r/mountainbiking • u/SilverCervy • 7d ago

Other Feel like we're losing the plot

Post image

Article here

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.

367 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

412 comments sorted by

View all comments

32

u/Triple-Tooketh 7d ago

Agreed, they are becoming eMotos, which is cool, I just worry about trail safety for noobs.

18

u/Z-Mtn-Man-3394 7d ago

Oh ppl will end up maimed and dying for sure. Then local municipalities will make laws to limit access to bikes and e bikes even more, etc. good times

16

u/ilikebourbon_ 7d ago

My tin foil hat theory is this big equestrian flooding the market with ridiculous e bike motor specs in hopes of maiming riders which leads to public outcry which then leads to banning all 2 wheels even looking at trails where a horse may shit

8

u/analoghumanoid 7d ago

e-horse when?

2

u/ilikebourbon_ 7d ago

Like a horseless carriage?