Electric Bike Thread

[grinch]

Ex smokers are the worst!!

Sent from my SM-S711W using TGR Forums mobile app

[Bunion 2020]

I don't get it, its a road.

[Shredhead]

Seriously, one full of cars.
We get a lot of the same blowback on the Maroon Bell, where they limit vehicle traffic.
I didn't see any road weenies up there in December.

[Dantheman]

Seriously, one full of cars.

He is talking about before it's open to cars. To a degree, I understand his point. The number of people on the road has exploded which has fundamentally changed the experience. It also sounds like Class 1 bikes are the only ones that are actually legal, but unscrupulous rental outfits are ignoring the rule and renting Class 3/3+ bikes so people are just throttling their way up without even pedaling, which is bullshit. That all said, this is not a hill I'm going to die on.

[toast2266]

It's true that going to the sun road is a different experience than it used to be. But that's kind of the deal with any national park. It's a gorgeous place, and it's completely over run by idiots. There are lots of gorgeous places that are not over run by idiots, so if the idiots really bother you, it's better to go to those other places.

Sent from my SM-S931U1 using Tapatalk

[skaredshtles]

He is talking about before it's open to cars. To a degree, I understand his point. The number of people on the road has exploded which has fundamentally changed the experience. It also sounds like Class 1 bikes are the only ones that are actually legal, but unscrupulous rental outfits are ignoring the rule and renting Class 3/3+ bikes so people are just throttling their way up without even pedaling, which is bullshit. That all said, this is not a hill I'm going to die on.

Feel the same way about Zion - we did a Spring Break trip down there in 2018 and rode our bikes up the canyon. It was great - nobody around other than the places the bus stopped. I suspect it's a shitshow now with e-bikes.

It's true that going to the sun road is a different experience than it used to be. But that's kind of the deal with any national park. It's a gorgeous place, and it's completely over run by idiots. There are lots of gorgeous places that are not over run by idiots, so if the idiots really bother you, it's better to go to those other places. Sent from my SM-S931U1 using Tapatalk

Also this.

[Tailwind]

The original instagram post seems like it is a bit overstepping. I get being annoyed if people are using e motos and etc. I also get the annoyance of when a business model is built on supporting illegal use. But at the end of the day - if ebikes are allowed then they are allowed.
I do think a very basic level people can hopefully understand that motorized access really changes a space. E bikes are motorized access in the same way that helecopers, snowmobiles, side by sides and etc are. Bikes are also different than just people walking.
I have been backcounty skiing in places that allow snowmobiling and by default I would rather be in an area that does not allow mechanized use. Years ago I was up on Togwotee pass skiing and making our way up to our line for the day. It was untracked but about 10 minutes before hitting the summit we had a group of 10+ snowmobiles start high pointing the line and destoryed the snow from a ski perspective. But - I knew snowmobiles where allowed when I picked the route for the day and that is on me but it changed our experience.
If you are in the Grand Canyon doing a long hike and a group of tourists whips in on a helicopter and takes selfies, it changes the expereince.
The question is where are we okay with motorized access? Going to the Sun Road seems fine to me. Other places - less so. I do wish there was a willingness to diferentiate where e-bikes are okay vs a regular bike. Also there are plenty of spaces that I'm glad bikes of all types are now allowed.

[Dantheman]

There are lots of gorgeous places that are not over run by idiots, so if the idiots really bother you, it's better to go to those other places.

I generally agree with this sentiment (hell, I live in the Wasatch, there is no truer axiom here), but few places are as uniquely gorgeous as Going-to-the-Sun.

I also get the annoyance of when a business model is built on supporting illegal use. But at the end of the day - if ebikes are allowed then they are allowed.

I'm going to disagree hard here. Many of the "ebikes" he's complaining about are not ebikes per federal or Montana law. Saying "if ebikes are allowed then they are allowed" is bullshit and so is not enforcing existing rules that say anything other than a Class 1 bike is prohibited.

[plugboots]

Things change, and sometimes for the worse and it’s just a bummer. I guess ya gotta get up at 3 to have the old experience. Prolly worth it.
I’ve come to the conclusion that for me, e-bikes are just a different sport than cycling. So it feels weird when they occupy the same space.
Also, a lot of things change for the better. I sure as shit don’t miss skiing on skinny skis with leather boots and 3 pins in the Backcountry.

[XXX-er]

the local bike area has a Trail map with a sign put up by the gov that sez bikes/ hikers/ class 1 e bikes ONLY, No class 2 or 3 e bikes/ NO horses/ NO motor vehicals/ no overnight Camping

No body seems to have a problem following it even tho there are a bunch of horse people living on either side of the road into the area I never see horse dung piles on the area trails I might see one on the road, I don't know where they ride those horses but they follow the rules your problem is not E-bikes


it is Americans

[toast2266]

I generally agree with this sentiment (hell, I live in the Wasatch, there is no truer axiom here), but few places are as uniquely gorgeous as Going-to-the-Sun.

GNP is just the southern tip of the Canadian Rockies. There's 500 miles of similarly gorgeous and generally less crowded mountains immediately to the north.

Sent from my SM-S931U1 using Tapatalk

[duffski]

Ah memories, while visiting friends in Whitefish back in the late 90's I rode up the Sun Road for the full moon ride on a crappy borrowed bike, what a hoot that was. I think it was the day before they opened the pass to vehicles. Getting up was fine but damn that ride back down nearly killed me. My hands were so cold I couldn't squeeze the brakes, had to stop a bunch just to warm up. I'll never forget getting up there for the party at the top having a beer and watching some guys skiing with headlamps from even higher up. Apparently they had rode up on bikes with all their ski equipment then skinned even higher, dang those guys must have been superhuman. If I remember correctly there were no more than 100 people on the pass that night, can't imagine what it's like now. So glad I got to live in the analog age, just seems technology ruins most things. Hoping I don't live to see the days of drones flying people up mountains and filming them riding back down on whatever toy they choose to get rad on.

[TAFKALVS]

I think getting more mouth breathers outside and caring about our public lands is important. Boohoo if some Lycra snob feels his spiritual experience is ruined because some out of shape flatlanders can pedal up a road for cars with him. Maybe when their congressman wants to sell all USFS lands to timber companies they will actually care.

[muted reborn]

GNP is just the southern tip of the Canadian Rockies. There's 500 miles of similarly gorgeous and generally less crowded mountains immediately to the north. Sent from my SM-S931U1 using Tapatalk

It's his local ride though. He's not going to drive up to 500 miles to find a better mountain pass on his day off. And probably not many options that go through similar mountains at elevation.

[nickwm21]

There’s all these eVTOL aircraft going thru FAA approval right now - think quadcopter drone style aircraft that can carry 2-4 humans.

If those become viable economically; I would assume the NPS will let them operate in parks - it’s going to completely ruin the traditional NP experience; way worse than the gatekeeping complaint about sharing the road with ebikes… Imagine doing your half dome hike with a dozen quadcopters buzzing overhead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[XXX-er]

Up in Babine provincial a local BC park in the BC the rangers use pretty heavy lower end Giant hardtail E-bikes to get in and do maitenance which saves them a bunch of boot leather time, A buddy who is the lead parkie said to me " well at first I thot it was bad idea until I rode one and then I thot it was a good idea ! "

[Dantheman]

We know the show, Walter.

[Dantheman]

There’s all these eVTOL aircraft going thru FAA approval right now - think quadcopter drone style aircraft that can carry 2-4 humans.

If those become viable economically; I would assume the NPS will let them operate in parks - it’s going to completely ruin the traditional NP experience; way worse than the gatekeeping complaint about sharing the road with ebikes… Imagine doing your half dome hike with a dozen quadcopters buzzing overhead.

Obnoxious helicopter tours are already a huge issue some places, so there's no reason to think they'll meaningfully regulate the eVTOLs.

[Tailwind]

I am mainly trying to not be a complete ass about e bikes in the ebike thread. Let me clarify - if class 1 e bikes are allowed and someone uses one - i dont think it's fair to be upset. I get being annoyed by class 3 being used when class 1 is allowed.

I have never really seen instances where I felt like the class of an e bike was enforced. Which is part of the issue. It's really hard to at a glance know what class a e bike is (class 3 can be easy to spot). The new specialized also makes this impossible. I really want my area (grand junction co) to just start ticketing aggressively for e bike use on some trail systems. If you did it a few evenings per week the issue would go away.

The only vigilante justice I can think of is refusing to yield to e-bikes when they're on trials they're not allowed on.

Also, The problem really is Americans.

I generally agree with this sentiment (hell, I live in the Wasatch, there is no truer axiom here), but few places are as uniquely gorgeous as Going-to-the-Sun. I'm going to disagree hard here. Many of the "ebikes" he's complaining about are not ebikes per federal or Montana law. Saying "if ebikes are allowed then they are allowed" is bullshit and so is not enforcing existing rules that say anything other than a Class 1 bike is prohibited.

[grinch]

Squirt squirt

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLIAe...hxMTB1eXhkZTAw

Sent from my SM-S711W using TGR Forums mobile app

[XXX-er]

The area is like maybe 6 blocks from town BUT People with class 2 and 3 donot ride the local area ever cuz these bike are 60-70lb , these people have zero skills skills SO it just too hard if you are not a real mtn biker,

its really easy to make a trail un friendly for the 2 and 3 riders with some rock and shit on the trail, so I have never seen a 2 or 3 at the area

[jackstraw]

Exactly what we don't want on mtb trails

6-kW mid-drive ebike promises a bonkers 50 mph



https://newatlas.com/bicycles/nireek...n-fiber-ebike/

[grinch]

Jackson Goldstones average speed on the latest World Cup dh track was under 30mph. I dont think anyone is riding that 140mm dnm suspension travelled contraption 50mph on any trail. Maybe on the way to the trails with those road tires but not on the trail, especially not the people that would buy that

Sent from my SM-S711W using TGR Forums mobile app

[XXX-er]

thats an E-motorcycle in the link I know they are around town but I donot see them ridden on the MTB trails

[toast2266]

It'll most definitely get used on shared use bike paths though. I'm sure that suspension will work nicely to absorb the assorted toddlers they mow down at 40 mph.

Sent from my SM-S931U1 using Tapatalk