Back end of November I picked up a 2019 turbo levo, the start of the sloppy season on my local stuff, it was game changing, instead of putting in phenomenal amounts of effort to get nowhere I was buzzing about with a massive grin making the most of the slop, slop surfing.
Fast forward a few months, everything is hard pack now, the ebike is flipping boring, I'm a pump, jump and jib type of rider, if im pedalling to go fast I'm either riding the trail wrong or the trail is rubbish, the ebike pumps rubbish, it feels like riding a dh bike on tame trails ie a passenger getting no feedback and having to work really hard to get my jollies, there's just no fun in it, it just feels like 100% business all the time.
Before I had the ebike I had the opinion that it'll be sick getting in more laps more quickly but paying for it by riding a more rubbish feeling bike on fun stuff or down, it wasn't so in the slop, but has worked out exactly that way now the trails have firmed up.
Can't imagine bothering with the ebike again until slop returns.
What’s the problem? I just ride my normal bike(s) during the better months, and save my ebike for winter... In my mind it’s just a case of using the right tool for the job, like any other bike...
It feels like we need some kind of holding quote about how easy it is to pump and jump ebikes (unless you are weak and unworthy) until the usual suspect can make it here. 🙂
Yep we're all weak and unskilled.....even pros like sam pilgrim who make it look hard work/ugly.
Bernard kerr loos sick on his though.
I feel the same about my enduro bike on flat twisty trails. Just get a fun hardtail or short travel full suss for nice weather and keep the ebike for the slop!
Note to self don't wind up the trolls!
5 pages and 1 forum holiday by this evening.
So glad I opened this before the Geexstorm.
OP's description: "Like riding a DH bike" reminds me of the Haibike I demo'ed. Horrible thing.
But then yes, Geex, I am a ****ing hopeless, useless lump of turd on a bike, unlike your heroic self.
(Almost forgot: **** off noballs)
Give it me, I'd enjoy the hell out of it 👍🏼
There really is only one person whose qualified to reply on this thread,..
#ridinggod
OP
Just trade it in for something quicker.
Thanks for posting. It’s unusual for someone to spend that much then admit that it’s not perfect, so I appreciate your honesty. Of course it shouldn’t in any way reduce the enjoyment of those who do love theirs but I dare say it will upset a few folk. I’ll put the kettle on 🙂
To be fair when it's this dry unless i'm on techy stuff I'm reaching for hardtail 29er rather than the e-bike.
I'm just here to wait for Geex to tell you how wrong you are
I’m just here to wait for Geex to tell you how wrong you are
Either wrong, or not sufficiently skilled to be allowed an opinion on the matter.
Coincidentally, the skill level required to be allowed an opinion aligns just nicely with Geex's personal skill level. Which is handy. If you happen to be Geex.
Reminds me of a horrible winter ride I had- freezing weather, puddles everywhere and super slippery with a headwind. I was grinding my teeth, head down, suppressing tears and trying to get some feel back into my feet whilst making meager progress. An older chap on a E-FS flew past with a smile. I've never wanted an ebike more.
different bike for different occasions, rode my 29er hardtail all winter, got the short travel full sus out and having a blast on the dry trails, give it a few weeks, i'll want the harsh backend of my hardtail. a few of my mates are hitting 50 and toying with ebikes, im glad they've sustained thus far, will be knackring keeping up with them for a local hilly ride
It really is a case of "right tool for the job". My main riding buddy had convinced himself that more travel = better bike so bought an enduro sled. After destroying his back wheel i lent him my Pace RC129 for our last trip to the peak district. He then smashed all his PBs on the climbs (straaaavaaa) and had a whole lot more fun so guess what? Now looking at buying a hardtail :-/
Big bikes need fast aggressive trails otherwise they just feel heavy and dull.
This thread is an hour old & he’s not here yet.....I hope he’s ok.
This thread is an hour old & he’s not here yet…..I hope he’s ok.
He's out on his bike being strong and rad!
Well stronger and radder than you (you are weak) at least!
That's a good post OP, ta. Short travel small wheel FS or HT, keeping the eeb for winter FTW here I reckon. I got the same sort of boredom from riding a big FS on our local stuff so stopped doing it.
Yeah I know the feeling, I get the same boredom riding my full sus around certain trails. I have no skills, no balls, not rad, but I do think it’s a case of the right bike for the right trail and conditions.
Thetford being my local trail, my 140/130mm full sus is way to much bike and some of that trail saps the life out of me.
If you want to get some buzz back, have you considered connecting the battery to sensitive areas of your body?
I think I just heard a loud bang as someones head just exploded.....
This thread is an hour old & he’s not here yet…..I hope he’s ok.
He's out on his bike and waiting for the crane to arrive so he can get it over a 5ft locked gate.
He’s out on his bike and waiting for the crane to arrive so he can get it over a 5ft locked gate.
Nah, I heard he ran out of battery so he's hooked it up to an electric fence to charge. The cows aren't impressed.
OP! I have a Dawes Edge ONE SS with rigid forks, v-brakes and a knackered b/b. It gives so much feedback that you're buzzing for months off a 5 min trail blast.
Swapsies considered. You may need to sweeten the deal with cash or beer but my arm can be twisted.
Having heard how awesome e-bikes are from people who own them it's good to hear a balanced perspective. I've been thinking about whether to get a decent hardtail or an ebike
The cows aren’t impressed.
Have they seen him manual? He really should start coaching
I do think it’s a case of the right bike for the right trail and conditions.
Nah - often you want the wrong bike for the trail and conditions. That can be more fun/engaging.
I wish I could ride like this on mine, I dont tend to stick to just riding it and swap between whats in the garage, so not got fed up yet.
Avoid all this emotional trauma by being financially bereft and only able to afford one bike! Works a treat for me. Or you could, you know, just ride another bike or develop God rider skillz like geex. The only downside is that you might accidentally make ladies fall pregnant by riding within a mile of them.
It’s a good post OP. I’ll probably ride my Capra more over the Spring on my local not too hilly stuff, but my eBike is definitely still the nuts for the big hills in the Alps.
For me the issue is the 15.5mph assistance cutoff. With the trails hardening up it’s easier to keep up above that kind of speed on the normal bike so there’s less benefit on my ebike.
This doesn’t look fun at all
That looks awesome fun, but as he pedals about 4 revolutions in the whole vid I'm not sure what the relevance of the ebike bit is (other than he can get to the top of a WC DH track with a bit less effort if the lifts aren't working, which is not to be sniffed at of course)?
I think the OP is saying that his ebike is less fun than his normal bike on his non-WC DH track local riding in the dry... which makes sense to me. I'd love an ebike but I overtake plenty of them on my local, flat, hard packed trails where speeds on the quicker bits are > 15.5 mph.
In Geex's absence I'm going to chip in and say the OP is doing it wrong. I'm no riding god, or even demi-god, but my eBike has taken me places I wouldn't have gone on my clockwork bike. Mainly beacuse I'm not knackered when I get to the top of the climb so I still have some capacity to ride down at speed. Or with my heart racing and my buttocks clenched tight enough to turn clagnuts into diamonds.
Of course normal trails are boring. That's why they're normal. Look for the extraordinary and push your limits.#instawhore
@dirtyrider – you stealing my graph?
Ah that's better. I thought you might have had more that one login for a moment
Not absent Dom.
😉
As you (and anyone who knows me) knows I also prefer riding my ordinary bikes over my Eeb. it's not something I'd ever feel the need to get all drama queen about though.
I also wouldn't ever have bought a Levo.
I'm still loving my E, but then I don't ride that much 😉
I also bought the lowest rear travel bike I thought was good value at 120mm rear 130 front (although I now have 140 front) The trouble is that the big EMTB marketing machine makes you think you want a monster travel enduro or DH rig, what you need to do is be honest with yourself & pick a bike suitable for the riding you do. That said I first bought a HT EMTB & didn't really get it as for me to enjoy riding I want a bit more comfort & the HT with a suspension seat post weighed more than my current FS.
Interesting post.
If we’re you I’d get a normal bike and ride them alternatively, just so you’ll reappreciate the benefit of the ebike and fill the enjoyment hole you have.
