First post, war and peace!

[backcountry00]

Hi all. Great to be part of the group. First post here.

I did it. I took the plunge and went analogue to digital. My Trek Rail 9.8 XT is arriving tomorrow and I can’t wait.

I started riding MTB 15 years ago, but an accident resulting in a separated shoulder put a kybosh on my riding for 10 years before I finally got back into the sport. In that 10-year period I got married, got a mortgage and had 3 children but when I hit my mid-30’s I knew it was time to get back into the sport. Frankly I needed something outside of work and family to keep the equilibrium – and my sanity…

I’ve had some nice bikes; Nukeproof Mega, YT Capra, Intense Tracer, YT Tues etc. and picked up a 2019 Santa Cruz Hightower LT when they first came out. It’s an incredible bike, 150mm travel and rolling on 29’s has proven to be a really versatile combo, for me a ‘one-bike-does-it-all’ and that’s proven by the fact I’ve kept it longer than any of my other bikes. It’s handled the reds at Bike Park Wales right through to 25-mile road rides with my roadie mate over lockdown and never let me down – really can’t fault it. I swore I’d never get another bike, why would I – does everything I need, right?!

Here’s the thing. I like fast descents, faster the better. Throw some technical stuff in there, a few (little!) gaps, some not-huge drops and some flow and I’ll do that over and over again, with a smile on my face every time. I’m a reasonably fit bloke I guess and enjoy exercise, but my legs have limits. I went to Rogate earlier this year and managed about 10 full runs – but I was smoked by the end of it and my legs were in pieces. The guys on e-bikes were climbing to the top and descending by the time I’d finished my climb. It was a bit demoralising....

I keep seeing e-mtb’s about and kept saying, ‘I’m not ready for one yet’, and was totally set on holding out with my SC Hightower. But then I was introduced to my mates 2020 Specialized Kenevo and it blew my mind. An hour riding that beast completely changed my mind about e-bikes.

It’s simple maths really. I can get twice the descents in on an e-mtb than I would on an analogue. I can cover more ground and explore further to find the good trails, covering distances in half the time of an analogue. For me it’s not about Strava or being the fastest, I just want to do more of the riding I love – and I can do more of that on an e-mtb.

I know there is a bit of e-bike hate out there, I guess there are ‘purists’ that believe it’s cheating. But frankly, that’s b0llocks. Why on earth wouldn’t you want to make not-so-fun parts a bit easier (climbing up a hill) to do more of the fun stuff we all love (back down the hill!!) Or if you are recovering from injury, older or just starting out and need a bit of pedal-assistance, if an e-bikes gives you that ability then it’s a genius invention.

My mate with the Kenevo reckons I’ll sell my Santa Cruz within a month. The purist within me thinks I may still enjoy an occasional analogue jaunt, but we’ll have to see what happens!

P.S I live in North Kent/SE London. I ride Swinley, Surrey Hills (Redlands more so), occasionally Rogate, very occasionally Bedgebury and whenever I can Bike Park Wales. Would be great to get some meets going over the summer.

Al.

 

[Jimbo Vills]

It’s simple maths really. I can get twice the descents in on an e-mtb than I would on an analogue. I can cover more ground and explore further to find the good trails, covering distances in half the time of an analogue. For me it’s not about Strava or being the fastest, I just want to do more of the riding I love – and I can do more of that on an e-mtb.

That pretty much sums up why I bought my levo and I love it!!

welcome and enjoy ??

 

[Gary]

Hey man
You should love the E new bike when it arrives.
I've been riding Emtbs for 2.5 years now (somewhere over 8000miles) and still wouldn't get rid of any of my normal bikes.TBH I still prefer the handling traits of normal bikes massively more than Emtbs. you simply can't do anything to counter all the extra weight of a motor and a battery. and my 170mm FS Eeb is one of the lightest around (48lb)
As for waiting until you're old to get an Ebike, that to me is madness. I'm an Ex DH racer/rider and I'd have had one 30 years back (when I was young) if they'd been anywhere near as good as they are today. Back then we'd drive miles and miles to spend all weekend PUSHING our (48lb) DH bikes up DH race tracks all day long.

You're right tho. Emtb is very much like a FFWD button for the shite bits of a ride.
and even turn some climbs into proper fun flowy/techy singletrack (without the effort)

 

[danf72]

Your story is so familiar. I'm already thinking of selling my 2 year old Hightower LT and I've only had my Levo 1 week .

 

[backcountry00]

Hey man
You should love the E new bike when it arrives.
I've been riding Emtbs for 2.5 years now (somewhere over 8000miles) and still wouldn't get rid of any of my normal bikes.TBH I still prefer the handling traits of normal bikes massively more than Emtbs. you simply can't do anything to counter all the extra weight of a motor and a battery. and my 170mm FS Eeb is one of the lightest around (48lb)
As for waiting until you're old to get an Ebike, that to me is madness. I'm an Ex DH racer/rider and I'd have had one 30 years back (when I was young) if they'd been anywhere near as good as they are today. Back then we'd drive miles and miles to spend all weekend PUSHING our (48lb) DH bikes up DH race tracks all day long.

You're right tho. Emtb is very much like a FFWD button for the shite bits of a ride.
and even turn some climbs into proper fun flowy/techy singletrack (without the effort)

Love that ‘like a FFWD button for the shite bits’!!
Very true
Doesn’t matter how tough your legs are, if you can make the climbs easier the entire ride will be better ??

 

[backcountry00]

Your story is so familiar. I'm already thinking of selling my 2 year old Hightower LT and I've only had my Levo 1 week .

I think I’ll ride the trek for a while and see whether I end up using the SC, don’t really want to sell it but don’t want it to become an expensive piece of decor ?

 

[Beezerk]

Christ I'm not reading all of that, can someone shorten to say a 30 word short story please ?

 

[Gary]

comes to internet forum... complains about having to read



Abridged version

New guy says Hi
New guy is excited about his new Emtb arriving tomorrow

 

[Beezerk]

.

comes to internet forum... complains about having to read



Abridged version

New guy says Hi
New guy is excited about his new Emtb arriving tomorrow

Bravo, less than 30 words as well ?

 

[backcountry00]

Christ I'm not reading all of that, can someone shorten to say a 30 word short story please ?

In summary, I like e-bikes. The end ?

 

[R120]

Welcome - I dont see much hate out there, if any from EMTB's anymore, round the Surrey Hills I get more people stopping and asking me about the bike than anything else, though as time has gone buy its seems like about half the riders I see when I go there (mostly on less busy weekdays) are on EMTB's now.

I think the main reason you dont see younger guys on them is simply the cost of entry so to speak, I have let loads of the kids who are regulars round Peaslake have a go on mine, and they all love it but could not afford to buy one, and the fact they want one in addition to their normal bikes, not as a substitute. Pretty much the only teens/20 year olds I see on them are ones who have a hook up of some sort that enables them to get the bikes free or cheap, though recently I have seen whole families out for rides on EMTB's, but then again the Surrey Hills aside from being a riding hotspot is home to some very wealthy people, you only have to look at some of the houses off the trails!

 

[backcountry00]

I separated my shoulder (AC) skydiving, It was a grade 3. Sucked balls. I notice that because my shoulder geometry changed it seems more weight is on my good shoulder now while riding. Also my bad side handgoes numb often but yolo. I was at 65 pull-ups the week of the bad jump. Fuckin sucked man.

The ebikes are awesome even if you’re not elderly or obease. I rode mine today 40k and for the second half I only used the motor power for 14 watt hours which was just from two hills.

Gary is dead on, they take the boring parts out of mountain biking. But sometimes it’s good to crush your heart and legs so you feel alive by making you wish you were dead.
Welcome to the fun. And don’t sell your HT!!! Nothing beats a quiet peaceful ride

Mine was a grade 3 separation too. Should have had surgery at the time but doc talked me out of it as I had a ‘desk job’ and that essentially meant I didn’t really need my shoulder to work properly......wish I’d id taken the surgery at the time. Wind forward a few years and after too much CrossFit my shoulder was shagged and I ended up having keyhole surgery. Still isn’t brilliant now but it’s better....
Just went for my first burn up the road on the Rail, can’t wait to get out on it. I had to prize it from the 12 year old sons hands as he seemed to take a shine to it. Apparently he’s now asking for one for Christmas. He can sod off ??

 

[backcountry00]

Welcome - I dont see much hate out there, if any from EMTB's anymore, round the Surrey Hills I get more people stopping and asking me about the bike than anything else, though as time has gone buy its seems like about half the riders I see when I go there (mostly on less busy weekdays) are on EMTB's now.

I think the main reason you dont see younger guys on them is simply the cost of entry so to speak, I have let loads of the kids who are regulars round Peaslake have a go on mine, and they all love it but could not afford to buy one, and the fact they want one in addition to their normal bikes, not as a substitute. Pretty much the only teens/20 year olds I see on them are ones who have a hook up of some sort that enables them to get the bikes free or cheap, though recently I have seen whole families out for rides on EMTB's, but then again the Surrey Hills aside from being a riding hotspot is home to some very wealthy people, you only have to look at some of the houses off the trails!

Glad to hear that you don’t see much ebike hate. I think you’re spot on regarding the affordability point too, they aren’t exactly cheap (I still can’t get my head around how much they cost)!!

 

[Jimbo Vills]

Glad to hear that you don’t see much ebike hate. I think you’re spot on regarding the affordability point too, they aren’t exactly cheap (I still can’t get my head around how much they cost)!!

Going to really hurt buying another one at Christmas too then ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

I separated my shoulder (AC) skydiving,

I won’t do overhead squats with more than 45s on each side since injury and reconstruction,

Hopefully you've learnt to take a parachute with you when you skydive too ...

 

[backcountry00]

Going to really hurt buying another one at Christmas too then ?

I’ll have to sell one of the other kids to make that happen, which is tempting after working from home for the last 3 months ??

 

[backcountry00]

Yep that CrossFit will Kick in the arthritis sooner. I won’t do overhead squats with more than 45s on each side since injury and reconstruction, just doesn’t feel right or as stable.

yeah kids and ebikes don’t sound right.

Ive experienced zero ebike hate. Actually today an elderly couple passed me on ebikes while I was riding without power......those cheating fuckers.

Best exercise I’ve found to help strengthen everything and doesn’t cause my shoulder to hurt is tyre flips. Got hold of a big ‘ol tractor tyre and started flipping it round the garden. Also been smashing it with a sledgehammer. Actually very therapeutic. And so far, shoulders been ok ? ?

 

[KennyB]

Hopefully you've learnt to take a parachute with you when you skydive too ...

Or two.

 

[PhilBaker]

Hi all. Great to be part of the group. First post here.

I did it. I took the plunge and went analogue to digital. My Trek Rail 9.8 XT is arriving tomorrow and I can’t wait.

I started riding MTB 15 years ago, but an accident resulting in a separated shoulder put a kybosh on my riding for 10 years before I finally got back into the sport. In that 10-year period I got married, got a mortgage and had 3 children but when I hit my mid-30’s I knew it was time to get back into the sport. Frankly I needed something outside of work and family to keep the equilibrium – and my sanity…

I’ve had some nice bikes; Nukeproof Mega, YT Capra, Intense Tracer, YT Tues etc. and picked up a 2019 Santa Cruz Hightower LT when they first came out. It’s an incredible bike, 150mm travel and rolling on 29’s has proven to be a really versatile combo, for me a ‘one-bike-does-it-all’ and that’s proven by the fact I’ve kept it longer than any of my other bikes. It’s handled the reds at Bike Park Wales right through to 25-mile road rides with my roadie mate over lockdown and never let me down – really can’t fault it. I swore I’d never get another bike, why would I – does everything I need, right?!

Here’s the thing. I like fast descents, faster the better. Throw some technical stuff in there, a few (little!) gaps, some not-huge drops and some flow and I’ll do that over and over again, with a smile on my face every time. I’m a reasonably fit bloke I guess and enjoy exercise, but my legs have limits. I went to Rogate earlier this year and managed about 10 full runs – but I was smoked by the end of it and my legs were in pieces. The guys on e-bikes were climbing to the top and descending by the time I’d finished my climb. It was a bit demoralising....

I keep seeing e-mtb’s about and kept saying, ‘I’m not ready for one yet’, and was totally set on holding out with my SC Hightower. But then I was introduced to my mates 2020 Specialized Kenevo and it blew my mind. An hour riding that beast completely changed my mind about e-bikes.

It’s simple maths really. I can get twice the descents in on an e-mtb than I would on an analogue. I can cover more ground and explore further to find the good trails, covering distances in half the time of an analogue. For me it’s not about Strava or being the fastest, I just want to do more of the riding I love – and I can do more of that on an e-mtb.

I know there is a bit of e-bike hate out there, I guess there are ‘purists’ that believe it’s cheating. But frankly, that’s b0llocks. Why on earth wouldn’t you want to make not-so-fun parts a bit easier (climbing up a hill) to do more of the fun stuff we all love (back down the hill!!) Or if you are recovering from injury, older or just starting out and need a bit of pedal-assistance, if an e-bikes gives you that ability then it’s a genius invention.

My mate with the Kenevo reckons I’ll sell my Santa Cruz within a month. The purist within me thinks I may still enjoy an occasional analogue jaunt, but we’ll have to see what happens!

P.S I live in North Kent/SE London. I ride Swinley, Surrey Hills (Redlands more so), occasionally Rogate, very occasionally Bedgebury and whenever I can Bike Park Wales. Would be great to get some meets going over the summer.

Al.

Cool, welcome to the club .

I'm near Gravesned if your in this neck of the woods and there are few on the forum not too far from here. I also just started riding last week with some of the Epping Forest EMTB crew on here, amazing single track with a few jumps and stream crossing thrown in less than 45 mins from North Kent...

 

[steve_sordy]

I had a Whyte T130C RS when I bought my emtb, I had previously sold my YT Capra to help fund it. After a month or so I went out on the Whyte to see if my knees had recovered a bit after being assisted. They hadn't so I sold the Whyte. It was a sensible, and very much a "head" decision. But not a week goes by without my heart wishing I hand't sold it. I didn't need the money, can't even think what I actually did with the money. I WISH I still had that lovely bike in the garage! ?

Keep the SC. You will never regret it.

 

[backcountry00]

Cool, welcome to the club .

I'm near Gravesned if your in this neck of the woods and there are few on the forum not too far from here. I also just started riding last week with some of the Epping Forest EMTB crew on here, amazing single track with a few jumps and stream crossing thrown in less than 45 mins from North Kent...

Thanks ?
My son rides BMX and was training regularly at Cyclopark in Gravesend. I ended up doing laps of the MTB course over the winter. Got a little bit repetitive after about 8 laps but better than nothing I guess.
Never been to Epping Forest but heard it’s ace. I’m watching the South East rides section and will definitely be joining you guys on future rides

 

[backcountry00]

I had a Whyte T130C RS when I bought my emtb, I had previously sold my YT Capra to help fund it. After a month or so I went out on the Whyte to see if my knees had recovered a bit after being assisted. They hadn't so I sold the Whyte. It was a sensible, and very much a "head" decision. But not a week goes by without my heart wishing I hand't sold it. I didn't need the money, can't even think what I actually did with the money. I WISH I still had that lovely bike in the garage! ?

Keep the SC. You will never regret it.

Gutted, I know that feeling. I had this beautiful custom BMX a few years back and I got rid, and it pains me when I think about it. Didn’t need to sell it but did and regretted it.
I’m keeping the SC, even though it may not get much use now. If I sell it I’ll forever be kicking myself so if it ends up being wall-art then I can live with that ?

 

[steve_sordy]

..........I’m keeping the SC, even though it may not get much use now. If I sell it I’ll forever be kicking myself so if it ends up being wall-art then I can live with that ?

Keep it as a spare. It will come in handy when the battery is charging or the bike itself is having some downtime.

 

[grantini]

I have about 1,800 eMtb miles Year to date, compared to about 250 acoustic miles, but I enjoy taking the acoustic (2020 SC 5010) out now and then.