Who cares what someone with an e-cycle does. Why does it affect YOU? Are you that butthurt that someone finished more fresh that you or is going to lie about how much exercise they do that you're going to be prejudiced against what they're doing? Do you REALLY think someone with an e-cycle (with pedal assist) who just rode a century is going to be FRESH? You could make the exact same argument for riding an extremely light aero bike vs. a steel classic. If the people rode at the same pace, did the person with the aero bike REALLY ride a century? Does the person with the heavy classic bike have the right to complain that the light bike owner's century wasn't as hard as THEIR century?

What are they... 5 years old?

I kind of want to show up to one of your group rides with a hidden electric assist just to piss you off for how fresh I am and how it looks like I'm not working hard at all. You care far too much about how OTHER people exercise.

I don't care about you or what anybody does,, I gave my opinion on ebikes on a century ride,, and yeah he"s gonna be fresher than all the true cyclists,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Your age is showing.

A number of posters have commented that if it would get a spouse or girlfriend into cycling it would be worth the investment. That is my experience, I purchase a HillTopper assist for my spouse a few years ago, today she's along side me pretty much every ride, and now she rides a lightweight 20 speed non-e mixte. These e-assist bikes give a non-rider confidence and a chance to build some bike fitness while riding along with more experienced riders. I don't know what could be a better idea.

I've also seen them in beg/mod group rides, and everyone benefits.

Obviously you do care.

You seem very concerned on how the person with the e-assist bike is going to brag about their ride and how they were more fresh than you. Insecure much?

Seriously. Who cares if someone brings an e-assist to a group ride. Everybody benefits. That person can stay for pulls longer than anybody else most likely. The only person it is affecting is the person who owns the bike. If it affects YOU, then you need to take a serious look at why YOU bike.

First off ... you might want to consider that an E-bike is not a bicycle .... it is an E-bicycle. Expecting similar results is ridiculous. Two entirely different forms of transport/recreation, two entirely different experiences. Okay?
On an E-bike, yes. Pretty clear. No, I am probably going to talk about sipping scotch and smoking a cigar while the other guy and the electric motor did all the work. i will probably show everyone the pics I took of them suffering up the climbs while I motored by with E-assist---and everyone will gather around to see them and insist I send them copies---you will too. I am not that shallow. Do You do that? I figure we all do what we do, and it is right for each of us. Some folks maybe left Friday night on a randonneuring trip and did a triple century and didn't get home until Sunday night, some folks probably actually raced, some folks probably spent time doing chores and home maintenance, some people visited friends or went out with family. Should they all "brag"? Why would any one "brag" about all that anyway?
You are, and you know it, and you are deliberately Choosing to miss the "big picture." I cannot nor do I want to change your mind, and you want to post silly stuff when you know better. Sounds good to me.

To me you sound like a spineless individual that does everything you are trying to defend , you go to the gym in air conditioned car so you can go sweat,,,without exacerting yourself,,, go drink your scotch,,,,,

heck no. I don't even own a bike, and I think riding is stupid. I get into my gas-guzzling car and open the windows and crank the air in the summer (heat in the winter) because I just don't care. I pull up next to cyclists struggling up hills and explain how I am going to brag about passing them at work the next day. Then I go home and eat live children and torture kittens. Why would I go to the gym at all?

I guarantee you this. I never "exacert" myself. I am not even sure that is legal in most states.

As for doing the things I am trying to defend--- why thanks, yes, I Am morally consistent as much as possible. Nice you noticed. Walk the talk, live your philosophy ... right on!

You and I are friends now.

I can't really imagine anyone would want to. Participating in 'event' rides I could understand, but I wouldn't think anyone would actually want to attach themselves to a club ride on a powered bike.

Personally, I do all my riding alone on country roads with cars, bikes, joggers, atvs and horses. But not a whole lot of any of them. Adding ebikes to the mix wouldn't really matter. But although I've seen a few in the city used by commuters, I've yet to see anyone riding one out here.

Enough said, I think I'll go have a scotch,,,,,,,

I don't think anyone is arguing there are no differences between all those things. The argument is about what category they fall into.

An 1880s penny farthing bears little resemblance to a 2015 Trek Emonda, but they are both categorized as bicycles.



A 1970s AMF Roadmaster may bear little resemblance to a modern Trek Conduit e-bike, but they are both categorized as mopeds.

Haven't read the whole thread here but one reason why I've considered getting an e-bike is if I had a really long commute, say maybe 18+ kms, to keep my commute under an hour...

It seems some are arguing they aren't separate categories and that's simply not true. Their form and function defines what they are, nothing else.

I can't imagine attaching myself to a club ride any other way than on a E-bike.

Why? because I have absolutely no interest in club riding at any level. If someone insisted they wanted me to join them because they desired my company, and offered a E-bike for me to use I would do it. That way I could ride in a manner I enjoy, and not hold them up.

Win-win.

This. There are people who enjoy riding with people but simply can't because they're too out of shape. Maybe riding in a group helps motivate them. Sure, using an e-assist won't help them lose weight that quickly, but getting on a bike and out riding is better than sitting on a couch not riding because they don't like to ride alone.

There are many reasons why someone would want to ride an e-bike on a group ride.

So now you've got an unfit rider in a group, riding at speeds way over their head? Sounds super sketchy.

You're automatically assuming that someone "out of shape" doesn't have decent bike handling skills? That's a pretty broad assumption.

Well isn't that what the club ride thing is all about? Creating artificially exclusive parameters so one can find validation through their cycling prowess.
If someone is acceptably fit and skilled for club riding, shouldn't they be able too cope with such challenges........or are some riding over their skill level. One of the primary riding skills is knowing ones limitations, and leaving a margin for error.

Many of us approach cycling from a sporting angle. From this perspective, a motor is almost obscene.

From a transportation angle, it makes more sense. E-bikes are meant to replace cars, not bicycles.

I also think they should remain on roads, and not on cycling / ped /hiker/ horse infrastructure. Motorists have a different mentality that is not compatible with non-motorized traffic.

As more people ride, there will be more "bad" cyclists. Look at how bad people drive. Turning from the middle lane, taking up two lanes, driving slow in the left lane. Its not e-bikes. So many people don't care / don't know about traffic rules in general

I would welcome an ebike if it meant spending a day in the saddle with my wife (for her.) Riding with my wife is not sport either, but time with the wife. Ebike for sport? Not for me

Bought one? show it ...

I've Been in a Headwind in Holland , coming off the Sea.. IJsselmeer..

if it were a return home feature at the end of a work day very often, there, I'd understand having one.

I concur with just about all these points.

Yes, it is. If a rider hasn't had the saddle time to gain some sort of fitness, they likely haven't had the saddle time to develop group riding skills. Does a rider know how to hold a wheel and hold his line? How to eschelon? How to pull through smoothly without causing a gap? How to fill a gap smoothly? How to bunnyhop an obstacle? How to look back without swerving? How to stand without surging back? How to eat, drink, take off or put on clothing?

All of these skills require a lot of saddle time, a lot of practice, and a lot of reinforcement. I've been doing the local group rides for years, but I still feel like a squirrel if I'm on a ride for the first time in a month or so.

So yes, it's a broad assumption, but due to the potential calamity of an unskilled rider in way over his head, I would make that assumption every time until shown otherwise.

So, say, it's impossible for someone who rode a lot when they were younger, have gotten out of shape, to want to ride again in a group? What about someone who is getting older but still wants to ride fast? What about someone who was recently injured and is coming back? I mean, I can think of more if you'd like. It's literally riding a bike, those skills don't go away.

As others have said, if you have issues due to injury, disability, or infirmity, then it shouldn't be an issue.

If you're doing it just because you're too slow, then it could be an issue. Now, if you're not an a-hole, and blow by people, and you only use it to keep up with the others, then the others probably wouldn't mind on a regular group ride.

Now, for Tuesday Night Worlds, I can understand if people get upset, especially if you compete in the sprints.

GH

I'm sorry, I disagree. It's a popular saying but riding a bike well isn't just sitting on a saddle, balancing, and turning over the pedals. There's a lot of trust involved in riding in a group. If you're riding elbow to elbow with someone at 30mph, you have to have confidence that that rider knows what he's doing. If that rider's skills have degraded, or worse he never had them, I don't want to ride next to him. It could cost us all a trip to the hospital.

The few club rides I did many years ago did include a bit too much butt sniffing, and ankle biting for my taste, but the advanced riders had no problem coping with the less advanced riders. Maybe the issue is a question of character rather than skill..