I think people like to take a dig at anything new (even though as a lot of you have pointed electric bikes have been around for years). The thing is e-bikes are getting more and more people into cycling and there is a new report saying that e-bike sales could increase 55% worldwide in the next decade.

 

Here in the UK, the government (even with all their other cuts) have said they are committing £64 million for councils and cites to develop biking initiatives. And e-bikes are really going to help to get more people into cycling - and that's good for everyone, not just cyclists.

 

So I say let them have their hate. Personally I think it's just snobbery.

Your bike had some costly assist power to help you get more from your cycling effort.

 

His bike no doubt had costly exotic lightweight tubing to help him get more from his cycling effort.

 

What's the difference? None, either both are cheating or neither are.

.

 

Hahaha, I do like that way of putting it!

Sorry, Ive come to the thread late, but I thought I would share my experience from Sunday morning.

I rode up The Nick of Pendle and Waddington Fell on Sunday morning, really the first time I have tried to ride popular and more frequented climbs, and come across some typical roadies (in the terms of non e bike roadies). On Waddington fell, I left the village of Waddington, seeing the climb in front of me, with no riders on it. 2 corners up I noticed a group of riders, 300 to 500 meters ahead, the usual fit guys riding away at the front, and the not so fit guys at the back. I was riding up on Normal, preserving battery life, and the climb was still hard, to maintain 12 to 13 mph rather than the usual 4 or 5 mph I would normally do. Without much more effort as was soon behind them and as I passed, a fitter rider, trying to motivate the not so fit, stood onto his pedals, and I gave the usual "morning" welcome/ acknowledgment. To his surprise I just went passed and I heard him start to go with me, then the dawning realisation, as "fat lad" went howling past. I knew he just clocked the motor and Battery. At the top, 2 from the group, came over and had a look at the bike. I had stopped for a drink and to admire the view as I was turning round and they were crossing the top. They came for a chat. it was all pleasant and warm, with no animosity. They asked about assistance and range and how fast it goes. They seems to think it gave constant power, with no real idea they were restricted. I think on this occasion there was more interest than hate.

I am sure there will be more unwelcome responses in due course.

They came for a chat. it was all pleasant and warm, with no animosity. They asked about assistance and range and how fast it goes. They seems to think it gave constant power, with no real idea they were restricted. I think on this occasion there was more interest than hate.

 

I've also had plenty of good reactions from roadies who ride and train in the North Downs, mostly very friendly. It seems to be mostly the weekend "wannabees" who have their noses in the air and who've look contemptuously at my e-bikes

 

Any cheating remarks I've received have been from non-cyclists, the odd van or truck driver for example. On one occasion shouts of cheat came from a couple of circa 10 year old boys waiting at a bus stop to be carried barely half a mile to the shops. Presumably seven tons of almost empty bus to carry two 20 kilo kids isn't cheating.

.

Just had a read of the link in original post. I think this can be a problem more generally where hobbies are concerned. People get so obsessevily into the minutiae that it all gets way too serious and tribal and people's heads very quickly start to go up their bottoms. I was pleased to see that almost all of the posts in the thread disagreed with the OP who seemed to have a pretty big chip on his shoulder where ebikes are concerned.

Ha ha they are at it again

another fun read http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/im-not-a-troll-butthe-bloke-on-an-e-bike-at-degla-today

Couldn't give a flying lol most are just kids who would never say a thing to your face,maybe mummble something in passing,but I guarantee if I pulled them then they would have a quick change of attitude...I've yet to purchase my ebike but I've had one or two discussions on other mtb forums so I've got a fair idea what people think

Bunch of bigoted idiots, I despair sometimes (actually I despair quite a lot of the time )

Read through it and was amazed by the ignorance.

Feeling a lot of guilt though about all the baby robins I've killed!

I've always found the bikers I meet think it's good I am getting out on a bike and not sitting in front of the TV.

 

Perhaps a younger person may not have the same response, advantage to the aged or we have a nicer group of people in these parts.

 

I'll admit to receiving the occasional 'snort' from lycra man as i ride past.

They don't seem to like ebikes for some reason..

wow I did not expect this marmite feeling in the biking world but lots out there have dislike and even hatred

for these E machines of the devil

most have never even rode one and still hate

have a read of this forum thread below

 

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/e-bike-coverage-grumble

I quite often get accused of "cheating" so I just smile and say "shall I go home then".

wow I did not expect this marmite feeling in the biking world but lots out there have dislike and even hatred

for these E machines of the devil

most have never even rode one and still hate

have a read of this forum thread below

 

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/e-bike-coverage-grumble

I quite often get accused of "cheating" so I just smile and say "shall I go home then".

 

And what about when you're on an ebike?

 

This frowning, lycra clad gentleman scowled at me as he tried to take a pic with his phone. I just laughed and was gone.

 

Edited May 24, 20178 yr by LeighPing

Is not Lycra not also cheating, that body hugging fabric is cheating the wind resistance. Ask him why he is not wearing a cloth cap and a thick crombie coat just like his grandfather.

https://www.bikerumor.com/2017/05/26/real-talk-ebikes-bosch-panel-probes-pros-cons/

Still not experienced any hating, I did have a fellow on a roadbike tucked behind me most of the way home last night getting a bit of a 'tow'. We had a chat at the lights and he admired the bike

Anyone who criticises someone for exercising in the fresh air is probably not the brightest light in the sky .

I find it really annoying that cyclists with loads of tech on their bikes can't buy a bell. I have had cyclists whizz past me without a sorry or a thank you. I have a bulb horn on my bike and i have the old bell in my bag ready to give to the next cyclist who moans at me when i shout "buy a bell you twaxxx"

I find it really annoying that cyclists with loads of tech on their bikes can't buy a bell. I have had cyclists whizz past me without a sorry or a thank you. I have a bulb horn on my bike and i have the old bell in my bag ready to give to the next cyclist who moans at me when i shout "buy a bell you twaxxx"

 

Yes, tell em off.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUHvNlI7gGs

 

If necessary, e-stalk them, head em off off at the pass and teach them a valuable lesson in etiquette!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni7rsFL9Kjg

 

If needs be use lasers on them!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FndQQ86p2I

Edited July 11, 20178 yr by LeighPing

And what about when you're on an ebike?

 

This frowning, lycra clad gentleman scowled at me as he tried to take a pic with his phone. I just laughed and was gone.

 

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.. maybe the tide is turning , walked down to my local seaside promanade , during the last spell of good weather, and sitting eating my brunch ice-cream.. my second in 40 years , beside a couple who had ecycled out from the town, pleasant conversation , they would have had there bikes probably 6 years and use them extensively, then last Saturday ecycled to a local harbour and met two older codgers .. at least 10 years my senior, in their campervans and they showed me theirs and I showed them mine.. ebikes!!!! . More relaxed conversation..

Not all comments are bad. While waiting at lights with couple of other bike commuters, one looked at my ebike and said I should go first as I'd be faster up hill in front of us.

 

Ebikes are becoming part of commuting scene here, see more a more every month. Quite few conversions. Daily slogging your way up a hill into good headwind while being passed by occasional ebikes soon turns you into convert.

Not all comments are bad. While waiting at lights with couple of other bike commuters, one looked at my ebike and said I should go first as I'd be faster up hill in front of us.

 

Ebikes are becoming part of commuting scene here, see more a more every month. Quite few conversions. Daily slogging your way up a hill into good headwind while being passed by occasional ebikes soon turns you into convert.

 

Wellington would require a HUGE battery for the shortest commutes in some parts of town! And headwinds... They can be strong enough to stop a VW Beetle dead in its tracks (real life experience).

I see a lot of conversions too. Maybe we're poorer in Telford.

I passed a roadie on the way to work yesterday, up a hill. He shouted 'cheat!' and I shouted back 'carbon frame, skinny tyres, that's cheating !'

 

Of course I could of stopped and told him the fact that I had just returned a couple of days ago from a 400 mile non-ebike (hybrid bike) cycle tour of the Ruhr valley combined with Dusseldorf for the grand depart of the tour de france, and some cycling in Belgium, but I couldn't be arsed.

Whilst over in Germany, out of town pretty much every other bike is an ebike, no-one shouts cheat there...what is the deal here ?

what is the deal here ?

 

I suppose that the deal here is that in many cyclists eyes pain should equal gain. As in "No pain, no gain."

 

I much prefer "No pain, just gain."

no one says anything if im puffing a warhead or drinking my power supply from a gold can.