I hope e-bikes don't become a thing, that would be a moot point.

hmm but why? i think its weird? doesn't it make it a moot point?

Advocat wrote on 02/09/15 at 4:53pm:

I have no problem that as long as they stay on trails designated for motorized use.

The Cycle Path wrote on 02/09/15 at 10:01pm:
Their not motorcycles dude. They are Pedal assisted. You still have to pedal to get them to move. I guess it would be similar to cross country skiing vs. Downhill. You need a motor to take you up the mountain. And since Alpine skiing is lots more popular the nordic. I see the ebike eventually moving onto all trails. It's what makes the USA what it is. MOPAR. You should look at it as getting more potential trail workers. 

Quote:


except this is up, down and around the mountain.

Downhill Mountain biking usually has a motorized shuttle but doesnt make it anything like a ebike.

The Cycle Path wrote on 02/10/15 at 10:52pm:


If these become a common reality (it's only a matter of time), I can't wait to see how you're going to keep them 'off the trails'..

By the look of some of these bikes, they don't look or sound much different from a standard mountain bike. 

Oh look. They've even got a magazine now.

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I bet they'll sell a ton of these at Sun City. Suddenly, some 80 year old dude is lappin' you at Sherman. 

What do you do? Call the police?

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Maybe a little overkill for this area after the first 5 minutes or so. But, this is interesting for colder climes or more cold sensitive types. 

A heated, small battery powered jersey from a company in Australia.

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UncleThunder wrote on 02/11/15 at 2:03am:


I don't have an argument.

I ride a single speed, steel, rigid. Nobody gets more old school than I do.

I was just pointing out reality.

And the reality is, like aluminum frames, carbon fiber and suspension bikes, these things are coming. 

The difference between motocross bikes and ATV's is obvious. Appearance is one. The sound is the other. ID'ing e-bikes can be difficult now. I suspect it will become more difficult as the technology evolves (the conclusion to this in regards to restricting their use on mountain bike trails is obvious).

I'm sure the 30 mph claim is for a bike on open pavement.

Over at this e-bike website it is stated that on the mountain bike variety the speed is adjustable. It has auto, low and high speeds. On the auto setting, the power is applied automatically when ones peddle revolutions decrease. In that respect it would only help the rider, rather than being the sole power source like a motocross bike or ATV.

Enoch wrote on 02/11/15 at 3:06am:


Yeah, maybe it's like Chiquita Banana.

I haven't heard of any government subsidies for e-bikes. Unless they plan to start handing them out at church, school, the hood, or perhaps include them in someones medicare benefit.

I would not support this. 

Although I would expect the e-bike industry to fully support it. Their competition and those that see e-bikes as a threat to their view of mountain biking only, not so much.

Yep.

For some reason I feel like I've heard this argument before. 

Sorta makes you wonder what you're going to see peddling (or not) around Sherman Branch, etc.. in 20 or 30 years.

Imagine if it gets to the point where the power units weigh and potentially cost less than a bike equipped with gears. Will you see single speed bikes w/power assist in competition with geared bikes?

I suspect this will be hard for many new to the sport to resist.