I read a - understandably suppressed - study that says riding an e-bike effectively shrinks riders in a matter of months. Apparently it's a combination of reduced fitness and consequent minor postural collapse combined with the electro-magnetic pulses generated by the motor when in use - the higher the assistance mode, the more elevated the frequency of the waves which interrupt growth at a cellular level and mitigate cell growth. For an individual cell the impact is tiny, but when added up, the cumulative impact can mean a rider shrinking by two inches or more depending on original height.
This might seem far fetched, but I've yet to see any other explanation that's remotely credible. The whole shorter bike thing is baked in at the design stage and intended to prevent riders from noticing what's going on. It also explains the who raft of ebike-specific accessories and components which have been shrunk to scale to create the optical illusion that all is well.
I don't expect the sheeple here to believe this, but do your own research before jumping to conclusions powered by the overwhelming plutocracy that is the bike industry.
You added your example after my reply Weeksy. I wouldn't extrapolate that example onto "the average Eeber". The average customer in a bike shop? Maybe. Actually, from my shop days... definitely.
I don’t expect the sheeple here to believe this, but do your own research before jumping to conclusions powered by the overwhelming plutocracy that is the bike industry.
Yep, and we all know that Bill Gates is the person behind the whole bike industry.
This might seem far fetched
Now you mention it - I'm shrinking faster than my age would have me do naturally. Albeit I'm reasonably fit and don't use too much assistance.
Does sound rather far fetched though
I was a knacker under 6ft for as long as I can remember - at 52, I'm now 5'10.5". Considering you are supposed to lose 0.5"/decade over 40yrs old, I'm shrinking quickly. I'll be a midget by the time I'm 60
kelvin
Full Member
Keep seeing lots of bikes ridden with saddles pushed all the way forward which i can only asume means the bike is too long for them.No, it means they’ve adjusted their seating position for climbing efficiency sat down. The bike could be absolutely bob on for them for bum off the saddle descending.
On my 2018 Hightower LT the seat pushed forward as seattube angle rather slack, also ended up with a not fashionable 70mm stem, perfect fit
On my 2022 Levo saddle pushed back, more so that my legs dropping on the pedals feels natural, agree its slightly short in size S3, at 5ft8 but with long body and short legs I do wonder if I should have gone for an S4...but I'm only short! Also use an Aenomaly saddle angle adjuster thing - it's amazing on an ebike...drop the nose and pedal up Skiddaw without stopping, gives a great platform to sit on.
My point...yeah agree saddle adjustments are there to be used IMO
The shrinking effect can be countered by making sure you have a good stretching routine pre and post ride.
The shrinking effect can be countered by making sure you have a good stretching routine pre and post ride.
😀
And a stretched out riding position? 😉
A quick afterthought - if you are going to check your height, avoid the e-bike specific tape measures for obvious reasons...
And don’t be so rude in future
New here? 😆
Keep seeing lots of bikes ridden with saddles pushed all the way forward
What sort of person keeps noticing this? Where are you doing such bizarre research? School bike sheds?
The shrinking effect can be countered by making sure you have a good stretching routine pre and post ride.
No, the only way to fix it is by taking big pharma.
Added to the extra weight which means you can only go through gates, not over him like with a meat bike and it rapidly becomes clear they're all in on it.
No one ever rode an ebike over the north pole either did they?
What sort of person keeps noticing this? Where are you doing such bizarre research? School bike sheds?
I do but it doesn't concern me either...
No, it means they’ve adjusted their seating position for climbing efficiency sat down.
But they don't *need* to do that on a eBike ?? It's a non-thing with a motor and a lot of the reason for getting an eBike is comfort over a super efficient aero position.
Specifically for eMTB there is no such "adjustment" for an eMTB... generally it depends on how steep, traction etc.
You want the combination of height and weight position that gives maximum traction and keeps enough weight on the front wheel.
A saddle pushed forward does not have to mean the bike is too small, it’s one of the key adjustments you can make on a bike…
Exactly but with the caveat above...
I do
Christ.
I've adjusted the saddle on my ebike so its in the right place. **** where it is for climbing/descending, as ever, adjusted it for the times when I'm sat down the most. Same as any other bike.
I shall stand and reveal it's position to every rider I pass, just in case they are one of those checking up on such things.
Also use an Aenomaly saddle angle adjuster thing – it’s amazing on an ebike…drop the nose and pedal up Skiddaw without stopping, gives a great platform to sit on.
Ohhh, not heard of that before. It does look good but, HOW MUCH!?!, I'll stick with clenching my sphincter on a steep climb I think.
It’s a non-thing with a motor and a lot of the reason for getting an eBike is comfort over a super efficient aero position.
You sit down on more climbs on an ebike than one without assistance. So a more comfortable and balanced climbing position in the saddle really matters. Saddle position helps with that.
"Aero position" has nothing to do with it.
Not so much an issue with ebikes due to the longer chain stays but I suspect a lot of bikes have saddles rammed forward these days due to kinked seat tubes having actual angles of about 50 degrees at the top despite an effective angle of 90 and the desire for long dropper posts meaning short folks are now finding a more rearwards saddle puts them way too close to the rear axle so they jam the saddle forward. Not because the bike is too long but because the length gives them the choice.
(way back in the days of elastomer forks and short bikes, I'd much rather have had my saddle right forward on the rails instead of right back behind the rear axle but doing so would have ended up with the bike much too short, forward and "over" the BB is generally a much nicer place to be)
You sit down on more climbs on an ebike than one without assistance. So a more comfortable and balanced climbing position in the saddle really matters. Saddle position helps with that.
“Aero position” has nothing to do with it.
We seem to be in violent agreement... ???
You sit down on more
Do I ? 😂
We seem to be in violent agreement… ???
Are you new to the Internet?
This thread has provided a great deal of laughs - the vast majority intentionally!
I’ve needed my spirits lifted and sincere thanks to many of you who have posted here!
