On this Episode
It’s been more than two years since we dedicated an entire show to the topic of electric mountain bikes, and a lot has changed since then. In this episode, we talk about how electric mountain bikes have evolved, where current regulations regarding eMTBs stand, and how mountain bikers opinions are slowly shifting.
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19 Comments
Dec 19, 2017
Why?
Jan 13, 2018
Whoa. He was a tool because he was a fat ass in his mid 30 or he was on an e-bike? Not clear on that?
I had a guy in tights on a 19lb carbon cross country race bike pass me while I was on my e-bike, he remarked under his breath, " oh that's why I had a hard time catching you... it's an old guy on a e-bike". Probably made his personal best Strava time ever unknowingly chasing an old guy on an e-bike. A cosmic joke on him. It is most likely that at 67 years old I could ride circles around 90% of the riders out there, up or down on my 3 year old Kona Process dickhead. That might be more a reflection of the overall competency and fitness of the current average demographic...or maybe my 30 years on a moutain bike and my overall fitness level? Hahaha!
The mob mentality on this topic is off the chart. Pink bike is the worst for cultivating it.They should be ashamed. No body even talks about the danger to trail access that comes from the really fast guys on 6"+ trail and enduro sleds hauling ass, ripping up the trails and scaring the crap out of Sierra club hikers and equestrians. Riding bikes by the way, that just so happen to be the advertising and technical focus of most of the on and offline "Mountain bike" rags. Your bike is a technological wonder get over it. Your a gear head get over it. Maybe you could carve one from the tree you fell with your flint ax you chipped out while squatting on your haunches and then you would be so pure at heart.
The real issue underlying this whole bullshit discussion is a territorial, front runner, "we were first" sort of local-ism. I went thru this crap with surfing in the 70's, it has a familiar smell to it. The mainstreaming of surfing by the magazines are what ruined surfing for the hardcore soul surfers, showing the way for so many kooks.The magazines want to grow the sport too increase advertising revenue ...I want the sport to shrink and the kooks to stay home. I personally am glad all this shit is so expensive, barrier to entry is high, which can be a good thing in my opinion.
When you encounter me on the trail or in town I might be on my full squish, my slacked out plus tired hardtail, my e-bike or my old Schwinn High Sierra converted townie. You can be sure I will not give a flying you know what about what you think about me.
Never cry wolf
Dec 16, 2018
Jan 23, 2018
Dec 19, 2017
Dec 20, 2017
Dec 19, 2017
Again, if you listen, we don't have an agenda here, other than to report where the tech, access issues, and adoption stand right now.
Dec 19, 2017
Dec 22, 2017
As far as the ebike haters are concerned- ride one sometime and you will see they are not a threat to the sport. The only time I have ever seen an ebike on the trail is during a demo day. Go to a bike shop and you will see 1 ebike to every 20-30 mountain bikes.
Dec 27, 2017
Dec 22, 2017
Dec 22, 2017
Dec 21, 2017
These are just thoughts. I do like how ebikes will help handicapped, or people that just need a bit of help accessing trails. I also like the idea of even myself being able to do longer rides, or cary more gear for trail work, camping etc.. I took one for a test ride and it did put a smile on my face, but ultimately I feel like I'm cheating.
Batteries, range and ultimately reliability will keep me away from them. As we do get out there a bit.
The topic does need to get out there for discussion, to help us all understand the pros and cons. I think regulation is going to be the main issue. And that's going to, more than likely, be self regulatory due to cost.
There's not many days I go out and don't see at least one ebike.
Strava I'm sure is having issues with the complaints of times. I'm hearing stories of that in our area. "Friggin ebikers are screwing up all the times!!" Very common conversation when looking at trail times with friends. Literally every time lol..
They're coming, we just need to all try to get along and get some respected rules in place.
When the conversation comes up out on the trail with riders we meet out riding. It's normally a fun conversation, that's mostly positive and curious. But it's always an unspoken thing, that everybody seems a bit leery of them too.
Ultimately though... I'm against them, until I see and hear some solid solutions to get them on the trails in a more positively seen light by all.
Enough random babble from me!
Dec 18, 2017
Jan 8, 2018
Dec 22, 2017
Stubborn, blind and entitled is a poor choice for advocacy.
Dec 18, 2017
Jun 10, 2018
Are you planning to report on how you can achieve consistent BPM zones with Class I emtb's rather than the peaks and valleys using acoustic bikes? I know it's hard to fathom and it took me a solid month of data but less assist gave me peaks and valleys, more assist gave me close to consistent levels of tempo. Turning cranks or the excitement of rocking those trails I don't know lol...
Dec 21, 2017