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Or put another way, "You're not having fun right!!!" I'm guessing you're not the "Whatever makes you happy." kind of guy. 😉 Your electric shopping cart comment reminded me of a funny story. So I'm out grocery shopping with the wife, following her around in the electric cart. I had two broken legs, so I'm assuming you wouldn't have looked down on me for using the cart. We head out to the car to load the groceries and as I'm heading back across the parking lot to take the cart back into the store the stupid thing starts running out of juice and I end up stuck on a speed hump. As I'm rocking the cart back and forth trying to get over the hump, the wife is back across the parking lot laughing her ass off. The people that are witnessing all this don't realize that the women howling at me is my wife and they all are giving her really mean looks for laughing at the poor crippled guy stuck on a hump. lol Well, I guess you had to be there. lol

Cheap torque wrenches and gas station sushi... things I don't trust.

I am with AustinBike. It not the machine. It is the rider. I don't care what they are on - a trouble maker is a trouble maker. A nice respectful person is / would be fine on just about anything. I actually think that e-bikes have their place. An older rider who can still ride because of an occasional assist is fine with me. Someone who is injured or recovering from an injury - let them ride an e-bike. Somebody who wants to make trouble will find a way to make trouble even with rules/restrictions. Deal with the problem rider - not the machine. The trouble is I'm not sure how to identify the trouble makers until they make trouble.

I brought mine to our QA lab at work where they certify all of our production tools. They have a machine they attached it too that will test every 10ft/lb and then print a receipt showing how it did. My Snap-On I inherited from my DOT mechanic grandpa was perfect until it got below 40ft-lbs and even then it was only off 2-3ftlbs. Considering its rated 50-200ft-lbs and that its 40-45 years old at this point I'm happy. You can do your own "Super Scientific" experiment at home:

Geez what's next? Olympics going to add a 110 Meter low-hurdle event, ya know for the people who just can't get over those pesky high hurdles?

I've been using the old name since I fist got on MoJo in 2001 and wanted something new for the new forum. I'm not trying to hide who I am; I just wanted something different and am not very original when it comes to things like this. I don't remember who was leading the work day I mentioned, and it does not matter to me anymore. I'm still happy to help if my help is wanted. I'd love to meet to see what you're proposing and to see if I can help at all. BC is my favorite local trail, (Yeah, I said it) and I want to give back. D

This came across my google feed this afternoon: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-police-investigate-robbery-at-north-austin-bank-monday/1825750165 Several things popped into my head: Did someone attempt the EB ride over the weekend and need some cash? I wonder if the thief was running STRAVA at the time? The best description of the bicycle is that it's 'blue'? This story would be cooler if there were some trained dobermans or something.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/mountain-biker-75-continues-riding-for-30-minutes-after-rattlesnake-bite.html

75 yrs old. Gets bit by a snake and kept riding anyways. I hope in 26 years I'll be 75 and that bad ass Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

And? Quit leaving me hanging all the time geeez Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Technically, the snakes weren't "out" as much as the geezers were "in".

First rule of "Getting Old Club" is that you don't talk about Getting Old Club.

E-bikes for transportation can add to the demand on road infrastructure for low speed traffic lanes; for example E-scooter/ bike lanes... E-bikes have the potential to get people out of the car and on the bike as long as there is infrastructure in place. On the trail, especially Austin area trails...E-bikes can suck it...

This right here is the bottom line^ MTBs, like roadbikes did a decade ago, are beginning to plateau when it comes to innovation. At this point, most all name brand, off the shelf MTBs are really good bikes, and would be perfectly suited for 99% of the riders on 99% of the trails. So that's the rub. Where do manufacturers go next to earn a buck? E-bikes IMHO, are the next step in innovation, marketing and sales. CEO of a large bike company said "If joe consumer goes into a shop with $5k and he/she has an option to buy a bike with a motor and one without, the motor will win". Do i want one? No. Will there be issues on local trails involving E-bikes? Yes Are they a practical option for people with disabilities/ETC to get outdoors? Yes The one thing I've learned in my 40+ years is as long as people are involved, sh@t will go wrong.

The e-mtb world championships prove to me that the whole "e-bikes are for the disabled and elderly" argument is a only a secondary part of the e-bike movement. It's all really being marketed to a younger demographic (mine and younger) as a means to shred more while opening up a new un-tapped market for bike manufacturers.

my hope from this thread: awesome trail builders unite! I’ve learned so much about trail building and maintenance from many on this thread, I can only dream of what could be built by those with many years of experience through cooperation. -Scott

I've been mountain biking for over 26 years and in the industry for about 15 years. The more I learn about e-bikes, the more I accept them. My experience includes riding them, which most people here have not. That doesn't mean one cannot have an opinion about the subject; it just means one might not be as informed about their stance. Granted, the article I'm linking here is more about e-bikes as transportation and it's in Europe, I see e-bikes gaining traction (no pun intended) world wide, especially as the become more affordable. Check it out. When Will E-Bike Sales Overtake Sales Of Bicycles? For The Netherlands, That's Now

I don’t like ebikes because I see them as closer to a motorcycle than a bicycle. If we can use a 500 watt while on the trail, why can’t we use a 750 watt electric motor cycle? Why not a 75 cc yamaha? I get why hikers don’t like bicycles on trails because the speed differential adds danger. It’s how you feel riding city park and you hear a 400 cc KTM coming up behind you. My simple philosophy is that mixing motorized and non-motorized on the same surface is a recipe for trouble. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There will always be polarization of E-bikes. This will never change. The positive and negative polarity of the battery is unavoidable.

So E-bikes are a polarizing topic for us as riders and trail maintainers. I am of the group that believes a bicycle is bicycle and when you add a motor or device that self propels or helps to self propel it, it is no longer a bicycle but a motorized vehicle. I also feel this way about electronic shifting and that it takes away the simplistic beauty of what a bicycle is. Bicycles are considered by many to be one of the greatest inventions of mankind. I'm also the skeptical guy that will be shopping and see someone on one of the scooter shopping carts and think to myself there's no way that person needs to be on that device or "if that person would just get off their lazy ass they wouldn't need to ride around on that stupid shopping cart". With that being said we've all read and or watched interviews about the pros and cons of E-bikes. I'll be honest here that when the argument of E-bikes helping disabled people comes up I have this internal thought process that thinks "well if they're really that disabled maybe they shouldn't be on an E-bike in the middle of the woods" or "if they're that disabled what happens when that E-bike has a malfunction and leaves them stranded in the middle of the woods". Well after reading this article I think I have a different outlook on E-bikes and their benefits. Although I still loathe and look down upon anyone that uses an E-bike just because they think it's so much fun or they think it's the next cool gadget like hoverbaords. Here's the article. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/finding-freedom-with-metastic-lung-cancer.html

Since there are probably a few of us non-racers considering the Peddlers Pass race since it is in our backyard....Logistically speaking, what do I need to sign up and compete in the Peddler's Pass event in June? I currently have no license, no paydirt etc.

This is a dude who lives by YOLO and knows every day he wakes on the sunny side of the dirt is a blessing. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

When I read it .. it sounds like Morgan Freeman with his sexy voice on Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Bikes are getting too expensive, people break.... I understand 🥺

😝😝😝

sucks being short sometimes, good luck with the sale.

What if it were a pedal-operated Hobie Kayak, only with electric assist installed for the pedals? Would this need registration if there is no throttle and no movement of the boat without a human pushing the pedals? Isn't this the defining difference between an electric motorcycle (scooter, etc.) that requires registration, and an E-bike? Not taking a side here, just looking at existing application of the statutes.

I'll take "Least Attractive News Anchorette" for $5000, Alex! Followed by: I'll take "Most Pouty Lips on a Street Reporter" for $500. Other things I learned: snake bite = bee sting, unclipping is for wusses, 75 years old and still hammering.

Wait, didn't I read this in Penthouse years ago?

I'm sold.

perfect conditions other than the cold, driest it's been in a while.

I was there in 1968. We were on a family vacation and the train that ran from Ojinaga (across the border from Presidio) to Los Mochis, Mexico ran right by the canyon. It stopped at an overlook for about 20 minutes and we got to lean against the rickety wooden guardrail and stare into the abyss. It was a grand time, riding old Pullman cars from the 1930s with portraits of American presidents hanging on the walls and people in third class holding live chickens on their laps.

I've been on my Banshee Spitfire for 5+ years now and if SM just moved to town, I'd buy a Rune. That's a lot of proven bike for the $. Maybe not sexxxxy anymore, but I've still got 0 complaints with Banshee. https://www.jensonusa.com/Banshee-Rune-SLX-Rockshox-Jenson-Bike

E-Strava could certainly be an E-go crusher.

Yes, Brian is totally right, anything that threatens access is bad. My real concern is not that they do more damage, but if landowners (including the city of Austin) decide to ban then, and some bonewipe decides to ride his anyway, we'll see real problems. But where I see the real conflict coming is not with all of us. I see the real conflict getting played out on Strava 🙂

It all comes down to maintaining access to trails for me. If landowners are okay with them, then by all means have at it as long as they ride responsibly (echoing CXAgent's comments). But when douchebags on e-bikes threaten my access to trails, we have an issue. It's like so many other things...flawed people behave badly and that's why we can't have nice things.

12-15 years ago that area was slowly becoming the go to destination for biking vacations. It was all over all the bike rags. Then when all the kidnapping crap started along the border all stories about it just died. Always sounded like a great destination. The trouble was just in getting there. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

He does. Not trying to be a jerk but everyone has to prioritize how they spend their time. I never can get to all the trial work I want to do. But since I am down to almost ZERO riding time, I don't think I ever will.

Just sign up and DO IT! No PayDirt (TMBRA spring series only). You don't need to be on a team. You just need to enter and ride. That is the best way to learn. Get in there and try it.

I'm not June Bug but, Yes, even by Austin standards. That area is in the high desert. high temperature and low humidity. Temperatures get higher because humidity does not moderate the temperature. The sun feels hotter. And the biggest problem is I cannot carry enough water. I get dehydrated very quickly. And it is sneaky. I don't feel too bad until the headache starts. Then I start getting weak. And then I know I am in trouble. Since that is the point I turn back - it is usually big trouble.

Is that all? That's easy!

I don't have a big issue with ebikes if they help people who want to ride and physically aren't able. But when someone uses that to just be an ass and blow past everyone on the climbs or rip down the trails faster than necessary, then it needs to be addressed. If you are on an ebike I I can't tell because you are just riding along like the rest of us, have at it. Just know that when you batter runs out that sucker is heavy to push uphill.

If it has a throttle, then no. If they have pedal assist, I'm ambivalent.

Unless They are damaging trails I really don’t care what anybody else rides apart from me and what makes me happy.

Friction shifters will come back!

I couldn't give 2 shits if someone wants to ride an ebike, onewheel, or a scooter. They make all of us look way cooler.

They were only mad because they're city workers and now they were gonna have to work.

This one is more useful for bike work. I have one of these and it works fine. https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-Drive-Click-Type-Torque-Wrench-61277.html

Just noticed I get 5 bux off at Spider since I just turned 60.

So did you cut the body up in little pieces and scatter it across several different plots? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk