Electric Bike Thread

**Bunion 2020** · 09-08-2020, 07:58 AM

Bring out the Grinch.

The Grinch is sleeping.

Well, guess your gonna have to go wake him.

**Redsmurfer** · 09-08-2020, 10:26 AM

I will give an example of how ebikes are going to fundamentally change a large portion of the riding/hiking trail experience in Tahoe.

My long time Tahoe neighbor, generally a nice person, but pretty lazy and not at all into anything cardio bought two Ebike MTBs this summer. Him and his non athletic wife, nice too, now ride 3 to 4 times a week all over the local USFS trails (not legal). This weekend I saw more ebikes then analogue bikes riding about. My wife, not a big biker, tried to go for a hike on the local trails but eventually cut it short, she said the amount of bike traffic, jumping off the trail, and dust just made it difficult for her to enjoy the hike. She felt she had to constantly be looking over her shoulder and it fundamentally changed her experience on trails that she has been hiking for 25 years.

Ebikes are here to stay and are going to completely change the trail experience very quickly, especially in areas adjacent to population centers. They are going to substantially increase the number of trail users and general speed at which trails are ridden. Technical and steep trails that naturally provided some separation will generally cease to provide any respite. Bad or good is up to you to decide. From my selfish perspective I think it sucks and it will bring about changes I do not believe are positive and provides the base of my dislike of these motorized machines. I find the situation rather depressing or maybe I should say what the fuck, give in and be part of the problem and buy a pair emtbs and just ride out further or drive farther to seek out more deserted trail heads.

Then again maybe I am just pissed that Tahoe has become a crowded cluster fuck.

**plugboots** · 09-08-2020, 10:38 AM

Redsmurfer. I'm with you. My local riding area is a mix of singletrack/hiking trails with fire roads. On Sunday, we saw our first 2 ebikes on a firewood connector. We talked about it, and thought it was OK, considering they could been on noisy dirt bikes. Soon though, it will be like Tahoe. Maybe we can organize a bit to make sure the ebikes stay off the singletrack/hiking trails.
Also, though, I thought I was going to eventually get a snow machine to go the final 10 or so miles up the closed road in winter. Now I'm thing big ole fat tired rad ebike.

**Dantheman** · 09-08-2020, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

E-bikes = ok, people = whiny bastards. Ignore them and do you the way you need to. I'm used to people telling me to go drown myself or similar but it's ok because I'm rubber and they're glue so whatever they say bounces off me and sticks to them.

Let me preface this by saying that 1) I'm aware of your cardiac issues and I'm happy you're still able to get out and ride; and 2) some people do hate ebikes to an irrational degree. But, there is irrationality on both sides. Most evangelical ebikers refuse to acknowledge that ebikes have any associated downsides or pitfalls whatsoever. Recognizing that those downsides and pitfalls, both current and hypothetical, actually exist does not make me a "hater."

There's also plenty of ebikers who are dicks. I got passed by two highly aggro ebikers Saturday morning while climbing up a very popular local trail (that is ebike legal). I had passed a gal and gotten about 50 yards ahead of her when I heard, "DING DING...DING DING DING DING DING DING." Then I hear her say "I hear you, I'm trying to get to a spot to pull over." Palpable exasperation in her voice.

I know what's coming now, so I start keeping an eye over my shoulder. I'm already halfway pulled over as they get close, but the lead guy still gets on the bell hard, "DING DING DING DING DING DING." No "Thanks," friendly wave, nothing. I just stayed quiet and shook my head. A ways farther up I passed another guy who said he got the same treatment. Way to live up to the stereotype, guys. I've been passed on this trail by scores of dirt roadies riding 20-lb carbon hardtails and not one of them has ever been this aggro.

Originally Posted by Redsmurfer

My long time Tahoe neighbor, generally a nice person, but pretty lazy and not at all into anything cardio bought two Ebike MTBs this summer. Him and his non athletic wife, nice too, now ride 3 to 4 times a week all over the local USFS trails (not legal).

I can't help but wonder how many of these people know how to fix a flat tire, repair a broken chain, etc.? Or are physically prepared for a miles-long walk out if it came to that?

**plugboots** · 09-08-2020, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Dantheman

I can't help but wonder how many of these people know how to fix a flat tire, repair a broken chain, etc.? Or are physically prepared for a miles-long walk out if it came to that?

I know, I know!
None. 1/2? I see don't have a helmet. So they're gonna have basic tools? As if. alkasquawlik on his instagram with his wife ride around on RAD ebikes w/o helmet, so I guess that's the way to do it.

**mcf359** · 09-08-2020, 11:51 AM

We are looking for mountain e bikes, what brands and models should we looking for around 3k $ is our budget.

**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 11:57 AM

Someone needs to change the thread title to the whiny lil bitch thread

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**Dantheman** · 09-08-2020, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by mcf359

We are looking for mountain e bikes, what brands and models should we looking for around 3k $ is our budget.

You need to add at least 50% to your budget.

**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dantheman

Let me preface this by saying that 1) I'm aware of your cardiac issues and I'm happy you're still able to get out and ride; and 2) some people do hate ebikes to an irrational degree. But, there is irrationality on both sides. Most evangelical ebikers refuse to acknowledge that ebikes have any associated downsides or pitfalls whatsoever. Recognizing that those downsides and pitfalls, both current and hypothetical, actually exist does not make me a "hater."

There's also plenty of ebikers who are dicks. I got passed by two highly aggro ebikers Saturday morning while climbing up a very popular local trail (that is ebike legal). I had passed a gal and gotten about 50 yards ahead of her when I heard, "DING DING...DING DING DING DING DING DING." Then I hear her say "I hear you, I'm trying to get to a spot to pull over." Palpable exasperation in her voice.

I know what's coming now, so I start keeping an eye over my shoulder. I'm already halfway pulled over as they get close, but the lead guy still gets on the bell hard, "DING DING DING DING DING DING." No "Thanks," friendly wave, nothing. I just stayed quiet and shook my head. A ways farther up I passed another guy who said he got the same treatment. Way to live up to the stereotype, guys. I've been passed on this trail by scores of dirt roadies riding 20-lb carbon hardtails and not one of them has ever been this aggro.

I can't help but wonder how many of these people know how to fix a flat tire, repair a broken chain, etc.? Or are physically prepared for a miles-long walk out if it came to that?

Ya because when you got a bike, you knew it all

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**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Redsmurfer

I will give an example of how ebikes are going to fundamentally change a large portion of the riding/hiking trail experience in Tahoe.

My long time Tahoe neighbor, generally a nice person, but pretty lazy and not at all into anything cardio bought two Ebike MTBs this summer. Him and his non athletic wife, nice too, now ride 3 to 4 times a week all over the local USFS trails (not legal). This weekend I saw more ebikes then analogue bikes riding about. My wife, not a big biker, tried to go for a hike on the local trails but eventually cut it short, she said the amount of bike traffic, jumping off the trail, and dust just made it difficult for her to enjoy the hike. She felt she had to constantly be looking over her shoulder and it fundamentally changed her experience on trails that she has been hiking for 25 years.

Ebikes are here to stay and are going to completely change the trail experience very quickly, especially in areas adjacent to population centers. They are going to substantially increase the number of trail users and general speed at which trails are ridden. Technical and steep trails that naturally provided some separation will generally cease to provide any respite. Bad or good is up to you to decide. From my selfish perspective I think it sucks and it will bring about changes I do not believe are positive and provides the base of my dislike of these motorized machines. I find the situation rather depressing or maybe I should say what the fuck, give in and be part of the problem and buy a pair emtbs and just ride out further or drive farther to seek out more deserted trail heads.

Then again maybe I am just pissed that Tahoe has become a crowded cluster fuck.

25 years!?!? Amazing, its pretty much her forest, her trail!! Like you saying your neighbors are "nice" excuses your entitlement. What a douchy post. Merica 1,2,3 its all about me. Whether youre excessively ringing your bell or claiming youre entitled to the trails you use or implying youre superior to "lazy" people youre a country overwhelmingly populated by entitled assholes.
Good thing you dont have pay taxes or have socialized healthcare. Dont want to be paying for lazy neoghbors! Oh wait?!?!

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**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 03:04 PM

Heres some triggers to fuel your anti eeb theories. Its going to be awesome. User serviceable is the future

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**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 03:06 PM

Bikes are looking amazing! They should come with a bell, maybe an ebell so you dont have to keep flicking your finger. One click on and tgen another click off after 4 or 5 minutes

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**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 03:31 PM

Emtb's giving back to trails!! More trails is good? We should start a go fund me for redbitchers boss so she can have her own personal trail

https://m.vitalmtb.com/news/press-re...ized-Levo,3973

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**rideit** · 09-08-2020, 04:01 PM

“Methinks thou doth protest too much”

**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 04:09 PM

Ya that must be it

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**Redsmurfer** · 09-08-2020, 04:22 PM

Classic attitude of not giving a fuck about your impact. Yes, folks are entitled to enjoy there trail experience on a bike, horse, or foot, however this motorized change is coming fast, and in highly used areas, it will mean more user conflict and folks like Grinch only care about themselves. Reading you flipping out is what makes this thread so fun.

**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 04:39 PM

Im so flipping out. Massively actually

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**MagnificentUnicorn** · 09-08-2020, 05:12 PM

Grinch sounds more Trumptardy than most Americans.

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**grinch** · 09-08-2020, 05:20 PM

Youre with the mob in denial with the conspiracy theory on how itll destroy the world. So many false narratives you guys grasp at.
The self righteous evironmental destruction is the funniest one. Lots of people getting out now. Theyll probably use less environmental resources in the long run. I rarely use my truck now. My environmental footprint is probably miniscule compared to you posers

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**TAFKALVS** · 09-08-2020, 05:21 PM

I rode a Levo SL briefly this weekend. I could see buying one for big mountain rides (20+ miles, 7k of climbing over rough terrain) and eliminating car shuttles, thus making a ride in the 30 - 40 mile range. But I don't see why I wouldn't want one for local trails, especially anything sub 20 miles.

But I think battery tech isn't there yet for that kind of mileage.

**Ottime** · 09-08-2020, 05:39 PM

Carry an extra battery in the backpack ad you can go 40 miles and 7K. For sure.

I'm a hardtail XC peddler. I wish all you fucktards would get off you full suspension bikes and ride like real men (or women) like myself. Stop fucking cheating and learn how to ride.

Or, of course, rise what you think is fun and stop worrying so much about what others find fun.

You all realize the issues of over crowding and trail use has a lot less to do with electric motors and lot more to do with a billion more people on this rock in the last 15 years. You sound like a bunch of bitchy ass surfers.

**Mountainman** · 09-08-2020, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Redsmurfer

I will give an example of how ebikes are going to fundamentally change a large portion of the riding/hiking trail experience in Tahoe.

My long time Tahoe neighbor, generally a nice person, but pretty lazy and not at all into anything cardio bought two Ebike MTBs this summer. Him and his non athletic wife, nice too, now ride 3 to 4 times a week all over the local USFS trails (not legal). This weekend I saw more ebikes then analogue bikes riding about. My wife, not a big biker, tried to go for a hike on the local trails but eventually cut it short, she said the amount of bike traffic, jumping off the trail, and dust just made it difficult for her to enjoy the hike. She felt she had to constantly be looking over her shoulder and it fundamentally changed her experience on trails that she has been hiking for 25 years.

Ebikes are here to stay and are going to completely change the trail experience very quickly, especially in areas adjacent to population centers. They are going to substantially increase the number of trail users and general speed at which trails are ridden. Technical and steep trails that naturally provided some separation will generally cease to provide any respite. Bad or good is up to you to decide. From my selfish perspective I think it sucks and it will bring about changes I do not believe are positive and provides the base of my dislike of these motorized machines. I find the situation rather depressing or maybe I should say what the fuck, give in and be part of the problem and buy a pair emtbs and just ride out further or drive farther to seek out more deserted trail heads.

Then again maybe I am just pissed that Tahoe has become a crowded cluster fuck.

You're dishing out the same arguments hikers and equestrians use against non e-bikes. Nothing new. I vote to ban all bikes from trails. Ever since they got clipless pedals and rear shocks people have gone too fast.

**rod9301** · 09-08-2020, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by The Artist Formerly Known as Leavenworth Skier

I rode a Levo SL briefly this weekend. I could see buying one for big mountain rides (20+ miles, 7k of climbing over rough terrain) and eliminating car shuttles, thus making a ride in the 30 - 40 mile range. But I don't see why I wouldn't want one for local trails, especially anything sub 20 miles.

But I think battery tech isn't there yet for that kind of mileage.

Imo, the reason to use an e bike is to get more downhill per hour.

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**toast2266** · 09-08-2020, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Mountainman

You're dishing out the same arguments hikers and equestrians use against non e-bikes. Nothing new. I vote to ban all bikes from trails. Ever since they got clipless pedals and rear shocks people have gone too fast.

Not really though. It's only the same argument that hikers and equestrians use against bikes poaching Wilderness. If ebikes are poaching non motorized trails and pissing off hikers while doing it, that's gonna get all bikes banned.

By all means, ride ebikes where they're legal and advocate for them to be legal in more places. But clueless idiots riding ebikes where they're not allowed is bad for everyone.