E-bikes are a thing

[Ian F]

The other conversation that is a constant is the divide between low powered and high powered ebikes. I’ve ridden both and I see value in both, but it’s worth noting that they don’t always play well together when power outputs and range don’t match.

Lots more to say here, but if you are not taking notice you might be surprised that in a year or so we might see as many mtbs in the woods as we see teslas on the road.

The recent Pinkbike e-bike videos had some discussion about the low-power vs. "normal" power e-bikes. They agree they may not play well together and seem to think it'll depend on what a particular group thought is. So far, only one of my friends has an e-bike (a Heckler, I think) and we haven't had an opportunity to ride together yet. Since she is so far the only one of our extended group to have an e-bike (due to her really bad knees), she rides in eco-mode all of the time so I don't think she really blasts away from others while climbing (helped by the fact some of other women she rides with are really strong climbers).

Personally, I'm still in "wait and see" mode as I think e-bikes have another 4-5 years of development before the technology and designs start to stabilize. In the meantime, I feel fortunate to have revamped my fleet at the beginning of 2020 before the market went crazy and I'm really happy with what I have.

 

[jdog]

I’m curious if people are updating their votes in the poll at the start of this thread??

I just spoke to my buddy last night in Cali and he said he has over 100 of the new Orbea rise on order for 2022. Seems that the high end sales sun cali are (nearly) all ebikes at this point.

 

[littlev21]

Nice. Can barely tell. How many watts is motor?

60nm of torque, versus a normal e-bike is 85nm.
360 watt battery.

I'm thinking it's about 41 pounds, versus most others around 50, or more.


It's an Orbea Rise, I have the team version.

 

[mattybfat]

I will seriously consider one when DWlink/CBF options become available in the 160-180 zone and bike parks open their arms to a cheaper daily trail pass ie no lift pass.

 

[Patrick]

I will seriously consider one when DWlink/CBF options become available in the 160-180 zone and bike parks open their arms to a cheaper daily trail pass ie no lift pass.

This is brilliant -i'm thinking an ebike specific venue or day(s) without the lift operating could be a thing
even with rentals.

 

[Monkey Soup]

This is brilliant -i'm thinking an ebike specific venue or day(s) without the lift operating could be a thing
even with rentals.

If I owned a bike park, this is the last thing I would consider. It’s a bike park, constant uphill traffic when everyone is blasting down isn’t the best idea. Plus why would I specifically build and maintain uphill trails to satisfy a few middle-aged men with disposable income? If you can afford a $7k bike, you can afford a lift ticket.

 

[Ian F]

I will seriously consider one when DWlink/CBF options become available in the 160-180 zone and bike parks open their arms to a cheaper daily trail pass ie no lift pass.

The difficulty there may be figuring out a relatively safe way to do that for many bike parks. For example, looking at the trail maps, I don't see a simple way up for either Mtn Creek or Blue Mtn. Perhaps the Burma Road ski trail at Blue, although I'm not sure if that trail would interfere with the paintball operation in that area of the mtn.

Highland sort of does this already for the "Enduro Weds" events, but then you basically climb up one of the few green trails they have.

It's not a bad idea and I've heard some say it would open up mtns to biking that either don't have a lift or they don't want the hassle/cost of operating a lift for biking. BKXC has mentioned doing e-bike rentals is part of the long-term plan for the property he recently purchased and is building trails on.

The whole "suspension design" issue is one reason I am waiting. There is still some debate on what design is really best for e-bikes. A recent step in that water is the new Yeti e-bike that uses a e-bike specific design. I wouldn't be surprised if DW is currently working with a company (or two) on an e-bike specific version of one or more of his designs. And I'm sure there will be variations depending on intended use: say epic trail rides where efficiency would still play a part (since the more efficient the design, the longer the battery should last) or for your "No-lift Park Bike" where the suspension would be more like a DH bike and battery life might be less of a concern (and even quick-swap batteries may be ideal).

 

[Patrick]

If I owned a bike park, this is the last thing I would consider. It’s a bike park, constant uphill traffic when everyone is blasting down isn’t the best idea. Plus why would I specifically build and maintain uphill trails to satisfy a few middle-aged men with disposable income? If you can afford a $7k bike, you can afford a lift ticket.

the fire road up?

I hear ya tho

How about poaching a closed ski ... never mind. 😉

 

[a.s.]

How about poaching a closed ski ... never mind. 😉

I know a guy.

 

[Monkey Soup]

the fire road up?

I hear ya tho

How about poaching a closed ski ... never mind. 😉

What’s the point? The logic is flawed. The point of going to a bike park is to get as many laps in as possible. If you’re young and in good shape, a lift ticket is the way to go, you’ll get way more laps than on an ebike. If you’re infirm and need an ebike, perhaps bombing down a bike park isn’t the wisest idea, but if you need to ride or die, taking the lift and riding a full DH is the safer option in that situation. If you’re poor, buying a $7k ebike so that you don’t have to pay for a ticket isn’t a sound idea either. Which leaves middle aged dudes with disposable income looking to justify an ebike. Just buy the damn thing and stop trying to justify it with silly reasoning.

 

[a.s.]

What’s the point? The logic is flawed. The point of going to a bike park is to get as many laps in as possible. If you’re young and in good shape, a lift ticket is the way to go, you’ll get way more laps than on an ebike. If you’re infirm and need an ebike, perhaps bombing down a bike park isn’t the wisest idea, but if you need to ride or die, taking the lift and riding a full DH is the safer option in that situation. If you’re poor, buying a $7k ebike so that you don’t have to pay for a ticket isn’t a sound idea either. Which leaves middle aged dudes with disposable income looking to justify an ebike. Just buy the damn thing and stop trying to justify it with silly reasoning.

 

[Patrick]

What’s the point? The logic is flawed. The point of going to a bike park is to get as many laps in as possible. If you’re young and in good shape, a lift ticket is the way to go, you’ll get way more laps than on an ebike. If you’re infirm and need an ebike, perhaps bombing down a bike park isn’t the wisest idea, but if you need to ride or die, taking the lift and riding a full DH is the safer option in that situation. If you’re poor, buying a $7k ebike so that you don’t have to pay for a ticket isn’t a sound idea either. Which leaves middle aged dudes with disposable income looking to justify an ebike. Just buy the damn thing and stop trying to justify it with silly reasoning.

If you are in good enough shape to go DH all day for the most laps, sure.

What about the long lift lines at peek?
I don't DH - so this is a stretch for me.
I should cause i suck at going DH

I think i know people that can't really afford the bike they ride, yet that is their chosen hobby.
$20 vs $55 would make a huge difference for the couple days they want to go.

Of course it is called a lift ticket in many places, cause if you want to walk/hike/ride up, and ski/board/ride down,
that is fine.

 

[Norm]

What’s the point? The logic is flawed. The point of going to a bike park is to get as many laps in as possible. If you’re young and in good shape, a lift ticket is the way to go, you’ll get way more laps than on an ebike. If you’re infirm and need an ebike, perhaps bombing down a bike park isn’t the wisest idea, but if you need to ride or die, taking the lift and riding a full DH is the safer option in that situation. If you’re poor, buying a $7k ebike so that you don’t have to pay for a ticket isn’t a sound idea either. Which leaves middle aged dudes with disposable income looking to justify an ebike. Just buy the damn thing and stop trying to justify it with silly reasoning.

Mostly agree but I think it has a place for these parks like in NC where they’ve built a bunch of DH flow trails but there’s no lift. The park is designed to be ridden both up and down. Do you need an e-bike? No. Does it make the experience better? Maybe. That assumes the e-bike goes down as well as non-E.

But this may really be a solution to a problem that doesn’t really exist.

 

[JimN]

I will seriously consider one when DWlink/CBF options become available in the 160-180 zone and bike parks open their arms to a cheaper daily trail pass ie no lift pass.

Don't they only check for a trail pass when you get on the lift?

 

[Zaskar]

Mostly agree but I think it has a place for these parks like in NC where they’ve built a bunch of DH flow trails but there’s no lift. The park is designed to be ridden both up and down. Do you need an e-bike? No. Does it make the experience better? Maybe. That assumes the e-bike goes down as well as non-E.

But this may really be a solution to a problem that doesn’t really exist.

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[Norm]

Don't they only check for a trail pass when you get on the lift?

Yup.

 

[mattybfat]

Don't they only check for a trail pass when you get on the lift?

I would pay for trails that are maintained, need to keep that in check.
For the hard-core who like to hate. Only a one time example but one that's interesting.
Anolog vs ebike on same tracks 1hr each
Both Marin Trail with same suspension

 

[stb222]

I would pay for trails that are maintained, need to keep that in check.
For the hard-core who like to hate. Only a one time example but one that's interesting.
Anolog vs ebike on same tracks 1hr each
Both Marin Trail with same suspension
View attachment 167650

I have seen a few of these, not sure why it is a surprise the e bike rode further. If a fit rider rides an ebike it will be a similar experience fitness wise. But I don’t think an unfit rider will see the same fitness benefit if they jump to an ebike first.

 

[The Kalmyk]

E-bike = I quite myself

Nuff said

 

[The Kalmyk]

I have seen a few of these, not sure why it is a surprise the e bike rode further. If a fit rider rides an ebike it will be a similar experience fitness wise. But I don’t think an unfit rider will see the same fitness benefit if they jump to an ebike first.

Spoken from actual experience!!!

😛😛