Still a sceptic but.... :)

[Bree]

Hi all,

Like many of you I've been riding mtb's for a looong time. Over twenty years in my case. I'm nearing my 50's and several months ago, I damaged the meniscus in my right knee and a week after that fully healed, my left knee went. I've recenty been riding again since (Dunkeld, Innerleithenn, Ballater etc) but very conscious of the potential for more damage. Anyway, I've yet to try an ebike so wont make any judgements until I do. I have a beady eye on Commencal's meta power sx (27.5) but holding back for the mo. My thinking is the assist might help reduce the speed of wear and tear over the next few years. I guess I'll find out when I eventually try one but my biggest wonder is, can a 50lb bike ever feel lively and chuckable? I'll have a look through other posts to see what other riders think, book a test and go from there. Long post, sorry. Good riding everyone.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Lively & chuckable .. warning .. second one has moments of colourful language .. and the last one has Sam Pilgrim - which is just colourful...

Second one also has proof that @Gary is human as he bleeds.

 

[Bree]

Thanks for posting those. I have seen a few vids of people shredding on them. Guess the only thing left to do is book a test. Thats the next step.

 

[steve_sordy]

@Bree I feel your pain! About four years ago I started with osteo-arthritis in my knees (think Alien bursting through your knee caps when climbing). I changed my gearing, took advice from my GP and my physio, took painkillers, rubbed on gels, everything at once! I got worse. I was down to 10 miles a day and 2-3 days off to recover. No more riding with my mates.

And then in Jan this year, I bought a emtb! It was like being born again!

You absolutely must at least try one; better still try lots of them. Not just different bikes, but different motors, different battery mounting methods. Once you are up to speed, suddenly one of them will float your boat and you will forget all about it being an emtb; it will just be FUN! Buy that one!

This is mine:

Focus Jam2 9.6 NINE

 

[Bree]

Hi there. Thanks for your post. I will do that.

 

[Jamsxr]

I’m young and fit but ride an eBike because it’s more fun, simple. Unless your planning on entering a slopestyle competition the weight shouldn’t bother you, it actually adds the riding experience.

Since getting my eBike I’ve improved my fitness as I’m riding more. I still have time for my MTB but it’s starting to gather cobwebs ?

 

[Rich-Baillon]

Hi,

I am 60 and fairly fit for my age but struggled on a recent trip to Scotland compared to my wife with an Ebike and my 17 year old Granddaughter so now own a full carbon Yeti and a Carbon Turbo Levo. Both great bikes but the Levo helps me get up the big hills and go further, plus loads of fun to ride. If you have knee problems an Ebike will keep you riding and smiling , loads of fun.

 

[Pukmeister]

I'm 53 and unfit, with two dodgy knees after 35 years of heavy engineering on ships, playing rugby, ski and snowboarding, biking etc.

I bought a Giant Trance E+2 Pro last week after a lot of soul searching, they aren't cheap even if you can get some discount.

Today was my first trail ride on it, about 23 miles on local bridleways and single track. What an absolute hoot. I can't stop grinning, it was so easy. I am now totally in love with my EMTB and can't wait to get out again for some more riding.

The only thing wrong with todays ride was when I was close to home, a bee flew into my mouth and as I spat it out it stung me on the bottom lip. The pain was pretty exceptional, even my teeth and lower jawbone hurt !

Get an EMTB, whichever brand/model suits you. They are brilliant.

 

[Bree]

Thanks all for the encouraging posts. I will be looking at test riding a couple of bikes in the near future. Also will read some of the thoughts and reviews on the site. Shred happy

 

[foggie]

@Bree I feel your pain! About four years ago I started with osteo-arthritis in my knees (think Alien bursting through your knee caps when climbing). I changed my gearing, took advice from my GP and my physio, took painkillers, rubbed on gels, everything at once! I got worse. I was down to 10 miles a day and 2-3 days off to recover. No more riding with my mates.

And then in Jan this year, I bought a emtb! It was like being born again!

You absolutely must at least try one; better still try lots of them. Not just different bikes, but different motors, different battery mounting methods. Once you are up to speed, suddenly one of them will float your boat and you will forget all about it being an emtb; it will just be FUN! Buy that one!

This is mine:
View attachment 16646
Focus Jam2 9.6 NINE

I'm the same, Doctors, Physio, slow release pain killers, pain gels & paracetamol whilst out. I didn't ride at all last year but with the above i'm out again. The cycling actually seems to help but I think that an e-bike would be an additional help. It's also a great excuse for the wife, why I need to spend all that money

 

[Pukmeister]

Two hours of trails yesterday and 23 miles, I didn't want to stop and with 64% battery remaining I could have kept going further if I had the time, whereas on my old hardtail MTB 29er I would have been ready to call it a day after less than two hours. Its a massive change in load on my legs, heart and lungs now with an EMTB, its still exercise but I'm not blowing like a steam train anymore. I love it.

 

[AndyH]

@foggie / @Bree - I blew my left knee in a skiing accident in 2013- took ALL ligaments out in a single twist and sent my kneecap up my thigh. I spent 9 months in a brace waiting for reconstruction and a further year in physio. I gave up on NHS treatments and went to a chiropractor who gave me 8 weeks of ultrasound , laser and acupuncture. Since getting an emtb I no longer creak, crack, pop or click when walking or climbing stairs- and I can do 40miles before it starts to grumble- then It’s turbo home for an ice pack. ?
I have lost 7 kilos in weight, and my knee has gone from looking like a balloon to a knee-like shape, and I don’t take, or need, ANY painkillers

Any money you will spend in treatment and then on a emtb can be fully justified when you are out hacking your fave trail with the biggest grin on your face: buying an emtb is really just investing in your mental and physical health - I agree wholeheartedly that you should buy what “speaks” to you and lies inside your budget and then just go and enjoy it: I am willing to bet up to £5 that you will NOT regret it....

 

[Dax]

I'm still fairly young and relatively able bodied, although not as fit as I would like - not enough time to ride between other commitments. I ride a kenevo, it's about as big and heavy as ebikes get, but it is still massively fun to ride, it just wants to go faster and encourages you to try new, harder lines. It definitely feels heavy on bike park flow trails, however.

 

[EbikeCurious]

Specific to your question about that brand… I demoed a 2019 meta power 29 on some of the more fun Whistler Valley trails this last weekend. Epic fun was had. I demoed the non-E bike version the week before in Squamish and North Shore to compare. The bike does feelheavier, but is very playful and jumpable with the right amount of speed/input. I am a big believer in that brand now. The non-E bike version was one of the better Enduro bikes I have ridden as well.

Still had plenty enough energy to do 5 to 6 hours of lift riding in the Whistler bike Park despite two hours of fairly intense E bike riding before the lift opened.

An example: climbing to the top of dark Crystal from my hotel 100 yards from the lift took only 40 minutes with the E bike, and would have been more on the order of 1 hour and ten to 1 hour and 30 minutes otherwise depending how tired I was With an acoustic bike. That Was using a combination of eco and Trail modes.

 

[steve_sordy]

............. I am willing to bet up to £5 that you will NOT regret it....

You daredevil, you!

 

[Gary]

can a 50lb bike ever feel lively and chuckable? I'll have a look through other posts to see what other riders think, book a test and go from there. Long post, sorry. Good riding everyone.

50lb is about the threshold TBH
an Emtb UNDER 50lb is far more playful than an Emtb over the 50lb mark. The heavier over that the more they handle like pigs.
Long Emtbs are hellish to try and ride playfully too

I ride the same places as you. I HATE super stable planted bikes as I prefer popping off evereything and getting the bike sideways to monstertrucking stuff.
My Emtb is a small (even though I'm 5'11"). It's not all that short though (435mm reach and 444mm stays)
and it weighs 48lb.

Learning to make the heavier bike playful (if you're already a playful rider) just means a re-calibration of timing and pre-load force.
eg. super pumping lips, waaay more preload and kick to raise the front to manual etc. but once it clicks it's second nature.

Put me on a longer 55lb Emtb and I'll almost instantly hand it back. I've ridden loads and every long heavy Emtb I've ever ridden was horrible (for my riding style)

How tall are you @Bree?
You're obviously fairly local to me and you're welcome to have a shot on mine and see if you can Jib it about Happy to show you the ropes. There are a lot of quirks to riding them that you don't instantly realise from just swinging a leg over one. It took a few weeks for me to truely figure them all out (riding every day)

 

[Gary]

Oh... and big heavy super grippy low pressure tyres kill their playfulness/nimbleness too.
it's a trade off though if you're riding steep tech and DH etc. too.

 

[urastus]

Lively & chuckable .. warning .. second one has moments of colourful language .. and the last one has Sam Pilgrim - which is just colourful...

Second one also has proof that @Gary is human as he bleeds.

Sam looked pleased with himself when he said "phenomenon" , and not long after that "plethora". I have to focus when saying phenomenon too

 

[Zimmerframe]

Sam looked pleased with himself when he said "phenomenon" , and not long after that "plethora". I have to focus when saying phenomenon too

A perfect plethora of phenomena ..

 

[Nicho]

The only thing wrong with todays ride was when I was close to home, a bee flew into my mouth and as I spat it out it stung me on the bottom lip. The pain was pretty exceptional, even my teeth and lower jawbone hurt !

You were lucky it didn't sting you inside your mouth; that would have been a lot more serious.

 

[Kevin2306]

I’m over 50 and not cycled or anything for too many years.
Bought my Giant at the back end of last year but didn’t ride it much due to work etc.
Started riding it more this spring and love it, 30 - 40 mile blasts up the hills and along the towpaths are fantastic. I’m fitter, lighter and healthier than I have been for years, even started jogging and weight training at the start of lockdown.
Get it bought.

Kev