[PierreR]

O boy, I don’t think I would want to encounter one of those bikes on my local single tracks. Our single tracks have a lot of hikes with dogs. I also volunteer for trail days and would not want to repair that kind of damage on a regular basis.

I have researched electric bike over the last month quite a bit. Was hoping to get something for my wife that was easy to pedal but offered some assist when necessary. She walks with a cane, has joint problems and is balance challenged. She is afraid to go very far on her bike or take any trails that have much of anything for turns and hills.

What I found was disappointing. All e bikes adverise as "the lightest bestest technology on the market that are easy to pedal if the battery runs out". Seems like the e bikes are geared towards unassisted climbs on tough single track like this stealth or a cheap heavy commuter. Either way you are no longer on a bike that is easy to pedal and/or offers assist only when necessary. There are a few e bike concepts with promise but the light ones with promise seem to have a lot of noise associated with them. I didn’t see any assisted bikes commercially available that I would want to pedal without power even on a paved trail.

I could see wanting an e-assist bike for myself for single track a few years down the road to help out on some of the climbs. All the problems associated with opening that door should be addressed by IMBA. Seems to me what might work is rules or legislation that encourages assist only. I would be for some sort of certified bike with a controller that limits assist by taking into account padal force to speed and provides no assist beyond a fairly low threshold of speed. In other words the assist would work for the guy who climbs in granny gear but still takes breaks and never exceeds 7 mph on a climb. Assist would be useless above that speed. This would encourge builders to make bikes or retro kits that pedal excellent and are light weight, not these 50+ lb slob bikes they want to push onto our trails.

I agree, some guidelines need to be in place before someone on a 50 mph e bike runs a hiker’s dog over or spooks a horse into a wild rage. Being pro active at establishing guidelines and imforming the multiuse groups about those guidelines is far preferable to fighting to keep access.

[PierreR]

Get through my second year of mountain biking without getting injured to bad would be the first thing that comes to mind. After that the list is….

1.) I will not try to clear the trees on the inside of the turns as if they were a gate on the ski slopes. I clear the hand but not the bars. 2012 (5) 2013 (0)

2.) I will not try to roll out into a corner while still on a 4" skinny. I will look closer to the bike. 2012 (2) 2013 (0)

3.) I will not slide full length through the poison ivy this year

4.) I want to be able to do a decent manual over a double without number 3

5.) I want to be able to do a decent manual off a 2′ ledge

6.) I want to avoid going viral on YouTube

7.) I will not utter the words "Hey guys hold my beer while I do this". Not 3 again

8.) I want to ride in Moab UT or Fruita as well as ski late this winter.

9.) I want to avoid serious damage to my newly aquired FS Carbon bike

10.) I want a dropper post and decent flat pedals in addition to my egg beaters

11.) I would like to find a solution to the sneezing and sinus pain after a tough ride.

12.) I would like to see my 58th birthday this fall in one piece

[PierreR]

"fat_billy" wrote

How does your Zen feel when passed by a fit guy on a lesser steed at the top of a climb?

I was passed? Oh yeah, I guess so but isn’t the guy half my age?

Questioning a riders commitment based on what they spend on a bike is insulting to other riders. Eating Raman noodles to be able to get a good $2000.00 bike shows commitment more than writing a check for a 8k 😄 Later,

Mr. Green noted: The point I was making about those with expensive toys whom poo-pooing an expensive bike is that we all have our priorities and budgets. I choose to spend on tools of my passion instead of toys of modern living. There are always going to be those types for whom material things are always an issue. To me, commitment to a sport is way more than enthusiasm. I have already watched a few very enthusiastic riders carry their bikes out of the trail looking like a strawberry sunday. Commitment is educating one’s self on all aspects of the sport, dedication to mastering the basics, dedication to maintaining the tools and then giving back to the sport.

[PierreR]

I have talked to quite a few people about bikes and price levels. What I find odd is that the guy who says nobody needs an $8,000 bike is often riding a cheap entry level bike but drives a $40,000 suv and has an $8,000 entertainment system that gobbles $200 a month in services. Do I need and $8,000 bike? Why hell yes I do. Will I get one tomorrow? No but not so far in the future. I am demoing bikes in that range.

People go into mountain biking with many different reasons and expectations of what they want out of the sport. Those who don’t, often quit soon after starting. For many the thrill is in the terrain itself. The knarlier the better and the bigger their kahuna’s feel. For some its for the social aspect and being outdoors doing something that is fun. For some its the adventure of going to some place new or riding epic trails. For some its about big hits, jumps and stunts. For these folks and $8,000 bike is likely overkill.

There are a few reasons why someone would want and need an $8,000 bike. If biking is you life and you make your income from the sport an $8,000 bike makes sense. Another reason for wanting and needing an $8,000 bike is that you are into the sport for the technical aspects, the zen of exceptional balance, senergy and flow plus all the little neuances of touch and feel regardless of what trail you are on. That is where I am at. The difference between a $2,000 bike and an $8,000 bike can be felt. I would describe the difference as being like getting rid of static on the radio. The right $8,000 bike gives a sense to synergy and feel to how well the various components work together in harmony. The right bike minimizes vibrations and jarring motions (static) and lets the right motions, (feel like your sensory nervous system extends throughout the bike. Even to the point of feeling like you are connected to the ground like your own bare feet) come shinning through. To me that zen is worth an extra $6,000 even on a beginner/intermediate trail.

I am coming to the sport of mountain biking from the perspective of a high level alpine and telemark skier whom is already into flow and zen and could give two hoots as to what terrain or snow condition I am actually on. This is my first year starting in late May as a mountain biker but this will be my 53 year on skis. I want the same zen I get from a big bump run or putting the skis over on high edge. Does the ski equipment exceed $8,000? You betcha it does.

The problem I have with the $8,000 bike is getting the right bike. I think the chances of getting the fit and components that deliver that zen I want with the first buy is probably about zip. I would like to get it down to about three tries. Two to figure out what delivers the zen and the last to purchase the $8k bike. There are many realities and compromises that I have to decide on. I already have a lot of things figured out.

At my age I don’t have years to waste of stupid mistakes. I would like to think I am middle aged but there are not a lot of 114 year old people runing around.

[PierreR]

I started this year and live just south of Medina.

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