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@Tom, ride Sheffield has 4500 Facebook members, about 20 turn up to trail days, I'd argue that normal riders aren't interested in trail building and using those numbers if an equal proportion of ebikers turned up it'd only be someone's arm.
I've been riding mtb's continually since 1989, I do a few thousand commuting miles each year. I'm in perfect health.
I'm buying an ebike because they look fun. OP you sound like a proper dick regardless of ebikes or not.
if an equal proportion of ebikers turned up it'd only be someone's arm.
That’s probably alright though, because according to the haters it’s only alright to ride ebike if you have a disabilty of some kind 🙄
These E bike threads never fail to throw up the haters. And the users then feel they have to justify their usage .
Which is bollocks they are legal and here so get used to them .
The Trails , Bridleways , trail centres , rights of ways. Were I thought for everybody to enjoy be they purist human powered riders. Or legal Pedalec bikes And there will be dicks in the whole spectrum of the outdoor enjoyers .
My own justification of owning a fitness compensator is
I am nearly 63 have been riding mountain bikes since they came on the scene. And before that made my own off-road bikes .
While 42 years of fitting floors and riding bikes have taken its toll on my knees I can still do decent rides on the anologue bike but when I go out with my normal group who range from 30 up to 63 the E bike means I can keep up with them and still have fun .like last Sunday we did 41 miles of the pennine bridleway with 5008 feet of climbing which on the normal bike would have meant I was wrecked for days after but with the E bike I was good for work on Monday .
And no one was inconvenienced on ups or downs
And a week ago we were doing Gisburn and shock horror saw a Youth on a spec ebike doing the Hopeline and having heaps of fun and from what we saw no one could catch him going down for sure .
Just maybe some folks need to chill out a bit you will be old one day and I am not hanging my pedals up just yet
These E bike threads never fail to throw up the haters. And the users then feel they have to justify their usage .
Which is bollocks they are legal and here so get used to them .
To be fair most of the hate comes from the pro emtb camp, they get hugely defensive over the fact that others don't share their passion.
I'm buying an ebike because they look fun. OP you sound like a proper dick regardless of ebikes or not.
You should have been riding 20 years or so ago prior to trail centres being born ...if you wanted to see real hatred & hostility ..
I was riding in the New Forest 20 years ago and still riding there now. There are just as many self entitled horse riders and selfish ramblers now as there were then. Can't say I have noticed any difference.
Unlucky!
Possibly the further north you go and because of its proximity to Scotland we have maybe had a trickle down acceptance of their access laws ..and let's face it most southerners think that Newcastle is in Scotland anyway!
😆
whats Newcastle ?
Had an ebike hit my mate this weekend at the marin. We'd waited on the trail at the side for him to pass us on a section of technical climb. He was sat on his bike the whole time, giving it the beans (not pedalling - like a proper motorbiker) and because he wasn't stood up he kept falling off / failing.
Finally got to where we were stopped on a bit of a flat, gave it full whack on the wrist (still not pedalling, still not stood up) back wheel spun out to the right, he lurched left and drove straight into my mate. Cut his leg as he forced him into some rocks at the side of the trail.
Said "sorry, this thing's just way too powerful", then quickly ****ed off. Still sat down.
They're motorbikes that attract unfit utter n00bs. Yes, there's a legitimate market for them and good and responsible users - but in my experience the main market seems to be unfit people, who don't know how to ride (because it's the first bike they've been on in 20 years).
Until my experience drastically changes I still see these motorbikes as a dangerous menace that are mostly ridden by people lacking the skills to be safe on them - either for themselves or others.
Had an ebike hit my mate this weekend at the marin
No you didn't. It was an electric motorbike.
Hmmm well yes, I can sort of see the point your making (and we have an ebike, but I'm not gonna get all defensive about it) but to be fair you can get that on any trail, there's always going to be folk that are slower/more cautious going DH.
Problem is people don’t talk to each other as much on the trails, if it was an enduro event (for example) everyone tends to be friendly and very open about their ability and will happily have a chat with a complete stranger, you’ll get folk saying, ‘do you wanna crack mate on cos I’m a slower one’ or ‘do you mind if we all set off now so we can ride down together’ AND that’s in a race/competition environment, so why can’t more people be like that on the trails?
There shouldn’t be an us and them, we are all out to enjoy the same thing, share the same trails and countryside, we just need to be more a bit more considerate of others at the same time 🙂
No you didn't. It was an electric motorbike.
Until they make it absolutely impossible for people to derestrict them - which will never happen - then all ebikes are electric motorbikes IMO.
I also stand by the rest of the points I made.
Chevychase. I disagree with your assumption that all Ebikes are fat unfit and unskillful riders, im 33, fit, very skilful and love riding my ebike. All these problems I read in these comments about 'proper' riders been held up by slower Ebikes or getting annoyed at been overtaken uphill by some cheating Ebikes, I feel these same people would find time to moan if it was just normal bikes, they'd just phrase it different , "I was forced off the trail by some strava hunting idiot" or "someone behind was shouting at me". Nothing or no one is gonna stop me riding mine, it's ace.
Chevychase. I disagree with your assumption that all Ebikes are fat unfit and unskillful riders
I didn't make that assertion at all:
Yes, there's a legitimate market for them and good and responsible users
The problem is, as has been said, people get defensive. But it doesn't change the fact that ebikes (whilst used responsibly and skillfully by some) are an easy route in to technical riding that doesn't require the long, slow buildup of fitness and concomitant skills that non-motorised riding requires.
As a result I'm seeing increasing numbers of total n00bs on the trail that are a danger to themselves and others.
Chevy..Im confused as to what you are talking about here ..
An e-bike is something that you have to pedal to make it move ..that doesn't seem to be what you are describing
Chevy is saying he doesn't want to share with people he thinks are lesser than him.
Ive been mostly sitting in the "cheatbike camp " now for some time until a friend of a friend brought one to the Lakes this weekend ,he used to ride until life caught up on him and to say his fitness had dropped would be kind.He managed to do a full loop of the Borrowdale bash and Grizedale without hurting anyone ..posting Strava times and getting outside in the fresh air ..amazing.
Now with everything in life there are always going to be idiots who push everything and everyone to the limit, but not everyone .. besides that after having a go up Walla Crag I couldnt help laughing, they have there place just not for me yet
Until they make it absolutely impossible for people to derestrict them - which will never happen - then all ebikes are electric motorbikes IMO.
I see what you're getting at but "gave it full whack on the wrist (still not pedalling, still not stood up)" isn't a ebike unrestricted or otherwise. If it doesn't need to be pedalled it's not an ebike in the context of pedalec. I could be wrong but I doubt even an unrestricted ebike would fishtail about like that.
He was sat on his bike the whole time, giving it the beans (not pedalling - like a proper motorbiker) and because he wasn't stood up he kept falling off / failing.
Finally got to where we were stopped on a bit of a flat, gave it full whack on the wrist (still not pedalling, still not stood up) back wheel spun out to the right, he lurched left and drove straight into my mate. Cut his leg as he forced him into some rocks at the side of the trail.
Said "sorry, this thing's just way too powerful", then quickly ****ed off. Still sat down.
So. Did you actually see anybody on an ebike then?
Or just this guy.
No you didn't. It was an electric motorbike.
Then if trail centre staff can't differentiate between legal and illegal bikes, there should be a blanket ban on them at trail centres.
Then if trail centre staff can't differentiate between legal and illegal bikes, there should be a blanket ban on them at trail centres.
I would have thought if we can suss it out from a description on a forum, a trail centre staffer who is on the look out for such things could spot it out in the field.
I want one.
I can't afford one.
I'm not unfit or sick or old.
I want one.
Will definitely get one in the future to go alongside the normal bikes.
Then if trail centre staff can't differentiate between legal and illegal bikes, there should be a blanket ban on them at trail centres.
Or get more better informed staff.
tomhoward - I would have thought if we can suss it out from a description on a forum, a trail centre staffer who is on the look out for such things could spot it out in the field.
Don't think I've ever seen any trail centre staff out looking for motorbikes, is that really a thing?
I miss the abuse I was getting on this thread. All the lazy ebike types must be off getting their knickers in a twist that they can't get their fox stuff serviced so they can go out clogging up the trails slowly (downhill).
Then if trail centre staff can't differentiate between legal and illegal bikes, there should be a blanket ban on them at trail centres.
I think the trail centres should have a blanket ban at the picnic areas too.
A blanket blanket ban, or just banning e-blankets? Surely the classic tartan is still ok.
I want one.
I can't afford one.I'm not unfit or sick or old.
No, but you are now dead, well, to me at least....
Oh, and no fist bumps.
Don't think I've ever seen any trail centre staff out looking for motorbikes, is that really a thing?
No, I assume because it isn't an issue...
I miss the abuse I was getting on this thread. (downhill).
Guess you are not as good at trolling as you think you are.
Heard this weird tinkling noise behind me today. Thought perhaps it was a leper, or a fairy, so carried on. Eventually decided to let the rider past and turned out to be a e-bike rider to my disgust. Wearing those beige wooly lined workman boots too. I manager to just get to the top of a small mound in time to see if he did the jumps and suprise suprise he just rolled them. I tried to show the kids next to the jumps how they were supposed to be done but was rubbish as was tired.
Joebristol to say people on e bikes have no skill on the trails is like me calling you a bell end when I have never met you. I don’t know you and you don’t know the story of the ebikers. To people who say that e bikes don’t make you fit then try an e bike and shut the f up. E bikes assist but don’t do all the work. You still gotta pedal and put effort in. I am 46 years old, I’ve been MTP ing again for 3 years after about 23 off, I did it to loose weight and get fit which I have but as life commitments and a new baby take over I can’t get out as much anymore, maybe once a week. So I’m going to get an e bike to ASSIST me so that I can go out with my mates and not be left behind because I’m not out as much as them and I get to still enjoy mountain biking. So all you haters should just STFU and ride and worry about your own life.
Random abuse after a few weeks of the thread being quiet. Almost like you searched for an e bike thread to comment on!
In this case I was justified in my unskilled comment - every time the trail went twisty / downhill / needed a bit of skill the ebikers dropped back as they couldn't keep up. Every time they could open up the power of the motor / it went uphill they were faster.
So my comment in this case was absolutely fair.
Joe Bristol I found the thread looking through the forum, you need to get out more rather than being a keyboard warrior, I know a guy who at 58 is awesome down hill on his e bike, he had 30 years of MTB before he got an bike. Your assuming that people who ride bike are all fat, unfit and unskilled just because a couple of e bikers you have seen are. And if you think my post was abuse you really have no idea. Your comments are so narrow minded you see.
You're missing the point. I specifically said above all my comments applied to the e bikers I came across.
im 65 , this is me on my turbo levo
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMiq9e2lg0licovQgTAlpHHg_MBuPnWIJQZrAfN
think im doing ok
Not sure why I am joining in here.... But I think Chevy is right - throttle controlled = ebike, pedal sensor controlled = pedalec?
Not quite,
Pedal controlled = legal ebike
Throttle controlled (or if it goes faster than 25kmh) electric motorbike.
To be fair, to the guy above who had his leg cut by an ebiker, the person who did that was a bellend, the fact he was on an electric motorbike is irrelevant, he is probably still a bellend when he’s not on a motorbike.
[quote=martymac ]Not quite,
Pedal controlled = legal ebike
Throttle controlled (or if it goes faster than 25kmh) electric motorbike.
Not quite - I think any new e-bikes have to be pedal controlled, but you're allowed throttle control on older e-bikes (I think the cutoff is bought before the end of 2015).
Aracer, yes thats my understanding too. I haven’t seen any that aren’t just straight pedelec though, as far as im aware.
I'm going to get an ebike, not coz I'm unfit, fat or unskilled as I'm neither of those. Just to p@ss the haters off, where's the best place to ride with all the haters?
How many times can I get called a w@nker or a motorcyclist in two hours on a trail?
Also need to get some jeans and a hoodie 😀
Goldigger, ive never had anything like that said to me.
Ive had plenty of ‘how much? You could buy a flippin car for that!!’ Tho.
I might not bother now then, where's the fun in that.
I did have a go on a MERIDA EONE SIXTY 900..i was amazed at how much assist boost gave when pulling off from a stand still.
Seems like a good idea when my knees are totally borked, but then trying to put it in the back of the car might be an issue at 22kg if I'm semi crippled.
Don't worry there'll be a Stanah tail lift out soon to help you get it into your SUV!
I've no real problem with e-bikes, road or MTB, but at the moment everything (just about) works so it would be plain laziness on my part.