Why Pinkbike is Covering eMTBs This Week
Pinkbike, like much of the industry, has been grappling with the implications of eMTBs over the last few years. At times our approach has been scattered and nebulous, and we apologize for that. It’s a complex topic that deserves a nuanced, thoughtful approach.
Today we’re launching a week-long focus on eMTBs. We’ll be sharing reviews, news, and opinion pieces all week in addition to our unassisted coverage.
Part of the challenge for Pinkbike in developing a coherent game plan for eMTBs has been the huge diversity of opinion within our own office. The venerable RC has legitimate concerns about trail access and advocacy, while our Euro gunslinger Aston thinks they’re a riot and doesn’t see an issue; Vernon, Kaz, and AJ are all various combinations of skeptical, resigned, and curious; Kieran believes they’re a force for good in community development, while Levy doesn’t consider any sort of motor-assisted riding to be true mountain biking—not chairlifts, shuttles, nor eMTBs. Many of our photographers use them to create the content you see on a daily basis, especially covering the Enduro World Series. Tellingly, some of us have had dramatic shifts in opinion on the topic in the last few years.
There are legitimate concerns that eMTBs may impact trail access.
Personally, I’m conflicted. In my previous role I was involved in bringing an eMTB to market, and I appreciate their hedonistic fun, their potential to bring new people into our sport, the futuristic leapfrog technology, etc., but on the other hand they still feel somehow off to me.
The truth is, it doesn’t matter what we at Pinkbike HQ think of of these bikes.
Demand for eMTBs has grown dramatically—nearly every major brand has an eMTB offering or is frantically working on one. Internal industry reports are predicting that within a few years a massive percentage of high end mountain bikes sold will be eMTBs. Especially in Europe. There will be significant consequences across our industry as bike manufacturers shift their investments from traditional mountain bikes to electric mountain bikes.
Nearly every mountain bike company will have an eMTB offering in the near future.
Will eMTB growth be a retail honeymoon followed by a crash back to reality? Will motorcycle companies come in and eat traditional bike manufacturers’ lunch as RC predicted several years ago? Will all mountain bikes be eMTBs in ten years? Will eMTBers soon quit the sport in favour of drone racing and e-sports careers?
We don’t know. None of us can see the future. Freeride was supposed to kill mountain biking. Fat bikes were supposed to kill mountain biking. Dropper posts were supposed to kill mountain biking. 29ers were supposed to kill mountain biking—hell, some people think they’re killing DH racing today! Even full suspension and disc brakes were predicted to kill mountain biking. Turns out that mountain biking is resilient.
But what we do know is that eMTBs are now an inextricable part of the fabric of mountain biking in many places. People are riding them and having fun. Manufacturers can’t keep up with demand from retailers—and shops don’t take risks without demand from their customers.
But what we do know is that eMTBs are now an inextricable part of the fabric of mountain biking in many places. People are riding them and having fun. Manufacturers can’t keep up with demand from retailers—and shops don’t take risks without demand from their customers.
 | Will eMTBers soon quit the sport in favour of drone racing and e-sports careers? |
In short, eMTBs are here to stay—at least for now. So what’s next?
Pinkbike strives to be on the pulse of the sport, to lead the mountain bike world in news, photos, videos, events, trails, etc. We work every day to get people fired up on riding, and we’re working hard to spread that message globally. To do those things, we need to acknowledge eMTBs on some level. We can’t expand the tent of mountain biking while assuming that everyone under the tent wants to see the same stuff.
While we’re not going to give carte blanche to something new because of short term industry gain, we can't ignore something this big. Our role as a media outlet is to cover innovation, new products, and market trends. We’ve regretted being hesitant about developments like 29ers in the past, and don’t want to repeat those missteps. Regardless of our various opinions on electric mountain bikes, we feel it’s our job to report on them.
Here’s the plan:
1. We’re going to cover some eMTB tech and eMTB stories on Pinkbike, but not everything—only the best content and most significant news
2. We celebrate the diverse opinions of our staff and the Pinkbike community—we won’t shy from criticism
3. We’ll start by focusing most of our eMTB coverage on regions where they’re especially popular
4. We are considering several ways to minimize eMTB coverage for people who aren’t interested
5. We acknowledge the potential for eMTBs to cause trail access issues, and will monitor those developments closely—we won’t hesitate to hold eMTBs or eMTB riders accountable
6. Mountain biking continues to evolve, so we will regularly re-evaluate our positions on issues like eMTBs
2. We celebrate the diverse opinions of our staff and the Pinkbike community—we won’t shy from criticism
3. We’ll start by focusing most of our eMTB coverage on regions where they’re especially popular
4. We are considering several ways to minimize eMTB coverage for people who aren’t interested
5. We acknowledge the potential for eMTBs to cause trail access issues, and will monitor those developments closely—we won’t hesitate to hold eMTBs or eMTB riders accountable
6. Mountain biking continues to evolve, so we will regularly re-evaluate our positions on issues like eMTBs
Count the Coastal Crew among the ranks of riders who were conflicted about eMTB.
This full week of eMTB content will be something of an experiment. It will engage and inspire some of you, while frustrating and mobilizing others. With the inevitable crush of eMTB launches coming up at Eurobike, we hope the opinion pieces, reviews, and perspectives we share over the coming days will help move dialogues forward.
While eMTBs will bring new people—and money—into the sport, our approach is not a cynical grab for advertising dollars. We feel strongly that eMTBs are a movement within our sport and are worth covering. And if you’re not interested, don’t worry, we’ll never stop covering all the other rad shit happening in the world of mountain biking.
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So yes, show me the interesting things on e-bike and not the shitty one
OH by the way, I prefer going on the top of the hills by pedaling, always done that, I'm against shuttling, and chairlift is good for downhill pilot, but most of the people who are chairlifting have maybe a worst fitness than me or some of my mate on e-bike.
And e-bike is really fun
And I also think it is absolutely the same sport, you are still pedaling up the hill as fast as your fitness allows you to and your going down unassisted. Splitting hairs imo. On a side note: I am not a huge fan of ebikes for fit, young guys, but I don't get butthurt either.
And I'd like to see some important updates and developments on the main site, although I am going to be pretty alone with that opinion...
Yea, you ride in France, I think any American rider would respect the fact that you can do whatever is allowed there. Just like you should respect that ebikes represent a major threat to trail access in the USA.
How pinkbike wants to cover it is up to them...but I'm 100% on board with separate sites, I honestly don't want to see it here.
I was with some guys there not long after, chatting half way up the hill when a guy on an ebike went past, the usual piss taking and mumbling ensued but then one of them said "Yeah, i've come 'ere to cycle innit", and proceeded to walk up the hill, again. I couldn't contain my need to point out the irony.
I just wonder what all the spouting is about Mike, we're all well aware of your opinion, just like everyone else that keeps bangin on about ebikes = bad because of reason A or reason B, like you're trying to, or think you're actually detering people from buying them, or trying to build up 'told you so' points for later, or is it simple virtue signalling.
Ebikes or ebikers can't hurt you or affect your life negatively in any way, not really, but you just keep saying the same things over and over again, none of them seem to be happening, and i just wonder what it is you're trying to achieve.
Just a possible solution I thought of.
I live in a touristic region and step by step eMTB are litterally invading our mountains, especially during summer. Trails that used to be only known by local riders are now reached by people who dont have "mountain culture" : I mean, taking care about the trails, about the fragile soil (erosion...), about the flocks of sheeps during the summer pastures etc...
Even here in France, MTB are just tolerated in some large nature protected areas where touristic frequentation is already at its maximum. The cohabitation with other trail users (especially hikers) is sometimes already difficult so with overcrowded trails it will be worse.
Thats why wide opening our sport to the crowd via the electric stuff is dangerous, in my opinion.
as for pedelecs, they still need human power as well. the other throttle kind of bikes like EGO-kit etc I don‘t consider eBikes. these are eMotocross or eScooters.
their society needs to become aware, that trail access is a human right.
I do see your point, but we are a very touristic region as well, and we do have a lot of eMTBs coming in.
but I do not see much eMTBs on our technical, secret trails. and if I see one, it‘s hard earned as well.
I see a great overall chance to get more people into a active, healthy lifestyle. and this will reduce health insurance costs.
From what I see around me, only a fraction of eMTBers are keeping and using their old bikes. Since eMTB are eating high end market fast, you can guess what will happens in the bike industry quite soon.
In Aus (Western Aus specifically) they have started to build single track in protected nature parks. The local government has stated that they want to include mountain bikers in preservation efforts rather than exclude them. Brilliant!
I believe that this is due to saturation levels of the sport, and the understanding that we are passionate about protecting the locations and environment we ride in. So why not try and find similar positives about e-MTB and use it to our advantage?
It has the possibility of creating greater inclusion in mountain biking. Which would create greater advocacy as our numbers grow. It also raises opportunity for better trail maintenance making single trail more sustainable through ease of access, just to mention a few.
I'm sure there's are many more benefits that could be teased out - emergency rescue, scientific research, increased funding for parks through higher visitation etc. etc.
Finally, I read the PB story on the difference between EPAC's and Electric mountain bikes, like the stealth, that can do 80kph. The key to making sure that the latter doesn't kill access opportunities is information! So keep up the good work guys, keep digging in to E-MTB it's a part of our sport. And weather we like it or not we'll likely be tarred with the same brush.
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I voted neither way, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Let them crack on...
It is silly in a way. When you watch videos of pro athletes training you see them ride motocross, road bikes and whatnot. It is when they see Hannah Barnes also use a mountainbike with pedal assist that people go ape shit in the comment section. Same with the Monday video thing. It starts with more regular mountainbike stuff though later also typically drifts into BMX, skateboard, snow sports, climbing and other outdoor material PB readers may or not be interested in. All fine. Then came the day it also included that Rocky Mountain e-bike video and people got mad about it.
Already in the past (and maybe still now) you did some segregation with articles showing only in some parts of the world. So instead of using the reader's location, that could be a preference in our profile. eMTB: yes/no.
As a trail advocate, I am, however, concerned (like a lot of other riders) about the potential for a backlash on trails in areas of the United States where trail access is already imperiled. I don't get the sense that the bike industry has a clear and coherent plan for rolling e-bikes out in a way that proactively addresses a whole hornet's nest of possible problems (again, I'm just talking about the United States here).
However, my personal concerns aside, I think it makes sense for PB to cover Ebikes in some fashion. Why? Because Pinkbike is a news site. We are journalists. What we cover may not be life and death news, but we approach our jobs as reporters--and that means covering the news in an impartial fashion, weighing the pros and cons, and letting you, the reader, decide for yourself where you stand on things.
Sure, we have our editorial columns in which we give ourselves free reign to say whatever we want in as one-sided a fashion as we want, but the bulk of our job is to cover the news...and these days, the news is full of E-bikes. Our job, at least as I see it, is to cover it in a way that is neutral and fair. If I refused to report on E-bikes, I wouldn't be doing my job as a reporter. And if, on the other hand, I started gushing and fawning over E-bikes because they are being touted as the remedy for the bike industry's slumping sales figures, I'd simply be some kind of marketing shill.
In short, I think we'd be a crap website if we simply ignored something that is clearly happening out there in the world, simply because it didn't suit our personal tastes. What I think we need to do is cover E-bikes accurately. Moreover, I think our staff needs to have the freedom to say whatever they think about E-bikes. Some of us hate them...and we won't be shy about that fact. Some of us like E-bikes and I'm guessing those writers will tell you about it.
What we CAN guarantee is that you will be presented with both sides, with honest opinions and with enough food for thought that you can make up your own mind. Cheers.
Kind of reminds me of a newspaper.
You have your headlines on the front page. Maybe some big world news, or some large sports event coverage.
Then you get into the more mundane news, national issues and the like.
Eventually there is a "lifestyle" section, or an "entertainment" section, and then finally "business" and "sports".
And how many people read the business section? Or the lifestyle section?
We all have a choice, and we can all self manage ourselves to either look or not. Just because someone doesn't have the same interests as yourself doesn't make them any less of a person. Maybe you're the lesser person for pigeon holing people in the first place?
The way I see it is that Pinkbike, as a journalistic forum, needs to present all sides of mountainbiking, and e-mtb is just another side.
I have very little interest in slopestyle, yet we have article after article covering it. Do I, and other like minded people, get all up in the collective Pinkbike face and say "stop doing these articles!! Those bikes don't even ride more than a few hundred metres and it's all downhill!! What a bunch of unfit losers!!".
It becomes my choice to click that link or not. And so it should be for e-mtb.
Pinkbike would do a huge disservice to mountain biking in general if they did not cover e-mtb in someway. They impact on everyone, just like slopestyle riders have influence on the whole mtb scene, so too does e-mtb, and XC racing, and World Cup DH, and home made POV riding edits.
Everything is one piece in a very large jigsaw puzzle.
There is so much to cover in e-mtb. Do it, and do it well, and don't pander to the small numbered, yet vocal, trolls. Perhaps they could just learn to get along with everyone?
Ride on.
Whatever that ride may be.
I feel that your argument is poorly constructed on that point.
Not to mention riders on pedal bikes who should know better after two or more years in the sport still being absolute knobheads. Knobheads gonna knob...
I don't see you covering BMX or Motocross - both two-wheeled, the latter even with engines, electric versions are out there, too...
What I'm trying to say is, you guys draw the line on what you cover and what you don't. You don't cover something, just because it's out there. And pedelecs are not MTBs, they are different, if that was not the case you would not have seen a necessity for this article... Decide whatever you like, but don't pretend you have no choice.
Plus a motor makes bike riding more accessible, easier to start with -> so more average people will start doing it. Means more peps on bikes, i.e. again more chances to do harm.
Third: I think that the percentage of people who care about nature, etc is higher among current bike riders then what it is in general population. With ebikes being ridden by average joey, that´ll change imo.
The reason for the article is that this is a touchy subject for the purists who want mountain biking to be how THEY definite it. The debate concerns mountain biking and mountain bikers, that's why @vernonfelton rightly thinks PB should cover it.
But that's what I meant, PB alone get to decide how to define their subject, and what they want to cover. They just shouldn't make a statement that sounds like a lame excuse ("it's out there, we have to report it"), because that's not true. They can very well ignore everything about ebikes. And on the same grounds, they could also cover (electric) motocross bikes. (To pick up just one of the arguments made above: Some photogs and pros also use these to get to remote spots, and a lot of mountainbikers also ride motocross.)
Vernon should have probably qualified himself a little better, but I think it was pretty clear that he did not mean he would cover everything news worthy about two-wheeled transportation. I think he assumes that everyone here knows that this is a mountain bike website. As such, he should report on things happening in the mountain bike world and e-mtn bikes are certainly part of that world. They are a type of mountain bike, they are not a type of MX bike.
Too much fallacio going on around here.
eBikes aren't MX bikes, but they aren't mountain bikes either. We don't need to shoehorn them into some existing category of two wheeled vehicle. They're their own thing, and that's fine.
Whether pinkbike wants to expand the website to cover this new thing is the question. Personally, I don't think they should - eBikes are sufficiently different from regular bikes that they draw a different audience, and thus demand a distinct website. This wouldn't be all that different than what Vital already does; there's VitalMTB, Vital BMX, VitalMX, etc. The sites are related, but distinct.
Poll for PB leadership; A. Do you actually care about the e-mtb debate or B. Cannot refuse the money truck being backed into the door any longer ?
You wouldn't show up to an XC race with a DH bike, see how that works?
All you've shown is that it is a different category of mountain bikes, not something completely separate from mountain bikes.
Race categories aren't organized by bike types, they're organized by age and ability level. If I want to go race dh on a hardtail, the race organizers aren't going to stop me, and I don't need to enter a different category. But if I show up on an eBike, they most definitely won't let me race. As they shouldn't, because it's a different sport. Sure, they could make a new category for eBikes at the race, just like they could make a new category for MX bikes.
Ultimately this proves my point about categories- all of the aforementioned categories are 100% human powered, pedal-only categories and that's why you are generally allowed to race any style of pedal bike you want. An e-bike is not allowed because it does not fit that general category. And if there was an e-bike race, pedal-only bikes would not be allowed into it. And this is what happened at Sea Otter with the creation of an e-bike category.
This is not as hard as you want to make it out to be.
If anything it would end up making it safer for other riders as you wouldn't have the unfit ones getting off their bikes and pushing them plus they'd be more likely to do some slower climbing instead of just sticking to the faster descents.
That isn't demand. That's saturating the market to make it look like there is demand. ebikes are the new "standard", since they've done about every tweak to a traditional bike they can (and still call it "progress").
Demand, lol...
Keep in mind that the reason manufacturers are working so hard and yelling so loudly on this is because it brings new people (and money) into the sport. So while I agree there is no massive demand among core riders, that doesn't mean that there is no demand.
Anecdotally, I worked for a bike manufacturer that brought an eMTB to market, but didn't offer it to the USA. I think you'd have been surprised to see all the emails we received from riders who were mad they couldn't buy one.
.
They only think it will bring new people into the sport. I'm expecting it to turn out like Fatbikes and Plusbikes, a few brands will get it right, they'll sell a bunch of bikes and keep selling bikes over time. The rest of the industry will end up sat on piles of inventory they can't even sell at half price. High end E-bikes only truly appeal to people who want a high end bike in the first place, which is a smaller market than many brand managers would like to believe.
.
On that note I've been seeing E-Bikes about, they're almost all either a Haibike, a Specialized or Moustache. Two guys in their sixties went past me on Haibikes this weekend. Don't tell anyone but I thought they looked pretty nice too.
Vouilloz rides e-bikes because he is paid to promote them. Ebikes are like Botox and facelift and all this bullshit : spoiled superficial people use them because of their aging denial, and are ready to do anything to forget their fate. And that's selfish and stupid.
When I hurt my knee, I stopped riding. That's as simple as this. If I'm not healthy enough to ride, I don't ride. If when I get 40/50/60 I can't ride up anymore, I will just stop; because if you're not healthy enough to pedal, you're not healthy enough to crash and come home alone.
Do people think that Park Rangers an Police, will carry around a list of legal low power ebikes vs hyper power models? No, the authorities will just ban all bikes on trails, as it will be much easier to manage.
People who like riding Ebikes, actually just like riding low powered motor cycles. I have, and yes its kinda fun, but they are motor cycles .... Just really slow ones.
KTM currently make a silent 22hp Ebike, just without the pedals. Cant wait to test one ( Ktm freeride E-XC)
"Turbo Levo FSR
Hikers on Mt. Tam used to say we're crazy. Roadies called it a fad. Clunkers, tension discs— we left our eyes open, heads down, and kept designing. We kept evolving, and today, the Turbo Levo FSR embodies a design unimaginable 40 years ago—a trail bike with 530 watts of power on the climbs. A trail bike that gives you the power to ride more trails."
"Turbo Bikes
Whether you're riding trail, speeding up your commute, or just having the time of your life out on the road, our Turbo electric bikes give you the power to go farther and faster then ever before. On the road, these e-bikes are capable of achieving 45 Km/h while you pedal, and on the dirt, they give you the power to ride more trails. Think of it like superhuman strength, only it's more like a superhuman is helping you as you pedal."
C ya next Monday when normal programming resumes
(although I may be back to LOL at some comments in a coffee break along the way)
I dont' believe there are that many votes for this option. Say what you like, I just don't believe it.
Also disagree with pinkbike's stance, and can't believe they would adopt it. I won't quite mountain biking, but I will frequent this site less and less, the more and more e-bike content shows up.
Great suggestion on separate site. If E-bikes are so strong, there should be no problem building a community around it, rather than tainting this one.
Ever been on an uplift?
A motocross bike is completely different especially in the way it handles, it doesn't give you much opportunity for exercise, and it really will destroy trails which is what a lot of people assume and complain about with e-bikes (they don't).
What's important is that people know what to expect. So if the article contains e-bike material, give it a clear tag on the title page. People who would be offended or simply not interested in the content won't click, those who are interested do. Your stat counter will probably give you a good impression of how popular the topic is. The thing now is, those who are offended currently only click to regurgitate their arguments against them. So my suggestion here is, don't click if you're not interested. Really, all arguments and counter-arguments have already been said numerous times. If you really want to keep the discussion going, do so here.
I personally clicked "indifferent" in the poll. It is up to PB to determine the style, identity and content of the website. You can't be "leading" and yet at the same time appeal to the widest audience. Because new/different/"leading" has most often proven polarizing in mtb-land. And quite simply if you're "leading" then you don't need an audience to tell you what to do. And the more people you try to cater for, the more will be complaining about content that doesn't suit their interest. It is like people complaining about the content on tv or radio. There are more channels to choose from. And if there really is nothing to keep you captivated, excellent. You're free to go out and ride your bike.
I don't care about eBikes, slopestyle or even XC. But I'm glad they're there for those who do and when I do eventually want to check them out.
If you don't like it, don't read it.
Just to be clear, I don't support this trend. I only sell them. Nothing more!
Example of pinkbike emtb thread: www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=190615&pagenum=1
Nah.
It's just cos they aren't real mtbs.
I always thought the spirit of mountain biking was about having fun and if someone has more fun on an e-bike then that's great as far as I'm concerned. Are you against other people having fun?
Mountain biking is all about pedaling, on your own, I couldn't care less about lifts, and most of the people never been to one, and MTB and cycling as as SPORT (it's a sport not a drag race) wasn't built and isn't living and breathing on that, maybe here around pinkbike some think it is, but its not. I'm not against people having, fun, maybe someone can have fun dropping some nails on the trail, or trying to overtake me on a MX, hey "they're just having fun!".
I'm not against ebikes, I'm just sad, utterly sad by the way some try to shove down our throats what's suppose to be MTBiking and cycling all about, it's all about this type of fun, no effort, no challenge, no peddaling, just speed, and they're dead wrong, they're basically describing MX. They're not TOTTALLY into it, but they will get there, "more power", "uphiling walls", "who cares about weight, there's speed and we're having fun", "gasoline or electric, you have to power it down", etc. And don't say it's as difficult as it is with a real MTB, every other comment is all about disabled and health problems, how can you say you can push it the same way?
The message is clear and it is atrocious, don't train, don't push hard, just buy an ebike. It is sad.
Mountain biking is about having fun, unless you're racing in which case it's about being faster but e-bikes aren't for racing so that's irrelevant. What people find fun is not for you to decide and you need to understand that some people find e-bikes to be more fun. Some people don't find killing themselves on climbs to be fun, if they can find a way around that and it doesn't affect you then why the hell do you care? Seriously, in what way could e-bikes possibly harm you? Why does their existence offend you so much? Sure someone might find throwing nails on a trail fun but guess what, it harms other people. I bet murderers quite enjoy killing people but it's pretty obvious why it's a bad thing.
"What people find fun is not for you to decide and you need to understand that some people"
I don't decide, but can I have my opinion? Or I just have to fully commit on yours?
I really think you're not aware what's an opinion, and an argument is. you see that insult is just as lazy as your ebike, you just stop the effort and go straight to the jugular. Ah, btw, It seems like in the end of your post your asking the same questions that me and others with the same opinion have answered before.
"Maybe golf or motor racing is not a SPORT then" you're missing the point. I'm a fan of motor racing, and there's plenty of motorized sports around, you don't need to go and pick MTB and try to motorize it also, what you are looking for it has been covered by a ton of other sports.
Sports have rules and principles and if you try mess with the most basic of all, you get a backlash from the fans and community who see that the sport they cherish is suddenly disappearing. What made the sport is now at risk on become something much more different. That's it. It's like covering the wheels of an open wheel, it's like playing golf with a bat, this is not a new discussion and there are hundreds of similar dilemas in other subjects. Things can be talked and discussed, it's not only "who cares, just leave it" this is not Soviet Union.
And btw.
"Perhaps North Korea is more worth worrying about."
The world doesn't end and start in the USA and their foreign policy, and caring about North Korea doesn't distract me from other subjects that I also care, I'm sorry to say.
ebikes might be big and ok in European recreational areas but in other places like North America there are tons of questions/issues about their use.
The questions/issues are easy to identify for North American recreational areas but the ebike industry is using a shotgun approach to marketing and selling a new vertical market. Sadly the industry has not addressed the questions/issues with vehicle regulations, government land managers, private property, club membership, club trail maintenance, trail use and much more. The only thing that is certain about ebikes is that they wouldn't be included in UCI events nor Olympics.
Note- I'm a retired 65 year old who is PWD and has been mtn biking since 1985 on and off. Even though I struggle in the climb, I not supportive of seeing mtn ebikes if/when legal mixing with mtn bikes on the current trail systems.
Due to the uphill rider having right of way it will be an absolute nightmare to be going down a trial that an emtb is going up because they are not riding at a normal pace uphill, they are riding literally twice as fast. So what happens when the downhill rider comes around the corner to an uphill rider going 15-20mph with no time to stop. Whose fault is the crash?! This will be a F&%^ing nightmare! I have already seen emtb on trails at park city and the rich a*sholes don't give a shit what you think. While we are at it let's make every car the brightest LED lights possible because technology is always good in every way, Right?
I've tried one and getting a hand up the hill was nice. It just doesn't feel like a proper bike - i.e. human powered transport. I've also owned road and off road motorcycles and while it doesn't feel anything like that there are similarities. Tales of hop ups abound too. I'd love one, but its not the same sport as MTB.
Then there's the price. All they will do is get more rich people into the sport - they are unaffordable for most. Its strange that they are so popular in the EU, home of lift accessible trails all over the place. Why do you need an EMTB when you can access the slopes in a chair?
There is also the social media aspect. I'm not a climber, but there are plenty who are and if I was on an EMTB I'd claim some KOM'S. Its also going to make descending an undulating trail potentially faster too.
We can't stop the march of progress and the tech is fascinating, but to me its a different category of activity to MTB.
As they are now, I think the help level is too much.
This said, I just ordered one e-fully. Why? Because I'm horribly out of shape now (compared to a few years ago). In my area, climbs are hard and unforgiving. In this way, I'll be able to enjoy epic rides while progressively getting back in shape.
Once back in shape, we'll see... I suppose a 20kg e-fully won't be able to be as fun as my 12kg enduro weapon.
But I'm open to new things and I'm going to use the e-mtb respectfully of people and environment, same as the normal mtb.
Regarding the website, simply add a couple of preferences to the user profile: no e-contraptions, just interesting e-news, all e-news. And filter the content based on this.
Looking in retrospect though, had e-bikes been around when I was racing XC in my late teens (18 & 19) and early 20's, then I would have beaten any e-bike up a hill - lived for the hills back then. Yes, I would be buggered at the top of the hill because I would have exerted myself, but damn, if that wouldn't have been a challenge worthy of doing (to beat an e-bike).
Today, I get passed going uphill by e-bikes, and normal bikes alike from time to time too (seems more often though than I'd really like - oh how I must have pissed off the older guys when I used to rocket up the hills, but now I am wearing their SPD's...). We all slow down, for whatever reason, eventually. I'd like to think I'll still be riding in my 90's if I am lucky enough to live that long, but I am wise enough to know that it won't be on my current enduro bike!
My gripe with them is weight, they really dont feel like your current bike with all that extra weight. Also the motor/battery is a reliability concern that is way to high currently, because when they fail you'll really feel how much of a pig it is to haul around and from working at a shop I would say the failure rate is a bit to high for it to be enjoyable to own.
Not anti ebike but they aren't mountain bikes
Do what you like, eventually you won't stop progression.
PS: don't tell anyone, but they just double the fun.
In other parts of the world where cooler heads prevail regarding trail access, user conflict, and environmental impact eBikes are all well and good. But for us here in the U.S., where you can't look at someone sideways without being threatened with a lawsuit, trails are regularly sabotaged, and conflicting user groups are at each other's throats, eBikes do INDEED present a very real and serious threat.
One thing that isn't talked about very much is the inevitability of a throttle based, non-pedal assisted incarnation of these bikes. Don't for a second think that companies won't go there... it is only a matter of time before these motors get more powerful, and these throttle based "bikes" only have cranks in order to fly under the radar so to speak.
Already the forest service has posted signs banning users from taking eBikes on hard won trails, and guess what, the signs aren't stopping them. The forest service allows us to be guests on that land and it won't take much for that access to be rescinded.
Again, this is a U.S. problem that not many other places in the world share or even understand.
The rest of the world can bitch and moan about how eBike critics are just contrarian, fun-hating a-holes but the danger to our trails is very real, and it should be approached as such.
The problem is these "bikes" will soon be indistinguishable from real bikes, this their perceived impact will be applied to anything with two wheels, and that could end up with a lot of trails being taken from riders who are innocent of this foolishness.
So here we wait for the hammer to drop, by ourselves, sweating and swearing through dust filled gritted teeth as we power ourselves up the hills, while the MTB media essentially abdicates, obfuscates, and evades. Because the bread must be buttered, and our thoroughly self-vindicated storytellers know on which side that butter goes.
You all said enduro was shit! 5 years ago pinkbike picked it up and then holy shit you think it's cool! Only sheep have opinions of negitivity! The foxes of the world are already lining there pockets with Ebike products!
Just got to hope that the manufacturers keep everyone happy, the moaners can only blame themselves if they force this amazing opportunity to spoil it for everyone.
Live and let live, let the sport flourish by accepting ebikes and help everyone
My guess is that people will choose laziness over exercise, trail damage over trail maintenance, short term business over long term.
From a valley to another the acceptance is totally different. Some are trying to make compromises, some are against bikes, period. We tried to give them a hand in maintaining trails but every time they voice their opinion in the local press it's just mtb bashing, never a word of encouragment for bikers. There's probably some business behind this, like renting parcels to wealthy hunters, and mtb supposedly scare animals. Also some trails are simply utterly destroyed by woodsmens tractors, but there's money involved so it's ok I guess. Mtbs just go by without paying anything.
They have MOTORS therefore they are motorbikes !!
However I'm nearly 50 and have ridden mtb for 30+ years so I'm hypocriticaly seeing these things as a way of extending my time on the trails but I'd hate to think that my selfishness caused access problems for others enjoyment.
They're here though and not going away.
Same with e-bikes.
I think you are making a mistake here PInkbike.
Other option... qui mtb and become porn actor
I already see ebikes that go uphill with no pedaling whatsoever. That is motorcycling not bicycling.
Call the people that ride them lazy if you want, despite the fact you can get just as much of a workout on one as an unassisted bike (you're only taking effort out of the climb, to be used elsewhere), but there's no rule in mountain biking that requires a minimum amount of exertion. Gear a DH bike low enough and it could climb too, but people use lifts or push them instead and yet it's still mountain biking and it's still on this site.
If you don't like e-bikes it's pretty f*cking simple, don't click on any articles about them. I don't have any interest in XC bikes or 29ers so I just scroll right past them, but I'm glad they're there for the people that do have an interest in them.
I wish that I could be optimistic and believe that they can see the bigger picture of the whole matter, but alas, with all the blinding amount of hate and anger being directed at each other, I can only be cynical. I find it just best to walk away, knowing that idiots will use only part of truth, and oversimplified generalizations, to serve their own views and spite those that don't share it.
To call eMTB's an inextricable part of the fabric of MTBing is mass over reach, an inaccuracy based on the spurious survey results received to date.
To "(5) .. acknowledge the potential for eMTBs to cause trail access issues, and will monitor those developments closely—we won’t hesitate to hold eMTBs or eMTB riders accountable" - indicates all that is dear and precious and at risk here, but to still go ahead is down right ignorant and damaging, not worth of the decades of effort PinkPike has done to get where it is, and respect it readership or position.
To have such a limp wristed approach in "(6) ..Mountain biking continues to evolve, so we will regularly re-evaluate our positions on issues like eMTBs" is such a COP OUT. if it doesn't go well, we will retract and unwind our position real quick, looking like the media paid endorsement people we are, and not journalist with any integrity and conviction, not a media strategy, policy, nor a view for the Sport that is in keeping with readership. Nor have you even an internal position, you have disclosed the internal division inside the office of PinkBike.
Woeful article by a paid hack, not worthy of PB. Readvertise the Head of Editorial Role, this one is vacant.