MateoLargo

I appreciate Mike's opinions, and I realize that this is framed as exactly that, but... I really see most people who are opposed to e-bikes the way I view hikers of the 1990's. There is this "not on my trails" mentality and this idea that somehow the idea of someone else finding an easier way to cover more ground is lessening their experience--we need to stop being such hypocrites. Let he who is without pickup shuttles and chair lifts cast the first water bottle! Riding should be about fun, and if a little extra push allows more people to have a good time I am in favor. I don't own an e-MTB, and I have no plans to buy one, but I have ridden a couple on a few of my local trails because I want to have an informed opinion. Yes you can climb faster with less effort but you are still pedaling a bike (I describe it as "going Zone 5 speed with Zone 2 effort"), and the reality is that you actually descend slower. And while you can climb fire roads at 20 mph, the reality is that you are generally climbing singletrack at 8-10 mph. User conflicts occur when Stravassholes strafe hikers doing 25 mph on descents while chasing a KOM, not from some 60-year-old guy who is just trying to find a way to keep getting himself to the top of the mountain. I view this like most things in life, "If you don't like e-MTB's, great... don't buy one." But, unless you want hikers judging the way you chose to enjoy the trail, you really have no place judging how others choose to get to the top. We applaud bike manufacturers for creating bike and suspension designs that have changed where and how we ride, and then we complain about them "chasing dollars"??? Ummm, they are for-profit businesses--every brand or store currently in the bike industry needs to be looking for any available avenue to stay profitable. I just don't get the hate... go ride YOUR bike :)