[plummet]

Maybe once you retire, you can to a west coast MTB tour. Whistler, Squamish, Bellingham, all the way down Oregon, CA north coast, Sant Cruz, <redacted>, SoCal. Then take a quick detour out to Arizona and Utah.

Why would I wait until I retire?

But if I do a trip state side it likely wont be with the E as the level of pain that it takes to move batteries around the world is not worth it. So, I'd be turning up with the MTB.
In truth I don't have a huge desire to go riding in the US. Maybe i'll hit Whistler but would probably go back to Europe before hitting the states.

 

[cookieMonster]

I really hate you elitist, holier-than-thou, gatekeeping, anti-ebike-- oh wait...

What we’ve found is that the trails that are easy to access end up getting blown up and blown out — and nobody except us does any maintenance.

Making them hard to access helps cut down on the maintenance we have to do. People are welcome to ride them — they just gotta pay up front.😉

Edit: It’s also a good idea to route trails in such a manner that nobody finds themselves riding them by accident. A squirrel catcher, if you will. One of our trails T-s into a game trail that is occasionally traversed by mountain bikers who don’t mind a little bushwhacking. Last year, I was getting ready to drop in to this trail, which honestly starts out looking somewhat innocent. Along came a dude in full Lycra from the game trail. “Where does that go?,” he asked. “It’s a pretty serious DH trail” I said. He’s like “As steep as (some blue trail nearby)?”

“Nah, about triple that steep.” He kept going along the game trail.🤣

 

[3_Dimensional]

All jokes aside, this is my one genuine worry with the increase in popularity of ebikes. Either trails built that can only be climbed on an Ebike.
Or more likely, the climbing trail that now doesn't get built as the 10% fire road to the trails gets used instead.

People are talking about building technical uphill trails for ebikes to have fun on, and while I love a good tech climb, I want to just be able to get to the top of a lot of trails.
I'm not sure how much of this will materialize, but I hope they keep MTB riders in mind.

 

[BigLarry]

I thought I was going to ride forever my expensive Bronson with 3X11 Di2 drivetrain. But I permanently broke my foot sliding down the stairs. The only way I could get back to riding without my bones shredding my foot was a eBike, Catalyst pedals, and eBike. Now I ride 3-6 hours at a time no problem.

With my Bronson, I was typically burning 900 calories/hour. With the eBike, keeping it mostly at 2 out of 4 on boost, I burn 600 calories/hour. But I ride longer and keeping fit.

 

[Mudguard]

It’s also a good idea to route trails in such a manner that nobody finds themselves riding them by accident. A squirrel catcher, if you will.

This is part of my discussion. Traditionally one kind of Squirrel Catcher* may have been a long blue climb up to the black descents. Something that a newer rider who may not be as fit, would go, I can't ride up that.
That's something bike park/areas will have to alter now.


* As opposed to the mandatory skinny or drop type of trail squirrel catcher.

 

[Mudguard]

People are talking about building technical uphill trails for ebikes to have fun on, and while I love a good tech climb, I want to just be able to get to the top of a lot of trails.
I'm not sure how much of this will materialize, but I hope they keep MTB riders in mind.

Yeah that's a part of it. I don't necessarily mean crazy gradients with tech features on a climb. I more mean adhering to gradients that are suitable climbs for greens and blues on a push bike. I've got a guide somewhere that rates climbs.
Edit. Climbing Gradient Ratings in New Zealand.
Grade 1. 3.5% for 98% of the trail
Grade 2. 5% for for 95% of the trail
Grade 3. 8.8% for 90% of the trail
Grade 4. 12.3% for 90% of the trail
Grade 5. 17.5% for 90% of the trail
Grade 6. 27% for 90% of the trail

 

[cookieMonster]

This is part of my discussion. Traditionally one kind of Squirrel Catcher* may have been a long blue climb up to the black descents. Something that a newer rider who may not be as fit, would go, I can't ride up that.
That's something bike park/areas will have to alter now.


* As opposed to the mandatory skinny or drop type of trail squirrel catcher.

Not to be contrary; that is not my intention, but isn’t it okay to push a bike if it’s too steep to pedal?

It would seem that a lot of riders, perhaps the majority, will simply not use trails if they can’t pedal them. I’ve seen this in practice, but also have read it repeatedly here on mtbr.

From my perspective, it is always worth the effort if the downhill is good.

 

[Mudguard]

Not to be contrary; that is not my intention, but isn’t it okay to push a bike if it’s too steep to pedal?

It would seem that a lot of riders, perhaps the majority, will simply not use trails if they can’t pedal them. I’ve seen this in practice, but also have read it repeatedly here on mtbr.

From my perspective, it is always worth the effort if the downhill is good.

Ah I guess? The only pushing I did when I was younger was my DH bike, but it had some very unfriendly gearing. But I guess my logic would be, if I can't ride up this trail and have to walk, what is it going to lead to? I'm not saying it's right or wrong, that's just how it's been. So you'll get the determined and the stupid 🤣 So if they want to ride the black at the other end, then fair enough.
However that kind of squirrel catcher doesn't work if you have an e-bike as the gradient isn't really a deterrent, so we'll need better signage.
I've seen it first hand at a trail network I ride at. A shortish blue at 10-15 minutes with a couple of nasty pinches, that finishes with some "blacks" (a dark blue anywhere else in New Zealand) as the only obvious option down. NB there are blue descents further on, but if you turn off following the person in front of you, you may not know to carry on to them.

 

[plummet]

Not to be contrary; that is not my intention, but isn’t it okay to push a bike if it’s too steep to pedal?

It would seem that a lot of riders, perhaps the majority, will simply not use trails if they can’t pedal them. I’ve seen this in practice, but also have read it repeatedly here on mtbr.

From my perspective, it is always worth the effort if the downhill is good.

Yep. The general pedal populous do not walk up to ride down.
Hike a bike is one of my favourite things. Certainly there are no crowds on hike a bike trails.

Also if you are making a trail. Make it how the hell you want. An uphill squirrel catcher is a good idea.

 

[Varaxis]

I definitely casually attempt more non-pedal-friendly sections on emtb than I would on trad bike. On trad bikes, I'd actually plan detours around such sections normally, unless I was in the mood for it (usually basking in the venting of negative emotions), as if it's been too long since the last.

 

[newt.kokopelli]

Got an e.bike last year and didn't ride it much, as most of the SW CO trails don't allow it. I'm a 69 yr old who unfortunately lives and trains in KS, had 4-disc back fusion in the fall and am about to have a knee replaced. Went to Gunnison this past week with the e.bike and was actually able to ride well. Without it, I'd have been toast. I'd love to be able to ride my regular full-sus but health and age prevent it sooooo....e.bike it is. At least I'm able to get out there and do what I love. Sorry that so many e.bikers are giving them a bad rep.

 

[Send-It]

One of the greatest things about an emtb is the ability to climb trails that are more or less unclimbable. It's a new challenge unlocked. I will agree the negative of emtbs is opening up access to trails for those not skilled enough to be on, but there's always a limit to what they can and will do... I love the idea of an uphill squirrel catcher... what would that even look like?!

 

[jimbones]

As an older rider ( almost 70 with many many orthopedic operations) my fitness has improved because an ebike has encouraged me to get out more (3 days week vs one) and I dont have to beat myself down so recovery is quicker. I still get my heart rate up. I have a Moterra and use setting 1 or 2. 3 is rarely used. I want to still earn my climbs as much as i can. Its fun I ride longer and ride all the more advanced trails and ride more aggressively. Enjoy.

 

[mrclortho]

One of the greatest things about an emtb is the ability to climb trails that are more or less unclimbable. It's a new challenge unlocked.

A local singletrack trail I love starts with a moderately long climb that blows up my legs and lungs every time. Younger and more hard core athletes would disagree but for the rest of us... I work hard on getting in better shape in the time I have, but may age isn't helping. I can typically get in 1 or 2 rides a week at most due to schedule or the weather. When I get to the top of the climb, I take a break to recover and sometimes it can half ruin the rest of the 8 mile ride. Not ruin I guess, but it changes from fun to suffering and trying not to eat crap due to fatigue. I am ruined when I get back to the truck and suffer the drive home. The e-bike helps me with the climb, I still get work in and ride for more miles and time, and I am not dead for hours after.

The second reason (flack jacket on) is I will sometimes don't do a local group ride if the distance is too great or I am not feeling tip top. Yes, it is a stupid pride thing. I really have to be ready to take on 15 or 20 mile ride in the Texas heat with a group of younger and more fit folks, and it changes from fun to will power at some point. The e-bike allows me to take on just about anything, go out there and do it, and have a great time instead of just suffering. My weekday fitness ride used to be 8-10 miles and now it is 18-20.

All that justification aside, it is a friggen blast.

 

[_CJ]

I don't understand why able-bodied folks ride them

Because more fun, that's why.

I should make a T-shirt that says that.

ebike
🚴‍♂️
because more fun


.

 

[_CJ]

 

[CyNil_Rider]

And more fun is funner.
More funner because its more easier.

Where does it end?
Most easiest is funnerest?

 

[bdamschen]

And more fun is funner.
More funner because its more easier.

Where does it end?
Most easiest is funnerest?

There's a balance. You would think that the formula is more funner because DH laps, so logically, mostest DH laps should be funnerest. But! It's just like regular pedal bikes- the mostest DH laps is not suited to the funnerest on said DH laps due to being minmaxed for going up the easiest/fastest for the mostest DH laps, and so it is no longer the funnerestiest. Therefore we need a perfect balance of not the mostest, but still the funnerestiest, and that's why the ebike forum was created- to discuss the nuances of funnerestism, and the tools that we use to practice it.

 

[Nat]

And more fun is funner.
More funner because its more easier.

Where does it end?
Most easiest is funnerest?

Yes.
No.

Who knows?
No.

 

[rod9301]

Why would someone brag about a climb on an e-bike? Or maxing out their heartrate on an e-bike? Just don't get it.

Because climbs are more fun and you get to clear a lot more steep tech stuff