Return from the darkside

the drizzle

the drizzle

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I have been riding mountain bikes on and off for my entire adult life and I've been lucky enough to piece together some pretty epic bikes. Stoke levels have peaks and troughs for various reasons but it's been pretty consistent for well over 20 years.

The bike I had prior to this was a focus Jam2 (ebike) i got so lazy that I even sold a newly built transition spire about 6 months into ownership because I kept reaching for the ebike.

After a while I found myself planning rides with less frequency or finding any excuse to pull out from a ride, a riding buddy of mine was the same (also eeb). The stoke just wasn't there for us anymore.

One day we actually arranged a ride together which were few and far between at this point, we just part of the way up pine climb and my Bosch motor dies. Well fuck I thought, that's an incredibly expensive part to replace outside of warranty. So I contact a bloke in Qld who repairs motors, he says the error code I have is an internal motor error and it will need to be replaced.

I think to myself, fuck that noise - what's going to stop this from happening again with the replacement motor. Do I even want a bike that I can't maintain and repair myself. So I decided to buy a frame and built it up using parts of the now dead ebike. Couldn't afford one of the uber porn builds that I used to spend money on so i got an ex demo previous generation meta from commencal.

I get out for a ride and have a blast, then another and then five more rides. The high I feel after a ride is like nothing I've felt while hitting trails on the ebike. Whatever endorphins are released whilst earning my turns are very real. I'm having the time of my life hitting trails frequently and planning more rides.

I think to myself what has changed and why am I so stoked to be riding again, it's probably just some form of purchase justification. As time goes on the stoke hasn't faded, more rides booked and I'm getting out whenever there's a spare hour or two.

I reckon over time the ease of the ebike made riding a bit meh for me. So glad I returned to riding a normal bike again and restored the passion for riding.

TL:DR

ebike ownership killed my ride stoke. Amish restored it.

Frame: Commencal Meta SX V4 (XL)
Shock: Marzocchi Bomber CR (500-610 progressive spring)
Fork: Manitou Mezzer Pro (170mm)
Headset: Cane Creek 40 series
Bottom bracket: Shimano XT
Cranks: SLX m7100 (170mm / 32t)
Derailleur: SLX m7100
Shifter: SLX m7100
Cassette: SLX m7100
Chain: SLX m7100
Rims: Nextie asymmetric carbon (29/27.5)
Hubs: Rear - Industry 9 Hydra Front - Hope Pro4
Tyres: Vittoria Mazza (29x2.6/27.5x2.6)
Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4
Rotors: Swissstop Catalyst 203mm
Handlebars: Joystick Analogue carbon
Stem: Joystick Binary (35mm)
Dropper: Brand X Ascend (200mm) with Ztto Remote
IMG_20231216_095143.jpg
IMG_20231216_095136.jpg


Sent from my AC2001 using Tapatalk
 
ozzybmx

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
You may be onto something there.

Every ride I crave jumps and techy uphills, they are not easy come by without repetitiveness. New jumps, new tech.... :(

My jumping skills are through the roof, jumps that I avoided or 'thought' about on approach are now done without thinking, jumps that were out of my comfort zone are now cleared with a bit of finesse and a bit of style, up hill tech that I cleared when I was fit, now cleared every time, some of those I haven't done in years.

Just go for ride meh... easy XC trails that I used to be stoked to ride are boring....

I'm not a heavy 120kg bloke that came from zero riding, I did some of Australia's longest endurance races, over full days, even multiple days, even long bikepacking trips so its not about access to me.

Faaak I'm enjoying the eeb, especially in the heat, sooo much easier... but there is a little thing in my head telling me I'm now thinking the easier XC/Flow/Gravel rides are not as appealing.

A couple of months into 2024 will work it out.

Good post :cool:
 
Last edited:
Ultra Lord

Ultra Lord

Hurts. Requires Money. And is nerdy.
ozzybmx said:
You may be onto something there.

Every ride I crave jumps and techy uphills, they are not easy come by without repetitiveness. New jumps, new tech.... :(

My jumping skills are through the roof, jumps that I avoided or 'though' about on approach are now done without thinking, jumps that were out of my comfort zone are now cleared with a bit of finesse and a bit of style, up hill tech that I cleared when I was fit, now cleared every time, some of those I haven't done in years.

Just go for ride meh... easy XC trails that I used to be stoked to ride are boring....

I'm not a heavy 120kg bloke that came from zero riding, I did some of Australia's longest endurance races, over full days, even multiple days, even long bikepacking trips so its not about access to me.

Faaak I'm enjoying the eeb, especially in the heat, sooo much easier... but there is a little thing in my head telling me I'm now thinking the easier XC/Flow/Gravel rides are not as appealing.

A couple of months into 2024 will work it out.

Good post :cool:
Click to expand...
You really need to try a dirtbike. I’m not shitting on the electric boogaloo train your on, I just reckon it’ll blow your mind.
 
The Reverend

The Reverend

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Sweet ride, and it's great to hear the stoke is high.

Full power ebikes are a blessing and a curse for some. It can make it too easy and you can just power through things. Both climbs and descents are different.

If you're able to keep more than one bike it's great, especially if you're short on time or recovering. But riding a normal bike definitely keeps you honest.

Well done on figuring out what you needed.
 
ozzybmx

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
Ultra Lord said:
You really need to try a dirtbike. I’m not shitting on the electric boogaloo train your on, I just reckon it’ll blow your mind.
Click to expand...
No interest, I'm a MTber, I enjoy the ride and I only ever rode a bike for fun. Fitness was a side effect.
 
Stredda

Stredda

Runs naked through virgin scrub
I used to ride dirt bikes since I was a kid before getting into MTB. Both are good fun, just different.
For those who say you can't get any exercise on an Ebike, try riding a dirt bike at full tilt for an hour or so an see how you go. ;)
 
ozzybmx

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
Ultra Lord said:
Same here. All two wheeled machines are fun. Trying one out for a day can’t hurt (even though we all know a guy who has bought a monster of a bike, broken himself first ride then never ridden moto again ahahahaha).
Click to expand...
Rode them as a teenager. No interest in getting in to them again. I know they are great fun but I'm trying to get old as least fckd up as possible ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top