E-bikes are a thing

[Norm]

You are paying for advancement in the development of the system like anything new.
That will flatten and then come down. I suspect this will be heading to a couple Universal batteries and motors at some point. People squawking over cost, how many on this site alone have 5- 7k carbon analog Pivots? There are plenty of pretty well speced AL e-bikes in that price range right now, just saying.

Didn't the space shuttle pave the way for carbon fiber parts to begin with? Did we all bitch & moan about the price of the space shuttle?

God willing, none of the eBikes will explode over the coast of Florida but stranger things have happened.

 

[JimN]

Someone actually told me that riding an ebike is cheating. I asked him who am I cheating?

For me, I would feel like it's cheating. I get enjoyment out of trying to ride insane rock gardens, and trying to ride up steep and rocky trails, where my legs are on fire and my lungs are burning. There are some climbs I make sometimes but not others, and some climbs I've never made but think I can one day. There are also climbs I used to think were impossible that I now get almost every time. Doing that kind of stuff on an e-bike would obviously be cheating myself. I would never tell you that you (not just you personally, but anyone) are cheating though, mostly because I don't care. If you're out in the woods having fun and not hurting anyone, that's all that matters. I would give zero fucks if I was out riding and everyone else had e-bikes. I would probably tease me friends about it because that's what we do, but I don't see why anyone else cares what you do. And in all honesty, I'm sure I'll own one some day.

 

[Norm]

mostly because I don't care

Yes, this. There is a good book called The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck. It's a worthwhile read (or listen).

 

[Ian F]

I suppose I kinda feel the same way. Nothing against them. I'll probably get one eventually, but I don't really have a time-line on a "when". The only time I really felt like "I wish I was on an e-bike..." was riding at Spring Mtn since it's basically a boring slog up a half-paved access road to the top and an e-bike would have meant more runs and more energy for the descending trails.

 

[tonyride]

For me, I would feel like it's cheating. I get enjoyment out of trying to ride insane rock gardens, and trying to ride up steep and rocky trails, where my legs are on fire and my lungs are burning. There are some climbs I make sometimes but not others, and some climbs I've never made but think I can one day. There are also climbs I used to think were impossible that I now get almost every time. Doing that kind of stuff on an e-bike would obviously be cheating myself. I would never tell you that you (not just you personally, but anyone) are cheating though, mostly because I don't care. If you're out in the woods having fun and not hurting anyone, that's all that matters. I would give zero fucks if I was out riding and everyone else had e-bikes. I would probably tease me friends about it because that's what we do, but I don't see why anyone else cares what you do. And in all honesty, I'm sure I'll own one some day.

Exactly. The only person I'm cheating, if I even feel that way, is myself. I get what you're saying about the personal satisfaction of negotiating a tough technical climb but I still have analogue bikes I can use to achieve (or try) that if I feel a need. I think most non ebike owners really don't care. I ran into Jeff Lenosky and his buddy Lance on the trails one day and rode with them for a little bit and when he realized I was on an ebike I asked if me minded. He said why would he mind? Ride what you got, it's all good.

 

[serviceguy]

I'm totally not against them. I can't afford one and probably never will. I was about to spend money I did not have to get one so that my wife could start cycling again after not being able to, due to her health condition, but I was told there were none available for months. Ended up converting her, then useless, entry point MTB with a Bafang kit and even though I'm sure it's far from the real thing it's still good enough for her to ride and for me to appreciate what these bikes bring to the table. It's a good thing. IMO.

 

[one piece crank]

For me, I would feel like it's cheating. I get enjoyment out of trying to ride insane rock gardens, and trying to ride up steep and rocky trails, where my legs are on fire and my lungs are burning. There are some climbs I make sometimes but not others, and some climbs I've never made but think I can one day. There are also climbs I used to think were impossible that I now get almost every time. Doing that kind of stuff on an e-bike would obviously be cheating myself. I would never tell you that you (not just you personally, but anyone) are cheating though, mostly because I don't care. If you're out in the woods having fun and not hurting anyone, that's all that matters. I would give zero fucks if I was out riding and everyone else had e-bikes. I would probably tease me friends about it because that's what we do, but I don't see why anyone else cares what you do. And in all honesty, I'm sure I'll own one some day.

Yeah, it's personal, and all about the ride. I thought my Absolute Black chainring was cheating as I reeled-in hills that always challenged me, and eliminated that slog/grind feeling altogether. It still makes me smile.

 

[tonyride]

What is cheating, really? I mean we're all looking for ways to do things better, easier, and more effectively/efficiently right? So with a bike, is having 12-speeds vs. 11 or 10 cheating? Is having a lighter carbon fiber frame vs. a heavier steel frame cheating? Is having hydraulic brakes vs. V or cantilever brakes cheating? Is having suspension cheating?

 

[Norm]

What is cheating, really? I mean we're all looking for ways to do things better, easier, and more effectively/efficiently right? So with a bike, is having 12-speeds vs. 11 or 10 cheating? Is having a lighter carbon fiber frame vs. a heavier steel frame cheating? Is having hydraulic brakes vs. V or cantilever brakes cheating? Is having suspension cheating?

Yes, all those things are cheating. We are all in the delusion that, "Everything I do is perfectly fine but 1 step more than I choose and you are a fucking asshole that should be flamed on the internet."

 

[Patrick]

Truly an existential conundrum.

in for red pill.

(this is Gock level posting right here.)

 

[Norm]

(this is Gock level posting right here.)

Not incoherent enough. Please hit more random keys asdifguq eiorghqer0[89t7-134857 c8e

 

[thegock]

Not incoherent enough. Please hit more random keys asdifguq eiorghqer0[89t7-134857 c8e

 

[iLuveketchup]

I want an ebike so that I can run more laps and therefore have more opportunities to learn. If that's cheating, then so be it. I'm hungry to improve and need all the help I can get.

For me, an ebike is a supplement, not a replacement.

 

[don]

Someone actually told me that riding an ebike is cheating. I asked him who am I cheating? He just laughed it off but I seriously asked him who am I cheating? I'm not racing the bike, I'm just having tons of fun on it. It gets me out riding more often, allows me to ride longer, and I still get a decent amount of workout. I think I got him off the "cheating" narrative and got him reevaluation his position on it. As for the cost, yes it a bit pricey but my 2021 ebike is only $1K more than my Pivot Mach 6 back in 2016. Granted, the components on my stock ebike aren't as flashy as my Mach 6 Team build but cost differential taking into account inflation over the years isn't all that great.

This Vital podcast goes a little deeper on MacAskill and why he loves riding the Heckler. Seems to mimic a lot of what tonyride says about it just being a ton of fun.

Danny MacAskill - The Inside Line Podcast

Welcome mountain bikers! Thanks for tuning into Vital MTB's Inside Line podcast. Today's guest, Danny MacAskill, hardly needs an introduction as one of the world's most famous mountain bikers, so we'll get straight into it. Danny, thank you so much, it was an honor. And listeners, thank you for...

www.vitalmtb.com

 

[sundaydoug]

I mean we're all looking for ways to do things better, easier, and more effectively/efficiently right?

Doing things better and doing things easier are two completely different things.

 

[thegock]

This Vital podcast goes a little deeper on MacAskill and why he loves riding the Heckler. Seems to mimic a lot of what tonyride says about it just being a ton of fun.

Danny MacAskill - The Inside Line Podcast

Welcome mountain bikers! Thanks for tuning into Vital MTB's Inside Line podcast. Today's guest, Danny MacAskill, hardly needs an introduction as one of the world's most famous mountain bikers, so we'll get straight into it. Danny, thank you so much, it was an honor. And listeners, thank you for...

www.vitalmtb.com

Great that DM doesn't know what the bike weighs, when the moderator asks him.

 

[tonyride]

Doing things better and doing things easier are two completely different things.

I never said they were the same.

 

[The Kalmyk]

I never said they were the same.

Better cause it's easier or easier cause you’re better? 😆

 

[stb222]

This Vital podcast goes a little deeper on MacAskill and why he loves riding the Heckler. Seems to mimic a lot of what tonyride says about it just being a ton of fun.

Danny MacAskill - The Inside Line Podcast

Welcome mountain bikers! Thanks for tuning into Vital MTB's Inside Line podcast. Today's guest, Danny MacAskill, hardly needs an introduction as one of the world's most famous mountain bikers, so we'll get straight into it. Danny, thank you so much, it was an honor. And listeners, thank you for...

www.vitalmtb.com

Honestly, the conversation changes when you are not only giving the top model for free and they PAY you to ride it. I would be telling everyone about it too!

 

[tonyride]

Honestly, the conversation changes when you are not only giving the top model for free and they PAY you to ride it. I would be telling everyone about it too!

This is true and is why I don't understand celebrity endorsements. Why should I buy something just because some famous person who is getting paid to sell it tells me to?