E-Bike racing

[Plummet]

So I've dusted off my race face, last time i raced dh in anger was 20 years ago, been chasing my boy around racing and infact organising local dh race series old school farm paddock style racing.

So far I've podiumed each time in the E division.

Dh1 3rd
Enduro 2nd
DH2 2nd

I'm not as crazy competitive as back in the day. I'm happy to blast along at a fast past that doesnt send me to hospital and that's usually good enough to get the podium. Story of my racing life. Always the bridesmade and never the bride. But i guess thats the outcome of not blazing and at hospital speeds.
The E division is open, so no age category, but usually its old bastards. But as you can see in a where I came second there's a young buck less than half my age in there who blows me into the weeds.

Anyone else out there racing E bikes?

 

[irie]

Anyone else out there racing E bikes?

No.

Raced motorcycles but they're nasty dangerous things - in my class 2-1/2 died in 8 years. The 1/2 was a rider who hit the Armco at Brands Hatch and was resuscitated on track but lost all memory of who he was, his wife, children, everything.

 

[cozzy]

No. Did a few on a pedal bike before ebikes were a thing. CBA these days. Poor value for money for the amount of time riding I find. Much prefer a chilled day in the bikepark instead.

 

[Plummet]

No. Did a few on a pedal bike before ebikes were a thing. CBA these days. Poor value for money for the amount of time riding I find. Much prefer a chilled day in the bikepark instead.

To be fair, i wouldnt be too if i wasn't chasing my boy around. But, if im there i might as well race.

 

[Bad-Latitude]

I race motocross and desert for years. I have been wanting to do an e-bike race but have not signed up for one yet. I was thinking of doing an enduro race but I have no idea how to go about it.

 

[Polar]

No I wouldn't dare to do it today looks far more challenging with tiny margins than skydiving which was my earlier hobby but as an old adrenalin junkie I know that if I was a kid yeah absolute would get hooked on this fascinating hobby.

 

[Streddaz]

I've raced my Levo SL quite a bit.

Tas Gravity Enduro.

Quad Crown, Wild Penguin XC.

And even the Devils Cardigan gravel race.

Placed mid field in the gravity races (too many young guns) second on both Wild Penguin races (Just can't beat the full powered bike on the SL) and second in the Devils Cardigan (again, one full powered bike that I couldn't beat)

 

[Plummet]

I've raced my Levo SL quite a bit.

Tas Gravity Enduro.
View attachment 137875

Quad Crown, Wild Penguin XC.
View attachment 137876

And even the Devils Cardigan gravel race.
View attachment 137877

Placed mid field in the gravity races (too many young guns) second on both Wild Penguin races (Just can't beat the full powered bike on the SL) and second in the Devils Cardigan (again, one full powered bike that I couldn't beat)

Are the races quite flat? For the DH an Enduro stuff i'm doing there is sweet FA advantage in E assistance unless there is a really flat section. Most often you hit motor cut out almost immediatly (assuming you arent chipped) then you are slower than mtb. In the case of the enduro, I think i'd be maybe faster on my mtb because the 190mm pole is just too much squish for the easier enduro tracks.

I raced the First DH on my Pole 190mm E and also on my 165/170 Slayer and E me beat mtb me by 3.4 seconds noting that some of that 3.4 second advantage would be that's it's 190mm compared to 165mm.

So.... I think, likely if you are mid field on light weight you would likely be mid field on full fat.

I agree the run guns are fast. They are wasting me also.

 

[arTNC]

To be fair, i wouldnt be too if i wasn't chasing my boy around. But, if im there i might as well race.

Good on you...especially since you're sharing activities with your son. I raced dirt motor enduros for decades, but now in my retirement years, I just enjoy riding for fun. Racing can be a hoot. Have fun.

 

[ari]

Yes , Xc mostly

 

[Streddaz]

Are the races quite flat? For the DH an Enduro stuff i'm doing there is sweet FA advantage in E assistance unless there is a really flat section. Most often you hit motor cut out almost immediatly (assuming you arent chipped) then you are slower than mtb. In the case of the enduro, I think i'd be maybe faster on my mtb because the 190mm pole is just too much squish for the easier enduro tracks.

I raced the First DH on my Pole 190mm E and also on my 165/170 Slayer and E me beat mtb me by 3.4 seconds noting that some of that 3.4 second advantage would be that's it's 190mm compared to 165mm.

So.... I think, likely if you are mid field on light weight you would likely be mid field on full fat.

I agree the run guns are fast. They are wasting me also.

The last enduro I did was 27.25 km moving time of 2:08:54 and 750m of elevation. Quite a short course from some of the others I've done on my non-Ebike. Stages with 700m to 1.5km in length and from 7 to 25% gradient.
My bike isn't chipped so there's not much of it that the motor runs during the stage, just helps off the line and out of slow corners. I find that it's more to do with rider skill with the gravity stuff than motor power, although they run an uphill power stage and that's where I have a big disadvantage.
The XC stuff was 40 to 60km loops with up to 1000m of elevation, depending on the stage and the gravel race is a 50km and almost 1300m elevation course.
I have found in racing, it's very difficult to beat an equally skilled/fitness rider on a full powered bike if you are on a lightweight bike. That said I have beaten a lot of full powered bikes, I am just either faster on the descents or have better fitness. The steeper the trail the less the full powered bike has the advantage. If you had a really steep course and tight and technical, I think I could beat a full powered bike, just haven't had a race with enough of that type of trail.

 

[Plummet]

The last enduro I did was 27.25 km moving time of 2:08:54 and 750m of elevation. Quite a short course from some of the others I've done on my non-Ebike. Stages with 700m to 1.5km in length and from 7 to 25% gradient.
My bike isn't chipped so there's not much of it that the motor runs during the stage, just helps off the line and out of slow corners. I find that it's more to do with rider skill with the gravity stuff than motor power, although they run an uphill power stage and that's where I have a big disadvantage.
The XC stuff was 40 to 60km loops with up to 1000m of elevation, depending on the stage and the gravel race is a 50km and almost 1300m elevation course.
I have found in racing, it's very difficult to beat an equally skilled/fitness rider on a full powered bike if you are on a lightweight bike. That said I have beaten a lot of full powered bikes, I am just either faster on the descents or have better fitness. The steeper the trail the less the full powered bike has the advantage. If you had a really steep course and tight and technical, I think I could beat a full powered bike, just haven't had a race with enough of that type of trail.

Your enduro races sound like XC races to me with uphill timed. On ours its only the down or downish sections. The transition to the next down is not timed.

I agree if you are racing up up then you have no chance against full power.

 

[Plummet]

Good on you...especially since you're sharing activities with your son. I raced dirt motor enduros for decades, but now in my retirement years, I just enjoy riding for fun. Racing can be a hoot. Have fun.

Its good times at the moment as we are similar speeds, me on the E and him on the mtd. The first dh I beat him by 3 seconds, this time he bead me by 3 seconds.

 

[Robstyle]

Yeah I've raced my ebike a few times now. Really great challenge, I'm torn if I'd be faster on a normal enduro bike. Ebike is so planted through the roughs, but quite energy sapping to pump to get the most out of on longer stages.

 

[VWsurfbum]

I used to race XC regionally and did OK top 10% on most outings. I went to Enduro, and struggled against the DH boys for speed on the real gnarly stuff. Retired from racing in my early 40's and I started to hesitate, that was my sign to stop.
That said I had real FOMO last year of Ard Rock, so I signed up for it this year and I'll be there, maybe not racing hard, but in a Ard race


My only 2nd place 15+ years ago.

 

[Plummet]

Yeah I've raced my ebike a few times now. Really great challenge, I'm torn if I'd be faster on a normal enduro bike. Ebike is so planted through the roughs, but quite energy sapping to pump to get the most out of on longer stages.

I think it depends on the course.

 

[Mrj35]

I wouldn't mind doing a couple of ebike races but I don't really want to wait around and make huge day of it. Thats pretty sweet to do that with your son though and your tracks looks fast and open which is pretty appealing.

in terms of racing I do enjoy motorsport sim racing. Thats fun and easy to get setup and just have a few races at the sim center.

If I got a kart again I'd probably do an X30 class recreational season, that would be fun too.

 

[Mrj35]

I have noticed on steep fast gnarly terrain I am much faster than my pals on there regular enduro bikes. My old bike had a 65.5degree head angle and my current is 63 so it is much easier to attack at speed, feels more like a dh bike than an enduro.

 

[Streddaz]

I have noticed on steep fast gnarly terrain I am much faster than my pals on there regular enduro bikes. My old bike had a 65.5degree head angle and my current is 63 so it is much easier to attack at speed, feels more like a dh bike than an enduro.

I think with comparing gravity times, skill has a lot more to do with the results than the bike, if you are comparing between different riders. I know a guy who has an old 2014 Enduro and he can smoke most of the other local riders on their "modern" bikes. The steeper and more technical the trail the further it leans towards the rider's skill. Could be the case that you are a better rider than your mates. A more modern bike may be faster for the same rider, but it would be marginal.

 

[Plummet]

I used to race XC regionally and did OK top 10% on most outings. I went to Enduro, and struggled against the DH boys for speed on the real gnarly stuff. Retired from racing in my early 40's and I started to hesitate, that was my sign to stop.
That said I had real FOMO last year of Ard Rock, so I signed up for it this year and I'll be there, maybe not racing hard, but in a Ard race


My only 2nd place 15+ years ago.

View attachment 137897

That looks like a lot of fun!. Do it!

 

[Plummet]

I wouldn't mind doing a couple of ebike races but I don't really want to wait around and make huge day of it. Thats pretty sweet to do that with your son though and your tracks looks fast and open which is pretty appealing.

in terms of racing I do enjoy motorsport sim racing. Thats fun and easy to get setup and just have a few races at the sim center.

If I got a kart again I'd probably do an X30 class recreational season, that would be fun too.

Here's some of my boy sending it.

Fun times. We are a similar speeds at the moment. The first dh race he i beat him by 3 seconds and the second he beat me by 3.

 

[lamerecycles]

Oh man that eBike racing you guys have going looks so fun and a good group of fellas..... reminds me of the first days of mtn bike racing on some trails you are laying down in a field and making it work. Tough grassy areas look perfect for E.

I keep thinking/hoping eMTB racing will take off but it just keeps not quite happening, which I don't understand as normal mtn bike racing is down in attendance. Up here in MN I've talked to the organizers of the MN Mtn Bike Series and they would love to have an eBike class but some of the venues they have they are not sure if they allow eBikes......

One thing to think about is if you will allow Class 3 eMTB bikes (up to 28mph) or only Class 1 bikes (19mph limit.) Here at LaMere Cycles we make really high end carbon Class 3 bikes and that's what we want to race. We are working with owner of Maplelag Resort to have a Class 3 race there late summer 2024 everyone pleez come up!

JP

 

[Truckee Robert]

Yes I have raced my E bike. I participated in the CES (California enduro series) it was the first time I’ve ever raced a mtb and I was 64yrs young when I did my first race. A lot of fun and yes I ran hard but short of hospitalization speed. I learned a lot about riding difficult terrain at speed and a lot about my bike. One thing I learned is my bike can take way more abuse and be depended on more than my body and skill level. I’m now 65 and will keep racing 3-4 races this yr, we have a short season up here in Lake Tahoe and that’s about 1x per month.

 

[Plummet]

Oh man that eBike racing you guys have going looks so fun and a good group of fellas..... reminds me of the first days of mtn bike racing on some trails you are laying down in a field and making it work. Tough grassy areas look perfect for E.

I keep thinking/hoping eMTB racing will take off but it just keeps not quite happening, which I don't understand as normal mtn bike racing is down in attendance. Up here in MN I've talked to the organizers of the MN Mtn Bike Series and they would love to have an eBike class but some of the venues they have they are not sure if they allow eBikes......

One thing to think about is if you will allow Class 3 eMTB bikes (up to 28mph) or only Class 1 bikes (19mph limit.) Here at LaMere Cycles we make really high end carbon Class 3 bikes and that's what we want to race. We are working with owner of Maplelag Resort to have a Class 3 race there late summer 2024 everyone pleez come up!

JP

That's exactly what we did. Oranised an old school dh race series down farm paddocks.. we roped of an entertaining course, dug a few basic features in and rode it like we stole it.

 

[Mr-EPIC-3]

Yep I have race in eDuro and eXC races, haven't try eDH yet. eDuro race tracks are always fun, but eXC is funner as you get the mass starts and way more racing action with other racers. Just wish the eXC tracks had a little more tech added to them

 

[fasterjason]

I have been racing xc ebike and stage races the past couple years when there is an E class, still racing single speed for USA cycling events. I run the carbon wheels off my bio bike with a 12-28 cassette, and they are fast in tight woods trails. I have not had much competition yet and usually my goal is to lap the expert riders.

 

[RuggsRides]

Been racing a few local races down here in Australia, the ebike side of the racing is slowly getting bigger.
They’re also starting to test bikes more and more to eliminate people with chips etc which helps attract more people to race as they know they’re not gonna get smoked on a flatter track and keep it fair.
I definitely agree that sometimes a normal bike would be quicker when you’re riding a downhill sort of track that has only a few small flat pedal parts where the 25kmh is just a handbrake in your pedalling, fingers crossed Australia changes the limit but can’t see it happening anytime soon.

 

[MuSkA]

The E-bike racing is still in its very early days here in Portugal but there are some Enduro races with the "E" category. I raced DH and Enduro for 20+ years, I'm definitely keen to fight the clock on my Levo in the near future.

 

[RickBullotta]

Did a couple, including a GNCC eMTB race (profile pic is from that race). More of an XC format race. Lasted one hour, and my body and battery were tapped out. Average HR was the same I'd get at a cyclocross race (I still do the occasional XC, enduro, cyclocross, and endurance race on the MTB and gravel bike) - full on for an hour. I found that I passed most riders in the technical sections but I was the only one not on a Levo at the time (I was on a Pivot Shuttle) and they would pull away on the flats and open sections (not saying they tweaked their power cutoff point but...). Was fun though. I think if I race my eMTB again it'll be an enduro or on a more technical course.

 

[Mrj35]

I think with comparing gravity times, skill has a lot more to do with the results than the bike, if you are comparing between different riders. I know a guy who has an old 2014 Enduro and he can smoke most of the other local riders on their "modern" bikes. The steeper and more technical the trail the further it leans towards the rider's skill. Could be the case that you are a better rider than your mates. A more modern bike may be faster for the same rider, but it would be marginal.

Yeah true I was still faster than them on my enduro but if you hand me a dh bike I'll be a much faster level above that. So good skill + good bike = speeeed

I've also come from the days of garbage bikes and freeriding. riding fast on some 2001 norco vps would seem bizarre to anyone getting into riding now.

I remember a few new riding buddies that I rode with with at the shore on my enduro bike. I went to whistler with them and rented a santacruz v10 29er. They were like WTF how are you going that fast on these trails .
I was following another new friend on his dh down I think 7 year war and hitting all these blind gaps totally blind as I hardly ever ride there .

There's nothing like sending the whistler dh track on a v10 it's so fun and forgiving.