Davetrials Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 I've ridden them in the past, but today I commuted home on one, around 16miles, which took just over an hour, and had a great ride on the way home, took the scenic route and had a blast. I'm very much not into my climbing, years of smoking at university and a shit leg means that almost any hill I come across will result in legs feeling like they will explode so I'm 100% pro E bike. What about you chappies? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fel Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 I'm also pro E bike. I think they are amazing and they can give people who aren't so fit a route into big rides and people who are mega fit can just get so much more done in the same time. I don't own an E bike and I don't plan on buying one any time soon though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 I'm hoping to get one next year. I love MTB, but like you I'm really not a fan of climbing - I'm not super fit and don't really have time to commit to getting fitter (In the specific way that helps climbing). I think they're great, I had a go on my mates one recently and I'm sold! Just need to find a decent one for a reasonable price and most importantly, one that's in stock... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manuel Posted September 16, 2021 Report Share Posted September 16, 2021 Im not against them, I just don't get them. They weigh a tonne and feel a bit silly to ride to me. I enjoy riding up hill, and the heft makes it less enjoyable going downhill for me too. Gimme a lightweight hardtail any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted September 16, 2021 Report Share Posted September 16, 2021 I'm not anti them and definitely will be getting one in the future and can see the attraction but I just don't feel that the technology is quite there yet. I spoke to Danny Mac the other week and he's ridden nothing but his E-Bike over the past year and is completely sold on it but then he got his for free! It's meant he can get places he'd just never bother with otherwise and turns every awkard climb into a fun technical trials section! I'm hoping to give it another 5 years or so before taking the plunge, hopefully by which time the industry will have sorted itself out as to what an E-Bike should be with battery and motor tech making them less lardy and more like a normal bike+. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 23 hours ago, manuel said: I enjoy riding up hill That's the main selling point for me, I hate climbs. Another selling point is seeing my friend do 3 days riding in Wales and he wasn't totally wrecked after it - you can ride further / for longer. You do sacrifice some of the feel on the way down as you say, but being able to ride all day is very appealing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 23 minutes ago, MadManMike said: seeing my friend do 3 days riding in Wales and he wasn't totally wrecked after it That's one of my concerns- we often go camping with bikes etc. and if I wipe out the battery on day one there's potentially no way to recharge it ready for the next day... Not ideal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 15 minutes ago, monkeyseemonkeydo said: That's one of my concerns- we often go camping with bikes etc. and if I wipe out the battery on day one there's potentially no way to recharge it ready for the next day... Not ideal! This is why you build a campervan with a dirty great big solar panel on the roof 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 9 minutes ago, forteh said: This is why you build a campervan with a dirty great big solar panel on the roof In the UK that's still not necessarily that helpful!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 I dunno, our 265W panel can pull 30v out of it when it's raining, open circuit voltage is only 37 so it's still capable of supplying power when overcast. Currently we rarely see more than an amp or two being pushed into the leisure battery because it's constantly kept charged by the PV charge controller; any spare voltage harvested is essentially just wasted power and could be syphoned off for an ebike charger. I have no idea how much current an ebike charger would need at 12v but it shouldn't be too hard to calculate it through 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manuel Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 Looks like 2 full hours of (full) sunlight for a 500+ Wh battery then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 As an aside to my current thinking I know if I had the money I'd have one now and be perfectly happy but we should be finished paying off the mortgage in 2 years so spare cash for toys will suddenly be far more easy to come by! My plan is that when I'm struggling to keep up with the boys (Finn is 9, Ash is about to turn 7 so I've got a few years) that will be the turning point for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted September 17, 2021 Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 2 hours ago, manuel said: Looks like 2 full hours of (full) sunlight for a 500+ Wh battery then? Don't forget that you have the battery bank to maintain charge on as well as to utilise for the charging itself. Ideally you would charge around lunchtime when sun is best and providing most overspill energy but in reality you could charge at any time as long as your battery bank is big enough; go for a decent size lifepo setup, charge the bike overnight and let the bank refill in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davetrials Posted September 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2021 I think it's going to be a very long time before the weight issue rectifies its self. bear in mind a decent "normal" MTB is like 15kg, until they invent a battery that weighs nothing its going to be 20-25kg as the norm. Most flagship full sus E bikes this year are actually heavier than previous years due to the battery getting bigger, 625kwh has been on most bikes for some time and Norco just dropped a 900kwh which is 4.57kg on its own! I'm debating a hardtail, as it'll be more efficient should I want to put some longer miles down, but the only thing stopping me is the price tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_travis Posted September 19, 2021 Report Share Posted September 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Davetrials said: I think it's going to be a very long time before the weight issue rectifies its self. bear in mind a decent "normal" MTB is like 15kg, until they invent a battery that weighs nothing its going to be 20-25kg as the norm. Most flagship full sus E bikes this year are actually heavier than previous years due to the battery getting bigger, 625kwh has been on most bikes for some time and Norco just dropped a 900kwh which is 4.57kg on its own! I'm debating a hardtail, as it'll be more efficient should I want to put some longer miles down, but the only thing stopping me is the price tag. I had this discussion with someone and they made the very good point that once you get used to it on the downhills, the weight isn't so bad, so actually it'd be better if the batteries could last twice as long and the bike be the same weight as they are now. Obviously battery life being twice as long and the weight being the same or only a couple more kg than an analogue bike would be the dream, but i think that'll be a long time coming. I definitely recommend an e-bike, and basically agree with this: On 16/09/2021 at 2:15 PM, monkeyseemonkeydo said: I spoke to Danny Mac the other week and he's ridden nothing but his E-Bike over the past year and is completely sold on it but then he got his for free! It's meant he can get places he'd just never both with otherwise and turns every awkard climb into a fun technical trials section! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted September 20, 2021 Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 On 19/09/2021 at 9:34 AM, Davetrials said: I'm debating a hardtail, as it'll be more efficient should I want to put some longer miles down, but the only thing stopping me is the price tag. My gut feeling (having not really ridden eitehr HT or FS ebikes) is that if you're going to be riding off road, with the extra weight of the bike a hardtail would struggle more and the extra compliance of a full sus will far more easily allow you to make full use of the drive and traction that the bike will provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncy H Posted September 21, 2021 Report Share Posted September 21, 2021 I’m of the opinion they’re great but there’s still a lot of space for development and improvement. I’ve first hand seen people use them as tools to aid their recovery after severe injuries or health problems. Without them it would have been much harder for them to step onto a bike again or their recovery would have been longer. My Dad is a larger chap and hasn’t been athletic for a number of years, for his 60th birthday I bought him a Cube hardtail e bike and it gave him a new lease of life and freedom. We were able to go on rides together it’s been brilliant for him. For me personally I’m interested to see how these lighter weight full sus bikes develop such as the SL specialised range. The big attention grabbing power numbers aren’t really necessary for most riders and they can still be pedalled reasonably without assist as well as having respectable weights. I definitely don’t need an e bike though, it would be a nice luxury though in future, would sure make some photo shoots easier. Having previously worked in bike shops though they need more refinement. It will come with time but it’s still a ways off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted September 21, 2021 Report Share Posted September 21, 2021 4 hours ago, Duncy H said: Having previously worked in bike shops though they need more refinement. It will come with time but it’s still a ways off. That's an interesting point. As someone who completely distrusts LBS and would far rather do everything myself I really don't like the idea of being tied to getting stuff done in a shop and not being able to work on bits myself. Equally I've heard that there are plenty of people having issues with motors, batteries etc. which is also far from ideal and ties you into warranty repairs etc. which shouldn't be a regular thing ever in my view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncy H Posted September 22, 2021 Report Share Posted September 22, 2021 15 hours ago, monkeyseemonkeydo said: That's an interesting point. As someone who completely distrusts LBS and would far rather do everything myself I really don't like the idea of being tied to getting stuff done in a shop and not being able to work on bits myself. Equally I've heard that there are plenty of people having issues with motors, batteries etc. which is also far from ideal and ties you into warranty repairs etc. which shouldn't be a regular thing ever in my view. I was pretty adamant on buying something new for my dad in order to get a warranty, also adamant in choosing something with a Bosch motor as they appeared to be the most reliable and no hassle if there was any warranty issues at the time. E bikes definitely have more issues than a regular bike, not helped by the fact they’re usually ridden more, higher stresses, extra weight and so much going on in a small package. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davetrials Posted September 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 On 20/09/2021 at 0:12 PM, monkeyseemonkeydo said: My gut feeling (having not really ridden eitehr HT or FS ebikes) is that if you're going to be riding off road, with the extra weight of the bike a hardtail would struggle more and the extra compliance of a full sus will far more easily allow you to make full use of the drive and traction that the bike will provide. It’s more getting to and from, I ride a hard tail now and pretty happy with it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikerdude2006fr Posted October 6, 2021 Report Share Posted October 6, 2021 Picked this beauty up yesterday. Marin Alpine Trail E1. Can’t wait to get out on it ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davetrials Posted October 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 That looks great fun, where you headed first? ( assuming your in the UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikerdude2006fr Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 16 hours ago, Davetrials said: That looks great fun, where you headed first? ( assuming your in the UK) Not in the UK. I live in pretty much in the middle of France. I’ve been out on a few little rides around my house. Hoping to go here in the next few weeks : Single tracks bike park Next year I want to go and do some of the bike parks around me which are in the mountains ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikerdude2006fr Posted October 15, 2021 Report Share Posted October 15, 2021 It’s taken me on some pretty nice places ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bing Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 I’ve had a focus jam2 for over 2 years now, best thing I’ve ever bought. Right laugh. Mines got an internal 378wh battery and the same size tech pack that sits on the down tube, to double its range. Mines the Shimano system, very smooth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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