eBike Virus?

OldGoatMTB

E*POWAH Master
Mar 24, 2020
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27284
A couple of us in our local riding group have recently introduced eBikes into the community. Just wondering, how quickly can I expect this wonderful contagion to spread? I expect there will be at least a few cases within the next year, and that at least 50% will be infected/affected within the next 2-3 years. Anyone else have evidence to support this?
 

Peaky Rider

E*POWAH Master
Feb 9, 2019
847
538
Derbyshire Dales
If the bunch I ride with, none of whom are spring chickens, are anything to go by, the more you tell them they are missing out on more fun than they will have had on a bike, the more they will resist,
Even though their ages range between 55 and 72 they think that emtbs are not for them, but just for fat, unfit old men.
They will eventually come round and I tell them that when they do they will say "what pillocks we've been".
 

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
8,969
9,358
Lincolnshire, UK
Without being pushy about it, anyone that shows the slightest interest in my emtb gets to have a go on it. But as far as I know, only one person that I used to ride regularly with on an analogue bike has bought an emtb. But there are many possibilities from strangers who may have gone on to get some sort of ebike.
 

Pdoz

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Feb 16, 2019
1,112
1,206
Maffra Victoria Australia
My wife is a bio ethicist and lawyer, I've run a few potential research studies past her , apparently double blind placebo controlled trials riding is not a good idea.
 

Pdoz

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Feb 16, 2019
1,112
1,206
Maffra Victoria Australia
So here is my first published observational study. Selection bias noted - all participants have previously been exposed to the ktm motorbike virus which seems to predispose to infection via aaarrrggghhh 2 receptor expression.

Findings -
1 age is a statistically significant risk factor. Teenagers seem immune except when temperatures exceed 35 c. Younger children are particularly susceptible, but access can be limitted by parental preference

2 number needed to treat - 1. A single ride on a modern emtb results in 100% incurable disease amongst participants over 50

3 re infection rates are high and disease expression varies. Over 10 % of study participants purchased multiple emtb over a 3 year period

image below represents a closed community transmission event, a cluster with over 80% infection rates , the original clusterfrk can be seen in high vis clothing

E26545EF-282E-4388-B459-CAA0D8E6F3A7.jpeg
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
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Mar 29, 2018
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Not one single rider I know or ride with is interested in buying an ebike.
ages from 16/17 to early 50s
The younger riders up to early 30s are all fast skilled riders with a preference for descending/jumping or with a racing background of some sort and the guys aged 35+ have all been riding mtb for decades and of varying skill levels. the closer to 50s they are the more they seem to want to make it loud and clear they're "not old enough", "don't need one YET" or some similar reason for not wanting one. some of them won't even have a go. Wheras I'd have had one 30yrs back at 19/20yrs old if they'd been around. Funniest part is I'm actually still fitter/faster on my normal bikes than all my 35+ friends.
The scottish mtb scene is just not very accepting of them, TBH it's pretty cliquey and can be a bit serious. Especially the central belt/borders.
Enduro bikes here still outnumber Emtbs probably 15-20 fold. and even full DH race bikes are more common
 

Pdoz

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Feb 16, 2019
1,112
1,206
Maffra Victoria Australia
Not one single rider I know or ride with is interested in buying an ebike.
ages from 16/17 to early 50s
The younger riders up to early 30s are all fast skilled riders with a preference for descending/jumping or with a racing background of some sort and the guys aged 35+ have all been riding mtb for decades and of varying skill levels. the closer to 50s they are the more they seem to want to make it loud and clear they're "not old enough", "don't need one YET" or some similar reason for not wanting one. some of them won't even have a go. Wheras I'd have had one 30yrs back at 19/20yrs old if they'd been around. Funniest part is I'm actually still fitter/faster on my normal bikes than all my 35+ friends.
The scottish mtb scene is just not very accepting of them, TBH it's pretty cliquey and can be a bit serious. Especially the central belt/borders.
Enduro bikes here still outnumber Emtbs probably 15-20 fold. and even full DH race bikes are more common

Statistical proof Gary is the cure of emtb ???? NOBODY wants to be like him
 

OldGoatMTB

E*POWAH Master
Mar 24, 2020
423
253
27284
If the bunch I ride with, none of whom are spring chickens, are anything to go by, the more you tell them they are missing out on more fun than they will have had on a bike, the more they will resist,
Even though their ages range between 55 and 72 they think that emtbs are not for them, but just for fat, unfit old men.
They will eventually come round and I tell them that when they do they will say "what pillocks we've been".
Hey, I'm not trying to talk them into anything! Why would I want to lose my advantage? ;-)
 

maynard

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
I caught the virus . When i saw a cheap hub kit at the race track visiting my bro . I then took a hard tail cube for a test ride with a tax check in my pocket. I told my wife it was 2000 and she couldnt believe how expensive they are . I think paid 2800 . Then weeks later realiz3d i wanted a proper emtn bike . And took a levo for a demo . Also a rail . Preferred the Levo . Yep then with my superpowers I convinced my wife I needed to spend 6000 on a better bike . And caused a massive hailstorm to dent my car and negotiated a cash settlement and kept the car . Then I bought a 2nd hand levo for 8500 . Told my wife 7000 . Now I'm happy
 

CjP

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Jan 1, 2019
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I convinced two in my group to buy one and they've never been happier. There’s another 3 more keen for one but “they’re not ready yet”, however any chance they get to ride my spare one they jump at. Funny that.
Another couple years and everyone will be on one, they’re just too much fun.
 

Zimmerframe

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Jun 12, 2019
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Brittany, France
I convinced two in my group to buy one and they've never been happier. There’s another 3 more keen for one but “they’re not ready yet”, however any chance they get to ride my spare one they jump at. Funny that.
Another couple years and everyone will be on one, they’re just too much fun.

Unfortunately , they're all just versions of your own multiple personalities - so "whole" you now has LOTS of emtb's ! :LOL:
 

Zimmerframe

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Jun 12, 2019
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Brittany, France
Lol you just can’t have too many embt’s.
Are you still thinking of going for an SL "Evo" ? Probably tempted by the SillyRon too ? If we had Rabbits instead of Horses, I could imagine becoming an emtb addict and the garage filling up fast .. :)

I also wouldn't sitting here hungry from my intense dusting, I'd be happily muching away on a nice bowl of Rabbit Stew ! :) .. god, now I'm even hungrier ..
 

CjP

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Jan 1, 2019
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Are you still thinking of going for an SL "Evo" ? Probably tempted by the SillyRon too ? If we had Rabbits instead of Horses, I could imagine becoming an emtb addict and the garage filling up fast .. :)

I also wouldn't sitting here hungry from my intense dusting, I'd be happily muching away on a nice bowl of Rabbit Stew ! :) .. god, now I'm even hungrier ..
I love to eat rabbit!
SL I’m not sure on yet. I think I’ll wait to see what they bring out next but ideally I’d love a lightweight 170/180 travel enduro ebike. I need travel as my spine just can’t take any less. Would be nice if they had a tad more torque or more assist but otherwise 18kgs is my sweet spot.
I could pump out a Levo SL but if they brought out an enduro framed SL I’d cry. I’m so in love with the current enduro I almost bought one the other day.
 

Zimmerframe

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Jun 12, 2019
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I love to eat rabbit!

I'm pondering if "eat rabbit" means something else in Australia .... ;)

Yup, they don't seem to have announced the limited edition Levo SLayer , but past history would suggest that as soon as you've made a "mega" version of one of their bikes they'll release their own "mega" version ..

I'm surprised you've not PM'd Cedric Gracia to ask him if the 60nm is like a beafy SL motor or a disappointing Fazua motor ?
 

CjP

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I'm pondering if "eat rabbit" means something else in Australia .... ;)

Yup, they don't seem to have announced the limited edition Levo SLayer , but past history would suggest that as soon as you've made a "mega" version of one of their bikes they'll release their own "mega" version ..

I'm surprised you've not PM'd Cedric Gracia to ask him if the 60nm is like a beafy SL motor or a disappointing Fazua motor ?
Hahahah here it means the same thing, that’s if you mean the little grey furry long eared nyphomaniacs. Then again you are French so that could mean something else to you.
I will await any other bike purchases For now I case I need to buy black market guns for WW3 that’s coming or a tank.

I’m not sure about Mr Garcia’s bike. That rear swing arm doesn’t sit well with me and I highly doubt we will get a shop here in Australia. Beside everyone knows I’m in bed with Specialized and I don’t cheat on my women. Unless they become ugly then I’m out.
 
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Not sure where Im at in the virus stakes, I got a Merida 900e when I was injured about 18 months ago, loved it, still really like it , but I recovered, got fitter and mostly ride with non e bikers and ego makes me ride my giant trance... havent ridden my ebike this year Im almost ashamed to say....
MX taking up time as well.. im 52, been meaning to ride e during the week, and the other in a group, although now group riding is over here in OZ for now (covid)
 

Pdoz

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Feb 16, 2019
1,112
1,206
Maffra Victoria Australia
Not sure where Im at in the virus stakes, I got a Merida 900e when I was injured about 18 months ago, loved it, still really like it , but I recovered, got fitter and mostly ride with non e bikers and ego makes me ride my giant trance... havent ridden my ebike this year Im almost ashamed to say....
MX taking up time as well.. im 52, been meaning to ride e during the week, and the other in a group, although now group riding is over here in OZ for now (covid)

fascinating - a recovered victim with not only zero transmission to others but also some possible herd immunity. Did you self isolate during the symptomatic phase of disease?
 

Akiwi

🐸 Kermit Elite 🐸
Feb 6, 2019
986
1,292
Olching, Germany
My riding mates have all been infected. Funny thing is one of my mates wives had very good antibodies. It was definitely an inherrited thing as her Dad who is about 80, refuses to even touch an ebike. His mates have all been infected, but he refuses.
She took about 2 years to infect and refused to even try riding an eBike, untill my mate bought her one behind her back and more or less said, "Ride it or it is wasted money". She now thinks it is the best thing since penecillin! Funny how some prople can be so incredibly anti, or stubborn that they won't even try it.
 

GrahamPaul

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Nov 6, 2019
1,127
1,088
Andalucía
You bztrd...there goes my covid meat supply plans. I don't think I could face rabbit stew after the images you just triggered.

Anyone got some good horse / donkey recipes?

View attachment 27940

I detest rabbit stew... but horse is truly delicious - braise for about 5 to 8 hours, depending on size of joint. It's the traditional New Year's Eve dinner where my family are from (the Ruhrpott).

I think I might have just got struck off @Zimmerframe 's Christmas card list. :eek:. (Although, as I used to tell my horses and donkeys when we still had 'em, I could never eat one if I knew it's name... except if it threw a shoe the day before a competition! :ROFLMAO:)
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
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I detest rabbit stew... but horse is truly delicious

I've lived on a cattle farm for well over 15 years and back when the farmer's family and my kids were wee they used to play together on the farm and were often envited to visit the newborn calves in the cattle sheds. The kids would give the newborn calves names and remember which one was which as they grew up. When those calves had grown into cows and were eventually ready and collected to go to slaughter the kids would often climb up on the big steel farm gate, sitting watching the cattle truck being loaded. When the driver eventually drove off. The kids'd wave. calling out. "Bye bye sausages"

It's healthy to know where food comes from from a young age.
Folk are weird about animals though aren't they, The cuter the animals face, the more they seem to care about their welfare. and god forbid you eat a horse, nevermind dog or cat. Oddly rabbit seems to be ok with a lot of them though. I don't really like the taste of game and would put rabbit in a similar category taste wise. Rabbit curry is the only rabbit dish I've ever really liked.

Animal/Pet ownership is a bit of a weird one too. Basically humans domesticated and put to work entire species/breeds of animal for their own gain and chose for others to remain in the food chain. This has become the norm. It's far from normal though.
 

B1rdie

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
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Feb 14, 2019
895
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Brazil
And sheep? The way to kill a sheep before a huge bbq party for the workers: hang it by the legs and while the neck is fully extended, cut the throat and let it bleed. It was such a common scene that kids as young as 10 yo wanted to do it.
One thing that still guts me is the memory of the castration of the bulls, the cowboys took the balls and cooked them, say that tasted good.
 

GrahamPaul

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Nov 6, 2019
1,127
1,088
Andalucía
The cuter the animals face, the more they seem to care about their welfare. and god forbid you eat a horse, nevermind dog or cat. .

This brought to mind how I found out that my daughter-in-law had the measure of me:

d-i-l: "You Westerners, you are really insulting to us Chinese."

(d-i-l is from China and had married my son out there a while before they both moved to Britain)

me, nervously, because I had barely met her: "Er..., why's that?"

d-i-l: "Well you Westerners all say that we eat dogs and cats!"

me, really NOT knowing how to respond to that: "And..?"

d-i-l: "That's a real insult. Everyone knows that cats taste terrible!"
 

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