Those of us that grew up in North America during the 80’s or earlier no doubt experienced the War on Drugs. The commercial campaigns were creative and entertaining in a dark way and left a lasting impression on an entire generation. With the impending deluge of electric bikes that is sure to take the bike industry by storm, we wanted to poke a little fun at the perceived polarizing device that is the electric mountain bike. Your Brain on E is our take on the instant happy feelings you get when you pedal an electric bike for the first time. It’s undeniably fun!
With the launch of the Remote CTRL electric mountain bike, we wanted to show that pedal-assist bikes can be ridden downhill just like any other trail bike. We all know how fun they are to pedal uphill, but how do they feel on the descent? We put Graham Agassiz on board and watched him ride with so much style that it blew our minds. The Remote CTRL features 150mm of front and132mm of rear wheel travel - that perfect amount of squish to make everything fun! After watching Aggy ride this bike, it's safe to say this thing absolutely shreds.
Check out all of the technology that we put into making the Remote CTRL one of the most entertaining bikes we've ever created.
Looking to buy or test the Remote CTRL? Visit your local dealer today or check KonaWorld for purchasing options in your area.
At Kona, we're all about the freedom and empowerment of the bicycle. We have been since 1988. We still have the same founding owners. We're still populated by a staff of keen, active, impassioned cyclists. We're not big, nor are we that small. Just a dedicated group of cyclists making bicycles for people who love bikes-no matter if that love is new or long established.
When a bike company gives me an ebike an wants to pay me to ride it, I'll ride it.
But I'll be waiting until that moment to ride an eMTB.
I have a co-worker that just bought a pair of ebikes, she and her husband ride paved trails and pull their dog in a carrier. It's a great solution for her.
lol... I was out trail building one day, a total random mid-week day and a super well-known rider came flying down on an e-bike. They stopped and I said, "hey so and so...." "and they said, oh crap you know me. You're not supposed to know I'm here. Don't tell anyone." they thanked me for building and took off. lol... I'm sure over the years these will get refined and way lighter, but man.. There is just something not right about it. I'm a pretty progressive person, but mt biking to me requires/ demands the human pedal. I barely see anyone on trails with these, and when I do, it's typically older, newbee riders; and I'm out on the trail a lot either riding and or building for hours on end. This whole push for ebikes trips me out. My opinion, we need progression, but I hope this doesn't over shadow the timeless experience of pedaling your bike. If that ever happens, it will be a sad day for biking.
If e bikes weren't so contentious right now, most people wouldn't even notice the difference and would have been stoked the video. It reminds me so much of the anti 29r attitude early on. Truth is the majority of people don't care and have better things to worry and bitch about.
I would imagine making your living mountain biking isn’t as lucrative as folks think it is unless you’re a podium regular in competition. I see no fault here if they’re helping him live the life he wants to live.
Well, Matt Hunter, Wade Simmons, Coastal Crew, and now Aggy have all made e bikes videos. Perhaps they don't give a fuck about what the tough guys think and focus on riding for fun instead...Nobody is forcing you to buy one.
Is is just me or did that thing look heavy and awkward to throw around, even under Aggy? If he can't make it "Talk"(yes that was a Gamble quote), what hope do us mortals have?
I feel like a better way would be with minimal batteries/minimal weight gain just to give a little extra push. That way I don’t get dropped by my roadie-mountain friends on the climbs and I can still out-style them on the descents.
I think, that the Specialized video was just trying way too hard to look like the cool guys.
The joke at the beginning an then just shredding was way better. Way to go Kona, although I am not going to buy an E-Bike until I am no longer able to pedal up on my own.
I'd love that. I've seen a lot of technical descending, but it is technical climbing that I currently find most interesting. The way Chris Akrigg can go up steep rough climbs is pretty impressive. The motor doesn't bother me much. It takes a lot of skill, strength and coordination to tackle that kind of stuff. Pedal assist probably helps you boost even higher but to control and coordinate that will also demand more strength and skill from the rider. So yeah, that would be pretty cool indeed. As a spin off the future motors and software will only come with better and more direct modulation.
Now of course no one really cares about what Aggy does (just to help you motivate your downvotes), people would go completely mental seeing Akrigg ride one of these. Luckily Akrigg probably doesn't really care about what anyone says or writes. Just like Olly Wilkins. He rides an e-bike from Focus too. And everyone knows Olly is always right. You're not going to argue with him. He does the proper smile so you know he knows, you know?
@wildedge586: Moto trial is interesting, so is mtb trial. But these are very different to me. And it isn't just down to the amount of pedal (assisted) power.
The video was great and I love seeing Aggy shred. But I can't help but think these companies would move more e bikes if they targeted late 40s mid 50s normal people getting out on a shred and keeping up with the crew like they used to. That is the beauty of e bikes, let's be real no one is buying an e bike to go freeriding, or at least very few. Let's see some marketing that makes sense and show the strong points of e bikes, not this look it can almost do what your freeride bike does angle they are playing now.
Freeride is the perfect application of a pedal assist bike, though. Eliminates the need to use a shitty old pickup to shuttle a heavy ass bike up the hill...
Not for nothing, I'm 40-ish and ride with people in their 50s who drop the hammer on climbs and humble me often... but I get what you're saying. Seems like the bike companies are reeeally trying to 'rad' these ebikes up to the wrong audience.
Guys in there late 40's don't need lame E-bikes... they are for you lazy ass youngsters... Ha! (stirring the pot) I honestly feel sad so many amazingly talented pedalers (Remy and Yoann) are promoting E Bikes and riding in areas were they are not allowed and shouldn't be ridden. Strong points of E Bikes? ...great for commuting to the pub! ... just like a moped - sooo cool! Real motorcycles/dirt bikes are cool and cost about the same... why not go for a rip on a real motor bike instead?
people smashin keyboards from their offices, aggyyy why aggy why ??? Think about you talk, it's his freaking job, and he has to do what he has to do. It's part of his job. If you think aggy gonna refuse to do his job, cuz some pinkbiker from office doesn't feel cool about E-bike you are stupid as hell.
I'm just guessing; but I'm betting more than half the comments are coming from guys that strap their bikes to their car and drive to the top. Yeah, e-bikes are for the lazy...
@aljoburr: Hmm, when I went from Glory to Reign I was surprised how much lighter it was and how better it behaved even tho it's not the lightest build. I can't see an eBike being very versatile, would it be good at some tight tracks? Same dillema with 29ers, once Reign gonna go 29 I should find out. Anyhow, by the time I gonna need one the should improve quite a bit I think.
@jankesdh: What i find with e-bikes is the harder you push the more difficult it is too stay with in the limits of the track your riding, not only getting up hills you normally would struggle with, but getting up in higher gear or just take ridiculous lines, does make a regular bike feel really lite and lively afterwards too
It's time to start a forum called Chartreuse Bike devoted solely to eBike propaganda and it's disdain for simpler more organic cycling technology... I totally agree with mokgot "Asli langsung Konak gua liat ginian." ~ translated ~ "eBikes aren't for everyone and in most cases are just a crutch for a lazy ass that doesn't ride to get to the trailhead"
Psychedelic man, long live the 60's, Who's in for Aggy to be the next person playing Jimmy Morrison in a movie, and maybe even riding an E-bike? WAIT a minute,,,,,,,, maybe not LMAO.
Guys I hate to say it, but if people are buying these things (e-bikes) the big bike companies will continue to build them, supply and demand. And now all these pro riders are showing up in videos riding them, looks like a big push to make e-bikes the next big thing people spend their money on.
Not for me though, I'll buy another motocross bike before I go E. What's your take on it?
The evolution of these is to remove the pedals. It's pretty stupid to have both pedals and a motor. Why would anyone want awkward cranks instead of foot pegs on a motorcycle? It's simply a dumb stepping stone product for bike companies to make lightweight motorcycles, which would be cool, but in the meantime they sell mopeds to rich suckers that want to pretend to be mountain bikers and use trails they aren't allowed on.
Meh, go ride one. They're fun as shit, that's for damn sure. I like pedaling, but in all honesty do it for the downhills. Modern E-bikes are still fun on the downs, just different. People here bitch and bitch, but if you've ridden one of the new enduro-style ones, you can't deny how fun they are. Yes, it's 'cheating,' but as N+1 it sure is tempting. I don't have one in my quiver, but I'm honestly not that opposed to one. I was thinking about building a XC rig, but now Kona, Spec, and Devinci offer some badass choices that will go up faster and easier, and rip harder on the way down. Biggest hurdle I see is access. There're still many many trails closed off to E-bikes.
The first E-video I've seen from start to finish. Under aggy's control, this bike looked better than other E-ikes i've seen. Aggy has been throwing tailwhips, backflips and killing himself on freeride bikes for a while for nothing but us to enjoy. Now it's all about whips turns and flow and why not stay healthy for a couple of months filming commercials and earning than well deserved money. Kona might listen to him someday and make a decent ebike in the near future...whats wrong? We are not far from lighter enduro ebikes that let us descend a lot more distance for the same effort!
When do we get to see the first company have a battery problem and have E-bikes catch on fire like we do "hover boards" sounds like a bunch of fun. Also sounds like a possibility to start a nice forest fire while your at it...
THE problem with E-Bike **mountain bike** at this point (as a consumer), is the massive cost in an industry that changes so much per year. Drop 14,000 CAD on a carbon bike this year when geometries, standards, and lighter batteries come out the next year? yeah no.
Hey, pinkbike, since these are in their own category on the main page, any chance you could let user subselect which categories they want to see. Like maybe I don't want to see reviews and just want press releases and emtb articles, or you know vice versa.
Thee one thing I like about other sports like snowboarding, skateboarding is companies care about what the people who do the sport want and not just how to make a new standard every few months or up the average price of a bicycle
For most of that video the only E I see is burdEn. I don't want to be wEightEd down by an extra 10-15 pounds when I am trying to jump, hop, manual and carve my way down the trail.
I don't get what the message of the video is. Is he doing anything special on an ebike that can't be done on a normal bike? Or am I supposed to be impressed that an ebike can do the same things a normal bike can?
Strange song choice. A previous video from Clif bar called "Steps to adventure" with Matt Hunter and Andrew Shandro uses the same song. It´s one of my favourite videos and songs that to me go hand by hand, and I always associate this song with Clif, Matt and Specialized.
Well if you do not buy, they will have to bring the price down, so please tell every one they suck, but really you are missing out, funny how much fun!
E bikes are crutch bikes.
Say it out loud.
Crutch bike!
I feel sorry or laugh if you ride one.
Even the famous dudes on the Rocky Mountain crutch bikes.
Sad so very sad.
What comes after an E-bike? F-bike of course. Powered by Fuel. Huh, my YZ250F fits that category, and was way cheaper. Sorry industry, the F-bike is already taken.
Thank you! If i'm getting a bike with a motor, it's also going to burn gas, have a throttle, and will be faster than the 22mph or whatever these e bikes are limited to these days.
Looks like a good time right there... who wouldn't squirrel around on one if it was a buddies just laying there? Needs built in wakeboard speaker though.
maybe after years of mtb'ing when my knees are arthritic and the only choice left is e-bike or scooter. But i'll still call it a moped and feel a little guilty if I pass anyone riding up hill. Until then, crank it up!
Sick vid Kona. I don't get why people are upset by the thought of getting more self-shuttled runs in with the small amount of time most have to ride each week. I guess there must be a lot of passionate climbers out there.
2018...Rise of the EMTB?! Let's be honest, it took us a while and a lot HATE to get to this point. But finally we re closer to the next level. For all you fearless gravity kids, EMTB is nothing we should worry about. Its a (okay somehow expensive) gift AND its FUN³ Thanks Pinkbike for not creating 2 pages for E and nonE MTBs....
Stop all the crying... it is his job for bike's sake!!! And it is our dream job as well by the way!! Or you rather be behind your desk right now? #thinkbeforeyouspeak #notbuyinganEbikethough
wait
f*ck me
Riding a bike like me *ain't* gonna sell many to the general public...
Now of course no one really cares about what Aggy does (just to help you motivate your downvotes), people would go completely mental seeing Akrigg ride one of these. Luckily Akrigg probably doesn't really care about what anyone says or writes. Just like Olly Wilkins. He rides an e-bike from Focus too. And everyone knows Olly is always right. You're not going to argue with him. He does the proper smile so you know he knows, you know?
I honestly feel sad so many amazingly talented pedalers (Remy and Yoann) are promoting E Bikes and riding in areas were they are not allowed and shouldn't be ridden.
Strong points of E Bikes? ...great for commuting to the pub! ... just like a moped - sooo cool!
Real motorcycles/dirt bikes are cool and cost about the same... why not go for a rip on a real motor bike instead?
Yeah, e-bikes are for the lazy...
Guys I hate to say it, but if people are buying these things (e-bikes) the big bike companies will continue to build them, supply and demand. And now all these pro riders are showing up in videos riding them, looks like a big push to make e-bikes the next big thing people spend their money on.
Not for me though, I'll buy another motocross bike before I go E.
What's your take on it?
People here bitch and bitch, but if you've ridden one of the new enduro-style ones, you can't deny how fun they are. Yes, it's 'cheating,' but as N+1 it sure is tempting.
I don't have one in my quiver, but I'm honestly not that opposed to one. I was thinking about building a XC rig, but now Kona, Spec, and Devinci offer some badass choices that will go up faster and easier, and rip harder on the way down.
Biggest hurdle I see is access. There're still many many trails closed off to E-bikes.
I guess my pet peeve goes beyond this subject matter. But you sound like a tool when you are talking to your buddies.
Nice IPA bro, I was riding my EMTB the other day and went OTB, LOL, what you're leaving? BRB or TTYL.
Kill yourself.
For all you fearless gravity kids, EMTB is nothing we should worry about. Its a (okay somehow expensive) gift AND its FUN³
Thanks Pinkbike for not creating 2 pages for E and nonE MTBs....