Magura 2015 Launch: Wireless fork and Shock Controls, Four-Piston Brake Calipers, and Much More
Magura Camp: 2014
BY: R Cunningham
Magura Direct is the North American wing of the famous German brake and suspension maker, and it also distributes a range of quality cycling accessories that are made in Germany and the Netherlands. Pinkbike was invited to Magura Direct's tenth annual product launch in Sedona, Arizona, to learn about and test ride Magura's latest braking and suspension systems, as well as eyewear and helmets from Uvex; inflation devices, tools and mudguards from SKS; and a new all-mountain tire from Vredestein. We also learned at the launch, that Magura Direct will also be taking on tech support for Bosch e-bike power assist units in North America. Test bikes were provided by Norco, Pivot and Specialized, and e-bikes from Lapierre and Haibike were also on hand. Magura's traditional location at the Agave resort gave us access to Sedona's red rock trails from the doorsteps of our cottages. Good food, perfect weather and some of the area's best guides ensured that no journalist went home with fresh legs. In case you suspect that Magura Direct's product launches are poorly masked excuses for us to shred technical trails in mountain bike paradise, we prepared the following reports:
Magura Direct
Magura MT Next Brakes
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 We rode Magura's MT7 Next AM/trail brakes in Sedona and can report that our initial impressions were very promising. The organic pads, combined with the new four-piston caliper and additional squeeze power at the levers, added up to seamless modulation and far more stopping power than we imagined was possible from Magura. MT7 brakes are reported to weigh 355 grams per side and cost $320 USD. |
Magura's MT series brakes, once considered groundbreaking for their light weight, drag-free performance and German reliability, had slipped back a few notches against competition from the likes of Shimano, Formula and Avid as members of the long-travel trailbike revolution began to demand significantly more stopping power. Magura's response, as usual, was delayed by the fact that its engineering staff steadfastly refuses to be driven by its marketing wing to rush a new project. Magura's latest MT Next brake series incorporates a lot of improvements in the lever assembly and a couple of significant innovations at the caliper. The result is more power and better ergonomics throughout the lineup and an all-new design for all-mountain and enduro riders.
Lever-pivot location: Magura changed the pivot locations of the two-finger MT brake levers to increase power and also to obtain a more ergonomic squeeze position for riders who prefer to run the lever closer to the grip, or for people with smaller hands. Both aluminum and carbon levers are offered at different price points, and there is a tool-free reach adjustment feature on the upper-end models.
Bite-point adjustment: MT6, MT7 and MT8 brakes feature a tool-less contact-point adjustment dial that can be removed and reversed, also without tools, so it can easily be configured for North American or Moto-style riders.
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| Cutaways of the MT7 lever (left) and master cylinder reveal that Magura reduced the size of its piston assembly, and the superior internal finish of the injection-molded resin master cylinder. Note the well-rounded bleed port in the upper right side of the master cylinder. |
Two calipers: MT Next brakes are separated into two groups: even-numbered designations - MT2, 4, 6 and 8 brakes are primarily for cross-country/trail use and feature conventional two-piston calipers; while the MT5 and MT7 brakes sport a new four-piston caliper and are designated for DH, all-mountain and enduro use. Both calipers use magnetic pistons to ensure drag-free pad retraction and also to further ease the job of replacing the top-loading pads. The pistons are offset slightly to put asymmetric pressure on the pads - which reduces noise and optimizes braking forces. Banjo-type hose connections ensure optimum hose-routing for every frame and fork.
Four brake pads: Taking a cue from its BMW Moto braking systems, Magura adapted its four-pad, four-piston caliper for MT7 and MT5 brakes. The arrangement is reported to maximize squeeze force and also to reduce heat buildup, as the lead pads capture more heat, leaving the trailing pads cooler and more effective. In addition, the individual pad configuration also allows designers to add a central bridge in the forged-aluminum caliper that adds significant strength and stiffness to the caliper with a minimal weight penalty.
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| (Clockwise) Magura's tool-less lever-reach adjustment, The MT7 brake uses Magura's forged aluminum lever (top), while the XC oriented MT8 brake features the carbon fiber version. They are interchangeable. Magura's pad contact dial can be switched from top to bottom without tools. Another look at the pad contact dial, which only needs one-half turn for its full range of adjustment. |
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| Four pads and four pistons: Magura's Next caliper design allows for a third reinforcement arch, while its four individual top-loading pads can still be removed or replaced without removing the brake from the frame. |
New Master cylinder design: Magura retains its "Carbotecture" injection-molded carbon-reinforced-resin lever body design, but the master cylinder has been reduced in size, and the bleed port has been reconfigured to extend the life of the sliding cup-seals. The advantage of Magura's fiber-reinforced plastic lever body is that the ports and sliding surfaces can be molded with smoother surfaces and with greater precision than metal parts, and at similar strengths and lighter weights. MT Next levers are ambidextrous, and thus, do not require bleeding to switch right-to-left on the handlebar. Depending upon the price point, the clamps are either carbon fiber or aluminum, and they now feature Torx retention screws, not the previous, easy-to-strip, aluminum nuts.
Same mineral oil: Magura was a leader in using mineral oil for its bicycle braking systems, well before the disc brake revolution, so it should come as no surprise that all of its mountain brakes still run on mineral oil.
Thicker rotors: Magura brake rotors are a full, two-millimeters thick to help them stay cooler, more true when heated, and to offer more stability to the system. The industry standard is 1.7 millimeters thick.
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| Magura's BMW four-piston motorcycle brake was the inspiration for its Next, MTB caliper. The pistons are slightly offset so they will create even pressure when the pads are under maximum braking loads. |
Prices and weights:
Cross Country:
• MT2 - 365 grams, $100 per side (Cast, two-piston caliper, Carbotecture (resin) lever and body, reach adjust only)
• MT4 - 345 grams, $160 per side (Forged-aluminum two-piston caliper, aluminum lever, reach adjustment, resin lever-body)
• MT6 - 370 grams, $270 per side (Forged-aluminum two-piston caliper, aluminum lever, tool-less reach adjustment, pad-contact adjustment, resin lever-body)
• MT8 - 299 grams, $370 per side (Forged-aluminum two-piston caliper, Carbon lever, tool-less reach adjustment, pad-contact adjustment, resin lever-body, carbon clamp)
All Mountain:
• MT5 - 380 grams, $200 per side (Forged-aluminum four-piston caliper, aluminum lever, reach adjustment, resin lever-body)
• MT7 - 355 grams, $320 per side (Forged-aluminum four-piston caliper, aluminum lever, tool-less reach adjustment, pad-contact adjustment, resin lever body)
Magura TS8 150 eLECT Fork and Shock
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| During Magura's press camp, we had a chance to ride the TS8 eLECT fork in the 150-millimeter version, set up on a Pivot Mach 6. Most of the time, we had it on automatic and it felt wonderfully seamless. The automatic clockout feature only gave us trouble when we had to hit Sedona's many steep, stepped climbs with some speed, where the stiff fork robbed momentum. |
Magura launched its wireless, electronically controlled eLECT fork at this same camp last year and Pinkbike's Mike Levy has the full story about how the system performs in the real world in this long-term review. The big news this year, was that Magura added the feature to its shock. Magura's eLECT system has a brain inside the fork's compression damper that uses an accelerometer to sense one full degree of change in the bike's angle of attack. When that happens, in "automatic" mode, it signals the damper to close and sends a signal to the shock, which does the same. Touch a remote control on the handlebar and it will switch the system off automatic, and revert to manual mode. In manual mode, the shock and fork can be locked out or opened with one push of the button. In both automatic or manual mode, the eLECT system senses when the bike is either airborne or dropping off a ledge and instantly opens the fork and shock - and if something goes wrong, the system defaults to open mode. ELECT's wireless system is reported to save over 15 grams per side, when compared to a cable-actuated remote system, due to the weight of steel cables and housings.
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| The pre-production version of Magura's wirelessly actuated eLECT TS shock uses a small servo-motor to operate the lockout through the shock's low-speed compression circuit. The eLECT brain in the fork can switch the shock off automatically, or the rider can do it using the handlebar remote. |
Magura designed the eLECT system for XC racing, trail riding and enduro, and its engineers paid special attention to making it very lightweight and user friendly. The system turns itself off after five minutes of non-operation and can be recharged with a USB cable. Run times are averaging 40 hours which, for most riders, works out to recharging once a month. The entire computer brain, battery, piezo-electric lockout motor, and wireless communication system is squeezed into a 20-millimeter cap, and the stem of the fork's compression damper. The shock's actuation device is piggybacked above the rebound dial. Because the housing requires a special threaded boss, there is no aftermarket eLECT kit for Magura shocks. Magura offers the eLECT system in a dedicated shock and as an option for its 80, 100 and 150-millimeter-travel TS8 29er forks. The eLECT TS8 fork MSRP is $1400 USD and is reported to weigh 1681 grams in the 80-millimeter version. Magura also offers a retrofit kit for all 2010 or later TS6 and TS8 forks for a wallet-challenging $650 USD. There is no set price on the eLECT shock at this time.
The Magura eLECT system makes a great case for electronic suspension controls with its clean, wireless operation and the ability to coordinate the action of the fork and shock either automatically, or with a push of a remote button. We foresee the day when dropping the seatpost will automatically trigger the fork and shock to open up, and raising it will automatically set the suspension to a firmer-pedaling "trail" mode. When asked if Magura could make such a thing happen, high-ranking officials at the launch indicated that it was already beyond the discussion stages. We hope so, because such a system would be perfect for longer travel trailbikes,
Magura's top tech guy in North America, Mike Mentione.
Magura eLECT Damper Installation
While we were testing Magura's newest version of the 150-millimeter-travel TS8 fork, we asked their top suspension tech and sales guru, Mike Mentione to run through the process to install the eLECT system into the stock fork. The $650 kit includes everything that you'd need to install it at home, and after watching Mike run through it once, it would be safe to say that a reasonably proficient home mechanic could breeze through the task in 30 minutes. The two special tools needed are a 28-millimeter socket to unscrew the original compression damping cartridge and a special spline tool that is included in the kit to tighten the eLECT damper into the fork. The other tools you'll need should already be in your box: Torx screwdrivers, a 1/2-inch ratchet, and a pin spanner.
What's Inside the Fork
Magura's TS8 forks use a two-piece damper cartridge. The lower section contains the rebound circuit, while the upper section is the compression stack. The compression damper assembly slides into a socket at the upper end of the rebound housing, which allows Magura fork owners to remove or change the compression module without taking the fork from the bike - and without spilling any suspension fluid. Those who opt for the eLECT system can switch back to the original damper any time and, in anticipation of this, eLECT kits include extra O-rings.
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| The TS8's DLO3 damper (left) is under the blue compression knob on the right stanchion. All the bits that come in the eLECT kit lay to the right of the small Torx screwdriver. The black section of the DLO3 damping cartridge (right) is the rebound module, the silver compression stack slides into the red socket. |
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| Remove the black plastic cap and unscrew the two T8 screws that retain the blue compression dial. Put the bits in a safe place and then unscrew the compression damper counter clockwise with the 28mm socket wrench. Slide out the damper carefully so as not to spill any fluid. |
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| The new compression damper has a USB charging port and an on-off switch. Screw it into the stanchion tube by hand and then use a ratchet and the included two-lug spline tool to tighten it between 4 and 6 Newton-meters. Next, use a pin spanner (right) to rotate the eLECT module until arrow points forward. |
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| The arrow must point forward to allow the accelerometers to sense when the bike is level. Turn the switch to 'on' and screw on the black protective cap. The system turns itself off in five minutes of inactivity, so there is no need to access the on-off button unless you plan to store or transport your bike. Next, install the battery inside the remote lever (right) and clamp it to the handlebar to complete the installation. |
The eLECT's wireless function is activated by pressing the remote button for three seconds, after which, it will flash orange until the system syncs, and then turns green. The bike is then placed on level ground and the button on the fork crown is depressed for three seconds to orient the eLECT compression damper. The damper button will flash three times and then you are good to go. Later, if you only want the automatic lockout to kick in on steep hills, you can elevate the front tire to replicate the grade, hold the button down and re-orient the damper. Magura may have invented the easiest remote lockout system made - electric or mechanical.
UVEX Helmets and Eyewear
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| UVEX's entry into the North American-style enduro half-shell helmet market is the Quatro Pro. The wing is a fashion statement, but the adjustable visor, quick adjust ratcheting buckle and maximum-coverage, in-molded shell design are the real deal. |
UVEX helmets are made in Germany, and as one may expect, they are well constructed, with much attention to detail. This year, UVEX released a half-shell North American-style enduro helmet called the Quatro, that features a lower back, extra strength in the shell, a raised channel for a goggle strap in the rear and cleaner looking, ventilation ports. UVEX developed a quick release camera mount for the Quatro, which it sells separately, and a separate lighting mount dedicated to the powerful Lupine lighting systems. Two Quatro models are available, with the Pro featuring a stylized wing shape in the rear, and the standard model without the wing. Two shell sizes are available that work out to X-small/small, and medium/large sizes, Black/red and balck/silver are the default colorways, with more colors to come. Weight is stated at 295 grams and the MSRP is $180 for the Pro and $160 USD for the standard Quatro.
UVEX
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| The standard model Quatro (sans wing) is our favorite. Its lines are simple and the fit is much more secure feeling than the basic hyper-ventilated beer cooler XC-lid. The rotary tensioner for the head band is easy to use with gloved hands. |
Inside the Quatro, a full 360-degree micro-adjustable head band provides a secure and comfortable fit and molded-in bug netting keeps the hornets out. The headband is vertically adjustable, which is an important feature for any helmet that drops low in the back, The shell is in-molded, as is the bug netting, which looks sharp and s proven to increase the impact protection of the helmet to a degree. The visor is adjustable - a major plus for helmets in the enduro/AM category, and the chin strap buckle features UVEX's Fastrap bayonet - ratcheting closure which can be quickly adjusted to add or release tension without fussing with webbing and buckles. Quatro helmets pass EN 1078, TUV GS, CE and CPSC standards.
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| UVEX stands for 'ultraviolet exclusion' - so it should come as no surprise that they specialize in eyewear. This year UVEX expanded its range of Variomatic, light-reactive models, which are now becoming the go-to for trail riders. Vario glasses range from $130 to $200, while UVEX's conventional sport eyewear ranges in price from $30 to $160. |
SKS Accessories
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| SKF's Shock Blade front fender (around $30 at shops) snaps to an expandable mount in the bottom of the fork's steerer tube. Pushing a release button on the fender allows the rider to remove it for sunny days. The X-Blade quick release rear mudguard (also around $30 at shops) can be adjusted to fit just about any seatpost and frame arrangement. The articulating visor in the front section of the fender can be angled to deflect crud when the X-Blade is set high for longer-travel bikes. Fatbike versions are in the works. |
SKS is also from Germany, where it manufactures a wide variety of bicycle accessories - mostly related to poor weather and bad fortune. For poor weather, SKS is an industry leader in quality fenders and mud guards, To make the best of a road or trail-side mechanical, SKS makes a variety of mini-pumps, multi-tools and Co2 inflation devices to get you back on your wheels. SKS also makes some shop-quality floor pumps that actually stand the test of time, so after you realize that you have been fighting that cheap piece of junk pump ever since it was new, shop SKS's floor pump range and replace it with the real deal.
SKS Germany
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| Named after the Greek god of air, the Airmenius is the top dog in the SKS range. The shaft is oversized, its handle is padded with cork, the air cylinder is aluminum and a wide, and a heavy, cast-metal base ensures that the God of Floor Pumps will stay put when he's not being evoked to inflate a tire. The pressure gauge reads in two psi increments or one tenth of a BAR, and it's huge, so it can be read accurately. The Airmenius retails for around $125 at better bike shops. |
Vredestein Tires
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Vredestein hails from the Netherlands, where the tire maker is well respected for its high performance road racing tires. While its mountain bike range has had measured success in the XC realm, this season marks its first serous effort to enter a tire into the far more aggressive all-mountain/trail environment. The Bobcat is a very promising AM/trail tire design, studded with large, well-spaced tread blocks that are molded from a double-durometer rubber compound. Pronounced edging blocks are lined up in a continuous row to provide deep cornering security, and a 120 thread-count casing ensures that the Bobcat will roll fast on level ground. Vredestein only makes the Bobcat in a full-width, tubeless-ready, 2.35-inch casing - and it actually measures 2.35 inches when mounted to AM-width rims. Bobcats are presently available in 29 and 27.5-inch wheel sizes, with claimed weights at 800 and 600 grams, respectively. Bobcats for 26-inch-wheel bikes are expected to appear later this year. We took a pair of Bobcats home for testing, so you should expect to hear the full story on this new contender in the AM/enduro arena soon.
Vredestein
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| Vredestein's Bobcat AM/enduro tire could find traction anywhere in Sedona. Large, widely spaced tread blocks appear as if they would slow the tire down, but it rolls quite fast. |
Bosch E-Bike Tech Support
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| Lapierre's Overvolt e-bike offers a 250-percent increase in your power output and 140-millimeters of suspension on both ends. What does that mean? Imagine blowing through all ten gears as fast as a Moto GP bike, while climbing a rocky uphill. Bosch works with its e-bike customers to 'tune' its computerized assistance motor to their specifications. Evidently, Lapierre ordered a double helping of salsa for the Overvolt. The handlebar remote (left) turns the system on and off, and selects the degree of assistance. The display indicates battery life, projected range, speed and distance, and your present power selection.'Turbo,' the only one we tried, is good for 21 miles. The removable battery is the bike's most expensive component. |
Bosch and Magura Direct partnered to provide technical support and service for the German electronic firm's e-bike power units in North America. Bosch does not make bicycles, only the drive systems, and it has captured the upper-end of the global e-bike market in just a few short years. Lapierre provided a dual-suspension and a hardtail e-bike for guests to try out at Magura camp, and Haibike also had a dual-suspension e-bike on hand. The Bosch performance drive contains a reduction gearbox that incorporates the crank axle, Which appears to be a Truvativ-compatible spline. An internal computer reads the rider's torque output and crank RPM, and then adds up to 250-percent of the rider's output. Those brave enough to try the bikes began to call the Bosch system 'E-PO,' or 'E-doping' after Amgen's infamous blood booster. And, how does the system perform on technical dirt? Let's just say that no existing KOM would be safe in Sedona if the Forest Service allowed e-bikes on the trail network. They don't.
Bosch E-Drives
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I don't see them every time I ride (or even every week), but I do see them with increasing frequency and it certainly makes me a bit concerned for the future of our local trail systems.
hahah, "the amount of smug", love the South Park reference. Going to spend the rest of the day now pretending to sniff my own farts.
Everything so gadgety these days yet its nothing like the Jetsons TV program
the whole " trail hippy" lets be one with nature thing doesn't really exist in europe where these bikes were designed.
besides the system itself was initially made for shopping bikes to make it easier for old or less fit people to get out on a bike rather than driving.
even set to "turbo" mode they chuck out about 0.5 of a horsepower its hardly going to pull your arms of, they are just a way for less fit or able people to enjoy riding bikes, shame this offends you so much.
For what it needs to be , some thing that would constantly adjusts high/ low speed comp. etc. throughout the ride would be awesome
But they're nowhere near that yet, so why even bother with this yet ? off and on for $700 seems kinda pointless
i've even had a few forest ranger/workers offer me shuttles up the hill. with the draconian rules with regard to access you appear to have over the pond i can see your point but in all honesty the whole culture seems to be different here, i dont care who uses the local mountains be they walkers, horses, moto-x bikes or landrovers live and let live, i have my hobbies they have theirs, who am i to judge them.
Just kind of proves my point really. It is technically called a bicycle, unless classed as otherwise by the government... which i'm sure this one isn't.
"In the United Kingdom, e-bikes are classed as standard bicycles providing the motor's maximum continuous rated power output does not exceed 200 W for bicycles, 250W for bicycle tandems (i.e. two seaters) and 250W for tricycles,[26] and cuts out once the bike reaches 15.5 mph (24.9 km/h). It must also be under 40 kg (88 lb) for a bicycle, or 60 kg for a tricycle."
From the bike radar review of this particular bike by lapierre:
"In accordance with EU law, the machine is limited to a top speed of 25kph. The motor phases out assistance as it hits the limit, three sensors measure cadence, speed and pedalling force to smoothly apply power when needed, and the 32-bit processor samples inputs 1,000 times a second."
You see now? It's still classed as a bicycle.
"the motorized bicycle is in technical terms a true bicycle"
Literally, it's a bicycle. Legally, it's a bicycle.
A pedal and pop could accelerate without a rider pedalling. The lapierre cannot as you need to pedal to accelerate. The electric motor exaggerates pedal input, it doesn't pedal for you. They aren't the same thing. Nothing you've said so far is correct, i don't know how much more simply it needs to be explained.
Also lets clarify, you can get electric bikes that will drive away as you say some pedal and pops do; without the rider pedalling. I know that some pedal and pops were assist engines, they would stop running when you stopped pedalling. I know from my being around motorbikes and bikes all my life, I have ridden a pedal and pop before at a motor show, a friend had it for show. I don't remember a make or model sadly or I would look it up but but hell that was about 20 years ago now.
So what is the difference except one is petrol derived and the other is electric? Both require a person to pedal while the engine does the majority or work and neither will drive themselves, both are bicycles with engines attached which "assist" the rider.
The sign at the trail head say " No motorized vehicles"
E-Bike = motorized assist, thus has a motor.
So not allowed on trail. How much simpler can it be.
Yes a bicycle falls under the definition of vehicle.
It is literally a (bi)cycle with a motor (That makes "motorcycle" when you put it together by the way). It's pretty simple. Just because it has mountain bike components bolted all over it doesn't mean it belongs on the trails any more than a moped or a dirt bike. I don't think horsepower or level of assist should come into this at all, the point is that I and many others believe that motor vehicles, a class that this thing belongs to, have no place on trails, particularly when they are expressly banned as part of the agreement allowing that trail to exist in the first place.
It's basically a fancy gear system, that's it. It isn't motor-only driven which is the key point. A motor-only driven bike or "motorbike" as you say can destroy the trail because it can torque round berms and fling mud around uncontrollably. This one NEEDS TO BE PEDALLED!
It is the same as switching from single speed to gears, only this is switching from gears to massively more efficient gears.
any motor = not allowed on trail.
The law is simple here, 'No Motorized Vehicles'
I wouldn't doubt if its as simple as keeping enforcement simple.
"As a general rule, it is illegal to operate motor vehicles on bicycle lanes or paths. However, motor vehicles may cross over a bicycle lane when making a turn, entering or leaving an alley, private road or driveway, in the course of official duty, or when a farm vehicle is pulling into a bicycle lane to allow faster vehicles to overtake and pass. "
Okay, so i take it given that you haven't taken the time to read about how this bike works, you read that part above and stopped there.... missing this subsection which IS VERY CLEAR.
"In addition, a motorized wheelchair may be operated on a bicycle lane or path and a motor assisted scooter may be ridden upon a bicycle lane or path, but only if it has a gas engine smaller than 35 ccs or an electric motor that produces less than 1,000 watts, and the machine is not capable of speeds greater than 24 miles per hour on level ground. ORS 801.348. A moped, which generally has a higher motor output than a motor assisted scooter or bicycle, may not be operated on a bicycle lane or path at all, unless it is being operated exclusively by human power. ORS 801.440(1)."
"An electric assisted bicycle may also be operated on a bicycle lane or path so long it has fully operative pedals for human propulsion, an electric motor with power output of less than 1,000 watts, and a top speed less than 20 miles per hour on level ground."
Taken from here:
www.stc-law.com/bikerightlaw.html
"Federal law says that an electrically driven bicycle is considered a "bicycle" and the laws of bicycles
apply if:
o Electrically driven bicycle has less than 750 watt motor
o Functional pedals
o Max speed is less than 20mph
· The Federal law shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to low-speed
electric bicycles. (The state must regulate the electric bicycle as a bicycle)"
"An electric bike is legally a bicycle, so you can use it wherever and however you're able to use a standard bicycle. But additional laws governing the operation and safety of electric bikes may be extended by state or local governments."
www.eco-wheelz.com/electric-bike-laws.php
I don't think i really need to say any more on this as you clearly don't know what you're on about.
****Part of the confusion is caused by the Federal law, which has often been quoted by people selling electric bikes. To begin with, this federal definition applies only to selling an e-bike. ****
As a retailer, it matters to your insurance company whether you are selling a “bike”, a “motorcycle”, or some vaguely defined toy.
For what its worth, if you are selling an e-bike, the consumer product safety act HR 727 defines an e-bike as—
Two or three wheels
Fully operable pedals
750 watts maximum
Maximum speed of less than 20-MPH on the motor only, on level ground, with a 170 pound rider."
"You may have local laws about mopeds or motor vehicles on the, hiking, bike or multi-use trails for example. Pay particular attention to the exact wording of the signs if any. “No Motor Vehicles”, does not ban an e-bike IF, your state does not define an e-bike as a motor vehicle. "
So as federal law supersedes state law, and the very clear section of federal law i posted earlier defines this lapierre bike as a bicycle, not a motor vehicle. Then the "no motor vehicles" signs that you keep banging on about do not apply.
Thanks for showing that article, kinda hit the final nail in your coffin with that one.
Once you yanks realise there is a huge difference between a simple low speed ebike and a mtx bike i can imagine it will be pretty much the exact same rule we have here. Mind you, you'll need to let go of some misconceptions and be open to new ideas. From the replies on here that looks like it might take a while.
"The Federal law shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to low-speed
electric bicycles. (The state must regulate the electric bicycle as a bicycle)"
If what you say is true how can california be less strict on smoking marijuana than the federal law, which dictates that marijuana is illegal in all uses? I thought in cases where state and federal law have a difference of opinion, federal law takes precedent.
By the way, i'm not trying to be argumentative. I just find it interesting as it's a somewhat different system to what we have here. If a county park puts a sign up saying something is against the rules in that park then it isn't really enforceable under uk law. It's more like a guideline. A park saying no bbq's on park grounds wouldn't be something you could be fined over. You'd just get a slap on the wrist and be told to clear it all up. You could be prosecuted for littering though if a police officer was in a particularly unforgiving mood.
Trust me this is not a road you want to start down, our system of laws and Federal vs. State powers is ridiculous.
I work with hazardous waste, if you think something as simple as an Ebike should be straightforward, I could make your head spin with the BS we deal with.
I'm not being argumentative either, just saying that you took a tiny snippet of the federal regs, that someone trying to sell you a product posted and thinks it's that simple. US law/Regulations just aren't.
Anyway, since now we're quoting broad and in many cases cobbled together laws that were never created with the aforementioned situation in mind, let me jump in.
Leaving aside any moral obligation to regard a motorized vehicle as such in situations banning motor vehicles, one could certainly point out that in just about every jurisdiction I can find, e-bikes are considered bicycles and governed as such.
But tinfoil, you cry, you've just defeated your own argument!
No. I haven't. Here's why, at least in Canada - which incidentally is where I live.
This little guy here passes the buck nicely to municipalities in Canada. "Any municipal by-law prohibiting bicycles from highways under their jurisdiction also apply to e-bikes. Municipalities may also pass by-laws specific to e-bikes that prohibit them from municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails, and bike lanes under their jurisdiction." Many have gone ahead and taking the federal government up on it, banning e-bikes from "natural surface pathways intended for hiking or mountain biking" (Gatineau Parks Act). For example, our largest city:
You will find similar legislation elsewhere in Canada, particularly in Ontario where e-bikes have popped up enough for people to care and Toronto has taken the lead on banning their motors on multiuse trails.
See also: www.nugget.ca/2012/05/15/council-approves-new-e-bike-rules-for-trails
We also have one more important federal law governing the electric assist bicycle. They can not be capable of achieving a speed greater than 32 kph. The issue with this particular one is that it utilizes a Bosch Performance motor, which, according to the manufacturer's own documentation is capable of achieving speeds of up to 45 kph. This means it can not be classed as a bicycle in Canada, making it illegal for use as anything but a very slow motorcycle.
and doesn't anyone want to put that huge Moto caliper on their bike instead?
are riders simply unable to set up a shock, pick a suitable tune, optimal shock for their bike, or pay top $ to have it optimally tuned for their ride?
MTB Inc...continuing to dumb down mountain biking for the lowest common denominator since forever
FAIL
"Here's a sweet as f*ck E-bike that would totally rip the trails!"
lol k.
Slating the 29er boys was so much more fun.
Nobody is ever happy with progression.
E bits on bikes. Bring it on. Rather someone riding an ebike than playing playstaion or pink bike trolling writing comments about ebikes when they should be out on their bikes
I remember when we had candles for lights. Then some ball bag invented the dynamo then the battery and bulb. The outrage when the led came out and rechargeable lights as bright as the sun.
DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS. bring on revolution not evolution, thinking outside of the box got us to where we are today.
... don't you think that the mature brakes look like jonny 5 from short circuit? Or is it wall-e?
Surely no one would want to be seen riding one in broad daylight?
I have a collection of these type of "strapped on" rear mud guards, found littered along various trails, and in one case tossed quite deliberately into a tree.
Wish SKS would stamp them with a recycling number so I know if I can put them in the blue box.
Should come with a label "Only for Green Trails".
Obviously a joke, though tbh it does seem the lines are blurring a bit with electric motors on pushbikes!?
Erm, what?
Seriously, what does this mean. The pistons are offset from where? How does this supposed offset "create more even pressure" More even pressure on what?
E-Bike="Motorized Vehicle."
They might not get treated as such, but E-Bikes are indeed quiet motorcycles (mopeds?), NOT bicycles.
They are prohibited (legally FWIW) from going anywhere your KTM 530EXC can't go.
In that light, they would do the motorcycling community (myself included) a great service, as the single thing that keeps motorcyclists banned in many areas is that the noise pisses people off.
When they are reviewed in moto mags, they get huge thumbs up from hikers/horse humpers and the like. And I understand why.
PS-You sure as $h!t can't be a fat arse and ride a dirt bike (motorized) well.
They take Loads of endurance and strength if you ride 'em like you've half a pair between your legs.
YMMV. Rant mode off.
Ride well!
How many micro USB phones have I broken ?
Looks like crap in other words.