a little piece of me died
- Thread starter jstuhlman
- Start date
I think there's a place for them here. On trails approved for motorized use and on fire roads and such. On singletrack? Not so much.
Still buy what? Not here.
But yeah, boosted 7.5'd dentist-bike riding folk... please stfu and head down to your local special-ed dealer to place an order
When the technology comes out for lighter batteries and the bike is more like my all-mountain bike...i may be interested. Having a full time job doesn't allow me to get out as much as I used to so the market is there. I just don't like the bikes in their current state. They aren't super fun imo
E-bikes are coming. That specialized is pretty cleanly executed. 48 lbs. But it's pretty gutless. 250W motor. 36V X 14ah battery. It's not gonna be roosting up hills. Video review shows typical e-bike customer.
The most common aftermarket mid-drive E-bike kit, is the bafang bb2 750w, $600, 8.5 lbs, three times as powerful as the specialized. 48v battery is separate, $400-500. https://www.electricbike.com/bafang-bbso2-750w-mid-drive/
The most dialed kit is the Tangent. Uses a RC airplane motor, 1750W!
http://www.tangentmotors.com/store/tangent-ascent-pre-production-kit
http://forums.mtbr.com/intense/deathmoth-electric-intense-tracer-275a-1000419.html
I don't really think e-bikes are going to be a big issue, as far as trail access goes. They are motorized, and don't belong on non motorized trails.
The most dialed kit is the Tangent. Uses a RC airplane motor, 1750W!
http://www.tangentmotors.com/store/tangent-ascent-pre-production-kit
http://forums.mtbr.com/intense/deathmoth-electric-intense-tracer-275a-1000419.html
I don't really think e-bikes are going to be a big issue, as far as trail access goes. They are motorized, and don't belong on non motorized trails.
Matt Whonter?
There's no way these things won't cause trail closures for MTBs in well-populated or already controversial riding areas where hikers and underpaid rangers will use any excuse.
I know that doesn't matter to those of you who: 1) are outside the US or 2) only ride lift-access parks or 3) only ride deep in BLM/ National Forest land.
The "troy lee is handicapped" argument is a total red herring being marketed exactly like Segway did with their retard-mobiles...
Silent, electric motorcycles is what these things are now, and they will only get cheaper, lighter and more capable.
Specialized, Troy Lee and many other "bike brands" will follow the easy money. Don't hold your breath for it to bite them in the ass like Cannonade's moto/quad fuck up.
I know that doesn't matter to those of you who: 1) are outside the US or 2) only ride lift-access parks or 3) only ride deep in BLM/ National Forest land.
The "troy lee is handicapped" argument is a total red herring being marketed exactly like Segway did with their retard-mobiles...
Silent, electric motorcycles is what these things are now, and they will only get cheaper, lighter and more capable.
Specialized, Troy Lee and many other "bike brands" will follow the easy money. Don't hold your breath for it to bite them in the ass like Cannonade's moto/quad fuck up.
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Electric. Motor. Cycle. The bike industry has definitely been dipping into the lizard people stash a lil hard the last few years.
A little advocating for the devil here, but they seem quite a bit different than a motorcycle to me. You don't have to pedal a motorcycle. E-bikes don't have throttles. It makes the same noises as a bicycle, nothing like the noise a motorcycle makes. Seems closer to a bicycle, though it is still motorized and should stick to those trails. I get the concern for trail advocacy, but other than that, I don't get the vitriol. So what if someone wants to go pedal-brap around some fire roads?
The problem is no one is marketing these abominations for fire roads. All the promo stuff is directly pushing them for trail use.
No, but a motorcycle has a motor and so do these.
I've ridden the Specialized commuter version as well as the new Trek version. One pedal stroke is all it takes to be in motor assist. I'd say actual pedaling contributes > 10% to your forward motion. Think of the pedal AS the throttle.
All fair enough comments.
I haven't ridden one and don't plan on doing so. I just think it's a little short-sighted and elitist to instantly write them off as abominations. May we all be lucky enough to stay fit and able to pedal under own power until we die. Unlike those poor saps who, for whatever reason, can't pedal far on their own, but would still like to utilize a quiet method of transportation to go out into natural areas and enjoy them.
I understand the frustration from the manufacturers marketing them as vehicles made for MTB singletrack. I don't understand the rest of the apparent b-hole injuries.
I haven't ridden one and don't plan on doing so. I just think it's a little short-sighted and elitist to instantly write them off as abominations. May we all be lucky enough to stay fit and able to pedal under own power until we die. Unlike those poor saps who, for whatever reason, can't pedal far on their own, but would still like to utilize a quiet method of transportation to go out into natural areas and enjoy them.
I understand the frustration from the manufacturers marketing them as vehicles made for MTB singletrack. I don't understand the rest of the apparent b-hole injuries.
Since I haven't arrived at the ignoble point or age of needing a 2 wheeled Rascal to ascend the peaks of endless gnar, I can't be but so dismissive of the technology. That said, is there a point that you just hang up endurope gogs and either ride greenways, flat trails and/or get blasted at the local pub until you exit stage left? I mean shit fire, JBP still rides bikes up hills the last I heard. Sorry if Dick Cheney can't join him, but he's got other avocations to keep him busy (i.e. drunk hunting ). Plus, I could envision a scenario in which the magic of e-bikes helps an 82 year dentist get up to the top of Mt. Fuji, then shit goes goes sideways when Mr. Newton pushes him down at 25 mph.
Simple answer; if you want to go deep into the woods to enjoy the natural beauty you have to earn it. Whether that means hiking, running, or biking, you have to put out some effort to do so. And being fit is a big part of that. It took me many years to build up to the skills and fitness I have now, as did with you and everyone else who's made it back to the car from an epic outing deep in the forest. When you have to work hard for something, you will almost always have a greater appreciation for it.
Give those who would not normally go that far on their own a motorized mountain bike, and you'll have tons of lazy, fat asses, smoking cigarettes, no helmets, and most definitely sporting firearms. You know, the people you go deep to get away from in the first place. So if you wanna call me an elitist, then by all means feel free to do so.
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My Dad is 77. He officially, and with great reluctance gave up his true passion of road riding last year. He did so, not out of age, or health, but because he is legally blind and has been since his forties. He had to admit to himself that it just wasn't safe anymore. He still has not ruled out a trail ride now and then on his Tallboy.
For me at least, I ride mountain bikes because for all intents and purposes, they're incredibly lightweight, nimble ways to get absolutely violent and terrifying at speed going downhill. And they're incredibly durable for what they weigh. "sightseeing" is kind of a nice byproduct of traveling to those descents but it's not the primary reason I do it. And it it were, I'd do a better job at it on something from KTM.
Adding all that weight to a bike compromises number 1 one for me while prioritizing something else........huh huh......number two (that means poop). More importantly it's #72 in my upcoming pamphlet "why the bike industry sucks and needs to die in a hole" located in the "more shit nobody who's a mountainbiker ever asked for" section.
These e-bikes should probably include a built in PLB which is automatically activated in case of a mechanical like a burned out motor, snapped chain, or flat tire.
Would subscribe to that newsletter.
I'm not convinced on the last part, but maybe I'm just being too optimistic because it's Friday and it's finally Spring.
I don't feel strongly either way about these bikes, but I do think it's an interesting discussion.
I agree with what you're saying about earning it.
I'm not convinced on the last part, but maybe I'm just being too optimistic because it's Friday and it's finally Spring.
I don't feel strongly either way about these bikes, but I do think it's an interesting discussion.
Now this is some OT VI level shit, so your tiny human minds might not be able to handle it. For some however, it will all make a little more sense:
God damn it, you're ruining RM by offering reasonable points of discussion and not insulting kidwoo with 8 paragraph manifestos. Get with the program, or get the hell out!
One thousand apologies, sir.God damn it, you're ruining RM by offering reasonable points of discussion and not insulting kidwoo with 8 paragraph manifestos. Get with the program, or get the hell out!
I will submit a verbose rant about something the next time I get drunk, but you'll have to be patient, as I don't drink much anymore.
When I was 14, and wanted to ride into town and back faster than I could pedal, I bought a moped. Since I weighed about a buck twenty at the time it could sustain 25 mph on the flats and nearly 35 downhills, the pedals where useless after you reached 5 mph. In Colorado they did not have to be licensed and where categorized as bicycles, my Honda Trail 70 had to be licensed so I couldn't ride that on the roads, with its low gears and heavier weight it was not that much faster anyway...
Oh wait we're not talking about mopeds... weather we like it or not, as 'merica gets older and less fit, electric bikes will become even more common, you can blame @Toshi for the upcoming revolution.
If I were to predict the future I would say that electric assist bikes will not be banned from trails that currently allow bikes.
Oh wait we're not talking about mopeds... weather we like it or not, as 'merica gets older and less fit, electric bikes will become even more common, you can blame @Toshi for the upcoming revolution.
If I were to predict the future I would say that electric assist bikes will not be banned from trails that currently allow bikes.
Friend of mine works for a very established European bike brand.
Went for a xc ride one day with a pretty big group, forgot to charge battery, had to walk half way back to starting point cause bike was too heavy to pedal around.
#coolstorybro
Went for a xc ride one day with a pretty big group, forgot to charge battery, had to walk half way back to starting point cause bike was too heavy to pedal around.
#coolstorybro
E-bikes, as if. Where are they going to find a whole bunch of middle aged white guys with large enough disposable incomes to spend on such discretionary devices? I ask you!
personal locator bacon
Mmm... bacon
Behold! A lizard-funded compound which is essentially an assembly line of middle aged white guys with large disposable incomes--I've said too much.
wait, wait, wait... PRO LEVEL BONGSHED