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Honestly enjoy your hopefully legal E-mtb, but you do realise “most” people buy them to make the riding easier not harder.
Some people buy them to make the ride faster not necessarily easier.
You just have to increase the distance/severity of the route enough and it will be about the same effort in the same time.
Another few points I've observed:
1) I get out four times a week on my regular MTB. My climbing speed has not gone up in years. It's getting boring seeing no improvement at all. I don't have the time to ride more than 4 times a week, and there is not enough local variety to justify riding any more than 4 times a week, so it would be boring pointless training to do any more miles than what I'm already doing.
An E Bike is the only way I can think of that will increase the speed of my rides. And it will improve it by a lot.
I'm getting more and more bored of slow boring climbs and would like to just get them out of the way with quicker.
2) Most people who I ride with get really demoralised going uphill. More recently some of them have started riding EBikes and they seem so much happier. There are some who can't afford EBikes and they remain miserable.
3) I don't own an EBike yet but I've ridden many of the last few years.
you do realise “most” people buy them to make the riding easier not harder.
I take it you ride a rigid fixie down world cup DH tracks?
Mud spikes on your road bike?
DH bike on the local chain gang ride?
No?
I bet you even get a taxi instead of walking. 😜
There are some who can’t afford EBikes and they remain miserable.
Thats pretty sad 🙁. I hope buying an e-mtb when they can afford one makes them happy 🤗
1) I get out four times a week on my regular MTB. My climbing speed has not gone up in years. It’s getting boring seeing no improvement at all. I don’t have the time to ride more than 4 times a week, and there is not enough local variety to justify riding any more than 4 times a week, so it would be boring pointless training to do any more miles than what I’m already doing.
Your speed won't go up just by going out riding. You need to do at least one training ride amongst those 4 rides (i.e.some intervals). You are just currently training your body to do the same thing at the same speed which it what you are seeing.
“Honestly enjoy your hopefully legal E-mtb, but you do realise “most” people buy them to make the riding easier not harder.”
That sounds very much like the “people buy modern full-sus bikes to make riding easier” argument, when most people I know seem to buy them to allow them to progress their riding onto more difficult trails - and having developed those skills can then take less tolerant bikes down similarly difficult terrain.
My ebike is mostly a time saver. It’s also handy when I’ve worn my legs out from doing too much riding and lifting.
The first time I took it on a full turbo ride I was shocked at how mentally intense it was. Normally your brain gets to relax more when going uphill, but on full turbo there’s corners you’d never noticed when climbing unassisted.
What really took me by surprise though was that the hate on the trails was tangible.
Were you in breach of Rule 1? I don't see any of that when I'm out on my milk float. I get the occasional "Give us a tow" but I've never had any abuse aimed at me. IME, the cry of "Bloody eBikes!" always comes from other eBikers on a wind up.
I get out four times a week on my regular MTB. My climbing speed has not gone up in years. It’s getting boring seeing no improvement at all. I don’t have the time to ride more than 4 times a week, and there is not enough local variety to justify riding any more than 4 times a week, so it would be boring pointless training to do any more miles than what I’m already doing.
You don't need more miles you need better training, if you want to improve. Training isn't just riding a lot.
Anyway, back on topic - I now hate e bikes. I've changed my mind. Today on the way out to the trails some little 15 year old tosser on what could easily have been a stolen e-bike complete with huge tyres and a coil shock passed me on the inside on the pavement as I slowed for the junction. He then shot off up the hill, and kept looking over his shoulder to see if I was still there. FFS you are on an e-bike what are you gloating about? Prick.
If I wasn't recovering from a cold I'd have chased him down, of course.
That sounds very much like the “people buy modern full-sus bikes to make riding easier” argument,
I've never found that much of an argument really, just something to discuss on the internet when your bored. It's been mentioned before numerous times, but to complete the circle I'll say it again. Adding a motor to a bicycle is the single biggest evolution in cycling, ever. It changes the entire concept of what cycling is, and is bound to attract huge differences of opinion.
Don't mention uplifts either. Ever since bicycles were invented people have transported them to places they wish to ride. Uplifts use engines they don't put one on the bike.
Most people who I ride with get really demoralised going uphill. More recently some of them have started riding EBikes and they seem so much happier. There are some who can’t afford EBikes and they remain miserable.
Jesus, if that's even half true, then it's bloody depressing.
If your only reason for buying an ebike is to make yourself less depressed about uphills (and a dose of keeping up with the Jones's) then find another ****ing hobby.
He then shot off up the hill, and kept looking over his shoulder to see if I was still there. FFS you are on an e-bike what are you gloating about? Prick.
Take it as a compliment and carry on as normal.
Maybe look at it like he thought you looked fit enough to keep up.
I always say hello and try to have a chat with anyone that I pass or passes me no matter what bike either of us are on
Passer/ passee/ebike/ no ebike makes no difference I've been in every one of these situations both uphill and down.
I shrug my shoulder and carry on riding with my mates and don't give it another thought.
There are some who can’t afford EBikes and they remain miserable.
If it makes them miserable, why have they gone on the ride? If I didn't enjoy it id go the pub instead.
I'm not sure I understand where all the hate comes from, myself.
There are *loads* of e-bikes of all stripes here in Wellington - maybe not so surprising given the wind and the hills. I'm a fan, personally, even though I don't want one for myself - at least partly because both of the last two commutes home along the Hutt Road, into the teeth of a northerly, I've been able to tuck in behind an e-bike and get pulled along at a much better pace than I'd have managed myself! It is mildly demoralising to have a granny on an sit-up-and-beg blast past you like you're standing still on the hills, though.
Still, the more riders we have, the better; especially given how shit NZ drivers are.
When Anonymous started going on about 1%ers and 99%ers, it didn't make me mad at the rich folk, it made me want to be a 1%er.
I get the same feeling every time I see someone on an e-bike cruising up a hill I am pedalling up.
it made me want to be a 1%er.
On a global scale, there's a good chance you are. I am, it's not as awesome as you would expect.
What about the 1.7 billion people missing off that graph (and the hundreds of millions of missed-out new rich Chinese implied by the presumed age of that data)?
I know I'm a 1%er.
I'm also buying an eBike.
Basically, if you make US$50k per year, you are globally in the 1%. In other words, an average middle-class European or American is fantastically wealthy compared to the vast majority of people. We just think we're hard up because we live among other wealthy people.
Does anyone find that long Solo hill climbs on normal bikes are just so boring ??
Not too bad when your riding with other people, can talk and take the boredom out of it.
But on your own, pedalling at 4mph, up a massive hill on a 32lb mountain bike ?
I can do it without doubt. I don't need an E Bike. But I'm seriously finding I'm getting more and more bored with Solo riding. Almost at the point now where I can't really face a big ride unless I've got someone else with me.
Especially now that the exploration element of biking has gone - I've been everywhere that's near me now within an hours Drive! So spend most of my time repeating same old stuff.
An E Bike will be a complete game changer. Suddenly the climbs will become more fun. Instead of only enjoying 20% of the ride, and being bored and uncomfortable for the remaining 80%, the entire ride will be a blast.
The days of thinking "how much will this next big hill hurt" and "Jesus Christ this climb is boring" are soon going to be over. The sooner I get one the better.
It wasn't so boring when I didn't know everywhere. I used to be wondering whats on the other side of this hill, where does this climb lead to etc. But now the hill climbs on a Solo just feel like a damn chore and it's not what I want, I aim to have fun.
Basically, if you make US$50k per year, you are globally in the 1%. In other words, an average middle-class European or American is fantastically wealthy compared to the vast majority of people.
That figure looks like it's ignoring the relative cost of living in different countries.....
Does anyone find that long hill climbs on normal bikes are just so boring
I really like the climbs. It's a chance to breathe, to sweat, to feel the visceral pain of being alive.
So spend most of my time repeating same old stuff.
Doing a climb I know well just adds to the pleasure. I tick off the sections as I'm going up, greeting each section like an old friend.
Favourite climbs:
- The one from Glyncorrwg ponds, it's not especially far, but I just know it so well.
- The Black at Glentress. Especially when you get to the bottom of Redemption, and know that you're going to have a monster slog all the way out
- Mount Umunum, Santa Clara. It just keeps going, that lovely smooth tarmac, incredible views.
- Ventoux.
Actually that's unfair, there are so many other great climbs, but I have to stop somewhere.
Does anyone find that long hill climbs on normal bikes are just so boring ??
I generally enjoy a good climb, but if it was the same climb over and over as you might do to session a descent I would. But my rides follow a route so I don't usually repeat a climb. Then I also ride light nice climbing bikes which makes all the difference, you feel as if your still "riding" not winching.
I agree that some climbs can be a pleasure - especially if they're technical and within my ability to just about clear them. Or if they are on a nice track with great scenery.
Unfortunately such climbs are few and far between.
Too many are up an incredibly boring road, or up a boring bridleway.
Or worse still, slogging up deep mud and grass (I try to avoid having too many of these within my planned route though)
Climbs a pleasure? Not for me. a necessary evil for me
tjagain wrote:
Climbs a pleasure? Not for me. a necessary evil for me
Nor me, not what look forward to when I set off.
I really like a good technical climb! I don’t have a problem with climbs in general but I’m in that time-poor phase of life (I have three small children as of three hours ago, and run my own business) and the ebike saves a lot of time!
having tried an ebike on my local trails i came to the conclusion that i would like my mrs to have one then i can ride at my own pace.
i also concluded that whilst it got me outside it certainly wasnt exercise.
perfectly suited to todays make everything easy mentality
i also concluded that whilst it got me outside it certainly wasnt exercise
Couldn't you have pedalled harder?
todays make everything easy mentality
Which is a figment of your imagination. How long have skiers been carted to the top of hills? People have always wanted to have fun and to make things easier. It's human nature.
i also concluded that whilst it got me outside it certainly wasnt exercise.
perfectly suited to todays make everything easy mentality
You ride too slowly
I put in the same effort on my ebike as I do on my non ebike. Depending how much assist on depends how much faster I go uphill. I still reach the top in the same state.
wow did i hit a nerve?
im sorry my experience didnt conform with the propaganda.
im still trying to convince the mrs to buy one, but interestingly she is refusing as she also felt that she wasnt getting the same exercise.
i agree it is always possible to turn the power down but does anyone actually do that?
i agree it is always possible to turn the power down but does anyone actually do that?
Yes.
Yes, cant see the point in blasting everywhere in Turbo.
ill take your word for it Tom, im yet to see an ebiker breathing hard let alone breaking into a sweat.
i suppose thats what makes them so cool.
I tend to blast everywhere in high power and to pedal as hard as I can at the same time ( on climbs) On the flat its about 6 - 10 turns of the pedals until the motor cuts out
wow did i hit a nerve?
im sorry my experience didnt conform with the propaganda.
With me? No. I don't own an e-bike, nor do I plan to get one.
im still trying to convince the mrs to buy one, but interestingly she is refusing as she also felt that she wasnt getting the same exercise.
Still don't know why you cannot pedal just as hard on the e-bike. You can either go the same speed for less effort, or go faster for the same effort. Why do you do choose the former?
Adamthekiwi
I’m not sure I understand where all the hate comes from, myself.
Possibly because you don’t live in the UK. The fear of loosing access I can understand, but that has been a fear for as long as I can remember.
mrs is hiring one for 5 days in a week or so, im hoping after a few days on it she will decide she likes it. obviously my reasons are entirely selfish as it means i will get to do much longer rides when she comes along
While you can put in the same amount of effort I don't think all to people do (especially uphill). The fact that effort is not required means a lot of people will take the easy route.
I briefly had a geared bike in the spring (after 20 years of mostly fixed gear only riding) and when going up the same hills as on my fixed gear bike I selected a much lower gear than my fixed gear and could go up the hill with less effort (clearly slower as I wasn't putting in same effort)
Just see that as human nature and when you have a motor to make things easier a lot of people are going to make things easier rather than put in same effort to go faster. This has been my experience with 100% of bike riders I have followed who have all been putting in very little effort when going 15mph up hill with me putting in pretty much max effort to keep up with them.
However, don't see a problem with it and don't dislike ebike riders because of it, I really don't care what they do.
I put in the same effort on my ebike as I do on my non ebike. Depending how much assist on depends how much faster I go uphill. I still reach the top in the same state.
HAve you tested that with a HRM ?
Talking to a customer in the shop on Saturday her reason for buying an ebike was,
"I can't keep up with my friend on her (non electric) bike because I haven't got strong enough legs"
When I playfully suggested the more she rides the fitter and easier it would get she said
"I know that, but that would take too much time and effort"
Everyone's reason is different
The fear of loosing access I can understand, but that has been a fear for as long as I can remember.
This fear has been terrifying me for years.
The day bikes loose access to the trails is the day I will have no life.
When I ride an EBike up a massive hill I put in max effort. The only difference is I'm going at 15mph instead of 4mph, and it's only (for example) 4 minutes of effort instead of 13 minutes.
I might even put in more effort on the E Bike climb because I know I won't have to sustain it for as long. Plus, the higher speed makes me more motivated.
Then you hit the descent, which just in itself is a workout on any sort of bike.
The entertainment level of going up these hills however is infinitely higher.
So if you're putting in the same level of effort for 1/3 of the time, are you actually doing 3 runs to compensate ?
So if you’re putting in the same level of effort for 1/3 of the time, are you actually doing 3 runs to compensate ?
The rides just tend to be longer. For example instead of doing a 20 mile loop I'll do a 35 mile loop instead within the same time.
Overall the E Bike is not 3x faster than a regular bike - Only on steep climbs. Overall probably just under 2x faster if its a typical course with a mix of steep climbs, gradual climbs, flat sections and descents.