What made you decide to e-bike?

downunderdallas

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Oh and for me it is about more downhill time, less climbing time. I just much prefer going down to going up! I took the battery out of the relay for a run on Friday, it was a bit lighter and more nimble (about 17-17.5kg without battery) but not so much as it was mindblowing. It did pedal better than a friend who was on a specialized status, but a lot worse than when it had a motor!
 

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
then in full power in ludicrous mode I felt like a passenger.
The Dyname 4 is Rocky Mountains own motor and puts out 108Nm. Every other full power ebike available only puts out 85Nm so the Powerplays put out a fair bit of torque.
 

cammas

Seamstress
So the health problems keep coming and it’s looking more likely that an e-bike is in my future, then with specials like this it is very tempting. Anyone who has any experience with the Giant trance-e?

 

Minlak

custom titis
So the health problems keep coming and it’s looking more likely that an e-bike is in my future, then with specials like this it is very tempting. Anyone who has any experience with the Giant trance-e?

Me - had 2 so far and in my opinion best value for money (especially with the discounts recently) - I love the way the Yamaha motor pedals and functions.
 

downunderdallas

Likes Bikes and Dirt
So the health problems keep coming and it’s looking more likely that an e-bike is in my future, then with specials like this it is very tempting. Anyone who has any experience with the Giant trance-e?

I couldn't get a shuttle at Bright so hired one, alloy not carbon, shitty fork too. Not my first choice but hey. The geo is ok longish stays, steepish head angle but it rode fine. Motor has juice although I rode it at Bright and Beechworth/Yak in pretty low power modes so I could eek out as many k's as possible, I needed to make almost whole Epic and started with less than full battery thanks to hire shop.

So yeah if you are after something with power, pretty trail oriented geo it's a fair choice. I'd be more inclined to look at Merida for a cost-effective option.
 

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
Their trail access story is a lot different to ours and that's all I'll say on that.

It'll be a shit fight for ebikes at a large portion of US trail systems for a fair 'ol while I'd say.

I mean, just have a look at some of the much more important humanitarian policies that get poo poo'd over there....
100%, they have a big shit fight over there.
 

Stredda

Runs naked through virgin scrub
This has shed some light on the situation for me it seems the legislation over in the US has not kept up with the technology.

US EBIKE RULES
It is the same here in some way. Technically anywhere in Tasmanian that Parks and Wildlife look after Ebikes are not allowed to ride on any trail where motorised vehicles are not allowed. They just don't police it.
That means, most of Wild Mersey, the Dial Range at Penguin, Kate Reed and Trevallyn in Launceston, some of the Meehan Range and all of Conningham down Hobart way and there's probably a few others as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same for mainland Parks and Wildlife agencies. Just that the legislation hasn't kept up with the technology.
 

cammas

Seamstress
So with my health not improving, I sold a couple of my bikes and about to put another up for sale. So I started shopping around and I went to a couple of the local stores, one store was like umm the boss is away come back when he gets back, then I went to the little Giant store run by a mother and son having a chat she made a couple of offers.

I went home, thought about it and chatted with Mrs, went back and then she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and it’s god damn electric!

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IMG_8697.jpeg
 

rowdyflat

chez le médecin
Bought an ebike frame and built up a bike.
Ebike For
1. All your friends have one and you are left behind.
2. You are old , injured ,disabled .
3. They are way more stable over rough rocks due to their weight.
4. If you do other stuff during the day, after a long ride you still have plenty of energy.
5. You def can do more vertical.
6. Great for commuting a long way ,lots of hills or riding in the rain you dont get too hot with Goretex on.

Ebike Against
1. You will lose fitness unless you ride an analogue sometimes.
2. An analogue is more nimble easier to jump, bunny hop etc.
3. Like EVs very few people understand them and know how to fix them, so whole motors and computers are tossed out and replaced if something goes wrong .ie wasteful and expensive .
4. Virtually too heavy and big for a courier.
5. Heavy to load on a bike rack.
6. Bad for old new riders esp old women , they injure themselves easily due to weight , power , poor balance fear and hydro brakes , as a GP I saw a few esp during Covid.
7. The geometry is too slack for tight handmade uphill singletrack corners.
8. Full sized motors and batteries are overkill IMO and the motor is easily hit going over single big rocks , logs etc.
 

Stredda

Runs naked through virgin scrub
Bought an ebike frame and built up a bike.
Ebike For
1. All your friends have one and you are left behind. Yes.
2. You are old , injured ,disabled, or someone who wants to ride further and longer.
3. They are way more stable over rough rocks due to their weight. Correct.
4. If you do other stuff during the day, after a long ride you still have plenty of energy. If you choose to go easy.
5. You def can do more vertical. Yep.
6. Great for commuting a long way ,lots of hills or riding in the rain you dont get too hot with Goretex on. Agreed.

Ebike Against
1. You will lose fitness unless you ride an analogue sometimes. You may not be as fit as just riding a normal bike, but you aren't going to lose fitness just by riding and Ebike. You can choose the amount of assistance and can even make it harder than a normal bike if you want to.
2. An analogue is more nimble easier to jump, bunny hop etc. I agree, but the lightweight ones are pretty close to the weight of and enduro bike.
3. Like EVs very few people understand them and know how to fix them, so whole motors and computers are tossed out and replaced if something goes wrong .ie wasteful and expensive . Most of the motors can be rebuilt with aftermarket kits. I've just put a bearing kit through mine at 8300km.
4. Virtually too heavy and big for a courier. As in, to get one delivered? I'm sure all the bike shops have managed so far.
5. Heavy to load on a bike rack. Just thing of the gains from lifting your Ebike. ;) Lightweight models aren't that much of an issue. Just don't get a roof rack if that's an issue.
6. Bad for old new riders esp old women , they injure themselves easily due to weight , power , poor balance fear and hydro brakes , as a GP I saw a few esp during Covid. Again, choose the better bike that suits you i.e. a lightweight Ebike. Less power, less weight. Poor balance and hydro brakes can be on any bike, that's not an Ebike thing.
7. The geometry is too slack for tight handmade uphill singletrack corners. Just buy a trail version, and all of them are no slacker than the equivalent version of the non-Ebike.
8. Full sized motors and batteries are overkill IMO and the motor is easily hit going over single big rocks , logs etc. It all depends on what you are looking for when it comes to full powered bikes, you can't often use all the power on single track but they blast up fire trails, again you don't have to have it on full boost all the time. The motor doesn't hang any lower than a chain ring on a normal bike. I've never found it and issue.
 

rowdyflat

chez le médecin
Most of the motors can be rebuilt with aftermarket kits. I've just put a bearing kit through mine at 8300km.
3. This was your most interesting comment for me.
Where did you get the knowledge for repairs ,after market kits from where ,are you electrically/electronics trained ?
7. I changed the geo as much as possible but some sharp corners are OK on analogue, I just walk the ebike.
I have 8 bikes but dont ride an enduro bike on our tracks generally.
8. My motor is a bit lower and I added another log to our local logs rolls etc for it.
 

cammas

Seamstress
Bought an ebike frame and built up a bike.
Ebike For
1. All your friends have one and you are left behind.
2. You are old , injured ,disabled .
3. They are way more stable over rough rocks due to their weight.
4. If you do other stuff during the day, after a long ride you still have plenty of energy.
5. You def can do more vertical.
6. Great for commuting a long way ,lots of hills or riding in the rain you dont get too hot with Goretex on.

Ebike Against
1. You will lose fitness unless you ride an analogue sometimes.
2. An analogue is more nimble easier to jump, bunny hop etc.
3. Like EVs very few people understand them and know how to fix them, so whole motors and computers are tossed out and replaced if something goes wrong .ie wasteful and expensive .
4. Virtually too heavy and big for a courier.
5. Heavy to load on a bike rack.
6. Bad for old new riders esp old women , they injure themselves easily due to weight , power , poor balance fear and hydro brakes , as a GP I saw a few esp during Covid.
7. The geometry is too slack for tight handmade uphill singletrack corners.
8. Full sized motors and batteries are overkill IMO and the motor is easily hit going over single big rocks , logs etc.
I don't know about some of the against I went out last night around 8:30pm to bed in the brakes I only rode a kilometer a lot of sprint to stop etc and by the time I got home I still end up with sweaty balls along with the rest of me, I was playing around with all modes as well. I did a demo day riding 3 different types and still was sweating, according to respiratory specialist I am a very fit 50 year old, 133% VO2 max test for my age bracket (what ever that means), hence their problem of trying to work out what is wrong with me.
 
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