Swinley packed with electric bikes today
Discussion
I've seen the occasional electric bike around in the past, but Swinley today was absolutely bloody plagued with them today!
In a loop of the blue and most of the red trails with my boys this morning, we must've seen a good dozen of the things, and only one of the riders even came close to looking like they were old or infirm enough to actually need one, especially somewhere like Swinley, which is frequently praised for how much it manages to do with such little vertical gradient to play with!
The two utter cock sockets joking with each other about how far they were going to jump up the Strava rankings on one of the few climbs were prime examples of why these things should be held in utter contempt when ridden by the fit and able!
In a loop of the blue and most of the red trails with my boys this morning, we must've seen a good dozen of the things, and only one of the riders even came close to looking like they were old or infirm enough to actually need one, especially somewhere like Swinley, which is frequently praised for how much it manages to do with such little vertical gradient to play with!
The two utter cock sockets joking with each other about how far they were going to jump up the Strava rankings on one of the few climbs were prime examples of why these things should be held in utter contempt when ridden by the fit and able!
I was at Swinley last week riding with a chap who was on his new ebike. He reasonably fit middle aged bloke but doesn't ride a great deal. It takes the edge off the climbs and he felt like he could do the red and the blue again. It has rekindled his desire to get out on the bike which surely us a good thing with increased spending in the local bike shops and destinations. Not quite sure of the contempt. Live and let live.
rex said:
I was at Swinley last week riding with a chap who was on his new ebike. He reasonably fit middle aged bloke but doesn't ride a great deal. It takes the edge off the climbs and he felt like he could do the red and the blue again. It has rekindled his desire to get out on the bike which surely us a good thing with increased spending in the local bike shops and destinations. Not quite sure of the contempt. Live and let live.
The contempt part is mainly reserved for the ones who can press a little button to overtake is going uphill, but then aren't even quick enough to stay ahead of my 11 yr old going down. 
Kermit power said:
The contempt part is mainly reserved for the ones who can press a little button to overtake is going uphill, but then aren't even quick enough to stay ahead of my 11 yr old going down.
So what, how does that effect you? You're not in a race with them.I couldn't care less what other people ride, it's none of my business.
the issue i see are people hurtling along on a 25 kilo bike with maybe 80-100 kilos at a speed that could be dangerous. i am getting back into mtb, i am slow but take it steady. someone with no skills could hurt himself or others.
i came across a guy with a broken collar bone today on a normal bike, will e bikes cause more injuries only time will tell. i think people buying them should have some sort of training considering how easy it is to 'remap' them.
i came across a guy with a broken collar bone today on a normal bike, will e bikes cause more injuries only time will tell. i think people buying them should have some sort of training considering how easy it is to 'remap' them.
t about it, and and I didn't give a sRazor O Rourke said:
Kermit power said:
The contempt part is mainly reserved for the ones who can press a little button to overtake is going uphill, but then aren't even quick enough to stay ahead of my 11 yr old going down.
So what, how does that effect you? You're not in a race with them.I couldn't care less what other people ride, it's none of my business.
If someone holds you up in a downhill section, that's life, and you just get past when you can.
If, in the other hand, that someone gets past you again every time there's a climb and then slows you down again on the next downhill section, it really starts to ruin your ride.
Kermit power said:
I've seen the occasional electric bike around in the past, but Swinley today was absolutely bloody plagued with them today!
Off topic, but I was out today and it was only when I checked strava flyby afterwards I see I overtook you and yours! So a belated "hello"!I was using my weedy legs for power, natch.
daddy cool said:
Kermit power said:
I've seen the occasional electric bike around in the past, but Swinley today was absolutely bloody plagued with them today!
Off topic, but I was out today and it was only when I checked strava flyby afterwards I see I overtook you and yours! So a belated "hello"!I was using my weedy legs for power, natch.
Whereabouts did you go past us?
daddy cool said:
At the start of The Whole 9 Yards I think. I caught up with another guy, but we both held back while your little lad (I assume- on a blue bike?) did the downhill bit.
Sounds like youngest. He's on a 24" blue and white Sky colours Frog bike. I also had his older brother on a Black Inbred and me on my blue Stumpjumper.Kermit power said:
No, I'm not in a race with them, but we're talking about singletrack mountain biking here, not wide tarmac.
If someone holds you up in a downhill section, that's life, and you just get past when you can.
If, in the other hand, that someone gets past you again every time there's a climb and then slows you down again on the next downhill section, it really starts to ruin your ride.
Totally agree. I had a week in the Spanish mountains a couple of weeks ago, on the guides day off the business owner who is elderly (over 70) guided us on his eBike. Most knackering day of the week and the most boring and frustrating as he rocketed along on the flat and climbs then held me up on every down, towards the end whenever I could see there were no route options I had to make sure I got ahead or it would for me have been a complete waste of a day.If someone holds you up in a downhill section, that's life, and you just get past when you can.
If, in the other hand, that someone gets past you again every time there's a climb and then slows you down again on the next downhill section, it really starts to ruin your ride.
Did a bit of Strava analysis - this is one chap that was out yesterday round Swinley on an electric bike and appears to have bagged a few top-10 spots (rather than KOMs).
https://www.strava.com/athletes/2570068
Not that it bothers me *too* much - ive long since given up trying to beat anyone but myself, and theres some sections I ride where I think it must be a petrol bike that has got the KOM!
https://www.strava.com/athletes/2570068
Not that it bothers me *too* much - ive long since given up trying to beat anyone but myself, and theres some sections I ride where I think it must be a petrol bike that has got the KOM!
Apart from the enjoyment of riding, I do it to keep fit. I have limited time to ride so an ebike would just mean I have to stay out longer for the same fitness benefit. In fact if an ebike meant I never got out of breath I would never get the same benefit.
That said if I could ebike my DH bike such that I could skip the uplift queue and motor up to the top that would be ace
That said if I could ebike my DH bike such that I could skip the uplift queue and motor up to the top that would be ace
daddy cool said:
Did a bit of Strava analysis - this is one chap that was out yesterday round Swinley on an electric bike and appears to have bagged a few top-10 spots (rather than KOMs).
https://www.strava.com/athletes/2570068
Not that it bothers me *too* much - ive long since given up trying to beat anyone but myself, and theres some sections I ride where I think it must be a petrol bike that has got the KOM!
Looking at his Strava times there, he's still not particularly fast despite being on an e bike!https://www.strava.com/athletes/2570068
Not that it bothers me *too* much - ive long since given up trying to beat anyone but myself, and theres some sections I ride where I think it must be a petrol bike that has got the KOM!
If you're gonna Strava your rides using a bit of electric assistance then at least make them fast and get a bag full of KOM's
dogbucket said:
Apart from the enjoyment of riding, I do it to keep fit. I have limited time to ride so an ebike would just mean I have to stay out longer for the same fitness benefit. In fact if an ebike meant I never got out of breath I would never get the same benefit.
That said if I could ebike my DH bike such that I could skip the uplift queue and motor up to the top that would be ace
https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/Haibike-xDuro-DownHill-9.0-2017?gclid=COuUhZPUvNMCFYcp0wodzPwBxQThat said if I could ebike my DH bike such that I could skip the uplift queue and motor up to the top that would be ace
Interesting bike. The spec is high end - Fox Factory suspension, Saint Groupset, etc.
It's not that much more expensive than a non-electric high spec DH rig.
An electric DH bike is less of an anathema than a 'standard' MTB as they are impossible to ride up the kind of terrain you would ride them down anyway - it would be like having your own uplift. Heavy bike to throw around in the air though.
Edited by Mr Gearchange on Monday 24th April 09:25
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