An ebike allowed me to continue with some light cycling while undergoing chemotherapy. It improved my mental health and kept me motivated. Allowed me to get back cycling with my friends much sooner.
heavy radiation therapy and 2 brain surgeries here. my e-bike (purchased after my 2nd brain surgery - i'm 66) has made all the difference to me 80% of my ride is no 0 assistance with stage 1 or 2 being reserved for hills. (definitely less back tire spin on my ebike than my amish/analog bike as it supplements the part of the stroke where you are not powering the crank and feeds it on my smoothly when you are powering the bike. (I went for a ride with my daughter yesterday.. i gave her the ebike and used my old salsa horsethief. - we both had a blast and she wasn't getting left totally in my dust like she would have in the old days. (she is 25))
Just like @roblynch99, I just use the pedal assist to get me up hills. I'm 63 and just started biking last year. I spent 30+ years doing desk jobs and didn't do any exersize except walking. By August of last year I was doing 50 - 70 km rides regularily and did one that was 101 km and still had over half the battery charge left. I could never have done this with a regular bike. With the ebike leveling out the hills for me, I can go out for 2 - 6 hours and just enjoy the pathways. Another bonus is I live in Calgary and we have over 1000 km of pathways and trails with one right out the back of my house. I rarely have to ride on the street with vehicle traffic.
I’m 75 ( Geezus can’t believe that number SO BIG ) and I still am very active and can still do all I did before but it takes more TIME.. that’s the key. We’ve all got so much of it before the last ride is on the horizon! I have prostate cancer and hopefully with all the treatments I’ll be able to make it but I want it all… I want to do all I can but I don’t want to be gone as long as it takes because TIME is important. I want to get back home and hang with my 0:16 family. The ebike allows me to get out and do some riding … and get back home. I’m an early riser and can now get out at sunrise and pound out 20-30 miles and get back home to have coffee with my wife when she’s getting up. Make good use of your time folks.. there’s no redo!!!
I loved hearing from Beth regarding accessibility, my wife doesn't mountain bike, but her health issues prevented her from even biking with the family. We got her an e-bike for around town and gentle trails and she is now always willing to join us, which is the point to me.
I bought my wife an e-bike and she loves it. It takes the dreaded climbs out of biking. I use mountain biking to stay in shape so I stick to pedaling, but I can see me using the e bike as a recovery tool. The main thing is it is a tool to get more people outside.
Same, my wife suffered an altitude sickness induced heart attack (she's ok now). I got her an e-bike and she has no problems joining me on rides around town here in Colorado.
I like your comment about the benefit of a meditative climb. I feel like there is a lot of disregard for this part of mountain biking, but the contrast of a serene, quiet, rhythmic, haul up a woodsy switchback, listening to your breathing, followed by an adrenaline-filled downhill, with a different type of intense focus, is why I mountain bike.
Agre, the only time I use Turbo mode is when I´m going to work, other wise I will be soak wet after 30 min on the bike 😇 and thats not nice to the others at the office.😅
Agreed. Beside getting around & sprinting for fitness & excitement, meditative, peaceful climbs to earn my turns have been a core driver of my 31-years of MTB. Thanks for the start, Dad.
IM 56. I destroyed my L3,L4, L5, and S1 and need two new knees. I thought my MTB days were over forever. But my superior full suspension bosh powered ebike has me back on the trails after 25 years of not having the ability to do it. Feels great!!!!
@Smneeley sounds like me...I road regular mtb for decades only to give a ebike a chance.its a truly wonderful experience 😀..especially the adrenaline of going over 25 per hour.wow!
I remember my first ride on an E-Bike. It took me back to when I was 4yrs old and my dad took my training wheels off my first bike. It was such a great feeling and I feel that way every time I get on my new e-bike. Great video with a very accurate assessment of Pro's and Con's.
Glad to hear Beth's experience. I'm also suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis and after getting an eMTB, I went from being borderline disabled to riding hard in bike parks in less than 2 years. I cannot recommend it enough to people with health issues.
People who hate on e-bikes because they think you can't get out of breath have clearly never heard of "it never gets easier you just go faster". I'm an ex cat 2 road racer and I love my emtb. I can get my heart rate over 180 and pump out as many watts as I normally would except I just go further and faster!
Exactly, getting in shape doesn't take the effort away, you just get to go faster and/or longer while still suffering. But that's the fun and satisfying part.
This has been exactly my experience too. I’ve even tried riding the exact same rides with the bike in turbo mode one day, trail the next, and eco after that. My average leg power output was the same-the only thing that differed was my average speed.
@@TheZerosd You’re misunderstanding what’s being said. We’re not saying it’s the same effort as riding a standard bike for a given speed, distance, and/or climb and those who say it are wrong. What we are saying is we can put in the same effort but over a greater distance, with greater speed, and climb easier than we could on a standard bike. For me, it’s the difference of still riding an mtb or not. It’s not always “just get in shape”. People have different reasons for riding a class-1 mtb. Mine is I’m 65 and have asthma. I’m not riding any further or faster than I did in my 40’s when I raced but now I can still enjoy riding where before I could not. Not everyone my age needs or wants an e-bike and that’s great for them, their choice. Not everyone who likes to ride an e-bike has issues that would hinder them from riding a standard bike. So what? Life is full of choices and we should be able to enjoy our activities as “we” see fit as long as we’re not hurting others or the environment.
There’s no remedy for that. It’s just one of the hazards you must endure while riding an eMTB. I’ve experienced the same and have found that riding with other eMTB’ers makes it worse. Sorry for the bad news 😉
Excellent video! Your take on ebikes is exactly in line with mine. At 71 years old I got ebikes for myself and my wife. I intentionally bought ebikes with no throttle and 4 pedal assist modes. We've been avid cyclist for years doing a lot of century rides (and we still have three non-ebikes). So, I was on the fence as to whether or not to buy such a thing and enter the ebike world. These were a game changer for us as a couple. This is the first time my wife has ever been able to ride with me, keep up and us stay together on a ride. I keep it on ECO mode, which I agree as you stated basically evens out or compensates for the additional weight of the bike, but lets me still get a workout in. My wife adjust to whatever mode allows her to stay with me. You nailed it! And, yes, you got it right on the quietness and work for slow climbs and into wind. Something to be said about that. Thanks for a great insight and your comments. Don in Florida
I just got my first ebike. It turned 1 mile while I was on my test ride. I borrowed a friend's ebike while on vacation and never wanted to get off of it. All of my health issues & worries were left in my dust. My passion for all cycling has been reignited, and I can feel myself getting healthier, physically & mentally. And isn't that the point, to enjoy yourself and to love cycling? After I ride for awhile, I plan on getting my road bike and mt. bike (both acoustics) going again. I used to love them both so much. I'm just happy to be rolling again!
Turning 70 just bought my first e-bike and it’s the difference between continuing to ride mtb or not. In the last few years the climbing has just gotten harder and harder. Now I get 3-4 laps of what I could only do one lap on! And yes I ride on trails that e-bikes are not allowed on but I don’t care those are my favorite trails.
I’m in the uk (Scotland actually). There are no trails or even trail centre resorts that you can’t take your e-bike on over here. We’re absolutely dumbfounded that e-bikes are banned on some mountain bike trails in North America. Why? What harm do they do?
Unpopular opinion here...but I think the reason e-bikes are banned in certain areas is due to the motorized vs non motorized grey area that opens up when you start allowing 'some' things with motors...what's to then stop e-bikes with throttles and full on e-dirt bikes to join in on the fun?? It's easier as a general policy to stick with no motors than to try to enforce a nuanced ruling..even if we know that regular e-bikes are fine, the average local police office or state park worker doesn't know better.
I don’t ride in boost/turbo mode…And I get passed going up hill by elite 20 something riders….So heck ban those riders they are going faster than an e-bike.
Great video! I own an SL and a full power. I spend a lot of time in eco on the full power and the SL if riding with friends on non-ebikes. As me and my brother who are both in our late 60’s say, “It makes you feel like you are 40 years old again”. What you said about being able to choose how you want to ride them is spot on.
@@El_Zalo It is funny isn’t it? In truth, it is better than you think. I still ride the blue and black tech and jump lines at the bike park. As well as some double black. The key is to not stop riding and you skills stay surprisingly strong. Enjoy the prime years in your 40’s😂.
SAME! I was finally diagnosed with AS in 2022 after not knowing what was wrong with me for a couple of decades. My ebike has given me my life back. I joined my local MB club this summer, and I have had a blast riding the trails in Eastern Idaho with a great group of MB riders. Thank you for validating my condition and for showing me that I am on the right track!
This is so well done. It explains my nuanced feelings on eMTBs in ways I haven’t heard anywhere else. I started completely out of shape and too embarrassed to say yes to friends who wanted to ride. Started a year ago on.a Levo blasting up hills in Turbo full time, and now riding my Fuel EXe in eco most of the time to get that peaceful sense of effort & cadence you describe. I’m in the best biking shape of my life (not that this is saying a ton), riding every day that I can. Thanks for this thoughtful take (as usual)!
I know this feeling and all I can say is I am proud of anyone who gets up on two wheels to see how fun it can be, and I think e-bikes are an awesome lever for that. I am excited to have you in the cycling community and I hope you get out and have fun in whatever way makes you happy!
Coming back to biking from a long term injury, the e bike has given me the ability to explore new trails knowing if I start struggling or get lost I can use boost to get me back home. Doing the same safe short rides before this was uninspiring. Now I can’t wait to get out and my mood swings have improved no end.
Aged 48, young kids, creaky knee, motorcycle crash injury, and weight gain... and my mt biking days seemed gone forever. Covid and living in Finland as a foreigner with endless hours of boredom found me thinking about getting my old 2006 Specialized FSR XC Comp back working again... several hours of researching, trying to find parts and near stroke-inducing shocks about current bike pricing and innovation changes in my decade of absence... and I discover emtbs... Fast forward a few weeks and I became a proud owner of a Focus Jam2. Now three years later and I'm still going strong. It's like getting a second chance at being younger. And yes!, Tour + mode is brilliant. I get great workouts, I am grinning the whole time and hill climbing doesn't kill the length of my rides. I find the best challenge is to keep knocking back the power to keep the cardio going but not having to do that exhausting slog that I remember from my days on my Spesh. I absolutely love my emtb and am evangelical about their benefits 😊👍
Spot on, and good comments from the viewers. 57 year old here, former die-hard BMXer, then MTBer, then injuries and life got in the way of riding for about 20 years. Bought a fat-tire full-suspension eMTB at the start of winter, and a set of studded tires. Only got a few rides in the winter (turned out to be mostly mud instead of snow and ice). Swapped back to the knobbies and started riding it in earnest in the spring. I'm at 650 miles since May, and I suspect I'll hit 1,300 around September 1. Starting weight was 180 lbs, I'm down to 168 (and hopefully headed to 155, about 10 lbs above my college weight). Typical ride is 45 minutes, and distance covered in that time has slowly but steadily increased while pedal assist level has steadily decreased (from ECO 4 to ECO 3 and now a mix of ECO 3 and ECO 2). Mildly hilly where I live, about 500 feet of climbing in a typical 10 mile round trip ride, around 800 when I choose the harder routes. I definitely agree with many other viewers that one of the big benefits of the e-bikes is the ability to get out and ride at your personal limit, including when that limit changes (injuries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.), without becoming discouraged. I'm nursing a baseball-sized deep calf bruise from two days ago, but the e-bike lets me still go out and run errands (back to ECO 4 yesterday, bu† today I did 10 hilly miles in 37 minutes at ECO 3 despite the calf pain). Limit goes up, you dial back the assist. Limit goes down, you dial up the assist. You still go out, and don't feel discouraged. You get exercise. You get fresh air. You get mind therapy. It's a beautiful thing. I'm finding the e-bike a game-changer in other ways too. My smaller grocery runs are done on the bike instead of in my automobile. If it's less than 20 miles round trip and it'll fit in the bag + panniers, I'm taking the bike if my schedule permits! I've even picked up ice cream from the local dairy farm (bag is insulated and it's only 2.6 miles one way).
Recently bought a TREK Fuel and I'm loving it! Its one of the lightest and only has about half the power of a full on e-bike and it is really really quiet!! Agree with everything you said in this review. I'm 72 years old and this bike allows me to keep riding with my younger more fit buddies... hope to be riding into my 80's!!
Start with my background… life-long roadie, but started enjoying it less as I aged (over 65). Also, moved to gravel a few years ago and LOVED riding forest roads and backcountry instead of mixing it up with big rigs on roads. The combo of age and love of being off-road (I’d never been a mountain bike rider) pointed me towards an eMtb. And my mind was blown. First, I learned the obvious-which is spectacularly difficult for analog riders to accept-I can decide how much assist to use. Duh. If I want a good workout, I use Eco, which basically offsets the weight of the bike to make it ride more like an analog bike (except for the extra weight). But, here’s the thing that I love the most about riding an ebike: I can ride with almost anyone. And if we all have ebikes, almost any group can ride together regardless of each person’s fitness and strength. Now, I ride more because it’s more fun and I ride with others more, because I can. Biking has always been social for me and my ebike allows me to keep it that way, no matter what the effects of advancing age throws at me. Thanks for the great video. Keep ‘em coming.
Eco does not just offset the weight of the bike in most cases. My buddy has a trek rail, which is not tunable. It’s at least 100% easier to pedal up a grade than my Pivot trail 429. He also has a Giant Reign, which is tunable. It has to be down near 5% to make it on par with a non-e-bike. He has been riding e-bikes for years and always rides ECO with us, still can’t make many climbs on my pivot when I let him try. In other words, an e-bike on ECO is still not equivalent to a normal bike. You always have the bail out button and never have to suffer like someone of equivalent fitness on a normal bike.
I couldn't have written this better. Whoever hates on eMTBs just simply doesn't have a clue about what they are hating on. No way you can hate eMTBs, even if you are a very good MTB rider. They have their place in the market for sure and there are many good reasons why their popularity has risen so fast. You've pointed out some of them.
@@jeremyhowell2332 good thing modern exercise science routinely demonstrates that suffering isn't a prerequisite to either fitness or joy. Also, that low-slung weight makes a world of difference for techy climbing, nice that the assist offsets the resistance you would normally encounter trying to move that extra mass through space.
Yes, the leveling aspect does allow for more mixed ability group riding, as I get older I appreciate this, because only being able to hang with people my own age would be a drag.
This is a very helpful and well done video. You nailed it at the end with the comments about the unsung value of that slow, strenuous climb, time where you dig deep to earn your downs. In fact that's my fave part of the ride.. I even hunt down MTB areas that have those long, steady well-aligned climb trails followed by smooth flowy down trails. At my advanced age, with years of riding + injuries from minor to serious, I'm 100% wheels on the ground now and if it weren't for that glorious physical-mental focus that comes from the climb, I wouldn't ride anymore. Thanks to you and Beth for the very helpful insights
My ebike got me off the couch. In a year and a half I've done 2500kms on it and ride in all conditions. Initially bought it for fitness and seeing different parts of my city. Then came the lads that dh and I now love the dh!! New shocks and upgrades make this bike unreal to ride!
Wow! I found this video to be extremely helpful and motivating. As 58 year old in decent shape I rode on a Canmore trail with friends last week who ride those trails regularly. I was on my FS bike and suffered on the hills. My Heart Rate was driven up into the Red Zone early and it was difficult to recover during the ride. The upside is I crave the hard work while riding so it did not deter me. The vistas were fantastic and companionship on the trails was second to none. Now! I have since picked up an E-MTB and cant wait to ride it on my home tracks and love the idea of setting it up to ensure my heart rate gets to where I want it for the Cardiovascular fitness I want to keep improving and maintaining. As you noted in the video it will be great to ride for longer during the outings and not gas out. Cant wait. Keep up the great content. Cheers. A fan from Manitoba.
One of my favorite uses for an E-bike is using it to conquer new or challenging terrain that I haven’t ridden in a while. I can smash out several laps quickly and not have to worry about riding perfectly on the first or second lap down the mountain. It helps me be more cautious during warmup laps without worry about burning out too quickly
really good ebike discussion...as an older rider, ebikes got me back on 2 wheels and setting the power assist for how you feel.... or need that day is brilliant. i really appreciate how good biking is for my mental health and thinking time.
This is by far the best assessment of e-bikes I've heard so far. I'm 67 and bought an e-bike for exercise and to get out of the house. I wouldn't be able to do it if it weren't an e-bike because the first hill I came to I would run out of steam pretty quick. But the e-bike keeps me active and in shape because it's "do-able." My e-bike makes me feel like Superman when I'm on it. Very enjoyable and a great boon to my health. 👍
My life hit rock bottom a few years ago. My car needed repair (check engine light on, cant even have emissions done), lost my job, etc. I used what money i had left to buy the cheapest electric bike i could find and it was literally exactly what i needed to start turning my life around. I cant wait to upgrade my bike once my life is really fixed up
I'm 61 and have been doing triathlons since 1987. Owning an emtb allowed me to get back into cycling. I had 3 cardio ablation procedures to stabilize my AFIB. I have to be extra careful and not to stay longer than a few minutes at zone 5. It also allows me to hang out with my bike buddies. Ebike keeps me fit and enjoying life.
I get all your points, ebikes are a game changer for many people. But for me, the turn off about ebiking is that I don't like being one click away from not putting any effort. I don't like having all this choice. What I like about regular mtb is its simplicity, it's turning off my brain knowing that I'll get as far as my legs and my breath can go. I like not having to choose how much to struggle, I like the satisfaction of reaching the top relying only on my own strength and I like backing home exhausted. and the day I don't feel that way, I simply take my enduro motorbike ;)
Very well put and a valid point. I've been riding and fixing motorbikes all my life (they have probably stopped me going insane in this mad world) We started Ebike mtb's during the lockdowns and it's been life changing, and a sort of motorbike compromise as I just love machines. All the points you state can be so easily applied to EBikes, it's just that they allow you to beat the climbs that analogue bikes have to be pushed up. The UK Lake District is full of loose rocky climbs and descents, many quite technical and so much fun that we couldn't do on an analogue. Also we (my wife and I) can achieve longer distances in the great outdoors and see more of it, no matter what the weather. We get great satisfaction from keeping the power as low as possible and having to work bloody hard 😆 We certainly feel it at the end of a long day. I get your point though about the simplicity of your machine and your reliance on YOU to get to the top of that killer climb...
The thing is, there is no point where you flip a switch and "put in no effort". You still have to pedal the bike, and it's heavier, so you get fatigued way faster muscling it downhill and through turns. You're putting in the same effort, just going faster doing it, with fewer breaks, for longer, and at higher cadence. The assistance isn't that complicated, it's like a dial you can turn up or down. This is the thing the never-e-biked-never-will folks can't seem to wrap your heads around: It isn't less effort, it's just higher cadence. The trade-off is between muscle resistance and cardio, consistent vs. spiky heart rate, constant flow vs. flow interrupted by climbs and car rides, et cetera; not effort vs. no effort. I guarantee if you spent a day sending it on an e-bike, you would be wiped. An e-mtb isn't a moped, it doesn't have that kind of power. You need to let go of the idea that no effort is required to ride an e-bike, it simply isn't true. The pros all train on them now, and for a reason. You like a specific kind of bike tech, which is every rider's prerogative; it has nothing to do with effort.
I went out on a bike ride with my elderly mother, who has lung cancer, on an ebike. It enabled her to experience riding bikes again like in her childhood, but when it came to uphill sections she left me in the dust(I don't have an ebike).
False.- you have the same choice of effort on an analog MTB which is your pace and when you decide to turn around. Stop hypothesizing about this and try it. The biggest benefit for me is I can get to the trailhead and back on the bike itself instead of having to use another vehicle.
My old Heavy Santa Cruz bullit from 2004 has been collecting dust for years. Bought a Turbo Levo last month and put over 100 miles on it .. Its just to fun.
I worked at MTB specialists in Durango. When E bikes came out while I was there. One week end we did a group shop ride. Ed Zink ask me to do the ride on the e Stump jumper to give him some feedback. I was surprised. After I flatted early. jumping into a rocky section. We continued after the repair and we caught back up to the group. Charlie and I ask if it was cool for us to charge ahead to see how the bike preformed. The group said it was okay. To start with Charlie and I rode together a lot. He's 27 I am a spry 54 at the time. We started behind Purgatory on the Hermosa creek trail. There are a few gnarly climbs that we rode regularly. That is when I saw the benefit. Usually Charlie would wait for me at the top of a climb if it was difficult. On this bike I was able to climb on his rear tire with no issue. We rode together, while I was still putting in effort, but together. On one climb Charlie momentarily lost traction and I was able to slip by because I light pedaled and un wieighted to make it over the root. Make no mistake. I still had to work and could feel the effort afterwords. Because the bike is heavy. In the flats because I ran it at lower output out of respect to Charlie, it was a lot to stay close as we charged on. The one thing that bothered me. The battery was clunking every downhill. We ended up putting a couple of our energy bar wrappers under it to reduce the noise. It never completely went away. We did get it fixed and that was the Demo bike. For the shop.
I'm 76 and live where there are mountains. I bought an e-mtb to keep being able to do the climbs. I didn't like the weight, the clumsiness, and the feel. Turns out one of the reasons I like regular mtb is the exercise. On the level I used to ride my e-mtb turned off.
My biggest concern is when things go wrong. For influences and pro's, there is always some level of support, or a new bike to ride / review. For regular folk who will own just one bike, when the eeeb throws up an error and its not easily fixable, or its out of warranty - that's a massive issue. Considering the price point of these bikes, the reliability, weather proofing, length of warranty as well as warranty support should be much better. Personally I would like to see these problems discussed more so, making manufactures held accountable, but in the land of sponsorship its just not happening.
These things are not that complicated. Less than an rc car. They also tend to be extremely reliable, and if something does come up, the LBS you bought it from should have no trouble fixing it.
@@yuriabmxr Not according to online forums and groups, there are a sizeable number of the community that face a variety of issues with both motor technology and processing warranties, especially riders living in wetter climates. Clearly its worked out great for others, and I’m happy for them… but the sheer number of issues being discussed is deeply concerning for a premium product. I would like to see reviewers and influencers go deep into this problem, but its very rarely discussed at all and it paints a false sense of security for consumers. Good journalism should hold businesses & people accountable for their neglect. Just as the Loam Ranger called out Pinkbike for its arrogance towards its audience, I'm hoping to see this channel do something similar with the unfortunate reality that too many riders face with their ebikes.
@@yuriabmxr Not according to online forums and groups, there are a sizeable number of the community that face a variety of issues with both motor technology and processing warranties, especially riders living in wetter climates. Clearly its worked out great for others, and I’m happy for them… but the sheer number of issues being discussed is deeply concerning for a premium product. I would like to see reviewers and influencers go deep into this problem, but its very rarely discussed at all and it paints a false sense of security for consumers. Good journalism should hold businesses & people accountable for their neglect. Just as the Loam Ranger called out Pinkbike for its arrogance towards its audience, I'm hoping to see this channel do something similar with the unfortunate reality that too many riders face with their ebikes.
@@yuriabmxr My reply to you is being removed and I’m not quite sure why, but with respect its not that simple. Online forums and groups have large numbers of riders reporting issues with both their motors and the warranty process, which is just unacceptable for a premium product. As evident by my comment being removed, even having a discussion about this appears to be problematic for sponsored journalism. Incredibly disappointed.
@@Wabit01 I'm not claiming a zero failure rate here but forums tend to present highly distilled negative feedback. The people who don't have any problems (vast majority) are outside riding, like the folks I have first hand knowledge of.
I'm new to riding my eBike for getting around to work and some casual rides. I LOVE it and how versatile it is and nice to be able to adjust my effort.
I'm 77yrs old. I purchased an ebike back in late 2020, but didn't receive it until a year later. I thought, with my age it would be good to have more power, since I live in the mountains. After riding it a few months, I decided to sell it. I found one of the things I like about mtb riding is the exercise. Yeah, the ebike let me climb steeper stuff, longer, and go faster (marginally). But, it didn't add to the fun. In fact, I ended up often riding with the motor turned off. What really bothered me was the extra weight. I'm kind of a weight weenie. The ebike felt like a truck. I ended up selling it. Now, the new light weight ebikes might be the ticket for me in a few years. I'll have to wait and see. Great review of your ebike experiences.
What type of bike did you buy? Probably a full power one as light support bikes weren't nearly as common. There are a few motor systems that help only slightly, some might say like you always have wind coming from behind, for example a tq hpr50 or the small one from specialised, cant remember its name. Both have only 50nm peak torque and a bit over 300w peak, the motor themselves are tiny and the bikes with them look like regular pedal bikes. Bikes with them are not much heavier than non ebikes, adding somewhere between 3 to 4kg to a comparable bike. Something like this should be more to your liking. I also dont need or want a heavy, powerful bike, i just want something the helps me a bit keeping up with my girlfriend who was riding this year a total of 13000km across a road, gravel and two mountain bikes
I’m 60 and fit. I love my 2021 specialized turbo levo. It allows me to go further in the woods in the hills on trails that are not made for mountain biking. Lots of exploring and lots of fun and peace in the woods. I then bought a 2023 specialized turbo levo SL that I use for single track riding. Gives me the edge when riding with guys half my age. Gonna buy one for my 55 year old wife to take out into woods and double track. Stay active. Have fun!
Same here. At 70 there aren’t many places that I can still ride my Tall Boy. My new E-MTB gets me back on to all of my old trails (well not the more technical ones but assist doesn’t make up for age in response and balance).
I’ve been using a chest strap heart rate monitor on my bike rides for the last year or so. Using my Garmin Edge 830 mounted on my stem, I can see my heart rate at any time and manage my effort for the ride we’re doing to make sure both me and the bike make it to the end successfully. Added bonus of the E bike is you’re not completely gassed before your descent
Another great aspect for winter cycling people, is the heat management. Getting to choose how many Watts you produce let you better control your temperature. So you don't sweat like a pig, then freeze to death because you're wet.
Great content! I’d add one more pro: more people on bikes (of all types) is a good thing. More bikers means more trails, more industry to support (retail and service), more bike lanes, better safety/laws, and (theoretically) more innovation and better prices. Love or hate e-bikes, it’s getting more people out riding. Being part of a growing sport is exciting (ask a golfer about contracting sports). Hardtail, full squish, park, bmx, e-bike, cruiser, commuter, or whatever your flavour, there’s a bike for many tastes. We gotta embrace people in our biking communities rather than drawing lines.
I’m in my late 60’s and I can say my e-bike has given my life back. It gets wicked windy here in Eastern Idaho. 20 mph wind? And an uphill? No problem!
Are you using a sports energy drink that has the the proper ratio of sodium, potassium, sugar, and water? If not try it. It has made a HUGE difference to how I feel post-ride.
A lack of proper hydration and nutrients will cause migraines during any strenuous activity. By adopting an e-bike, you're not putting as much effort into your riding, so you've eliminated the symptom but not actually solved the problem.
@@jimwing.2178 Yes, I have been using various high quality sports drinks over the years. They probably have lessened the migraines to some degree, but have not eliminated them. I still use them, and a big believer.
@@Durwood71 THanks. I do understand this and hydrate as much as possible before and during with good drink mixes. Despite that, in hot, dry Socal I still get dehydrated. The ebike drastically lessens my sweating. Unfortunately, the migraines are a chronic condition with many triggers, but we eliminate them as much as possible while still getting to ride.
I love my lightweight e-bike. It’s opened up so much. The biggest thing that I don’t like about it, is the feeling of accomplishment after a ride where you truly worked so dang hard.
Drop it to eco and pedal harder. I ride an sl too. I like that I have the ability to choose my strenuous activities even by a per segment section. Sometimes, sustained gradients just take the piss out of you and you can save that piss for sections that can't be done on a normal bike.
Im 53 and ride my 15kg hardtail 30km -100km spins on local gravel canal pathways a few times a week and for me its keeping me fit. Maybe someday when i cannot do these rides ill go the e bike route :)
Your hardtail would be faster and more efficient than an ebike on those pathways, as long as the ebike isn't derestricted. Ebikes don't reduce the assistance once you go over the limiter, the motor basically turns off and becomes dead weight. Hence on flats or slight gradients it requires a lot more effort to maintain speeds above the limiter due to the extra weight of the battery and motor. In my country the limiters are set to 25km/h, which is roughly 5km/h slower than my average speed on my pathway loop I do on my analog bike; therefore, my ebike would and does just slow me down and make the ride horrible.
hi, thats exactly what i did! in my 50s i start falling off my non ebikes or regular bikes and could not go very far witout taking pills for pain etc...now that im 61 i can ride faster than a youngen half my age.lol i still fall since trying to get use to this thing.. but just wear a fullface helmet gloves knee pads and arm pads and your good to go. just in case you have a serious fall like i did yesterday! but it was my fault wearing darker goggles at night! i could have been in a coma had i not wore a fullface helmet! i actually hit my head very hard on tough grass and dirt! i have symptoms of a concussion, but feel a little better tonight but not myself...please be careful on ebikes respect and dont go to fast unless you are an experienced rider!
Nailed it. I sold my first e-bike because the ride felt too hectic. surprisingly, it was the climbs on my traditional bike that I was missing I returned to an acoustic bike for a few years until a friend lent me their SL e-bike for a weekend. This is the perfect fit for me. It provides just enough assistance on the hills to keep my heart rate in zones 2-3 and is light enough to handle like a regular bike on the downhills. With my busy schedule and shift work, the ebike also allows me to fit in a ride despite limited time, so I’m riding more. Anyway, good video!
They have full power SL eBikes coming out this year. I just got one, and it's been a lot of fun. I can full power on fireroads and roads and then I mostly ride Trail 1 (out of Eco / 1 / 2/ Turbo) on single track.
I've been Mt Biking for over 30yrs now (wow, I blew my own mind) and now that I'm closer to 60 than 50 I have absolutely dropped some speed. Some of it is schedule but being honest, moving up in age isn't helping. My normal riding buddies are pretty fit and for the last several years my ride are usually spent alone, working my ass off to catch up to them and them waiting around longer than I know they want to. No one says anything but man, it sucks being tail-end Charlie every single ride. I've struggled with wanting to do the group rides and more frequently made excuses so I can ride on my own and not have to deal with that. I love to ride, I love the camaraderie of the group ride and I don't want to lose that. I REALLY appreciate the insights in this video and I think if and when I do pick up an e-mtb, I'll have a much better feeling about it with a better perspective, and just enjoy riding again. Thanks very much!
So Specialized Mission Control app allowed you to put in a target heart rate and the motor would adjust to keep you in that zone. It was amazing. And apparently newest release of the app it's gone, but they are reworking it for a future release. Basically like ERG mode for Zwift or a trainer, but outside! Oh yea, and for the uphills, the phenomenon is known as Uphill Flow.
I loved this and have the old mission control app still just because it is indeed missing in the new app. I hope they get the newer one up to date with the features from old, its no longer supported and nags you when using it even.
I think it’s weird that they don’t have a real ERG mode where you could set the power you want to put out and then the assistance is adjusted accordingly.
do you feel yourself to be over biked on most trails other than riding down parks ? cruzing around with that much travel, i think i would be over biked ,and i can't afford 2 ebikes. 70 % of my riding is not at a mountain bike park .I'm just wondering
@@tonyvaccarelli7950 I lock out my suspension if I'm smooth cycle path and I've never felt overbiked. but it is great when getting to shred our steep tech trails, then my 150mm front and rear travel really gets to own the trail, with me hanging off the rear of the bike.
@TheBikeRoom yeah thats all good, but the 70%of my riding would require about 150 to 160 mm travel. The other 30% would be about 180 to 190 mm so i haven't seen too many longer travel ebikes with lockouts for the travel.as i really never ride, smooth anything .hense, my original question , but thanks for the reply . Cheers
I totally agree. I notice my average heart rate is down but I ride longer and still am spent by the end of my ride. It’s a bit frustrating that I can’t ride some trails due to regulations. My bike and me are no heavier than a lot of guys on there accoustic bikes. I Am 67 and need a bit of help keeping up with my younger friends. I loved my Pivot 429 but my ebike is my first choice now.
Like one poster said before me I've been riding MTBs for more years than most people have been alive. 50+ years of riding and 70 years young. Started with road but had too many close calls so that forced me in to the woods. That was no problem for me as I loved the peace and quiet I get from nature. MTB riding in the woods I find is very serene in of itself . I've ridden most anything from Steel to Aluminum ridgid with no suspension forks . Hard to believe my back is still in one piece. Nine years back I purchased a Carbon Fiber Full suspension MTB and loved its light weight and playfull feel but the climbs started to become harder for me. Enter my first off road EMTB with fat tires. After two years of ownership I'm now closing in on 5000 miles. I ride primarily on flat rail beds and wood forest roads. Anyone that tells me that I haven't increased my fitness level over those miles is just plain crazy. Simply just moving your legs with support will get you in shape . Not my thing but it can be done. That was never enough as I needed a real Hard core off road EMTB . I purchased a Dengfu Full suspension Carbon fiber 29er this past April and man what a game changer it has been in my life. Not only can i ride farther but exploring areas I would never had enough energy to do on my regular MTB is just plain outrageous. Like you I use the bike in ECO mode mostly in assist level 1 or 2 and I think that gives me almost the same feel as my Analog bike. My heart rate is up there and I can clear a lot of obstacles just not possible for me on my old non Ebike. Uphills are still a challenge and on the down hills the weight of the bike sticks to the ground like glue. A few observations I have on EMTB ownership I would like to share with my fellow riders: 1) This EMTB is the Apex Predator of bikes . With 160 Nm of torgue there is a lot of power there to get you in trouble real fast and was the main reason I hesitated to purchase the bike in the first place. Since my ground speed is almost always faster I'm keenly aware of what a crash at my age could do to my riding career. Still the feeling of adventure I get riding sketchy areas cannot be beat. Its all about adventure. I rarely if ever use throttle just the pedal assist which makes it fell more like a proper bicycle should feel. 2) If the bike falls on you while attempting a tricky section of trail there can be some hurt involved as the bike is quite heavy. Ask me how I know this... 3) Trails should almost never be ridden right after a fresh rain, at least here in the Northeast anyways , as the roots and rocks get very slippery and the extra power will have you all over the place. 4) When you get really tired or worse are injured you can always just throttle yourself back to your car. 5) On my Analog bike breaks would be taken and for me there was a lot of recoup time. Now with the Ebike the breaks are of shorter duration and more saddle time is achieved. 6) I can get about 50 miles of riding but the battery voltage drops off quite rapidly near 60 miles. Hope this helps...
I have a TQ motor on my trek. Going uphill is really quiet. I have to work to hear the motor working. Downside is that it's not a full power motor but it works for me. I love the uphills too but with two bad knees, I can't smash them the way I did when I was 20. I got my fuel EXE because I still got those quiet moments on the uphill but on the steeper climbs, it didn't kill my bad knees. So happy to see you supporting e-bikes this way. I was really against them for a long time until I saw my wife wanting to charge some really hard trails with me, so I decided to try some and realized that maybe I was being a bit of a crumb-bum. You're totally on-point.
I've got an eeb and an acoustic. I can get out and put down 20km before work 3-4 days a week on the eeb, get that good zone 2 for 45-50 minutes a day. Still getting out and chasing heaters on the acoustic on the weekends. It's a great set up for me with a young family and a busy life.
I totally agree with almost 100% of your points. I will say as more people get e-bikes it’s much easier to get up some painfully steep climbs to some steep loamers. This has exponentially increased traffic on trails that can’t really handle the extra tires and get rutted and ridden in faster. Now this is also somewhat offset by the fact it’s also easier to get up to those zones to dig with the ebike so there are also more trails being built in harder to reach places. Great vid. An ebike has definitely become a tool to increase fitness and explore new zones although the longer I’ve owned it the less I ride it. It just can’t compete with my enduro bike for fun. Quality over quantity for me and I also appreciate the meditative quality of a quiet long grind up the mountain.
Thank you. This is the most interesting perspective on e bikes that I have seen. As someone who tries to do a lot of zone2 training, but loves to ride trails, I am never able to mix those two things. Never considered that the e- bike could be the solution. I love hearing not just that theory, but that you have succeeded in doing zone2 in practice.
Yeah, man! The slow quiet climb. I agree! Plus, my wife and I ride for fun and exercise/fitness. The brain feasts on well-oxygenated blood so I have had some of my best ideas and solutions while on a long, extended, grinding climb. Lastly, there is a sense of accomplishment when you conquer, or set a PR on a 45-minute climb. As of this post, I am 55-years old. Machines are great and there will come a time when my body cannot do the things it once did thus an e-bike is in my future…but not yet. When it is time, I will remember this video and abide by your techniques. Thank you.
I've been on a Trek Rail for 3 years switching back before between my regular bike. I can say you nailed everything perfectly, The only thing you need to add in has to do with sitting and spinning, because the motor doesn't like it when you push it too hard so that aspect of the exercise is tremendous.
I used to run a MTB tour company and adding ebikes to our fleet transformed the business. It allowed less fit riders to join the tours knowing they could keep up. In groups of friends, where historically they may get 6 to 8 people together, suddenly they could get 10 friends as the others would just hire an ebike. Amongst my friends, people rode further and more often when getting an ebike. The downsides though, they are very expensive, the batteries are dangerous and need to be very carefully maintained, charged and stored (I wouldn't keep them in the house, for example) and, when you need to replace the battery, as bikes are changing so quickly, it may not be available, writing the bike off if it's a custom fit to your frame. As we were early adopters of ebikes, we were also some of the first to discovery what happens when you can't get new batteries to fit...
I’m considering buying an e-bike and found your review really helpful due to the fact that you have the experience of both sides of the coin. I’ve seen too many reviews from people who have little or no experience of conventional Mtb so they are unable to provide an honest and none biased review.
been mountain biking since 1992. I love my regular bike but boy do I love my ebike!! It doesnt harm trails, i ride more, ride more with friends, its amazing. Stop the gatekeeping and embrace ebikes, they are amazing and should be allowed wherever regular bikes allowed! Also i love the weight of ebikes, it makes the ride so much more damped due to the sprung unsprung weight. Also love commuting and shuttling the rides without a car!
"Stop the gatekeeping and embrace ebikes, they are amazing and should be allowed wherever regular bikes allowed!" Would you say the same thing for electric motorcycles? If not, then are you not also gatekeeping?
I'm 65 with two knee surgeries. I recently bought a Norco Fluid VLT. I am now enjoying MTB more than ever and riding twice as long making me a better rider. I used to ride for about 1.5 to 2 hours and be completely spent by my last ride downhill, my legs were done, putting me in an unsafe situation. I pretty much keep my bike in the lowest assist mode while peddling uphill so I do enjoy the quiet time uphill. Riding more areas than before where I wouldn't want to grind up a long climb only to be down it in a couple of minutes.
Genuinely an honest, thorough review on merits of e-bike. Yes, I rented one in Bentonville and covered more ground in 3 days than I could have on my Polygon Siskiu T7 not only conquering more technical features opening up more trails but also maintaining an even HIGHER HR than I would have on my non e-bike because I was having so much fun going longer and farther. True, the climb grinds that force us to slow down I hadn't even thought about till you pointed it out; they balance the overall experience of just getting out there brings. Good job.
Well done! This is the best review I've seen on e-bikes. The group I ride with (age 57 to 63) are considering transitioning to e-bikes mostly due to aging body parts... we are resistant to the change because there is something gratifying about suffering through the intensity. Well, until we realize we can barely walk for the next two days.
This is brilliant - the point about the calm climbs and the focused "in the zone" downhills - the two together is what makes MTBing so perfect for me. This was the most compelling video/take I've ever seen on ebikes.
Excellent video and observations. I bought an e-bike a few months ago. I'm 62, been riding motocross since I was about 10 years old and mountain bikes since I was around 30 (early 90's). Was always into staying fit, and a big driver of that was so I could really get after my adrenaline rush, which you really can't do when you're out of shape (also helps reduce injury when taking soil samples). Then, around the age of 55, I hit those changes of getting older. My personal drive dropped, so I worked out less. Mountain biking slowly died off, since the fun factor part of it was relatively small compared to the grind of getting there. I heard about the eMtn bikes, and it sounded like it would change my attitude. It did, by a huge amount. It made uphills actually fun. A couple of months on the bike, and I was riding in Eco mode almost always, because the bike got me out there a LOT. And, on those days where I'm not stoked to go out, I just hit that Tour+ mode a bit more, and that fun factor is back everywhere I want. I took my old acoustic out last week. It's a full suspension 29er (Specialized)...good bike. And although I found myself in really good shape (thanks to the e-bike), it was nowhere near as fun as the e-bike. So, it was back on the hook in my garage, and I wonder if I'll ever ride it again. Oh, cool piece of info about heart rate. I never used heart rate to gauge my effort (yeah, I know, probably dumb). I've always used the measures of time vs. distance (I know the trails around my area very well). What I'm thinking is that I might be working a bit harder than I should, and I'm not benefitting from it. I'll target that 120-125-ish bpm on my rides for a few weeks and see what happens. Again, great video, and I've become a subscriber. You share some great info that's much appreciated.
100% I also was missing the slow, quiet, restorative time of the climb. The uphills are hectic in boost, slamming berms uphill! No time to just chill and relax. I’m only 1/2 a season into my e-bike but this was exactly what I was feeling.
As a Marathon XC Racer, I really apreciate my friend with an e-bike because he always helps out alot during training for race pace and also for drafting us during race simulations, and training with him is tons of fun because there is nothing better for our fitness then having a e-bike absolutely demolishing on a 20% incline for multiple hours
I just recently got my first ebike: Trek Fuel EXe 8. It's changed my biking experience. I can now adventure further than before, and as a photographer, i can now carry my camera equipment without being bogged down. In terms of fitness, it's the greatest tool ever. Instead of spiking my heart rate and cutting a ride short due to fatigue, i can maintain a steady pace and it saves my knees. Having a lightweight ebike still gives me a feeling of a normal bike, especially how the TQ motor behaves. It's the best thing I've ever bought 👍
I also brings a lot of camera gears out in the woods and the fields. Things i wouldnt bring on my old bike. My emtb actually have giving me shots i wouldnt have otherwise🙂 This weekend im hope to bring a full Syrp 3-axis setup in my back pack to do a timelapse with 2 cameras...a heavy back pack 🙂
Great to read this. I'm deciding between the exe 8 or the exe 9.5 tuff choice. Carbon lower spec parts 9.5 or higher spec parts Aluminum 8 .. I ride A Trek fuel 8 now ... shed some insight if you can.. thanks
@thearoom I gladly chose aluminum frame with better components. I had a Santa Cruz 5010 carbon with lesser components, and I hated the NX drivetrain and Guide brakes, and lesser suspension; it just felt like crap. I sold it for a Ripmo AF with Shimano XT groupset and better suspension, and it was an amazing difference. That's why I waited for an aluminum Fuel EXe. Frame type doesn't matter for the everyday rider. My Fuel and Ripmo are nearly identical in components, and I can shred both equally good. Though I'm less worried about dings and scratches on the aluminum frame 😅
@thearoom also with the 9.5 spec, you end up changing the brakes and suspension. That's just more money out the door. The Shimano Deore drivetrain is actually really good, but 2 pistol brakes on a 'heavy' ebike is a bad choice. And the suspension is terrible. The Fuel 8 is almost perfect; I just bought a 160mm Fox Performance with a Grip2 damper on sale, and it became perfect
You nailed it! Especially the part about eMTB vs competition level MTB riders, riding the same trails. Joining in on fast group rides to see how they expertly generate traction in corners is eye-opening.
Bought an ebike almost exactly a year ago. Fitness increased so much more rapidly than on my non-e. I usually ride for time, not distance. So if I have an hour, I can ride harder (without killing myself) and farther than on my non-e. Which also means I get in a lot more practice on jumps, berms, drops, etc. I'm so much better this year than last, and a big part of that is having the e.
I bout an e-bike after having both knees replaced. I would not be able to keep riding otherwise. After owning one, I realized that not allowing them on trails is ridiculous. You do no damage to the trail. Although the bike is 15 pounds heavier, we don’t seek to back heavier riders.
I can't pretend I understand any of you who don't use full power all the time. If you live anywhere that has mountains, then you will still get that workout even on the highest setting, it will just be a little more brisk. I never try to make my analog e-denier friends feel better by grunting along with them, that's because I'm the second type of rider: Fun Focused. I realize that there are people out there who bike for the suck, the grind, the effort, the achievement, and that's cool bro, but I'm not here for that. I explore on a massive scale, I bomb downhills, I go for a ride, eat lunch, and then go for another ride. I have a blast, and sure I get a damn good workout in the process, but that is never why I swing a leg over. That's the nut of the debate folks, there's two mindsets, like there always is about every topic. Cheers!
ive also always been one for the fun mindset, its the adventure. The climbs I just had to endure as I had no other option. Some people think you 'have to earn it' sort of mentality. There are no rules, let the sufferfest folks have it and the others enjoy the ride lol. On a plus side i've done more dh trails than I ever have so my skills basically doubled 😅
@@99MrJ99 Yeah, it's come in handy when I visit Trestle. I don't even invite my friends when I go because I know they will get hurt. Down hill sections to them are used for recovery. They just don't spend as much time at maximum yeet. A year ago I was living in flat land, so I bought a smaller dirt bike to get me back used to hanging it out at speed before moving. I know my friends would clown over that idea, but it really helps.
Bought my first ebike in 2017 and haven't looked back. Been bicycling for a long time and getting an ebike took it to the next level. And ride much, much more. I like that he brought out the idea of riding like you want to ride with an ebike, i.e. you can make it like riding a regular bike if you choose to do so. Nice to have choices.
Almost everyone I know takes the limiter off which means they hit 60 plus all the time they ripping the trails up. No one ever mentions this. Same as he gets fitter. I know of no one that only rides ebike that can get on a normal bike and kick a guys ass that is efficient on a normal bike.
The fitness benefits of ebikes are so overlooked. Not just the ability to pick your heart rate zone, but for some of us, it got us started riding again after several decades of not getting on a bike because you now have the confidence that you weren't going to stroke out on every hill or bonk 20 miles from home. After a couple of years of ebiking I'm now enjoying a good mix of ebiking and fitness riding on a conventional bike as well. I'm in my 70s and in the last year I've lost 30 pounds and can take my regular bike out for a forty mile ride, something which I would would have believed was impossible two years ago.
This isn’t absurd rationalization at all. There’s just no way to get fit without using an e-bike. I mean… you’d have to go much slower and you couldn’t go near as far! So… there you go! Sometimes when I really want to get fit, I skip my e-bike entirely (which I really bought only for a few mountaineering approaches) and just go straight to my dirtbike. Super fitness and also I feel like Superman! 10x the speed and virtually unlimited distance. It’s a real game-changer for my fitness because I’d just give up if it were only my e-bike. Therefore I can get so much fitter with the dirtbike. Plus, if I see an Olympian, it’s awesome to fly by him at 100kph, or… throttle way back and just go his speed. A real joy! And I feel so strong inside!
Ive been using an ebike as part of my recovery from a brain injury (crashed an mtb 7 years ago). Sounds crazy but after relearning how to drive and relearning many other skills, we had to retrain my brain to process movement better /faster. I had been way overdoing it on a pedal bike continually, which actually held me back for probably two years. Now with the pedal assist, I can keep my heart rate under the prescribed 135 bpm and keep my symptoms under control. The mental health benefits have also been tremendous. After suffering significant ptsd, depression and anxiety, riding my bike has given me an outlet, where I can feel “normal” and still hang with my old riding buddies. The hormone and endorphin release has been a breath of fresh air too. To say my ebike may have saved my life is no over exaggeration. Its been a long 7 years, but i feel thanks in a large part due to my ebike, im getting better every season. Thanks for a great review and a great explanation of what ebike are REALLY all about.
I've been riding mountain bikes for longer than most of your viewers have been alive. I started riding mountain bikes when the norm was rigid steel frame monsters. I've ridden just about every type of mountain bike there is and I've owned a Specialized Turbo Levo Expert for just over 1 year now. I think the E-MTB is the best technology I have ever ridden. I ride more, I ride longer and I have way more fun than I have had in a long time. One of the arguments against E-bikes is that you don't get any exercise. I don't ride mountain bikes for exercise, I ride mountain bikes for fun and EMTBs are a ton of fun. If riding mountain bikes was bad for my health, I would still do it. But putting that notion aside, you still have to be in good shape to ride EMTB and it is good exercise. You're still pedaling, and you're still relying on fitness. Riding with a motor just allows you to ride faster. It takes more skill and better fitness to be able to handle those speeds. Pedaling up a hill isn't the only physical apart of riding. You still need upper body strength to move your bike and you still need to be in good cardio shape to be able to keep your heart rate up. I think my fitness level has increased this past year because of my EMTB riding. Most of the hate towards EMTB comes from ignorance. Most of the haters have never ridden an EMTB and don't really understand what they are about. They just think because there is a motor, it's not really mountain biking because it makes riding too easy. I remember some of these same arguments when suspension was introduced. People said it was like cheating because it made it to easy. Now suspension technology is the norm. I would recommend to anyone that hates EMTB to go out an actual ride one in the trails. For me EMTB will never replace regular MTB, it's just another type of riding. I own several different mountain bikes for different types of riding. I also own a DH bike that I can only ride at a bike park with lift service, or on trails with a shuttle. Riding a DH bike on every trail isn't realistic and it will never replace all of my bikes, just like an EMTB will never replace my other bikes.
You absolutely nailed that last point, and its exactly how I feel. I hired a EMTB for my birthday (Haibike All Mtn) and had a good time, I was impressed by the ride and both the adjustability in modes. It was a big climbing day, wet and really rocky and I was able to play on those uphills and shoot to the top. After the ride however I started reflecting and no matter which was I thought about it I felt like something was missing, and it was those long hard climbs that in the moment can feel like hell but also give your head time off from constant pace. Now before anyone says turn down the power mode and go slower, for the last 30k I did only eco but it wasn't the same, the bike at that point just felt heavy to manoeuvre up steep hills. So that's where I'm at, I love the idea of them and can see myself owning one in the future but at the end of my ride I felt less satisfied than a ride on my hardtail (which I use on rocky stuff, bike parks etc) - its basic but somehow more fun. My wife said, once you try the eMTB you'll want one knowing I can be compulsive, but actually, it confirmed how much I love a regular bike.
Thanks for this video. Your delivery of the major points is great! I took a decade off of MTB and focused on cybersecurity. Picked up an old Cannondale BBQ headstock bike and started working my way back into shape. Frustrated with my slow progress I started exploring eMTB. long story short. The ability to have the bike take up where my fitness fell short was a complete game changer. Now I’ve lost 100lbs and am enjoying every minute of riding in close to the best shape of my life! And like you, I feel confident riding most anywhere on acoustic or e MTB.
The e-bike is great for an all day ride where I don't want to spend all my time 'breathing through my eyeballs' on the climbs. I'll use turbo mode on the downhills where I know there will be punchy little climbs mid-trail and where I'm usually not in the right gear. The biggest unexpected downside for me is the cost of running the bike. Everything just wears out because you are out riding so much more. Maybe a belt drive is the way to go.
For me a treat riding my normal bike in 3 sections / = Fitness, path the fun downs _ = Chillout, enjoy the scenery and outdoors and catch breath \ = The fun part and why we ride! Im still not ready to make the switch yet maybe one day.
I completely understand your ‘worst point’ about e-bikes. The climb is actually the best part for me. The downhill is stressful and scary, I actually don’t go that fast. I have been motorcycling for years, dirt bikes, I want to keep the clear distinction between the two.
I am a non-e rider.Everything you say is right and plausible. The thing is, it is the rider, not the bike. People with a low amount of discipline will end up with no endurance benefits on an e-bike. In the area of germany were I live most people on an e-bike are runing the bikes at high motor assistance. What makes me mad about e-bikes are not the bikes... I think e-bikes have a good right to exist. Its a special kind of people riding on it. Since e-bikes are a thing I was deride by e-bike riders for, probably not having money for an e-bike. I was laugh at by e-bike riders because I mad a break during a 1800 hm climp in the alps. Bro's I rode with in the past switched to e-bikes and stopped riding with me because "I am to slow in the climbs". I got almost killed because I collided on a dedicated downhill trail with an e-bike rider who was thinking that it is a good idea to ride this trail in revers direction.
There's a time and place for the POWER! I absolutely agree that mountain biking, for me, is about peace and clearing my mind of "real life". Downhills are great fun and well-earned with the peace and push of the climb. Great job pointing this out! I keep telling all my friends that I'd much sooner give up my e-bike than my analogue bikes. I love the assist, but I'm a purist at heart. Great video.
Great video LR. Sorry I didn't meet you at MBO a couple of weeks ago! I am a nearly 66 YO rider who has cycled off/on for the past 40 years and recently returned to MB from a 20 hiatus. I am reasonably fit but trying to climb with younger folks has been my nemesis and I seem to spend more time/focus on not dying than I do riding. Last year at MBO I demo'd an E-MB and my life changed forever. It turned what could have been a very difficult ride (Alpine) into a very enjoyable experience. A month later I purchased my own and rarely look back. I still ride my acoustic but mostly for shuttle days. My E-MB allows to ride further/longer than I ever could before. It also brings more folks into the sport of cycling/MB which, in turn, means more support for trail development and maintenance. I do get a great workout as you are steadily pedaling (unlike some of the road-oriented non-MB E-bikes that are available). Now, how do we get the prima donna's (local authorities, Forrest Service, etc) to stop banning E-MB on so many trails!
Good stuff man. I think I they do wear the trails more just purely on repetition. If a person would normally do one lap and now they do 4 the trail is getting 3 x more use than before.
out here theres shuttle crews that are like 20 people + , multiple crews doing 3 to 6 laps on the same trails, thats between 50 and 200 runs down the same trail in 1 day not including other non-shuttle people. If your mountain is a shuttle mountain its the shuttling that does the brunt of it.
My ebikes put the fun back into cycling! I doubt I would still be riding without having them. I still have to pedal but having the pedal assist brought the joy back to my cycling!
Man... hit the nail on the head on so many things. But I think the true dark side of ebikes is the extra traffic from being able to do double or triple the laps. It also lowers the barrier for entry which makes for even more traffic. I see ebikes becoming a victim of their own popularity.
More people on the trails is more people in the local bike shop and the more people volunteering their time. There’s no downside about a sport becoming more popular. It very much reminds me of days where snowboarders were looked down upon.
Also allows people to tear up trails more easily when they are in bad shape because they can "power through" the mud. I've watched that first hand. Anytime you increase accessibility you inevitably get more assholes as a rule of numbers.
@@LWGrounds Nothing is 100% better with popularity. But there is a reasonable argument for popularity bringing more good than bad. I tend to feel that the positives outway the cons, however it is naive to say there are no downsides to increasing popularity. Just look what's happening in Moab with the 4x4 community.
@@vashusan1984 I should have used different wording. There is definitely issues with popularity of something. That’s just a fact and it yields a larger batch of bad apples. What I really meant to say is that there’s no Achilles heel to E-MTBs that makes it not positive for the sport as a whole and why they shouldn’t be on the same trails.
Your experiences totally jive with mine. I actually started using my Reign on the lowest settings instead of using loads of assist as I really wanted to ease into it. My plan worked and I generally am riding way, way longer than I would with a normal bike, getting strong from wheelies, hopping over obstacles and even pushing the bike over unrideable terrain on explorational rides., plus the huge amounts of downhill are adding to my endurance like crazy. Thanks for the vid!
If I got sick I'd get an e-bike. But I do love going up hill on my MTB's my roadbikes. None of my E-bike friends understand this. But as long as my body likes it, I'll stay on bikes. I don't hate motorbikes. But I think they're way too heavy compared to my bikes.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
An ebike allowed me to continue with some light cycling while undergoing chemotherapy. It improved my mental health and kept me motivated. Allowed me to get back cycling with my friends much sooner.
That’s awesome!
heavy radiation therapy and 2 brain surgeries here. my e-bike (purchased after my 2nd brain surgery - i'm 66) has made all the difference to me 80% of my ride is no 0 assistance with stage 1 or 2 being reserved for hills. (definitely less back tire spin on my ebike than my amish/analog bike as it supplements the part of the stroke where you are not powering the crank and feeds it on my smoothly when you are powering the bike. (I went for a ride with my daughter yesterday.. i gave her the ebike and used my old salsa horsethief. - we both had a blast and she wasn't getting left totally in my dust like she would have in the old days. (she is 25))
Love this! Keep it up
Same I’m 64 and have a chronic kidney condition resulting in impaired fitness So my e bikes allow me to exercise and enjoy biking still
Just like @roblynch99, I just use the pedal assist to get me up hills. I'm 63 and just started biking last year. I spent 30+ years doing desk jobs and didn't do any exersize except walking. By August of last year I was doing 50 - 70 km rides regularily and did one that was 101 km and still had over half the battery charge left. I could never have done this with a regular bike. With the ebike leveling out the hills for me, I can go out for 2 - 6 hours and just enjoy the pathways. Another bonus is I live in Calgary and we have over 1000 km of pathways and trails with one right out the back of my house. I rarely have to ride on the street with vehicle traffic.
I’m 75 ( Geezus can’t believe that number SO BIG ) and I still am very active and can still do all I did before but it takes more TIME.. that’s the key. We’ve all got so much of it before the last ride is on the horizon! I have prostate cancer and hopefully with all the treatments I’ll be able to make it but I want it all… I want to do all I can but I don’t want to be gone as long as it takes because TIME is important. I want to get back
home and hang with my 0:16 family. The ebike allows me to get out and do some riding … and get back home. I’m an early riser and can now get out at sunrise and pound out 20-30 miles and get back home to have coffee with my wife when she’s getting up. Make good use of your time folks.. there’s no redo!!!
Thats sound advice Sir, ❤
Bravo!! May the treatments work well and give you many more years of the good life!! Thanks for your inspiring comment!
Like your style. Keep it going✊
Better to have a bigger number than no number!
I did not see Jesus. Did anybody see Jesus?
most of my peaceful pedal only climbs are often interrupted by me barfing.
underrated comment.
Amen!
Ahahahahahha
Mine are interrupted by cooling down and drying down breaks xD
Someone please explain why barfing?
I loved hearing from Beth regarding accessibility, my wife doesn't mountain bike, but her health issues prevented her from even biking with the family. We got her an e-bike for around town and gentle trails and she is now always willing to join us, which is the point to me.
I bought my wife an e-bike and she loves it. It takes the dreaded climbs out of biking. I use mountain biking to stay in shape so I stick to pedaling, but I can see me using the e bike as a recovery tool. The main thing is it is a tool to get more people outside.
Same, my wife suffered an altitude sickness induced heart attack (she's ok now). I got her an e-bike and she has no problems joining me on rides around town here in Colorado.
iam so so hap;py for u and her!
I like your comment about the benefit of a meditative climb. I feel like there is a lot of disregard for this part of mountain biking, but the contrast of a serene, quiet, rhythmic, haul up a woodsy switchback, listening to your breathing, followed by an adrenaline-filled downhill, with a different type of intense focus, is why I mountain bike.
Thats pretty much how I ride as well, meditative and flow state. Some people like to fill the ride with chatting, or just grinding it out.
Amen!
Agre, the only time I use Turbo mode is when I´m going to work, other wise I will be soak wet after 30 min on the bike 😇 and thats not nice to the others at the office.😅
Well said. Love the climb.
Agreed. Beside getting around & sprinting for fitness & excitement, meditative, peaceful climbs to earn my turns have been a core driver of my 31-years of MTB. Thanks for the start, Dad.
IM 56. I destroyed my L3,L4, L5, and S1 and need two new knees. I thought my MTB days were over forever. But my superior full suspension bosh powered ebike has me back on the trails after 25 years of not having the ability to do it. Feels great!!!!
After 42 years mountain biking. I bought a custom built e-mountain bike. This Spring. It has been a blast to ride.
@Smneeley sounds like me...I road regular mtb for decades only to give a ebike a chance.its a truly wonderful experience 😀..especially the adrenaline of going over 25 per hour.wow!
I remember my first ride on an E-Bike. It took me back to when I was 4yrs old and my dad took my training wheels off my first bike. It was such a great feeling and I feel that way every time I get on my new e-bike. Great video with a very accurate assessment of Pro's and Con's.
Glad to hear Beth's experience. I'm also suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis and after getting an eMTB, I went from being borderline disabled to riding hard in bike parks in less than 2 years. I cannot recommend it enough to people with health issues.
People who hate on e-bikes because they think you can't get out of breath have clearly never heard of "it never gets easier you just go faster". I'm an ex cat 2 road racer and I love my emtb. I can get my heart rate over 180 and pump out as many watts as I normally would except I just go further and faster!
Exactly, getting in shape doesn't take the effort away, you just get to go faster and/or longer while still suffering. But that's the fun and satisfying part.
I burn same amount of calories on my E-bike then my normal bike and i get to do twice the distance and twice the speed and twice the fun :D
This has been exactly my experience too. I’ve even tried riding the exact same rides with the bike in turbo mode one day, trail the next, and eco after that. My average leg power output was the same-the only thing that differed was my average speed.
You guys don't count that emtb is 19-26kg but than again if it's the same why can't u ride normal bike if it's the same
@@TheZerosd You’re misunderstanding what’s being said. We’re not saying it’s the same effort as riding a standard bike for a given speed, distance, and/or climb and those who say it are wrong. What we are saying is we can put in the same effort but over a greater distance, with greater speed, and climb easier than we could on a standard bike.
For me, it’s the difference of still riding an mtb or not. It’s not always “just get in shape”. People have different reasons for riding a class-1 mtb. Mine is I’m 65 and have asthma. I’m not riding any further or faster than I did in my 40’s when I raced but now I can still enjoy riding where before I could not. Not everyone my age needs or wants an e-bike and that’s great for them, their choice.
Not everyone who likes to ride an e-bike has issues that would hinder them from riding a standard bike. So what? Life is full of choices and we should be able to enjoy our activities as “we” see fit as long as we’re not hurting others or the environment.
The worst thing about my Ebike is the fact that I've constant severe muscle soreness in my face....from grinning the whole time!
😂😂
Gimme a break
There’s no remedy for that. It’s just one of the hazards you must endure while riding an eMTB. I’ve experienced the same and have found that riding with other eMTB’ers makes it worse. Sorry for the bad news 😉
@@mfren6253 🤪
😂😂 No doubt! So true!
Excellent video! Your take on ebikes is exactly in line with mine. At 71 years old I got ebikes for myself and my wife. I intentionally bought ebikes with no throttle and 4 pedal assist modes. We've been avid cyclist for years doing a lot of century rides (and we still have three non-ebikes). So, I was on the fence as to whether or not to buy such a thing and enter the ebike world. These were a game changer for us as a couple. This is the first time my wife has ever been able to ride with me, keep up and us stay together on a ride. I keep it on ECO mode, which I agree as you stated basically evens out or compensates for the additional weight of the bike, but lets me still get a workout in. My wife adjust to whatever mode allows her to stay with me. You nailed it! And, yes, you got it right on the quietness and work for slow climbs and into wind. Something to be said about that. Thanks for a great insight and your comments. Don in Florida
I just got my first ebike. It turned 1 mile while I was on my test ride. I borrowed a friend's ebike while on vacation and never wanted to get off of it. All of my health issues & worries were left in my dust. My passion for all cycling has been reignited, and I can feel myself getting healthier, physically & mentally. And isn't that the point, to enjoy yourself and to love cycling? After I ride for awhile, I plan on getting my road bike and mt. bike (both acoustics) going again. I used to love them both so much. I'm just happy to be rolling again!
Turning 70 just bought my first e-bike and it’s the difference between continuing to ride mtb or not. In the last few years the climbing has just gotten harder and harder. Now I get 3-4 laps of what I could only do one lap on! And yes I ride on trails that e-bikes are not allowed on but I don’t care those are my favorite trails.
It's okay I wouldn't snitch on a 70 yrs old anyway. Be safe man 🤘
65 here and still on pedal bikes only. Maybe after the current one is paid off ill starting thinking of going e.
I’m in the uk (Scotland actually). There are no trails or even trail centre resorts that you can’t take your e-bike on over here. We’re absolutely dumbfounded that e-bikes are banned on some mountain bike trails in North America. Why? What harm do they do?
Unpopular opinion here...but I think the reason e-bikes are banned in certain areas is due to the motorized vs non motorized grey area that opens up when you start allowing 'some' things with motors...what's to then stop e-bikes with throttles and full on e-dirt bikes to join in on the fun?? It's easier as a general policy to stick with no motors than to try to enforce a nuanced ruling..even if we know that regular e-bikes are fine, the average local police office or state park worker doesn't know better.
I don’t ride in boost/turbo mode…And I get passed going up hill by elite 20 something riders….So heck ban those riders they are going faster than an e-bike.
Great video! I own an SL and a full power. I spend a lot of time in eco on the full power and the SL if riding with friends on non-ebikes. As me and my brother who are both in our late 60’s say, “It makes you feel like you are 40 years old again”. What you said about being able to choose how you want to ride them is spot on.
I'm in my 40's and imagining that I will think about how I feel now as "the good ol' days" is disheartening, lol.
@@El_Zalo It is funny isn’t it? In truth, it is better than you think. I still ride the blue and black tech and jump lines at the bike park. As well as some double black. The key is to not stop riding and you skills stay surprisingly strong. Enjoy the prime years in your 40’s😂.
SAME! I was finally diagnosed with AS in 2022 after not knowing what was wrong with me for a couple of decades. My ebike has given me my life back. I joined my local MB club this summer, and I have had a blast riding the trails in Eastern Idaho with a great group of MB riders. Thank you for validating my condition and for showing me that I am on the right track!
you truly are, what a wonderful comments you just made!
This is so well done. It explains my nuanced feelings on eMTBs in ways I haven’t heard anywhere else. I started completely out of shape and too embarrassed to say yes to friends who wanted to ride. Started a year ago on.a Levo blasting up hills in Turbo full time, and now riding my Fuel EXe in eco most of the time to get that peaceful sense of effort & cadence you describe. I’m in the best biking shape of my life (not that this is saying a ton), riding every day that I can. Thanks for this thoughtful take (as usual)!
I needed your comment for motivation . Im overweight and I feel to embarrassed to ride. Thanks for your comment.
I know this feeling and all I can say is I am proud of anyone who gets up on two wheels to see how fun it can be, and I think e-bikes are an awesome lever for that. I am excited to have you in the cycling community and I hope you get out and have fun in whatever way makes you happy!
Coming back to biking from a long term injury, the e bike has given me the ability to explore new trails knowing if I start struggling or get lost I can use boost to get me back home. Doing the same safe short rides before this was uninspiring. Now I can’t wait to get out and my mood swings have improved no end.
Yep - helped so much after my knee joint was replaced.
I agree 100% with all. My Kenevo SL was painful in the pocket but completely paid for itself with the increase in riding I was able to do.
Aged 48, young kids, creaky knee, motorcycle crash injury, and weight gain... and my mt biking days seemed gone forever.
Covid and living in Finland as a foreigner with endless hours of boredom found me thinking about getting my old 2006 Specialized FSR XC Comp back working again... several hours of researching, trying to find parts and near stroke-inducing shocks about current bike pricing and innovation changes in my decade of absence... and I discover emtbs...
Fast forward a few weeks and I became a proud owner of a Focus Jam2. Now three years later and I'm still going strong. It's like getting a second chance at being younger.
And yes!, Tour + mode is brilliant. I get great workouts, I am grinning the whole time and hill climbing doesn't kill the length of my rides. I find the best challenge is to keep knocking back the power to keep the cardio going but not having to do that exhausting slog that I remember from my days on my Spesh.
I absolutely love my emtb and am evangelical about their benefits 😊👍
Wow that’s pretty sad really.
@jaredb9281 to say the least.wow..I also love my emtbike
Spot on, and good comments from the viewers. 57 year old here, former die-hard BMXer, then MTBer, then injuries and life got in the way of riding for about 20 years. Bought a fat-tire full-suspension eMTB at the start of winter, and a set of studded tires. Only got a few rides in the winter (turned out to be mostly mud instead of snow and ice). Swapped back to the knobbies and started riding it in earnest in the spring. I'm at 650 miles since May, and I suspect I'll hit 1,300 around September 1. Starting weight was 180 lbs, I'm down to 168 (and hopefully headed to 155, about 10 lbs above my college weight). Typical ride is 45 minutes, and distance covered in that time has slowly but steadily increased while pedal assist level has steadily decreased (from ECO 4 to ECO 3 and now a mix of ECO 3 and ECO 2). Mildly hilly where I live, about 500 feet of climbing in a typical 10 mile round trip ride, around 800 when I choose the harder routes.
I definitely agree with many other viewers that one of the big benefits of the e-bikes is the ability to get out and ride at your personal limit, including when that limit changes (injuries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.), without becoming discouraged. I'm nursing a baseball-sized deep calf bruise from two days ago, but the e-bike lets me still go out and run errands (back to ECO 4 yesterday, bu† today I did 10 hilly miles in 37 minutes at ECO 3 despite the calf pain).
Limit goes up, you dial back the assist. Limit goes down, you dial up the assist. You still go out, and don't feel discouraged. You get exercise. You get fresh air. You get mind therapy. It's a beautiful thing.
I'm finding the e-bike a game-changer in other ways too. My smaller grocery runs are done on the bike instead of in my automobile. If it's less than 20 miles round trip and it'll fit in the bag + panniers, I'm taking the bike if my schedule permits! I've even picked up ice cream from the local dairy farm (bag is insulated and it's only 2.6 miles one way).
Club 57, represent!
omg! thats what i do..i only use my car for a few times if needed, i mostly ride my ebike to stores,shopping and downright fun!
Recently bought a TREK Fuel and I'm loving it! Its one of the lightest and only has about half the power of a full on e-bike and it is really really quiet!! Agree with everything you said in this review. I'm 72 years old and this bike allows me to keep riding with my younger more fit buddies... hope to be riding into my 80's!!
Start with my background… life-long roadie, but started enjoying it less as I aged (over 65). Also, moved to gravel a few years ago and LOVED riding forest roads and backcountry instead of mixing it up with big rigs on roads. The combo of age and love of being off-road (I’d never been a mountain bike rider) pointed me towards an eMtb. And my mind was blown. First, I learned the obvious-which is spectacularly difficult for analog riders to accept-I can decide how much assist to use. Duh. If I want a good workout, I use Eco, which basically offsets the weight of the bike to make it ride more like an analog bike (except for the extra weight). But, here’s the thing that I love the most about riding an ebike: I can ride with almost anyone. And if we all have ebikes, almost any group can ride together regardless of each person’s fitness and strength. Now, I ride more because it’s more fun and I ride with others more, because I can. Biking has always been social for me and my ebike allows me to keep it that way, no matter what the effects of advancing age throws at me. Thanks for the great video. Keep ‘em coming.
Eco does not just offset the weight of the bike in most cases. My buddy has a trek rail, which is not tunable. It’s at least 100% easier to pedal up a grade than my Pivot trail 429. He also has a Giant Reign, which is tunable. It has to be down near 5% to make it on par with a non-e-bike. He has been riding e-bikes for years and always rides ECO with us, still can’t make many climbs on my pivot when I let him try.
In other words, an e-bike on ECO is still not equivalent to a normal bike. You always have the bail out button and never have to suffer like someone of equivalent fitness on a normal bike.
I couldn't have written this better. Whoever hates on eMTBs just simply doesn't have a clue about what they are hating on. No way you can hate eMTBs, even if you are a very good MTB rider. They have their place in the market for sure and there are many good reasons why their popularity has risen so fast. You've pointed out some of them.
@@jeremyhowell2332 good thing modern exercise science routinely demonstrates that suffering isn't a prerequisite to either fitness or joy. Also, that low-slung weight makes a world of difference for techy climbing, nice that the assist offsets the resistance you would normally encounter trying to move that extra mass through space.
Yes, the leveling aspect does allow for more mixed ability group riding, as I get older I appreciate this, because only being able to hang with people my own age would be a drag.
Because there are now bikes with motors does not relegate MTBs to analog. There are MTBs and eMoTorBikes. Refuse to accept the new label!
This is a very helpful and well done video. You nailed it at the end with the comments about the unsung value of that slow, strenuous climb, time where you dig deep to earn your downs. In fact that's my fave part of the ride.. I even hunt down MTB areas that have those long, steady well-aligned climb trails followed by smooth flowy down trails. At my advanced age, with years of riding + injuries from minor to serious, I'm 100% wheels on the ground now and if it weren't for that glorious physical-mental focus that comes from the climb, I wouldn't ride anymore. Thanks to you and Beth for the very helpful insights
My ebike got me off the couch. In a year and a half I've done 2500kms on it and ride in all conditions. Initially bought it for fitness and seeing different parts of my city. Then came the lads that dh and I now love the dh!! New shocks and upgrades make this bike unreal to ride!
u are right its unbeliable how ebikes are!
So without the existence of e-bikes you would have stayed on the couch?
@cycologist7069 as someone who didn't ride before hand I'd say no.
Wow! I found this video to be extremely helpful and motivating. As 58 year old in decent shape I rode on a Canmore trail with friends last week who ride those trails regularly. I was on my FS bike and suffered on the hills. My Heart Rate was driven up into the Red Zone early and it was difficult to recover during the ride. The upside is I crave the hard work while riding so it did not deter me. The vistas were fantastic and companionship on the trails was second to none. Now! I have since picked up an E-MTB and cant wait to ride it on my home tracks and love the idea of setting it up to ensure my heart rate gets to where I want it for the Cardiovascular fitness I want to keep improving and maintaining. As you noted in the video it will be great to ride for longer during the outings and not gas out. Cant wait. Keep up the great content. Cheers. A fan from Manitoba.
One of my favorite uses for an E-bike is using it to conquer new or challenging terrain that I haven’t ridden in a while. I can smash out several laps quickly and not have to worry about riding perfectly on the first or second lap down the mountain. It helps me be more cautious during warmup laps without worry about burning out too quickly
really good ebike discussion...as an older rider, ebikes got me back on 2 wheels and setting the power assist for how you feel.... or need that day is brilliant. i really appreciate how good biking is for my mental health and thinking time.
i agree,there great for self esteem and mobility
This is by far the best assessment of e-bikes I've heard so far. I'm 67 and bought an e-bike for exercise and to get out of the house. I wouldn't be able to do it if it weren't an e-bike because the first hill I came to I would run out of steam pretty quick. But the e-bike keeps me active and in shape because it's "do-able." My e-bike makes me feel like Superman when I'm on it. Very enjoyable and a great boon to my health. 👍
My life hit rock bottom a few years ago. My car needed repair (check engine light on, cant even have emissions done), lost my job, etc.
I used what money i had left to buy the cheapest electric bike i could find and it was literally exactly what i needed to start turning my life around. I cant wait to upgrade my bike once my life is really fixed up
@JioVega I'm so glad an ebike helped change your view...being that positive n eventually good shape opens many other possibilities!
I love the slow, quiet climb. That said, in another 5 to 10 years, when I can’t justify another rebuild on my SC Tallboy, I’m definitely going E.
my ebike is so quiet I cant hear it over the tires and gravel, plus it climbs faster allowing more laps
I'm 61 and have been doing triathlons since 1987. Owning an emtb allowed me to get back into cycling. I had 3 cardio ablation procedures to stabilize my AFIB. I have to be extra careful and not to stay longer than a few minutes at zone 5. It also allows me to hang out with my bike buddies. Ebike keeps me fit and enjoying life.
I get all your points, ebikes are a game changer for many people.
But for me, the turn off about ebiking is that I don't like being one click away from not putting any effort. I don't like having all this choice.
What I like about regular mtb is its simplicity, it's turning off my brain knowing that I'll get as far as my legs and my breath can go.
I like not having to choose how much to struggle, I like the satisfaction of reaching the top relying only on my own strength and I like backing home exhausted.
and the day I don't feel that way, I simply take my enduro motorbike ;)
This is such in interesting thought. There are deeper things to experience that can easily be missed in our pursuit for more.
Very well put and a valid point.
I've been riding and fixing motorbikes all my life (they have probably stopped me going insane in this mad world) We started Ebike mtb's during the lockdowns and it's been life changing, and a sort of motorbike compromise as I just love machines. All the points you state can be so easily applied to EBikes, it's just that they allow you to beat the climbs that analogue bikes have to be pushed up. The UK Lake District is full of loose rocky climbs and descents, many quite technical and so much fun that we couldn't do on an analogue. Also we (my wife and I) can achieve longer distances in the great outdoors and see more of it, no matter what the weather. We get great satisfaction from keeping the power as low as possible and having to work bloody hard 😆 We certainly feel it at the end of a long day.
I get your point though about the simplicity of your machine and your reliance on YOU to get to the top of that killer climb...
The thing is, there is no point where you flip a switch and "put in no effort". You still have to pedal the bike, and it's heavier, so you get fatigued way faster muscling it downhill and through turns. You're putting in the same effort, just going faster doing it, with fewer breaks, for longer, and at higher cadence. The assistance isn't that complicated, it's like a dial you can turn up or down. This is the thing the never-e-biked-never-will folks can't seem to wrap your heads around: It isn't less effort, it's just higher cadence. The trade-off is between muscle resistance and cardio, consistent vs. spiky heart rate, constant flow vs. flow interrupted by climbs and car rides, et cetera; not effort vs. no effort. I guarantee if you spent a day sending it on an e-bike, you would be wiped. An e-mtb isn't a moped, it doesn't have that kind of power. You need to let go of the idea that no effort is required to ride an e-bike, it simply isn't true. The pros all train on them now, and for a reason. You like a specific kind of bike tech, which is every rider's prerogative; it has nothing to do with effort.
I went out on a bike ride with my elderly mother, who has lung cancer, on an ebike. It enabled her to experience riding bikes again like in her childhood, but when it came to uphill sections she left me in the dust(I don't have an ebike).
False.- you have the same choice of effort on an analog MTB which is your pace and when you decide to turn around. Stop hypothesizing about this and try it. The biggest benefit for me is I can get to the trailhead and back on the bike itself instead of having to use another vehicle.
My old Heavy Santa Cruz bullit from 2004 has been collecting dust for years. Bought a Turbo Levo last month and put over 100 miles on it .. Its just to fun.
I worked at MTB specialists in Durango. When E bikes came out while I was there. One week end we did a group shop ride. Ed Zink ask me to do the ride on the e Stump jumper to give him some feedback. I was surprised. After I flatted early. jumping into a rocky section. We continued after the repair and we caught back up to the group.
Charlie and I ask if it was cool for us to charge ahead to see how the bike preformed. The group said it was okay. To start with Charlie and I rode together a lot. He's 27 I am a spry 54 at the time. We started behind Purgatory on the Hermosa creek trail.
There are a few gnarly climbs that we rode regularly. That is when I saw the benefit. Usually Charlie would wait for me at the top of a climb if it was difficult. On this bike I was able to climb on his rear tire with no issue.
We rode together, while I was still putting in effort, but together. On one climb Charlie momentarily lost traction and I was able to slip by because I light pedaled and un wieighted to make it over the root. Make no mistake. I still had to work and could feel the effort afterwords. Because the bike is heavy. In the flats because I ran it at lower output out of respect to Charlie, it was a lot to stay close as we charged on. The one thing that bothered me. The battery was clunking every downhill. We ended up putting a couple of our energy bar wrappers under it to reduce the noise. It never completely went away. We did get it fixed and that was the Demo bike. For the shop.
I'm 76 and live where there are mountains. I bought an e-mtb to keep being able to do the climbs. I didn't like the weight, the clumsiness, and the feel. Turns out one of the reasons I like regular mtb is the exercise. On the level I used to ride my e-mtb turned off.
My biggest concern is when things go wrong. For influences and pro's, there is always some level of support, or a new bike to ride / review. For regular folk who will own just one bike, when the eeeb throws up an error and its not easily fixable, or its out of warranty - that's a massive issue. Considering the price point of these bikes, the reliability, weather proofing, length of warranty as well as warranty support should be much better. Personally I would like to see these problems discussed more so, making manufactures held accountable, but in the land of sponsorship its just not happening.
These things are not that complicated. Less than an rc car. They also tend to be extremely reliable, and if something does come up, the LBS you bought it from should have no trouble fixing it.
@@yuriabmxr Not according to online forums and groups, there are a sizeable number of the community that face a variety of issues with both motor technology and processing warranties, especially riders living in wetter climates. Clearly its worked out great for others, and I’m happy for them… but the sheer number of issues being discussed is deeply concerning for a premium product. I would like to see reviewers and influencers go deep into this problem, but its very rarely discussed at all and it paints a false sense of security for consumers. Good journalism should hold businesses & people accountable for their neglect. Just as the Loam Ranger called out Pinkbike for its arrogance towards its audience, I'm hoping to see this channel do something similar with the unfortunate reality that too many riders face with their ebikes.
@@yuriabmxr Not according to online forums and groups, there are a sizeable number of the community that face a variety of issues with both motor technology and processing warranties, especially riders living in wetter climates. Clearly its worked out great for others, and I’m happy for them… but the sheer number of issues being discussed is deeply concerning for a premium product. I would like to see reviewers and influencers go deep into this problem, but its very rarely discussed at all and it paints a false sense of security for consumers. Good journalism should hold businesses & people accountable for their neglect. Just as the Loam Ranger called out Pinkbike for its arrogance towards its audience, I'm hoping to see this channel do something similar with the unfortunate reality that too many riders face with their ebikes.
@@yuriabmxr My reply to you is being removed and I’m not quite sure why, but with respect its not that simple. Online forums and groups have large numbers of riders reporting issues with both their motors and the warranty process, which is just unacceptable for a premium product. As evident by my comment being removed, even having a discussion about this appears to be problematic for sponsored journalism. Incredibly disappointed.
@@Wabit01 I'm not claiming a zero failure rate here but forums tend to present highly distilled negative feedback. The people who don't have any problems (vast majority) are outside riding, like the folks I have first hand knowledge of.
I'm new to riding my eBike for getting around to work and some casual rides. I LOVE it and how versatile it is and nice to be able to adjust my effort.
me 2! steve
I'm 77yrs old. I purchased an ebike back in late 2020, but didn't receive it until a year later. I thought, with my age it would be good to have more power, since I live in the mountains. After riding it a few months, I decided to sell it. I found one of the things I like about mtb riding is the exercise. Yeah, the ebike let me climb steeper stuff, longer, and go faster (marginally). But, it didn't add to the fun. In fact, I ended up often riding with the motor turned off. What really bothered me was the extra weight. I'm kind of a weight weenie. The ebike felt like a truck. I ended up selling it. Now, the new light weight ebikes might be the ticket for me in a few years. I'll have to wait and see. Great review of your ebike experiences.
What type of bike did you buy? Probably a full power one as light support bikes weren't nearly as common. There are a few motor systems that help only slightly, some might say like you always have wind coming from behind, for example a tq hpr50 or the small one from specialised, cant remember its name. Both have only 50nm peak torque and a bit over 300w peak, the motor themselves are tiny and the bikes with them look like regular pedal bikes. Bikes with them are not much heavier than non ebikes, adding somewhere between 3 to 4kg to a comparable bike. Something like this should be more to your liking. I also dont need or want a heavy, powerful bike, i just want something the helps me a bit keeping up with my girlfriend who was riding this year a total of 13000km across a road, gravel and two mountain bikes
@@kilianlindlbauer8277 Yamaha YDX Moro.
I’m 60 and fit. I love my 2021 specialized turbo levo. It allows me to go further in the woods in the hills on trails that are not made for mountain biking. Lots of exploring and lots of fun and peace in the woods. I then bought a 2023 specialized turbo levo SL that I use for single track riding. Gives me the edge when riding with guys half my age. Gonna buy one for my 55 year old wife to take out into woods and double track. Stay active. Have fun!
Thank you for such an insightful video - love the story telling and high quality footage
Same here. At 70 there aren’t many places that I can still ride my Tall Boy. My new E-MTB gets me back on to all of my old trails (well not the more technical ones but assist doesn’t make up for age in response and balance).
I totally get what you're saying about taking your time on the climbs. It's a lot of the same reasons I also like hiking.
I’ve been using a chest strap heart rate monitor on my bike rides for the last year or so. Using my Garmin Edge 830 mounted on my stem, I can see my heart rate at any time and manage my effort for the ride we’re doing to make sure both me and the bike make it to the end successfully. Added bonus of the E bike is you’re not completely gassed before your descent
Another great aspect for winter cycling people, is the heat management. Getting to choose how many Watts you produce let you better control your temperature. So you don't sweat like a pig, then freeze to death because you're wet.
The best e-bike pro/cons ever!!! Honest review, very good thoughts and....man you got the idea! You know what mountain biking is for! Thank you!
Great content! I’d add one more pro: more people on bikes (of all types) is a good thing. More bikers means more trails, more industry to support (retail and service), more bike lanes, better safety/laws, and (theoretically) more innovation and better prices. Love or hate e-bikes, it’s getting more people out riding. Being part of a growing sport is exciting (ask a golfer about contracting sports). Hardtail, full squish, park, bmx, e-bike, cruiser, commuter, or whatever your flavour, there’s a bike for many tastes. We gotta embrace people in our biking communities rather than drawing lines.
Preach it!
I’m in my late 60’s and I can say my e-bike has given my life back. It gets wicked windy here in Eastern Idaho. 20 mph wind? And an uphill? No problem!
E-biking has massively cut down on post ride migraines, which had been getting worse as I get older. Game changer in that regard.
Are you using a sports energy drink that has the the proper ratio of sodium, potassium, sugar, and water? If not try it. It has made a HUGE difference to how I feel post-ride.
A lack of proper hydration and nutrients will cause migraines during any strenuous activity. By adopting an e-bike, you're not putting as much effort into your riding, so you've eliminated the symptom but not actually solved the problem.
@@jimwing.2178 Yes, I have been using various high quality sports drinks over the years. They probably have lessened the migraines to some degree, but have not eliminated them. I still use them, and a big believer.
@@Durwood71 THanks. I do understand this and hydrate as much as possible before and during with good drink mixes. Despite that, in hot, dry Socal I still get dehydrated. The ebike drastically lessens my sweating. Unfortunately, the migraines are a chronic condition with many triggers, but we eliminate them as much as possible while still getting to ride.
Same experience for me.
I love my lightweight e-bike. It’s opened up so much. The biggest thing that I don’t like about it, is the feeling of accomplishment after a ride where you truly worked so dang hard.
Drop it to eco and pedal harder. I ride an sl too. I like that I have the ability to choose my strenuous activities even by a per segment section. Sometimes, sustained gradients just take the piss out of you and you can save that piss for sections that can't be done on a normal bike.
Im 53 and ride my 15kg hardtail 30km -100km spins on local gravel canal pathways a few times a week and for me its keeping me fit.
Maybe someday when i cannot do these rides ill go the e bike route :)
Your hardtail would be faster and more efficient than an ebike on those pathways, as long as the ebike isn't derestricted. Ebikes don't reduce the assistance once you go over the limiter, the motor basically turns off and becomes dead weight. Hence on flats or slight gradients it requires a lot more effort to maintain speeds above the limiter due to the extra weight of the battery and motor. In my country the limiters are set to 25km/h, which is roughly 5km/h slower than my average speed on my pathway loop I do on my analog bike; therefore, my ebike would and does just slow me down and make the ride horrible.
hi, thats exactly what i did! in my 50s i start falling off my non ebikes or regular bikes and could not go very far witout taking pills for pain etc...now that im 61 i can ride faster than a youngen half my age.lol i still fall since trying to get use to this thing.. but just wear a fullface helmet gloves knee pads and arm pads and your good to go. just in case you have a serious fall like i did yesterday! but it was my fault wearing darker goggles at night! i could have been in a coma had i not wore a fullface helmet! i actually hit my head very hard on tough grass and dirt! i have symptoms of a concussion, but feel a little better tonight but not myself...please be careful on ebikes respect and dont go to fast unless you are an experienced rider!
This is the most honest and frank review EVER. I especially liked the part about the dark side of e-biking!
Nailed it.
I sold my first e-bike because the ride felt too hectic.
surprisingly, it was the climbs on my traditional bike that I was missing
I returned to an acoustic bike for a few years until a friend lent me their SL e-bike for a weekend.
This is the perfect fit for me. It provides just enough assistance on the hills to keep my heart rate in zones 2-3 and is light enough to handle like a regular bike on the downhills.
With my busy schedule and shift work, the ebike also allows me to fit in a ride despite limited time, so I’m riding more.
Anyway, good video!
They have full power SL eBikes coming out this year. I just got one, and it's been a lot of fun. I can full power on fireroads and roads and then I mostly ride Trail 1 (out of Eco / 1 / 2/ Turbo) on single track.
I've been Mt Biking for over 30yrs now (wow, I blew my own mind) and now that I'm closer to 60 than 50 I have absolutely dropped some speed. Some of it is schedule but being honest, moving up in age isn't helping. My normal riding buddies are pretty fit and for the last several years my ride are usually spent alone, working my ass off to catch up to them and them waiting around longer than I know they want to. No one says anything but man, it sucks being tail-end Charlie every single ride. I've struggled with wanting to do the group rides and more frequently made excuses so I can ride on my own and not have to deal with that. I love to ride, I love the camaraderie of the group ride and I don't want to lose that. I REALLY appreciate the insights in this video and I think if and when I do pick up an e-mtb, I'll have a much better feeling about it with a better perspective, and just enjoy riding again. Thanks very much!
So Specialized Mission Control app allowed you to put in a target heart rate and the motor would adjust to keep you in that zone. It was amazing. And apparently newest release of the app it's gone, but they are reworking it for a future release. Basically like ERG mode for Zwift or a trainer, but outside! Oh yea, and for the uphills, the phenomenon is known as Uphill Flow.
I loved this and have the old mission control app still just because it is indeed missing in the new app. I hope they get the newer one up to date with the features from old, its no longer supported and nags you when using it even.
I think it’s weird that they don’t have a real ERG mode where you could set the power you want to put out and then the assistance is adjusted accordingly.
do you feel yourself to be over biked on most trails other than riding down parks ?
cruzing around with that much travel, i think i would be over biked ,and i can't afford 2 ebikes.
70 % of my riding is not at a mountain bike park .I'm just wondering
@@tonyvaccarelli7950 I lock out my suspension if I'm smooth cycle path and I've never felt overbiked. but it is great when getting to shred our steep tech trails, then my 150mm front and rear travel really gets to own the trail, with me hanging off the rear of the bike.
@TheBikeRoom yeah thats all good, but the 70%of my riding would require about 150 to 160 mm travel. The other 30% would be about 180 to 190 mm
so i haven't seen too many longer travel ebikes with lockouts for the travel.as i really never ride, smooth anything .hense, my original question , but thanks for the reply . Cheers
Kudos for bringing up your point about the meditative , restorative climb. The whole picture of the ride is probably the most important consideration.
I totally agree. I notice my average heart rate is down but I ride longer and still am spent by the end of my ride. It’s a bit frustrating that I can’t ride some trails due to regulations. My bike and me are no heavier than a lot of guys on there accoustic bikes. I Am 67 and need a bit of help keeping up with my younger friends. I loved my Pivot 429 but my ebike is my first choice now.
Like one poster said before me I've been riding MTBs for more years than most people have been alive. 50+ years of riding and 70 years young.
Started with road but had too many close calls so that forced me in to the woods. That was no problem for me as I loved the peace and quiet I get from nature. MTB riding in the woods I find is very serene in of itself .
I've ridden most anything from Steel to Aluminum ridgid with no suspension forks . Hard to believe my back is still in one piece. Nine years back I purchased a Carbon Fiber Full suspension MTB and loved its light weight and playfull feel but the climbs started to become harder for me. Enter my first off road EMTB with fat tires. After two years of ownership I'm now closing in on 5000 miles. I ride primarily on flat rail beds and wood forest roads. Anyone that tells me that I haven't increased my fitness level over those miles is just plain crazy. Simply just moving your legs with support will get you in shape . Not my thing but it can be done.
That was never enough as I needed a real Hard core off road EMTB . I purchased a Dengfu Full suspension Carbon fiber 29er this past April and man what a game changer it has been in my life. Not only can i ride farther but exploring areas I would never had enough energy to do on my regular MTB is just plain outrageous.
Like you I use the bike in ECO mode mostly in assist level 1 or 2 and I think that gives me almost the same feel as my Analog bike. My heart rate is up there and I can clear a lot of obstacles just not possible for me on my old non Ebike. Uphills are still a challenge and on the down hills the weight of the bike sticks to the ground like glue.
A few observations I have on EMTB ownership I would like to share with my fellow riders:
1) This EMTB is the Apex Predator of bikes . With 160 Nm of torgue there is a lot of power there to get you in trouble real fast and was the main reason I hesitated to purchase the bike in the first place. Since my ground speed is almost always faster I'm keenly aware of what a crash at my age could do to my riding career. Still the feeling of adventure I get riding sketchy areas cannot be beat. Its all about adventure. I rarely if ever use throttle just the pedal assist which makes it fell more like a proper bicycle should feel.
2) If the bike falls on you while attempting a tricky section of trail there can be some hurt involved as the bike is quite heavy. Ask me how I know this...
3) Trails should almost never be ridden right after a fresh rain, at least here in the Northeast anyways , as the roots and rocks get very slippery and the extra power will have you all over the place.
4) When you get really tired or worse are injured you can always just throttle yourself back to your car.
5) On my Analog bike breaks would be taken and for me there was a lot of recoup time. Now with the Ebike the breaks are of shorter duration and more saddle time is achieved.
6) I can get about 50 miles of riding but the battery voltage drops off quite rapidly near 60 miles.
Hope this helps...
I have a TQ motor on my trek. Going uphill is really quiet. I have to work to hear the motor working. Downside is that it's not a full power motor but it works for me. I love the uphills too but with two bad knees, I can't smash them the way I did when I was 20. I got my fuel EXE because I still got those quiet moments on the uphill but on the steeper climbs, it didn't kill my bad knees. So happy to see you supporting e-bikes this way. I was really against them for a long time until I saw my wife wanting to charge some really hard trails with me, so I decided to try some and realized that maybe I was being a bit of a crumb-bum. You're totally on-point.
I've got an eeb and an acoustic. I can get out and put down 20km before work 3-4 days a week on the eeb, get that good zone 2 for 45-50 minutes a day. Still getting out and chasing heaters on the acoustic on the weekends. It's a great set up for me with a young family and a busy life.
I totally agree with almost 100% of your points. I will say as more people get e-bikes it’s much easier to get up some painfully steep climbs to some steep loamers. This has exponentially increased traffic on trails that can’t really handle the extra tires and get rutted and ridden in faster. Now this is also somewhat offset by the fact it’s also easier to get up to those zones to dig with the ebike so there are also more trails being built in harder to reach places. Great vid. An ebike has definitely become a tool to increase fitness and explore new zones although the longer I’ve owned it the less I ride it. It just can’t compete with my enduro bike for fun. Quality over quantity for me and I also appreciate the meditative quality of a quiet long grind up the mountain.
Thank you. This is the most interesting perspective on e bikes that I have seen. As someone who tries to do a lot of zone2 training, but loves to ride trails, I am never able to mix those two things. Never considered that the e- bike could be the solution. I love hearing not just that theory, but that you have succeeded in doing zone2 in practice.
Yeah, man! The slow quiet climb. I agree! Plus, my wife and I ride for fun and exercise/fitness. The brain feasts on well-oxygenated blood so I have had some of my best ideas and solutions while on a long, extended, grinding climb. Lastly, there is a sense of accomplishment when you conquer, or set a PR on a 45-minute climb. As of this post, I am 55-years old. Machines are great and there will come a time when my body cannot do the things it once did thus an e-bike is in my future…but not yet. When it is time, I will remember this video and abide by your techniques. Thank you.
I've been on a Trek Rail for 3 years switching back before between my regular bike. I can say you nailed everything perfectly, The only thing you need to add in has to do with sitting and spinning, because the motor doesn't like it when you push it too hard so that aspect of the exercise is tremendous.
I used to run a MTB tour company and adding ebikes to our fleet transformed the business. It allowed less fit riders to join the tours knowing they could keep up. In groups of friends, where historically they may get 6 to 8 people together, suddenly they could get 10 friends as the others would just hire an ebike. Amongst my friends, people rode further and more often when getting an ebike. The downsides though, they are very expensive, the batteries are dangerous and need to be very carefully maintained, charged and stored (I wouldn't keep them in the house, for example) and, when you need to replace the battery, as bikes are changing so quickly, it may not be available, writing the bike off if it's a custom fit to your frame. As we were early adopters of ebikes, we were also some of the first to discovery what happens when you can't get new batteries to fit...
this is why i have not gotten one, the inability often to upgrade, replace battery, in just 3, 4 years.
I’m considering buying an e-bike and found your review really helpful due to the fact that you have the experience of both sides of the coin. I’ve seen too many reviews from people who have little or no experience of conventional Mtb so they are unable to provide an honest and none biased review.
been mountain biking since 1992. I love my regular bike but boy do I love my ebike!! It doesnt harm trails, i ride more, ride more with friends, its amazing. Stop the gatekeeping and embrace ebikes, they are amazing and should be allowed wherever regular bikes allowed! Also i love the weight of ebikes, it makes the ride so much more damped due to the sprung unsprung weight. Also love commuting and shuttling the rides without a car!
"Stop the gatekeeping and embrace ebikes, they are amazing and should be allowed wherever regular bikes allowed!" Would you say the same thing for electric motorcycles? If not, then are you not also gatekeeping?
@@jimwing.2178 No, because you pedal an ebike and you don't pedal a motorcycle. It's really that simple.
@@jimwing.2178 entirely different ball game
@@marcusmcfall8167 That is a perfect example of gatekeeping.
@@flow2tech Meaningless reply, but also a perfect example of gatekeeping.
I'm 65 with two knee surgeries. I recently bought a Norco Fluid VLT. I am now enjoying MTB more than ever and riding twice as long making me a better rider.
I used to ride for about 1.5 to 2 hours and be completely spent by my last ride downhill, my legs were done, putting me in an unsafe situation.
I pretty much keep my bike in the lowest assist mode while peddling uphill so I do enjoy the quiet time uphill.
Riding more areas than before where I wouldn't want to grind up a long climb only to be down it in a couple of minutes.
Genuinely an honest, thorough review on merits of e-bike. Yes, I rented one in Bentonville and covered more ground in 3 days than I could have on my Polygon Siskiu T7 not only conquering more technical features opening up more trails but also maintaining an even HIGHER HR than I would have on my non e-bike because I was having so much fun going longer and farther. True, the climb grinds that force us to slow down I hadn't even thought about till you pointed it out; they balance the overall experience of just getting out there brings. Good job.
Well done! This is the best review I've seen on e-bikes. The group I ride with (age 57 to 63) are considering transitioning to e-bikes mostly due to aging body parts... we are resistant to the change because there is something gratifying about suffering through the intensity. Well, until we realize we can barely walk for the next two days.
This is brilliant - the point about the calm climbs and the focused "in the zone" downhills - the two together is what makes MTBing so perfect for me. This was the most compelling video/take I've ever seen on ebikes.
its also safer since your not fatigued for the descents. most crashes happen when your fatigued and unfocused.
Excellent video and observations. I bought an e-bike a few months ago. I'm 62, been riding motocross since I was about 10 years old and mountain bikes since I was around 30 (early 90's). Was always into staying fit, and a big driver of that was so I could really get after my adrenaline rush, which you really can't do when you're out of shape (also helps reduce injury when taking soil samples). Then, around the age of 55, I hit those changes of getting older. My personal drive dropped, so I worked out less. Mountain biking slowly died off, since the fun factor part of it was relatively small compared to the grind of getting there. I heard about the eMtn bikes, and it sounded like it would change my attitude. It did, by a huge amount. It made uphills actually fun. A couple of months on the bike, and I was riding in Eco mode almost always, because the bike got me out there a LOT. And, on those days where I'm not stoked to go out, I just hit that Tour+ mode a bit more, and that fun factor is back everywhere I want. I took my old acoustic out last week. It's a full suspension 29er (Specialized)...good bike. And although I found myself in really good shape (thanks to the e-bike), it was nowhere near as fun as the e-bike. So, it was back on the hook in my garage, and I wonder if I'll ever ride it again.
Oh, cool piece of info about heart rate. I never used heart rate to gauge my effort (yeah, I know, probably dumb). I've always used the measures of time vs. distance (I know the trails around my area very well). What I'm thinking is that I might be working a bit harder than I should, and I'm not benefitting from it. I'll target that 120-125-ish bpm on my rides for a few weeks and see what happens.
Again, great video, and I've become a subscriber. You share some great info that's much appreciated.
100% I also was missing the slow, quiet, restorative time of the climb. The uphills are hectic in boost, slamming berms uphill! No time to just chill and relax. I’m only 1/2 a season into my e-bike but this was exactly what I was feeling.
As a Marathon XC Racer, I really apreciate my friend with an e-bike because he always helps out alot during training for race pace and also for drafting us during race simulations, and training with him is tons of fun because there is nothing better for our fitness then having a e-bike absolutely demolishing on a 20% incline for multiple hours
I just recently got my first ebike: Trek Fuel EXe 8. It's changed my biking experience. I can now adventure further than before, and as a photographer, i can now carry my camera equipment without being bogged down. In terms of fitness, it's the greatest tool ever. Instead of spiking my heart rate and cutting a ride short due to fatigue, i can maintain a steady pace and it saves my knees. Having a lightweight ebike still gives me a feeling of a normal bike, especially how the TQ motor behaves. It's the best thing I've ever bought 👍
I also brings a lot of camera gears out in the woods and the fields. Things i wouldnt bring on my old bike. My emtb actually have giving me shots i wouldnt have otherwise🙂 This weekend im hope to bring a full Syrp 3-axis setup in my back pack to do a timelapse with 2 cameras...a heavy back pack 🙂
@rtiljander 2 camera bodies? That's wicked 🤙 the most I've brought was 1 body, 2 lens, 2 flashes, light stand with a bracket
Great to read this. I'm deciding between the exe 8 or the exe 9.5 tuff choice. Carbon lower spec parts 9.5 or higher spec parts Aluminum 8 .. I ride A Trek fuel 8 now ... shed some insight if you can.. thanks
@thearoom I gladly chose aluminum frame with better components. I had a Santa Cruz 5010 carbon with lesser components, and I hated the NX drivetrain and Guide brakes, and lesser suspension; it just felt like crap. I sold it for a Ripmo AF with Shimano XT groupset and better suspension, and it was an amazing difference. That's why I waited for an aluminum Fuel EXe. Frame type doesn't matter for the everyday rider. My Fuel and Ripmo are nearly identical in components, and I can shred both equally good. Though I'm less worried about dings and scratches on the aluminum frame 😅
@thearoom also with the 9.5 spec, you end up changing the brakes and suspension. That's just more money out the door. The Shimano Deore drivetrain is actually really good, but 2 pistol brakes on a 'heavy' ebike is a bad choice. And the suspension is terrible. The Fuel 8 is almost perfect; I just bought a 160mm Fox Performance with a Grip2 damper on sale, and it became perfect
You nailed it! Especially the part about eMTB vs competition level MTB riders, riding the same trails. Joining in on fast group rides to see how they expertly generate traction in corners is eye-opening.
Bought an ebike almost exactly a year ago. Fitness increased so much more rapidly than on my non-e. I usually ride for time, not distance. So if I have an hour, I can ride harder (without killing myself) and farther than on my non-e. Which also means I get in a lot more practice on jumps, berms, drops, etc. I'm so much better this year than last, and a big part of that is having the e.
I bout an e-bike after having both knees replaced. I would not be able to keep riding otherwise. After owning one, I realized that not allowing them on trails is ridiculous. You do no damage to the trail. Although the bike is 15 pounds heavier, we don’t seek to back heavier riders.
I can't pretend I understand any of you who don't use full power all the time. If you live anywhere that has mountains, then you will still get that workout even on the highest setting, it will just be a little more brisk. I never try to make my analog e-denier friends feel better by grunting along with them, that's because I'm the second type of rider: Fun Focused. I realize that there are people out there who bike for the suck, the grind, the effort, the achievement, and that's cool bro, but I'm not here for that. I explore on a massive scale, I bomb downhills, I go for a ride, eat lunch, and then go for another ride. I have a blast, and sure I get a damn good workout in the process, but that is never why I swing a leg over. That's the nut of the debate folks, there's two mindsets, like there always is about every topic. Cheers!
Yep, couldn't say it better really.
Couldn’t agree more 👏🏽
ive also always been one for the fun mindset, its the adventure. The climbs I just had to endure as I had no other option. Some people think you 'have to earn it' sort of mentality. There are no rules, let the sufferfest folks have it and the others enjoy the ride lol. On a plus side i've done more dh trails than I ever have so my skills basically doubled 😅
@@99MrJ99 Yeah, it's come in handy when I visit Trestle. I don't even invite my friends when I go because I know they will get hurt. Down hill sections to them are used for recovery. They just don't spend as much time at maximum yeet. A year ago I was living in flat land, so I bought a smaller dirt bike to get me back used to hanging it out at speed before moving. I know my friends would clown over that idea, but it really helps.
I like both. I ride for fitness and the jibness. 😋
Bought my first ebike in 2017 and haven't looked back. Been bicycling for a long time and getting an ebike took it to the next level. And ride much, much more. I like that he brought out the idea of riding like you want to ride with an ebike, i.e. you can make it like riding a regular bike if you choose to do so. Nice to have choices.
I think that the trail destruction argument is that trails get heavier use since people ride 2x more with an ebike.
the trail argument is "no motorized vehicles"
Almost everyone I know takes the limiter off which means they hit 60 plus all the time they ripping the trails up. No one ever mentions this. Same as he gets fitter. I know of no one that only rides ebike that can get on a normal bike and kick a guys ass that is efficient on a normal bike.
No, it's because e-bikes are heavier and deliver more torque to the rear tire which increases wear and tear to the trail.
@@Durwood71 and they can ride longer, more laps= more trail wear.
@@shaunschneeberger6301what sort of trails do you have that you can ride 66 up... I would not even call that an mtb trail. That's a road!
I got 5312km out of my Levo G3 drive set. ~3yrs riding.
Tyres, not so good, 2front and 3 rear.
Mode/walk button was replaced.
Awesome bike.
The fitness benefits of ebikes are so overlooked. Not just the ability to pick your heart rate zone, but for some of us, it got us started riding again after several decades of not getting on a bike because you now have the confidence that you weren't going to stroke out on every hill or bonk 20 miles from home. After a couple of years of ebiking I'm now enjoying a good mix of ebiking and fitness riding on a conventional bike as well. I'm in my 70s and in the last year I've lost 30 pounds and can take my regular bike out for a forty mile ride, something which I would would have believed was impossible two years ago.
😂 you’re extra gen z 🤦🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🙅🏼♂️
This isn’t absurd rationalization at all. There’s just no way to get fit without using an e-bike. I mean… you’d have to go much slower and you couldn’t go near as far! So… there you go! Sometimes when I really want to get fit, I skip my e-bike entirely (which I really bought only for a few mountaineering approaches) and just go straight to my dirtbike. Super fitness and also I feel like Superman! 10x the speed and virtually unlimited distance. It’s a real game-changer for my fitness because I’d just give up if it were only my e-bike. Therefore I can get so much fitter with the dirtbike. Plus, if I see an Olympian, it’s awesome to fly by him at 100kph, or… throttle way back and just go his speed. A real joy! And I feel so strong inside!
Ive been using an ebike as part of my recovery from a brain injury (crashed an mtb 7 years ago). Sounds crazy but after relearning how to drive and relearning many other skills, we had to retrain my brain to process movement better /faster. I had been way overdoing it on a pedal bike continually, which actually held me back for probably two years. Now with the pedal assist, I can keep my heart rate under the prescribed 135 bpm and keep my symptoms under control. The mental health benefits have also been tremendous. After suffering significant ptsd, depression and anxiety, riding my bike has given me an outlet, where I can feel “normal” and still hang with my old riding buddies. The hormone and endorphin release has been a breath of fresh air too. To say my ebike may have saved my life is no over exaggeration. Its been a long 7 years, but i feel thanks in a large part due to my ebike, im getting better every season.
Thanks for a great review and a great explanation of what ebike are REALLY all about.
I've been riding mountain bikes for longer than most of your viewers have been alive. I started riding mountain bikes when the norm was rigid steel frame monsters. I've ridden just about every type of mountain bike there is and I've owned a Specialized Turbo Levo Expert for just over 1 year now. I think the E-MTB is the best technology I have ever ridden. I ride more, I ride longer and I have way more fun than I have had in a long time.
One of the arguments against E-bikes is that you don't get any exercise. I don't ride mountain bikes for exercise, I ride mountain bikes for fun and EMTBs are a ton of fun. If riding mountain bikes was bad for my health, I would still do it. But putting that notion aside, you still have to be in good shape to ride EMTB and it is good exercise. You're still pedaling, and you're still relying on fitness. Riding with a motor just allows you to ride faster. It takes more skill and better fitness to be able to handle those speeds. Pedaling up a hill isn't the only physical apart of riding. You still need upper body strength to move your bike and you still need to be in good cardio shape to be able to keep your heart rate up. I think my fitness level has increased this past year because of my EMTB riding.
Most of the hate towards EMTB comes from ignorance. Most of the haters have never ridden an EMTB and don't really understand what they are about. They just think because there is a motor, it's not really mountain biking because it makes riding too easy. I remember some of these same arguments when suspension was introduced. People said it was like cheating because it made it to easy. Now suspension technology is the norm. I would recommend to anyone that hates EMTB to go out an actual ride one in the trails.
For me EMTB will never replace regular MTB, it's just another type of riding. I own several different mountain bikes for different types of riding. I also own a DH bike that I can only ride at a bike park with lift service, or on trails with a shuttle. Riding a DH bike on every trail isn't realistic and it will never replace all of my bikes, just like an EMTB will never replace my other bikes.
You absolutely nailed that last point, and its exactly how I feel. I hired a EMTB for my birthday (Haibike All Mtn) and had a good time, I was impressed by the ride and both the adjustability in modes. It was a big climbing day, wet and really rocky and I was able to play on those uphills and shoot to the top. After the ride however I started reflecting and no matter which was I thought about it I felt like something was missing, and it was those long hard climbs that in the moment can feel like hell but also give your head time off from constant pace. Now before anyone says turn down the power mode and go slower, for the last 30k I did only eco but it wasn't the same, the bike at that point just felt heavy to manoeuvre up steep hills. So that's where I'm at, I love the idea of them and can see myself owning one in the future but at the end of my ride I felt less satisfied than a ride on my hardtail (which I use on rocky stuff, bike parks etc) - its basic but somehow more fun. My wife said, once you try the eMTB you'll want one knowing I can be compulsive, but actually, it confirmed how much I love a regular bike.
The best part is you can get that dad bod going.
I have a shredded body ready for on stage look and I ride an e-bike so not true for everyone.
Thanks for this video. Your delivery of the major points is great! I took a decade off of MTB and focused on cybersecurity. Picked up an old Cannondale BBQ headstock bike and started working my way back into shape. Frustrated with my slow progress I started exploring eMTB. long story short. The ability to have the bike take up where my fitness fell short was a complete game changer. Now I’ve lost 100lbs and am enjoying every minute of riding in close to the best shape of my life! And like you, I feel confident riding most anywhere on acoustic or e MTB.
The e-bike is great for an all day ride where I don't want to spend all my time 'breathing through my eyeballs' on the climbs. I'll use turbo mode on the downhills where I know there will be punchy little climbs mid-trail and where I'm usually not in the right gear.
The biggest unexpected downside for me is the cost of running the bike. Everything just wears out because you are out riding so much more. Maybe a belt drive is the way to go.
I think belt drives etc are the future, and yes I wear tires fast! But I honestly think ebikes are going to drive innovation for regular bikes
I didnt like the belt on mtb due to noise of gearbox, so test before you buy
Shimano LinkGlide time.
For me a treat riding my normal bike in 3 sections
/ = Fitness, path the fun downs
_ = Chillout, enjoy the scenery and outdoors and catch breath
\ = The fun part and why we ride!
Im still not ready to make the switch yet maybe one day.
I completely understand your ‘worst point’ about e-bikes. The climb is actually the best part for me. The downhill is stressful and scary, I actually don’t go that fast.
I have been motorcycling for years, dirt bikes, I want to keep the clear distinction between the two.
I am a non-e rider.Everything you say is right and plausible. The thing is, it is the rider, not the bike. People with a low amount of discipline will end up with no endurance benefits on an e-bike. In the area of germany were I live most people on an e-bike are runing the bikes at high motor assistance.
What makes me mad about e-bikes are not the bikes... I think e-bikes have a good right to exist. Its a special kind of people riding on it. Since e-bikes are a thing I was deride by e-bike riders for, probably not having money for an e-bike. I was laugh at by e-bike riders because I mad a break during a 1800 hm climp in the alps. Bro's I rode with in the past switched to e-bikes and stopped riding with me because "I am to slow in the climbs". I got almost killed because I collided on a dedicated downhill trail with an e-bike rider who was thinking that it is a good idea to ride this trail in revers direction.
There's a time and place for the POWER! I absolutely agree that mountain biking, for me, is about peace and clearing my mind of "real life". Downhills are great fun and well-earned with the peace and push of the climb. Great job pointing this out! I keep telling all my friends that I'd much sooner give up my e-bike than my analogue bikes. I love the assist, but I'm a purist at heart. Great video.
After losing my leg in November ebike is the only way I can get back on the trail. It's not cool we are still banned on so many mountain bike trails.
Great video LR. Sorry I didn't meet you at MBO a couple of weeks ago! I am a nearly 66 YO rider who has cycled off/on for the past 40 years and recently returned to MB from a 20 hiatus. I am reasonably fit but trying to climb with younger folks has been my nemesis and I seem to spend more time/focus on not dying than I do riding. Last year at MBO I demo'd an E-MB and my life changed forever. It turned what could have been a very difficult ride (Alpine) into a very enjoyable experience. A month later I purchased my own and rarely look back. I still ride my acoustic but mostly for shuttle days. My E-MB allows to ride further/longer than I ever could before. It also brings more folks into the sport of cycling/MB which, in turn, means more support for trail development and maintenance. I do get a great workout as you are steadily pedaling (unlike some of the road-oriented non-MB E-bikes that are available). Now, how do we get the prima donna's (local authorities, Forrest Service, etc) to stop banning E-MB on so many trails!
Good stuff man. I think I they do wear the trails more just purely on repetition. If a person would normally do one lap and now they do 4 the trail is getting 3 x more use than before.
It's not the repetition, it's the fact that e-bikes are heavier and deliver more torque to the rear tire which causes it to dig in more.
@@Durwood71 still irrelevant when the 90kg stand-up-and-sprint guys are on your trails chasing KOMs
@@Vilendank Even a "stand up and sprint" rider is not putting as much torque into the rear wheel as an e-bike.
out here theres shuttle crews that are like 20 people + , multiple crews doing 3 to 6 laps on the same trails, thats between 50 and 200 runs down the same trail in 1 day not including other non-shuttle people. If your mountain is a shuttle mountain its the shuttling that does the brunt of it.
...it's 4 times more - and it's the heavier weight of the ebike, not just the increased use that causes more trail erosion
My ebikes put the fun back into cycling! I doubt I would still be riding without having them. I still have to pedal but having the pedal assist brought the joy back to my cycling!
Man... hit the nail on the head on so many things. But I think the true dark side of ebikes is the extra traffic from being able to do double or triple the laps. It also lowers the barrier for entry which makes for even more traffic. I see ebikes becoming a victim of their own popularity.
More people on the trails is more people in the local bike shop and the more people volunteering their time. There’s no downside about a sport becoming more popular. It very much reminds me of days where snowboarders were looked down upon.
Also allows people to tear up trails more easily when they are in bad shape because they can "power through" the mud. I've watched that first hand. Anytime you increase accessibility you inevitably get more assholes as a rule of numbers.
@@LWGrounds Nothing is 100% better with popularity. But there is a reasonable argument for popularity bringing more good than bad. I tend to feel that the positives outway the cons, however it is naive to say there are no downsides to increasing popularity. Just look what's happening in Moab with the 4x4 community.
@@vashusan1984 I should have used different wording. There is definitely issues with popularity of something. That’s just a fact and it yields a larger batch of bad apples. What I really meant to say is that there’s no Achilles heel to E-MTBs that makes it not positive for the sport as a whole and why they shouldn’t be on the same trails.
@@LWGrounds lol so true. its the same line snowboarding followed until it was mainstream.
Your experiences totally jive with mine. I actually started using my Reign on the lowest settings instead of using loads of assist as I really wanted to ease into it. My plan worked and I generally am riding way, way longer than I would with a normal bike, getting strong from wheelies, hopping over obstacles and even pushing the bike over unrideable terrain on explorational rides., plus the huge amounts of downhill are adding to my endurance like crazy. Thanks for the vid!
If I got sick I'd get an e-bike. But I do love going up hill on my MTB's my roadbikes. None of my E-bike friends understand this. But as long as my body likes it, I'll stay on bikes. I don't hate motorbikes. But I think they're way too heavy compared to my bikes.
I got to test ride Giant's Trance Elite, and it actually comes in less than my hardtail in weight, while still a full power bike. Absolutely bonkers.