Mabman

I can't believe that now Optibike has a video on their front page advocating the use of their bikes as mountain bikes. It was alluded to in another post but I seriously thought the other poster was joking.

I feel that there is a great future for motor assist for use as low speed vehicles as tools of transport to get folks out of their cars, especially the highest percentage of single person trips under 5 miles. But the idea of using them for recreation offroad disturbs me. Just get a dirt bike and ride with those folks, don't bring motorized bicycles to the trails, please.

unime

First, let me thank you! This discussion belongs in a thread of its own. Even if we end up disagreeing I welcome it.

Now then, conflict between user groups seems to be more rule than exception these days. I do not foresee unrestrained ebike use on human powered trails in the US (I'm not well informed about trails in other countries). On the other hand, I have no problem with someone riding an ebike using only human power on any bike legal trail (Boulder, CO, for example, appears to take this position - at least for their paved trails). Ebikes should certainly be allowed on motorized trails. If it helps you feel better, the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) told me they do not support the use of ebikes on mountain bike trails.

I will admit I am put off by your implication that ebikes should only be used to replace cars for trips around town. Come on - open your imagination to the possibilities! Measured in mileage and hours, I use my ebike more for recreation than utility transportation, though I do plenty of the latter. It is hard for me to understand why anyone would complain about my having fun exploring the countryside around the town I live in using a few cents worth of electricity, even if it means linking roads by riding legally accessible off road connections.

Since you brought up Optibike, let me explain that it pretty much lives up to the hype. One owner I know of is a retired downhill bike rider who has nothing but praise for its off road capabilities. I ride mine with road(ish) tires and stick to moderate terrain when venturing off the pavement, preferring my mountain bike for technical off road riding. I credit training on my Optibike with improving my performance on the mountain bike.

Bike_on

Mabman,

I am amazed how you constantly belittle and bash probably the best e bike currently on the market, yet, you seem quite content with the myriads of under performing types.

I spent today at a friends farm and we rode 4-wheelers around - fun. However, It crossed my mind several times how much fun it would be to put knobby tires on my Optibike and run the same trails and hills. And when I get home, I get it ready for commuting.

You really need to lighten up and be more positive about the benefits of the bike, IMO.

Dan

Mabman

Sorry I guess I am just a stickler for truth in advertising and am get a bit righteous when the roost shots start in regards to trail use. The trails belong to everyone, not just a few that can afford to be extravagant enough to have an ebike to train on so that they can then ride their mtn. bike "better". Oh, that's right you also use it to commute. How green of you. But quite frankly a YZ450f is much better training for mtn. biking and puts out a much bigger roost that looks better on youtube.

You boys may be real proud of your best ebike's but the more that buy in to the offroad video here: https://www.optibike.com/ the worse that trails will become. Because not just Optibikers will figure it out, but so will the cheap chinese 2 strokers, because for offroad use there is no legal distinction between the two as they are both motorized vehicles and can go anywhere that they are allowed. You may think that you are being all quiet and stealthy but all you are doing is opening Pandora's box. Because there are alot of knuckleheads out there and giving them an invite in to the backcountry via motorized bicycles is just plain stupid. They haven't figured it out yet any more than the ebike community has outside of a few model citizens like yourselves, but they are many and the gene pool is pretty shallow in spots. How would you like to share the trail with these guys? trails005zq8.jpg

IMBA has its head in the sand about this, as well as Bikes Belong, and that is unfortunate but to be expected as nobody really gets along in the bike industry anyway. And when they finally decide to it is usually too late.

JinbaIttai

You kids get off my lawn and stay off!!!

unime

JinbaIttai may have said it best, but here's my reaction to Mabman's spew.

There is no false advertising going on. What you see in the ads is real. For what its worth, some very discerning customers are extremely satisfied.

To quote you, "Wahh". Forgive me, but I feel no offense when I see someone riding hard on a prepared (BMX) race track. Unless the riding was done without permission, there is no cause for complaint.

I can't tell what point you are trying to make. If the trails belong to everyone, I should be able to ride them, but that seem to offend you. How about this: Lets allow electric assist bikes on trails that allow other motorized users. No harm, no foul - right? Unless you are saying you disapprove of all motorized recreation. If that's the case, you have essentially the same attitude as those who argue against ebikes altogether, even if you do not realize it.

As for using an ebike to for improved training, well I don't care you are incapable of understanding the benefit. The fact is, assisted training works and produces much greater benefits for me than just pushing hard on my mountain bike, in accord with current athletic training theory. Your suggestion that I ride a motorcycle is frankly insulting and shows a complete misunderstanding of both athletic performance and the low power electric assist bicycle I ride.

What trails are you talking about? Are you saying that I should not be allowed to use my Optibike in areas open to other motorized use? Let's be clear about one thing. Hikers, equestrians, and, yes, even bicyclists are not about to allow gas powered bikes on the trails they have fought so hard to protect. Not in the US, anyway. I don't believe the threat you see is credible.

Bike_on

Mabman,

A 50cc, 2 stroke, outfitted pedal bike is a lot different than an electric assist type. The noise, range and torque will put it in the "dirt bike" camp. There are many places that are open for gas powered touring riders, 2 wheel, and 4 wheel alike. That is their fun and choice, and that is fine.

The more protected trails that mountain bikers and hikers use, are green and restrictive of motored vehicles. I think the jury is still out whether e-bike will fal under that restriction and it being enforced. The DRIVER for the restriction is NOISE#1, emmission #2. NEither apply to the Optibike or other ebikes. If a mountain bike rider wants a little extra power assist on the path, who cares**********

BEcause the Opti is light enough to pedal, and can handle the terrain, it makes for a great off road, single track ride.

I also contend that e-assist bikes must show restaint on the paved bike path trails ,where walkers abound. The extra speed capacity shoul dnot be abused. By restricting power to 250W, like the Europeans do, they over reach and really hinder progress of an oil-less society. Most US riders do not have trails to commute on and at 250W, you might as well ride a regular bike on the roads for the extra cost, weight and limited range.

DR