You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
To start with, this isnt about if you like or dislike ebikes, so lets not go down that route... anywho...
Peaslake, Surrey Hills, yesterday morning (sunday 19th), the day started a little overcast, but a healthy 13 degrees at 9am, with the sun forecast to be in full flight an hour or two later.
And so it did, i think it peaked around 22 degrees. Glorious. Trails were 99% dry and running well.
Whilst being out, our riding group came across numerous ebike riders, which of course is more and more becoming the norm these days.
What perplexed us all was the clothing that the majority (if not all) the ebike riders were wearing.
Long sleeves: check. Trousers: check. Jacket: check (only on a few riders). Add into the mix that some had full face helmets and back protects.... i cannot fathom how they werent passing out from the heat.
I know there is an age old argument that riding an ebike means you dont sweat/put any effort in, but even if that was the case, the amount of clothing being worn didnt correspond to the weather conditions.
So, you ebikers, do you wear trousers and long sleeves in the blazing sun as per yesterdays experience? Or was it just bad planning at the start of the ride with the aforementioned overcast skys, assuming the sun wasnt coming out? Please explain to me how you survive that heat wearing all that gear, as i was sweating my nuts off in a t-shirt and shorts!
Any insight is greatly appreciated. Just so it doesnt blow my mind next time i am out 🙂
Thanks in advance!
I have seen the same.
I have been roasting, yet seem people happily riding around with full trousers and jackets.
Maybe they just run cold?
Same story at the Golfie, I assumed just putting less effort on the climbs, maybe more armour underneath? Although I'm guessing the climbs and need for armour are both less at Peaslake?
Not ebike specific, but I am pretty much a full time trouser convert, regardless of whether the bike has a motor or not.
With the lighter weight versions, I don’t feel any warmer than when most of my skin is covered with shorts, pads & socks anyway.
As for the rest, can’t help you there, but they do love a layer or two 😆
Saw loads of bikers out and about as I was walking around Ladybower with my wife. Saw everything from shorts and tees to what looked like full on winter wear. I do think MTB trousers are becoming more and more popular though, and if you're on an e-bike I'd think I trade off a bit of nettle protection for a bit of sweat.
Do ebikes have built-in air con nowadays?
If so, I'm getting one 😁
Have you ever seen Prince Andrew on an e-bike?
I rest my case.
My ebiking mate does run a wee bit cold but even still he always has a minimum of 4 layers on and the top one is usually a waterproof walking coat. He has also been known to ride in a pair of Wellington boots as well.
Thankfully he’s usually that far in front people don’t realise he’s with us.
I wear trousers and long sleeve jerseys right up to the point of major heatwave just to avoid tics and bush lacerated arms.
Standard e-bike attire from what I've seen. Dress up as if you're on a MX bike.
Can’t say I take much notice when out on the trails what others are wearing
I doubt many people do, but when its a hot, humid day and you people are out dressed like its deepest winter it catches the eye
no ebike, used to wear a FF all the time, made no odds, except it was harder to drink from a water bottle, will also wear trousers if i don't want to wear pads, and sleeves or no sleeves are an option for me. rarely wear a jacket... unless super wet or cold.
trousers make zero difference to temperature to me, upper body is more important. have a decent amount of ink on arms and legs so i err 0n protecting that
i cannot fathom how they werent passing out from the heat.
Cough cough....
Saying that, I'm in Italy. Whilst I'm sweating buckets riding up a climb in shorts and t-shirt there'll be a group of Italians in puffer jackets and long trousers.
Although it used to be the same in Germany. Nice warm spring day, 18°C, and I'll be wearing shorts and t-shirt and friends will still be wrapped up with a bobble hat on.
Yep - standard ebike attire from what I have seen. But if you're not doing much (if any) work you will get cold.
Long sleeves: check. Trousers: check. Jacket: check
That's a bit much for me, but to each their own.
Some folk run cold. When many are in t shirt and shorts I am in longs and a jacket no matter the bike
So, you ebikers, do you wear trousers and long sleeves in the blazing sun as per yesterdays experience?
Yesterday had on the lightest summer t-shirt I own, shorts, usual helmet. Partner had short sleeve, thin base layer under, shorts. I sweated. If I'd been on my mtb I think it might've been too hot for me on the ride we did, so was glad of the motor. Didn't see enough other people out to know what others were wearng. (Did see a couple of roadies at the bottom of a road climb. I wondered if they'd be able to keep up with us: No.)
I wear whatever the weather calls for personally, ebike or normal bike makes no difference but I definitely do see a lot of ebikers wearing way more than I would
No difference for me, same clothing whatever the bike.
Can’t say I take much notice whn
So that first picture, just under that text.... Is that the crux section of Cut Gate ( going up) a little bit past the NA junction and just before it levels out a bit before the stream?
Love that bit
Yes its in that area, taken last weekend
usually makes no difference what bike i'm on. think trousers are becoming the norm for gravity disciplines anyway.
The only difference is winter when I'd maybe wear an additional layer on the ebike as blasting up them hills causes some windchill.
I also use trousers xc'ing as bridleways around the SDW winchester area this time of year as the tracks are overgrown.
so no, not ebike specific imo
when I go out with my club mates on the road bike I’m astonished at how many of them wear shorts and short sleeves when I’m in long sleeves, tights and a gillet. Unless it’s over 20 degrees I’m always in a long sleeve top when no one else is. I’m obviously a lizard ..
Don't think it's even just a bike thing. Out in the Peak yesterday, wall to wall sunshine, probably low 20s in the shade, I was in a single layer at 5am... Still saw walkers wearing puffer jackets at midday. Seems to just be the uniform. Better than going out in shorts and a vest and calling MR out when it clouds over and you get cold I guess.
I was out yesterday in shorts and tee (Fox of course 🤣)
But - in foul weather can wear a full dry suit, or in cold weather wear an extra layer to what I would on the pedally bike
Also more likely to wear a full face if I'm going somewhere that might warrant it. Regularly wear my Dropframe because I don't get AS sweaty on the ebike
Me (last summer)
I’m astonished at how many of them wear shorts and short sleeves
I've a mate like this, It can be minus figures and horizontal freeing rain and he'll be in shorts and short sleeves, he may (if it's really bad) deign to put on arm warmers, but at that point most normal folk are passing out through hypothermia.
I was sweating like mad in the peaks yesterday. I went for shorts, there was a 5cm gap between bottom of pads and socks.
No falls, but one sheep I didn't spot was hiding in the shade of a wall. It bolted across the front of me while I was zooming down hill on some super slippery gravel.
If I'd gone down on that I'd have preferred trousers to keep some of the grit out.
Not just ebike vs normal but I think my body thermostat is broken. This morning I walked the dogs at 7am, I was in shorts and a long sleeved t shirt and I bumped into 2 people in winter coats, 1 had a wooly hat on!
I’ve always just worn the same kit I usually ride. I don’t own one (yet) but when I’ve borrowed or hired one it’s just business as usual but more laps and descents.
V7,
I was there yesterday with my ebike, wearing t shirt and shorts. Miss me? Heard of confirmation bias?
In general, I'd say that the OP has a good point, though it also depends on what sort of ebiker we're talking about. It's well known that blood thins as we age and that the elderly feel the cold more, so it's no surprise that so many ebikers are wrapped up.
I wear what I do, when I go out on a manual, I might carry another layer if I'm with a mixed group, as they tend to be steadier. A bunch of my own (50 + aged) friends are converting to (lightweight) long tops and trousers, as they simply had enough of death by a thousand cuts you get with brambles, As for extra armour, why the f*** not? Just because you haven't had an accident where you've had issues, doesn't mean others haven't or simply do not want to hurt themselves. I've worn knee pads for years but other ppl think that strange on an 'xc' ride.
Live and let live, do your own thing, and stop worrying about what other ppl think (or maybe stop judging others?)
@raify - as i said in my opening post 'most'. you clearly didnt fall into the 'most' category. So apologies if i you felt singled out. I wouldnt want to tar anyone with the same brush. I suspect you equally arent an ebiker that forces their way past on a single track, rather than waiting a few seconds until a reasonable passing point appears.
As others have mentioned, it wasnt a case of inspecting every riders attire, it was more noticing the ones that looked out of place. IE, trousers, long sleeves, possibly a jacket in the burning sunshine.
And i do see that trousers are the more practical/fashionable (delete as applicable) choice these days, especially with the youths.
To be fair, i do feel the cold a lot more these days than i used to, but then i do weigh a chunk less than previously.
Pretty much always wear shorts and a tech tee when on the emtb, along with a open face lid and i still work up a sweat
When on my non emtb bike i wear the same but a normal lid, and i sweat tons more!
Tend to ride early in the morning and be done by 10am due to this
Ive always been a heavy sweater, i run hot which is great for winter but not for summer, if the temp goes above 25 degrees then ill stay off the bike till it cools down a bit
Rode Heaven of the South on saturday - 80km of xc, similar weather. Trousers and long sleeves. Both the thinnest ones I own. Only on a couple of the sheltered steep climbs with no breeze did I feel too warm. Not sure that would be any better in shorts and short sleeves.
That said if I go for a quick evening blast tonight it will likely be shorts and t-shirt.
My views on full face helmets on multiuse trails are not related to heat or crash protection.
Obviously it would be wrong to insinuate that they aren't working as hard.
They just need the extra layers to offset the wind-chill of riding so much faster.
They also get cold quickly during the frequent stops to discuss torque and battery range.
Doesn't matter what bike I ride I'll be wearing the same, I run hot so never wear a jacket unless it's raining (trousers, base layer and l/s in the winter, shorts and s/s in the summer).
Not sure it's an ebike only thing, on the road and mtb I see people dressed in a way I could never do without overheating.
On a similar level, I often wonder why people insist on riding round a trail centre (ie not out in the wilderness) with a bag large enough to carry a weekend's worth of camping gear, I mean what do they have in there?
Normal biker and an e biker here. I get absolutely freezing on my e bike in winter and really hot on my normal bike.
On my e bike i often wear loads of warm layers as i don't work up a sweat really and the wind chill can make it even colder.
I'll start by saying I don't have an ebike (yet).
But on my meat bike if I'm at a winch and plummet type location I will be wearing full gear regardless of the weather. So long sleeves & legs, elbow and knee pads and a full face. Back protector coming soon. I like reducing the risk of extra holes in me!
If/When I do get an ebike, I will probably be a full gear rider more than not. If I'm doing laps then an ebike means more laps... and more laps means more chances to stack it.
I have found I can acclimatise to heat to a degree. I've not yet managed to get used to riding with bits of skin missing.
*ebiker, I always wear long sleeve shirt, normal helmet, gloves, 3/4 shorts and very long socks. Partly for sun avoidance (*im strawberry blonde ) however, due to being proper hog-weeded quite a few times I now have the choice of covering up or bubble blistering up as my skin doesn’t seem to like sun/certain plants and I’m a xc based map follower who often ends up pedalling thru 5ft high shrubbery where the hand of man clearly hasn’t set foot for a while.
Obviously it would be wrong to insinuate that they aren’t working as hard.
Whilst a lot of 'us' tend to bang on about how you CAN get a good workout on an ebike, the reality is, a lot of the time you aren't working as hard.
This even more so when out in a mixed group with some on normal bikes - I'll definitely tend to wear more clothes than the regular bikers (in cooler temps/wet weather). Warm weather, then it's the same clothes as regular biking
I wear the same clothes on my ebike or my singlespeed hardtail. Shorts all year round. If I’d got out for a ride on either yesterday I’d have been in my thinnest tech t-shirt, a desleeved cotton t, or a vest (sorry!)
I suspect that there may be more ebikers out there than you think - but you tend to notice the ones wearing lots of clothes because anyone doing that on a normal bike would melt!
This even more so when out in a mixed group with some on normal bikes – I’ll definitely tend to wear more clothes than the regular bikers (in cooler temps/wet weather).
Absolutely. If I'm out on a social club ride involving some of the slower members then I'll normally wear a bit more than if I were out solo, because I expect to be going a bit slower and stopping more often. That's with none of us on ebikes.
I wear the same clothing on an E-bike and a normal bike. Trousers all year round as well.
I really don’t like this trend for trousers on MTBs. Why would you want that much insulation around the muscles that are working by far the hardest?
I particularly like heavy 3/4s for bike commuting/work because they’re cool when your legs are moving pumping air in and out but warm when you’re standing still. But they appear to be an endangered species…
I noticed it on a nirvana cycles post a while back...
I wonder if quite a few are people have given up motorbikes for emtbs and are just used to wearing more stuff.
I ride both bikes and ebikes. I always find it a bit of a quandary at this time of year, just as the weather warms the vegetation goes into overdrive and I spend much of this season with lacerated arms and legs so much as I'd like shorts and tee shirts I usually end up in longs to avoid the 'self harmer' look. And I haven't even mentioned the wet slappers after it has rained
I've worn a light, Polarec Alpha insulated jacket on an e-mtb in cool-ish conditions before now, if I did that on a normal bike, I'd evaporate in short order. There can be a hefty difference in heat production between normal bikes and e-bikes, at least ridden with higher levels of assistance. Obviously if you pedal like a loon and use eco mode a lot, that may be less of a thiing.
i cannot fathom how they weren't passing out from the heat.
They simply weren't working as hard as you and simply wearing trousers as opposed to shorts isn't a death sentence. In fact, there's at least one study that shows: 'Wearing long pants while working outdoors in the tropics does not yield higher body temperatures'
So basically, it seems feasible that your assumptions that wearing long trousers make you hotter, may be incorrect, even if that seems unlikely.
“‘Wearing long pants while working outdoors in the tropics does not yield higher body temperatures’”
That seems reasonable - it’s common to have more coverage in very hot conditions to shade the skin from the sun, as it’s about keeping the heat out. However pedalling a bike (so legs constantly moving when doing significant work) in temperate conditions (ie British summers) whilst wearing longs rather than shorts is likely to because you’re trying to use the cooler air outside to remove heat generated by the person doing athletic work.
If you’re wearing too much on an ebike you can use the motor more to stop yourself overheating. Or you can remove some layers and pedal harder.
However pedalling a bike (so legs constantly moving when doing significant work) in temperate conditions (ie British summers)
I think the point is that quite a lot of e-mtbers' legs are not doing 'significant work' - which ultimately, let's be honest, is the attraction for most e-bike riders and the reason the things exist - so legwear is probably less crucial. Obviously you can ride an e-bike hard, but I'm not sure that's a really common thing, particularly when it's baking hot and you have the choice.
On top of that, I wonder how many riders are toting knee/shin pads under their trousers anyway, at which point the cooling gains from wearing shorts probably drop off too.
But I think, if you step back from the STW thing of arguing about the nuances, mostly you don't get as hot riding an e-bike as you do on a non-assisted one. Not that it matters anyway, people can wear what the hell they want if it makes them happy, decency laws permitting.
The flip side that’s easily overlooked is that if you’re wearing more clothing than you need to, then you may avoid putting effort in (that you can manage and enjoy) when riding an ebike, simply because you’re overheating. I’ve had plenty of ebike commutes when the weather has been colder than I was expecting and I’ve had to pedal like a lunatic to stop myself freezing.