Mbr Mag don't like ebikes...anymore

[Mcharza]

This is what it has become as the number of riders increases.

"I’ve been testing e-bikes for over a decade, but “vaping, portable speaker wielding” new riders and trail erosion are making me wish they’d never been invented".

I’ve been testing e-bikes for over a decade, but “vaping, portable speaker wielding” new riders and trail erosion are making me wish they’d never been invented - MBR

E-bikes are pretty amazing, aren’t they? Amazing for all those extra descents you can cram into precious ride time and the fact that you can blast up climbs while barely breaking a sweat. What’s not to love when e-bikes open up terrain previously out of bounds for older, less fit, and less able...

www.mbr.co.uk

 

[Jackware]

Just read that as well, sadly there's no way to comment on the article directly....
I've not experienced anyone on the trails as he describes, others will be able to better comment on his claims of more damage being caused by ebikes.

 

[cozzy]

Sounds like the sort of twaddle singletrackworld would write.

 

[irie]

Mick Kirkman can do one. Bless.

 

[5Tuey]

I ride the same trails and have done for over 20 years. Absolutely agree with the points the article raises but I don’t agree MBR are anti ebike. The article is just pointing out the downsides.

 

[irie]

I ride the same trails and have done for over 20 years. Absolutely agree with the points the article raises but I don’t agree MBR are anti ebike. The article is just pointing out the downsides.

Nah, just sour grapes because eMTB riders can get up hill much faster and get 2 to 3 times more downhill runs.

 

[5Tuey]

Literally says he still enjoys riding e-bikes in the last paragraph

 

[Jackware]

Literally says he still enjoys riding e-bikes in the last paragraph

Just doesn't like the others, ironically saying riders should be more considerate to others, though presumably only those he approves of.

Reminds me of a work colleague who went on holiday to Goa and complained there were too many tourists there

 

[Doomanic]

Fuck 'em, they're just being controversial for clicks. Magazines are increasingly becoming irrelevant and will do anything to generate revenue.

 

[5Tuey]

Ironic some of the negatives he raises clearly on display in here

 

[DylanJM]

Article summary:

 

[RustyMTB]

I remember sweating up a hill on my Zesty & getting blasted by some guy on an ebike. When I eventually made it to the top, he was smoking a roll up. I thought that was excellent, top bragging rights.

 

[Jackware]

Ironic some of the negatives he raises clearly on display in here

Such as?

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

I understand the theoretical issues that he raises, like the biker with a speaker and the trail damage on muddy, wet, blown-out trails, but I am yet to see any evidence of this where I ride in NZ.

The main issues I see are from inexperienced riders taking on challenges they perhaps shouldn't without more training, or lack of trail etiquette from newer riders, or the "jump trail bros", who are usually about 12 years old anyway.
eBikers are the least of my city's issues - even Surron riders aren't that much of an issue, as they aren't that common.

I do take umbrage with the few commenters on articles like these (usually on FB or Insta) who are unbelievably anti-eBike and do the whole "earn your turns" nonsense and just bag eBike riders, like none of us have ridden analogue bikes for years and years. These people are often the very same that get all defensive when you accuse them of cheating because they have derailleurs, or inflatable tyres or suspension.

 

[Streddaz]

I disagree with the whole "EMTBs destroy the trails" mantra. Sure, riding more trail will wear out more trail but do you also ban and complain about fit rider too, as they can ride more trails. Or do you also complain about more people in general taking up mountain biking, as that will also add to trail wear?
The statement about Ebikes running big spiked tyres because they don't have to worry about rolling resistance and these will tear up the trails more, I find pretty far fetched too. Surely if you have more grip, your tyre won't spin or skid so there will be less wear.
I certainly haven't noticed any extra wear on my local trails that can be contributed to from Ebikes.

 

[Hobo Mikey]

Life changes, it does not stand still. I expect all the Ebike haters sit on the sofa watching tv with the remote next to them rather than get up and turn the tv over. Get in there e car to drive to the shop instead of walking. Etc etc. it’s called change. Life changes, we all age, injuries etc. Ebikes means we are still out there enjoying what we have been doing longer than some of the haters have been alive.
Tomorrow I am off to the bike park on my Ebike.

 

[irie]

These people are often the very same that get all defensive when you accuse them of cheating because they have derailleurs, or inflatable tyres or suspension.

The world changes. So you either change with it, or put on your Luddite badge and live in the past.

 

[VWsurfbum]

This is what it has become as the number of riders increases.

"I’ve been testing e-bikes for over a decade, but “vaping, portable speaker wielding” new riders and trail erosion are making me wish they’d never been invented".

I’ve been testing e-bikes for over a decade, but “vaping, portable speaker wielding” new riders and trail erosion are making me wish they’d never been invented - MBR

E-bikes are pretty amazing, aren’t they? Amazing for all those extra descents you can cram into precious ride time and the fact that you can blast up climbs while barely breaking a sweat. What’s not to love when e-bikes open up terrain previously out of bounds for older, less fit, and less able...

www.mbr.co.uk

That is one confused article.

 

[Bndit]

I think this was good article, people should think these subjects.

 

[Dax]

Trail wear is valid, there’s been a massive uptick in the numbers of overweight middle age guys with zero finesse smashing down the local trails since e-bikes became a thing, but no obvious uptick in overweight middle age guys digging trails.

 

[RustyMTB]

I suppose it depends where you ride on that score. Can see how groomed trails can take a beating & how that could create a bit of conflict but round here, it's horse central & they wreck the trails way more than any number of eebs. Horses have been around forever & a day, so no one ever complains about trail degradation, it's nowhere near the radar.

Litterbugs though, don't start me on those ar**holes. Take it home, you scruffy bastards.

 

[Doomanic]

Trail wear is valid, there’s been a massive uptick in the numbers of overweight middle age guys with zero finesse smashing down the local trails since e-bikes became a thing, but no obvious uptick in overweight middle age guys digging trails.

Oi!

I’ve been doing trail maintenance in Ross I’ll have you know.

 

[Dax]

Oi!

I’ve been doing trail maintenance in Ross I’ll have you know.

My apologies. Only a slight uptick

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Trail wear is valid, there’s been a massive uptick in the numbers of overweight middle age guys with zero finesse smashing down the local trails since e-bikes became a thing, but no obvious uptick in overweight middle age guys digging trails.

Yeah, to be fair, I have been overweight since way before I was an eBiker OR middle-aged.
I don't do a lot of trail maintenance myself, as I simply can't be arsed. I pay to ride - including my local club, who do maintenance (and they do say on their website that paid memberships are for those who maybe don't want to dig).

 

[RustyIron]

"I’ve been testing e-bikes for over a decade, but “vaping, portable speaker wielding” new riders and trail erosion are making me wish they’d never been invented".
[/URL]

I've never heard of MBR. Nor have I heard of this Mick Kirkman guy. But why would I have heard of some guy who is a contributor to an online magazine. That's pretty much the equivalent of working at McDonalds. I'll admit to not reading the entire article. But toward the end he states that Amish bikes last for decades. That statement alone tells me that he and I are not anywhere close to being in the same league. Hobos ride newer bikes than that. I don't have any ill will directed toward Kirkman. In fact, I genuinely hope that he soon finds a real job.

 

[calnearlyebike]

Just getting me pitch fork out of the shed. Let’s all focus our hatred on the true enemy . The YouTube star blowing up local dreamy spots for views.

 

[GrafJ]

This is what it has become as the number of riders increases.

"I’ve been testing e-bikes for over a decade, but “vaping, portable speaker wielding” new riders and trail erosion are making me wish they’d never been invented".

I’ve been testing e-bikes for over a decade, but “vaping, portable speaker wielding” new riders and trail erosion are making me wish they’d never been invented - MBR

E-bikes are pretty amazing, aren’t they? Amazing for all those extra descents you can cram into precious ride time and the fact that you can blast up climbs while barely breaking a sweat. What’s not to love when e-bikes open up terrain previously out of bounds for older, less fit, and less able...

www.mbr.co.uk

I thought it was a decent article and contained many truths
The Author Mick Kirkman even states at the end:
Of course, none of this will stop me from enjoying e-bikes. They’re amazing. But maybe, just maybe, we can all try to be a bit more considerate to trails, nature, and the riding community, before we ruin what makes this hobby so special.

 

[Doomanic]

I've only seen speakers out on the trails twice since eBikes became mainstream, one was attached to an ancient DH bike being ridden by a dope smoking douche (who I suspect would have been a douche without the speaker and blow) and again in a rucksack being worn by a Squaddie out with the rest of his platoon on some sort of outward bound activity weekend. Neither were on eBikes...

Vapers, OTOH, fucking everywhere these days...

 

[Ribinrobin]

vaping on a ebike in turbo is peak mountain biking, whats this clown talking about!?

 

[RustyMTB]

Vaping on a bike is amateur night. Us true pro's get a Gin & tonic in on the downhills. Few of those on a ride & you don't care how big the drops are.