E-mtb vs normal mtb
Discussion
^ yes I would echo that and Stuart's view. I spent a day at BPW on a 29 YT Decoy.
It was fantastic downhill despite the weight and modest tyres.
But the main benefit was how much fun it was uphill on the technical climbs! We were litteraly racing each other round corners while working hard(ish).
And we didn't have to use the smelly bus.
Amusingly it didn't even take any longer to get to the top by the time you have queued, loaded and unloaded.
We probably got as many runs as usual although we had to top up at lunch time.
I also immensely enjoy it on a non e bike, even on my hardtail. Just a different kind of cycling but without any marketing involved.
It was fantastic downhill despite the weight and modest tyres.
But the main benefit was how much fun it was uphill on the technical climbs! We were litteraly racing each other round corners while working hard(ish).
And we didn't have to use the smelly bus.
Amusingly it didn't even take any longer to get to the top by the time you have queued, loaded and unloaded.
We probably got as many runs as usual although we had to top up at lunch time.
I also immensely enjoy it on a non e bike, even on my hardtail. Just a different kind of cycling but without any marketing involved.
pobs said:
E-bikes undermine the core benefit of cycling: consistent, self-powered exercise. Beyond reducing physical exertion, e-bikes face a double whammy of impracticality: their motor assistance typically cuts off above 25 km/h, limiting speed without providing the full workout that traditional bikes offer. This makes them less effective for fitness and less efficient for faster travel.
It depends on perspective. I am 50 and use an EMTB to commute to work. It is 13 miles each way and fairly hilly.There is absolutely no way I would have used an ordinary bike.
Guess what? Fitness levels improved, weight loss and far greener using a car over the almost 6000 miles I have travelled on the bike.
For me an Ebike was an enabler.
nickfrog said:
^ yes I would echo that and Stuart's view. I spent a day at BPW on a 29 YT Decoy.
It was fantastic downhill despite the weight and modest tyres.
But the main benefit was how much fun it was uphill on the technical climbs! We were litteraly racing each other round corners while working hard(ish).
And we didn't have to use the smelly bus.
Amusingly it didn't even take any longer to get to the top by the time you have queued, loaded and unloaded.
We probably got as many runs as usual although we had to top up at lunch time.
I also immensely enjoy it on a non e bike, even on my hardtail. Just a different kind of cycling but without any marketing involved.
Technical climbs at BPW!? You're riding it the wrong way around!It was fantastic downhill despite the weight and modest tyres.
But the main benefit was how much fun it was uphill on the technical climbs! We were litteraly racing each other round corners while working hard(ish).
And we didn't have to use the smelly bus.
Amusingly it didn't even take any longer to get to the top by the time you have queued, loaded and unloaded.
We probably got as many runs as usual although we had to top up at lunch time.
I also immensely enjoy it on a non e bike, even on my hardtail. Just a different kind of cycling but without any marketing involved.
I got my MX Decoy in December, got to admit my pedal bike hasn't left the garage since.
Is it cheating? No, just no and you don't have to flagellate yourself in Eco mode to get a workout, my data shows I work harder in Trail or Boost, I just move a lot quicker.
An average MTB ride for me was 16km, 2hrs, 1047 Cals - based on Strava via my Apple Watch, an average EMTB ride is 30km, 2hrs and 1700 Cals.
I'm spending less time riding around the waymarked trail centre stuff and more time off-piste. You feel the weight jumping and if you have to lift the thing over fences and stuff, but riding over rough stuff, it's more stable, rather than heavy.
Climbs have been transformed from drudgery to almost as fun as descents, in fact one of the first lessons you learn is if you don't brake going up hill, you'll come off the trail just as easily as going down.
Is it cheating? No, just no and you don't have to flagellate yourself in Eco mode to get a workout, my data shows I work harder in Trail or Boost, I just move a lot quicker.
An average MTB ride for me was 16km, 2hrs, 1047 Cals - based on Strava via my Apple Watch, an average EMTB ride is 30km, 2hrs and 1700 Cals.
I'm spending less time riding around the waymarked trail centre stuff and more time off-piste. You feel the weight jumping and if you have to lift the thing over fences and stuff, but riding over rough stuff, it's more stable, rather than heavy.
Climbs have been transformed from drudgery to almost as fun as descents, in fact one of the first lessons you learn is if you don't brake going up hill, you'll come off the trail just as easily as going down.
Edited by P-Jay on Thursday 16th May 11:59
I have a full suspension ebike MTB and a hardtail normal MTB.
Before I got the ebike I'd ride the hardtail on very hilly trails. The downhill and flat bits were fun, the uphill bits weren't. On the ebike it's all fun. And I ride for twice as much time so the "cheating" is balanced by riding for much longer.
So no, don't discount an ebike, decide if you'd benefit from one based on the type of terrain you ride on.
Before I got the ebike I'd ride the hardtail on very hilly trails. The downhill and flat bits were fun, the uphill bits weren't. On the ebike it's all fun. And I ride for twice as much time so the "cheating" is balanced by riding for much longer.
So no, don't discount an ebike, decide if you'd benefit from one based on the type of terrain you ride on.
joema said:
I don't really buy that it is cheating. If you put 100% in you'll get 100% out. difference is you go further faster.
Exactly as I see it, how can they also be cheating? You’re only riding for yourself, not in a race!I’ve had my Levo for 5 years, I was one of the early adopters in my group of riding friends who all took the pi$$ when I got mine.
Guess what…….theyve all got them now and swear by them.
Picked up my second e-bike yesterday, a brand new Creo SL Comp E5 (not a MTB but an e-bike nevertheless). 21 miles on the way home and yet again it’s a total game changer for me.
I’ve got various damaged bits of my body through cycling accidents mainly due to being silly going downhill and more recently (non-cycling) ripped my Miniscus in one knee.
These bikes allow me to have a ton of fun, go a lot faster than I would on a normal bike and most importantly keep fit.
Edited by HoHoHo on Thursday 16th May 06:23
I'm 35, unfit and overweight. I bought a regular bike years ago and used it very little. I was exhausted very quickly on it so could only do short rides, it was a hybrid bike so I was sticking to cycle ways and roads only (small local roads), I was hoping it might rekindle the days of my youth spent on my bike as a kid but I just didn't enjoy it.
Last year I borrowed a mates Giant Fathom, hardtail EMTB. He had been raving about it for ages, so I took it home one evening and went for a little ride around the streets on it which resulted in an instant grin, lots of fun and a physical workout with it. A few weeks later I bought a slightly newer version of the same bike and I've not looked back since.
At the start it gave me the confidence to go further and the ability to go off the beaten track rather than stick to tarmac and when riding with mates, on regular bikes or ebikes it levelled everyone up a bit. I started out with the bike in the middle of the 5 modes my bike has and steadily reduced the assistance as I've got fitter. I'm not just riding for exercise now though, I'll happily take the bike to the pub or my mates/brothers rather than drive. Stick it on full power mode and a round trip doesn't take ages, it's cheap and I burn some calories while I'm at it.
So far I've lost 16.6lb and I'm having fun doing it! I might treat myself to a new bike next year if I keep it up.
Last year I borrowed a mates Giant Fathom, hardtail EMTB. He had been raving about it for ages, so I took it home one evening and went for a little ride around the streets on it which resulted in an instant grin, lots of fun and a physical workout with it. A few weeks later I bought a slightly newer version of the same bike and I've not looked back since.
At the start it gave me the confidence to go further and the ability to go off the beaten track rather than stick to tarmac and when riding with mates, on regular bikes or ebikes it levelled everyone up a bit. I started out with the bike in the middle of the 5 modes my bike has and steadily reduced the assistance as I've got fitter. I'm not just riding for exercise now though, I'll happily take the bike to the pub or my mates/brothers rather than drive. Stick it on full power mode and a round trip doesn't take ages, it's cheap and I burn some calories while I'm at it.
So far I've lost 16.6lb and I'm having fun doing it! I might treat myself to a new bike next year if I keep it up.
IlPapaMobile said:
I'm 35, unfit and overweight. I bought a regular bike years ago and used it very little. I was exhausted very quickly on it so could only do short rides, it was a hybrid bike so I was sticking to cycle ways and roads only (small local roads), I was hoping it might rekindle the days of my youth spent on my bike as a kid but I just didn't enjoy it.
Last year I borrowed a mates Giant Fathom, hardtail EMTB. He had been raving about it for ages, so I took it home one evening and went for a little ride around the streets on it which resulted in an instant grin, lots of fun and a physical workout with it. A few weeks later I bought a slightly newer version of the same bike and I've not looked back since.
At the start it gave me the confidence to go further and the ability to go off the beaten track rather than stick to tarmac and when riding with mates, on regular bikes or ebikes it levelled everyone up a bit. I started out with the bike in the middle of the 5 modes my bike has and steadily reduced the assistance as I've got fitter. I'm not just riding for exercise now though, I'll happily take the bike to the pub or my mates/brothers rather than drive. Stick it on full power mode and a round trip doesn't take ages, it's cheap and I burn some calories while I'm at it.
So far I've lost 16.6lb and I'm having fun doing it! I might treat myself to a new bike next year if I keep it up.
Well done !Last year I borrowed a mates Giant Fathom, hardtail EMTB. He had been raving about it for ages, so I took it home one evening and went for a little ride around the streets on it which resulted in an instant grin, lots of fun and a physical workout with it. A few weeks later I bought a slightly newer version of the same bike and I've not looked back since.
At the start it gave me the confidence to go further and the ability to go off the beaten track rather than stick to tarmac and when riding with mates, on regular bikes or ebikes it levelled everyone up a bit. I started out with the bike in the middle of the 5 modes my bike has and steadily reduced the assistance as I've got fitter. I'm not just riding for exercise now though, I'll happily take the bike to the pub or my mates/brothers rather than drive. Stick it on full power mode and a round trip doesn't take ages, it's cheap and I burn some calories while I'm at it.
So far I've lost 16.6lb and I'm having fun doing it! I might treat myself to a new bike next year if I keep it up.
This is exactly why e-bikes are great, despite what the ‘You’re cheating’ mafia want you to believe.
I was very anti E-bikes for ages. I’d only experienced full power bikes and I just didn’t like them because of the weight. Super fast up hill but for me personally, the weight had a negative impact on the fun stuff which for me is descents and jumps.
What was a game changer for me was the proliferation of lighter weight, lower powered bikes which is what I ended up with. I bought a heavily discounted Kenevo SL which had been awesome for me so far. It’s not that much heavier than my friend’s old Airdrop Edit with a burly build. It takes the sting out of the climbs, so I’m getting in more descents but it doesn’t feel as heavy a f cumbersome as a full power bike.
I still have a normal bike that I ride a fair bit but it’s my Kenevo that is used the most.
What was a game changer for me was the proliferation of lighter weight, lower powered bikes which is what I ended up with. I bought a heavily discounted Kenevo SL which had been awesome for me so far. It’s not that much heavier than my friend’s old Airdrop Edit with a burly build. It takes the sting out of the climbs, so I’m getting in more descents but it doesn’t feel as heavy a f cumbersome as a full power bike.
I still have a normal bike that I ride a fair bit but it’s my Kenevo that is used the most.
stuarthat said:
I do not find e-bikes cumbersome especially like Orbea for example,also for downhill many pros put weight in their frames for better acceleration ect the only time you may have issues if jump on flatish area and the bike is limited to 15.5 may not be enough.
The only reason that my Kenevo SL feels a bit cumbersome sometimes is because it’s so bloody long and slack. It’s my first 29er too so I’m still getting used to that. It makes my Reactor feel a bit loose and out of control to be honest.
Admittedly it’s only a low power bike but I’ve not found the limited speed to be an issue so far.
IlPapaMobile said:
I'm 35, unfit and overweight. I bought a regular bike years ago and used it very little. I was exhausted very quickly on it so could only do short rides, it was a hybrid bike so I was sticking to cycle ways and roads only (small local roads), I was hoping it might rekindle the days of my youth spent on my bike as a kid but I just didn't enjoy it.
Last year I borrowed a mates Giant Fathom, hardtail EMTB. He had been raving about it for ages, so I took it home one evening and went for a little ride around the streets on it which resulted in an instant grin, lots of fun and a physical workout with it. A few weeks later I bought a slightly newer version of the same bike and I've not looked back since.
At the start it gave me the confidence to go further and the ability to go off the beaten track rather than stick to tarmac and when riding with mates, on regular bikes or ebikes it levelled everyone up a bit. I started out with the bike in the middle of the 5 modes my bike has and steadily reduced the assistance as I've got fitter. I'm not just riding for exercise now though, I'll happily take the bike to the pub or my mates/brothers rather than drive. Stick it on full power mode and a round trip doesn't take ages, it's cheap and I burn some calories while I'm at it.
So far I've lost 16.6lb and I'm having fun doing it! I might treat myself to a new bike next year if I keep it up.
Its amazing how much fun you can have riding up a hill isn't it, props on the losses...hope to see some photos in the riding thread Last year I borrowed a mates Giant Fathom, hardtail EMTB. He had been raving about it for ages, so I took it home one evening and went for a little ride around the streets on it which resulted in an instant grin, lots of fun and a physical workout with it. A few weeks later I bought a slightly newer version of the same bike and I've not looked back since.
At the start it gave me the confidence to go further and the ability to go off the beaten track rather than stick to tarmac and when riding with mates, on regular bikes or ebikes it levelled everyone up a bit. I started out with the bike in the middle of the 5 modes my bike has and steadily reduced the assistance as I've got fitter. I'm not just riding for exercise now though, I'll happily take the bike to the pub or my mates/brothers rather than drive. Stick it on full power mode and a round trip doesn't take ages, it's cheap and I burn some calories while I'm at it.
So far I've lost 16.6lb and I'm having fun doing it! I might treat myself to a new bike next year if I keep it up.
Just thought I'd post some stats of my e MTB ride that I did a week ago. I'm in the gym 3-4 times a week, keep up my cycling on road and MTB although not as frequent as I once did. Im not a fat overweight guy, but I love getting out on the e bike for big days out. This one was 30 miles, 4500ft of climbing and all off road except for a section just under 2 miles. If I wasn't assisted I'd probably not have done the distance, missed out on the extra downhill fun as theres a lot of good technical descents in Swaledale. We can go over this argument a thousand times about whether it defeats the object but it all depends on whether you want/can do the work or not. They're so good for enabling and encouraging people, they're more fun and they're arguably more capable as they're really planted on the downhill. I'm not totally done with non assisted but if you can put the same effort in for twice the distance, why wouldn't you?
Court_S said:
The only reason that my Kenevo SL feels a bit cumbersome sometimes is because it’s so bloody long and slack. It’s my first 29er too so I’m still getting used to that.
It makes my Reactor feel a bit loose and out of control to be honest.
Admittedly it’s only a low power bike but I’ve not found the limited speed to be an issue so far.
I test rode a Kenevo SL at the Llandegla demo weekend on Sunday. In the words of Clarkson, “what a machine”. Makes my Gen 1, full fat Levo seem way overpowered and the SL is realistically all the power I need. I nearly fainted when the Spesh rep told me the price though It makes my Reactor feel a bit loose and out of control to be honest.
Admittedly it’s only a low power bike but I’ve not found the limited speed to be an issue so far.
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