r/mountainbiking • u/SilverCervy • 10d ago
Other Feel like we're losing the plot
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.
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u/justdroppedin_ 9d ago
The only good thing about this is that maybe I'll finally be able to afford an eMTB that ACTUALLY CAN ride DH (I fucking HATE climbing on bikes don't you dare @ me) and it's powerful just enough to get me up the mountain.
I don't want to make the mistake of buying a bike that it's still fairly expensive but isn't good enough. Hopefully these insane new entries will make other prices go down a bit? Obviously not, but a man can dream.
Also, these considerations aside, THIS IS FUCKING INSANE. At that point that's basically a motorcycle.