what I enjoy most.

[i]Really[/i]? Like, actually, really?

*Awaits first bike park where you ride to the top then get a downlift.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:28 pm
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For me there is no sense of achievement, riding a bike is not a challenge, its an excuse to be outdoors away from people. So the quicker & further I can get from you lot the happier I am.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:31 pm
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gnarbon credits 😀


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:34 pm
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*Awaits first bike park where you ride to the top then get a downlift.

It may be apochryphal, but there has long been talk of ze Germans doing this in Garda.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:39 pm
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Wonder what the heroes would ride? Super light xc weapon to get to the top fast, or a super heavy POS to show how hard they are?

Kerley?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 3:47 pm
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Gnarbon credits - an idea stated in jest, but actually strikes at a deeper point, with me anyway. I have a persistent guilt that I don't contribute directly to the upkeep of the trails I ride. I would happily pay to do so, as I have more disposable income than spare time, but the catch being that I would want to be sure that the money went directly into the trails, and not to the council or whatever...


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 4:45 pm
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Give it to me. I'll use it to pay off what I've spent on tools and after that, cakes.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 6:09 pm
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going uphill under my own power is what I enjoy most.

Really? Like, actually, really?

That was really the point, different people enjoy different aspects of cycling, including a bit of satisfaction from putting in an honest effort and achieving something for it, Other people buy e-bikes because otherwise they apparently couldn't venture so far into the big old outdoors.

So long as either party are happy with their choices, who really cares. I don't require your validation, and I expect you'll live without mine...


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 7:22 pm
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Klunkers > front suspension > full suspension > disk brakes > E assist. Evolution innit.


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 10:22 pm
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Squirrel - Member
Klunkers > front suspension > full suspension > disk brakes > E assist. Evolution innit.

Evolution - right then - whats next?


 
Posted : 21/10/2016 11:19 pm
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Wonder what the [s]heroes[/s] riders who like riding uphill would ride? Super light xc weapon to get to the top fast, or a super heavy POS to show how hard they are?

Kerley?

I use a rigid single speed, currently in the form of a fixed track bike that weighs around 7kg. I would like a down-lift sometimes as going 30+ mph on a lowish off road gearing has me spinning at 200rpm on mostly hard pack gravel with some softer bits which can be challenging...


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 6:23 am
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That sounds super fun! Still, each to their own


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 6:36 am
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I wonder how much erosion has been caused by mountain bikes (proper, pedally ones) evolving from the long stemmed steep angled rigid things of the 80's into the 6" FS models of today. These have opened it up to riders who previously wouldn't have been able to access certain types of trails, or if they had would have been forced to mince-walk down them.

We should ban all gnarpoons, because they cause more erosion than proper old style mountain bikes.

In fact, I think it's widely accepted that FS allows riders to ride farther faster by reducing the body discomfort of a rigid or hardtail. So rather than banning gnarpoons, all suspension should be banned, so only proper tough riders can do decent mileage.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 6:48 am
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Well, obviously then, cx bikes should be banned too, as their narrow tyres increase ground pressure.
Rigid, singlespeed fatbikes ftw.
😀


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 7:15 am
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and also walkers with small feet.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 7:17 am
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Evolution - right then - whats next?

Return to the source, man.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 7:57 am
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Evolution - right then - whats next?

2018 specialized turbo levo.

[img] [/img]

Even solves any erosion [s]whinges[/s] issues


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 8:32 am
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ha ha Tomhoward - for once i agree with you 🙂


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 9:35 am
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Just seen a man on a supermarket bike wearing a great big ruck sack.There was a red cable coming out of the backpack and connected to something on his bike
He wasn't pedalling but he was was overtaking cars doing 30.
No registration plate, so not legal.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 10:49 am
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You saw an idiot


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 11:03 am
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I'm with theotherjohnv on the suspension ban.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 11:04 am
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Took the toddler for a spin up on Haldon today, and at one point I was overtaken by a guy on a decent looking full-sus electric bike. He wasn't pedalling 😉
When we got back to the hub he was at the cafe and I had a chat with him about the bike. Don't worry I was really nice!
He was fully aware that it was illegal, and was a bit cagey about what he'd done, but said that he'd retro-fitted a throttle and bits he'd got online. He mentioned a forum where lots of people share info about hacking Ebikes - pedelecs.co.uk I think?
So if it's that easy, I suspect a lot of people will do it, or have it done.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 4:09 pm
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Klunkers > front suspension > full suspension > disk brakes > E assist. Evolution innit.

Y'see, I'd put it more like this:

People not wanting/able to ride uphill > bikes that are better at going down than up > uplift centres > e-assist bikes > electric motorbikes - after all, why even bother pedalling at all?

I've always suspected mountain biking lacked the ethical core of other outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing. It's now official - it has jumped the ethical shark.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 4:35 pm
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So if it's that easy, I suspect a lot of people will do it, or have it done.

Just the same as most people drive over 30mph in 30 mph areas, a lot of people still use their phones, i.e. a lot of people break what they see as minor laws but they are breaking them none the less.

Did you report the owner?


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 4:42 pm
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People not wanting/able to ride uphill > bikes that are better at going down than up > uplift centres > e-assist bikes > electric motorbikes - after all, why even bother pedalling at all?

I've always suspected mountain biking lacked the ethical core of other outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing. It's now official - it has jumped the ethical shark

I'd agree with that. On the other hand I think road biking does have an "ethical core" (Go on, flame away 👿 )


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 4:45 pm
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WGAS? More folk outdoors enjoying themselves is good.

"Ethical Core" - really?


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 4:48 pm
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ing down than up > uplift centres > e-assist bikes > electric motorbikes - after all, why even bother pedalling at all?

I've always suspected mountain biking lacked the ethical core of other outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing. It's now official - it has jumped the ethical shark

Pretty much agree as well to a point. There are mtber's who buy into the value of cycling being a wholly human powered activity. But there is a subset that has always viewed pedalling as an inconvenience. Emtb's for them are a natural evolution. I just wish they could separate from main stream mtbing and go their own way.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 5:33 pm
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Would take less than 30 seconds to derestrict mine.

Plenty folk have done it.

How ever realising that flying along at apeeds that the bike isnt really set up to handle constantly and that its my skin that will be lost on the road reminds me that yep the speed limits there for good reason. And its pedal assisted because i want the exercise but i want to recover from harder sessions but not succumb to the car.

Is it black and white through taxi?

Last saturday i rode up teide from puerto de la cruz on a road bike in 4 hrs today i rode my ebike to the shops in jeans and a t shirt to pick up breakfast. Should i have got changed into my cycling clothes and put on my spds to go to to the shops on a "real bike"? Should i have walked for 2hrs ?


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 5:34 pm
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He wasn't pedalling but he was was overtaking cars doing 30.
No registration plate, so not legal.
And that had what impact on you?
People break much bigger laws than that all the time and no one seems to give a ****.
People getting sand in their vag over electric assist bikes is proper funny.
You must have nowt better to worry about. I suggest a dose of real life might sort you out. 😛


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 5:50 pm
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Is it black and white through taxi?

You're right it isn't, there will be people who cross over and do both. But the engine in a Emtb makes it different enough, for me anyway to regard it as something completely new. Nothing against engines I still race MX, but I'll never put one on a bicycle unless it was purely for transportation.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 5:51 pm
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I just wish they could separate from main stream mtbing and go their own way.

Wtf is "main stream mtbing"?


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 5:53 pm
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Wtf is "main stream mtbing"?

As you so politely asked. Riding a mtb that doesn't have an engine. I presume your not stupid so it's a surprise you couldn't work that out yourself.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 5:58 pm
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I presume your not stupid so it's a surprise you couldn't work that out yourself.

Well I know the difference between your and you're so I'm not doing too badly thanks.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 6:00 pm
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As a side note it does seem interesting that people commenting on this thread that are genuinely fast on a bike seem to not have a problem with legal ebikes.
But some people that as far as I'm aware are just plodders like the rest of us seem to have a big issue with them.
Maybe it's an ego thing with some of the less robust of mind people.
I don't own an Ebike and have never even ridden one BTW but can see how an Edownhill bike could be brilliant on the local DH trails with no uplift.


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 6:14 pm
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Well I know the difference between your and you're so I'm not doing too badly thanks.

Everyone loves the grammar police 😆


 
Posted : 22/10/2016 6:17 pm
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Having spent the whole weekend riding my human powered bike on an overnight bivi adventure, I've had chance to reflect upon peoples comments & arguments on this thread.

I think the whole 'additional erosion' due to E-bikes is wrong. Electric motors are not powerful. What they have is buckets of torque - so if ridden correctly, i doubt they will cause more erosion.

However, the potential increase in bike traffic - especially in hilly & fun areas near heavily populated zones - such as the Surrey Hills - will take a battering

The main point of my thread was to highlight how someone with a e-bike could match or even exceed the climbing ability of Nick Craig - one of the best climbers in the UK

The secondary point was to highlight how the STW editors are pushing E-bikes so hard (daily Facebook feeds about e-bikes FFS), no doubt at the request of the industry who are desperate to drag every possible penny out of the UK riding community.

I find it a little upsetting how a publication so focused on promoting mountain biking for so long are driving the sport in a whole new direction - and in my eyes away from 100% human powered sport which has been the essence of MTBs since the 80s

I fully agree that there is an important place for E-bikes to help people with disabilities get out and enjoy what we take for granted. I also believe that there is a real place for e-bikes for commuting or cargo moving duties - what an awesome way to reduce the number of cars, van or buses in the country.

But, for me, being a MTB enthusiast is all about getting out into nature, fully under my own steam and getting away from devices making life easy in every possible way. I spend every working day staring at a monitor or checking my phone - completely relying on all that stuff - however - bike time is all about nature, my fitness & judgement - things I have worked really hard for.

All the arguments I have read above from enthusiastic MTBers thinking these are a great idea because it allows them to go further. To me - rubbish - just get out & ride more. Strapping an electric motor to your bike to make it go faster or to get you up bigger climbs is turning the bike into a motor-bike - regardless if you need to pedal or not - the bike is now a motor-bike.

I know that i'll never win this argument and some people just want to easier way to achieve things. Human nature on so many levels. So sad, but so true.

The genie is well and truly out of the bottle. People will ride them responsibly and people will ride them irresponsibly. I just really hope that it doesn't impact the greater community of mountain biking or our very fortunate land access rights we enjoy in the UK.

Yep - I might be a luddite but I'll keep my dignity, beliefs & fitness

Awaits a massive barrage of abuse!!! 🙂


 
Posted : 23/10/2016 8:48 pm
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Agreed! The whole, I can ride further, it's no different....all bs.
When it boils down to it it's all about sales of bikes.
TBH I was about to renew my lapsed ST sub, but the pushing of Ebikes is defo putting me off.


 
Posted : 23/10/2016 8:55 pm
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simondbarnes - Member

Wtf is "main stream mtbing"?

Riding penmachno within 2 weeks of rainfall


 
Posted : 23/10/2016 11:41 pm
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I find it a little upsetting how a publication so focused on promoting mountain biking for so long are driving the sport in a whole new direction - and in my eyes away from 100% human powered sport which has been the essence of MTBs since the 80s

That bit I agree with as far as industry direction goes and this post will come back to me I'm sure as one day I expect I'll be speccing up a production E-MTB.

But to balance that, 'WTF is MTB now anyway', as Simon pretty much already said up there. I don't relate to Rampage, slopestyle or even Enduro that much either. I don't see XC on an E-MTB as being any more further removed from what I mostly do than the 'xtreme' side of MTB. It's a broad thing now. Whatever we're riding I suspect most of us are a lot closer in attitudes or rewards gained than the differences in bikes could suggest, if not in fitness?


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 6:38 am
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If so many people take to e-bikes for mtbing my boring old hardtail will become the equivalent of a singlespeed and therefore i will be a hipster and that's something you really don't want to see


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 7:29 am
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jumped the ethical shark

I have struggled to find the words to describe what seems to me to be happening. These are magnificently silly words, and will do perfectly. I am adopting them.

🙂


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 8:00 am
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However, the potential increase in bike traffic - especially in hilly & fun areas near heavily populated zones - such as the Surrey Hills - will take a battering

To those saying that ebikes are just mountain biking no difference, which in effect lumps ebikes and mountainbike together, don't complain when others do the same thing. Imagine in the Surry Hills where the land is privately owned, and there's a massive increase of damage caused by increased usage from ebikes. The Surry hills are a sensitive area, with lots of different conflicting priorities and uses, could it cope with double the erosion? Who will be blamed? The users who are anti MTB will use this as an opportunity to try to ban mountain bikes from the Surry Hills - ebikes and MTBs will be lumped together in the same category, just like all the advocates above are saying.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:02 am
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I see ebikes have already eroded the e from Surrey.

Is there any evidence that the number of ebikes will be the same as the number of other bikes equating to the "double the erosion" that you keep quoting?

Is there any evidence of bikes being banned because of erosion concerns?

What you are worrying about is more people enjoying the outdoors and if this is your concern then I suggest killing people would be a far better option.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:18 am
 Andy
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I think the whole 'additional erosion' due to E-bikes is wrong. Electric motors are not powerful. What they have is buckets of torque - so if ridden correctly, i doubt they will cause more erosion.

However, the potential increase in bike traffic - especially in hilly & fun areas near heavily populated zones - such as the Surrey Hills - will take a battering

Perhaps also use of chipped, or unrestricted ebikes (effectively motorbikes) will increase over time - people wont be able to resist and this will increase erosion.

The secondary point was to highlight how the STW editors are pushing E-bikes so hard (daily Facebook feeds about e-bikes FFS), no doubt at the request of the industry who are desperate to drag every possible penny out of the UK riding community.

I find it a little upsetting how a publication so focused on promoting mountain biking for so long are driving the sport in a whole new direction - and in my eyes away from 100% human powered sport which has been the essence of MTBs since the 80s

Agreed,

I fully agree that there is an important place for E-bikes to help people with disabilities get out and enjoy what we take for granted. I also believe that there is a real place for e-bikes for commuting or cargo moving duties - what an awesome way to reduce the number of cars, van or buses in the country.

But, for me, being a MTB enthusiast is all about getting out into nature, fully under my own steam and getting away from devices making life easy in every possible way. I spend every working day staring at a monitor or checking my phone - completely relying on all that stuff - however - bike time is all about nature, my fitness & judgement - things I have worked really hard for.

All the arguments I have read above from enthusiastic MTBers thinking these are a great idea because it allows them to go further. To me - rubbish - just get out & ride more. Strapping an electric motor to your bike to make it go faster or to get you up bigger climbs is turning the bike into a motor-bike - regardless if you need to pedal or not - the bike is now a motor-bike.

Agree with all of that. I would add that I'm very happy that access to remoter parts of the UK in higher populated areas such the Surrey Hills or Chilterns have to be earned. Its a sort of natural selection where the lack of motorised access keeps these places more people free.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:34 am
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Andy - Agree with all of that. I would add that I'm very happy that access to remoter parts of the UK in higher populated areas such the Surrey Hills or Chilterns have to be earned. Its a sort of natural selection where the lack of motorised access keeps these places more people free.

You of course ride a rigid singlespeed with 1.9 tyres because suspension and gears and grip are all cheating and therefore access hasn't been earned?

or do we all have to take a fitness test before we are allowed out, when exactly are people with hectic lives supposed to get out more and man up when they work 40 hours and have children?

Presumably you wouldn't let the most stressed part of our population have any recreation because they've not earned it?


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:46 am
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I like getting up stuff under my own steam.

I like getting to places under my own steam.

I like that fact that some things I can't get up.

I like the fact that some adventures are just too big for me to do - read lack of fitness!

You take those things away & make them easier you take away 1/2 the challenge IMHO. Then where's the compulsion, the urge to strive & improve yourself gone?

Each to their own, but if you make stuff too easy & too accessible where's the challenge & then where's the reward?....

There is a downside to making things too easy & that's the fact that less seems special & the special that was becomes ordinary..

How dull a World that would be.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:47 am
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I like the fact that you say each to their own but then apply your own view on others recreational habits.

Some people don't want to improve, some people don't see there is an issue with their life as is, some people just like being oudoors.


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:50 am
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Yeah i do dread that day people take e bikes up into the cairngorms

I can see the mrt call outs already .

"My batteries flat and im unable to get out from xyz remote location"

- and i know your sitting there thinking that surely wouldnt happen...... Worse happens.

More so the above is coming from a pro e-bike stance as well .... But as with everything theres are nobs in every walk of life so to write them off for all on the basis of the 1 or 2 that will be stupid - such as the **** i was doing 30mph on a pavement yesterday on his e bike ....


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:50 am
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I like the fact that you say each to their own but then apply your own view on others recreational habits.

Uh?

I'm not applying it to you - I'm applying it to me!

They are MY reasons why eMTB is not for ME.

You have your own reasons for doing it & I'm sure they stack up.

I'm not stopping you from riding your motorised MTB anywhere..


 
Posted : 24/10/2016 9:53 am
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