[Closed] First e-rides

Game changer eh!!
I wouldn’t sell yer analogue steed JUST NOW
I still have my Bird Aeris,albeit I’ve not rode it more than twice
But those two rides would have resulted in sat in the house bored shitless

Game changer, until they break down...which they will.

I've borrowed a mates Focus Sam2 a few times now. I'm soon to get an eeb of my own but don't own one yet.

It's a hell of a lot of fun for sure. It does feel different though. I can really feel the difference in weight on the downs in terms of chucking it about and popping off trail features.

They kind of steamroller everything. Feel amazingly planted but defo not as playful as a mtb.

I'm still feeling very self-conscious on it. I can sense the scorn of some mtbers towards emtbers.
If I see some riders ahead on a climb I'll generally hang back until they've done it. Don't want to be the git on an eeb blasting past.
There's more and more about though and I mean climbing ability is the main thing about them so I guess I'll continue to be polite and friendly but pass when I'm able.

I did 21 miles on it yesterday and nearly 5.5k feet of climbing. Normal sort of distance I guess but lots more ascent.

Awesome day on lots of dh tracks doing full runs and riding back up where in the past I'd be pushing up and sectioning bits.

What I don't like about it is that all the chat seems to be about how many bars you've used, how many bars you've got left, what mode you were in on which bit, what range you might get...
All that is boring as hell! 😂

But yeah. The basic fact of the matter is, the amount of riding and therefore fun I can squeeze into a day out has essentially doubled.
Good times.

Agree a game changer, but yes, you need a spare bike !

I started off with a full fat ebike and had to sell it before I really got used it it. Prior to that I had only ridden a Jam2, the one with the small battery.

I now have a Spesh Levo SL and like the compromise of lighter weight and still decent assist when needed.

dumbbot
Free Member
Game changer, until they break down…which they will.

definite game changer, and assuming you have decent warranty support, you'll be back up and running in days. My X Fusion seat manic seat post has been away longer than I've been without my current ebike, should my dropper come with a warning too?

I’m still feeling very self-conscious on it. I can sense the scorn of some mtbers towards emtbers.

LOL, do you also feel judged for your car/clothes/house/etc?

I’m still feeling very self-conscious on it. I can sense the scorn of some mtbers towards emtbers.

LOL, do you also feel judged for your car/clothes/house/etc?

Yeah, nobody judges others on those things eh? 😂

But I suppose that everyone knows from every e-discussion ever, they're not universally liked by any stretch.
That's ok of course, but at the same time, I don't like to add to that by roosting past folks on a climb or sitting on their back wheels or something.

I'm used to riding my bike everywhere and all mtbers being friendly. All I'm saying is that you can sense some of that changes a little bit when you're on an eeb.

I've only ridden one a few times so I've yet to become desensitized. 😉

“ I’m still feeling very self-conscious on it. I can sense the scorn of some mtbers towards emtbers.”

When I do pass other riders on a fire road, or manage an impressively steep climb with anyone in sight/earshot I feel obliged to inform them that I’m on my cheaty bike.

I’d only overtake other riders (on any bike) on singletrack if doing an actual race - too much chance of it spoiling someone’s day otherwise.

Three years ago everyone you passed on the trails had some sort of dig at them. Never bothered me then.
Most now on the trails seem to accept them and there are alot more about.
What ever I'm riding I'm happy just to be out.
A few riders just need to moan about something, I just usually ignore it and let them get on with it.

A few pics from this week, let's see yours

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Well everyone knows from every e-discussion ever, they’re not universally liked by any stretch.

Not really, early on you had numpty's telling us they destroy mtb for everyone.. oh look, nearly 10 years of e-bikes, & it still hasn't happened. They don't suit everyone type of riding, and not everyone has the cash for one, others are put off by their fallibility, but only idiots look on with scorn and is that really scorn or just jealousy.
It's not desensitization, it's about embracing the enjoyment, without feeling guilty (it soon comes).

Well, I'm 66 and have been riding MTBs for over 30 years, so I don't give a toss what anyone else thinks. However, I may not sell the Intense just yet.

The horrible climb up to the Pennine Way from Cotterdale yesterday was a breeze. That alone almost made it worthwhile.

I just usually ignore it and let them get on with it.

Are you sure its not those pink shorts they're on about 😆

Either way I'm not bothered 😉

I had a bloke ranting at me about eBikes today at FoD. He was bemoaning the fact that he’d been having a good day until the first eBike breezed past on a climb (“****er”) then another (“****er”) and so on. I just laughed, told him we’d heard it all before and we don’t care. 😂

My 9 year old son mutters 'bloody ebikes' under his breath when I overtake him on mine on a climb.

😁

I like to rant at Ebikers while I'm on my Ebike.

Yep has completely changed my option since riding mine. I went for an Orbea rise having never used an ebike before. As others have mentioned it just condenses the amount of fun you can have on a bike. I do feel like a fraud but I ride it with the same effort levels as my normal bikes.

I have had one for a couple of years, I hardly ride it anymore because for me it's just not the same as riding an unassisted bike, it's hard to explain but I find the whole experience of riding it intrusive and detracts from my enjoyment of simply riding a bike

Love my ebike, but it is completely different to my normal one, both serve a purpose, i enjoy the ebike for longer journeys that takes in more flow style stuff, if it's tech then my enduro is what i like to use, not to say i don't switch about depending on the day.

What i'm not a fan off is the rapid wear and tear on my ebike, they do eat drivetrains, bearings, etc, so not just expensive to buy, but to keep in top condition!

I can't see why anyone would have a problem with what someone else rides, ebikes not for me at the moment but I am certainly looking forward to completing climbs I normally fail at or struggle with one day.

A few pics from this week, let’s see yours

Here’s one of mine, from Friday. Not been on the eMTB this year as here in South Lanarkshire we are limited to our own local authority or nearby and there are very few spots for any fun off road riding that aren’t hoaching with walkers and dogs. Roll on 26th April when we can travel again.

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/prxnZQdw/40-A613-AD-ACF2-44-D0-BE3-F-5-BE4-D0-A325-B6.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/prxnZQdw/40-A613-AD-ACF2-44-D0-BE3-F-5-BE4-D0-A325-B6.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

But here’s a few from last time I rode it, back in October :

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[url= https://i.postimg.cc/xj6zH4HQ/3-ACEAAD1-43-E1-4180-BF24-17-C693618067.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/xj6zH4HQ/3-ACEAAD1-43-E1-4180-BF24-17-C693618067.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

just out of interest, when tearing around on an e-bike with a big smile on, does anyone think about what demand for the lithium and cobalt to make batteries is doing?

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/lithium-batteries-environment-impact

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-toll-of-the-cobalt-mining-industry-congo/

Nice to see your still getting about. How is the shoulder holding up and the puppy training.

Can't wait to get back up North. Abigale has a few Enduros carried over from last year so with a bit of luck they should be going ahead.

^^^ thanks Tracey. Shoulder gradually improving all the time, can’t wait for swimming pools to reopen in 3 weeks as that was proving really productive rehab.

Puppy keeping us all on our toes, best decision of lockdown for us, he’s a great wee addition to the family !

just out of interest, when tearing around on an e-bike with a big smile on, does anyone think about what demand for the lithium and cobalt to make batteries is doing?

No I'm to busy thinking about everyone using mobiles, tablets, laptops to consider it a problem that needs singling out.

Ive not got one.
mate 1 bought a brand new spesh levo - loves it, it either takes him further faster, or gets him to the meeting point with minimal effort, from there if he winds it back to about 8% assistance its broadly the same as a clockwork bike..mostly he will sit mid pack unless someone offers him to go past up a nasty climb.
mate 2 bought a 2nd hand Kenevo - in 6mths its had a problem with every little bit of it, when it works is a hoot

both of them have put on 50% more blubber than the clockwork riders over lockdown

Like so many things there isn't a problem with the tech there's a problem with people. Just like the rest of the population there's 1% (my guestimate) who can't somehow avoid being a dick when out in public.

Riding an ebike is still new enough that this level of dickness hasn't disappeared into the background noise of MTB idiocy plus it gives new riders new opportunities to annoy people in old ways. (I'm talking to you ebike rider who buzzed my bike wheel up the hill until I let you past and then stopped in the middle of the trail at the first vaguely techy downhill). But that's people not ebikes.

We, as a group who want to use the same trails for ebikes and non ebikes, need to work out what not being a dick looks like for both populations because nobody wins if this becomes an us versus them thing.

I can't wait for mine to arrive in June (hopefully) I'm fed up with the climbs, my fitness has never been the same since Chemotherapy a few years ago so at 51 it was time to treat myself 👍👍

As this thread shows in a few posts, ebikes and those who ride them are given labels, same as we do with every group, when i ride my ebike, i enjoy it for what is does, it has good points and bad points, do i ride it differently, yes, do i feel like i have to apologise for overtaking folk who are dying on climbs, not really, this for me is a big thing with ebikes, seeing people going past without as much effort isn't great and annoys folk.

Do i see groups of ebikers being idiots, yes, i've seen them now and again, but then i see groups on enduros and so on being idiots, same reasoning behind me jumping in a white audi or BMW doesn't mean i forget to use indicators or only use the outside lane, it's the people not the kit.

As i said before, i enjoy using my normal bike, it is better down hills and through techy stuff, but i will then be inching up the hills to do the runs, i can live with that if i have all day and can then just push up or take a break, but if i have 2 hours or even 3, the thought that i can basically be in trail mode and do 5k feet of climbing without my legs going kind of sells itself, plus i know that normal bike will equal a day or more recovery over the ebike.

I'm still happily saving away for my ebike purchase, with the not connected/needed for anything else saving cash, and up at £4 1/2k thus far. But I fear problems on the horizon when I get to the price of an original Charles Eames lounge chair. A chair I've wanted for 30 years but could never afford. I may waiver.

, i enjoy using my normal bike, it is better down hills and through techy stuff,

Unfortunately, I’m finding the opposite - I’m of the opinion now that my RM Altitude Powerplay is at least the equal of my Liteville 301 for pretty much everything, other than stuff that needs lots of endo turns, which I’m struggling with on the RM. The lower CoG and better sprung/unsprung weight ratio is, I suspect, what makes the difference.
I make a point of riding normal bikes at least as much as e-bikes because I’ve got them and I still like them as much as I ever did.
The Altitude feels almost like something different altogether - like taking a trials bike out for the day, for example.

Unfortunately, I’m finding the opposite – I’m of the opinion now that my RM Altitude Powerplay is at least the equal of my Liteville 301 for pretty much everything

Yep, my ebike is better than my normal Bike (yt capra) for almost every trail, its only where im playing about, ie lifting the front, bunny hopping etc when the capra wins and that's because of the lighter weight.

I find in twisty tech stuff, which is a lot of the stuff in FoD we do, it can be a struggle to turn the bike the same as my patrol, as you say though, it is lightening up the rear end to go round corners easier, ebikes are well capable of doing this, as you can see from any video with a good rider, but i'm not that confident in doing it on the ebike, i just feel i'm going to throw the rear end out, but it is something i'm going to work on this summer!

I find in twisty tech stuff, which is a lot of the stuff in FoD we do, it can be a struggle to turn the bike the same as my patrol, as you say though, it is lightening up the rear end to go round corners easier, ebikes are well capable of doing this, as you can see from any video with a good rider, but i’m not that confident in doing it on the ebike,

Same here. Miss riding my Patrol.

My riding has improved massively since getting the eeb 3 years ago so I'm riding trails on it that I wouldn't have even considered on my old bike. I must admit I'd love to have a day out on a decent non-eeb at some point though.

Isn’t debate great.

I started riding on a diamond back sorrento in ‘90, then a hardrock, then a GT Tequesta, then much later a Marin Wolf Ridge, then two Orange 5’s with a Ribble 7005 in the middle.

I still have the second 5 and now a Sonder Camino.

What do they all have in common...... not sitting on the sofa.

E bikes have a place, for my 70 year old choir pal it means him and his Cube can get out with confidence over the tops of Rossendale and smile.

Would I choose an e bike now, yes I did two years ago when I got an e folder to get me about after a medical condition prevented me from driving for 9 months.

Our incredible sport has thrown up niche after niche to suit pocket and inclination.

Don’t knock it, just get out and ride.