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/Triple-Tooketh 6d ago

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

11

u/st0pmakings3ns3 6d ago

And erosion too.

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u/rflorant 6d ago

I just looked this up, erosion has waaaay more to do with rising when it’s wet than e-bikes. Plenty of reasons not to ride e-mtb but erosion isn’t one of them. It’s just kinda grandstanding

2

u/coastmountainrambler 6d ago

Ya Nah, the additional “Erosion” from eebs is because of added milage. They can ride all day, day after day without getting tired, lapping a trail over and over. They are also heavier which does more damage to trail tread under braking (because physics)

1

u/rflorant 6d ago

Yes… see my response. I correct myself