iamanobody
Member
How does and ebike help on descents off road?
You're not knackered from the climb at the top of them, plus you can keep going up and down more often than if you were walking in the same time. On the actual descent it makes no difference, especially unless you make a mistake because you're tired.
"Struggle to see why for a “normal” fit healthy adult tbh – but thats me and we are all different.
Just see it as a “lazy option” but i am grumpy and blinkered. Suppose it’s not that much different to having gears??"
So to expand on my earlier answer, I used to commute every day on my normal MTB but once I started lifting heavy in the gym quite a few days a week, there was only so much my legs could handle in terms of commuting pedalling and squatting and proper MTBing. So for a while I used my wife's old 50cc scooter for a lot of the commuting to let my legs recover. And for a couple of years I've had Timmy C of rock music fame hassling me to get an e-MTB because he's a mad keen MTBer, the sort of person who holds KOMs uphill and downhill, but says he's fitter than ever and rides more and enjoys it more since going E. And then the scooter got written off...
The e-bike I got has very similar geometry to my full-sus but with bigger wheels and 10mm more rear travel. It also has a better fork (Lyrik RC2). The more I rode it the more I realised that it was better at everything except climbing with the motor off, and that only becomes obvious as it gets steeper. It's quicker on the flat and downhill. I prefer how it jumps. I prefer how it corners. And obviously when I use the assistance it's way quicker uphill - but on group rides I often leave it switched off. I like the extra challenge of knowing that I'm hauling a weight handicap up the climbs.
So I sold the full-sus a few weeks ago and just have the 29er 150mm full-sus e-bike with 160mm Lyriks and my 27.5 hardtail with 150mm Pikes.
"How does and ebike help on descents off road?"
The ebike advantage is that it has a better ratio of sprung to unsprung weight so the suspension works better and the low centre of gravity improves the stability. The flip side is you need more strength to move it about. Maybe I'm weird but it seems that the more stable a bike is, the more playful I find it because it gives me the confidence to throw it about aggressively.
full and comprehensive answer which actually makes sense rather that the usual diatribe around "because i can" etc
Still think its for lazy bastards if no health issue though or replace a engined vehicle
Struggle to see why for a “normal” fit healthy adult tbh
Honestly - what does it actually matter?
This e-bike moaning is very revealing. It seems many cyclists see their fight against gravity as a badge of superiority, a way to feel better than other people. Fascinating.
And there's me thinking life was about enjoying yourself, but apparently it's about rank, hierarchy and value judgements.
i have an ebike and 3 -ebikes. all good fun which is why i ride
i think we need two more forums
e bike love and e bike hate
Still think its for lazy bastards if no health issue though
So if I take my Ebike to an uplift destination and pedal up on it instead of jumping on the bus am I a lazy bastard or the people in the bus lazy bastards?
How about if I do a ride on one of my none ebikes then go out again later in the day on the ebike? Still a lazy bastard?
How about if I'm nackered from a couple of non ebike rides over the weekend and want to ride on monday after work so go out on my ebike anyway.
Lazy bastard?
😄
ok I lied i only bought one to keep up with my lazy bastard mates who like riding ebikes. I hate it really
I've seen how much you hate riding it sofaking.😉
ok I lied i only bought one to keep up with my lazy bastard mates who like riding ebikes. I hate it really
What did you buy anyway, a Levo or Kenevo?
I first bought a E HT, my back hated it as it was made of pig iron, so soon swapped it for a Merida E120, I don't need the long travel as I get scared popping off a kerb nowadays just preferred the comfort 😉
Hi Martin . i went for a levo and love it. i didnt buy it for riding locally but since buying it i have been doing extra rides close to home because its so much fun
Singlespeedstu if you had gears you wouldn’t be knackered 🤪
Matt, they are fun, but don't tell anyone as it will ruin the thread 🙂
i think most people on here just hate them without ever having tried them for enjoyment, which would deprive them of standing on the higher ground
I demoed a Specialized Turbo Levo a couple of years ago. Only got half an hour on it and thought it was hilarious fun.
Out in lake garda this week and spent a full day on a Cannondale ebike yesterday. No idea what model but a full day has convinced me to buy one. Not as my main bike but I have a bird aeris 120 which is fun but I barely ride so that'll get punted and some ebike will replace it. They definitely have a place in my lineup if they're used properly and aren't just because of laziness. I'll still ride my Hightower mainly but for solo rides where I want to get more riding in, I can see the ebike getting used there mostly
I have an ebike. I'm 44, and don't get to ride as much as I'd like. The ebike is a good motivator to head out for a 1-2 hour blast when I get a moment. I am looking forward to some Alpine exploration this summer (3 weeks in Brianconnais/Queras). I have been exploring a bit more closer to home too. I wish some of my pals had ebikes as I am sometimes a bit lonely, and even riding at 20% support I outpace them.
When I ride with my kids (8 & 5) I ride my fatbike. I was lamenting the limited uphill range of my 8yo. He is quite a good wee rider, but hasn't got the strength or stamina for sustained uphill. I tow him (non-ebike) up to the top of Spooky Wood. This is HARD WORK. I would love it if he had a scaled down ebike to extend his range. We could go out for ride that was great for both of us and his riding would come on no-end.
Got one as a present to myself after finishing my golf course design degree.
I have a couple. Why? Because I can. If I had to choose one bike it would be my 27+ slack hardtail. I don’t have to choose (I’m lucky) so had an Enduro bike, trail bike, hardtail and an ebike. I’m sure lots of people are in the same position, probably for different reasons!
Ebike is lots of things. It’s a tool for trail building, it’s a tool for exploring, its fun for very big days in the mountains, it’s cool for after work rides (my work is pedaling) and it’s a nice option to have. It is also great for popping down the hill to the pub, or towing my daughter up the massive hills round here.
I thought I would hate it, then I tried it and thought I would love it, now I’m used to it and just quite like it.
I have loads of health issues, none of which stop me riding any bikes, but I waited until my 40th birthday and bought myself a second hand Levo. I should of got one years ago, the only down side is seeing my traditional bike as a clothes hanger.
Im 41 never had a drivers license and can out climb 99% of the riders out there unless they are full on pro's or soon to be. Ive got 3 ebikes. They are great for motorpacing, running errands or hauling cargo.
I carried a big rug on the back of one the other night. Looked a right sight! xD
Bafang 750w is the best kit. Put it on a hybrid with big hydro rotors.
My partner and I both have ebikes and no longer have other bikes. Why?
We live in the French Alps where the uphills are long, dull and steep. The ebikes allow us to:
- ride off-road uphills where non ebikers are taking the tarmac (turning local rides into off road cross country rides, rather than just all about the descent)
- ride steep, techy uphills where non ebikers are pushing
- uphill 'flow' 🙂 - a whole new technical challenge
- spend more time on the bike than in the uplift van/on the lifts
- making a 1.5hr uphill & 25 mins down into 25 mins up, 25 mins down and repeat (on different hills).
- getting to the top of the hill at the same time as my partner
- being happy riding away from the lifts, therefore discovering new trails and empty trails
- have explored wo much more since getting the ebikes and a great way to do some trail building/maintenance
The only negative is not wanting to ride with friends who don't have ebikes. Though they are getting so popular over here, that gradually they are 'converting'
Today I met " competitive commuter" on my way to work. I think seeing me whizz up the hill messed with his head and it certainly amused me
Im 41 never had a drivers license and can out climb 99% of the riders
Glorious. Have you got a link to your record so you can check? My experience is those that shout the loudest rarely are good. The good ones are quiet and modest
Glorious. Have you got a link to your record so you can check? My experience is those that shout the loudest rarely are good. The good ones are quiet and modest
You should see his polling numbers, he has the best polling numbers, period.