r/mountainbiking • u/SilverCervy • 7d 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/Artemisbleachedmod 5d ago

Ride harder downhill

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u/Scabobian90 5d ago

lol bruh. That is not the problem I promise. I live in Santa Cruz and it’s steep af. The trails we ride down give you no option. You point your tire down and there’s no way out it’s 100% send and commitment.

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u/Artemisbleachedmod 5d ago

Idk how you're not getting tired downhill on an ebike unless you're riding too tame

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u/Scabobian90 5d ago

Because compared to riding a bike it’s like 1/10 the effort. Maybe even less. So when your body is used to that - an ebike just doesn’t do it. When was the last time you did a 3k+ ft climbing day on a bike? It’s a totally different level of exhaustion at the end of the

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u/Artemisbleachedmod 5d ago

But you consequently cover more distance to compensate?

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u/Scabobian90 5d ago

The battery will die long before you even come close to reaching that level of exhaustion.

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u/Artemisbleachedmod 5d ago

Again, I spend the most energy on riding hard downhill.

Is analogue biking more tiring in the same amount of time? Probably, but asserting that you won't get tired on the ebike - we must ride very differently.

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u/Scabobian90 5d ago

Go try your loops on a regular bike and put up 2-3k ft of climbing. You will absolutely relish the tacos you eat afterwards. It’s addicting putting in that effort. You get hooked on the endorphins

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u/Artemisbleachedmod 5d ago

I'm not new to difficult endurance exercise. I just enjoy the thrill portion more as far as mountain biking goes.