The term "acoustic" explained.

smtkelly

Active member
Feb 13, 2020
204
184
ldn
Doesn't matter what they call it as long as you know that they are talking about. Mtb/emtb is fine to type (because lets face it its going to take me at least 3 goes to write acoustic before auto-correct can guess what I'm on about and its just a matter of time before it auto-corrects to "autistic bike") but saying mtb/emtb out loud makes me sounds like I'm having a stroke.

But I understand the irrational hate for some words. For me "going for a gym sesh" or "Had a few jars in the pub last night" will have me thinking less of you.

I wonder if they had these problems with iceskates after rollerskates and rollerblades came out?
 

Stihldog

Handheld Power Tool
Subscriber
Jun 10, 2020
3,682
5,249
Coquitlam, BC
Doesn't matter what they call it as long as you know that they are talking about. Mtb/emtb is fine to type (because lets face it its going to take me at least 3 goes to write acoustic before auto-correct can guess what I'm on about and its just a matter of time before it auto-corrects to "autistic bike") but saying mtb/emtb out loud makes me sounds like I'm having a stroke.

But I understand the irrational hate for some words. For me "going for a gym sesh" or "Had a few jars in the pub last night" will have me thinking less of you.

I wonder if they had these problems with iceskates after rollerskates and rollerblades came out?
That’s a good point. Writing it or saying it makes a difference
So I will say “acoustic” and write “MTB” or “eMTB”.

As far ice skaters go, they’re ok. It’s the hockey players who are unreasonable. They don’t care if blood is running down their face leaking all over the place. They’re mean, smelly and only shave ice. I know for a fact because I was/am one. ?
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,628
5,104
Weymouth
Analogue differentiates from Digital...........so meaningless when bike related
Acoustic.....also meaningless.
In the auto industry a car is described by its motor ICE or Electric or if both its a Hybrid ( plug in or self charging)

All mountain bikes are MTBs regardless of their power source.
Emtbs are hybrids
SOOO.....what to call MTBs without any electrical assistance???
Does it matter? Well yes it does when trade tariffs and laws differentiate between bikes with or without electric motors.

Most options would probably irk ebike haters!!

Non Assisted.....typically abbreviated to N/A.
Legacy
 

smtkelly

Active member
Feb 13, 2020
204
184
ldn
I will now have to describe my marital life as either acoustic, electric or triangle (mostly triangle).

"Honey, would you like to do it acoustic tonight.."
 

Pan

New Member
Oct 27, 2020
52
19
Qué. Canada
Non assisted is ´standard’ or ´old school’. Dont like the term push bike as elctric is pedal assisted not throttle.

So may I suggest: std-mtb and. E-mtb ? Detuned half fats could be written with a small e: e-mtb ?
 

Sean1.0

Member
Aug 2, 2020
71
89
Kernowshire
how boring is std ? ... how about calling them them 'acoustic' ? ... like guitars that are not electric ?

or 'analog' .. like something that has no digital element to it ?

oh, wait
 

The Hodge

Mystic Meg
Subscriber
Sep 9, 2020
4,029
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North West Northumberland
..or going full circle ..why not just call them what they have always been called ..mtb's / emtbs ..
I wonder when that long standing mountain bike magazine is going to change its name from MBR ..to ABR ..?
 

The Hodge

Mystic Meg
Subscriber
Sep 9, 2020
4,029
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North West Northumberland
Profuse apologies to all you assho.. sorry..I mean enlightened acoustic riders ..looks like I've been wrong all along ..
Screenshot_20210207-115416_Photos.jpg
 

ThierryGTLTS

Member
Feb 17, 2020
120
56
Belgium
Not to mention the term "Mullet" bike.

In French the word is employed for a bike you use for example in winter; if you don't want to damage you main bike.

And now it seems to be employed for a 29/27.5 bike.
 

RustyMTB

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jul 22, 2020
2,880
6,976
UK
Not to mention the term "Mullet" bike.

In French the word is employed for a bike you use for example in winter; if you don't want to damage you main bike.

And now it seems to be employed for a 29/27.5 bike.
Mullet might be a term lost in translation. I always understood it as a reference to the dreadful hairstyle & the idea of something different at the front from the rear.

 

Sean1.0

Member
Aug 2, 2020
71
89
Kernowshire
"Mullet" ... is a play on the haircut, even if it is the reverse. But we could do away with this easy, fun name and just call it a 'twenty nine twenty seven point five bike' or a 'bigger wheel at front than the back bike' I suppose.... or just an 'mtb'.
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
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the internet
29" front with 27.5 is by no means the only larger front wheel set up in mtb. Plenty freeriders have run 27.5 front with 26" rear fir strength, and to make manuals and spins slightly easier to initiate.
Let's not forget Specialised's OG Big Hit their cheap game changing DH bike was 26" front 24" rear back around 1999-2004
 

Mabman

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Feb 28, 2018
1,126
1,856
Oregon USA
29" front with 27.5 is by no means the only larger front wheel set up in mtb. Plenty freeriders have run 27.5 front with 26" rear fir strength, and to make manuals and spins slightly easier to initiate.
Let's not forget Specialised's OG Big Hit their cheap game changing DH bike was 26" front 24" rear back around 1999-2004

Also Trek had a XC bike with an 29"/26", 69er, in 2007: Are Mullet Bikes Here to Stay?
 

>moto<

Active member
Jan 4, 2021
116
100
Sunshine Coast
Do you not have eMTB access issues where you are?

No. There are quite literally none.

MTB and eMTB seems to me to be the most simplest and obvious choice. It doesn't require you type out a longer word that doesn't make any sense in the context of talking about a mountain bike.

It seems to be a recurring societal need for people to categorise and name every aspect of what they do, or who they are, to make themselves feel a bit more valued/important.

You haven't got an acoustic bike mate, its the same shitty Walmart hardtail it always has been. Cut your beard off and stop spending all your money on tattoo's only to whinge your can't afford a deposit on a house :p
 

Goodmango13

Member
Jan 25, 2020
41
22
NY
Ok, I'm a relatively new member and are in and out of bike shops on a regular basis and the hip guys with hats turned backwards, logos on shirts refuse to succumb to the term " acoustic ".

I'm trying to educate them but they keep using words like " hardtail " and " FS " and even " downhill ".

I recently had my acoustic bike in the shop for new chain ring and he called and said " your guitar is ready "........BLASPHEMY ! ?‍♂️
I agree that while it is irrelevant what you call 'em......
"round here we call them Oxy bikes as in Oxygen bikes.....you know....the ones you've gotta pedal your ass off and breathe!
 

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