I do sometimes feel like I'm cheating when riding my emtb but I try to keep it on the lowest power setting to get the best workout. I always feel exhausted at the end of a day out. Apart from the fact they're illegal, I can't see the point of using a dongle? I crap myself when doing 30mph on downhill sections, so being able to do that uphill...! I think I'd end up seriously injured?

Tomorrow, we'll be heading to Bike Park Wales, where no doubt some clown sitting in the comfort of the uplift bus, will let us know that our bikes are cheating! Would you like to join us there IR772?

Edited April 27, 20179 yr by chris130256

Would love to but I have this flippin cold and will be doing a Kevin for a few days more, thanks for the offer.

 

Uplift sounds so cool, it's a bus!

Us cheaters won't be using that bus though. We're not hardcore enough!

Get well soon.

As a believer that we can only hope to predict the future by studying the past. I ask myself when has a niche hobby become mainstream and not brought as many problems as it solves.

 

Sure there is more choice and easy access to parts and possibly prices go down and quality goes up. But all those things make the hobby more accessible . Any numpty can flash some money at it with no research or patience and act the fool.

 

The increasing popularity often dumbs down the level of participant . That brings notoriety and then problems go public and eventually the govt steps in.

Well said Eddie. We have a much quieter e mtb scene up here and I have encountered no hostility and few other e mtb'ers! A long time ago I uised to trail ride on a small motor bike but gave that up as the Enduro crowd ripped up our hallowed routes. I can see e mtb'ing going the same way in the longer term however I don't sensibly have the option of returning to my analogue mtb due to advancing years and deteriorating joints. I just hope the dongolies keep things in perspectve and think of others.

Oddly, I'm using the pedal mtb more than the eMTB these days, and actually plan to upgrade from a hard tail to a full suspension pedal mtb at some stage this year.

 

The popularity of eMTB's is actually driving me away from them. The number of eMTB's around here, is rapidly increasing, and I was asked last week, if I fancied going out for a group ride. I won't be repeating the experience ever again, as all were riding bikes that either had dongles, or the cut off removed. If I wanted to be out with a group of motorcyclists, I buy another KTM EXC and stick to green lanes.

I'm also currently a bit fecked off by the fact that a minority of irresponsible eMTB riders, probably those as above, are spoiling it for others. Just a few weeks ago, someone that I know was knocked off his mtb by an eMTB rider, that choose to come flying past him on a hill climb in the Forest of Dean.

I'm beginning to see and fully understand why so many people are against eMTB's, and I just hope that I don't end up being one of them.

 

From now on it is either group rides out on the pedal mtb, or just solo on the eMTB, and as far away from others as is possible. Having said that, there are a few eMTB owners on here that I'd happily go for a ride with.

Eddie, I can understand some of your frustration. However, my experience is that whenever a group of men get together on a reasonably regular basis to play football, ride a bike etc etc then they just can't help themselves be competitive, to the extent of ruining the occasion for some. This is in my experience.

 

I had a really good group of friend that I would go mtbing with at least 2x week and the more aggressive riders, managed to upset the less so. We ended up a group of 3, then 2 which included me. At this point we are 8 years in. My friend also, wanted to plan the routes and one day I had enough and said no. I mainly ride by myself or with son and am must happier now. The local club group that ride, I sometimes ride with but nothing formal and that's the way I like it.

 

E-bikes or not, there are always idiots on bikes doing dangerous things and no difference to cars etc. It's clear that at present you've had some bad experiences. Sometimes I won't ride my mtb for months then I went off road riding to mtbing, sound familiar!

 

Finally, I am very happy with my e-bike with dongle giving me the benefit of being able to do what a road bike can, as well as a mtb. More so, actually!

I'm a member of my local MTB group and ride regularly with them. Being the only E-MTB member I learnt very early on to ride at the back. Uphill where I could easily leave them for dead. I ride behind the Slowest riders Or with them. The ride leaders know that the bikes motor cuts out at 15.5mph and they have great fun keeping the pace on the flat sections above 16mph

BTW My bike is a 2016 Scott E-Spark 710 with the Bosch CX motor

Hi Derek, would the MTB group that you ride with, happen to be called Cycle Seahaven?

I'm a member of my local MTB group and ride regularly with them. Being the only E-MTB member I learnt very early on to ride at the back. Uphill where I could easily leave them for dead. I ride behind the Slowest riders Or with them. The ride leaders know that the bikes motor cuts out at 15.5mph and they have great fun keeping the pace on the flat sections above 16mph

BTW My bike is a 2016 Scott E-Spark 710 with the Bosch CX motor

Hi Derek, I also ride at the back with the slowest. I was usually the slowest anyway, so figure it's the best place for an e-bike, bearing in mind mine has an rs dongle and can hit 40mph on flat

I ride my road-bike a lot now. I think I'll have a go at shouting out "Cheat" every time I pass an electric bike, and see what they say. I'm a devil! I wish I'd thought of that yesterday, as nearly all the bikes I saw in the town park were electric. The fine weather seems to have brought them out.

due to advancing years and deteriorating joints. I just hope the dongolies keep things in perspective.

 

Loved that show.

Well today I took my new ebike out in the FOD. I was out for 4 1/2 hours. I'm usually done after 1 1/2 to 2 max.

 

Enjoyed every minute, I stayed up with my group, not something I usually do. They did not have to wait (they usually do). We go twice a week and now I feel much happier.

 

I now feel safer on the downhill as I'm in a much better position to attack it so much more.

 

I progressively used the assistance and we had a break after 3 hours, I still had over 60% battery left.

 

I don't agree about the FOD being that busy, verderers was great as always. Lots of people enjoying themselves and very few being stupid.

 

My group, 8 of us all had a great day. A couple stopped after 3 hours, I continued. I would not have made it that far on my non ebike. I would have finished after 2 hours.

 

My heart rate stayed in a much better zone and I think I benefited much more by riding my ebike over my other bike.

 

Being able to stay out and really enjoy my biking has made me really happy. I am tired, I feel I have had a much harder time on the upper body! I was using all assistance I could towards the end, but ebikes have transformed my riding.

 

I was at the point of almost giving up. Or at least riding less and probably not going with my mates as much as I was slowing them up. Now I'm happy

 

I think they are to...

I really dont do that much technical stuff but do love farm tracks light trails etc .I usually do 20 miles a trip but it has crept to 30 plus sometimes theres no way at the moment id do that on a non electrick bike.So to me its not cheating if you go further and more often.love it.

Well today I took my new ebike out in the FOD. I was out for 4 1/2 hours. I'm usually done after 1 1/2 to 2 max.

 

Enjoyed every minute, I stayed up with my group, not something I usually do. They did not have to wait (they usually do). We go twice a week and now I feel much happier.

 

I now feel safer on the downhill as I'm in a much better position to attack it so much more.

 

I progressively used the assistance and we had a break after 3 hours, I still had over 60% battery left.

 

I don't agree about the FOD being that busy, verderers was great as always. Lots of people enjoying themselves and very few being stupid.

 

My group, 8 of us all had a great day. A couple stopped after 3 hours, I continued. I would not have made it that far on my non ebike. I would have finished after 2 hours.

 

My heart rate stayed in a much better zone and I think I benefited much more by riding my ebike over my other bike.

 

Being able to stay out and really enjoy my biking has made me really happy. I am tired, I feel I have had a much harder time on the upper body! I was using all assistance I could towards the end, but ebikes have transformed my riding.

 

I was at the point of almost giving up. Or at least riding less and probably not going with my mates as much as I was slowing them up. Now I'm happy

 

I think they are to...

 

That's why us old fogies are here, welcome

My legs are telling me that no cheating took place on my ride this morning.

My favourite 'not cheating' moment was when I was gradually overtaken by a group of mature riders on road bikes in all the lycra gear whilst out riding in the local countryside. I was on an unpowered Orbit Orion with hub gears, flat bars and a stem raiser. Totally unaerodynamic, yet I was easily able to ride at just about their pace. One of them rode side by side and accused me of cheating. How's that then? I asked. He'd assumed that my hub dynamo was a hub drive and took some convincing otherwise. I lost interest in persuading him and turned off onto my usual bridleway route.

I was questioned by a total stranger out in the hills once.

 

"Isn't that cheating was the comment"

 

Before I knew it I had said (and no offence to anyone who is)

 

"not if you have a disability" ..... they quickly apologised and went a shade of red.... their other half gave them a scowl, which I smirked at whilst riding off.

 

This seams to be the best comeback I have used, no confrontation and no reply, job done.

 

I have also seen them look me up and down, looking for the disability..... "not every disability is visible " I say.

 

And if they press further I just quote my wife's rare muscle disease, which totally confuses them, and I tell them to Google it.

 

It appears to be the one which makes them feel bad, and stops the conversation in it's tracks, with no more confrontation.

 

I don't care if strangers want to question whether I am or not cheating .."In their eyes", this just snubs it out straight away.

 

Again apologies to anyone who has a genuine disability, I have no intention of making fun of anyone.

I think it's a fab answer

My weekly riding partner gave me the ultimate 'put down' this week when we were out on one of our regular night rides on the retro mtb. I never use the eMTB when out with him or other groups.

 

Towards the end of the ride on the last climb, he came up along side me and simply said "do you think that you have become unfit, or is it just a mental thing" I thought you bastard, I have been working almost six and half day weeks since the end of July, I have had a reoccurrence of glandular fever, and me knees are burning with pain through endless ladder work. I'm burnt out! I'm also riding a hardtail on summer tyres, and I'm loosing valuable energy through tyre slippage. I'm not changing the tyres though, as I like the loose slippery feeling.

 

That one remark has inspired me to make sure that I put more effort into my fitness though, not that I thought that I hadn't been. I suspect that he gave me the remark intentionally to spur me on during the last climb, as he is an ex semi pro road rider, so used to taking and giving remarks that could wind you up motivationally. His heart is in the right place!

Edited October 5, 20178 yr by EddiePJ

"Cheating? To what rules?"

 

Or something along those lines is often my response.

Followed by "It's fun!" then a conversation about how it takes all the good bits of cycling and gets rid of the bad. Seems to get people talking and interested.

 

Thinking about it I've had the same conversation quite a few times now.

My weekly riding partner gave me the ultimate 'put down' this week when we were out on one of our regular night rides on the retro mtb. I never use the eMTB when out with him or other groups.

 

Towards the end of the ride on the last climb, he came up along side me and simply said "do you think that you have become unfit, or is it just a mental thing" I thought you bastard, I have been working almost six and half day weeks since the end of July, I have had a reoccurrence of glandular fever, and me knees are burning with pain through endless ladder work. I'm burnt out! I'm also riding a hardtail on summer tyres, and I'm loosing valuable energy through tyre slippage. I'm not changing the tyres though, as I like the loose slippery feeling.

 

That one remark has inspired me to make sure that I put more effort into my fitness though, not that I thought that I hadn't been. I suspect that he gave me the remark intentionally to spur me on during the last climb, as he is an ex semi pro road rider, so used to taking and giving remarks that could wind you up motivationally. His heart is in the right place!

 

I have been riding analogic for a few weeks. All sorts of people are passing me and I don't care! I am happy just being able to ride places I couldn't ride to on an upright. Take him to work with you for a week and let him do the ladder work...

'Isn't that cheating?'

'Not if you're in an open relationship'

Just to answer the question about the Forest of Dean is to busy

The size of the forest is 20475 acres so it's a big forest and most like to ride around pedal a bike away and it's always busy there but we have some fab trails away from the crowds and I'd be more than welcome to show anyone some of the trails.

In local MTB park found rarely used up hill track, great track in tour. Was probably main uphill track to top of park before shuttle made it redundant. Great find as it allows me to bypass 2kms of boring forest road plus save bit battery.

 

Saw a party of older riders doing forest roads on Specialized HT, found out they 70-82yrs both sexes. Something I doubt most would've been doing without ebikes.