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Wasn't too long ago that you'd get scoffed at for taking an ebike there (we didn't actually encounter any dodgy looks tbf). Now they are promoting them as the future of Dyfi (not that surprising I suppose, considering the Atherton brand). Just seen an ad on FB, apparently they have an announcement about something on Monday.
Maybe they've built some new trails away from the drop off trail head?
Maybe they've built some new trails away from the drop off trail head?
They’re building e bike specific trails from the top of the ridge above the drop off point, opens at the end of August afaik, 600m descent back to the car park apparently
I took my eeb there a month or so back as it's now my only full suss.
It did strike me that there was a bit more hill available so it's good they are doing it.
In some ways though, unless the eeb trails are markedly different in character, then if I've already paid full price for an uplift then maybe I might just want to maximise uplift time and get the most run time.
If there was a route you could ride up from the very bottom and subsequently pay less on the uplift like BPW, then that might interest me more than just the top section.
Saying that, I'm sure it would be epic to go right to the top what with the views etc, so the option to do it once or twice on a visit is very welcome.
Would be nice to be able to eeb up at Black mountain CC too.
what's an e-bike specific trail?
I like the look of that
what's an e-bike specific trail?
There is a Greggs half way down up
FTFY.
Figure 8 loop with Greggs in the middle, FTFY again..
(but really, what is an e-bike specific trail going to be?)
Fun uphill stuff. Dan kind of mentions it in the video at around 3:29
Even at my local there are trails I wouldn't ride (or wouldn't enjoy riding) uphill on a regular bike, but they're great on the ebike.
(but really, what is an e-bike specific trail going to be?)Heavily armoured surface?
Substantial kerbstones to minimise/eliminate the taking of shortcuts?
Free chargers at Greggs?
Bit like a luge run but with jumps and steak bake/sausage rolls?
there is definitely a marketing/sponsorship angle here....
what's an e-bike specific trail?
In an interview he says that they're good for meat bikes too, it's just that they don't see many non-e-bikers pedalling up when there's decent uplift.
Personally I think that given the number of sales, all MTB businesses are going to have to be e-bike orientated or they're likely to die.
Last time I went to some uplifts I took my ebike because I’m not hard enough to survive four days of riding at the gnarlier end of my skill level on my hardtail, and I don’t have a normal full-sus anymore.
Ebike cons: Getting roasted for putting an ebike on the (rather high) trailer at Dirt Farm (but I did do most of the lifting).
Ebike pros: It’s better downhill than my last normal full-sus; I could get a headstart on the quicker riders so I had clear trails and wasn’t holding anyone up; I pedalled up a few times at BPW when the queue was v long.
I (mostly) like the climbs at trail centres, especially when there’s a tech rocky bit that needs skill and fitness to clean, that’s something I miss at the uplift venues! One of my favourite things about riding a singlespeed locally is that it’s made a whole load of climbs challenging (or currently impossible to clean) when with gears they weren’t that interesting. I guess ebike specific climbs may be a whole lot steeper!
: It’s better downhill than my last normal full-sus
this is more a sign you're part full sus was pants, then..... I'm yet to ride an e-bike where I've thought "wow, this is brilliant".
Have ridden a few bikes from various brands including Santa Cruz, Trek, Thok, Mondraker and some others I can't recall.
Recently got invited to go for a ride on a borrowed Trek Rail. 700m ascent in 35 minutes. Wow. Rode down on built trails. The bike was so "planted" it felt like it was glued to the floor.
My current bike is a 16.7kg (soon to be heavier) Raaw Madonna so it's not like I'm not used to a heavy bike.
E-bikes just suck the fun out of the descents. I would rather suffer more/have a work out on the climbs than have to ride an ebike*.
* I've an e-cargo bike. That, or a commuter makes total sense. An emtb does not, imo.
I watched that Vid up there and was a bit puzzled and concerned.
They obviously want to do something different yet they couldn't or wouldn't explain it.
I then thought it odd that they said they are going to the more natural mountain and wont damage it but then show Dan Atherton flying down a hillside with dirt flying out of a large created berm.
Talking about blue runs are part of the answer but they are not going to do blue runs, but keep doing what they have always done.
Oh and then they said we could do stuff down there, but for now we are keeping ebikes at the top of the hill. Right so ebikes have to be out in the worst elements the Welsh hills can offer
Was it a nod to the fact that 95% of people who can afford to buy their ebike will be old, like riding uphills, are not particular gnar etc, but they are going to ignore that and continue to dig up a beautiful hill side?
I am intrigued to see what they consider for wider Dyfi. Id love them to develop some nice blue / reds ups and downs, maybe even call it an XC loop, but with good down bits in it?
They are also talking about being able to open up new area's that an eeb would allow you to pedal back out of.
As for which descends best, I think it just depends on what you ride most of the time.
E-bikes just suck the fun out of the descents.
My current ebike (mid weight/power Orbea Rise LT) is one of the most fun bikes I've ever had on descents, and I've had my fair share of fun bikes. It's fast, it's poppy and it corners like a boss. Never fails to put a smile on my face.
but really, what is an e-bike specific trail going to be?)
Rather than going through the rocky, technical, interesting bit, it'll just plough through the easier but steeper heather/ mud to create a shortcut that doesn't tax the rider so much....
but really, what is an e-bike specific trail going to be?)
Rather than going through the rocky, technical, interesting bit, it'll just plough through the easier but steeper heather/ mud to create a shortcut that doesn't tax the rider so much....
*groans*
The Greggs references were funnier.
"this is more a sign you're part full sus was pants, then..... I'm yet to ride an e-bike where I've thought "wow, this is brilliant"."
It was a Banshee Spitfire v2, 27.5, 160F/140R with a Pike and DBair. Not heard many bad words about them and I thought it was a great bike. My ebike is a Levo gen 2, mullet, 170F/157R with a 38 and Super Deluxe - old but rides great.
Thankfully we don't all want our bikes to feel the same - when I have front and rear suspension I like how all that mass in the frame of an ebike makes the suspension work better. I also love riding hardtails, especially long slack ones with big forks, and some people hate them!
I watched the MBR and MBUK S.170E launch videos, possibly the ebike trail will be similar to the trail Dan took them on?
just plough through the easier but steeper heather/ mud to create a shortcut
I think you're describing the push-up for the non ebikes
