What is your reply to people commenting about you riding an assisted bike?

Barks507

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
15
Reaction score
10
Location
London
I've had my ebike for 4 months now and there's been so many comments on trail like..'oh you have an ebike, I was wondering how you're passing me". Lol! So egotistical.
 
⚡ EMTB Pro Go Pro — Living Intelligence Reports, exclusive discounts & ad-free Up to 25% off Peaty's, PEMBREE, Magicshine & more · Ad-free browsing · Pro badge See the deals →
I used to be that guy under my breath saying "oh wow another cheater". I think lots of people don't quite understand why we get e-bikes.... I used to not know until I did a bunch of research and understanding that it isn't cause people are "lazy". My reply will be "don't knock it till you try it!"
 
Over the winter I hardly saw any non e bikes on my travels, just loads of emtb's

Now that it's warmer (well it was!) and the trails are dry I'm seeing loads of mtb's out and about and often hear the 'cheat' call from far behind as I politley pass and nod hello going up the hill

I've only been confronted face to face once by a group of older guys on Santa Cruz & Specialised mtb's with all the Hope bling, they watched me come down a descent and called me a cheat at the bottom when they saw the motor. I asked them if they'd ever ridden an e-bike, they said 'no way, it's not mountain biking'. I know full well they'll all be on emtb's soon, and I'm sure they know it too
 
I just respond by throwing them a tenner or if I'm out of tenner's any notes hanging around in my pockets . I see the insults akin to begging but there to embarrassed to say they cant afford one. To be honest if I can help one poor soul out with a few quid they might eventually get one after insulting enough folk.
 
I just respond by throwing them a tenner or if I'm out of tenner's any notes hanging around in my pockets . I see the insults akin to begging but there to embarrassed to say they cant afford one. To be honest if I can help one poor soul out with a few quid they might eventually get one after insulting enough folk.
Bloody hell Mak, msg me next time you’re out, sounds like it could be quite profitable to follow you for a day ??
 
I just respond by throwing them a tenner or if I'm out of tenner's any notes hanging around in my pockets . I see the insults akin to begging but there to embarrassed to say they cant afford one. To be honest if I can help one poor soul out with a few quid they might eventually get one after insulting enough folk.

I think a lot of people use cost as an excuse not to buy one, yet I really do think that's just an excuse as they are often riding "boutique bikes" tricked out with carbon fibre, hope and fox factory bling, wearing oakleys and all the overpriced gear you can think of which leads me to believe they could really afford an e-bike if they really wanted...
 
I just tell them to enjoy there climb as i breeze past them giving an annoying smile, sometimes ill stop at he top of the hill for a chill and wait for them to pass red faced and blowing out there hoop.
 
I never get any negativity. Last ride a guy on a non eBike who passed me while I was adjusting my bike said to let us know when we caught him so he could let us get past.

Or we get asked for a tow.

Gordon
 
Last year (2019-2020) I got called a cheater several times. I was also told by some hard-core MTB riders that they would never ride an eMTB. I found myself apologizing as I passed them or passed groups pushing their mtb’s up hill.
This year seems to be different (2021). Way-more-differenter. ? The number of EMTB has increased significantly and the envious cheater-claim-comments …well I don’t hear any at all.
Yesterday, as I was about to pass a rider, I slowed then stopped for his wandering dog. He was riding a Trek Powerfly FS with upgrades I’ve never seen before. I find out he’s in his late 20’s, 220lbs, an avid mtb’er and business owner. “Life changing” he said, “and fun”.
Then his phone rang. He apologized to his wife for stopping too long and promised to be on time for dinner. “Love you too”...”bye”.
 
Last edited:
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Similar Threads

    Community Stats

    Since 2018
    671K
    Messages
    41,218
    Members
    Join 30,000+ Riders, it's free!
    Back
    Top