E-bikes

#27
#27
I've read some of the debates and can see some issues. Some of the MB arguments against are more about keeping people out of the sport (newbs) and arguments it's no fair because people who aren't in great shape can use the trails. Those arguments are BS.

A middle ground argument is that e-bikers didn't fight for access to the trails and aren't maintaining them - well that's a bit of a non-argument since e-bikers are so new they haven't had a reason to. If they do not going forward or are bigger freeloaders than non-e-bikers than maybe there's an argument.

More legit arguments include possible trail damage from more torque to the backwheel and speed issues.

There are ways to co-exist but the MB "club" is acting pretty exclusionary.
 
#28
#28
kiddiedoc said:
I don't get the draw for e-mountain bikes. Heck, the jarring bumps on downhills, rocks, etc are probably harder on knees than the climbing. I figure that power assistance will be mostly used by commuters/leisure riders.
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with a good full suspension bike the knee stress is still going to be on the climb - having some help would make a big difference.
 
#29
#29
kiddiedoc said:
I don't get the draw for e-mountain bikes. Heck, the jarring bumps on downhills, rocks, etc are probably harder on knees than the climbing. I figure that power assistance will be mostly used by commuters/leisure riders.
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Most people are not going to take an e-bike on MTB trails, no matter how hard they push that sales idea. They're heavy, hard to stop, and hard to control. E-bikes are almost exclusively commuter/recreational path bikes.
 
#30
#30
volinbham said:
with a good full suspension bike the knee stress is still going to be on the climb - having some help would make a big difference.
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Knee stress is relatively low if your bike fits you properly. Most bicycling knee issues are generated from riding a poorly fit bike. People think they can just grab any old bike off of the shelf and Walmart and go ride, but those bikes are junk and not designed to fit anyone outside of your most average 5'9" man.
 
#32
#32
sona said:
We already have trail access issues in the USA. These will do nothing but aggravate the situation. Sierra Club already hates us, just wait until they start getting run over by bikes going UPHILL.

Sorry to be so negative on technology that does help some folks get out in the woods. I just don't see it ending well if their popularity in the states soars to European levels. They do not have the same access issues that we do.

It is awesome that they allow some people to return to a sport that their knees no longer support. I get that aspect of it. I just see this eventually leading to all bikes being banned on more trails than we already are.

All for them on the road, as commuters, leisure bikes, etc. Just not on trails mountain bikers have fought for and maintained.
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When you see an ebike on your trail
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqHaK_dxs88[/youtube]
 
#34
#34
VOLatile said:
Most people are not going to take an e-bike on MTB trails, no matter how hard they push that sales idea. They're heavy, hard to stop, and hard to control. E-bikes are almost exclusively commuter/recreational path bikes.
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Nope ... great for wilderness hunting. The problem for e-bikers is going to be regulation by the purists.
 
#35
#35
took my first ride today - I'm hooked. Great way to cycle if you aren't in cycling shape.

still pedaled but had some help - the throttle is nice to power up a hill while pedaling.

this bike is a cruiser style so it's definitely for casual riding - likely to get a fat tire version for some double track and sand riding.

If you're old or out of shape but want to have fun riding a bike I highly recommend it.
 
#37
#37
How is the government going to distinguish between e-bicycles and electric motorcycles? Driver's Licenses? Vehicle registration, plates, and taxes? Insurance? Helmets? Motorcycles on bike paths? Minimum age for driving on streets?
 
#38
#38
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#39
#39
#40
#40
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Tip of the iceberg. Was there a minimum age in there? If not, is it a good idea for 8 year olds to be zipping along in traffic at 20 mph? If there's a minimum age to ride anything with a motor, what about helmets? Lots of opportunities for legislatures to legislate here... and regulators to regulate.
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It's coming no doubt - some states already consider them motorized vehicles (which they technically are).

They are already divided into 3 classes and some places ban the type I have (that have a throttle where you don't need to pedal) One of the classes maxes at 20mph.

For now, they are rare enough in the US to be under the radar. If you didn't know what you were looking at you'd never know for most.

I already have a motorcycle endorsement some I'm licensed.

We all know that bureaucrats love to regulate things - depends on which lobbies get involved. Fortunately the regular brands all have e-offerings so it hopefully won't be inter-brand lobby warfare.
 
#41
#41
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Tip of the iceberg. Was there a minimum age in there? If not, is it a good idea for 8 year olds to be zipping along in traffic at 20 mph? If there's a minimum age to ride anything with a motor, what about helmets? Lots of opportunities for legislatures to legislate here... and regulators to regulate.
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There are age regulations in some states. Everyone should wear a helmet. I'm certain that more legislation is coming.
 
#42
#42
bike.jpg


Road one of these on my Camino (pilgrimage in Spain). Terrain was hilly to mountainous. Route was paved and unpaved surfaces. I was happy for the assist in some places. Being German-made, it was "heavy metal" - 58 lbs, fully loaded (pannier et al). Battery life was excellent (rated 200+ km), given my judicious use of assist. Throughout an entire day's ride, the battery charge level never dropped below 3/4 - 2/3 charged.

The above is an e-assist bike - one must always pedal. It provided 3 levels of assist. I only used the highest level on an 8 kilometer climb up a mountain road with a 15%+ grade.

I elected to rent/use the e-bike for this journey just to try one out. I was glad for it. The daily rides were challenging, and the e-assist came in handy in some situations. It allowed me to enjoy the scenery more while riding and left me with more energy for the evening explorations on foot.

I may ride a carbon fiber road bike at home, but I'll elect an e-assist bike on certain touring journeys for the reasons cited above.
 
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#44
#44
Tin Man said:
bike.jpg


Road one of these on my Camino (pilgrimage in Spain). Terrain was hilly to mountainous. Route was paved and unpaved surfaces. I was happy for the assist in some places. Being German-made, it was "heavy metal" - 58 lbs, fully loaded (pannier et al). Battery life was excellent (rated 200+ km), given my judicious use of assist. Throughout an entire day's ride, the battery charge level never dropped below 3/4 - 2/3 charged.

The above is an e-assist bike - one must always pedal. It provided 3 levels of assist.
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#45
#45
VolStrom said:
Good luck when your knees hurt and yes they will hurt at some point in time. You might not like life so much when your lifestyle is banned versus someone else?
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My knees already hurt about half the time. I am all for getting more people on bikes, even assisted bikes. I hate to see when someone can no longer enjoy a chosen pursuit. My issue is solely with trail access and whether you like it or not, e-bikes do pose an access risk with some trails. It isn't because I think they are destructive (horses are 100x worse), it is due to the inevitable conflict, whether real or imagined, that will result with Sierra Club crowd. They have already circumvented our supposed representation, and they will use this issue to ban "every vehicle" on trails where usage is already an issue.

On paths, roads, etc, I have zero issue with e-bikes. On trails with tenuous access and already strained relations, they are going to impact mountain bikers. Great for Europe where they have reasonable laws, not great in the USA where trails have to be fought for.
 
#46
#46
sona said:
My knees already hurt about half the time. I am all for getting more people on bikes, even assisted bikes. I hate to see when someone can no longer enjoy a chosen pursuit. My issue is solely with trail access and whether you like it or not, e-bikes do pose an access risk with some trails. It isn't because I think they are destructive (horses are 100x worse), it is due to the inevitable conflict, whether real or imagined, that will result with Sierra Club crowd. They have already circumvented our supposed representation, and they will use this issue to ban "every vehicle" on trails where usage is already an issue.

On paths, roads, etc, I have zero issue with e-bikes. On trails with tenuous access and already strained relations, they are going to impact mountain bikers. Great for Europe where they have reasonable laws, not great in the USA where trails have to be fought for.
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I agree with everything you said. I really don't understand why someone in a state of health that requires a power-assisted bike would need to (or even SHOULD) be on a dedicated MTB trail. Moderate to difficult trails offer much more trouble than the climb, and that just seems like a setup for injury, even without considering wear on the trail and other riders.

Greenways, commuting, etc? I totally get the appeal.
 
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