Video: The Places & People That Inspired Santa Cruz's New Heckler eMTB

 ...and up until that point they weren't going any faster than the fit guys in the group, because they were out of shape and pedaling in eco mode so their batteries lasted as long as possible.

 We're in the presence of greatness.......

 @reggiep2020: if you think that's an attempt at self-congratulation you're wrong.

I think it's stupid how companies either try to sell eMTB's using the goodwill argument (for those who can't ride a regular bike!) or the "go farther" argument. The "go farther" argument is ridiculous - how many all-day epics or bikepacking trips do you see people doing on eMTB's? None, because you have to recharge after a few hours (or stash a battery in the bushes).

They're really about making the uphills easier for people who want them to be easier, and making it possible to squeeze in another downhill lap or two for people who want to do more downhill laps within a ride lasting 3-4 hours max. Not to conquer previously unreachable areas, like Santa Cruz, Mark Weir, etc. are trying to spin to us with Pinkbike content.

 @gumbytex: tinyurl.com/rpx85pk

 Ride what you brung, so Why brought motorcross out in Downieville....no need to shuttle and we have longer range!

 @gumbytex: actually I've got a big all-day backcountry shuttle ride I've been eyeballing for a while that my buddies and I are going to do on E-Bikes. 60 miles, 12,000 ft of descent with 7,500 ft of climbing. We're all expert or pro-level riders with above average fitness. It will still be an exhausting day, but it will be slightly more reasonable with the assist.

 @gumbytex: You are so right gumby. People who ride e-mtbs, at least the ones I've seen, are typically people that don't ride that much and are more mature and want to maximize their ride distance, or reduce climbing effort. I have nothing against it. Two of my buddies have them. I just haven't got to the point at 45 that I can't handle a 30 mile ride fairly easily. And honestly, I doubt I'd want to ride 50 miles in a day...except on very special occasions. e-bikes have their market, just not with me.

 Sad the see the pretentiousness of egotistical roadies so prominent on pb. You either go hard like a super athlete or you're shit? MTB has devolved into elitism...RIP

 Wow, we're all impressed by you!!

 I plan in way bigger rides now with the ebike. Biggest have been about 50 miles and 5500ft of climbing. They are awesome for doing big hills and big rides. Main reason I bought an ebike tbh. And yes, you have to totally put the effort in to get these distances but you can still take the sting out of the steepest climbs. Sometimes you can plan in recharge stops depending on where you're riding.

 @slayerdegnar: I agree the language makes it seem that way but there is an underlying issue that causes this retaliation from within the industry. All across the world, especially here in the US, trail access and support for mtb is pretty poor as I'm sure you have had first-hand experience like many of us. Just last week, my hometown wanted to put a pumptrack in and people went ballistic. Non-mtbers are skeptical enough of normal mountain bikes and actively pushing back against new trails or even existing systems. The typical, "erosion", "too dangerous", "hiker/horse superiority" is enough to deal with before even putting e-bikes into the equation. We need to fix one problem before we can work on another. Sure if regular mtb's had great advocacy and reception in the greater public eye, then pushing e-bikes would be the next step, just right now it seems like we're piling one fragile thing on to another. Just my take on it though.

 @gumbytex: Who cares why people use e-bikes? What kind of mountain biker can't get on board with doing more downhill laps faster? Very weird.

 @gumbytex: Seems battery life/range is only increasing..

 @slayerdegnar: truth spoken, amen brother.

 @CoffeeHouseMedia: Think you missed my point and the point of the video. Downieville embraced mtb and got the local land manager on board with motorized trail construction and designations. Its a win, win story. It can happen with community support and rational land managers. But yeah, ebikes are most controversial with a minority of elites mtbers and wilderness fanatics.

 So what did they go out and ride ? Did they have fun? Did this in someway impact you, what’s the problem? @gumbytex:

 Thank you, what is going on with this sport in the last few years? @slayerdegnar:

 @gumbytex: i think the problem i have with all this is that the testosterone fueled dick measuring was historically the domain of road cycling....MTB has been about having fun with your mates.....laughing at them when they fall off, taking the piss when they turn up for a ride and have forgotten their shoes.....yes i can afford theses crazy expensive bikes and i am close in age to a boomer.....i am competitive but i use it at work (how do you think you get to earning enough for these bikes) so at weekends and in my leisure i and i guess the majority of ebikers, we do it for enjoyment, an antidote to work, an escape from a competitive work environment... The truth is we don't want to be the fittest, the first, the fastest. Most of us are probably, when it comes to it, average riders, average weight, and average fitness. At 52 with three kids, a business and and and .....to be really "in shape" and a hero on the trails we would have to be incredibly self centred.

So if i have a beef about anything its this constant assumption that everybody needs to be uber fit. It is a fact that on an ebike, i can go further and longer in the mountains...that's why i bought the bloody thing....no matter how far or not that is....i can do more with one than without.....still totally worn out at the end of it but my day of 'Enjoyment' has been longer....

Ebikes are growing because they are bringing the fun back into MTB and i hope that the super elite hero's who look down on ebikes eventually f.ck off to road cycling where they can worry endlessly about their protein intake, BMI and take their anger out on car drivers !!!

 @gumbytex ........cool bro

 @smgishot13: Dirt roadies

 Yah because the USA invented Mc Donalds, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Burger King, KFC. Fast and easy that's the American slogan.

 @nyhc00: the internet was invented by a British dude

 @Riwajc: while working in Switzerland

 @dirtologist:

 This is marketing

 @Riwajc: that’s debatable being that it was a group effort and there were several versions starting with ARPAnet in the 60’s.

 @dirtologist: J.C.R. Licklider of MIT is credited with the theory of globally connected computers in 1962.

 @sinterklaas: In the USA we don't have 4 day work weeks and take two hour siestas everyday like you europeans.

 @sinterklaas: While which continent sees the largest use of e-bikes? Hint, not the US.

 @Riwajc: the World Wide Web was in invented by Tim Berners-Lee (British guy) in 1990 but the TCP/IP (internet) was American produced and adopted in 1983. Sorry you’re wrong.

 @nyhc00: Tesla theorized a world wireless connectivity in the early 1900s

 @andyelliott3: we do in Utah and Colorado 4 day work week is what’s up.

 @andyelliott3: Nor 1 year maternity/paternity leave.
Sincerly,
A grumpy dad

 @5afety3rd: Good to know...not being sarcastic either.

 @sinterklaas: Back to back world war champs!! (Sarcasm).

 @andyelliott3: @andyelliott3: nor does the USA have universal healthcare, paid maternity and paternity leave, free education, higher public health....

 @sinterklaas: Lazy, slow, and easy is your slogan. You whine and cry, cry "only dentists can afford this" softly into your pillow as you go down for your 2-hour afternoon nap, like a little baby.

 pretty lame scene in mtb these days. used to be about breaking the norm and having fun... now its all bout starva, ig glory posts, and talking shit.

 @sinterklaas:
last time i check the USA invented every single thing known to man that makes the modern world go around minus supplied water and sewer systems...that belongs to the Romans.....embrace change brother you will have more fun and remain just as fit...remember 26'ers for life , not so very long ago?

 @yamaboy2000: Don’t ya know, in Pinkbike land it’s totally acceptable to make broad generalizations about an entire country...but don’t you ever critique a Semenuk video.

 To set the correct character of the location, many of these trails are ohv zones and open to motos. The climbs are honestly horror shows, and people are riding motorcycles by you. Why not have an assist in locales like this?

 It’s pretty shameless at this point.

 If you want less eMTB articles, stop clicking on eMTB articles.

I’m not even sure SC advertises with us, it has no bearing on how we’d cover this story. If you don’t think it’s a big deal that Santa Cruz finally made an eMTB then I don’t know what to tell you.

 @brianpark: we can't stop clicking, we come for the comments. Its the PinkBike audience way.

 You really have to admire the pinkbike work ethic. Full review tomorrow.

 @brianpark: with Pon as their overlords, it was just a matter of time. Not surprising or particularly interesting at all

 @graniteandrew: they did dude, did you not see Levys interview with SC? m.pinkbike.com/news/santa-cruz-e-bike-heckler-interview-2020.html

 @brianpark: I don't think its really that big of a deal... Roskopp also said he'd never adopt 650b and never produce a road bike again. Both things happened. SC has to jump on the bandwagon or get left behind... Unfortunately, other than the name, the bike just isn't that interesting.

 @allredbikes: Yep, zero pushback, Levy either you're a schill selling ad space, or you're a journalist and are gonna ask pertinent albeit uncomfortable questions and push back when they spew propaganda. Just "more climbs like a goat" soft soap. How about, if it's been under development for 3+ years, what did you actually do differently? Oh we specced decent rubber...thats not a real answer. Zero new battery tech?, zero new motor tech?, he all but admitted they're gonna have a high failure rate and don't want to deal with warranty issues. Seems like some basic follow up Q's were in order. Industry leader...umm no. But they did prob give him a nice weekend in SC so at least there's that.

 @brianpark: how can we be informed if we don’t click? I’m anti ebike but I like being an educated opposition

 bitches be bitchin!

 @slayerdegnar: Bitches need help pedaling.

 I was told specialized dealers are only making in the teens on margin.

 i work in a shop. @pinkyscar you're dead wrong about the margins.

 That’ll do for a start

 nah dude, this is the first video I watched where I am considering wanting to ride a ebike.

 You can't handle my oPONion!

 Santa Cruz just made Ebikes cool again!

 @drivereight: nah that’s ain’t it boss

 The price is the same, the US is without taxes because the tax depends on the state that you are living in. Add 20% VAT and there is your 7.5K €. Wait two weeks and it will be -30% in one certain bike shop in Poland..

 Only if Radon would sale their bikes in the USA! Seriously impressive ebike for half the price of SC

 I'm sure pon will have got a deal. I wonder if it's the same engine as other pon brands

 Where’s the $16000 option you speak of?

 You are right, right now this is a special place for MTB uplift and shuttle riding. But only a few, the super fit athlete types would be able to ride these proposed linked-up routes on their Bronsons. So step 1 is to rent a Heckler at Downieville and decide for yourself.

 Get yourself a motorcycle and you’ll never ride your bicycles again!

 not really a question of waiting for it to be cool, more like remotely affordable. If i could pick up a decent ebike for the same price as the top notch ‘obselete’ 26” inch i’m riding i’d probably try it

 Where the hell is this terrain that necessitates an e-bike?

 and whts wrong with hike-a-bike? Lots of that on some of my back country rides. Good for the soul and keeps out the riffraff

 @badbikekarma: I don't disagree at all. HAB builds character and is really a form of cross training but it's not something I want to do on every ride. I just happen to have some terrain right out my back door that is HAB access only on a regular bike so I used to do it only occasionally, but now with the power of lithium I can climb it so it's added a few extra local loops I can do when that's all I have time for.