E bike... Alps

[Elover]

Hi all, iv not been for a few years, but may be hitting Morzine/ Les gets next month... Iv ridden various bikes in my younger years there, Dh and enduro... But thinking of taking my Mondraker crafty carbon, has anyone else taken ebikes and how did they find it? Did hear something about them not liking ebikes on the chairlifts?

 

[Weeksy]

They're OK with it, but TBH it's a big heavy beast to try and get up onto the lift. If you recall from previous visits there's a bit of a technique getting them on some of the lifts and an ebike is going to be harder.
My mate with his Rail has just bought a Specialized Status specifically for the trip in August as it'll be easier to get on.

 

[cozzy]

I took my kenevo last year. No worries at all and i could go for an explore on the days I didn't fancy a bikepark without the worry I would end up at the bottom of a valley somewhere without a lift to get back.
Still undecided whether to go this year. The trails aren't actually that good, but I would like to ride morgins, pleny black and offpiste plus champery again. Plus the guided rides are really good. Actually maybe I do want to go again

 

[Dax]

Hard work getting the e-bike on the lifts and you’ll feel the weight of it on the flow trails, but ultimately no reason why not.

 

[Planemo]

Up the Super Morzine/Seraussaix/Pleny/Zore wasn't a problem getting them onto the lifts for me personally even with my heavy ass Haibike but there were a couple of occasions when it caused some cussing amongst others. The lift attendants (who can do their job super efficiently with their eyes shut normally) didn't notice it was an ebike a couple of times and fluffed the retrieval as a result due to the weight. They then had to go for a 2nd yank which obviously puts them back (even for a couple of seconds) for the next bike to come off. Given the way they yanked and then thudded my bike down combined with what sounded like some colourful french language I am pretty sure they weren't happy. But ebikes are allowed so...

I did feel a bit bad though I have to say. Those guys and girls work hard enough as it is. I think I might have to leave a few beers with them on the often used lifts next time

 

[rzr]

you can also ride without a battery, if you want to do only chairlifts day (better handling)

 

[LautSprecher]

you can also ride without a battery, if you want to do only chairlifts day (better handling)

Not true for every bike. Please check if your bike can handle it before you follow this general advice.

 

[Astro66]

I take the battery out and put it in my backpack to put it on the lifts. 4kg lighter makes a huge difference. And at 1 min each end to take out and put in, that was not noticed.

 

[MrSimmo]

I've taken my Levo to Morzine / PDS a few times. From my personal perspective:

Pros:
1. Good if you want to do any trail riding as well as Downhill. The Alps are hard on the legs!
2. You get the plow through roots etc capability because of the weight.
3. You dont need to worry so much if you miss the last lift home.


Cons:
1. Its hard work getting the full-fat ebike onto the lifts. I've struggled as have pretty much everyone I've seen there.
2. The lift staff also struggle with ebikes on lifts; my Levo has nearly fallen off the lift 3 or 4 times and once, the guy had to chase the bike up the hill to get it on.
3. 2. I go through 3x more brake pads than on a DH rig/Enduro bike in the Alps.


LautSprecher is correct, only a few ebikes can be ridden with the battery removed without risk of frame damage; and most manufacturers say it should only be for light usage. PDS isn't light usage I think the Canyon Torque:On can be ridden DH without a battery but not sure of others.

 

[rzr]

Not true for every bike. Please check if your bike can handle it before you follow this general advice.

well... you should know your bike ....

Sometimes I was leaving my battery (from Levo) in a chalet.
(and only using "empty" bottom plastic rock guard)

 

[Stoffel]

Me and my wife took our ebikes to Morzine last year and we’re going back again next month with them.

It’s technique rather than strength to get them on to the lifts. If my 5 foot 4 wife can get a full fat Levo on the lifts then most people should be ok after the first few slightly embarrassing attempts.

A normal bike would be of course easier if you were just going to stick to the bike parks but I wouldn’t want to be restricted.

The ebikes are great for exploring away from the parks and to get away from the crowds for a bit. I wouldn’t want to tackle those mountain ascents on a normal bike in the heat!

 

[Weeksy]

I'd love some more info on 'routes' people have that are less than Black, you know, an average Enduro UK race trail, bit of tech, bit of flow, lots of fun... I've got several in mind, but more is always better.
I'll be on the manual bike, but don't let that put you off any ideas on trails

 

[Bones]

Never been to morzine but the natural trails at Samoens are all ridable from the lifts without a battery fitted.

 

[Weeksy]

Never been to morzine but the natural trails at Samoens are all ridable from the lifts without a battery fitted.

Yeah one of our days out is planned from Les Gets down to Samoens, then get Mrs Weeksy to pick us up and bring back in the van.

 

[Bones]

Yeah one of our days out is planned from Les Gets down to Samoens, then get Mrs Weeksy to pick us up and bring back in the van.

I spent a week there last year without a battery as I flew into Geneva and hired a van.
Plenty to go at

 

[MrSimmo]

I'd love some more info on 'routes' people have that are less than Black, you know, an average Enduro UK race trail, bit of tech, bit of flow, lots of fun... I've got several in mind, but more is always better.
I'll be on the manual bike, but don't let that put you off any ideas on trails

The Passports Du Soleil event has a great route plan in it. There are both manual and ebike options. I think you can download the GPX's from the website as well:

e-Pass'Portes

en.passportesdusoleil.com

MTB Portes du Soleil, Passportes : French MTB Trekking and Race

MTB Portes du Soleil, Passportes : French MTB Trekking about 80km in the mtb area off Portes du Soleil

en.passportesdusoleil.com

Don't think they have any blacks in them (although I may be wrong)

 

[Weeksy]

Yeah we've done the Passportes multiple times

 

[Dax]

Never been to morzine but the natural trails at Samoens are all ridable from the lifts without a battery fitted.

Any recommendations on how to find them? Trailforks doesn’t seem too helpful. We’ve got a couple of days In Samoens this summer.

 

[Bones]

If you go to my YouTube channel, there's my Garmin tracks on my video descriptions.
Stephen Foster MTB

 

[Bones]

Any recommendations on how to find them? Trailforks doesn’t seem too helpful. We’ve got a couple of days In Samoens this summer.

Sorry I forgot to press reply to your message.

 

[Dax]

If you go to my YouTube channel, there's my Garmin tracks on my video descriptions.
Stephen Foster MTB

Amazing, thankyou. Are they easy to find in general?

 

[Bones]

Amazing, thankyou. Are they easy to find in general?

There's some round the back of the first ski lift and if you go from that lift towards the hotel, there's a tunnel on the left side and then right takes you to the second lift and another load of tracks.

 

[Growmac]

3. 2. I go through 3x more brake pads than on a DH rig/Enduro bike in the Alps.

Why do you think that is? Are you just running faster? An e-bike all up is only going to be 8-10% heavier than a regular Enduro, so it's not the weight.

 

[#lazy]

I'd love some more info on 'routes' people have that are less than Black, you know, an average Enduro UK race trail, bit of tech, bit of flow, lots of fun... I've got several in mind, but more is always better.
I'll be on the manual bike, but don't let that put you off any ideas on trails

When you feeling confident and want something a little more challenging try the old black run from the super morzine gondola down to the town , it’s mega steep with numerous lines which is great for a race to the bar and the looser buys the 1st round

 

[Dax]

When you feeling confident and want something a little more challenging try the old black run from the super morzine gondola down to the town , it’s mega steep with numerous lines which is great for a race to the bar and the looser buys the 1st round

Some of those trails are pretty savage!

 

[#lazy]

They are indeed , even more so at the end of a long day

 

[cozzy]

They are indeed , even more so at the end of a long day

Especially after a few happy hour pints at the bar just above the lift station

 

[michael_bc]

You'll be fine. People take full fat EMTBs on the lifts all the time. Yes, it is more clumsy on some lifts, but don't let those couple of minutes of clumsiness get in the way of a great vacation on your EMTB.

 

[MrSimmo]

Why do you think that is? Are you just running faster? An e-bike all up is only going to be 8-10% heavier than a regular Enduro, so it's not the weight.

Honestly not sure, think its because I could be braking more before corners. I’m definitely a fair bit faster due to the weight/stability of the bike.

 

[Bummers]

Why do you think that is? Are you just running faster? An e-bike all up is only going to be 8-10% heavier than a regular Enduro, so it's not the weight.

A 25kg e-bike Vs 14kg enduro, that's closer to 80% heavier.