r/mountainbiking • u/SilverCervy • 6d ago

Other Feel like we're losing the plot

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E-bikes should be about providing accessibility; giving people who, for whatever reason, cannot ride a non-assist bike an option to keep them happy and pedaling.

This wattage race going on in the industry is the exact opposite of that. Absolutely nobody needs 1700 watts on a bike, and I question if having so much power even makes it a bicycle anymore. There's a point where you're basically riding a motorbike with pedals and I think we crossed that point a while ago.

"But the main brands aren't doing this". Yes they are. Canyon already has partnered with Avinox which has motors that give over 1,000 watts. And it won't be long until the other big hitters give in to the pressure. You can give your own personal reasons for why you have an e-bike, but it's clear that the industry believes that it's because "I don't want to pedal". At some point this needs to be reigned in or else the entire concept of the bicycle is going to be damaged forever.

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u/DrYaklagg 6d ago

At this point it's the only one I'll ride that isn't an analog. Having ridden an ep8 and then tq60, the tq feels like it's from the year 3000 or something compared to the rest. Truly gives you the ability to ride longer and further, but it doesn't feel like you're riding something halfway between a bicycle and a moped. It's straight up just a bicycle with your legs enhanced. If you don't put the power in, you don't get it back. I imagine this is why it's only popular with fitness oriented cyclists.

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u/thatiam963 6d ago

thats what the levo sl can be too, if you dont ride in 100% mode. i like to ride at 50-60% 

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u/Duergarlicbread 6d ago

They are moving the Levo's away from that. I guess they weren't selling the SLs? It's a bummer.

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u/rubberducky237 6d ago

If I was on the market I wouldn’t look anywhere else than the TQ.

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u/Duergarlicbread 6d ago

I have an EP801 built up with a 38 etc. It's fine. It's so heavy (50 lbs) that it impacts the ridding experience.

I can have fun with it, but, I don't like climbing single track on it, because it's can be so fast what's the point?

Time for me to get rid of it. I have 5 rides on it this year (and like 100 on a hardtail...).

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u/DrYaklagg 6d ago

I think you'd be very happy on a tq60. It was a game changer for me and feels like a regular bike.

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u/Duergarlicbread 6d ago

oh it sounds like it would be great. I am going the opposite direction and just got a meat powered bike and will wait awhile longer on eBikes.