On balance, I still am not a fan of e-bikes (previously known as ‘I just don’t get E bikes’)

[2manyoranges]

Lots in the above and will have a think. BUT just for a moment….trail damage.

Energy
Speed
Mass

Energy put into the ground by braking will be proportional to the weight and the speed.

Weight of a typical enduro e bike = 21.kg …..CRIPES!
Add the spare battery the rider has in their pack (I am being serious) = 4kg …GOLLY!
Typical rider = 70kg
Speed = in flat single track quite a bit more than a non-E-bike

Weight of typical enduro bike = 12.kg
Typical rider = 70kg
Speed = less

Difference in weight = 13kg (CRIPES that’s twice the weight) and in speed quite a bit
That’s a lot more energy going into the trail.

 

[FluffyChicken]

How much faster are they going? If you are at 10mph, then they'll possibly be assisted to 10mph or dying at 16mph when its assist has maxed and leveled.

13kg is only how much a slightly chubby mid 40rider is than he was before when he were in his youth.
Should I stop riding as I now damage the trails more? (it is only two stone)

 

[d8mok]

Lots in the above and will have a think. BUT just for a moment….trail damage.

Energy
Speed
Mass

Energy put into the ground by braking will be proportional to the weight and the speed.

Weight of a typical enduro e bike = 21.kg …..CRIPES!
Add the spare battery the rider has in their pack (I am being serious) = 4kg …GOLLY!
Typical rider = 70kg
Speed = in flat single track quite a bit more than a non-E-bike

Weight of typical enduro bike = 12.kg
Typical rider = 70kg
Speed = less

Difference in weight = 13kg (CRIPES that’s twice the weight) and in speed quite a bit
That’s a lot more energy going into the trail.

70kg Ebike rider? Their day glow Fox attire , knee pads , full face , elbow pads , shin pads , neck protector , back protector weigh that whilst riding the round the blue route

 

[2manyoranges]

d8mok - hmm you have a point there…I was trying to be charitable. But 70kg is av weight at 11 stone...I’ll leave it there for fear of being ’exclusive’. I am 62kg.

Argh UPDATE - 11kg NOT the average weight of man - that’s the average weight of a WOMAN. Av for man in 13kg.

See

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11534042
Doesn’t change the overall calcs much, since e-bike and non-e-bike riders are a common weight factor. Er … d8mok … maybe not.….

 

[FluffyChicken]

Are you saying my woman is fat!
She weighs quite a bit more than 11kg

 

[2manyoranges]

How much faster are they going? If you are at 10mph, then they'll possibly be assisted to 10mph or dying at 16mph when its assist has maxed and leveled.

13kg is only how much a slightly chubby mid 40rider is than he was before when he were in his youth.
Should I stop riding as I now damage the trails more? (it is only two stone)

Are you saying my woman is fat!
She weighs quite a bit more than 11kg

Oh no….another angle of debate enters the fray.…

Let’s stick to speed. The energy going into the ground of course goes up by the square of the velocity….

https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/physics/kinetic.php
So the extra 5mph of a 21kg E bike tanking into a curve in singletrack increases the energy by ..

beep beep beep calc calc calc …..

A LOT!

 

[CassidyAce]

The average weight of a UK male is 86.7kg; the average weight of a UK female is 72.7kg. It's about the same difference in weight as that between e-bikes and regular bikes. Perhaps we ought to just ban males from riding on the trails if we follow the logic of the weight-and-trail-damage argument.

 

[amoto65]

I weigh 55kg and my e-bike weighs 13kg so reckon i am exempt from this.....

 

[averagebiker]

I didn't really "get" them at first but have since come up with 2 scenarios where I could imagine owning one. I am sure there are many other situations where they would work for many others......

#1 shortish commute to place of work without showering facilities.....being a sweaty boy having an electric motor do the hardest work for me would be good. Ideal for a "Swytch" type bike?

#2 Motor cross/dirt bike motorcycle alternative... If I lived somewhere with good links to legal green laning I would consider an eMTB instead of a motorbike...almost all the fun with less hassle/noise and a bit of exercise thrown in by a spot of pedalling

Currently have am still happy with leg power

 

[amoto65]

Oh and also being a 66yr old who has had a heart attack and had 4 stents I feel pretty justified, however I still ride classic analogue bikes locally.