I love my ebike. I'm 48 years old got back into mountain biking at 44. I was unhealthy for years. I was addicted to cocaine smoked like a chimney ate horribly. I was depressed. I hit a wall and decided I didn't want to die and got clean. well... the part they don't tell you about addiction is quitting is just the first of many steps. for a few years after getting clean I had two emotions nothing at all or pure blinding rage. I had no idea how to deal with my emotions anymore. I ruined my first marriage because of it. at the end when it was too late I realized I had to figure out how to deal with them. I met someone new and she made me fall in love with her and being alive again. but I still had my emotional control issues. I started hiking. it was great it felt incredible. I was happy but still lacking something. then a friend told me to get a mountain bike. I bought a regular bike and worked and worked getting more fit and trying so hard to get up that hill. I finally quit smoking! why? not because I loved my now wife not because I didn't want cancer but because I wanted to climb mountains better. that worked for a bit. I was riding constantly. I thought yeah without smoking I'll get better. well it worked for a while but I hit a wall. I was back to dreading the climbs and not going to places with big climbs because, 1 id be left behind by my friends, 2 id be so exhausted by the end of the climb the downhill became not much of a pay off for the suffering I endured. I was diagnosed with asthma it was my fault yes from the drug abuse and heavy smoking. I was ready to give up. I loved riding some much and it had done wonders for my mental health. I was finally happy and feeling better but my body was now fighting me my mental health was again starting suffer. then a friend let me borrow his ebike. that day I rode 19 miles easily. I wasn't exhausted I felt happy and amazed with how I was able to pedal all of the ride! ive always been bigger Than I'm supposed to be. my parents are big their parents are big its the way my family is. I'm strong as hell but I'm a big dude. I bought a new 2021 Rocky Mountain instinct powerplay ebike. I rode and rode and rode that bike!! I ran it in eco mode most of the time. just enough to help me get up the mountain. my mental health became better than it ever had been! I was incredibly happy! I wasn't using the bike to "cheat" I was using to get me through the climbs that my body by itself was not able to handle anymore. I'm now 48 almost 49 and ive ridden my bike in 15 states. I live in Colorado and my life revolves around my bikes and the happiness they bring me. Ive lost 40 lbs I eat better I'm in the best shape of my life but I'm still a chubby dude. My legs are nothing but muscle. I'll ride 30 miles pretty much any time I go out. The workout I get from that bike is twice what I got from my regular bike. On my regular bike id just go slow and grind out a terrible climb stopping 10 times or more catching my breath. On the ebike ill still stop but its once or twice. This ebike has given me back my life. I don't understand the hate on ebikes. maybe it's an ego thing. I know they don't do much if any damage to the trails. the most I could see is that id ride the trail more than one time that day and others would do the same. whatever it is its dumb to ban them. it helps people more then it hurts trails. thanks for being an advocate and voice for ebikes. your videos are great! I love them! mountain biking has saved my life.
Cheers for the share and hope you only improve from the present state you are in! Two things that bring as much joy as MTB, Bodyboarding and hitting the gym HARD. For mental health MTB and bodyboarding go hand in hand, can only do it on the weekends. Hitting the Gym helps to deal with the stress daemons during the week!
Keep pushing brother!!! I'm in the same boat, PTSD, addiction, multiple injuries... I started MTBing and it transformed my world... but I still hit those walls, same as you.. just got an ebike, and it's really letting me ride to my fill potential now... I dont listen to the naysayers, they have no idea what I've been thru.. if an ebike is what gets people outside or just into the sport, then why even judge???
Dude that is so inpiring. Good for you. To all those haters out there, we ebikers will actually take you seriously if you concurrently reject all types of motorized transporation like the truck that got you & your bike out to the mountain, the plane that flies you to different locations, the cars that you like to drive on a road trip, the ski lift that you take up a mountain. You guys can use motorized transport but others can't JUST because you choose to do it the good 'ol way of pure pedalling and it means we are "not working for it?" I sure don't see any hypocrasy there! Heck, I can even say you should eat grass like the cows out there if you want to be pure because the sandwich you just ate was made from bread that used an egg beater and oven to bake it. That is such a CHEAT!
And this exact reasoning is why I don't understand the hate for ebikes. It gets people pit on the trails, enjoying life again. I'm all for it. Great story. If you ever get out to Southern Wisconsin, hit me up!
Well done, I am 60 yrs old, everyone said to me no dont get one until you really need to.....I now find myself going way further on any given ride, but its not because of that small engine in the back wheel, I only ever use it when going up long tough hills or into strong winds, but now instead of a 12 mile round trip I do 20 to 30 miles round. Just knowing the power is there to get home if i over stretch myself is a confidence booster. If you're toying with the idea, go for it, you will smile on your first ride.
I think, those longer distances will in the end will lead to a loss. I live in a very highly populated area. Mountain bikes are, or were, a way to loose the crowd, now the crowd can more easily follow where they once couldn't go.
has northing to do with the motor eh? must just be the cool aid. drop your pride dude, and get out in traffic and use the bike for what's its good for, going the speed of traffic. and get off our shared use paths.
For me, an e-bike means my heart rate has dropped out of the red zone when climbing and into the cardio zone. It’s far healthier and has built up my endurance. Since I enjoy technical downhill the most, now my rides only end when my shoulders are on fire. Yup gotta work on that, but it’s a great problem to have. 😊
that's funny you say that because now after my 20 mile E-bikes ride on the trail, my shoulders have been killing me. Before ebikes, it would be my legs that would get blown up.
More and more articles coming out to support what you said. Some articles are saying that people that ride electric mountain bikes are actually getting in better shape than people riding regular mountain bikes because they can be too hard on you and your body releases cortisol.
Adding an Ebike improved my standard bike riding 100%. Going faster uphill allowed me more corners to work. Plus, like you said, I started doubling my ride miles, so I was getting much more time on a bike. I love switching back and forth between the bikes for different types of rides. I got my wife and oldest son one as well. Now they can join me on longer rides where the climb would have knocked them out, but they can enjoy and we have more family time since they can keep up better. Great video and glad I started following you, keep up the awesome content!
That's how I just recently justified my ebike purchase. I'm no slouch on climbs, I don't NEED an ebike. But I justified it by saying it'll allow me to loan it and get other people out with me who otherwise couldn't keep up
I’m 56 yrs old 6 ft and 4 months ago I was 336 lbs. in 2018 I had a small stroke and my main symptom is my right side is numb all the time and I have bad stenosis in my lower back. I have a 3rd gen Levo alloy comp and have been riding 14 miles/day and eating keto. This morning I weighted 282. I couldn’t have done it without the Levo and I’ll never apologize for riding one. If someone has an issue that’s their problem. I’ve been following you for about 6 months and you have giving me some help with motivation so thanks
HUGE props dude! Like seriously well done! I know how hard it is as I have been there myself, as we are similar age and I was about the same max weight as you when I started riding again on an analogue bike a few years back. The E-bike makes things so much more doable and allows you to WANT to get out as much as you can, all while still working your butt (quite literally) off!
Congratulations you should be extremely proud of what you have achieved and ebikes for so many are really important and not because we are lazy or unfit
Your honesty is an inspiration. Using the E bike to get excited about riding and climbs, and then improving your mtb is amazing. I will always want my standard bike. I hope E bikes keep me riding when I’m 75 years old….
I love the style of this video! I have all the same feelings for my e-bike. There's something to be said about being able to session a jump line over and over again without burning yourself out on the climb back up. It's definitely sped up my progression! Also riding a Levo🤘
100% agree. I've been falling further and further behind my friends and resisted getting an e-bike. I'm > 50 and 240lbs and it has been a game changer for my enjoyment of riding. I don't ride any faster, but it allows me to keep up with my friends. E-bikes should be allowed everwhere.
Exactly the same reasons I upgraded from my hardtail. Was tired of getting left behind by my buddies. Always been a big guy as well. I also, had the same psychological impact being left behind had on you. My ebike has had such a positive impact on my riding and my life. Zero regrets adding one to the stable.
I love my e-bike. I am 57 years old and at 51 I had a widowmaker heart attack and was one of the lucky 3% to survive. My wife and I both purchase our e-bikes in 2020 and have been riding ever since. You are absolutely right about how an e-bike will allow you to ride more often and still gives you a great workout. I think the reason why some trails do not allow e-bikes is that there are some riders that just go too fast on the trails and do not respect other riders, walkers, and so on. I believe trail etiquette is even more important for someone riding an e-bike. Great video and thanks for sharing!!
Glad you made it bro! I agree about trail etiquette. I slow way down and tell people to take their time or finish the short climb before passing. I always thank them too especially if they have a youngster with them. Being polite goes a long way. That being said I ride as fast as I can when the trail is open.
Great video. I am a traditional cyclist and admittedly a bit of an e-bike snob. I watched your video merely out of curiosity but I have learned a lot. I’ve always thought of e-bikes as a lazy person’s way to get up the hill and never considered an e-bike to be so beneficial to those who otherwise can’t get out to enjoy a ride. Thanks for pointing this out. Love him or hate him Lance Armstrong also motivated many people to start riding the bike. While watching the first 2/3 of the video I noticed the course as one of my favorites…UCSC/Wilder Ranch S.P. Nice trail choice. I’ll watch for you next time I’m out there. -Cheers.
Many older or people with injuries have said that E-bikes have gotten them out riding more, out in the fresh air and sunshine that they would otherwise be inside were it not for the Ebikes. Because they have that motor assist or full throttle mode, even if you're not pedaling, you're still doing work and exercising just by being on the bike, balancing, steering etc. Just as riding a motorcycle is more tiring for the same reasons of having to balance the bike, turn and using more muscles to sit up, the same applies to E-bikes too, though to a somewhat lesser degree. Then you can always pedal some to get some exercise even if you are on full throttle mode.
@@TheAntiFeminist2 Yup I have really bad exercise-induced asthma, and am considering one. Being able to have a 'boost' up a hill or even to just keep riding instead of stopping every couple of minutes is really encouraging. And in the long run you still get out and get more exercise vs not biking at all.
I've always been a biker and always struggled on hills. I've just got an eBike, but I should have got one sooner. Your definitely right by saying that, when you come to a hill you attack it more on an eBike. I've noticed that on the eBike when coming to a hill I'm dropping the power down a level as I'm getting fitter.
I couldn’t agree more mate , the same Applies to other forms of personal transport , e scooters, e skateboards, mono wheels, etc,etc. A lot of people for whatever reason would normally not be motivated to get out of the house if they have to walk or pedal for lots of reasons , be it fatigue, low energy level , old age and or some form of physical challenges. Even getting out on the E bike off the couch into the fresh air, just steering, balancing while not even pedalling uses muscles and helps blood flow , and just not being a couch potato and being active is a healthier way to live , but of course riding and pedalling with some motor assistance is even better and the icing on the cake.
This. We really need to communicate this aspect better to the Karens that ebikes are PRIMARILY for the old, infirm, and overweight. Let them suffer bad publicity like the douche nozzle wearing a star t-shirt who stopped a disabled guy using a three-wheeled Electric Mobility bike for the paralyzed to bitch about ebikes. Sure there's some kids and some retarded adults who speed irresponsibly, but that shouldn't result in a ban on e-bikes any more than it should result in a ban on 8 cylinder performance cars.
Yeah, that was my experience as well. I'm a former marathoner who has led tours across multiple countries, and an e-bike is the game changer that got me into riding more. I still have my road bike and a couple basic mountain bikes, but I put 7,000 miles on my e-bike in two years, and I never rode my other bikes that much. What makes a big difference is the versatility. I can set it so it's easier, the same, or harder to pedal than my other bikes, and I can put more into it because I don't have to worry about wearing myself out and not getting home!
I ride my e-bike in the same manner. However, most of my riding is touring, about 80-90 miles a day. For the first 50 miles, I do fine with a fully loaded touring bicycle, but for the next 40 miles, I use the lowest assist and I usually have a 50% battery charge still remaining at the end of my ride for the day. When the headwinds come, I turn on the power and smile. I tour with a Reese-Muller SuperCharger2.
I hate this 'cheating'. You're cheating yourself if you don't make use of things available to you to give you more enjoyment and better quality of life. Using a motor to help with pedalling, isn't cheating. You're not in a competition, you're out with your mates :)
Its true, but people that ride the regular bikes really shun the E-bikes, I was given a dirty look from a what I thought was a friend when I saw her on the trail with my Levo SL.
As a guy who’s always been a roadie his whole life adult life, in my late 50’s I added a mountain bike to the mix. I really enjoyed the more moderate trails and being in the woods. Now that I’.m 64 I bought an e-bike, and it’s been a blast not having to dread the climbs. People have the misconception that people ride them in full boost all the time, but I use low power almost exclusively except for the steepest climbs and get great workouts. One thing I did experience is the attitude of a lot of mountain bikers that less experienced riders need to stay off “their” trails with e-bikes. Give me a break. It’s public land for everyone to use, so just get over it or go buy yourself a mountain somewhere. I found the road bike community much more inclusive and welcoming of beginners to the hobby and not nearly as snobby as a lot of mountain bike guys are, which is kind of sad.
Our group alternates between e-bike and normal bike and the difference is longer rides on the e-bike and doing climbs that with the normal bike are simply nor possible. Most of the days I end up more tired when we go out on the e-bike than on the normal bike. We even do more technical descends with the e-bike because our lower body still have energy. Also, it is a more rounded up workout, both lower and upper body are used.
I've had my ebike for over 3 years now and its a game changer climbing hills and getting to trails often miles away from train stations I use. More energy, more trail riding, more fun! Thanks for sharing! 😁🤙
At the end of the day you do you and don’t worry about anyone else’s opinions. You can’t please everyone so please yourself. Great video and content. Ride on bro!!!
Well said that mam, I'm 60 years old, and totally re-living my 20 years mountain biking ( after 17 years away from Them ) , and it's all down to E-Biking
I also ride Levo-SL and Cannodale, and I am happy that I can live in years when me and my father (61 now and he has his eBike) can go for such trips together and spend time together.
I have had e-bikes for about eight years and they helped a lot with giant hills and long commutes, so they saved me lots of money in gas and kept me in better health overall. I used to ride a lot anyway, but I moved into an area with great hills in all directions, so no distance riding was possible anymore without great strain.
As a fellow 330lb dude, your videos are exactly what I was looking for. I was 200 post COVID and commuted by bike, fell into some seriously neglectful habits and am trying to get back on the horse. One of the things I enjoyed most about biking has been lost along the way, I can't do distance and I can't do speed. It also puts massive wear on my bikes components. I have been looking into ebikes to help get myself in the zone, and stay there longer, while also being able to get some distance rides in at the same time. Thank you for your content!
I got my ebike a year ago. I dropped over 100+. You're right it gives you the motivation to start and do more. Anyone that says different has something else that works for them
Yo i TOTALLY get what you mean about youre experience of fitness of ebike to standard bike. This past weekend, i rode a climb with my standard bike, felt discouraged on the climbs, next day i rented an ebike. Felt amazing on the climbs going fast. Was able to ride longer. Next day went back to my standard bike and it made me want to try harder on the climbs knowing how fast i was going with the ebike. Its crazy how you made my thoughts into words ❤
Thank you for this video!! I have been following you from the recommendation of my daughter and son in law!! I used to race motocross and always used bicycle riding as cross training. Raising my daughters, we always rode bicycles. It was something that was put away at a certain point and lost until a few years ago when my oldest daughter came to me and said she wanted her children to ride because she had so many awesome memories!! So, both my daughters and their husbands and my grandkids all started riding mountain bikes again. We have been having a blast. I found myself on an ebike because it helps me go farther and ride longer!! I am getting great fun workouts!! Keep up your great videos!! Love them!!
Just recently got an E-bike in addition to my enduro bike. I alternate weekly between them. I would say that the Ebike has progressed my skills so much just in a couple of months. I guess i am riding more distance , importantly more downhill and the weight of the ebike has given me confidence with grip especially in flat corners. I have then been able to transfer the skills across to my enduro bike. Pedaling on the Enduro bike hasn't been the biggest difference either, i just ride at my normal pedaling cadence. The main difference i have noticed is differnet brake levers , Dropper post position. So in summary would i recommend an E-bike - Absolutely!!
Truth in words of wisdom! Glad you are enjoying riding a lot more after riding e-bikes. Had the very same experience as you. Riding a Kenevo SL the mastermind is awesome. My cadence was horrible before but the SL changed that. Even caught up to my old PR times on the up & downhills. Like you said it makes you push harder working for that speed. Can’t wait for the next video! Cheers🍺
I don't own an ebike but had the curiosity to demo a Turbo Levo and it was simply just hella fun! Uphills, flats, flows, downhills... the reliability on consistency at a speed being slightly (understatement) faster than my mountain bike pace plastered joy all over my face. I was t h a t person who thought if you're riding an ebike on the trails, you're not really mountain biking but boy did I quickly snuff that thinking post demo. The experience actually made me a better mountain biker. I think the best thing to come out of ebikes is the opportunity afforded to those who otherwise can not be on the trails. Happy riding ya'll!
Everything you’ve said is true and spot on. I just bought a turbo levo expert in March. I have a stumpjumper evo for trail riding and a s-works enduro for dh. I find myself riding way more, farther distances and not losing out on the workout aspect. When I get on the stumpjumper I feel stronger and want to push harder.
Such a great vid, and 100% agree that e-bikes are wonderful! I used to commute to work on an e-bike, but also train on a conventional bike during the weekends. Improving on one did translate to improving on the other, which really surprised me. However, since I had to get rid of the e-bike several years ago, I hardly ride anymore and am in very poor shape. Maybe I'll get another e-bike soon and get back in the saddle.
Ebikes are also great for recovering from injuries. I tore my ACL and lateral meniscus in a gnarly crash, and haven't been able to ride the same since. After finally deciding to get an ebike after over a year of struggling to get back on my unassisted bike, the ebike has brought back the ability to ride the full length my favorite trails without my knee wanting to explode, and the joy is back.
Sometimes I just want to go out and enjoy a ride without having to push really hard. I rented a power assist mtn bike for the first time the other day. I covered WAY more terrain than I would have if I was 100% under my own power. I found myself really enjoying the ride AND I still got a workout. I was actually a little sore the next day, much to my surprise. It's NOT "cheating", it's being hop a trail and enjoy the outdoors while moving.
Good for you Seb. E-bikes are there for those of us who need a bit of extra support. As we get older, how many of us will be thinking about buying an e-bike? If getting on an e-bike, gets you out more often. Then surely e-bikes have proved their worth.
Up top and all the way through - Love the honesty of video Buuuut... Maybe a quick trigger real quick. ebikes should NOT be allowed on the trails. Why eBikes should not be allowed in trails? To help a bit beyond a thumbs up or like, I think it's probably good to at least answer your question. bc if we just all agree, and high five each other, then it's not likely to help the fix the issue much. So, 1- "eBike" as a classification. eBike is a wide ranging term and like most things, can and is often manipulated. Only a very small percentage of "ebikes"sold are the type you are riding and likely thinking of when posing the question"why aren't ebikes allowed?" In fact less than 3% of ebikes sold are eMTB mid drive torque sensing trail and turbo mode style of bikes. The vast majority are ranging from the, nearly disposable, "entry level" "budget friendly" ebikes, to the flat out electric dirt bikes that have pedals attached to them only to pass as a bycycle in she legal sense. The extremely large range of variety and lack of control over classification mean, often the ppl trying to make the rules for the masses defer to the, "One bad apple spoiles the bunch" theory and often just opt to ban then all. 2 - Bigger, faster, heavier and MORE, are things that usually scares the few who make the rules and are slow to embrace change, but are fast to fear it. With the wide and ever growing market for these often high powered, low cost machines... More people are likely to get out there on the trails... And that's a fear for some who still want to keep them for themselves and the people they are used to seeing on them 3-C'mon you already know this one, chances are you were this one before you got one. ...🤗 Envy is s green eyed monster. Simple as that. Hate what you think you can't have, until you somehow find a way to have it for yourself 😂 . Some people don't like ebikes you ARE thinking of, simply bc they are exclusive! And they feel like they can't afford them. ... Until they can, then they love them and post videos about them, and tell everyone they know and meet about it 😁😎
Hey this really hit home. I am 6 ft around 280-290 lbs. I was a coach on a mountain bike team and had a group that I'd ride with. They were all fit and very in shape. As such on my Enduro bike I was always last. Eventually I just quit going to the group rides. I still solo but I miss group rides. I also have less time so an ebike makes more sense.
For what I understand with respect to riding e-bikes on trails, is that pedal-assist type are accepted but no so the throttle type two bikes. BTW, I’m 69 and I’ve been riding a Levo Comp for the last three years and I love it! Great video!
I'd have to agree with your great video. I'm 75 yrs and purchased a full suspension ebike a couple of years ago. For me, it was too heavy and large. But, I'll probably get a lightweight one in a few years as my condition degrades. It's all about getting out and riding. Ebikes facilitate that for a lot of people that otherwise couldn't. What could be wrong with that?
Brother, this was s suggested video. I am so proud and happy for you . Your story is truly inspirational and thank you so much for taking the time to share this with others. On the trails, I so agree, what about our disable vets etc who could enjoy a trial like that. I think the more folks hear stories like yours, the more you will see them open those trials up for e-bikes down the road. Thanks agian and keep up the fun videos. dale
as long as ebikes arent motorcycles and remain a reasonable weight, they arent gonna damage the trail any differently than a heavier/stronger rider would normally. Very interesting points about it increasing your mindset! thanks for sharing. I am trying to hold off on a getting an ebb cuz I think it would make *me* lazy....but maybe id be more motivated than I think.
Im a roadbiker, 150 miles a week and up, going hard in groups usually with good climbing. But used to ride mt bikes a lot, and always had one........then kinda on a whim I got a bad ass E Trailbike, a Canyon spectral ON cf8.............and wow is it fun! Its gotten me back onto trails again just laughing on the silly thing. But as noted in this video, when I ride the E bike its as fast as it will go, I'm always spun out on it going as hard as can be. Motor doesnt do much if you dont keep it spun up........then I get on my normal road or mt bike and I keep it spun up all the time even more so..................for me the E is just an addition to the collection of bikes. Tearing up trails? I dunno, I go faster downhill on my amish Intense sniper normal bike, it weighs half so it flies downhill on tricky stuff, it might be sliding around more and moving dirt around.
I ride a lot more now with my ebike. It definitely won’t make you lazy. I’m in way better shape now. I ride in to town several times a week with my ebike. It’s about 12 miles and up hill on both ends. When I had a standard bike I rarely rode in to town. Same with the trails. I just go farther now.
Nice getting your input on e-bikes I'm 65 and just got back into it last year after 30 years off. I have for the most part stayed in shape but age has a way of changing your physical ability, anyway I'm now thinking e-bike. I catch your short videos and they're always entertaining, thanks.
One more thing to add. I believe class 1 (you got to pedal to get power and it cuts at 20 mph) electric bikes should be allowed on most trails. I'd be good with a limit on torque/power too. I think the current Levo with the 90 Nm of torque and 565 watts of power is approaching the limit before the e-bike is harder on the trail than a regular bike.
I'm in my 40's and my riding group ranges from guys in their 20's to 50's and we all ride e-bikes and absolutely love them! I've been riding a full power Levo for 2-3 years and I just got a new Kenevo SL. They're both tons of fun!
My dad bought a levo for himself and I will say that most of the things you said I agree with. I have gotten to ride it a few times legitimately and had it mostly in eco mode and honestly if your pushing yourself it pretty much feels like pedaling a regular bike cuz of the weight😂. But that weight also helps you stay more composed on the downhills, you feel like you can smash through literally anything. However I don’t wanna say it’s just outright better. I have a stumpy evo that I love and it’s obviously way lighter and more flickable. You see when you ride an e-bike, I feel you get a more upper body workout while riding a regular bike, you get a more lower body workout. However being able to press a button and just shoot up a hill without working is pretty great😭. Not to mention I have the best of both worlds now because I bought a tow strap so if there’s any fire roads or crazy steep hills my dad can just put er in turbo and haul my ass up the hill and not even break a sweat himself. I love em.
Thanks for this post. I’m 75 and have been a road biker for 40+ years. Recently it has gotten too risky on the road so I decided to get the old mt bike out. Ended up with a new Trek emtb and am having the time of my life. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike. I’ll never be able keep up with the flat bellies, but that’s okay because I take my time and enjoy the scenery. I ride farther than I could before on the analog bike and I’m exhausted when I’m through with my ride. I think I’m getting a better workout on the emtb than the analog plus it’s so much fun.
Thanks for sharing; the more people advocating, the more understanding/accepting is possible. Unless people stand up, more unjust legislation will come down. ❤
I'm glad to see you getting laps on SC trails!! It's such an awesome place to ride. As a 50+, I just ordered my first e-trail bike but hanging on to my "analog" bikes. I'm looking forward to additional laps. Keep up the great content!
My son got me MTB 7 years ago on a standard bike at 69. I fell in love with the sport but after 3yrs I couldn't keep up with my kids of grandkids and I bought a Track Rail e-bike. (Love it) . My skills have improved, more fun, longer rides, see more country, and getting stronger. I ride blue and some black tails I'm still last on the down hills but I lead on the up hills. That gives me some bragging rights. Knowing your limit is important at my age when riding. Walk a feature if your uncomfortable .People think I'm crazy to bike at 76 however I'm not a couch potato setting around getting fat and lazy waiting to die LOL ( Enjoying life )
I'm 65 and started EMTB in 2019 after more than 45 years ok hiking and free climbing till my right knee started hurting and my fitness dropped. I am now enjoying again the mountains and the feel of freedom that going on the trails brings me. I live in the heart of the Alps in northern Italy and every time I can I get my girlfriend 😂😂😂 (my EMTB) and ride I get out in the happiness. Super good cure for mental stress
I can't agree more with everything you shared. I've been riding the same 2010 Specialized Epic for 13 years now. I got a Specialized Levo just 4 weeks ago. The two bikes compliment each other so well. I still enjoying riding both of them. But, the Levo has opened up so many new opportunities for me. First off, I live in the mountains west of Boulder Colorado. I have a ton of trail to ride nearby. So, I don't even own a bike carrier for my Jeep. I never haul my bikes. I just ride them right out the front door. On the 2010 Epic, there's only so much elevation I can climb before I am wiped out. So, it limits my access to all the trails near me. With the Levo, I can make the 2,500' climb to the best trails and still have energy to ride them. Also, I don't have to take the flat boring forest road up the mountain. I can climb the gnarly Jeep trails and social trails to the top. I take on so much more than I could on the Epic. I agree with you that those who think e-bike riders are lazy are wrong. Just about any mountain biker is going to ride the toughest trail they can manage whether they have an e-bike or regular bike. So, e-bikes aren't for the lazy. BTW, I rarely use turbo mode and I detuned my trail mode. The torque my 55 yr old legs plus the motor generates at any time isn't more than some of the stronger mountain bikers generate on their regular bikes. So, I am no harder on the trail than other riders. The only thing I see the e-bikes impacting is many of the trails that have been traditionally downhill only will be ridden up hill too. So, it might be good for busy trails to be marked one way. However, this isn't new. I've ridden plenty of trail on my Epic that should have been marked one way.
This video was so well done my man. Whenever I'm online I see a lot of people say YOU motivate them, as bigger dudes, to get out and rip. No joke, whatever gets you up so you can continue to rip down. 🤙🏽
Great video. You expressed the way I feel about ebikes. Being a big guy my self and loving mountain biking L have always been frustrated by my weight. Most of my riding was by myself because I didn't want to have everyone waiting on me. I love my ebikes life changer. Thanks for the video.
Your comments are encouraging. I'm 63, used to ride a lot as a kid so bought a regular bike a few years back as a means to get more exercise. We have lots of interesting trails around here I wanted to explore but it tired me out so badly it wasn't enjoyable so I quit riding. I bought an ebike this week, waiting for it to arrive and plan on getting back into riding. I've had people call me out saying I won't get much exercise with an ebike, but I feel with just that little bit of assistance (and safety net to be able to get back home if I wander off too far) that a little exercise is better than none at all. By the way, I'm a big guy too, and due to the squared-cubed law, the bigger you get, your effort goes up exponentially. You've heard how strong ant's are, but if they were as big as us, they would collapse under their own weight? Same principle. your effort is disproportionally greater to propel yourself on your bike, than your smaller friends, so if their effort for their size is 100 percent, for your proportional size you will have to expend 120 to 130 percent. I hope that all makes sense. Cheers!
Great story and great example. I love that you keep going, too many people quit because of “size” or any number of reasons. Also , there is no problem with e bikes going anywhere. The only reason there may be a problem is that they are new and people riding them don’t have basic etiquette yet so people not on them blaming the bike. This is the same idea of snowboarding, 30 years ago when skiers got offended ( I know I have snowboarded since 1989).
This was motivating and inspiring! You never see big guys on videos. I’m 6’2”. and 280 lbs. I’ve pretty much have stopped riding my mtb and therefore quit riding with my friends because I couldn’t keep up. I still ride my hybrid on the road. I’m ready to buy a new bike and I think I want to go E-mtb to have those fun times again. Thank you! 👍🍻
I have an E bike for one year now. 57yr, 6'1" 200lbs and absolutely love it. It gives me much more bike time and better workout. Don't have to go into the red zone during my ride. Exactly like your experience.
At 72 I have been riding since my late teens in college and, of course a little on a very old 26” wheeled kid’s bike before. I was a subscriber to “Fat Tire Flier”, the original mountain bike publication while the term was being coined. I lost a lot of balance and fitness during the Covid plandemic just to realize later I had already had Covid and could have been riding. I just bought a cargo e-bike, partially to get my mail from a box about three tenths of a mile away and partially to try to reclaim my old sport. This video and comments from old guys like me are very encouraging!
Fat Tire Flier mag ,no one reference’s that anymore…Dale H. Had a stack in his cool bike shop Rotorua New Zealand 40 years ago,bought some parts of him Bullseye 181cranks n a pair of hubs from LA,Fat Tire Flier packing materials,inspired…
I have had a specialized turbo levo SL expert for a couple of years. As a flatlander Texan, when I go to Colorado and ride at 10 to 12,000 feet of altitude, it makes the riding great fun, a two hour ride can be accomplished in 20 minutes and I find that I do lots more riding and enjoy it more, my son is 34 years old and just bought his. I am 69. And loving it. They are great for commuting also.
I am with you 100% on the fitness part. I bike way more with my emtb. I am in way better shape now. It seems counterintuitive but I think I push it way harder now like you said. With regard to trail wear I guess I could see more wear on climbs. I spin my tire more uphill if I put my weight too far forward. That goes along with improving technique though. Weight distribution on an e-bike is a little different and I’m adapting to it. It’s probably minimal if any though. On flat ground or downhill a level one e-bike isn’t faster than I can pedal an acoustic bike.
@@MattnUska No it doesn't. Some one who wants to go out and do some cycling as a sport, a ftiness exercise does not want to be carried by a motor - it beats the whole purpose, and that's it. Everthing else is just the usual hypocrisy / self deception. If you are just using the ebike as a vehicle where the whole point is to get places quickly with great freedom (no licesne, etc necessary) sure.
100% Agree on the uphill, I find myself pushing it to keep the motor working less, but its not nearly as hard as i would push without it. Keep the work up and enjoy :)
Bro,no disrespect but you have the typical e bike body. I love the fitness aspect of Mountain biking. Its cool that you get out there. You can definitely get in shape, anyone can. E bikes will trick you to think you are fitter than you are. If your trying to get super jack, E bikes are not it. Don’t kid yourself.
Most definitely NOT anyone can. At 65 and as the survivor of a major aviation incident, exercise is agonizing for me, but I still do it. If I can have more fun, I want it. You’ll learn this too.
I'm 68 with two recent knee replacements. Recently got my first full suspension Mountain ebike. Wow! I use just enough help to get over that ridge, it's wonderful!
So cool man! I’m a regular dude about 170 pounds recently bought a yeti 160e and let me tell you: It’s unlikely for me to go back to a regular bike. Climbing becomes fun, where you look forward to climbs and descents. Regardless of weight, I think e-bikes is a game changer. I ride 7x more at least in my e-bike than my regular, far much more fun and wayyy more stability on downhill. Not sure why people hate on e-bikes? I think is jealousy unfortunately Anyways Since I bought my e-bike, I haven’t once ridden my regular bike 🤣🤣. By the way, I am a good friend of Justin Niemi and I biked with you briefly at N* once ! Love the videos and keep it up Man! 🤘🏽
Thx for sharing your personal experiences. I bought myself an E-Bike last year with at the age of 50. Without E-Bike i would never ever would have come back on biking. Good luck and have fun.
Honestly I do not think that e-bikes itself damage the trails more than non-ebikes. But because of the help of the e-motor, suddenly a lot more people are able to get access to trails and areas they would not be able to ride before. Also like you said in your video: People ride on average much more miles on e-bikes.... all this could be a reason why trails get more damaged, because there is more traffic on them. While I don't ride an e-bike (yet), I think it is great that those bikes are available. I have some friends who are out of shape, but now thanks I can go riding with them. Also it is great for older people: My mom (e-bike) can ride finally ride together with my dad (non-ebike) instead of staying at home or only doing super short tours.
I have an older mountain bike friend who suffered a heart attack several years back that severely damaged his heart and essentially took him out of cycling. He tried to come out and ride with me, but just couldn't climb and got discouraged. He got himself an ebike and he was back in the hills riding in no time. That ebike is what gives him the ability to still ride with groups. I'm a traditionalist and pedal with muscle power over motor power almost exclusively, but for those who would be out of the sport without these new ebikes it's a complete game changer.
Santa Cruz trails, like the one you’re on, have been under threat of closure for as long as I can remember. Technically, the UCSC trails are illegal to ride (private property) and some have even been ticketed over the years. Unfortunately e-bikes and e-motorcycles (like Surrons) are becoming more common on these/ my local trails. Trust me the impact has been immense in just the last few years. Before that it was just status quo and really no change from year to year.. I think e-bikes are great for unique scenarios, such as yours, but they do in-fact threaten trail access to the OG actual non-motor cyclists that built and fought for these trails from the beginning.
Last year I had some surgery recovery so I used an ebike. Worked great, and after I was recovered, the normal bike felt great because it was lighter and more nimble. So ebikes can be great weight trainers as well.
Great to hear from another "big size" rider and share your discoveries on EMTBs. As a 60+ rider I started to find the big climbs as prohibiting factor to the duration of my rides not to mention the similar reasons you stated in your video. My EMTB acquisition this year has changed all that - many more climbs and descents than ever. While researching the EMTB to buy, I had some apprehension over what is best for my size and weight. Obviously, I got longer travels in my suspensions and sturdier components. In interested in your views on what bikes are best suited for riders our size. Been MTBing since the 80's including trail building, and as for the notion of closed MTB trails for EMTBs, Ive yet to see this in my area of Canada, but I really don't see any rationale for this. Keep it up!
incredible story but everyone I know who got an ebike only got fatter and more lazy, including myself. Although most people on ebikes wont admit it, even to themselves. The only reason I think ebikes aren't alowed some places is becuase they are lumped together with e-motos like surrons and so on.
I agree with your comments entirely. I got an e bike at 68 years old. I wanted to do more exercise , and it has helped me enjoy getting out much further. I even use it with the power off a lot of the time and challenge myself to get faster and further. It is also good fun! No short car journeys any more, and health benefits too.
You are absolutely right about e-bikes making you work harder and appreciate your standard bike. I love both. It is great cardio and I go further now even after quadrupled bypass!
I ride my e-bike with the motor off most of the time. I mostly turn the motor on when my body is "done" with the ride and I need to go up a very steep hill to get to my house. Excellent video. Thanks for presenting!
My husband loves cycling and has done for years but has recently over the last couple of years suffered with his knees and gets a lot of pain from them as most do at his age and doing manual work. He recently bought an ebike after trying a friend's for a while and he doesn't suffer as much now and we are now both ebike riders 😊😊
I have been mountain bikeing for 5 years and don't own a bike worth more than 500 dollars.i working on being able to buy a real bike, but that's not the worst thing. The worst thing is I don't have anyone to ride with because apparently I'm too fast and too good😢 I'm gust getting out there and having a good time like everyone else. Love the videos. Keep up the hard work.
I first responded to your prior YT video. I was/am in the same situation since 2019 till today, e-bike allowed me to re-grow my attitude, muscle and joy of riding. Then I also bought my dream-on bike (all XTR Cannodale scalpel 11.5kg total) and ... I am still switching between and having both long distances when I need to, and some workout when I want to! Win-win.
100% agree! I just turned 60 and had my knee replaced. My wife and I got the Specialized Vado SL and this was part of my rehab! Now we can adjust the assistance and my wife and I can do some long rides, get a great workout and not be frustrated with wind and some of the hills! Cheers!
Dude I’m stoked on your honesty. I’m an overweight guy myself and I almost lost my life from COVID a few years ago. I just got of oxygen 3 months ago after a year and a half. I tried riding my old Cannodale MTB but my lungs could not keep up with the hill climbs. So I bought an e-bike from Specialize and it has changed my life. I wanted a full suspension but the guy at the bike shop told me I was to heavy for it and I figured he was right. I have now do a deep dive and learning different. There’s even a company in California the does big boy tunes on suspension. I’m now up to 60 miles a week and I’m trying to do Ragbri next year. What has been your experience with full suspension. Keep it real bud your awesome
I love my ebike and feel absolutely blessed to have one. I try to get everyone i meet on the trail to try it. So far absolutely 100% of anybody that tries it, immediately looks back with the biggest grin on their face. They are all the fun of mtbiking, with slight pain, to the degree you want to work out, but no agony.
You are definitely getting a workout, electric or not, good for you! I ride dirt bikes and haven’t gotten a e-bike yet but definitely want one! I always laugh because people say you don’t get work outs on e-bikes, heck just riding a dirt bike all day is a workout if you ride hard haha people are crazy. Let the haters hate and keep on ridin! 💪🏼
Things they don't tell you: Price of replacement battery Availability of parts for motor Time iit takes to get the motor fixed Bikes / ebikes are not green, bikes use materials so they may be greener but they are not green.
As someone whose 7', 350# (though I was only 7' and 175# at the age of 18,) this was a solid discussion worth to hear. I've currently kept the mindset that 'being in the far far rear' gave me a scenery view and nature experience independent, and I'd catch up with my friends about the time they were breaking their rest and returning to the trail...
Hey enjoyed your video and commentary, I’m 61, i started riding Mtb back in 2001, stopped in 2009 for awhile, I’m 6’ and currently 250lbs, I love downhill and hated hills! I got back into riding last year when out in Reno, NV on a project, I bought a Levo Comp EBike, I love it, my fitness level was so low, but getting on this bike allowed me to ride far and long, to be able to keep up with my 38 year old fit son, hills are no problem, I road MOAB alone on my way back home from Reno. I totally understand and agree with all your positives about the eBike. Ride On.
Great video ,thank you posting it. My story is that I am 62, I didn’t start Mtb until I reached 60 years and now it is my life. Every day I cross the Pentland hills , just out side Edinburgh and go to Glentress as often as I can. If you ever visit Scotland, I will set you up on my trek rail 9.7 and I will use my spare bike the turbo levo. May I ask what camera you use to make your videos? Make more funny vids as well please !
Agree with your comments. I bought mine after knee replacement and have transitioned back to about 75% analog bike. And trail damage? I agree with you, don't see more with e-bike approved trails vs non e-bike trails. Keep up the good work!
I love my ebike. I'm 48 years old got back into mountain biking at 44. I was unhealthy for years. I was addicted to cocaine smoked like a chimney ate horribly. I was depressed. I hit a wall and decided I didn't want to die and got clean. well... the part they don't tell you about addiction is quitting is just the first of many steps. for a few years after getting clean I had two emotions nothing at all or pure blinding rage. I had no idea how to deal with my emotions anymore. I ruined my first marriage because of it. at the end when it was too late I realized I had to figure out how to deal with them. I met someone new and she made me fall in love with her and being alive again. but I still had my emotional control issues. I started hiking. it was great it felt incredible. I was happy but still lacking something. then a friend told me to get a mountain bike. I bought a regular bike and worked and worked getting more fit and trying so hard to get up that hill. I finally quit smoking! why? not because I loved my now wife not because I didn't want cancer but because I wanted to climb mountains better. that worked for a bit. I was riding constantly. I thought yeah without smoking I'll get better. well it worked for a while but I hit a wall. I was back to dreading the climbs and not going to places with big climbs because, 1 id be left behind by my friends, 2 id be so exhausted by the end of the climb the downhill became not much of a pay off for the suffering I endured. I was diagnosed with asthma it was my fault yes from the drug abuse and heavy smoking. I was ready to give up. I loved riding some much and it had done wonders for my mental health. I was finally happy and feeling better but my body was now fighting me my mental health was again starting suffer. then a friend let me borrow his ebike. that day I rode 19 miles easily. I wasn't exhausted I felt happy and amazed with how I was able to pedal all of the ride! ive always been bigger Than I'm supposed to be. my parents are big their parents are big its the way my family is. I'm strong as hell but I'm a big dude. I bought a new 2021 Rocky Mountain instinct powerplay ebike. I rode and rode and rode that bike!! I ran it in eco mode most of the time. just enough to help me get up the mountain. my mental health became better than it ever had been! I was incredibly happy! I wasn't using the bike to "cheat" I was using to get me through the climbs that my body by itself was not able to handle anymore. I'm now 48 almost 49 and ive ridden my bike in 15 states. I live in Colorado and my life revolves around my bikes and the happiness they bring me. Ive lost 40 lbs I eat better I'm in the best shape of my life but I'm still a chubby dude. My legs are nothing but muscle. I'll ride 30 miles pretty much any time I go out. The workout I get from that bike is twice what I got from my regular bike. On my regular bike id just go slow and grind out a terrible climb stopping 10 times or more catching my breath. On the ebike ill still stop but its once or twice. This ebike has given me back my life. I don't understand the hate on ebikes. maybe it's an ego thing. I know they don't do much if any damage to the trails. the most I could see is that id ride the trail more than one time that day and others would do the same. whatever it is its dumb to ban them. it helps people more then it hurts trails. thanks for being an advocate and voice for ebikes. your videos are great! I love them! mountain biking has saved my life.
Cheers for the share and hope you only improve from the present state you are in!
Two things that bring as much joy as MTB, Bodyboarding and hitting the gym HARD.
For mental health MTB and bodyboarding go hand in hand, can only do it on the weekends.
Hitting the Gym helps to deal with the stress daemons during the week!
Keep pushing brother!!! I'm in the same boat, PTSD, addiction, multiple injuries... I started MTBing and it transformed my world... but I still hit those walls, same as you.. just got an ebike, and it's really letting me ride to my fill potential now... I dont listen to the naysayers, they have no idea what I've been thru.. if an ebike is what gets people outside or just into the sport, then why even judge???
Dude that is so inpiring. Good for you. To all those haters out there, we ebikers will actually take you seriously if you concurrently reject all types of motorized transporation like the truck that got you & your bike out to the mountain, the plane that flies you to different locations, the cars that you like to drive on a road trip, the ski lift that you take up a mountain. You guys can use motorized transport but others can't JUST because you choose to do it the good 'ol way of pure pedalling and it means we are "not working for it?" I sure don't see any hypocrasy there! Heck, I can even say you should eat grass like the cows out there if you want to be pure because the sandwich you just ate was made from bread that used an egg beater and oven to bake it. That is such a CHEAT!
Meh.
And this exact reasoning is why I don't understand the hate for ebikes. It gets people pit on the trails, enjoying life again. I'm all for it. Great story. If you ever get out to Southern Wisconsin, hit me up!
Well done, I am 60 yrs old, everyone said to me no dont get one until you really need to.....I now find myself going way further on any given ride, but its not because of that small engine in the back wheel, I only ever use it when going up long tough hills or into strong winds, but now instead of a 12 mile round trip I do 20 to 30 miles round. Just knowing the power is there to get home if i over stretch myself is a confidence booster. If you're toying with the idea, go for it, you will smile on your first ride.
I ride more and farther than ever before now.
I think, those longer distances will in the end will lead to a loss. I live in a very highly populated area. Mountain bikes are, or were, a way to loose the crowd, now the crowd can more easily follow where they once couldn't go.
What an elitist and snob comment
Yes Sir I totally agree always a Longer Ride for me as well‼️
has northing to do with the motor eh? must just be the cool aid. drop your pride dude, and get out in traffic and use the bike for what's its good for, going the speed of traffic. and get off our shared use paths.
Cheating what? It’s not a competition it’s about enjoying yourself.
That’s what I don’t understand it’s more fun period it’s also evolution of motocross and mountain biking together , I don’t understand the hate
Does the E stand for elderly?
i enjoy myself
@@NIC-nr3zg Exactly why I bought an Ebike, it's for Elderly like me.
For me, an e-bike means my heart rate has dropped out of the red zone when climbing and into the cardio zone. It’s far healthier and has built up my endurance. Since I enjoy technical downhill the most, now my rides only end when my shoulders are on fire. Yup gotta work on that, but it’s a great problem to have. 😊
This is a great point 👌
that's funny you say that because now after my 20 mile E-bikes ride on the trail, my shoulders have been killing me. Before ebikes, it would be my legs that would get blown up.
"Dead hangs" for back and shoulders and grip strength....
More and more articles coming out to support what you said. Some articles are saying that people that ride electric mountain bikes are actually getting in better shape than people riding regular mountain bikes because they can be too hard on you and your body releases cortisol.
E bikes are for lazy people.
Adding an Ebike improved my standard bike riding 100%. Going faster uphill allowed me more corners to work. Plus, like you said, I started doubling my ride miles, so I was getting much more time on a bike. I love switching back and forth between the bikes for different types of rides. I got my wife and oldest son one as well. Now they can join me on longer rides where the climb would have knocked them out, but they can enjoy and we have more family time since they can keep up better. Great video and glad I started following you, keep up the awesome content!
That's how I just recently justified my ebike purchase. I'm no slouch on climbs, I don't NEED an ebike. But I justified it by saying it'll allow me to loan it and get other people out with me who otherwise couldn't keep up
Not only that, but I find I can climb more and still have legs to hit the gnar downhill I just climbed at 62!
Try motorcross
I’m 56 yrs old 6 ft and 4 months ago I was 336 lbs. in 2018 I had a small stroke and my main symptom is my right side is numb all the time and I have bad stenosis in my lower back. I have a 3rd gen Levo alloy comp and have been riding 14 miles/day and eating keto. This morning I weighted 282. I couldn’t have done it without the Levo and I’ll never apologize for riding one. If someone has an issue that’s their problem. I’ve been following you for about 6 months and you have giving me some help with motivation so thanks
HUGE props dude! Like seriously well done!
I know how hard it is as I have been there myself, as we are similar age and I was about the same max weight as you when I started riding again on an analogue bike a few years back. The E-bike makes things so much more doable and allows you to WANT to get out as much as you can, all while still working your butt (quite literally) off!
Congratulations you should be extremely proud of what you have achieved and ebikes for so many are really important and not because we are lazy or unfit
Your honesty is an inspiration. Using the E bike to get excited about riding and climbs, and then improving your mtb is amazing. I will always want my standard bike. I hope E bikes keep me riding when I’m 75 years old….
I love the style of this video! I have all the same feelings for my e-bike. There's something to be said about being able to session a jump line over and over again without burning yourself out on the climb back up. It's definitely sped up my progression! Also riding a Levo🤘
100% agree. I've been falling further and further behind my friends and resisted getting an e-bike. I'm > 50 and 240lbs and it has been a game changer for my enjoyment of riding. I don't ride any faster, but it allows me to keep up with my friends. E-bikes should be allowed everwhere.
my exact age and dimensions lol. Preach on!
I have to agree,
separating the classes
Class one should be allowed everywhere, Pedal assist only maximum speed 20 MP H.
What bike do you ride? I’m 6’4” 260
I'm riding a Specialized Turbo Levo Expert. I want to hate Specialized (not sure why), but damn it is a great bike.
Just lose 65 lbs and that would be much bigger game changer for your health and whole life.
Exactly the same reasons I upgraded from my hardtail. Was tired of getting left behind by my buddies. Always been a big guy as well. I also, had the same psychological impact being left behind had on you. My ebike has had such a positive impact on my riding and my life. Zero regrets adding one to the stable.
I love my e-bike. I am 57 years old and at 51 I had a widowmaker heart attack and was one of the lucky 3% to survive. My wife and I both purchase our e-bikes in 2020 and have been riding ever since. You are absolutely right about how an e-bike will allow you to ride more often and still gives you a great workout. I think the reason why some trails do not allow e-bikes is that there are some riders that just go too fast on the trails and do not respect other riders, walkers, and so on. I believe trail etiquette is even more important for someone riding an e-bike. Great video and thanks for sharing!!
Glad you made it bro! I agree about trail etiquette. I slow way down and tell people to take their time or finish the short climb before passing. I always thank them too especially if they have a youngster with them. Being polite goes a long way. That being said I ride as fast as I can when the trail is open.
@@chucknoob7041I do the same. Keep riding!!!
If you are in usa...cali for darn sure.....you can legally ride your ebike anywhere.
Great video. I am a traditional cyclist and admittedly a bit of an e-bike snob. I watched your video merely out of curiosity but I have learned a lot. I’ve always thought of e-bikes as a lazy person’s way to get up the hill and never considered an e-bike to be so beneficial to those who otherwise can’t get out to enjoy a ride. Thanks for pointing this out. Love him or hate him Lance Armstrong also motivated many people to start riding the bike.
While watching the first 2/3 of the video I noticed the course as one of my favorites…UCSC/Wilder Ranch S.P. Nice trail choice. I’ll watch for you next time I’m out there. -Cheers.
Cars are a lazy person's way to get to work
Many older or people with injuries have said that E-bikes have gotten them out riding more, out in the fresh air and sunshine that they would otherwise be inside were it not for the Ebikes. Because they have that motor assist or full throttle mode, even if you're not pedaling, you're still doing work and exercising just by being on the bike, balancing, steering etc. Just as riding a motorcycle is more tiring for the same reasons of having to balance the bike, turn and using more muscles to sit up, the same applies to E-bikes too, though to a somewhat lesser degree. Then you can always pedal some to get some exercise even if you are on full throttle mode.
@@lithium25693 Yeah sure - riding 25 miles to work every day......get a brain dude.
@@TheAntiFeminist2 Yup I have really bad exercise-induced asthma, and am considering one. Being able to have a 'boost' up a hill or even to just keep riding instead of stopping every couple of minutes is really encouraging. And in the long run you still get out and get more exercise vs not biking at all.
I was the same ..... I now see it different too.
I've always been a biker and always struggled on hills. I've just got an eBike, but I should have got one sooner. Your definitely right by saying that, when you come to a hill you attack it more on an eBike. I've noticed that on the eBike when coming to a hill I'm dropping the power down a level as I'm getting fitter.
I'm the Calirado Kid and I like E-Bikes. I just don't own one. 😂
Somebody get this man an ebike
You’re making a big mistake and wasting away missing all the Goods
Maybe Trek will sponsor u.
Electric scooters are more fun
@@larryc1616they are more dangerous though and for the same specs you can get an e bike for cheaper
Good stuff man! The way I look at it, anything that gets people outside instead of sitting on the couch is a good thing.
I couldn’t agree more mate , the same Applies to other forms of personal transport , e scooters, e skateboards, mono wheels, etc,etc.
A lot of people for whatever reason would normally not be motivated to get out of the house if they have to walk or pedal for lots of reasons , be it fatigue, low energy level , old age and or some form of physical challenges.
Even getting out on the E bike off the couch into the fresh air, just steering, balancing while not even pedalling uses muscles and helps blood flow , and just not being a couch potato and being active is a healthier way to live , but of course riding and pedalling with some motor assistance is even better and the icing on the cake.
This. We really need to communicate this aspect better to the Karens that ebikes are PRIMARILY for the old, infirm, and overweight. Let them suffer bad publicity like the douche nozzle wearing a star t-shirt who stopped a disabled guy using a three-wheeled Electric Mobility bike for the paralyzed to bitch about ebikes.
Sure there's some kids and some retarded adults who speed irresponsibly, but that shouldn't result in a ban on e-bikes any more than it should result in a ban on 8 cylinder performance cars.
Yeah, that was my experience as well. I'm a former marathoner who has led tours across multiple countries, and an e-bike is the game changer that got me into riding more. I still have my road bike and a couple basic mountain bikes, but I put 7,000 miles on my e-bike in two years, and I never rode my other bikes that much. What makes a big difference is the versatility. I can set it so it's easier, the same, or harder to pedal than my other bikes, and I can put more into it because I don't have to worry about wearing myself out and not getting home!
I ride my e-bike in the same manner. However, most of my riding is touring, about 80-90 miles a day. For the first 50 miles, I do fine with a fully loaded touring bicycle, but for the next 40 miles, I use the lowest assist and I usually have a 50% battery charge still remaining at the end of my ride for the day. When the headwinds come, I turn on the power and smile. I tour with a Reese-Muller SuperCharger2.
I hate this 'cheating'. You're cheating yourself if you don't make use of things available to you to give you more enjoyment and better quality of life. Using a motor to help with pedalling, isn't cheating. You're not in a competition, you're out with your mates :)
Its true, but people that ride the regular bikes really shun the E-bikes, I was given a dirty look from a what I thought was a friend when I saw her on the trail with my Levo SL.
As a guy who’s always been a roadie his whole life adult life, in my late 50’s I added a mountain bike to the mix. I really enjoyed the more moderate trails and being in the woods. Now that I’.m 64 I bought an e-bike, and it’s been a blast not having to dread the climbs. People have the misconception that people ride them in full boost all the time, but I use low power almost exclusively except for the steepest climbs and get great workouts. One thing I did experience is the attitude of a lot of mountain bikers that less experienced riders need to stay off “their” trails with e-bikes. Give me a break. It’s public land for everyone to use, so just get over it or go buy yourself a mountain somewhere. I found the road bike community much more inclusive and welcoming of beginners to the hobby and not nearly as snobby as a lot of mountain bike guys are, which is kind of sad.
Our group alternates between e-bike and normal bike and the difference is longer rides on the e-bike and doing climbs that with the normal bike are simply nor possible. Most of the days I end up more tired when we go out on the e-bike than on the normal bike. We even do more technical descends with the e-bike because our lower body still have energy. Also, it is a more rounded up workout, both lower and upper body are used.
I've had my ebike for over 3 years now and its a game changer climbing hills and getting to trails often miles away from train stations I use. More energy, more trail riding, more fun! Thanks for sharing! 😁🤙
At the end of the day you do you and don’t worry about anyone else’s opinions. You can’t please everyone so please yourself. Great video and content. Ride on bro!!!
Well said that mam, I'm 60 years old, and totally re-living my 20 years mountain biking ( after 17 years away from Them ) , and it's all down to E-Biking
I also ride Levo-SL and Cannodale, and I am happy that I can live in years when me and my father (61 now and he has his eBike) can go for such trips together and spend time together.
I have had e-bikes for about eight years and they helped a lot with giant hills and long commutes, so they saved me lots of money in gas and kept me in better health overall. I used to ride a lot anyway, but I moved into an area with great hills in all directions, so no distance riding was possible anymore without great strain.
As a fellow 330lb dude, your videos are exactly what I was looking for. I was 200 post COVID and commuted by bike, fell into some seriously neglectful habits and am trying to get back on the horse. One of the things I enjoyed most about biking has been lost along the way, I can't do distance and I can't do speed. It also puts massive wear on my bikes components. I have been looking into ebikes to help get myself in the zone, and stay there longer, while also being able to get some distance rides in at the same time. Thank you for your content!
I test rode my first ebike on Saturday and I was impressed. I got a good little work out on it.
Right on! I couldn't agree more. Ebikes actually got me back into mountain biking. I feel like I'm 25 again!
I got my ebike a year ago. I dropped over 100+. You're right it gives you the motivation to start and do more. Anyone that says different has something else that works for them
Yo i TOTALLY get what you mean about youre experience of fitness of ebike to standard bike. This past weekend, i rode a climb with my standard bike, felt discouraged on the climbs, next day i rented an ebike. Felt amazing on the climbs going fast. Was able to ride longer. Next day went back to my standard bike and it made me want to try harder on the climbs knowing how fast i was going with the ebike. Its crazy how you made my thoughts into words ❤
Thank you for this video!! I have been following you from the recommendation of my daughter and son in law!! I used to race motocross and always used bicycle riding as cross training. Raising my daughters, we always rode bicycles. It was something that was put away at a certain point and lost until a few years ago when my oldest daughter came to me and said she wanted her children to ride because she had so many awesome memories!! So, both my daughters and their husbands and my grandkids all started riding mountain bikes again. We have been having a blast. I found myself on an ebike because it helps me go farther and ride longer!! I am getting great fun workouts!! Keep up your great videos!! Love them!!
Just recently got an E-bike in addition to my enduro bike. I alternate weekly between them. I would say that the Ebike has progressed my skills so much just in a couple of months. I guess i am riding more distance , importantly more downhill and the weight of the ebike has given me confidence with grip especially in flat corners. I have then been able to transfer the skills across to my enduro bike. Pedaling on the Enduro bike hasn't been the biggest difference either, i just ride at my normal pedaling cadence. The main difference i have noticed is differnet brake levers , Dropper post position. So in summary would i recommend an E-bike - Absolutely!!
Truth in words of wisdom! Glad you are enjoying riding a lot more after riding e-bikes. Had the very same experience as you. Riding a Kenevo SL the mastermind is awesome. My cadence was horrible before but the SL changed that. Even caught up to my old PR times on the up & downhills. Like you said it makes you push harder working for that speed.
Can’t wait for the next video! Cheers🍺
I don't own an ebike but had the curiosity to demo a Turbo Levo and it was simply just hella fun! Uphills, flats, flows, downhills... the reliability on consistency at a speed being slightly (understatement) faster than my mountain bike pace plastered joy all over my face. I was t h a t person who thought if you're riding an ebike on the trails, you're not really mountain biking but boy did I quickly snuff that thinking post demo. The experience actually made me a better mountain biker. I think the best thing to come out of ebikes is the opportunity afforded to those who otherwise can not be on the trails. Happy riding ya'll!
yep, what is important is the enjoyment u have with your friends. ebike allows this. great job dude!!
Everything you’ve said is true and spot on. I just bought a turbo levo expert in March. I have a stumpjumper evo for trail riding and a s-works enduro for dh. I find myself riding way more, farther distances and not losing out on the workout aspect. When I get on the stumpjumper I feel stronger and want to push harder.
About to take delivery of my first ever e-bike a Trek exe at 43 and you confirm all the reasons why I’m getting one, great video 👏👏
Such a great vid, and 100% agree that e-bikes are wonderful! I used to commute to work on an e-bike, but also train on a conventional bike during the weekends. Improving on one did translate to improving on the other, which really surprised me. However, since I had to get rid of the e-bike several years ago, I hardly ride anymore and am in very poor shape. Maybe I'll get another e-bike soon and get back in the saddle.
Ebikes are also great for recovering from injuries. I tore my ACL and lateral meniscus in a gnarly crash, and haven't been able to ride the same since. After finally deciding to get an ebike after over a year of struggling to get back on my unassisted bike, the ebike has brought back the ability to ride the full length my favorite trails without my knee wanting to explode, and the joy is back.
Sometimes I just want to go out and enjoy a ride without having to push really hard. I rented a power assist mtn bike for the first time the other day. I covered WAY more terrain than I would have if I was 100% under my own power. I found myself really enjoying the ride AND I still got a workout. I was actually a little sore the next day, much to my surprise. It's NOT "cheating", it's being hop a trail and enjoy the outdoors while moving.
Dude - YOU ARE AWESOME . . . Thank you for your video and keep those wheels spinning!
Good for you Seb. E-bikes are there for those of us who need a bit of extra support. As we get older, how many of us will be thinking about buying an e-bike? If getting on an e-bike, gets you out more often. Then surely e-bikes have proved their worth.
You give me inspiration I’m new to mountain biking and I’m 270 lbs I love riding my bike and I get to to enjoy it with my family 😊
I completely agree! My only problem with some ebikers is that they rarely stop for a chat or even nod hello at the trailhead!
I will but a lot of times it’s my own self-consciousness that I’ll get looked down upon for riding one. So I just do my own thing.
That's cause they don't want to be called cheaters by regular mtbers lol
Up top and all the way through - Love the honesty of video
Buuuut... Maybe a quick trigger real quick. ebikes should NOT be allowed on the trails.
Why eBikes should not be allowed in trails?
To help a bit beyond a thumbs up or like, I think it's probably good to at least answer your question. bc if we just all agree, and high five each other, then it's not likely to help the fix the issue much.
So,
1- "eBike" as a classification. eBike is a wide ranging term and like most things, can and is often manipulated. Only a very small percentage of "ebikes"sold are the type you are riding and likely thinking of when posing the question"why aren't ebikes allowed?" In fact less than 3% of ebikes sold are eMTB mid drive torque sensing trail and turbo mode style of bikes. The vast majority are ranging from the, nearly disposable, "entry level" "budget friendly" ebikes, to the flat out electric dirt bikes that have pedals attached to them only to pass as a bycycle in she legal sense. The extremely large range of variety and lack of control over classification mean, often the ppl trying to make the rules for the masses defer to the, "One bad apple spoiles the bunch" theory and often just opt to ban then all.
2 - Bigger, faster, heavier and MORE, are things that usually scares the few who make the rules and are slow to embrace change, but are fast to fear it. With the wide and ever growing market for these often high powered, low cost machines... More people are likely to get out there on the trails... And that's a fear for some who still want to keep them for themselves and the people they are used to seeing on them
3-C'mon you already know this one, chances are you were this one before you got one. ...🤗 Envy is s green eyed monster. Simple as that. Hate what you think you can't have, until you somehow find a way to have it for yourself 😂 . Some people don't like ebikes you ARE thinking of, simply bc they are exclusive! And they feel like they can't afford them. ... Until they can, then they love them and post videos about them, and tell everyone they know and meet about it 😁😎
Hey this really hit home. I am 6 ft around 280-290 lbs. I was a coach on a mountain bike team and had a group that I'd ride with. They were all fit and very in shape. As such on my Enduro bike I was always last. Eventually I just quit going to the group rides. I still solo but I miss group rides. I also have less time so an ebike makes more sense.
Amen, my experience 100%. Definitely considering picking one up for the same reasons.
@informl_nrml I am not sure this is you in the reply.
For what I understand with respect to riding e-bikes on trails, is that pedal-assist type are accepted but no so the throttle type two bikes. BTW, I’m 69 and I’ve been riding a Levo Comp for the last three years and I love it! Great video!
I'd have to agree with your great video. I'm 75 yrs and purchased a full suspension ebike a couple of years ago. For me, it was too heavy and large. But, I'll probably get a lightweight one in a few years as my condition degrades. It's all about getting out and riding. Ebikes facilitate that for a lot of people that otherwise couldn't. What could be wrong with that?
Brother, this was s suggested video. I am so proud and happy for you . Your story is truly inspirational and thank you so much for taking the time to share this with others. On the trails, I so agree, what about our disable vets etc who could enjoy a trial like that. I think the more folks hear stories like yours, the more you will see them open those trials up for e-bikes down the road. Thanks agian and keep up the fun videos.
dale
as long as ebikes arent motorcycles and remain a reasonable weight, they arent gonna damage the trail any differently than a heavier/stronger rider would normally. Very interesting points about it increasing your mindset! thanks for sharing. I am trying to hold off on a getting an ebb cuz I think it would make *me* lazy....but maybe id be more motivated than I think.
You actually want to ride more when you own one!
Im a roadbiker, 150 miles a week and up, going hard in groups usually with good climbing.
But used to ride mt bikes a lot, and always had one........then kinda on a whim I got a bad ass E Trailbike, a Canyon spectral ON cf8.............and wow is it fun! Its gotten me back onto trails again just laughing on the silly thing.
But as noted in this video, when I ride the E bike its as fast as it will go, I'm always spun out on it going as hard as can be.
Motor doesnt do much if you dont keep it spun up........then I get on my normal road or mt bike and I keep it spun up all the time even more so..................for me the E is just an addition to the collection of bikes.
Tearing up trails? I dunno, I go faster downhill on my amish Intense sniper normal bike, it weighs half so it flies downhill on tricky stuff, it might be sliding around more and moving dirt around.
I ride a lot more now with my ebike. It definitely won’t make you lazy. I’m in way better shape now. I ride in to town several times a week with my ebike. It’s about 12 miles and up hill on both ends. When I had a standard bike I rarely rode in to town. Same with the trails. I just go farther now.
They Have 4X Trail Impact Vs Normal Mt Bikes . I Ride Daily and see it . Lots of ebikes ride where they aren't allowed .
Dude so much in this video speaks to me! Thanks dude! I love my e-bike!
Most of the e-bikes I see people having a problem with are the dirt bike styled ones. Not so much the pedal assist mountain bikes.
Nice getting your input on e-bikes I'm 65 and just got back into it last year after 30 years off. I have for the most part stayed in shape but age has a way of changing your physical ability, anyway I'm now thinking e-bike. I catch your short videos and they're always entertaining, thanks.
One more thing to add. I believe class 1 (you got to pedal to get power and it cuts at 20 mph) electric bikes should be allowed on most trails. I'd be good with a limit on torque/power too. I think the current Levo with the 90 Nm of torque and 565 watts of power is approaching the limit before the e-bike is harder on the trail than a regular bike.
I'm in my 40's and my riding group ranges from guys in their 20's to 50's and we all ride e-bikes and absolutely love them! I've been riding a full power Levo for 2-3 years and I just got a new Kenevo SL. They're both tons of fun!
My dad bought a levo for himself and I will say that most of the things you said I agree with. I have gotten to ride it a few times legitimately and had it mostly in eco mode and honestly if your pushing yourself it pretty much feels like pedaling a regular bike cuz of the weight😂. But that weight also helps you stay more composed on the downhills, you feel like you can smash through literally anything. However I don’t wanna say it’s just outright better. I have a stumpy evo that I love and it’s obviously way lighter and more flickable. You see when you ride an e-bike, I feel you get a more upper body workout while riding a regular bike, you get a more lower body workout. However being able to press a button and just shoot up a hill without working is pretty great😭. Not to mention I have the best of both worlds now because I bought a tow strap so if there’s any fire roads or crazy steep hills my dad can just put er in turbo and haul my ass up the hill and not even break a sweat himself. I love em.
Thanks for this post. I’m 75 and have been a road biker for 40+ years. Recently it has gotten too risky on the road so I decided to get the old mt bike out. Ended up with a new Trek emtb and am having the time of my life. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike. I’ll never be able keep up with the flat bellies, but that’s okay because I take my time and enjoy the scenery. I ride farther than I could before on the analog bike and I’m exhausted when I’m through with my ride. I think I’m getting a better workout on the emtb than the analog plus it’s so much fun.
Thanks for sharing; the more people advocating, the more understanding/accepting is possible. Unless people stand up, more unjust legislation will come down. ❤
I'm glad to see you getting laps on SC trails!! It's such an awesome place to ride. As a 50+, I just ordered my first e-trail bike but hanging on to my "analog" bikes. I'm looking forward to additional laps. Keep up the great content!
My son got me MTB 7 years ago on a standard bike at 69. I fell in love with the sport but after 3yrs I couldn't keep up with my kids of grandkids and I bought a Track Rail e-bike. (Love it) . My skills have improved, more fun, longer rides, see more country, and getting stronger. I ride blue and some black tails I'm still last on the down hills but I lead on the up hills. That gives me some bragging rights. Knowing your limit is important at my age when riding. Walk a feature if your uncomfortable .People think I'm crazy to bike at 76 however I'm not a couch potato setting around getting fat and lazy waiting to die LOL ( Enjoying life )
I'm 65 and started EMTB in 2019 after more than 45 years ok hiking and free climbing till my right knee started hurting and my fitness dropped. I am now enjoying again the mountains and the feel of freedom that going on the trails brings me. I live in the heart of the Alps in northern Italy and every time I can I get my girlfriend 😂😂😂 (my EMTB) and ride I get out in the happiness. Super good cure for mental stress
Great video, I’m new to e-bikes, just got one a month ago but I am feeling the same way about it as you do!
I can't agree more with everything you shared. I've been riding the same 2010 Specialized Epic for 13 years now. I got a Specialized Levo just 4 weeks ago. The two bikes compliment each other so well. I still enjoying riding both of them. But, the Levo has opened up so many new opportunities for me. First off, I live in the mountains west of Boulder Colorado. I have a ton of trail to ride nearby. So, I don't even own a bike carrier for my Jeep. I never haul my bikes. I just ride them right out the front door. On the 2010 Epic, there's only so much elevation I can climb before I am wiped out. So, it limits my access to all the trails near me. With the Levo, I can make the 2,500' climb to the best trails and still have energy to ride them. Also, I don't have to take the flat boring forest road up the mountain. I can climb the gnarly Jeep trails and social trails to the top. I take on so much more than I could on the Epic. I agree with you that those who think e-bike riders are lazy are wrong. Just about any mountain biker is going to ride the toughest trail they can manage whether they have an e-bike or regular bike. So, e-bikes aren't for the lazy. BTW, I rarely use turbo mode and I detuned my trail mode. The torque my 55 yr old legs plus the motor generates at any time isn't more than some of the stronger mountain bikers generate on their regular bikes. So, I am no harder on the trail than other riders. The only thing I see the e-bikes impacting is many of the trails that have been traditionally downhill only will be ridden up hill too. So, it might be good for busy trails to be marked one way. However, this isn't new. I've ridden plenty of trail on my Epic that should have been marked one way.
This video was so well done my man. Whenever I'm online I see a lot of people say YOU motivate them, as bigger dudes, to get out and rip. No joke, whatever gets you up so you can continue to rip down. 🤙🏽
Great video. You expressed the way I feel about ebikes. Being a big guy my self and loving mountain biking L have always been frustrated by my weight. Most of my riding was by myself because I didn't want to have everyone waiting on me. I love my ebikes life changer. Thanks for the video.
Your comments are encouraging. I'm 63, used to ride a lot as a kid so bought a regular bike a few years back as a means to get more exercise. We have lots of interesting trails around here I wanted to explore but it tired me out so badly it wasn't enjoyable so I quit riding. I bought an ebike this week, waiting for it to arrive and plan on getting back into riding. I've had people call me out saying I won't get much exercise with an ebike, but I feel with just that little bit of assistance (and safety net to be able to get back home if I wander off too far) that a little exercise is better than none at all.
By the way, I'm a big guy too, and due to the squared-cubed law, the bigger you get, your effort goes up exponentially. You've heard how strong ant's are, but if they were as big as us, they would collapse under their own weight? Same principle. your effort is disproportionally greater to propel yourself on your bike, than your smaller friends, so if their effort for their size is 100 percent, for your proportional size you will have to expend 120 to 130 percent. I hope that all makes sense. Cheers!
Great story and great example. I love that you keep going, too many people quit because of “size” or any number of reasons.
Also , there is no problem with e bikes going anywhere. The only reason there may be a problem is that they are new and people riding them don’t have basic etiquette yet so people not on them blaming the bike. This is the same idea of snowboarding, 30 years ago when skiers got offended ( I know I have snowboarded since 1989).
Before buying an eBike never thought I would ride as much as I do now! Every moment I can spare I go riding or dream about it!
This was motivating and inspiring! You never see big guys on videos. I’m 6’2”. and 280 lbs. I’ve pretty much have stopped riding my mtb and therefore quit riding with my friends because I couldn’t keep up. I still ride my hybrid on the road. I’m ready to buy a new bike and I think I want to go E-mtb to have those fun times again. Thank you! 👍🍻
Hope you can get back to those fun times again soon!😊
Won’t regret it. So much fun!
I have an E bike for one year now. 57yr, 6'1" 200lbs and absolutely love it.
It gives me much more bike time and better workout. Don't have to go into the red zone during my ride.
Exactly like your experience.
At 72 I have been riding since my late teens in college and, of course a little on a very old 26” wheeled kid’s bike before. I was a subscriber to “Fat Tire Flier”, the original mountain bike publication while the term was being coined. I lost a lot of balance and fitness during the Covid plandemic just to realize later I had already had Covid and could have been riding. I just bought a cargo e-bike, partially to get my mail from a box about three tenths of a mile away and partially to try to reclaim my old sport. This video and comments from old guys like me are very encouraging!
Fat Tire Flier mag ,no one reference’s that anymore…Dale H. Had a stack in his cool bike shop Rotorua New Zealand 40 years ago,bought some parts of him Bullseye 181cranks n a pair of hubs from LA,Fat Tire Flier packing materials,inspired…
I have had a specialized turbo levo SL expert for a couple of years. As a flatlander Texan, when I go to Colorado and ride at 10 to 12,000 feet of altitude, it makes the riding great fun, a two hour ride can be accomplished in 20 minutes and I find that I do lots more riding and enjoy it more, my son is 34 years old and just bought his. I am 69. And loving it. They are great for commuting also.
I am with you 100% on the fitness part. I bike way more with my emtb. I am in way better shape now. It seems counterintuitive but I think I push it way harder now like you said.
With regard to trail wear I guess I could see more wear on climbs. I spin my tire more uphill if I put my weight too far forward. That goes along with improving technique though. Weight distribution on an e-bike is a little different and I’m adapting to it. It’s probably minimal if any though. On flat ground or downhill a level one e-bike isn’t faster than I can pedal an acoustic bike.
You bike more and burn less cals. You achieved: pretense. E-bikes might about many things, but NOT about improving fitness.
@@moonstriker7350 apparently you have never ridden one.
@@moonstriker7350 I guess I should say it depends on the e-bike you get. If you get one with a throttle then no. It’s basically a motorcycle.
@@MattnUska I did. I also ride actual MTBs a lot, no motor, so I lost abiout 5 kg excess weight this summer. There you go.
@@MattnUska No it doesn't. Some one who wants to go out and do some cycling as a sport, a ftiness exercise does not want to be carried by a motor - it beats the whole purpose, and that's it. Everthing else is just the usual hypocrisy / self deception.
If you are just using the ebike as a vehicle where the whole point is to get places quickly with great freedom (no licesne, etc necessary) sure.
100% Agree on the uphill, I find myself pushing it to keep the motor working less, but its not nearly as hard as i would push without it. Keep the work up and enjoy :)
Bro,no disrespect but you have the typical e bike body. I love the fitness aspect of Mountain biking. Its cool that you get out there. You can definitely get in shape, anyone can. E bikes will trick you to think you are fitter than you are. If your trying to get super jack, E bikes are not it. Don’t kid yourself.
Most definitely NOT anyone can. At 65 and as the survivor of a major aviation incident, exercise is agonizing for me, but I still do it. If I can have more fun, I want it. You’ll learn this too.
I'm 68 with two recent knee replacements. Recently got my first full suspension Mountain ebike. Wow! I use just enough help to get over that ridge, it's wonderful!
So cool man! I’m a regular dude about 170 pounds recently bought a yeti 160e and let me tell you: It’s unlikely for me to go back to a regular bike. Climbing becomes fun, where you look forward to climbs and descents. Regardless of weight, I think e-bikes is a game changer. I ride 7x more at least in my e-bike than my regular, far much more fun and wayyy more stability on downhill. Not sure why people hate on e-bikes? I think is jealousy unfortunately
Anyways
Since I bought my e-bike, I haven’t once ridden my regular bike 🤣🤣. By the way, I am a good friend of Justin Niemi and I biked with you briefly at N* once !
Love the videos and keep it up
Man! 🤘🏽
Thx for sharing your personal experiences. I bought myself an E-Bike last year with at the age of 50. Without E-Bike i would never ever would have come back on biking. Good luck and have fun.
Honestly I do not think that e-bikes itself damage the trails more than non-ebikes. But because of the help of the e-motor, suddenly a lot more people are able to get access to trails and areas they would not be able to ride before. Also like you said in your video: People ride on average much more miles on e-bikes.... all this could be a reason why trails get more damaged, because there is more traffic on them.
While I don't ride an e-bike (yet), I think it is great that those bikes are available. I have some friends who are out of shape, but now thanks I can go riding with them. Also it is great for older people: My mom (e-bike) can ride finally ride together with my dad (non-ebike) instead of staying at home or only doing super short tours.
I have an older mountain bike friend who suffered a heart attack several years back that severely damaged his heart and essentially took him out of cycling. He tried to come out and ride with me, but just couldn't climb and got discouraged. He got himself an ebike and he was back in the hills riding in no time. That ebike is what gives him the ability to still ride with groups. I'm a traditionalist and pedal with muscle power over motor power almost exclusively, but for those who would be out of the sport without these new ebikes it's a complete game changer.
Santa Cruz trails, like the one you’re on, have been under threat of closure for as long as I can remember. Technically, the UCSC trails are illegal to ride (private property) and some have even been ticketed over the years. Unfortunately e-bikes and e-motorcycles (like Surrons) are becoming more common on these/ my local trails. Trust me the impact has been immense in just the last few years. Before that it was just status quo and really no change from year to year.. I think e-bikes are great for unique scenarios, such as yours, but they do in-fact threaten trail access to the OG actual non-motor cyclists that built and fought for these trails from the beginning.
Og non motor bikes lmao 😅what a creep
So one person's experience is opposite the other. Which is the norm?
Last year I had some surgery recovery so I used an ebike. Worked great, and after I was recovered, the normal bike felt great because it was lighter and more nimble. So ebikes can be great weight trainers as well.
totally agree with you that they should be allowed on any trail that normal bikes are. More people enjoying bikes the better!
Nah. They don’t belong in national forest or state forest.
@MillerRL96 why not?
Great to hear from another "big size" rider and share your discoveries on EMTBs. As a 60+ rider I started to find the big climbs as prohibiting factor to the duration of my rides not to mention the similar reasons you stated in your video. My EMTB acquisition this year has changed all that - many more climbs and descents than ever. While researching the EMTB to buy, I had some apprehension over what is best for my size and weight. Obviously, I got longer travels in my suspensions and sturdier components. In interested in your views on what bikes are best suited for riders our size. Been MTBing since the 80's including trail building, and as for the notion of closed MTB trails for EMTBs, Ive yet to see this in my area of Canada, but I really don't see any rationale for this. Keep it up!
incredible story but everyone I know who got an ebike only got fatter and more lazy, including myself. Although most people on ebikes wont admit it, even to themselves. The only reason I think ebikes aren't alowed some places is becuase they are lumped together with e-motos like surrons and so on.
some people will always be fat and lazy ebike or not
I agree with your comments entirely. I got an e bike at 68 years old. I wanted to do more exercise , and it has helped me enjoy getting out much further. I even use it with the power off a lot of the time and challenge myself to get faster and further. It is also good fun! No short car journeys any more, and health benefits too.
You are absolutely right about e-bikes making you work harder and appreciate your standard bike. I love both. It is great cardio and I go further now even after quadrupled bypass!
I ride my e-bike with the motor off most of the time. I mostly turn the motor on when my body is "done" with the ride and I need to go up a very steep hill to get to my house. Excellent video. Thanks for presenting!
I do the same thing. People who don't own an ebikes don't realize you don't have to have your motor on all the time.
My husband loves cycling and has done for years but has recently over the last couple of years suffered with his knees and gets a lot of pain from them as most do at his age and doing manual work.
He recently bought an ebike after trying a friend's for a while and he doesn't suffer as much now and we are now both ebike riders 😊😊
I have been mountain bikeing for 5 years and don't own a bike worth more than 500 dollars.i working on being able to buy a real bike, but that's not the worst thing. The worst thing is I don't have anyone to ride with because apparently I'm too fast and too good😢 I'm gust getting out there and having a good time like everyone else. Love the videos. Keep up the hard work.
I first responded to your prior YT video. I was/am in the same situation since 2019 till today, e-bike allowed me to re-grow my attitude, muscle and joy of riding. Then I also bought my dream-on bike (all XTR Cannodale scalpel 11.5kg total) and ... I am still switching between and having both long distances when I need to, and some workout when I want to! Win-win.
After slogging up a fire road at the weekend an ebike seems really appealing right now!
100% agree! I just turned 60 and had my knee replaced. My wife and I got the Specialized Vado SL and this was part of my rehab! Now we can adjust the assistance and my wife and I can do some long rides, get a great workout and not be frustrated with wind and some of the hills! Cheers!
Dude I’m stoked on your honesty. I’m an overweight guy myself and I almost lost my life from COVID a few years ago. I just got of oxygen 3 months ago after a year and a half. I tried riding my old Cannodale MTB but my lungs could not keep up with the hill climbs. So I bought an e-bike from Specialize and it has changed my life. I wanted a full suspension but the guy at the bike shop told me I was to heavy for it and I figured he was right. I have now do a deep dive and learning different. There’s even a company in California the does big boy tunes on suspension. I’m now up to 60 miles a week and I’m trying to do Ragbri next year. What has been your experience with full suspension. Keep it real bud your awesome
I agree! I love e-bikes. Great video.
I love my ebike and feel absolutely blessed to have one. I try to get everyone i meet on the trail to try it. So far absolutely 100% of anybody that tries it, immediately looks back with the biggest grin on their face. They are all the fun of mtbiking, with slight pain, to the degree you want to work out, but no agony.
You are definitely getting a workout, electric or not, good for you! I ride dirt bikes and haven’t gotten a e-bike yet but definitely want one! I always laugh because people say you don’t get work outs on e-bikes, heck just riding a dirt bike all day is a workout if you ride hard haha people are crazy. Let the haters hate and keep on ridin! 💪🏼
Things they don't tell you:
Price of replacement battery
Availability of parts for motor
Time iit takes to get the motor fixed
Bikes / ebikes are not green, bikes use materials so they may be greener but they are not green.
As someone whose 7', 350# (though I was only 7' and 175# at the age of 18,) this was a solid discussion worth to hear.
I've currently kept the mindset that 'being in the far far rear' gave me a scenery view and nature experience independent, and I'd catch up with my friends about the time they were breaking their rest and returning to the trail...
Out of curiosity what bike do you have? I’m 6’-7” and have struggled to find a decent E-bike.
@@danarussell4246 Jones LWB - a Thompson dropper allows me to achieve a stable height, and the length of frame is superb.
Hey enjoyed your video and commentary, I’m 61, i started riding Mtb back in 2001, stopped in 2009 for awhile, I’m 6’ and currently 250lbs, I love downhill and hated hills! I got back into riding last year when out in Reno, NV on a project, I bought a Levo Comp EBike, I love it, my fitness level was so low, but getting on this bike allowed me to ride far and long, to be able to keep up with my 38 year old fit son, hills are no problem, I road MOAB alone on my way back home from Reno. I totally understand and agree with all your positives about the eBike. Ride On.
Great video ,thank you posting it. My story is that I am 62, I didn’t start Mtb until I reached 60 years and now it is my life.
Every day I cross the Pentland hills , just out side Edinburgh and go to Glentress as often as I can.
If you ever visit Scotland, I will set you up on my trek rail 9.7 and I will use my spare bike the turbo levo.
May I ask what camera you use to make your videos?
Make more funny vids as well please !
Bro I am so happy that you can just enjoy yourself. Don't listen to the haters, if you're happy that is all that matters. Love bro 💯
Thanks for sharing your story. It's great that you found that solution. Making it work for ourselves is so important to continuing positive changes.
Agree with your comments. I bought mine after knee replacement and have transitioned back to about 75% analog bike. And trail damage? I agree with you, don't see more with e-bike approved trails vs non e-bike trails. Keep up the good work!