yeamac 

I'm a relative newcomer to the 50 plus category, and to e-bikes having purchased my first e-bike this Spring, Cannondale, based on the lightweight, rear-hub assist Mahle X-35. Riding on level-2 assist I ride about the same pace as I did when I was 35. It feels good to turn back the clock!

PeteHski

I think e-bikes are great for this. I'm definitely getting one at some future point.

shelbyfv

Well, the motor is a pretty big elephant squatting in the corner. FWIW, there is an ebike section and BF etiquette even has folks shamelessly posting their mileage and average speed! E Bikes Enjoy

PeteHski

I see nothing sad here.

shelbyfv

Missed opportunity? If someone isn't impaired, lots of good cycling can be had during those years. Also the fitness gained by suffering up hills and into headwinds likely benefits us as we age.

downtube42

E-shifting should be banned! I just bought a new bike, the last generation of Domane with mechanical shifting. At 62, I say give me cables or give me death!

How I miss Roseanne Roseannadanna

Artmo 

Now our early 80s, my wife and I were having trouble keeping up with our considerably younger bike group, so three years ago we added a Cytronex C1 to our tandem. This added only about 8 lb to our already light machine, but even at the lowest assist level of about 80W,and a range of about 36 miles, we can keep up at 15-18 mph. The problem is that when riding alone, I tend to use the lowest power setting most of the time, which I'm sure has negatively impacted our fitness because of the ease of maintaining a speed of 15-17 mph, with HR <100 bpm, whereas without assist, we struggle to stay at 12-13 mph and HR >>100bpm..E-assist has certainly not negatively affected our enjoyment of cycling; in fact I think it has enhanced it in our advancing years.

PeteHski

The type of e-bike the OP is riding allows you to suffer as much as you choose. You just go a bit faster for a given effort. It also allows more flexibility in terms of riding terrain.

Your talk of “missed opportunity” is quite ironic actually. You clearly have a fixed mindset here that prevents you from seeing it from a different perspective. I have a friend who rides both normal bikes and an e-bike (similar to the OP’s). He uses his e-bike for fast, hilly group rides where he wouldn’t be able to keep up otherwise (he’s not a natural climber) and for a long 50 km commute ride to make it into a practical training ride. He uses his normal road bike for competitive timed event rides where an e-bike would be inappropriate.

shelbyfv

I'd say this is entirely appropriate for experienced cyclists of advanced age. Several of our group have gone to ebikes for the same reason. They still enjoy the social aspect even though they can no longer do the work. This is different from a relatively young person going directly to an ebike and missing the benefits of actual cycling. JMO.

fishboat

I'll be turning 67 before long. I'd have to agree with this opinion..I wish today I could ride like I did when in my early 50's, but I ride as I do at 66 and that's fine.

Thread belongs in the e-bike forum.

Chuck Naill

Just some thoughts, I can appreciate getting help from a battery if you are older and cannot keep up with the group. I can appreciate older folks enjoying a battery powered bike riding alone in the neighborhood. What I cannot understand is getting external power and fooling yourself into thinking your speed isn't artificially driven or you have your stamina back.

shelbyfv

Yep, my cycling from age 50 to 70 was most rewarding. Happy to have not missed out. I agree that the thread is misplaced.

Bald Paul

At 71, with a bad knee and heart issues, I can no longer ride with the faster groups.
I found slower groups to ride with.

That being said, I have no issues with anyone riding an e-bike (or any bike) in a responsible manner. In fact, I have a friend who is finally retiring and moving to my area. As a retirement gift, I bought her a Trek Verve+ 4S so she can ride with us. I would much rather see someone getting some "assisted" exercise and being able to enjoy the activity than to be sitting on the couch.

delbiker1 

Soon to be 71, the past 10 years have been my most rewarding in 50 plus years of road cycling. I pedaled, with no assist, 50,000 miles in that time, and, acquired tools and learned how to do all bike work myself. That excludes wheels, except for basic truing. I have nothing against anyone that uses any kind of electric bike, I just like riding how I ride. My 61 year old sister purchased an electric assist type bike and says it has opened up a whole new world for her. She would have never gotten into cycling if not for that. It folds and is easy to get into, out of, her vehicle. I helped her with getting a basket and bags on the bike, showed her how to get her beach stuff securely mounted, and gave her a helmet. She was using it to go to the beach and local parks and wildlife areas. No $3 an hour for parking, no entry fee into any of the park or wildlife areas. That includes state and federal areas. Also, no waiting in a long line of vehicles for that entry. I can see myself getting one if I get to where I cannot do it under my own power, with electric assist being the way I would go.

jon c. 

It would take more than an ebike for me to feel like I was 35 again.

delbiker1 

\
I think I could not possibly feel a mere 35 years old again. No matter the circumstances. I am very much okay with that, and am very grateful to still be able to cycle like I do.

Biker395 

Dude … that’s hilarious. 👍

Biker395 

This. Lots of people in my hood are using e-bikes to take trips they used to take in a car. Especially trips to the beach and parks.

Not a single one of them “needed” an ebike to do it. They could have easily done the trips on a bicycle.

But the cold fact is that they didn’t. So hey … more people riding means more people understanding 2 wheeled road users means fewer nasty motorists.

But feeling 35? That’s really only a testament as to how innocuous the assist is applied. The good engineering is making it feel like you’re doing it under your own power, but of course, you’re not.

PeteHski

What benefits of “actual cycling” are they going to miss out on riding this kind of e-bike? Is riding progressively slower or suffering more on group rides as we age something to look forward to? I know I’m not.

I totally get the sense of achievement from riding entirely under your own steam, but nobody else cares unless you are in competition.

PeteHski

I very much doubt anyone would be fooled into thinking like that. People I know who ride e-bikes simply appreciate the faster pace for various practical reasons eg keeping up with a stronger group or a long, hilly commute.

shelbyfv

Well that's a big plus, isn't it? Looking back on a ride and feeling good about your mileage and elevation. Sharing a hard climb with friends or a century in the rain. If you have a motor you lose all that. I enjoy puttering along and admiring the wildflowers and I'd be happy to do that on an ebike. However, looking back on the past 20 years, the most memorable cycling involved some anxiety, various degrees of suffering and a post-ride sense of accomplishment. I'm happy to have had that and hope to get more before I have to abandon.

CAT7RDR

That sums it up for me.
The chase of personal fulfillment by getting out of it what I put into it.
Cycling is unique in that respect.

Wildwood 

I was never strong climbing - Level 1 and lower gears get me back to my 30s, but that was 40years ago, on steep Santa Cruz Mt roads.
Orbea X35.

PeteHski

I can certainly relate to this, but I also realise that there are others who don’t really care about the suffering. Or have simply just had enough of it. I will probably get an e-bike at some future point and ride both, like my friend does now. Bikes and e-bikes are not mutually exclusive.

jlaw

Cool!

Enjoy your new bike and don't let the internet tell you you're somehow wrong for having fun on an ebike!

No apologies, no explanations, no justifications needed - ever.