Old Guy from VA - New joiner

[Mc2guy]

New to this forum, but not new to mountain bikes or e-bikes... I have been riding for 45+ years (old enough that my first MTB was a 1988 rigid 2x6 speed Spaulding). I am about to hit the big 5-0 and am now conceding that my surgically repaired knees and back can't keep up any more and am searching for my first single track eMTB to help me ride with my teenaged sons.

I've been building street e-Bikes for 20 years, and own several in the family ranging from low-end Rad-bikes for cruising town, to Bafang mid-drive commuters, to my beautiful and still going strong Faraday Porteur. All antiques by today's standards... but fun.

Looking to get onto an "all-mountain" trail oriented bike (but that can handle steep technical downhill trails... not a jumper, just get down safely over boulders etc.) For comparison, my analog rides are a 2018 Giant Trance Advance 1, and a 2022 Giant Advance 29 1 hardtail. I'd love to keep it under $6-7K for an aluminum frame full suspension mid-drive with quality performance components. Look forward to learning from this community.

 

[Stihldog]

Welcome to the forums.
Cheers

 

[The Hodge]

49 is not old ( neither is 50)
Maths is not your strong point ?
If your first mtb was in 1988..you've been riding for 36 years and are just in to your 37th....not 45+.( you can't count your toddler bikes)..
Not a great start you lying git
Oh yeah..welcome

 

[Stihldog]

I got my first bike when I was almost 4 years old. Within minutes I had my first OTB’s. Broke my arm shortly after my 4th birthday. The tires were solid rubber and never needed psi. So I’ve been MTB’ing for a long time also.

 

[Mc2guy]

49 is not old ( neither is 50)
Maths is not your strong point ?
If your first mtb was in 1988..you've been riding for 36 years and are just in to your 37th....not 45+.( you can't count your toddler bikes)..
Not a great start you lying git
Oh yeah..welcome

Well aren't you just a peach. Hopefully not representative of the general demeanor here. I don't need another cesspool of negativity.

Since I'm new I'll respond and help you out. I've been riding a bike without training wheels since 1979... and purchased my first MTB in 1988. Does that make you feel better about my arithmetic?

Lastly, yes, 50 is old when it comes to two wheels on dirt, no matter how to slice it. 90% of mountain bike riders are under 50 and 65% of world population is younger. So maybe I'm not the one with a problem facing facts?

 

[Kingerz]

Lastly, yes, 50 is old when it comes to two wheels on dirt, no matter how to slice it. 90% of mountain bike riders are under 50 and 65% of world population is younger. So maybe I'm not the one with a problem facing facts?

It's a friendly forum don't take that as typical. I've had so much great advice and help here, people have even messaged me with photos of bikes at times to help when fixing things.

I'd say 50 is middle aged. The median age in Australia is 38.3 years old now and 40 in some states. You can't go by the whole world really as many people have no access to bikes, let alone ebikes. You'll find a lot of ebikers are around 50+ because they can afford them.

 

[Stihldog]

Lastly, yes, 50 is old when it comes to two wheels on dirt…

Actually, 85 is old. There’s a couple of these guys on this mountain with eMTBs. I’m not kidding.

In the small group, that I sometimes ride with, I’m considered the punk, the kid, the young guy. I’ve brought the average age of the group down to 67. I’m gonna be 65 this year when it’s my birthday (btw, I like shiny things and chocolate fyi).

 

[KnollyBro]

Well aren't you just a peach. Hopefully not representative of the general demeanor here. I don't need another cesspool of negativity.

Since I'm new I'll respond and help you out. I've been riding a bike without training wheels since 1979... and purchased my first MTB in 1988. Does that make you feel better about my arithmetic?

Lastly, yes, 50 is old when it comes to two wheels on dirt, no matter how to slice it. 90% of mountain bike riders are under 50 and 65% of world population is younger. So maybe I'm not the one with a problem facing facts?

Haha... while your reaction may be typical of an old person who doesnt appreciate emojis, this forum is littered with WAY older people than 50. The Grandpa who you responded to is one of the wise old relics around here and if you would like to partake of the wealth of the collective opinionated wisdom around here, you simply MUST become accustomed to the British sense of humor. .
Also be warned that there are a lot of fanboys on this Forum, who will suggest a bike based on what they ride, simply because its the only bike they have ridden. Let me be the first to say that a Specialized Levo is a popular bike with a good warranty (very important) but there is a big push on getting the most powerful and light weight bike out there right now (Amflow) but it all depends on what is available in your area, how much want to spend, how much you weigh and if you think its as important to be fast on the way up as well as on the way down. My advice is to do some research and read some other posts in this forum as literally hundreds of other people have asked the same question.
My 2 cents would be to get a Trek Slash+. I am only saying that as I don't have one, they are difficult to find, expensive and it will start a big debate about which bike is better!
Also, be nice to @The Hodge and @Stihldog as they are well respected around here.
Best of luck on your new journey into an old sport!

 

[Stihldog]

Haha... while your reaction may be typical of an old person who doesnt appreciate emojis, this forum is littered with WAY older people than 50. The Grandpa who you responded to is one of the wise old relics around here and if you would like to partake of the wealth of the collective opinionated wisdom around here, you simply MUST become accustomed to the British sense of humor. .
Also be warned that there are a lot of fanboys on this Forum, who will suggest a bike based on what they ride, simply because its the only bike they have ridden. Let me be the first to say that a Specialized Levo is a popular bike with a good warranty (very important) but there is a big push on getting the most powerful and light weight bike out there right now (Amflow) but it all depends on what is available in your area, how much want to spend, how much you weigh and if you think its as important to be fast on the way up as well as on the way down. My advice is to do some research and read some other posts in this forum as literally hundreds of other people have asked the same question.
My 2 cents would be to get a Trek Slash+. I am only saying that as I don't have one, they are difficult to find, expensive and it will start a big debate about which bike is better!
Also, be nice to @The Hodge and @Stihldog as they are well respected around here.
Best of luck on your new journey into an old sport!

Hey! …aren’t you a Crazy Canuck with some insane ideas of fun …I’ve seen those pics you posted Frightening!

 

[The Hodge]

The Grandpa who you responded to is one of the wise old relics around here and if you would like to partake of the wealth of the collective opinionated wisdom around here, you simply MUST become accustomed to the British sense of humor. .

What you've written there is mostly true ..however I'm taking particular offence at the first two words " The Grandpa" ....not as yet true ..more accurate would have been " The older person " as my offspring have yet to bestow that title on me ( daughter 33 / son 21..)..

So maybe I'm not the one with a problem facing facts?

Not really mate ..you be as old as you want to be ..at 67years old it would appear that Ive a younger outlook on life than you
For what it's worth I thought the emoji's at the end of my first reply would have pointed you in the direction that it was meant in jest ..sorry to have hurt your feelings

 

[Stihldog]

What you've written there is mostly true ..however I'm taking particular offence at the first two words " The Grandpa" ....not as yet true ..more accurate would have been " The older person " as my offspring have yet to bestow that title on me ( daughter 33 / son 21..)..

Not really mate ..you be as old as you want to be ..at 67years old it would appear that Ive a younger outlook on life than you
For what it's worth I thought the emoji's at the end of my first reply would have pointed you in the direction that it was meant in jest ..sorry to have hurt your feelings

Holy Crap! I thought you were in your 40’s. I’m just a pup compared to you …but I have 11 grandchildren …or is it 12?(but who’s counting? Two sets of twins will do that. )

Anyways, I get some inspiration from guys like @KnollyBro who live/ride dangerously …but safely.

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome to the site
I see you have thrown yourself in at the deep end
Good on you

 

[steve_sordy]

@Mc2guy Your age of 49 is definitely at the younger end of the scale on here. As @Kingerz said, some of this is down to money; most of the younger end don't have the lifestyle to be able to justify splashing that much cash on a toy. Apart from the fact that most of them don't actually NEED one, not having suffered enough wear and tear on their bodies yet.
I didn't even buy my first mtb until I was 58 and my first emtb when I was 67. I'm now 73 and I can safely say that emtbs saved me in so many ways. (That is a "Love" emoji).

Welcome to the club! (That is a "Smile" emoji).

Just in case your device does not recognise emojis in the same way as my device. (That is an "Unsure" emoji).

PS: Where is "VA"

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

I’m guessing Virginia