Anyone miss their old non Emtb??

[De$lo(]

The only thing I miss is the weight, but we're getting there.

 

[Omni7]

Probably the wrong forum to have this discussion but does anyone miss their old non Emtb?

I bought my first Emtb around 18 months ago and whilst it’s great fun kind of miss the reward of riding a non Emtb!

I totally get the draw if you live in a hilly place such as Scottish highland or other areas with hilly terrain and extreme tracks etc but living in a fairly flat area and riding local tracks does leave me wondering if Electric bikes are are actually spoiling the sport somewhat.

Whilst fun I do find myself questioning if I should just buy a motor bike as whilst a Bosch 5 may technically be pedal assist in reality in Emtb or turbo mode on normal terrain you don’t even break into a sweat.

As far as riding in eco I just don’t get why you would ride around a 25kg bike in the lowest power mode as quite frankly this is just pointless and any fit person riding around in low power modes would be better suited to an non Emtb.

This posts is not looking for an argument and I am just interested in other people’s opinions on the subject and also totally get older people or people with illness or injuries are massively beneficial from an Emtb without question.

I do miss my old analogue bike but it is more out of sentimental reasons. While I could once ride it with vigour, my age and a health condition make it difficult ( last time I tried riding 'a light anaolgue bike' it felt like I was trying to pedal a tractor!) I never thought I would ride a mtb again and after a few years absence from riding anything at all I tried an eMTB. It has been amazing for me. I still find the SL I have too heavy and unwieldy but I am getting stronger and can now enjoy some of the things I used to. I have just started to attempt some more technical rides and really apprieicitate the way my etmb feels more planted and safe. To be honest I also like having the energy left after technical climbs, to be able to enjoy a downhill section too. If I was younger and fitter i'd probalaly have anaolgue and electric now I have become a convert!

 

[Downhillr]

Probably the wrong forum to have this discussion but does anyone miss their old non Emtb?

I bought my first Emtb around 18 months ago and whilst it’s great fun kind of miss the reward of riding a non Emtb!

I totally get the draw if you live in a hilly place such as Scottish highland or other areas with hilly terrain and extreme tracks etc but living in a fairly flat area and riding local tracks does leave me wondering if Electric bikes are are actually spoiling the sport somewhat.

Whilst fun I do find myself questioning if I should just buy a motor bike as whilst a Bosch 5 may technically be pedal assist in reality in Emtb or turbo mode on normal terrain you don’t even break into a sweat.

As far as riding in eco I just don’t get why you would ride around a 25kg bike in the lowest power mode as quite frankly this is just pointless and any fit person riding around in low power modes would be better suited to an non Emtb.

This posts is not looking for an argument and I am just interested in other people’s opinions on the subject and also totally get older people or people with illness or injuries are massively beneficial from an Emtb without question.

Interesting question, I’m not sure why (other than age/health) if your terrain is as described you bought an e-bike? Unless I just wanted one for occasional trips to mountain riding areas it’s doubtful I would by one as my primary bike, despite qualifying for age (74).

 

[KnollyBro]

Interesting question, I’m not sure why (other than age/health) if your terrain is as described you bought an e-bike? Unless I just wanted one for occasional trips to mountain riding areas it’s doubtful I would by one as my primary bike, despite qualifying for age (74).

I couldn't agree more. The OP seems to have missed the point of getting an emtb for the area he says he rides around on and the apparent condition he is in. My regular bike is for riding park where there is no need for an emtb. I find the added weight and wear and tear on my emtb clearly offset the added expense of owning a dedicated park bike. If one is fit and rides around on flat trails, maybe an emtb is more like having a sports car/4×4 when a Toyota Corolla would meet your needs at 1/3 the cost.

 

[Straker]

I miss me! The me before illness and age, I miss riding to the nearest national park….riding all day…. Rehydrating in the pub as I’d leave the park…. Rehydrating at a petrol station 1/2 way home eating a massive ice cream and getting a brain freeze…..

Waking the next day still dehydrated and peeing irnbru and planning the next jaunt….

Yup I miss analog me and analog bikes …. But I’m a realist and EMTB’s are awesome and despite being trashed by fate I can rage against the dying of the light….

 

[The undecided]

A few months after I bought my first emtb, I believed that my knees were improving. So I went for a ride on my old mtb. The knee pain came back almost immediately and felt worse than before. I had to stop. I do not regret buying my emtb for a second.

What I do regret is selling the old mtb (Whyte T130C RS). I wish that I had kept it until my grandson was big enough to ride it. Apart from seeing the joy he would have had, I would have saved far more money in bike buying than the measly amount I got for the Whyte.
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Hi I just read your post and empathise and relate entirely with you.
Having recently been out riding my barely used pristine condition Orange FOUR all the negative things immediately came back-the extra effort everywhere and my arthritic knee pain resurfacing.
I took a MASSIVE hit selling it last night but tbh it’s been an expensive ornament for the last two years and it warranted proper use not just being lovingly gazed at.
I’ll use the money for a 250w range extender and 155mm cranks to further enhance my SX emtb’s capabilities and finally accept my physical limitations and why I went electric.

 

[F4Flyer]

Hi I just read your post and empathise and relate entirely with you.
Having recently been out riding my barely used pristine condition Orange FOUR all the negative things immediately came back-the extra effort everywhere and my arthritic knee pain resurfacing.
I took a MASSIVE hit selling it last night but tbh it’s been an expensive ornament for the last two years and it warranted proper use not just being lovingly gazed at.
I’ll use the money for a 250w range extender and 155mm cranks to further enhance my SX emtb’s capabilities and finally accept my physical limitations and why I went electric.

I still ride mine. I still have since all (4) of my riding buddies ride regular bikes. If I only ride my E, my leg power would vanish.

 

[Kepa]

I still ride mine. I still have since all (4) of my riding buddies ride regular bikes. If I only ride my E, my leg power would vanish.

Same here, same buddies have regular bikes, and some have ebikes. Depending on the group I ride either or.

 

[dezzracer]

Life long moto / off-road /Adv rider here. 67 years old. Took up mountain biking five years ago and I took to it like a fish to water. It’s a blast, but without pedal assist, I would not participate in the sport. It just would not be fun. More like torture . And if you ride at pace in the terrain we ride in southern Nevada/Utah you definitely still get a workout. E-MTB almost as fun as off-road moto. Almost.

 

[pagheca]

I tried to answer this question in a more structured way: when is an e-bike actually better than a muscular bike, and when is it not? IMHO or for my typical usage, is that there’s no clear winner overall, and there is no clear overlap between the two:

• E-bikes shine when effort is the limiting factor: they make climbs easier, reduce fatigue, and are incredibly practical for daily use or when carrying loads.
• Muscular bikes are better when simplicity and flexibility matter: no battery constraints, easier logistics, expecially in remote areas, lighter weight, and often more adaptable in demanding or remote conditions.

So rather than asking which one is “better,” it probably makes more sense to ask: what’s my typical use?

My conclusion: Just keep both. And that's what I do...

Of course, for people with different needs and priorities, the overall balance may be different.

 

[MeatBike]

I only miss it when I hit the 15.5mph on flat trails, or when I need to a bit of extra speed for a jump or feature.

 

[Gila Man]

I’ve only ridden it once offroad since getting my first eMTB back in November. I can ride more demanding terrain for a longer duration and for more days in a week on the eMTB. The meat bike requires more rest days for recovery at my “advanced” age so if I do ride it, it’s only on residential roads.

 

[AirKuhl]

I still ride mine often, albeit for shorter rides, and I've added clipless pedals to keep my chops up there.
As good as eMTB's have gotten it's refreshing to ride a bike half the weight.
Having said that, I'll probably keep it as-is forever and save future upgrades on the eMTB side. I think of it as a vintage car, no point updating something you keep for the experience.

 

[Mario Antony]

Horses for Courses!

Ebike don't replace a Bike.

An ebike will ride different trails, or better still, will ride up your usual DH trails, accomplishing a completely different ride.

A bike, will always be lighter, have a much nimbler ride, than any LIGHT ebike. You need to be fit to really enjoy yourself, otherwise, is just too much pain (uphill), for little profit (fun/DH).
With a bike, you don't feel the inertia, nor the drag once pass the speed limit, it's silent, and unfortunately/fortunately unforgiven! Or you have it, or you won't make up to the top.

There is however shuttles, but it's not fun, jammed in a van with all other riders, smelling funny, but worst of all - getting cold muscles.

With an Ebike, I need to challenge myself, to have proper fun!
Meaning: that seems "climbable" - let's try!
Non stop ride? Let's try...
Ebikes are still fun DH, but not as much as an equivalent (suspension/tires) Bike!
You'll miss the Pop, the skim, how easy is to manual, or correct the bike
In the meantime, climbing techy stuff has never been so much fun!

One example:
Gradient between 16° and 27°
Rocks have grip, roots are slippery has butter!
Around 1km... and it will take a few minutes!
Never been able to go from bottom to top, without pushing the ebike.
But I'll get there... one day! Ahahah

 

[kaaskopf]

yes! why i got something a bit more simple

surly krampus steel rigid. only 11kgs
and the best part; its compleetly silent

cons; have to pedal myself

 

[Vallydtor]

I still have my EMTB.