BobbyG

PeteHski

Sure, whatever. Lame argument.

3alarmer 

.
...people on e-bikes pass me all the time. People on carbon fiber reinforced plastic bicycles pass me all the time. I don't find it triggers me, but I might be missing something. Probably something about the need for speed.

Iride01 

I've not been bothered by people on e-bikes here. They tend to ride slow and are out for a leisurely ride. It's good if they get out and move their legs up and down. As long as they are contributing some of the power themselves, then they are helping their cardio vascular system.

indyfabz

This subject is like Colt-45: It works every time.

Iride01 

In the days of Colt 45 (beer) I was drinking Grape Malt Duck. It was a bad time for my teen years in the 70's.

70sSanO

Or you can sing a verse from the Beatles’ Yesterday while drafting an e-bike.

“Suddenly I’m not half the man I used to be…”

John

indyfabz

Excuse me, but the 45 is a malt liquor. It’s what we drank when we didn’t feel like getting wrecked on “Old E.” I worked in a deli the summer before my senior year of college. The owner took Saturdays off. We used to hit the coolers for Malt Duck while we made hoagies and cheesesteaks.

rsbob 

I pass people on e-bikes whom are out for a leisurely cruise all the time. I’m glad they are out moving their legs enjoying the outdoors. The only time I find myself (not them - me) upset is when I am laboring up a quarter mile 15% climb and they go wizzing by leaving me in the dust. Bet they are having a good laugh at the poor old fool knocking himself out at 8 MPH.

As I have mentioned on a few threads, and will again, my wife who has severe RA, now rides an e-bike as her only way to comfortably get out and ride again. When we first met, she was out pounding the miles on her standard Cannondale road bike. We then moved to a tandem to equalize our differences (No, she wasn’t the faster one) which we road for several years. When RA knocked her out of cycling due to the strain involved, the e-bike filled the gap and continues too. It was a god-send for her. No one really knows how many other people riding e-bikes suffer from physical ailments where e-bikes give them back their freedom.

Besides, on longer rides with a head-wind, drafting her comes in handy.

squirtdad

FWIW I draw a big distinction between pedal assist and bikes that have a throttle and don't need to pedal. The former are bikes and the latter are motorcycles. (and the latter seem to have a greater percentage of non courteous riders (aka jerks) )

I am all for people using pedal assist if it gets them biking or keeps them biking, I could be that person in few years

Ots090

Being older now I found myself grabbing the car keys instead of hopping on the bike. Didi an e-bike convert and now I'm on it again. Works for me!

SoSmellyAir

Amen! Amen!

3alarmer 

.
...I think that as long as you can spend $10,000 on an e-bike, they must be OK. Of course, to do that, you have to accept some carbon fiber as part of the package. So it's hard to see where e-bike leaves off, and carbon fiber bike begins. Thankfully, here in the free world, you can have both at the same time.

rsbob 

Our Specialized cost half the price with the larger battery.

mr,grumpy 

The VAST MAJORITY of e-bikes sold to “people” in the USA have some nature of throttle on them. But, with a top speed of 20 or 28 MPH they are hardly motorcycles.

Peddle assist only bicycles here are wicked expensive and bought by enthusiasts and people with stupid money.

E-bikes are much better tools for commuting or cargo hauling than acoustic bikes. That’s what I use mine for..

shelbyfv

I don't get this "pedal assist" vs throttle gatekeeping. A throttle is useful for most motorized applications and is a more precise way to control the motor. On the other hand, the difference between human powered and motor powered is fundamental. I won't be here to say "I told you so" but I predict that within 10 years this silly distinction will be forgotten.

genejockey 

I DO seek attention for any ride lasting longer than 4 hours.

You know, like "Hey everybody! I just rode 4 1/2 hours! I may be an old codger, but I can still do that!!!"

Bmach

I want to say one thing to the ebike haters here. When you get older or start having health issues or both, stick to your hate, stop riding, sell your bikes and DON’T buy an ebike. At that point I will respect you because you are a person of your conviction.

genejockey 

I don't have anything against e-bikes per se. Nor do I have issues with MOST e-bike riders. I have issues with unskilled riders going far too fast without any respect for physics, other riders, and/or the law. They don't have to be e-bike riders, either.

One thing I have observed is that a LOT of e-bike riders don't wear helmets, even at speeds in excess of 20 mph. But I imagine this issue may work itself out one way or another.

shelbyfv

I think you'll find few if any of those on BF. IME, cyclists are annoyed by ebikers who say "Oh it's no different from having a 34t cassette or a triple." Also folks who can't find the ebike section to post their threads.