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Home / Mountain Bikes and Gear / Interview

Watch: Gary Fisher Says that Ebikes Are “The Next Big Thing”

Mountain bike pioneer Gary Fisher predicts ebikes will be the next big thing, eliminating the suffering of steep climbs while keeping the fun.

By Video Share
March 1, 2017 Last Updated: December 22, 2025

27 comments

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In this recent interview, Gary Fisher, mountain bike pioneer, says that he thinks ebikes will “surely become the next big thing.”

“E mountain bike takes away the hard part. It’s that part where you’re going 5kph and you’re in a world of hurt going up this super steep hill and you’re barely making it up… good bye good bye, that’s gone.” -Gary Fisher

This video was sponsored by Bosch and Trek. Trek acquired Gary Fisher’s brand years ago and still works closely with Gary, and also uses Bosch engines in their ebikes.

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27 Comments

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Hap Proctor Florida // 2014
Mar 2, 2017

Cash flow

1 reply

R Treb New Jersey // 2015
Mar 9, 2017

E bikes will end our trail access. Saw guys climbing a hill at 12 plus mph. While average climb speed is 8 mph at most. Hugging our back tire yelling at us to get out of way. Then couple guys heading downhill were bell ringing to let everyone now they are coming. E-bikes were climbing to fast to get out of way making a dangerous situation for all. I reported them to a ranger who is a friend and he said this" e motorized bike will make keeping MTB trails open in future" . I agree 110?! This is a damn motor bike, plain and simple! If they are limited on speed for handicapped people fine. But climbing at excessive speeds is BS!

0 reply

R Treb New Jersey // 2015
Mar 9, 2017

Edit* it will make keeping MTB trails open in future impossible.

0 reply

ericjb9 Pennsylvania // 2014
Mar 6, 2017

For the few of you defending e-bikes, I don't care what you say you are wrong in all aspects and need to stay off the trails. We don't want you there. If you want help pedaling than mtb just isn't for you.

0 reply

wbike54az South Carolina // 2016
Mar 2, 2017

I have 2 mountain bikes. A Specialized Camber 29 with a dropper post and a new Specialized Levo ebike. I would suggest that all the ebike haters to try one out first before making nasty uninformed statements. Mountain biking is fun on both! My Levo has 650 tires which gives me great traction for going fast and I can go up trails that previously I had to bike and hike. I am 62 and it makes me have legs like a 25 year old. My Levo is a blast and has made me a better rider on my Camber.

0 reply

Mikie Watson California // 2013
Mar 4, 2017

Uninformed? Who's uninformed here?
The only people here that are for EBikes are those that want them. Prolific? Not really. I have already ran into the jackwads that think they own the trail on their EBikes. Dealt with the idiots who are illegally riding on non motorized trails. If you are a cycling purist, EBike disgust us. Call us haters if you will, but the reaction going on here is no different then what is happening at my So Cal mountain bike forum, imtbtrails. A few support them, but most despise them. Pollutes the idea of mountain biking. Go get an electric Moto and see how long before it's confiscated and fined for being on non motorized trails. Don't pretend to call yourself a cyclist just because your two wheeled motorcycle has cranks. I realize this reads angry, I'm not... Just do not like or appreciate the "try it you'll like it" bull.
I'm a mountain biker through and through.... peace!

0 reply

ericjb9 Pennsylvania // 2014
Mar 2, 2017

I love how us mountain bikers scoff at the idea of a powered bike when the other 99% of the population that wouldn't dare ride what we do without an engine. If you can't handle the climbs then all it takes is some practice determination and lots of will power to keep going when it feels like you cant. We have all been there before. This idea of the e-bike just really bothers me because it is against everything I love mountain biking for.

0 reply

Mikie Watson California // 2013
Mar 4, 2017

Right on Eric!
Mikie
imtbtrails

0 reply

Jonathan Rill Missouri // 2015
Mar 3, 2017

I mountain bike to be outdoors, to explore, to enjoy nature. It doesn't matter to me if you pedaled all or only some of the way. I stop to look around, be in the moment and even to wonder about the trails not taken, the hills and valleys not yet explored. What is less understandable to me are those in such a hurry that they never stop and look around. Strava times and KOM are fine if that is your thing. It is not mine. If e-bikes are still around when I physically need them to get outdoors, then I will use them. If I use one, I will still stop and smell the roses along the way.

0 reply

A J MacDonald Jr Pennsylvania // 2014
Mar 2, 2017

I need my pain.

0 reply

Joseph Graf California // 2014
Mar 2, 2017

I ride to burn calories (and for fun). I don't need/want the uphill assistance and I certainly don't need a heavy motor and battery on the downhills!

0 reply

Twiddles California // 2011
Mar 3, 2017

I think risk outweighs benefit in all mountain biking situations. On the road fine, on a trail in the mountains you run the risk of putting an out of shape, potentially inexperienced rider in a position where they now have a 50+lb bike plus themselves up many hills to get out of where the bike took them.

We earn our experience in muscle, sweat and sometimes blood and tears. To give someone the access without the required earned experience invites issues for them and other trail users. This is not Golf.......

0 reply

Never2old California // 2017
Mar 5, 2017

I would hope that those who are bashing E bike have in fact tried riding one before opening their pie holes. I too was reluctant at first and didnt want to give up my SS Epic hardtail to a E bike and the connotation that that they have gotten but thought that if I can now ride 7 days a week instead of my usual 2, why not increase my fun by extra 5 days? At 63 my stamina isnt what it used to be and all my friends who ride Cat1 road bikes said they have a Levo and said they are the most fun they have ever had on a MTB. I bought one in Dec. of this year and am having a blast. I wonder how many of these nay sayers know that these bikes allow you to adjust the % of pedal assist from 100% to 1%. I challenge anybody who doesnt think you get a workout on a E bike to dial it to 1% assist and then try and ride a 55lb.bike up a 24% incline....I didnt think so.
Try a E you just might like it and to those who say MTBing is for the exercise you are missing out. I didnt ride 3000 miles last year on my HT for exercise but for FUN. This year will double that # and put in 300,000 feet of climbing and have even more fun than last year.

0 reply

Mikie Watson California // 2013
Mar 7, 2017

I'm just wishing you would "shut" your pie hole. Geez! You guys are like drug pushers. You gotta try one, you gotta try one. No. I really don't. All your lame excuses about it's still a workout. Just ride a real bike then.
You guys just can't seem to get it through your head, they are a motorized vehicle. Just go buy an electric Moto, then you don't even have to pedal or pretend you are a real cyclist.

Always got to make it easier, now it's a motor! Mechanical doping...
All your excuses make me nauseous...

0 reply

ericjb9 Pennsylvania // 2014
Mar 2, 2017

I would never say this to anyone but if you show up to ride with me on an e-bike, you are not welcome on the trails. Go ride your dirt bike somewhere else.

0 reply

Mikie Watson California // 2013
Mar 4, 2017

I'm thankful that the same reactions here are on my website imtbtrails. We are not buying into the "make cycling easy for everyone" philosophy. This is called marketing. Gary is a sellout and will not get any of my new bike business. I'm a Yeti rider. Pure cycling. The day they make EBikes I will leave them as well....

0 reply

cmcyzy 2016
Mar 2, 2017

I'm tired of the word flow. The hole point of riding a bike is for the exercise. We want to be fit but not have to worked at it. The hole point of it is to improve, to be able to make that climb that kick your ass the week or month or the year before. We are teaching the next generation to become a lazy piece crap. If you want up hill flow go buy yourself a motorcycle. I will stick to my pedal powered machine for as long as I can.

0 reply

williedillon Georgia // 2012
Mar 4, 2017

The whole point is for exercise? I also ride to have fun...

0 reply

Never2old California // 2017
Mar 5, 2017

Amen

0 reply

christopher94 Utah // 2016
Mar 2, 2017

Interesting take on the idea of trying to introduce E-Bikes. While it may be the next big thing, and I can really appreciate the engineering and R&D that goes into such a product, it's just not for me. It's the same reason I drive a sedan instead of a big pickup truck. It's just not a good fit for my lifestyle. As long as bike manufacturers keep listening and providing options to consumers, I will be a happy camper.

The only thing I am weary of, is that touchy topic of trail access. An E-bike in it's stock form to me, doesn't come off as a threat, but all it takes is one dumbass to ruin it for everyone.

I just hope these are used responsibly.

0 reply

mtbrdag North Carolina // 2007
Mar 3, 2017

Not for me, but as someone who hopes to retire and ride a lot more - the thought of my wife being able to join me for rides when we're both older is awesome. This could be just what we need to be able to spend time together outdoors.

0 reply

triton189 2015
Mar 1, 2017

OK start flaming! Let the hatred FLOW!

0 reply

Jproulx Quebec // 2015
Mar 2, 2017

This is not for me yet ( I am 58 ) and like someone else said .....I need my pain !!! , however for some aging folks with the skills to ride a mountain bike it might be a good thing.

0 reply

Leah Barber Georgia // 2004
Mar 1, 2017

Uphill Flow... that's a new one to me.

0 reply

rthammy California // 2015
Mar 2, 2017

What a sellout - Gary AND Trek.

0 reply

arkinet Colorado // 2012
Mar 2, 2017

its a marketing interview.

0 reply

n2storms Tennessee // 2013
Mar 2, 2017

And you can park the ebike right next to those participate trophies in your Mom’s basement.

-1 reply

Tagged: bosch, ebike, electric bicycle, gary fisher, interview, uphill flow, gear

First published March 1, 2017 @ 12:57:42