People who buy ebikes are people who have open minds.
People who buy ebikes are people who have
open minds.deep pockets
FTFY
(I'm probably just cheap, but I can't face up to paying current prices for non-ebikes, never mind even more money for ebikes! Price raises over the last four to five years are insane, and my salary has definitely not kept pace, even allowing for some of the current sale prices)
People who buy e-bikes are giving up on things other people want to do.
Well put. I don't use gears but I can see why a lot of people do, they are a good idea in a lot of cases so it would be silly of me to moan about people with gears. eBikes are also a good idea in many cases for many people.
Giving up would be not riding anything and again not so bad if the person doesn't want to cycle any more, up to them.
Ebikes aren't giving up, it's not even trying in the first place.
People who buy e-bikes are giving up on things other people want to do.
And gaining things other people can't do.
It's great passing normal mtb'ers on climbs when they 'give up', get off and push.
Pushing doesn't sound much like cycling either. But I'm sure none of the heroes on here ever get beaten by a climb....
If the only reason you cycle is for cardio-vascular fitness then in some scenarios an eBike is giving up (although it's also an enabler in other scenarios). If fun/enjoyment are also part of the reason you cycle then as long as the eBike maintains or adds to that that's the only thing that matters.
On the plus side.....my local woods have some trails ridden in by a couple of early retired blokes who now use emtbs. Without motor assist I'm pretty sure they wouldn't do so many laps and I'm not sure the trails would be as well ridden in. On the downside, it's pretty clear their route choice is motor assist orientated and probably flow a bit better with a whack of extra power here and there. It's also clear some of the boggy bits have been ridden by an emtb- a conventional bike rider just doesn't have that much power to hand to flay the land that much and would get bogged down and be walking.
Culturally I think there is just a whiff of jetski about them. Not As strong, but it's there. As in watersports where a typical jetskier cant smell it, it's probably the same with eMTBs.
The stava dicks comment 🤣
You are getting stressed about losing in a virtual race with people who don't even know you are in a race with them 🤣🤣 and not being in a position you think you "deserve" 🤣
This thread is actually funny now, well hilarious.
I will ride my analogue, old fashioned acoustic bikes until I’m physically incapable, and then I will buy an e-bike, and hate myself until I die.
Is this the UK version of "take my rifle from my cold dead hands?"
Georgesvictoriandad, if you're going to hate yourself that much then just keep going on the bio bike, you might die without the self flagellation and constant self loathing about something that once gave you a lot of pleasure.
I wonder what it would be like to ride with a pack of e-moaners... constant chuntering and gnashing of teeth, if they actually turned up. I bet it would be like a gaggle of petulant spoilt kids. I do admit it's possibly a worse crime to turn up for a road ride with flat pedals and ankle socks though...
It's like cyclists campaigning against cycling.... JRYFB.....
This thread needs closing before it eats itself and too many people from both sides "out" themselves... but I will admit I'm not seeing much benefit from using the Turbo Levo on the Zwift....and wasn't that an expensive buy to just avoid having to actually use a real bike ...
Don't close the thread. It's comedy gold.
Is this the UK version of “take my rifle from my cold dead hands?”
I think the equivalent would be if people were arguing that shooting should be limited to muzzle loading single shot rifles and that modern repeating rifles are just skill compensators. (FWIW, I think that recreational shooting should be limited to bolt action rifles with a maximum magazine capacity of five, but that's for public safety reasons, not sporting reasons.)
I met a couple on the Pictish Trail. I think they were in their 70s. They hadn’t given up touring/bikepacking they had got some e-bikes so they could keep doing it. They looked very happy. Aside from the ‘e’ bit, what they were doing was pretty similar to what I was doing.
Whilst I kind of get the analogy… I don’t think you would meet the sea kayaking equivalent in Great Loch Tarbert on a jetski… and you can simulate stereotypical jetskiesque behaviour on a mountain bike without a battery. And I’m not saying that all jet skiers are yobdicks (just lots of them).
This thread needs closing. It's aggressive and unpleasant.
and hate myself until I die.
Unintendedly reveals why it sounds like you have such antipathy towards e-MTBs. It sounds like you don't think riding should be fun, or you don't think people should be allowed to have fun with some sort of punishment first. Which is, if you step back a bit; a bit of a weird attitude, no?
I think as mountain bikers, we all prefer fun otherwise we'd be road cyclists (or worse). I own an ebike as well as other bikes and it's great.
I used to think they were for fat lazy people or people with mobility issues as you could put zero effort in to get up hills. This isn't true. I get a work out (if it was my only form of exercise for two hours a week then it wouldnt be enough) but the key thing is it actually makes me get out riding when I wouldnt bother. i.e. when I've only got a few hours in a weekend.
If my legs are ****ed from other exercise, i can still go riding too.
I dont think it is about giving up. It's a tool to get more riding done.
I'm far from new to the sport. Finding the motivation to ride up a hill by myself is hard. I barely rode my enduro bike last year as I wait on friends but they have commitments and the opportunities to ride were few. In that context i had almost given up (other than XC).
But the ebike has meant that I can get uphills quicker so I'm less bored and can just do the stuff I can enjoy. I get 3x the descending in as i'm always moving, not standing around at the top chatting while my lactic acid goes away.
Most pro riders seem to use them too so any stigma that they get from some seems to be a bit weird.
Then there are those that think they're cheating but use an uplifts them selves? Ebikes provides the same thing but everywhere.
Who is gatekeeping what mountain biking is anyway? Since when is it just about having to ride uphill or keeping fit? We ride mountain bikes because they're fun. Because we're hedonists. Ebikes allow us to have more of it. .
At this point the only people that hate on ebikes are ignorant, and if the sport to them is just about fitness, they should probably just ride a road bike or take up running.
This thread needs closing. It’s aggressive and unpleasant.
It is doing a good job at highlighting how ridiculous some people are though but we don't need more of those threads.
Whilst I kind of get the analogy…
Yes, it doesn't really work does it. I said culturally rather than behaviourally specifically. I was kind of thinking how you always know who the jetskiers are around a harbour. Somehow they just stand out. A swagger maybe. To try to make an analogy work with another analogy, it's like the special needs kid in primary school walking around like Billy big Balls because he got a lolly for getting 8/10 in the spelling test but not appreciating he was the only one with 'cat', 'sat' and 'mat' in his test.
As I say, it's just a whiff, not full bore Eau de Jetski tosser. And it doesn't extend to oldies on e hybrids - they rock!
Jeebus! is this nonsense still trundling on?
I'm a confirmed "eeeb-hater" and even I've lost interest in trolling the eeeberists...
Come on folks its a new year, I'm not one for resolutions but I think we should all try to dial down the dickishness for 2024 (myself very much included).
This thread needs closing. It’s aggressive and unpleasant.
It's nice to be able to pop in here once a day and see the same familiar things getting repeated over and over while the world outside burns.
I don't know about anybody else but for me a bike is a way to explore, discover new places, contect with nature and the environment. I don't enjoy laps of a trail centre but thats not a critisim of those who do. I like to just ride natural tracks and by ways.
I also like to ride my gravel bike and sometimes a road bike. I like to go touring/bike packing.
I don't need an ebike to to this. If you want one that's fine.
It's all a mater of choice.
Please don’t close the thread, it’s comedy gold!
I'm giving up and am going to use ChatGPT from this point on.
Using an electric bike (e-bike) is not necessarily "giving up" on traditional cycling; rather, it's a choice that reflects the evolving landscape of transportation options and personal preferences. People choose e-bikes for various reasons, and it doesn't imply a lack of commitment to cycling or physical activity. Here are some reasons why individuals might opt for e-bikes:
- Assistance for Commuting: E-bikes can make commuting more accessible, especially in hilly terrain or over long distances. The electric assistance allows riders to cover greater distances with less effort, making them a practical choice for commuting.
- Physical Limitations or Health Concerns: Some individuals may have physical limitations or health conditions that make traditional cycling challenging. E-bikes provide a way for people with varying fitness levels or health concerns to enjoy cycling without putting excessive strain on their bodies.
- Encouraging More People to Cycle: E-bikes can attract individuals who might not have considered cycling due to concerns about physical exertion or the ability to navigate challenging terrain. The assisted pedaling feature can make cycling more inclusive and appealing to a broader audience.
- Increased Speed and Efficiency: E-bikes can help riders maintain higher speeds with less effort, potentially reducing travel time and making them a practical choice for those with time constraints.
- Environmental Considerations: Despite some environmental concerns related to battery production, e-bikes are generally considered more environmentally friendly than traditional motorized vehicles. Choosing an e-bike can align with an individual's commitment to reducing their carbon footprint.
Ultimately, the decision to use an e-bike is a personal one, influenced by various factors such as fitness goals, commuting needs, health considerations, and lifestyle preferences. Many cyclists appreciate the benefits of both traditional and electric bikes and may use them in different contexts. The key is to find a mode of transportation that aligns with individual preferences and allows for an enjoyable and sustainable means of getting around.
Basically, e-bikes are the cycling equivalent of an author using ChatGPT to write their book 😉
I’m giving up and am going to use ChatGPT from this point on.
I would like to see an AI Autoreply button integrated into the site so that AI can just go back through each user's posting history and write an appropriate response to any topic when I can't be bothered replying to the same question that's been rehashed over and over again.
Culturally I think there is just a whiff of jetski about them. Not As strong, but it’s there. As in watersports where a typical jetskier cant smell it, it’s probably the same with eMTBs.
@convert, living on the south coast I can very much see where you are coming from with this comment 🙂
tongue in cheek/sarcasm. forgot to notate…
Fair enough : )
I’m giving up and am going to use ChatGPT from this point on.
Not a bad idea and intrigued to know what AI would make of threads like this. It'd probably set up Cyberdyne Systems and take over soon after : )
for me a bike is a way to explore, discover new places, contect with nature and the environment. I don’t enjoy laps of a trail centre but thats not a critisim of those who do. I like to just ride natural tracks and by ways.
I know you say you can/do explore on your normal bike.
When you have an ebike you tend to find yourself exploring quite a lot more. Where does that trail go that you'd normally ignore on a normal bike - ebike, just shoot off and have a look, doesn't matter so much if it turns to nothing. Yes, obviously you can do this on a normal bike, but you just seem inclined to do it more on an ebike
When you have an ebike you tend to find yourself exploring quite a lot more. Where does that trail go that you’d normally ignore on a normal bike – ebike, just shoot off and have a look, doesn’t matter so much if it turns to nothing. Yes, obviously you can do this on a normal bike, but you just seen inclined to do it more on an ebike
100% this. I've found "let's see where this goes" far more prevalent. For me it's because sometimes the trail is rubbish/no entry and you've wasted half of your ride time if on a manual being disappointed by a trail. It's also the speed meaning in your window of riding you can simply cover more territory, even the stuff you sometimes just save for a long day out, that's now within reach of a short one.
When
youI have an ebikeyouI tend to findyourselfmyself exploring quite a lot more. Where does that trail go thatyou’dI'd normally ignore on a normal bike – ebike, just shoot off and have a look, doesn’t matter so much if it turns to nothing. Yes, obviouslyyouI can do this on a normal bike, butyouI just seen inclined to do it more on an ebike.
We're all different and you speak from your own experience, inclination and perspective.
100% this. I’ve found “let’s see where this goes” far more prevalent. For me it’s because sometimes the trail is rubbish/no entry and you’ve wasted half of your ride time if on a manual being disappointed by a trail. It’s also the speed meaning in your window of riding you can simply cover more territory, even the stuff you sometimes just save for a long day out, that’s now within reach of a short one.
Ive certainly noticed a proliferation of 'I wouldn't ride down there' trails. Trails that maybe you ride once and swear off (usually deer tracks) that now have well marked entrances due to heavier use in both senses... That still go no-where.
Cant say for sure if thats 100% e-influenced, but its certainly a thing now round our way. Ive only been tempted once to see if the trail was miraculously now rideable (eeb or not). It wasn't.
We’re all different and you speak from your own experience, inclination and perspective
You do realise that in the English language 'you' can be used as a generalisation and not a specific singling out of an individual?
Considering that a lot of people (outside this thread as well) are in agreement with what I said, that would indicate it's not just my findings and my findings alone 🤷
But yes, perhaps Bruce personally wouldn't explore more on an ebike than he does already, perhaps he'd just do laps of a trail centre. I don't know
You do realise that in the English language ‘you’ can be used as a generalisation and not a specific singling out of an individual?
But you weren't were you - you were making a sweeping generalisation based on your own experiences. So couch it like that to be more clear.
Personally exploring the road less travelled is my natural MO already - because legs.
Personally exploring the road less travelled is my natural MO already – because legs.
I am pretty sure you need legs on an ebike too. I also understand that it's entirely possible to own an ebike and a conventional bike. Different days, different bikes.
IME they make brilliant tools for exploring the road less travelled too.
Sounds like we need a bit of game of thrones style punishment for ebikers on trails 😁
I vote for referring to them as land jet skis. That whiff of jet ski comment has tickled me. Please don’t close this, it’s the best thread we’ve had in ages.
Re: Strava - always log as an ebike ride, but do sometimes load it up as a normal ride just for a couple of mins to check DH segment times.
I did accidentally have my phone set to e-mountain bike ride when I was on my normal bike a few months ago and bagged a 2nd place eeber trophy, so left it up 😉 Should take it down really as had forgot about it....
Another example of ****s getting annoyed that others don't behave /think the same as they do 🙂
Thanks, zoom catch-ups today, quality reading.
I took the ebike out yesterday but forgot to bring the Kiox display so there was no power, being fat and lazy but not wanting to not use the parking fee I rode it anyway. Wont be doing that again.
is an Ebike giving up?
well, yes, but then so is gears In my Opinion, as everyone knows only singlespeederists are the true gods of cycling, the rest of you lot are just too stubborn to admit how amazeballs we really are.
Basically you are all wronguns and any conversation about about a which is worse between and on oingly boingly geared thing and an oingly boingly geared thing with gears and a motor, is equivalent to arguing which was more murdery, Harold Shipman or Fred West
I'm off to spin my legs like a demented hamster whilst wearing my razor wire thong in the rain. (to make it even more authentically miserable, I shall do so without a mud guard or glasses)
When you have an ebike you tend to find yourself exploring quite a lot more. Where does that trail go that you’d normally ignore on a normal bike – ebike, just shoot off and have a look, doesn’t matter so much if it turns to nothing. Yes, obviously you can do this on a normal bike, but you just seen inclined to do it more on an ebike
Yep I also find this - I'm far more likely to search out new trails and duck down the odd track I've never been down on the ebike rather than the regular bike.
“well, yes, but then so is gears In my Opinion, as everyone knows only singlespeederists are the true gods of cycling, the rest of you lot are just too stubborn to admit how amazeballs we really are.”
This is the truth.
And when I choose to give up, I go all the way and don’t stop at merely adding gears and more suspension but also a motor too!
No I think unicyclists are the true gods. Everyone else is just being lazy, balancing along only one axis with their superfluous wheel.
