The 2 Issues I Have with E-Mountain Bikes
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- This is NOT intended to be click bait. I am for ANYONE riding a bike and being outdoors, whether on an analog bike or E-Bike. But there are two issues that need to be addressed...
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After moving to New Zealand coming from Pisgah NC, I can say that people here have no worries about Ebikes people ride both and seem to get along, we have group rides with people on both. The trails are great and no one wines about what you ride. It was awesome, I got to ride with a guy who was 82 y/o who was on a ebike and doing well. I ride a regular MTB and have totally changed my tune about ebikes. We all need to ride with awareness and be good stewards of the trails.
I find it hard to believe in this country that thrives on freedom, that so many seem bent on a “my way or the highway” mentality. It’s all about respecting others.
@@insidemattsmind5999 That's why the US can never have an Autobahn because people would get upset about others going faster and try to block them and cause accidents. Even when it comes to motorcycles, the US is the only country in the world that bans lane splitting, mostly because they hate that motorcycles can "cut" the line (even though they actually lessen traffic by doing that). Lots of very selfish and controlling people in this country. But yeah, when it comes to e-bikes, there's definitely guys that are too aggressive and/or not skilled enough which causes problems for others as Clint said.
Welcome to NZ! We Kiwis are notoriously easy going people (in general anyway). Everything and everyone is mild and most don't like making a fuss. 🤣 That said my biggest complaint about ebikers is about those that catch up to us normal bike riders on a long single track climb and don't say they are back there, or even say hello, and then try and blast past in a silly place. That gives ebikers a bad name, please don't do that. End of rant. 😉
Raising awareness about the elevated risks on Ebikes, especially to those inexperienced riders, is obviously wise.
@@BristecomPeople here generally care only about their own freedom, not freedom in general.
E-bike probably saved my life after experiencing a long term leg/tendon injury for which there is no surgery. I am now 1 year into PT accompanied by 5 PRP injections and daily supplements. Generally speaking it is ~2 years to heal from this. The mental swings of dealing with this and the seemingly never-ending cycles of improve/setback/recovery from this long term injury are brutal. The doctor told me this would be the case and he was right. He offered me pharmaceuticals to deal with it which I declined. In fact, 1 year in, I am currently in the recovery phase of what is my 5th "setback". Normal according to the PT. I was cleared to get an e-bike after 8 months of PT. Did not want a full power bulldozer of an e-bike, I wanted one that leaned toward the analog experience that I love so much so I got an Orbea Rise. Doing so gave me hope and changed my outlook entirely. I was generally an anti e-bike guy until I got hurt. Now at 55yrs old, I can ride with my kids again and have experiences that we won't forget. It was a blessing that I was able to take my son and the other kids on his yearly birthday ride and I had a blast. Sang Happy Birthday, took pictures and a video. Saw my 9yr old daughter ride a trail she had not ever been able to do before. Smiles all around. Regardless of what you ride, respect the trails and respect others who use them.
Curtis, great to hear that an e-bike as been a success full tool in your recovery and enjoying times with fam and friends. Wishing you the best in your continued recovery and enjoying what you can along the way. Joe Dirt may have said, life is a garden digit. In other words I would say life is a ride pedal it.
Hope can be the most powerful force. After a brain injury (yeh on a mtb) it took 4 years to get back on a bike. Missed teaching my youngest how to ride. Developed a crazy post injury ptsd. Like you, hope of recovery is literally what kept me alive. Hope and regular exercise were more powerful than any prescription drugs i was given. If an ebike can help in the transition back, or help you hang onto an activity you love, giver! Best of luck in your continued recovery. Sometimes recovery doesnt go as planned but so long as there is hope for progress, you can keep that torch lit.
If you're healthy enough to ride a pedal assist ebike, then you're healthy enough to ride a real bike.
I would just note that those issues are really more about certain riders. That applies to any bike on the trail. E-bikes are a bit heavier, but they’re capped at 20mph, which I often exceed on my MTB. Any time you’re on a trail there are many different levels of riders. I ride dirt bikes as well, and one of the parks has directional trails which greatly decreases collisions. At the other park they aren’t directional, but are mostly single track and safety is really on each rider to be a bit more cautious around blind corners. Bottom line is just bringing awareness to riders via signs, videos, and old fashioned conversations out on the trails.
Well said!
Honestly, I have had infinitely more dangerous encounters with oblivious hikers than with any mountain biker. Your point is well meant, but doesn't seem to pertain only to e-bikes. Sometimes they scare me coming up the trail...but that's more of a surprise than danger since they are going max 10 mph. Downhill, anybody can be dangerous.
I do both EMTB and regular. I have doubled my riding doubled my distance and doubled my fun. I spend more time on zone 2 hr and it’s more beneficial. If I want some higher hr training I ride my other bike or eco of off mode can do that.
E-bikes are not the issue, it's the riders that use them. I have both analog and an e bike. I've ridden MTB for over 20 years and am lucky enough to enjoy both. In all my years of riding, I've come across several people who don't know or respect rules and ride recklessly on trails without any concern for their safety or for others. Yes, e-bikes give some "non-qualified" people access to trails they probably shouldn't ride, but one-off anecdotes shouldn't be the basis for blanket statements as I've seen countless analog riders do the same thing. Non mountain bikers have complained about people on bikes on trails since they were invented. It's up to all riders to develop their skills and show trail etiquette no matter what they ride every time they go out for a spin. Doing so will help benefit all of us who enjoy the outdoors. In a word, don't be a d*^k!
☝This
Cars, Guns, nuclear power, you can use that analogy for mostly everything, people are the problem not the inanimate object.
Well said!
Well said.
Indeed! The video is titled "The 2 Issues I Have with E-Bikes" I thought it would be perhaps about motors being unreliable over time or something like that, but at the end was about people.
Good discussion but bad title and framing. I am an e-bike rider and I agree with what you say. Therefore the title should be something like “The 2 issues I have with less intelligent people”… it is not the e-bikes that are the issue here.
Exactly - he says it's not meant to be a click-bait title, but we're all here commenting because of it... the issue is novice riders, not what bike they happen to be riding.
Very fair point. Ultimately, I think the issue is speed. As more folks take to the trails for biking AND hiking. Speed can be a problem, whether skilled or unskilled (unskilled far worse) because you need to be aware of everyone around you. When passing hikers you have to slow down to not startle them - just like horses. So all of us need to be very mindful of others on the trail and ride accordingly - else we run the risk of “for hikers only”.
😂Did you really just say slow down not to startle hikers?
Come on man
@@Lee-ic2yn yeah, but I didn’t mean it.
Like many things, these issues always come down to respect. Respect for others, respect your limitations and respect for the rules. I love both my acoustic bikes and my ebike. Now lets go have some fun!
Sadly respect is dying in a decaying society of morality. As the participation rate of MTBing explodes, it's inevitable some bad apples will be attracted to the sport.
I think the element that people miss with the skill issues is that while people can certainly get out of control on a traditional bike, the locations that happens are limited to downhills and some flats. The issue is that riding e bikes allows people without pro level skill access to pro level power. All of a sudden a 10mph trail becomes a 20mph trail. A skilled rider knows the area and can do that in a more safe manner than a relatively unskilled/unexperienced rider.
I’ve been riding/ racing mountain bikes for a long time and I would consider myself a danger to other trail users if I was to ride one. Especially on 2-way xc style trails. You say pro level power but it’s actually much greater then pro level power. And at what point do they stop making these bikes faster. I think it should be up to the property owner as too who can access and everyone should respect that.
Another consideration is that most MTB trails predate eBikes and were never designed for that type of speed. A beginner on an eBike in turbo mode could easily be faster than the world's best cross country riders through certain sections of trail.
@@cup_and_cone I am an experienced trail mountain bike rider. I ride a cross country bike an e trail bike and a regular trail bike. I can barely keep up with local groups of cross country mountain bikers on my e-bike in turbo mode and often they go faster due to the lightness and maneuverability of their cross country bikes. I have been using an E bike for two years now it has caused no problems and is completely appropriate to ride on any trail that ride on my regular bike. But…I am responsible, follow the rules and etiquette. My concern is with people turning mtb trails into motorcycle trails with derestricted bicycles or electric motorcycles and of course the random person doesn’t give a damn about anyone else. But so far e bikes have proven not to be a major issue in reality. Why does it have to be such a huge issue here in the US where it is not in other places?
@@ironore8677 Class-1 bikes are limited to 20mph, then the assistance stops and the rest is on you.
If you consider yourself a danger to other trail users, then that's on you to readdress your riding style. Just because a bike can potentially be ridden at 20mph (or more if you put more effort in), doesn't mean you have to.
@@jmo2752 yes good point. However on two way xc style trails my max effort gets me in the range of 11-12 mph. Now if I were on an e-bike and I was able to up my avg speed to even say 15 or 16 ( remember I get top speed assistance is 20) then I’d say on trails like this with windy 2-way traffic I’d be a danger to other riders. As I’ve said in the past I feel it’s up to each trail system to determine whether they are allowed and as long as people follow the rules set forth I’m good with that.
Thanks Clint! I think my riding skills leveled up after purchasing an ebike. Especially cornering, weight transfer and jumping leveled up a lot. I also think that my reaction time also improved. Everything happens so much faster with the ebike.
This is all accurate information, lots of newbies on ebikes out there. Was riding on the paved trails just the other day and I flew around some older guy going about 35 km/h and sure enough he passed me 10 second later showing off his e-bike lol, must have been unlocked or something because they are supposed to be capped around 28 km/h in Canada, there was blind corners coming up and he continued to go fast into them and I could easily tell this person has no clue how to corner a bike and sure enough he almost collided head on with a female cyclist because he drifted into her lane in one of the corners, came within a couple inches. Cycling fast while still being safe takes years of experience, newbies going super fast on 25-30kg bike is a recipe for disaster, if you are a newbie on a e-bike please don't be this guy I described.
Great video as always Clint! In regards to the incident with your buddy who got bonked off trail, Ive seen this happen many many times before on analog bikes. I myself have been riding for 15 years MTB and have had to deal with this multiple times pre ebikes 😄 In regards to where ebikes are permitted I think we've all at one point rode a trail that we were not supposed to ride, on our regular bikes. Also most of these bikes get purchased in bike shops and this is where it all has to start for newer riders, shops have to offer clinics and group rides in order to educate all the newer riders and teach them how to ride be it electric or accoustic on or off road. Just my 2cents 😁
Most of the eBikes I see on trails in Utah are not purchased at bike shops, rather they are off brand internet bikes. More education and skill training is needed by these people since they aren't traditional "mountain" bikers.
Yah. If I was a dentist, Im not so sure Id be out on a real trail on any mt bike.
That million dollar income can go poof in a heart beat.
Bash a hand, or some other crucial body part and the wife might have to get a job.
Some things might have to be given up to maintain one's way of life.
As a large person with bad knees im the perfect candidate for a eBike. But started riding before eBikes were a thing. So the only option to improve your riding...well was to keep riding, build my legs, make small progressions on my skills. It took me years to build my skills to earn the right to ride fast and safe. So it really bothers me someone new to mountain biking (under the age of 60) can hop on an eBike and maintain the speed I can achieve without the responsibility and respect I had to learn. Behind the years of riding on trails on analog bike means understanding trail etiquette with other users. I do not think newer eBike riders (or new riders in general) understand the challenges in expanding and keeping trail access. All it takes is one inconsiderate eBikers flying up a trail at 20mph and hurting a hiker, horse or another biker that it ruins all that work. Yes its very troubling there's no enforcement of eBikes on non-authorized trails. We can self police but it never works. Great vid Clint sharing the true truths about eBikes and their riders.
The self enforcing among the community is a novel idea, but I'm not sure it works in practice. The one and only time I engaged with someone riding an eBike on a trail that prohibits them, their excuse was, "I have pedal assist turned off, I'm not using the battery." Whether it was true or not, I don't know...so clever excuse. It did make me wonder if this would be a valid excuse for a USFS ranger/officer confronting them. I suppose you could make the argument remove the battery to be legal, but not every battery is so easily removable.
Most countries only allow upto 15.5mph (class 1?) so 20mph is beyond the assist level, don't fall into the trap of lumping all classes together. Also I've seen plenty of young fit mountain bikers acting like knobs.
@@Thebowber America doesn't have any restrictions on speed or throttle usage. While most reputable name brand MTBs still follow the 15.5mph/25kph cutoff, you'll occasionally see the obscure mail order bike with obscene amounts of power and speed (usually on public roadways). The only two eBikes I've ridden did have the 15.5 cutoff, a Tracer with E8000 (pretty sure it was an E8000) and a Trance with their inhouse/Yamaha motor (don't know what version), but that's still quite a lot of power....average pro race does not even average that fast. You also have to remember the cutoff does not consider where you are applying that power. On a climb the speed differential could be double.
@@cup_and_cone The US does have clearly defined restrictions - Class 1, 2 and 3 (plus a separate category for eMotos). While Class 2 bikes can have a throttle, and Class 3 bikes up to 28mph (45kph), those are primarily the cargo/commuter style bikes which are typically used to replace a small capacity gas-powered moped/scooter.
Class-1 Pedal-Assist bikes in the USA (which is what all the major bicycle manufacturers offer and adhere to) are limited to 250w motors and 20mph maximum assistance. The only place where those are appreciably faster than a regular MTB is on a steeper uphill climb, and even then you're probably only pedalling at around 10mph anyway - faster than a non-assisted bike of course, but hardly terrorising the trails!
@@jmo2752 There is no federal law outside of outdated CPSC, which only covers sales of eBikes (and they're not enforced), not usage. The governance of eBike usage are left up to local states or federal entities (i.e. USFS).
I’ve been riding for 30 years, I remember when these same arguments were used against front suspension, full suspension, sharing trails with equestrians, etc. We survived that and grew and we will this too.
You are naive, E-Evil wheeled contraptions steal the sense of accomplishment that comes from a riders efforts in achieving certain difficult goals.
@@ellerybice3787 oh pls u definitely do not understand Class1 eMTBs
@@emtbtrailrider539 go ahead and be corrupted, the loss is yours to suffer.
@@ellerybice3787 Get back to me when you're 70 with bad knees from a lifetime of gravity sports and all the related injuries.
@@gregbuser4690 where will you be found in 11 years?
I'm fortunate enough to have a few bikes, 1 acoustic hardtail, 1 acoustic full suspension & 1 full suspension full fat ebike, I use all my bikes, different bikes different rides for me 😃
I 100% agree with this and the sentiment. I have experienced both of those issues on my trails. I think this is more of a "People" problem, not an "E-Bike" problem. A lot of folks just aren't used to handling, cornering, maneuvering and stopping a 50+ pound bike...
I was just about to post the same thing but you wrote it already. They are people problem and not an e-bike problem. Also, similar arguments are made from hikers that want bikes off trails..
A lot of Huffys are 50+ pounds and many “enduro” bikes are mid 30s, so not sure the weight is really the issue. Most people in my area ride analog MTB and also Moto,
@@Arkane117 I ride roadbikes, a lot. In groups going a good clip.
If somehow the fact I own an e mt bike comes up? The militant hatred most express is never ending. They know nothing about mt bikes e or normal, but boy do they hate e bikes.
I think, they never look at me the same again. Under handed comments, bullshit "facts" about e bikes destroying the industry and the trails....they know nothing except they hate the things. Real Americans.
There are people who buy acoustic bikes and ride it like they stole it. And have no idea what they are doing And get themselves into trouble. 😳
good, that's what they're for
Good points. Another concern is that e-bikes enable less capable riders to get themselves into the backcountry but are unable to self rescue if they run into issues.
Maybe it's where I live (Front Range CO), but I have NEVER seen anyone behaving poorly on an e-bike (I also avoid riding on weekends, so maybe I miss some weekend warriors). I see so many people assume that most people on e-bikes are new riders. I don't think this is true. At least where I live I see almost all experienced mountain bikers riding e-bikes. IMO it's more of a situation where you're gonna have poorly behaved people out there on all sides, and people tend to notice the poorly behaved e-bikers more than the existing poorly behaved analog bikers. I'd assume Florida maybe different because no one moves to Florida to go mountain biking, so less likely to have experienced riders there. Trails being closed to e-bikes is fucking stupid. There are very few trails closed to e-bikes in BC, and if the trails is closed most other users don't give a shit if someone is riding an e-bike. There are no conflict issues there with e-bikes. I will still ride trails closed to e-bikes (I do avoid them if possible), but I ride respectfully, just as I would on my analog bike (I'll even yield to descending riders since it's easy for me to get going again). There is a history in mountain biking of having to ride closed trails due to stupid rules, and more often than not the trails get opened to biking. There is a history in mountain biking of builders building un-authorized trails that eventually become legit trails. Riding trails closed to e-bikes on an e-bike is the same thing.
Similar here in the desert southwest....most e-bikers I encounter are more experienced.
I know I would have enjoyed mountain biking in the foothills outside Denver MUCH more if I’d had an eMTB 20+ years ago 😂. It’s pretty unforgiving on those trails! Deer Creek Canyon with your baby head strewn climbs, I’m looking at you 🤨.
I’m in KY now, and have an eMTB to help me get back into it. I’ve learned that it’s not really required here, though I do enjoy it a lot, and it helps me to clean some stuff I probably wouldn’t be able to without it (even just the very minimal assist that I use really helps). Regular bike on the way … interested to see just how much I’ve been “cheating” 😅.
Same issues with MTB riders on analog bikes (and road riders on road bikes for that matter) who need to gain the requisite skills. Not sure why you've singled out e-bikes.
Reason is pretty obvious, as he explained
I think that restrictions on ebikes should be lifted for older riders at 60 +. The age is negotiable but areas that require a lot of climbing older riders could still enjoy more often. Also most riders this age are going to ride within their abilities compared to younger more aggressive riders chasing strava numbers.
Exactly! I’m 59 and love my Ibis Ripmo v2, especially coming downhill. However, I like to ride my wife’s e-bike if I haven’t ridden in a while and I’m really out of shape, it makes me feel like I’m a 20 year old on the climbs I have to push up. With that point though, hers only has the older Shimano motor and I rarely use more then the lowest power setting. Anyone blasting around in boost mode really are ruining it for us that just need a little assistance up the climbs that are heart and lungs can’t make.
I don’t disagree with anything you said, but I’ll add the people who ride e-bikes don’t have a monopoly on stupidity. I’ve seen more than a few mountain bikers riding like idiots while passing hikers. Some even get mad at the hikers for using the trail in the first place. The combination of stupid and selfish seems to be rampant these days, and not just on the trails.
It’s really no different than driving cars. Some people make an effort to improve their skills, some don’t. Some drive like idiots. Most don’t. Mistakes and stuff will still happen. Hard to control though.
A problem I’ve seen in multiple hobbies of mine(wind surfing, mountain biking, cars and remote control planes and helicopters) is people with money often try to buy a skill that takes time to develop.
this is good point. Something similar happens when ppl buy enduro bikes with 170-180mm travel thinking they can now ride downhill :D
This will never change.
But I will say I do notice The E Bike takes the seriousness and core of the rider out of the equation.
Normally it take a person that gets into the sport, they have to be seriously committed to learning the sport to get up the mountain to these destinations and serious trails. It shows your commitment to learning the sport. You have to be a serious rider just to be able to put your self in these conditions because it’s a hell of a commitment and a lot of work. This is the same “type”commitment a serious rider that works on skills and takes the time to hone skills.
There is really no commitment to the sport on E bikes. You can jump right it and put yourself in these serious situations very easily with no commitment to the sport at all which you start seeing many more injuries and we have.
You saw the same thing that happened in the surfing world when tow in surfing became popular.
People with low skills who could get towed into huge waves that otherwise wouldn’t have the skills to ride the same level waves or normally wouldn’t have paddled out or couldn’t normally on their own.
That core commitment takes time and almost forces you to go through the proper fitness rituals and skill building techniques.
No skills were ever gained learning to climb. This is cry baby I hate ebikes crap. There is a huge financial commitment with an ebike, way more than an analog bike.
@@BryanKeller724 I guess if you don’t know by now you never will or “get it”.
I own an ebike also. Two bikes. Stumpy evo. And Turbo Levo.
@@ssjj9584 I don’t know because its not a thing, people can end up where they dont belong on any bikes.
Good video. I have both analog & eBike. I learned how to ride for years on the analog, just got the eBike & its so much fun! But again, I learned everything on my analog bike first.
This is exactly what happened to my friend. An eBiker that was in “over his head” with the trail he was on and he hit my friends bike while passing him in a narrow section of the trail. He waited at the end of trail and made a point to apologize but his apology was peppered with his excuse that he couldn’t slow down and the trail was narrow. Obviously my friend was pissed and so was I because I was riding close enough to him to see that he was timid on the trails technical sections and probably should have been on an easier trail. He shouldn’t have hit my friends bike because my friend had to stop because his chain came off.
You nailed it. This was always my biggest concern. When it comes to speed, you used to have to "earn it" by getting your fitness up slowly over time, which would cause one to naturally acquire the technical skills to go with that faster speed. Now we've skipped that learning element altogether and let people rip faster than even someone like Nino Schurter could ride on trails.
It also applies to e-bikes on public roads too. Now we have inexperienced riders blasting 20+mph through city streets and sidewalks.
Just shut up and ride. EMTBS are here to stay. You all will buy one and have an excuse when you do. They are FUN to ride period.
@@noeltapia898 They're definitely here to stay...that's why regulation is coming.
Every concern you have about new ebike riders not having the skills to be safe is true of new riders in general. Bringing e bikes into the equation just shows your bias…
I’m an e-biker and I agree. Clint, maybe post some techniques videos in the future. There’s many skills videos out there, but your approach may be the key for some people better understanding and implementing them.
I only been riding for 4 months. I was so close to buyiing a ebike.. I went with a hightower and to this day i dropped 25lbs. I do not think i would of been able to reach this goal so fast on a ebike.
You would have. Ebike allows you to keep a much steadier heartrate because you don't red line every technical climb but you can link everything together.
Yeah, you probably would have. You can ride longer on an ebike, and push as hard as you want. I regularly get over 140bpm heart rate on mine, even on trails without big hills. I also ride with very low assistance, so that might be part of it.
For me, i switched back to regular mtb. I rode emtb for 3 years. Yes, i did multiple laps. Still not healthy for me, cholesterol and sugar level went up. Sold my ebike. Im good i am on my best shape
Believe it or not
There are other ways to exercise and stay healthy than just a bike.....
I used to be thin but I’m a visibly obese man and I could probably benefit from an e-bike but I’m too damn embarrassed. Besides, I already know I can lose 80 lbs on a normal mtb and I don’t want to add complications and cost like replacing batteries and motors. However if you’re aging and have health issues than I never ever judge and am just stoked you can keep riding.
Respect and common sense is in short supply in the human race period. Injuries can be a part of any sport or type of bicycle. I've seen several serious accidents including death in the sport on conventional bicycles in the last few years. People in the cycling sport need to stick together towards the greater cause rather than have the division I sometimes see. I ride with a great group of guys that ride all types of bikes and keep the differences to a little razing, while supporting the sport in general. Strength in in positive numbers not division.
Cheers all...
Excellent comment! If we could all live by The Golden Rule.
Agree
But it seems the 2 issues are not about e-bikes but about some of the people who rides them 🙃
Yes, like guns...right?
@@cup_and_cone yes, but e-bikes tend to be less lethal these days.
My problem with e-bike riders is on the climb. Where I ride, there is usually a single climb trail that everyone uses. It is not larger than a regular singletrack. People are climbing more or less on the same pace. There are faster or slower riders. Usually they know where to pass, and how to do it safely. With the increase of e-bikes, I have to regularly stop to let them pass me. Also, since some of them are beginners, they don't seem to know the biking etiquette. I regularly have e-bike riders that are following me very close and would try to pass me as soon as there's a little space, without caring for safety. I'm not a good climber, but I think I am decent, and I get satisfaction when I can clear some sections without stopping. Nowadays I have to wait more for the right moment to do it, or otherwise I may have an angry e-bike rider pushing my back wheel. Of course, I'm not saying all e-bike riders are like that. Many are very considerate and actually let me know that they can wait. I hope with time this situation would improve.
Clint. Great video as usual. I do have to disagree with you on the idea that a few people (yes, most people don't own ebikes) riding on trails that do not allow ebikes, will limit trail access. There is no proof that will happen. In fact, you and I both know, all trails will allow ebikes someday. Whether that day is sooner, or many years down the road, it will happen. There are people now that ride motorcycles on mountain bike or even hiking trails. Those incidents don't cause everyone to lose trail access. Perpetuating that ebike use will close trails is a weak argument.
At least 90% of the eMTB riders that I know were all MTB riders first.
Good points, and well made. I'm 60 years old and have owned an E-bike for 3 years, so I ride a lot more than I would otherwise. I don't have the skills for single track riding, so I stay off the trails and stick to forestry and farm roads. (I also don't bounce like I used to when I was 15!)
The counter argument is that Ebikes help novice riders progress much faster than they would on a traditional mtb. (More laps, more miles, etc.) Ebikes are generally slower on gravity trails because pedaling beyond the 20mph limit is very difficult. The real issue is that novice riders need to learn proper etiquette on multidirectional trails. Keeping your eyes up and watching for other riders is just as important on traditional mountain bikes as it is ebikes. I own both and my top speeds are definitely higher on a traditional mtb, but my sustained speeds on flat ground and climbs are higher on my Ebike.
I agree - although I wouldn't say an eMTB is slower on the downhills, it's just not any faster than a regular bike... The main benefit is they allow anyone - be they novice or experienced - to make the climbing back up a little easier, getting in more miles and practice as you say.
It's about consideration and responsible riding for me and that's the same for eMTB or analogue MTB. If you're riding so fast that you can't react to trail features or other users and it's not a marshalled race then you're not riding well.
Where the trail visibility is good then go for it but not at the expense of other users.
The issue with people using ebike beyond their ability/skills is not an ebike problem, but a people problem. This problem applies to people using all types of bicycles.
Going downhill on any bike without skill would hurt anybody
I am a long-time 75 year-old rider (both road and mtn), who at age 72 converted to ebikes,. Between age and injuries, it became obvious to me that an ebike was the only way I could continue riding. I happily contribute to lMBA, SORBA and my local trail maintenance clubs. My bikes are all light weight and low power, and I rarely ride in Turbo. I am polite on the trail. I like to travel, and I do not understand why Pisgah, Dupont, Tsali, Bend, Sedona, Moab and other great riding spots are closed to people like me. I believe that most government agencies don't care, but the groups who maintain the trails are behind the bans. The rules need to be changed, and I believe they will be as more riders age, but I do not want to wait. If I need to carry my driver's license to prove my age when I ride, I would be happy to do so. I try not to ride on no ebike trails, but I'm running out of patience with selfish rules. You have a loud and important microphone. Please help us get the rules changed to accommodate older riders like me. Thanks!
I'm 70 and have been mtn biking in Utah for 33 years. I just got an E-bike and love that the rides I do in HR zone 5 can now be done in zone 3 even at the lowest power setting. The one thing I noticed right off, though, is that you have to be careful in the climb as you approach climbing switchbacks with poor sightlines! Corners you'd normally approach at 4mph, you'll now approach at 7 or 8. It makes for significantly shorter response times! We all slow for descending turns like that (I hope!) but it's not intuitive to do it climbing.
Clint, I agree with your perspective 100%. I am 73 yrs old and have been mountainbiking for 30+ years, on an e-bike for the last 5 years. I began mountainbiking when rigid bikes were still predominant. There are now way too many people who have started out on e-bikes and, as you noted, don't have the skills or the understanding of proper trail etiquette who are making it difficult for others to accept the legitimacy of that niche of the sport. I personally believe tighter regulations are necessary, particularly as to what classes of ebikes should be allowed on which trails. Thanks for the discussion and bringing a reasonable point of view to this controversial topic.
Thanks for the comment, Dean. Hearing riders’ stories like yours is very inspiring. Keep riding!
The e element isn't the problem though, its their lack of experience in general. The e only helps you get up the hills a bit faster.
Good vid. I have an e-mtb and it's fun but I haven't ridden it in awhile cause I actually enjoy riding lightweight short travel regular mtb's more (like my Epic Evo). I'll prob end up selling the e-mtb cause I just don't need it anymore.
Hi Clint...quick question, are you referring to Class 1 pedal assist eMTB e-bikes or the Sur-Ron type ebikes? If its class 1 eMTB, those things should be allowed anywhere and everywhere a regular MTB can go. Now those Sur-Ron type ebikes should not be anywhere near an MTB or hiking trail. They are not ebikes and should be classified as dirt bikes and I could definitely see someone getting harmed if they were to be on hiking/biking trail system.
Struggling to understand the logic here if we're talking about class 1 eMTB's (pedal assist). "Riders going too fast when they don't yet have the skills..." That would apply to analog or e-bikes equally. E-bikes are no faster on the downhills; in fact, many people claim that an analog bike is faster on the downhills. Yes, e-bikes will go faster uphill, but then we're talking about moderate speeds where the risk of crashes and injury is fairly low.
My local trails are fairly flat by comparison to mountain trails. What I am referring to is people who are newer to the sport who are pinning it around corners on an E bike, which can be done up to 18mph. Usually with mountain biking fitness and handling skills grow together, so a newer writer, who is handling skills are still developing, would not be going near as fast on an analog Bike as an E bike
I find it very weird that some trails are closed to ebikes there in the USA. Here in oz you can ride your ebike wherever you like. It makes no difference what bike you ride, we're all out to have fun.
It doesn't make a difference if your friend was a dentist or a garbage man.... they would both be out of work. Right?
That’s true
I really wish you would change the title to e-Mountain bikes. Ebikes for transportation are an entirely different proposition.
There are many uses for an e-bike ! Whether for exercise , sport, hunting , commuting ,etc…. they offer mobility at a price people are able to afford .
My justification had some to do with exercise but more to do with the ease of transport to and from the woods and getting to places a 4 wheeler can’t !
A four wheeler is expensive , loud and harder to transport !
You can get an E-Bike in many configurations , allowing you to use it as a work horse and not just recreational sport !
Totally agree , we have a responsibility to stay within the laws to prevent ruining e-bikers access to what they offer ! 👍
The issues WITH E-Bikes are: 1) Very few LBS have mechanics who possess the skills to even diagnose issues, much less repair them beyond having the Mfr. send a replacement motor. 2) What happens about 4-5 years in, when there is an issue, and there are no longer parts or support for the motor or battery?
What you're talking about....are issues with riders. I can't count the number of times I've been on the trails and had a "lycra'd out rider" who thinks they own the trail, either come up behind me expecting me to stop and move off the trail immediately, or come toward me with an attitude of "I'm not moving one inch off the center of the trail." For me, it has always been the "I'm more important" attitude that consistently annoys me. I'm sure they say the same thing about "Enduro-bros" who fly down the descents expecting climbers to move, when they have the right of way.
We've had eBikes here in northwest Arkansas since their inception, and I think we're approaching 1 in 3 or 4 riders being on an eBike on the trails. It might be even more than that. I'm not aware of any incidents, and I haven't been a part of one. But being passed recklessly on a climb....hasn't happened that I've witnessed. To be blunt, I question "brand new riders" possessing the skills to even keep the bike on the trail well enough to be a threat to other riders for at least a modest period of time. I see experienced riders on eBikes. People running out buying $5K and up eBikes as their first bike....I don't see that much at all, if any. ????
I think signage and doing everything possible to make ebike riders acutely aware that the trails were NOT BUILT for eBikes when they were built, and thus the expectation is that they will CLIMB at a reasonable speed....would help the situation. That's the place I see potentially causing an issue....is the ability to climb at 10-12 mph rather than 5-7, and that causing conflict with descending riders. It hasn't happened thus far, but that is the one circumstance where I can absolutely see the increased chance for an accident.
I have 2 problems with people that have 2 problems with e bikes. 1 is when they get going too fast with their opinions and bump into logic. The other problem I have with them is that they just wont admit that ebikes are more fun than grinding long steep climbs.
I still race cross country and grinding up steep climbs is much more fun than doing intervals on a road. Not for everybody but enjoyable for me.
@ClintGibbs I was just being cheeky. I'm 56 now and feel like 40 years of grinding climbs entitles me to an opinion on e bikes. I get why the purists don't accept them but as you point out, reality is more complex.
@@scottpratico1315 I had a Niner E bike demo for a few months a few years ago and had a blast on it. I’m sure I’ll have one eventually, especially when I move to the mountains.
@ClintGibbs I work away from home 2 weeks away, 2 weeks home. When I am home I mix it up. Some days acoustic, some days electric. I typically ride every one of those days. The ebike is there when my body needs recovery. I can go have fun and fit i a tonic ride.
Hi Clint ebikes shouldn’t be valuable other than fun, you can excercise too and all that for sure, but they are about fun. Ebikes is not the fault is some jerks who buy them.
That could have happened on a standard bike
100% right. I've seen the same thing happen all the time. Inexperienced riders (on regular mountain bikes) lacking, crashing or running into other riders. It's less of a problem in the UK and Europe where the assisted speed is limited to 15.5mph. The issue with access is a different matter. It all comes down to education. But who takes that responsibility?
True, but the speed was probably double on the e-bike on this trail
Unfortunately I think Ebikes are more of a symptom than the problem. Lack of courtesy and respect of other trail users is the problem in my opinion. I suspect your friend would have been run off the trail by that same rider on a analog bike, yes not quite that simple, ebikes allow brand new riders to go faster and farther, but you get my point. I(and probably you) learned to ride before there was suspension, should we force a new rider to lock out their suspension till they learn the skills required? I remember trying to gain trail access in the 80s when hikers were using the exact same arguments.My point is ebikes are not the problem, courtesy is the problem. Now do not get me started with riders posting strava times and not declaring the fact the are on an ebike !
Right on! E-bikes are legal in most all trails in va. I can’t tell you how many bikers have stopped me to lecture me and i engage the conversation tactfully and read them the laws to educate them. Personally, I have Patellar tendonitis which crippled me without an ebike.
It’s ultimately the e-bike rider that is sometimes the issue. Just use common sense and know your limitations.
im fortunate enough to have a ridden an ebike for 25km yesterday (my friend sells them ).
pedal down and i felt the surge of power from the motor, just amazing . we literally blasted up and down the hills with minimal effort . and i was fresh even after an epic day of riding.
are Ebikes cheating ? i'd say for myself who is still healthy and able bodied, yes its cheating as far as cardio is concerned.
skill wise its just the same , if not just a little more difficult.
but however my friend he just got a knee surgery due to a MX accident 3 months ago and the e-mtb is absolutely instrumental in helping him get fit and happy.
The issue we have on our local trails here in Florida is 5 or six guys "frieght training" through the trails pushing people out of the way. This has eliminated the fun for alot of other people. It's basic respect for other people.
Sounds more like: “The 2 issues I have with some people who ride E-Bikes!”
Alafia local trails allows e-bikes. Good news is all e-riders seemed pretty advanced, which is great. All dudes and ladies been pretty courteous. Perhaps it’s also the type of trials, Alafia has limited beginner trails as you know 👌and brings a lot of mature and developed riding styles. Trails have 100% bailouts. Nice to see hella fast XC riders mixed amongst the e-riders, it just works. Shout out to the trail builders at Alafia.
Why would anyone need an ebike at a small trail system in a flat state?
Also, this "No Ebike" trails are a just a technicality. We all know those rules were meant for noisy petrol powered machines that go 60 mph, not quite e-bikes that go 15 mph.
Almost like there was never head on collisions before ebikes. Can't tell you how many i've seen and been involved in the last 25 years.
True, but on more XC trails, e-bikes have the potential to make those collisions happen at higher speeds. Newer riders, unless they’re coming from a road racing background, typically don’t have the fitness to go that fast on an analog bike.
@@ClintGibbs in my experience, ebike riders are just as slow as they were on regular bikes, just not as worn out. Inexperienced riders are smart enough to know how to ride a bike in control. They are adults that hold jobs and pay bills. They don't turn into bats out of hell every time they turn the bike on. Most of my collisions were with racers training, and on reg bikes. Too much is being made of ebikes and speed. 99% are just as slow as they ever were, just able to enjoy riding a lot more. Besides, off road trails are the perfect storm for head on collisions when the trails are 2 way. Seen it a lot on the Santos trails. These are just my opinions and observations.
I agree. I started on an analog bike for 2yrs, then replaced it with a EMTB, and it's mostly in the lowest setting when riding. The few times I put it into the highest setting, was when I trying to doing stupidly steep climbs, while everyone else has to walk them. The more I can ride the trails, the better I can get.
I just wish that class 1 EMTB would be treated the same as MTB on all trails. as i ride with people that out class me, and I'm doing no more damage to the trails then they are.
Thanks for the great videos!
A big problem with E-bikes is they increase the likelihood of head-on collisions with other cyclists. This is because bicyclists climbing up hill go at a slow speed, but e-bikers rocket up the same hill. Typically descenders have more time to react to spotting a cyclists pedaling up the hill on a real bike, but that e-biker is going to be heading up hill at descending speeds. So now you have two people heading toward each other much faster. This is a huge problem in blind corners. E-bikes are not really bikes. They are electric mopeds if you ask me.
I’m literally about to make a video about that. I almost had a head on collision 2 days ago with a group of guys on e-bikes pinning it around a blind corner.
@@ClintGibbs couldn't that happen with someone on a standard bike as well?
@@willoughby40 not near as likely because on flatter trails people can go much faster on ebikes, greatly reducing reaction time. You may have seen my recent video where I just got an e-Bike. Yesterday I was riding it and in a section of trail where it was very difficult to see around the corner. I slowed way down. sure enough, I came around the corner and a guy was coming the other way. I was able to pull off safely. He reacted a little bit more abruptly but was still fine. I was going slower than I would’ve gone even on my analog bike. Had I been going full speed it would’ve been a collision.
@@ClintGibbs Yes I see what you mean. I find it unusual that you have so much two way single track, I very rarely see this, it must make it very hard to enjoy riding if at any turn someone could literally have a head on crash with you.
@@willoughby40 fortunately there is a lot of trail where you can see ahead quite a bit, but there are definitely blind corners that you need to take it easy on.
Spot on! I admire your delivery of information.
Any trail user on the wrong trail is likely to cause issues. Saying it is only ebikers doing this is a massive generalisation. I do agree with the point about starting on a lower power setting for new ebikers.
Funny fact: many e-bike owners upload their rides on Strava and they are proud of their times.
Are they? Or are you reading their intention into it? I have an eMTB (run with very low assist, on dirt), and the only reason I’d ever track my times anywhere would be to compete with myself. I’m sure I’m slower than lots of non eMTB guys, so what would be the point of even comparing?
Very sensible and reasonable explanation of your thoughts. I'm sure youtube will flame you for it.
Yep, many comments blasting my opinion on this.
Good video. I've noticed on my local gravel path, many e-bikers just bombing it without even notifying you from behind. There are more and more and even what appear to be, healthy teens just having fun.
Super fair video, thank you for your impartiality. What I’m hearing is it comes down to rider responsibility, whether it’s on an EMTB or Acoustic MTB. I agree.I would be fine with restricting speeds to 20 mph, but do think 28 mph would be ok as well and certainly my preference. I think that falls under rider responsibility as well, but again would not complain if 20MPH was the standard. Let me say this loud and clear, any “EBIKE” that exceeds 30 MPH is not an EBIKE, it’s an EMotorcycle. So people on Sur-ons and Talarias do NOT belong on MTB trails, they belong on dirt bike trails. Irresponsible riders of those bikes or bikes that perform like them are a big part of the concern/problem. If everyone puts safety and civility 1st, there is enough room on the trail for acoustic and e-bikes. Do what makes you happy, as long as it doesn’t hurt someone else, cheers!
I'm all for e bikes for people with physical limitations. I take the seemingly unpopular stance that people who are capable of riding a regular MTB are selling themselves short by riding a e bike in trail situations.I've seen too many guys in their 20s with a cigarette hanging out of their mouth, usually no helmet, flying up a hill with little to no effort. I'm 63 years old and started close to the beginning of MTBing. Guess I'm just old school and feel you should put in the work
So what I got was.. Clint really HATES ebikes.. JK
The intersection of popularity, technology, and ease of access creates this sort of issue in every area of life. Bike companies want to sell these machines, and so make great efforts to advertise and market them, but perhaps not as much about when and where to use them. Really no different than seeing all these top pros on high end downhill bikes just sending it at various redbull events, then folks get the idea to roll down a double black trail and end up hurt or going so slow that they become a danger to others on the trail.
"The 2 Issues I Have with E-Bikes in MTB"
Another brilliant clip Clint. I was an early adopter of emtb's having owned and ridden them for the last 15 years. I also own and ride a Giant XC Advanced Plus One hardtail which oddly I bought after your own reviews of the bike.
I totally get your comments in respect of people just getting on them and using high power settings without first giving consideration to other riders, or indeed members of the public walking, and also learning to ride them correctly.
I could go on at great length about the negatives and positives of owning and riding one, and am more than happy to so if asked. :)
Are you talking about uphill “pinning it”. It doesn’t go any faster downhill lol.
I’m referring to cross country trails where people are used to bikes going in between 8 and 14 mph.
The e bike is not the problem, the problem is people
Similarly you dont put a newbie on a super fast motorcycle an go ride in traffic. Start small and build up the skills. Even a long travel mountain bike can be too confidence inspiring and a newer rider into trouble fast. E-bikes help in making the sport more accessible to all at so more riders with possibly less experience are out there. Still, as a rider it is best to drive defensively, looking for and listening for danger whether its Skitish animals, obstacles or other riders.
I agree with you. I'm just regular commute rider on e bike but you can kind of people on any type of vehicles, cars motorbikes even professionals on lorries.
LOL , this is SOOOOOO much click bait.
If it isn't click bait why doesn't the title say:
The 2 issues I have with "NEW MTB RIDERS" on ebikes.
You don't have issue's with E-bikes!!
You have issue's with irresponsible RIDERS!!!!
It is not the bike it is the rider.
Why just the other day I a saw rider riding wrong direction on a directional trail.
I'm sure he HAD to be on an E-bike cause only E-bike riders are irresponsible on the trails.
On any given day of riding that is busy you are virtually gauranteed to see some rider violating some sacred MTB code.
The other day at Santos on Pine Tree (green trail) a rider in spandex with drop down handle bars was blazing head down
going way faster than your average beginner on an E-bike.
So naturally we have a serious problem with all spandex wearing bikers on MTB trails and should do something about wearing
spandex cause the aerodynamics make you to fast to be safe.
Collisions on bi-directional trails are a fact of life regardless of type bike being ridden or clothes worn.
I don't hear you identifying the dangers and horrors of bi-directional trails.
So how do you identify them for proper social media castigation??
By their skill level?? sex?? skin color?? , nope by the bike they ride.
As for the Pisgah red herring.
Come on Clint (Karen much??) you know the rule is "Motorized" bike's and was/is intended for "throttle" powered/controlled vehicles not
pedal assisted E-bikes. Hence why the rule is pretty vigorously in enforced for "dirt" bikes and a blind eye is turned to E-bikes.
For the record I don't ride my E-bike in FL. I absolutely ride it at Kanuaga and anywhere you would seriously consider shuttling, or
pray for a Ski Lift.
Unfortunately were not all top shape sado-masochistic XC racers.
Stereo typing and social media shaming based on the type of peddle powered bike you ride is wrong.
Yes, i agree. Common sense, the people riding recklessly around others have none.
It’s like a teenager ripping around in a Ferrari; most e-bikers are just dangerous out there. Many of these bikes also have some budget components such as cable disc brakes, which I’m fine with on a gravel bike or a hybrid but on a heavy, speeding e-bike they could be a “breaking” point.
Maybe if you buy some crap off aliexpress or Ebay... but every major bicycle manufacturer who makes a proper Class-1 eMTB puts decent brakes and more than reasonable suspension on their models - it's why they are so expensive!
In my experience guys trying to get KOMs on strava are way more dangerous than a noob on an e-bike and nobody talks about that. I don’t own an e-mtb but so far I’ve only seen old people on them and they been way safer than reg bikes. I believe that probably happened but the same thing probably happened to that guy in past with some on a reg bike so I kinda call bs on this vid.
I hope E-Bike users understand the liability of personal injury! If I got injured from someone who was riding an E-Bike way too fast for the trail, I would drag their butts into personal injury litigation.
Same goes for a regular bike... the e is not the issue. The only place where an eMTB is appreciably faster is up a steep hill, and you're still only riding at around 10mph in that instance anyway.
Interesting perspectives that I hadn't really thought about...I agree with you on all accounts. My best friend has one leg. Rides gravel and MTB and has a bike for each purpose. He typically keeps it on the lowest setting for the very reasons you mentioned.
I assume I have an eMtnBike in my future. I have ridden one and it was awesome. I was shocked on how maneuverable it was for being so heavy (relatively speaking). This was a premium brand eBike (SerialOne) so there's that... but I couldn't help but think: 1) So easy to get going way fast going up a hill - especially if you're in shape 2) I can only imagine a collision with another bike riding one of these things.
The problem is, they’re turning them up and it’s basically a dirtbike an electric dirtbike, which they should need a license for
Huh?
Not sure you know the distinction between a Class-1 Pedal Assist bike - where a limited power (250w) motor is only activated when you're actually pedalling, which is what all the major bicycle manufacturers sell - and an 'eMoto' style bike with a throttle control which is essentially, as you suggest, an independently powered or 'motorised' vehicle, albeit with an electric motor rather than gasoline powered engine.
@@jmo2752 that’s what the bicycle manufacturers but you have all these off the market companies making E bikes. If you did a torque rating instead of a horsepower, you would find out the specialize downhill E bike I don’t know the model playing with the power outage will put out more torque then a YZF 450 which is almost the equivalent torque of a 999 Ducati motorcycle. Equivalent to 80 to 100 pounds of torque is 0 to 60 in seconds.
@@jfs116 I don't know where you're getting your numbers or calculations from, but that assertion is absurd. I have a Specialized eMTB, and I also have a number of dirt bikes - and an eMTB doesn't even begin to compare with the power or acceleration of a gas-powered motorcycle.
The number 1 reason I wont buy any mountain bike and spend anytime at trails is because so many of them have banned eMTBs completely.
I dont care to ride an unassisted pedal bike anymore. I hate climbing, and it saps the entire joy out of it.
I saw prebuilt EMTBs existed and how nice they made climbing up and out of trails and having fun with your regular MTB friends.
And then I saw literally everyone everywhere banned them.
So I dont ride MTBs at all.
I dont care for unassisted anymore. I got a motorcycle and it replaced all the joy I got from pedal cycling and then some.
I would be just happy and fine getting a eMTB, putting it on Eco mode and riding with MTB friends again. But they're gonna keep banning them instead.
Like most controversies, the debate is black and white but the issue is more complex. A class 3 ebike is a motorcycle and should not be where motorized vehicles are not allowed. A class 1 ebike requires pedaling and is just a bike with assistance fore those with physical limitations. If you use a throttle, you're not cycling.
Clint, I agree with all you say about progression of skills in our biking journey. And I did this backwards, I watched the follow up video to this one first. But everything you say should be inclusive to all bikes. Ebikes are not any different than analogs in that manner. Someone on an analog can roll downhill, out of control and to fast, just as easily as someone on an ebike. I own both, and the primary take away to these two videos should stress safety and courtesy to all types of mtn biking. Thanks!
Riding my ebike at Carter Rd/Alafia for the first time recently you realize how sketchy the trails can get at those speeds. It's way more fun on an ebike but you have to realize that corner was not designed for a bike to go that fast since it's uphill. And I'm always aware I'm on an ebike and never expect riders to move off the trail if they are going at trail speed. And this past year I've seen so many ebikes in Pisgah and DuPont.
A class one ebike goes slower on most mtb trails except for climbing. However, your comments and comments of viewers of it being a people problem and not an emtb problem is true. I rode mtb's for years and motorcycles. After spinal surgery, I bought an emtb. Even with previous knowledge of how to ride, emtbs are a different ride altogether. It took me 4 months to get to blue trails and 6 months to get to black trails. Anyone that buys one, regardless of previous skill level, should spend time doing practical skills in a parking lot getting use to it. Furthermore, it will need more maintenance to ensure breaking is maximized.
Probably true for some trails. On my local cross-country trails I found most newer riders go between 5 and 8 mph. Very fit riders can go between 10 and 12 mph. Lots of roots and turns. Class 1 e-bikes can go 18 miles an hour which is 2 to 3 times faster than a newer rider normally can go.
@ClintGibbs I only rode 1200 miles last year. So, admittedly, I may not have ridden enough miles to see an out-of-control rider last year. I ride all levels. Regular mtb riders have caused me more issues riding downhill disregarding yielding to uphill riders. Every time I ride my ebike, I'll go to peddle and the governor acts like a brake. I keep up regular bike skills for Moab and Grand Junction where ebikes are not allowed.
For me I have seen a mainly downhill single track trail become an uphill trail for ebikers where they are coming up fast when riders are coming down fast too. If you ride up this trail on an acoustic bike you will be going slow enough to see and hear the people coming down, not the case on the ebike. This is also in an area where ebikes are not allowed.
No sure what you are getting at. Everything you said applies to all mountain bikers.
This phenomenon is also an issue on 4x4 trails. Now that people can buy rock crawler ready or desert run ready pickups, we are seeing a LOT of new faces on the trails. This isn’t always a bad thing, but man, these clowns sure could learn a thing or two about trail etiquette and controlling their new toys. It took many of us years and years of wrenching, welding and saving to building up to what we have today.
I do not like to gate keep the outdoors, but people need to respect the machines and the culture, not just Visa themselves into things like Lloyd Christmas going skiing in aspen.
This sounds pretty silly as we are talking of something with a fraction of a horsepower. It's an ebike with 250W of power. The full power mode isn't that powerful. And full ebikes are slower descending than normal bikes because of the weight. Learning to brake has nothing to do with ebikes it's just a bike skill.