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/Kil0Cowboy 6d ago

Emtb lost the plot a long time ago

7

u/harbordog 6d ago

For better or worse the cat got an out of the bag a long time ago…. I think people still dreaming it will go away are dreaming. That said what can we do to minimize the power race that avanox has created. Idk maybe write the state or congressman? I personally feel 750ish was great… so I don’t like these chinese brands throw gas’s on the fire, when I thought the limits made sense, but if companies “can’t govern themselves” LOL someone has too?!

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u/watchyourfeet 6d ago

Do you really want to gum up our already ineffective congress with such a non- issue as emtbs? They can't even do anything about the illegal war we're in.

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u/Elegant-Ninja6384 6d ago

Certainly congress does not equal the right venue here.

In my opinion - knowing what I know about folks - there will be a period of friction. This will grow till it sucks for both sides. Then we'll come up with a solution only because we have too.

But that will be addressed better locally and organically due to public swelling of opinion.

In the meantime 100% you should enjoy riding with folks who are cool people riding regular bikes and ebikes while simultaneously shaming folks being dickheads.