KeithR
Well-known member
Yep, exactly - I know I do the same amount of work either way, because for me the ebike is about going further for longer.
No, ebikes aren’t cheating
- Thread starter MadsB
- Start date
JoeBlow
Active member
So if an e bike is cheating compared to an ordinary bike, is an ordinary bike cheating compared to walking? In the context of the discussion I would have to say yes. 
Al
Al
KeithR
Well-known member
Can't fault the logic...So if an e bike is cheating compared to an ordinary bike, is an ordinary bike cheating compared to walking? In the context of the discussion I would have to say yes.
Al
Yep, this is the point discussed the last time the same article came up on here:
E-MTB isn’t cheating - research finding
No, e-bikes aren’t cheating Whilst it’s a small study it has some interesting findings. Link to the paper is in the article too - including the bikes they used.www.emtbforums.com
Thanks for pointing that out....I didn’t start the thread by the way.......You obviously have more time to check these things than me
KeithR
Well-known member
No, I just pay attention - the link is clearly displayed at the bottom of the page, along with other similar posts.
Pdoz
E*POWAH Elite World Champion
You guys are reading the data wrong.
Take your pulse right now whilst reading about ebikes.
Then search for some porn whilst within sight of your significant other.
Compare heart rates.
Your pulse was only 93% the first time compared to when you were cheating , wasn't it?
Take your pulse right now whilst reading about ebikes.
Then search for some porn whilst within sight of your significant other.
Compare heart rates.
Your pulse was only 93% the first time compared to when you were cheating , wasn't it?
It’s different for everyone I’d guess. There is no way I’m getting the same workout on my ebike as I do on my jump bike. I can do 47 miles on the ebike and come back with hardly any sweat. A mile on the dirt jump bike and I’m knackered.
But then you could assume the dirt jump is like high intensity training and the ebike is for longer cardio vascular workouts. So maybe it’s the same but you don’t really feel it on the longer ebike ride.
I can then do a 1/4 mile flat trail on the ebike standing and going as hard as I can on Eco and be as knackered as the dirt jump mile. Or I can do the same ride on turbo which gives my a different workout because I’m working very hard to not crash.
I don’t think it’s as simple as comparing like for like.
I’m keeping the ebike btw as I’ve figured out how to use it better for fitness and also eventually the frame will go on the wall as I can’t sell my first proper MTB.
But then you could assume the dirt jump is like high intensity training and the ebike is for longer cardio vascular workouts. So maybe it’s the same but you don’t really feel it on the longer ebike ride.
I can then do a 1/4 mile flat trail on the ebike standing and going as hard as I can on Eco and be as knackered as the dirt jump mile. Or I can do the same ride on turbo which gives my a different workout because I’m working very hard to not crash.
I don’t think it’s as simple as comparing like for like.
I’m keeping the ebike btw as I’ve figured out how to use it better for fitness and also eventually the frame will go on the wall as I can’t sell my first proper MTB.
MitchF
E*POWAH Elite
Why are so many Eber’s precious about “cheating”.
We made the decision to buy an E over an analogue because they have a motor and big old battery because we wanted to be assisted.
Whether it was health , age, fitness, or just I intrigue, we bought into E-biking. I’m cheating and I love it ???
We made the decision to buy an E over an analogue because they have a motor and big old battery because we wanted to be assisted.
Whether it was health , age, fitness, or just I intrigue, we bought into E-biking. I’m cheating and I love it ???
motoadve
Member
In my non E bike I usually want to ride a 10 mile or 1.5 hrs as a minimum ride (2,000ft vert) I ride it 3 times a week
My E bike I want my minimum ride to be 20 miles and 4,000ft vert, I ride it once a week (lately 2 times a week)
Both bikes I am pushing it when I ride, and try to ride them with a good effort.
On average I usually ride 11 to 14 miles on my non e bike, 2,000 to 3,000 ft vert., about 2 hrs
And my E bike rides average 24 miles 5,000ft vert 3.5 to 4 hrs
Definitely more tired after my E bikes rides, legs are fried, and overall tiredness, for sure feel my legs have gotten stronger and can feel that on my regular bike.
Both bikes a 10 mile ride, the non e bike takes a lot more effort.
Buying an SL to replace my non e bike, probably will ride it mostly on Eco and 15 miles rides 3,000 vert is my plan as a minimum ride.
Will keep my non e bike for shorter rides.
My E bike I want my minimum ride to be 20 miles and 4,000ft vert, I ride it once a week (lately 2 times a week)
Both bikes I am pushing it when I ride, and try to ride them with a good effort.
On average I usually ride 11 to 14 miles on my non e bike, 2,000 to 3,000 ft vert., about 2 hrs
And my E bike rides average 24 miles 5,000ft vert 3.5 to 4 hrs
Definitely more tired after my E bikes rides, legs are fried, and overall tiredness, for sure feel my legs have gotten stronger and can feel that on my regular bike.
Both bikes a 10 mile ride, the non e bike takes a lot more effort.
Buying an SL to replace my non e bike, probably will ride it mostly on Eco and 15 miles rides 3,000 vert is my plan as a minimum ride.
Will keep my non e bike for shorter rides.
Do the pillocks that say 'cheat' also shout cheat at cars, cyclists, horseriders when they walk anywhere?
No one is denying a motor gives an advantage if you were competitively racing. I ride both E and solely peddle power and enjoy both.
My mate has developed a funny reply to the venomous anti ebike folk that shout cheat at him. He shouts back 'Peado' and points. Certainly shuts them up with his over the top response. Hilarious though.
No one is denying a motor gives an advantage if you were competitively racing. I ride both E and solely peddle power and enjoy both.
My mate has developed a funny reply to the venomous anti ebike folk that shout cheat at him. He shouts back 'Peado' and points. Certainly shuts them up with his over the top response. Hilarious though.
if you did 47 miles where i live you be at around 14000 feet of elevation gain and guarantee you will be sweating. you must live in the flat lands.
I feel just the same. Riding for more than 25 years on a regular mountainbike. Now for about 6 months on an ebike. There is a new world that opened for me. More km’s, steeper climbs, more km’s/h, and last but bot least....a lot of more fun. And my heart rate is not much different then a ride on my regular bike.
mtbross
Member
Thirty years ago I used to get a lot of satisfaction being completely knackered after a 30-50 mile MTB or 100mi road ride. It works me from head to toes. Now when riding the e-bikes I watch my HR, not speed, to monitor the rides. Most days I’ll dial down the lowest setting so it’s only assisting in making the 50 lb bike feel like a 30 lb, and have to work up the climbs. Still easier than the regular bikes, but HR is same, just easier on the old legs and back. Other times ...like last eveing...I’ll just jam up the climb and love the hell out of it. HR is still pegging high, but obviously easier and non-attainable speed without the assist. And some days I’ll take my non-e bikes and enjoy the slower....more “organic” pace. Having the choice is amazing and I’m so grateful to have it. The whole cheating thing is nuts...unless you are in a race, and not disclosing you have a stealth e-bike. Or perhaps, cheating yourself if you like every part of your body exhausted after a long hard ride..guess that would mean selling the e or seeing a shrink to work it out. And of course, we are all ages, physical conditions, medical conditions, and have different reasons for riding. So really tough to generalize this. Yes, few friends I ride with have e-bikes, and those of us that do are riding less and less with those that don’t. Perhaps we can do a study on that next.
ecotrials
Member
Way too much discussion about cheating. I recently got back into biking after losing 45 pounds, dragging my ancient Specialized Rockhopper out of retirement. When I stop and chat with other riders, I am just happy to be out riding, I don't really care what other people ride, just happy to see them out there.
Amazingly, bike technology has improved over the last 31 years. I suppose I could complain about geometry, brakes, drive train, tires, equipment weight etcetera, but to what end? Stuff gets better. Hoping to get a 2021 Levo Comp sometime soon. Tried one for a day, and even though I would buy a large, all that was available was a medium, and it felt a little cramped at times, but it met or exceeded my hopes at virtually everything I want it to do. Massively opening up the park close to where I live because now I really won't have to worry about trying out that trail and finding where it goes without wondering if/how I'll make it back.
Bravo to the manufacturers who are opening up cycling to so many people. My old legs will appreciate your progress. Cheers!
Amazingly, bike technology has improved over the last 31 years. I suppose I could complain about geometry, brakes, drive train, tires, equipment weight etcetera, but to what end? Stuff gets better. Hoping to get a 2021 Levo Comp sometime soon. Tried one for a day, and even though I would buy a large, all that was available was a medium, and it felt a little cramped at times, but it met or exceeded my hopes at virtually everything I want it to do. Massively opening up the park close to where I live because now I really won't have to worry about trying out that trail and finding where it goes without wondering if/how I'll make it back.
Bravo to the manufacturers who are opening up cycling to so many people. My old legs will appreciate your progress. Cheers!
also have to be careful of listening to people on forums.. a technical trail to some may look like a double track multi use trail to another. you can ride your ebike plenty hard and get a big workout if you are riding gnarly terrain... especially technical uphills! i’ve been riding stuff that would be totally unridable on an acoustic bike... it’s a super workout!
You can work as little or as hard as you want on an e-bike and although this may allow some people that wouldn’t normally be able to do it without the assistance, IMO that’s a good thing, for everyone except haters ?
My user handle is obviously a joke but honestly any time I hear “cheater” (usually from my wife) I just keep on smiling and enjoying my awesome bike and ride.
cheers ?
My user handle is obviously a joke but honestly any time I hear “cheater” (usually from my wife) I just keep on smiling and enjoying my awesome bike and ride.
cheers ?
I find it's easier to "take it slow" up fireroads etc when I'm out with a mate, but the moment we are on proper trails the intensity goes up. I don't feel my legs get nearly the same workout on my emtb as on my regular bike though.
If I'm on my own it's easier to try to keep a higher average speed to get a more intensive workout.
If I'm on my own it's easier to try to keep a higher average speed to get a more intensive workout.
200bhp, anti wheelie, slide control and traction...
all cheating.
great fun.
got to move with the times ??
all cheating.
great fun.
got to move with the times ??
mtbninja
New Member
If I am riding the eMTB with others on acoustic bikes, then yeah it may be cheating a bit. I find I have to keep a slower pace (though I do often just ride motor off, as I'm fitter than some of the others I ride with). When I ride my eMTB either on my own or with other eMTB's I generally use lower modes, or keep the setting set lower than others (eco 40% 30Nm (med), trail 90% 50nm down from 70nm via Stunlocker (modified med), boost 150% 70nm (low)). So I am generally putting in more effort to get the same results.
When I ride I am putting in as much, if not MORE effort than I am on my acoustic bike. Yes, I don't feel totally dead on some of the climbs, but I also push the whole climb at my comfortable max, where as on the acoustic, I am more often slugging it up a hill, and unable to ride at my best max. I can do bigger and longer rides and get in more runs, which also is more exercise in other ways. Muscling around a bigger heavier bike down hill and around corners and over jumps etc uses a good bit of energy. I get as tired, just in different ways, and I can get more distance in the same time frame, but put in the same max effort.
eMTB wins for me in some many ways, but there are times when having the more basic HT helps and is much cheaper on maintenance. My endro bike is great when jumping and doing really tough downhill runs, it's easier to change directions and manouver, and I am less worried about bashing my motor on something or breaking a more expensive component, inc a carbon frame - I stuck away from carbon rims!!.
That's just how it works for me personally. I'll be interested to see how this continues for me over the next few years and how many other friends decide to get one eventually.. It's a big fund offset that many of them are currently not willing to make. The first time I tried an eMTB (Rocky Mountain Altitude), I instantly fell in love and knew I had to have one, and it took me nearly 2 years before I could make that a reality.
When I ride I am putting in as much, if not MORE effort than I am on my acoustic bike. Yes, I don't feel totally dead on some of the climbs, but I also push the whole climb at my comfortable max, where as on the acoustic, I am more often slugging it up a hill, and unable to ride at my best max. I can do bigger and longer rides and get in more runs, which also is more exercise in other ways. Muscling around a bigger heavier bike down hill and around corners and over jumps etc uses a good bit of energy. I get as tired, just in different ways, and I can get more distance in the same time frame, but put in the same max effort.
eMTB wins for me in some many ways, but there are times when having the more basic HT helps and is much cheaper on maintenance. My endro bike is great when jumping and doing really tough downhill runs, it's easier to change directions and manouver, and I am less worried about bashing my motor on something or breaking a more expensive component, inc a carbon frame - I stuck away from carbon rims!!.
That's just how it works for me personally. I'll be interested to see how this continues for me over the next few years and how many other friends decide to get one eventually.. It's a big fund offset that many of them are currently not willing to make. The first time I tried an eMTB (Rocky Mountain Altitude), I instantly fell in love and knew I had to have one, and it took me nearly 2 years before I could make that a reality.
Steve940
Active member
Had my first e-bike (Giant Trance e+ 2 pro) for 3 weeks now. Have done 250 miles, nearly all on general cycling routes rather than mountain bike trails. I find that although I have had the bike switched all the time so I can record the route etc on the app, I rarely actually use the power assistance, just for some hills where I need it. Probably used one full charge in all so far. So most of the time its operating like a heavy standard mtb - I reckon the continuous extra effort required to carry the 25 kg weight balances out the occasions when I really need the help up the hills. I'm certainly getting fitter! Never done such long rides either!
Friston Forest this coming weekend so hopefully I'll be turning up those power settings a bit more often!
Friston Forest this coming weekend so hopefully I'll be turning up those power settings a bit more often!
Without wishing to put the cat amongst the pigeons does it really matter what anyone else thinks, I bought an Emtb because of the variety of medical issues I suffer with but ultimately I bought an Emtb because I wanted to go further and higher than I would have had a hope in hell of on an analogue bike so personally I couldn’t give a toss if anyone said I was a cheater, most of the people who call us cheaters can’t afford an Emtb so they do it to save face, that’s my theory anyway ?
Whilst on the e bike cheating and fitness benefits etc. And a bit of motorbike theme...
its really made a difference to me. Was in Spain on track in Feb and struggling bad to stay out for ten minutes plus on a session.
since getting the levo I’ve been to spa, Snet and now brands gp...
Every session (25 minutes in spa) 20 minutes usually - I’m doing flag to flag full sessions and feeling great on the bike. HR is 52 resting to 135 ish too which is good as I’m not blowing out my arse when pushing on the bike....
so the levo is doing exactly what I bought it for and much much more.
i also went out on my road bike the other day and was 2mph faster on average on my local loop.
cheating is great ???
its really made a difference to me. Was in Spain on track in Feb and struggling bad to stay out for ten minutes plus on a session.
since getting the levo I’ve been to spa, Snet and now brands gp...
Every session (25 minutes in spa) 20 minutes usually - I’m doing flag to flag full sessions and feeling great on the bike. HR is 52 resting to 135 ish too which is good as I’m not blowing out my arse when pushing on the bike....
so the levo is doing exactly what I bought it for and much much more.
i also went out on my road bike the other day and was 2mph faster on average on my local loop.
cheating is great ???
steve_sordy
Wedding Crasher
You are of course free to do with your emtb whatever you like, but your use seems to be the opposite of cheating! You have loaded yourself up with all the extra weight and slow rolling tyres, and then don't use the motor! If you had bought an analogue bike 10kg lighter, you probably wouldn't need a motor to get up "some hills".
I am not criticising, I am just astonished.
You are of course free to do with your emtb whatever you like, but your use seems to be the opposite of cheating! You have loaded yourself up with all the extra weight and slow rolling tyres, and then don't use the motor! If you had bought an analogue bike 10kg lighter, you probably wouldn't need a motor to get up "some hills".
I am not criticising, I am just astonished.
I know, I'm as surprised as you are - something not quite right as I could have saved my self a fortune and instead just put a bag of rocks on my back and used my 15 year old Scott hybrid!
But seriously, I think its just down to the type of rides I have been doing since getting the bike, just doesn't seem right to be using electric power when I can manage without. Presume I'm not alone in not using the battery when on the flat, or going downhill? - plus it makes my battery last longer of course.
I expect it to all change when I get on some proper mtb trails like at Friston.
I bought one because joint problems were keeping me from going out on my bike. Since having the ebike (about 4 weeks) I have covered over 130 miles. That’s more than I have cycled in about 2.5 years. I don’t consider it cheating as it has got me out riding again and that can only be a good thing. If others see it as cheating then that’s their problem. I could ride everyday if I wanted and that’s down to having an ebike.
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