The E-Bike Lovers Thread

Discussion in 'Free Zone' started by herzalot, May 10, 2019.


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  1. hill^billy

    hill^billy iMTB Rockstah

    Just thought you cats might like to know. Ironically for some reason I ran into the new owner of Wrightwood E-bikes at the trash can on Aliso Cyn. He was not parked there to ride but he said his daughter was taking a nap in the car? He was holding a 4” or 5” or 10” e-bike tire in his hand for some reason? I was saying hey and riding by when he stopped me and asked what kind of bike I was riding?
    Nice enough 31 year old gentlemen, he told me that he was never a mountain biker until recently, when he threw a leg over an E-bike! And it has changed his life. He also admitted to me that he really does not know much about bikes but is trying to learn all he can while opening his new E-bike store in Wrightwood.
    His plan is to uses social media to ride the new wave of change, and lead tours of Wrightwood for the tourist, at the same time give a history lesson about Wrightwood. He said he in-visions people will flock much like skiers do for a chair lift. He was very excited about this. I have been lurking because this site can be a good source for important info at times (in between all the family spats) much like I am passing on info right now.
    I will not be ridding this wave of change, I saw it coming a long time ago and that this wave was to big, and not worth arguing about! I have more important things to do and not that much time to do them. The younger people on this wave will long forget about a peddle bicycle and say I can’t believe people did that! I except the change Wrightwood (MAY) undergo and be thankful for the priceless time I’ve experienced on pristine trails before (if) the city folk and tourist swarm! BTW, I don’t think the hikers are going to be to happy and I feel for them.
    One thing is for sure, the trails are going to get more crowded! That’s a good thing right?
    And some friendly advice to you @Mikie if you would like to have this site grow and have more than 12 or so people posting here, open it up to the new wave or get left behind is what I always here? The old school is over.
     
  2. Sassyquatch

    Sassyquatch Well-Known Member

    Name:
    Sam

    Max points for “bye cycles!” Masterful!
     
  3. UPSed

    UPSed iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Simi Valley
    Name:
    Ed
    Current Bike:
    Niner Jet 9 RDO
    Sure it can. But of course it's then referred to as a motorcycle.
     
  4. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    This sounds like a job for....

    ELECTROMAGNETIC SUPER PULSE MAN!

    He will save us from the wrath.
     
  5. da big hills

    da big hills iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    pearl harbor
    Name:
    cagey
    Current Bike:
    enduro 29
    Let's not become the Mtn bike SS, they already have surf Nazi's and we do not want to be like that. There are lots of trails and most are not used. I do not expect to see some ebikie hammering down the tough stuff.
    Happy open trails
     
  6. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    I continue to feel it somewhat an insult when folks say there are 12 members here. Just saying. :p 90 members sign on within a 4 hour period daily. You know why there are only 90? Because they are real mountain bikers.
    In regards to an eBike store in Wrightwood promoting trail access, I will fight that, meaning I will drive the distance to attend the meetings to protest and debate NOT allowing eBikes on the Wrightwood trails. What was his name?

    As far as opening this site up to eBikes? NF’nW!
    I just had a conversation recently regarding busted up motocrosser’s on a ride with good friends. It was determined that I’m officially a “busted up old motocrosser". I’m 60 years old. 60! Right knee is bone on bone. I have broken both my collar bones and 7 ribs, fractured both my wrists, 3 vertebrae, 1 lumbar, 2 fractures to my pelvis (recently :D), and partially collapsed my right lung twice, and I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting stuff.
    And oh by the way, just got back from riding 150 miles on my human powered bicycle from Fruita to Moab with around 15 thousand feet of elevation gain in the dirt on some of the most pristine classic chunk in America. I STILL don’t need some piece of Sh!t eBike.

    This site is about MOUNTAIN BIKING. Not handicap assist inline wheelchairs for folks who don’t need them.
    The site will die before it will include an eBike Forum. I hope everyone understands this.

    I think it’s “cute” that an eBike thread was started in jest, I get it. But don’t get used to it. :cool:

    I edited some to clarify...
     
    ricke24, -ROCKY-, tortoise and 18 others like this.
  7. hill^billy

    hill^billy iMTB Rockstah

    He said his name was JR, and I’m pretty sure he said he was already open. I would also imagine that Wrightwood would welcome more revenue generated by an E-bike draw.
     
  8. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    His eBike Tours are on the road and not on the trails...
    At least not yet.
    http://wrightwoodebiketours.com/
     
  9. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    As I figured filling in the blanks in HB’s post... Nothing like riling up the pitchfork crowd with half of a story!

    The Forest Service has final say on their non-motorized trails and their policy is pretty clear for the time being.
     
    -ROCKY-, tortoise, mike and 5 others like this.
  10. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    I'm cute I'm cute! @Mikie said I'm cute!!!

     
    -ROCKY-, tortoise, mike and 7 others like this.
  11. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    You should be forever chained to a rigid single speed with flat tires.
     
  12. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    Hey folks’s’s’s’s
    Do not think above was angry. Not angry at all. Just passionate about my sport.
    eBikes didn’t save me from eDrugs and eAlcohol. Mountain bikes started me down the path that saved me from drugs and alcohol.
    I get asked all the time why I am always smiling, I was a gonner but got Saved!
    :thumbsup:
     
  13. hill^billy

    hill^billy iMTB Rockstah

    Right Frosty! Did you talk to him? No! I don’t remember seeing you there?
     
    -ROCKY- and Mikie like this.
  14. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    The only way they are getting more is if they went from NO riding to SOME riding. Your argument that people are spending $ thousands to buy an e-bike so they can ride HARDER than they would on a normal bike makes no sense - and is backed by no data whatsoever.

    Though it might not be a majority (I don't know), I do know that 60.9 million people in the United States hold health club memberships. Then add in people who enjoy physical activity, but who DON'T belong to health clubs. I don't consider that a "unique breed".

    If you think of yourself as a unique breed, you haven't tried to ride Black* on a Saturday :)
     
    -ROCKY- and Mikie like this.
  15. skyungjae

    skyungjae Member

    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Name:
    Kyung Jae
    Current Bike:
    2015 Santa Cruz Bronson C
    What an interesting thread. I love chiming in on e-bike threads since they were the gateway drug to get into the sport. Of course, I rode during a time before there were fewer regulations and definitions. It was not a problem riding a 1000W throttle powered mid-drive.

    20140216_110816.jpg
    This was my bike back in 2013. It met the State definition on what was still a "bicycle" at the time. There was no space on the frame to fit a battery, so I would have a battery in a Camelbak with an umbilical plugged in by the handlebars.

    california_electric_bike_law-2.jpg
    My e-bike would straight up be a moped by the standards of the current policy. It would be easy to make it a type 2 e-bike and limit the speed electronically, but where's the fun in that. :Roflmao

    When I think about it, if I started riding now, the way I did back in 2013, I may never gotten into mountain biking due to the access limitations for e-bikes. I'd be stuck at the FLoop and, as much as I love that suburban path, I wouldn't have seen Oaks, El moro, Turnbull, etc... There was also the fact that, before I had the digital EPO, riding in a group was not fun. All my friends who ride had been riding for years, some race, and are incredibly fast by beginner's standards. It sucked basically riding alone and having my buddies double back to make sure I was okay. The e-bike allowed me to keep up and actually get me in shape I needed to be in to transition to a normal bike and keep up.

    My riding eventually outgrew what the e-bike could augment. The weight and range limitations were limiting my riding experience, so there was no reason to keep it other than getting to work without sweating and bringing an extra change of clothes.

    Of course everyone is different as well as the hardware available at the time. I can see how a new rider on a Type 1 e-bike would never want to transition beyond it since they're so much lighter and efficient. They would still be hit regarding range for longer day long rides, but they're probably not doing that anyway.

    Anyhow, I don't think e-bike and conventional bike access should be lumped into the same group, but it's sometimes good to look at the non-rider perspective. I know a lot of trail runners and hikers that hate mountain bikers, and a lot of them don't see a difference between regular bicycles and e-bikes. "Both are mechanical augmentations that shouldn't be on trails." I think the current regulations are fine the way they are, but the fact that they're not being enforced is a problem. I don't mind seeing e-bikes on the Floop, and it's great seeing a kitted out dude bringing his wife or friend along with the help of some digital EPO. It does bother me when people bring anything two wheeled places they are prohibited regardless if they are regular bikes, electric, or gas powered. That's the biggest kick in the balls when it comes to access aside from unruly behavior.

    Long story short. If you're gonna ride an e-bike, ride it where you're allowed to ride an e-bike. As always, be respectful to all life you run into on the trail.
     
  16. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    The more things change, the more they stay the same...

    The Moped Resurgence

    Though to be honest, it is a little bit apples and oranges. I agree that e-bikes for commuter biking make all the sense in the world. If I was commuting on my bike, I'd already own one. However this site is not a commuter bike site, or a road bike site. It is a MOUNTAIN BIKE site - and e-bikes are not allowed on most back-country trails... just like motocross or dirt bikes, which have been around for decades.

    I see TONS of rental scooters on college campuses now. They make total sense within that environment and context. However I don't hear anyone arguing to allow them on non-motorized trails.

    And as far as your new friend with no biking experience opening an e-bike store? Thanks for the heads-up; that's one store I'll be SURE to avoid. Kinda like buying ski gear from someone who doesn't ski.
     
    -ROCKY-, Sassyquatch and Mikie like this.
  17. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    Joking aside, check out this e-bike being sold on CostCo.com. Looks like a great commuter bike. I am intrigued by the technology, including the belt drive and the continuous variable transmission (no shifting). I also don't see this as a threat from mountain-biking wannabes... Hits the scales at 45 lbs.

    aYdLdO8Y.png
     
    -ROCKY-, Mikie, Cyclotourist and 2 others like this.
  18. skyungjae

    skyungjae Member

    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Name:
    Kyung Jae
    Current Bike:
    2015 Santa Cruz Bronson C
    I'm sure we'll be seeing those on the FLoop. :Roflmao
     
  19. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    @Mikie:

    Thanks for affirming your vision of the site!

    The peak popularity of enthusiast forums is behind us, so the ones that remain are more and more a labor of love. Another site I’ve been a part of for 18 years is looking to shutter. So pardon me if I wax sentimental momentarily...

    Thanks for keeping the lights on! :) I appreciate sharing some space with just a small number of fellow nutters with a bee up their ass to get after the BC. :thumbsup:

    Y’all will be blowing it if you don’t get up here and ride some Lake Tahoe/Downieville this year. I’ll be here awhile. The goods are still under snow, so get psyched for some elevation as SoCal heats up.

    See what I did der? :sneaky:


    aaa.jpg
     
    ricke24, -ROCKY-, herzalot and 15 others like this.
  20. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    What is the cruelest thing a wife could do for her healthy mountain biker husband?

    Get him a subscription to E-bike Action magazine!
     
  21. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    eFun and eGames are over. Thanks for ePlaying!
     
    ricke24, -ROCKY-, herzalot and 8 others like this.
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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?

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