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I’ve had my arse handed to me by an 80 yearold roadie climbing Winnats Pass. Age is no barrier to fitness. He said he’d been climbing that a couple of times a week since he was a child...
Almost all objections to ebikes are born of a lack of intelligence.
The objections and their counter points have been well covered in other threads.
I’d disagree unless you hold that all ebikes remain in the legal condition in which they’re sold, which is naive in my experience.
In general, I have nothing against them though.
"You are only old when you use age as an excuse." Joe Friel
As someone in good health and for whom 60 is rapidly (well the same speed as everyone else) approaching I see no need to get an e-bike. A change in circumstance and that view might differ.
for me im a fat middle aged very unfit bloke. Anything that anyone has different to me is cheating,
27.5 rims .... cheating
different rubber .... cheating
29ers .... cheating
being fit .... cheating
in short its all cheating. e bikes are no different and im not willing to give them a free pass at being ridiculed 🙂
Anyone on the same bike as me and finding it easier ive probably got the wrong air in my tires that day...
As someone in good health and for whom 60 is rapidly (well the same speed as everyone else) approaching I see no need to get an e-bike.
As someone in in good health, reasonably fit and just the wrong side of 40, I’d get one tomorrow if I had the spare cash. I ride bikes for fun rather than some sense of achievement.
If i feel like replying to their comment i just say well im having more fun than you on the climbs
Nonsense. Cleaning climbs is a large part of the mtb experience for me. I get a lot of satisfaction from it. I assume that people on ebikes get none of that satisfaction. And hence arent having more fun after all.
If you can cover 50% more trail in the same time than on an “analog” bike, what’s not to love??
Yeah, I gave up walking after I learnt to cycle, then gave up cycling after I got my motorbike license.
I assume that people on ebikes get none of that satisfaction. And hence arent having more fun after all.
You're wrong.
there’s no evidence for this, and if we go down this route are we prepared to settle on a maximum combined bike + rider weight, because there are some people on normal bikes heavier than others on their e-bike
This is a good point....
Nobody in the real actual world has ever said anything negative to me about riding an ebike.
I've had a couple of comments but always just "banter". Never had anything nasty and if I did get anything like that then I'd cut them down pretty swiftly. Mostly, people just want to know what's it like and then if I explain why I ride it then they're usually quite interested in how it's helping me.
if you ride in a group and a few get e-bikes, it does put pressure on the rest of the group to get one too, otherwise you just can’t keep up.
I can kinda see how this could be an issue but it's the same issue as a mixed bag of fitness really. When I ride with other people I just scale back (or in certain cases, and increasingly so, up) the power assistance so that I ride at a similar pace. I've never ridden in a group with more than just me on an ebike though.
I assume that people on ebikes get none of that satisfaction. And hence arent having more fun after all.
I can't speak for everyone but there is an element of this for me. I don't get as much satisfaction on a climb unless it's a) technical and/or b) bloody hard. Although, without the ebike I wouldn't either as I'd not be able to get up any technical climbs and then I'd have to walk and my legs would die!
I like eBikes. Don't have one, don't want one, but they're a hoot to ride.
Anything that gets more people out on bikes is a good thing.
Even the fatties have to do some pedalling and will get fitter if they go out often enough, and what's wrong with that?
I’ve had some banter with clockwork riders that is initially bordering on the aggressive, but I don’t reply in kind and that has so far worked in defusing the situation. The majority of people who comment are positive about them, often admitting envy, and everyone is happy. I am (I hope) a considerate eBiker though; I don’t expect anyone to stop on a climb to let me through and tell them so, even though most do, and I don’t cruise past in Turbo making it look easy. I also pull over if I get caught on a descent, although it’s only happened once so far.
let the the 20 year old pass and the e-bikers
For Trailwagger
let the the 20 year old pass and the e-bikers
For Trailwagger
Yes. That's at the top of the hill that the OP claims the e-bikers had passed HIM on. So, they were already in front of him, no?
He means that at the top, they all have a chat and let the other two groups go first....'or past'.....as the other poster says....not brilliantly written but hey ho.........
Ebike as a utility vehicle, ok.
Ebike if your old or disabled, ok.
Ebike in any other situation, douche.
I assume that people on ebikes get none of that satisfaction. And hence arent having more fun after all.
"You’re wrong."
Do you also get satisfaction from driving a car up a really steep hill?
Do you also get satisfaction from driving a car up a really steep hill?
I don't get any satisfaction from driving a car at all. What's your point?
I like riding up hills. Most of my off road KOMs are uphill whereas none are downhill (I do ride a low geared fixed bike though so never going to win downhill). Anyone who uses a freewheel or gears is simply cheating.
I'm guessing the reason some people don't like e-bikes is the same reason why some (usually angry, bitter) people don't like being overtaken in their cars. No point trying to analyse it, some people are just dicks.
Snobs/muppets/simpletons/low iq types - delete as applicable need any excuse to look down/laugh/berate/moan etc- delete as applicable at any newish cycling thing 🙂
such modification is illegal anyway
it's not illegal if it's registered with the DVLA (£55) , has a certificate of conformance, a number plate, you wear a regulation motorcycle helmet, don't ride it on cyclepaths or bridlepaths and have insurance
"analog bikes" term coined.
Like 🙂
This is interesting, I will probably buy one when I'm too unfit and old to enjoy the hills. Plus I think if it gets people out enjoying the countryside, well that's all good. And anyone who needs one for health reasons, then that's good too.
But then why did I feel uncomfortable when I saw a bunch of lads, all in their 20's / 30's on ebikes at Cwmcarn the other day ?
They were enjoying themselves and I certainly wasn't jealous of the bikes - Ive tried a few and hated the experience. I wasn't jealous of them riding up the hills, Im pretty fit and enjoy the climbs. Not sure why I felt irked really.
So is it just because they are doing "our thing" and doing it different - so we don't like anything different ?
Is it Nimbyism.
the problem comes when they start getting confused with entirely human-powered bikes.
This is something I genuinely fear.
Yeah! Last week I was riding up the hill to work, feeling quite tired as it happens, and this old (probably younger than me tbh) fella goes past me on this sit up and beg job. I was like balls, better ride faster! Road goes down, I pass him easily. Forget all about it and 5 mins later I'm nearing the top of the next hill and there he is! passes me again. Bike looks "normal" ... am I really [i]that[/i] slow?? Then I notice the rear hub... ebike! So I'd confused an ebike with a human-powered bike... but why there is a [i]fear [/i]of this.. .?
Is it Nimbyism.
No
Not sure why I felt irked really.
Does seem odd. Do you have a problem with other people doing things that you consider different?
The reason why many people don’t like them is they are a reminder of our sad demise and the inevitability of getting old. With a touch of generalisation thrown in. Most those in their 20’s 30’s and early 40s that rant on at how terrible they are will by the time they are in their 50s, maybe sooner, be either buying one, be e-curious or have buggered off and taken up golf.
I really dislike them but I'm not entirely sure why.
I'm very competitive but handle being beaten when it's skill / fitness fairly well (it's something I'm working on). I feel cheated when it isn't a level playing field.
The other aspect is wondering where the boundaries lie. As batteries get better, the max speed may stay the same but the ability to use that power for hours seems to be eating away at proper riding. Where you're exhausted and vaguely lost and wet and your legs hurt and you're spinning the 50t ring but it all feels worth it when you finish ...
The human powered aspect of cycling to me is a wondrous thing which I personally wouldn't want to spoil by adding a motor. Surprised to see their popularity in the off-road world.
The hatred I have witnessed is towards the *electric mopeds used on road by the local pissheads.
*Actual electric mopeds, not ebikes. Illegal to use on the road.
Nonsense. Cleaning climbs is a large part of the mtb experience for me. I get a lot of satisfaction from it. I assume that people on ebikes get none of that satisfaction. And hence arent having more fun after all.
I ride motorbike trials infrequently. The whole sport's about cleaning technical sections, it's very physical and, despite the lack of pedal locomotion, it's immensely satisfying when you get it right. I might even call it fun.
The other aspect is wondering where the boundaries lie. As batteries get better, the max speed may stay the same
It won't.
I've never even ridden an ebike but already know how to delimit a Specialized using a mobile phone.
I don't hate e-mtb's as such, but some e-mtb owners or wanabe owners !!
It’s mainly jealousy.
Almost all objections to ebikes are born of a lack of intelligence.
I’m guessing the reason some people don’t like e-bikes is the same reason why some (usually angry, bitter) people don’t like being overtaken in their cars. No point trying to analyse it, some people are just dicks.
As long as the emergence of ebikes doesn't create issues with trail access for non-motorised bikes, or hinder the prospects for greater trail access for non-motorised bikes I don't have any strong feelings, about them or their riders, one way or the other.
However I don't consider riding a mountain bike and riding an ebike to be the same thing though.
There will always be people who hate to see other people get something easy that they have personally had to work hard for or put effort in to. In this case it's probably people who feel they have put effort into improving fitness for cycling or skills for Strava times and they see people out on ebikes as a threat to them. Getting cycling easy instead of working for it.
It's the same across loads of other things. In fishing the people who class themselves as purist anglers hate on people who fish commercial heavily sticked ponds, in gaming people gamers hate people who buy their way to higher levels and unlock high level attributes. It's the same as people who hate on mtbers who only ride trail centers as they aren't real cyclist if the don't use maps and ride across moors and shit.
I'd love to get en ebike. I'm not lesser abled, I am a bit lazy though. But they seem great fun.
I’d agree after a few points on here that people being upset by being passed by an ebike is probably fairly complex but will basically boils down to feeling like an attack on your virility (for want of a better word). It’s probably quite similar in nature to the rage some drivers feel when cyclists pass them in traffic or prevent them doing what they want by ‘being in the way’.
One thing that strikes me about these e-bike debates is that people expressing often moderate and considered reservations about them are dismissed as 'haters,' with language such as low IQ, lacking in intelligence, jealous, stupid and the like being applied to them. Interesting.
You don't see roadies on e-bikes, and it's not because of 'lack of intelligence' or limited speeds. It's because there's an underlying ethos to their chosen activity. Same with climbing - you'd be laughed out of the pub if you claimed a successful ascent having done it with a top rope on (in fact, a better analogy might be 'having chipped out some extra holds to make the climb easier'). As somebody who's been mountain biking for 28 years, it pains me to admit it, but mountain biking seems to have failed to develop any underlying ethos. It's just an exercise in consumption. And maybe that's OK, depends on your standpoint I suppose.
But what about gears? What about suspension? Whatabout, whatabout, whatabout...? This is sophistry. I don't hate e-bikes (my sister commutes on one). Mild dismissal of physically able people choosing to ride them? Yeah, possibly.
A) because 20yr olds can't appreciate the physical limitations that may occur in 50/60 yr old bodies
I have a 50 year old body. Part of the ageing process is coming to terms with that fact, and training to use what you still have to its best advantage.
You don’t see roadies on e-bikes,
Yes, you do.
You don’t see roadies on e-bikes,
I think that would depend on your definition of "roadie". For those doing touring and the like I think they are creeping in much the same as for mountain biking. Those who want to race less so but then again you dont tend to see the serious xc lot on e-bikes either to my knowledge.
Same with climbing
Climbers tend to be fairly relaxed about how they get to the interesting part of the day out though. Same could be said of some ebike riders.
Also there are several traditions in climbing. For example suggest bolting Stanage.
I live in Cheddar. Even the fat old guys wobbling their way up the gorge on Sunday club runs have the nuts to do it without the help of an engine.
Bolting is about protection, I guess, rather than actively making a climb easier. How would people feel about someone using the anchors to pull up on?
bigwill
...Most those in their 20’s 30’s and early 40s that rant on at how terrible they are will by the time they are in their 50s, maybe sooner, be either buying one, be e-curious or have buggered off and taken up golf.
Look around you when you're in your 20s, and if just one of your mates is still on a bike in their 60s, you'll be lucky.
eBikes may change that, and keep people fitter and more motivated to ride.
anyone mentioned brexit yet?
Love my ebikes - use the hybrid one to do all my shopping around town. Sometimes use with a burley trailer to do a big shop - i'd hardly be able to move it without the ebike. Only downside is the weight of the bike which is formidable. Quite interested in the new orbea gains - they do not have as much assistance as the bosch powered ones but weigh close to 11kgs (claimed).
As for my cube 29er bosch cx it's a monster off road coping much better with deep mud than pedal power alone. It's great fun.
psycorp
As long as the emergence of ebikes doesn’t create issues with trail access for non-motorised bikes, or hinder the prospects for greater trail access for non-motorised bikes I don’t have any strong feelings, about them or their riders, one way or the other.
However I (sort of- edit Poopy)don’t consider riding a mountain bike and riding an ebike to be the same thing though.
You just typed exactly what my attitude is, thanks! Apart from my tiny edit. Lol
I certainly wouldn't be offish with anyone because they chose to ride one. There is enough angst in this world already for Lords sake! 😩