Follow the money... I

Pedaling is over. I’m pretty sure this is the brand of moto that’s been seen up in the Santa Anas recently. Based in Irvine. $20M round of funding for what’s essentially a Kickstarter.

The amount of capital being pushed into ebikes is impressive. With this much money going into startups, the big brands have no choice but to follow. I’m still convinced that this is a looming catastrophe for trail access in OC, on top of the existing catastrophe of crowding. But I have to admit that if I was on the board at a big bike brand, I’d have to fire the CEO if they didn’t jump in and help push ebikes—that $140 million going to Rad and Super 73 is $140 million that didn’t go to Trek.

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/ind...er73-hauls-20-million-investment#.YC_6hWQ74lQ

 

I left a comment... I'm sure I'll be flamed, banned, and spat upon in public.

 

i was going to, but then realized they require facepuke....but yeah, I saw one a couple weeks ago going to Blackstar, and Suz saw one @ Oaks. TheProfessor sees them all over the bike path by his place.

 

It took all of a couple minutes for me to be told that these are for pavement!

A quick look at their website indicates something else...

 

A lot of surf shops sell these.

 

I've seen one that looks like that around town. Casual street rider at least.

 

Saw one like this here in OC trying to go up a single track. The kid stopped on the trail as he didn't have the skill to continue. I pedaled on up past him no problem, and a little bit of pleasure that having a motor does not make a rider.

 

I see e-bikes all over the Floop. Saw one today being ridden by someone who couldn't have been over 250 lbs, and 45 years. She was behind me, though.

 

Most of the eBikes I've seen lately are not pedal assist. They may have pedals but also a throttle and typically the rider is just sitting there without any physical effort what so ever. At least fake pedal would ya!
So I guess we might as well just allow motorcycles into our county parks too. Only real difference is I can hear them so it's safer.


And why the F@ck does it bother me so much? I dunno.... guess I got issues.

 

THIS is what I’ve always personally even at issue with. Class 1’s are one thing but you KNEW that it was going to open the door to Class 2 & 3’s which are completely different animals. Most people can’t tell the difference, especially hikers and equestrians who don’t MTB so we’ll all get the blame for them hauling ass. Even if they know the difference, there’s little chance of then getting caught.

 

I’m going to give my opinion on these monstrosities. And more than likely will be looked upon as an angry old man. But i don’t care.

I agree with tick. these are abominations. And could be problematic in the future. I live in Ladera Ranch and they’re everywhere. All these people buy them for their children and let them be on their merry way. No guidance in regards to rules. Kids ride amuck and every day i hear of someone either almost getting run over (on paved all traffic walkways) or someone in a car almost running over a kid on one. If these companies think they can just pump these thing out without any ramifications they’re going to get sued real quick.

i occasionally ride waterworks and spitfire here in Ladera and have seen a few. They’re worthless on those trails, so i can’t imagine what they’re like in some of the harder OC parks.

i will fight anyone on this if they think these belong anywhere besides paved roads.

i have spoken.

 

The crew at BRAIN have a very “Orange Cycle” approach to running a bike shop, and most of them seem to be in flat states. So I’m pretty sure that whatever moves the metal is the right answer for them.

Not a lot of folks there who are invested in access to OC Parks in 2025 or 2030.

 

I have listened. I have agreed.

 

San Clemente is cooking up ordinances to get them under control on the roads as well. Of course, if there ever was a use case, it’s the grocery run in San Clemente. My college roommate had a moped that we would use to run into Westwood to pick up dinner. It was perfect.

 

My grocery-getter has a pedal assist motor, and it works out really well:

 

Do you lock yours outside stores when you enter? I walk mine around with me in every establishment I patronize.

 

It’s a tandem. Captain stays with the ship. Stoker goes with the away team.

 

It has a wheel lock on it if you look at the rear wheel up close-like.

We always wear red shirts!

 

This is the way.......

 

Mine is Chromo and weighs a ton, rim brakes, zero suspension. It is rad on Guadalasca and Backbone. I just need to remember always steer wide on Sbacks. My favorite is Sidewider in Tajoe.

 

Nm

 

https://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/breaking-news-thread.5943/page-83#post-247954