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E Bikes : I make frames. Have done for over 4 decades. And, am now over 60, and on walking sticks / crutches. So, pretty much all I do is downhill runs in testing.
All of my friends/ former team riders, are constantly on about me getting a E Bike to be able to ride with them again. A few months ago a mate left his E Bike ( a Giant that I, being a bad man , did a re-location of the sensor to 'lift' the piss poor OZ speed cut out - hell, I could get the power to cut of in a few meters, even with my f***ked knees) with me while he went to Whistler/ Banff, and a few other places in Canada and NA. I mostly rode the bike at around 2 or 3 in the morning ( as I'd be in the workshop making frames - I've always been a Night Time maker ), going up Mitchells Pass or Old Bathurst Road, then doing DH runs. Up and down, up and down, until daylight. It really was a stupid thing to do. But, so much fun. Then, I decided to try an 80k 'there and back' ride I used to do in the late 90s, early 2000s for fun and training, a couple of times a week. Something I have no hope of doing on a pure pedal bike, nowadays. It was Awesome to be able to do it again.
So, an E Bike is on the cards. But, a E Motor set up, among the Major manufacturers, is mega bucks, even at trade price. And, there is so much constant change. And, so many different set ups. The Revonte motor and gearbox set up appeals, as does the Fazua when it comes to a lighter weight, non mega power set up that I could still take the battery and drive set up out for standard DH /race use. Loic Brunis' Dad used a Fazua frame set upped Bike to win a Masters DH World title, last year, to match his Sons World Championship. Or, there's the small, but very trick Mahle ( yes, the same name as the fabled Pistons) hub motor that is not much heavier than a 12 speed derailleur rear end, that I could run with my Pinion Gear Box frame. Then you get Monster power set ups like the Bafang G510 Mid Mount Motor - yes, Bafang, that is mostly know for 'clip on' E kits. And, it's quite affordable.
I've already got a cradle set up for the Shimano E 8000, ready to do a frame for, and have got feelers out for a 'write off' with contacts in the Bicycle and Insurance industry I have. It's probably the easiest option for me at the moment. Though, there is some 'noise' about a new Shimano set up to be announced in the next few months, to keep up with all of the new models from other major players. I hope that Shimano uses the same mount points as the E 8000, but, there's fat chance of that.....
But, I have so many frame builds, both bicycle and MC I am committed to, that an E Bike is at the bottom of the 'to do' list, unfortunately. People get what they pay me for, in the time frame they've been promised, so, no sneaking in my toys before theirs.
There are So many options. I was waiting for the Fox 38s for a E Bike set up, but, bugger that, I'll use dual crown forks, and a full DH set up. There will be the motor to make up for it, and, I don't feel 'right' on anything but a Big, Long bike dual crowned bike - I've made my own bikes like that since the 90s - ' new geometries' my arse.....
You get the smartarses that hate E Bikes.
You get the smartarses that rave about them. Generally through how much they've spent on them - fugg, a top of the line E Bike from most manufacturers, is more expensive here in OZ than a fully road legal 450 / 501 Enduro bike, or 'Factory Edition' you name it MXer.
They are just another fun 'thing', to me.
And, they are looking to be a way to still be able to ride in my local area, where I've ridden my ICE bikes for decades, but am now becoming very wary of riding in. Ironically, because so many MTBers are taking over these areas, and being 'holier than thou' about it. Whilst carving up the Bush more in the last few years, than Motorcycles have done in many, many decades......... So many trails are being cut in, and, dug in.
One thing I'm sure of, is that E Bikes should Never be out on a Race Course, during a Race, at the same time as standard, legs only bikes. Unless it's Me, on full power settings for the flats and the 'ups', then, turning the power off, so I can utterly terrorize the bastards with goods legs , on the Downhill sections, like I used to do ........
Also doing Train shuttles Haha
Racing E bikes doesnt make sense to me.
The Shop
So riding up is just within a timeframe, like a travel stage, and then race down. Would be fun as hell!
Motocrossers and old school mtb’ers would just think you are a stooge and will tell you have been ripped off.
2) Not just a Specialized, but an S-Works.
3) SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS - electronic shifting upgrade.
That thing is easily in the vicinity of $13-14k USD. That bloke needs to upgrade to the new Levo SL just because.
My coach gets help from Giant, and is currently running a fully spec'd Anthem. He's also running Eagle AXS grouoset, with the Fox Live Suspension as well, which is truly something else:
https://www.ridefox.com/content.php?c=livevalve-bike
4) Electronic dropper post
5) Oversized front rotor
And a few other goodies.
Roval carbon wheels, brakes, elec dropper and drivetrain! Those who know, know!
I'm on an aggressive hardtail, probably the next best thing to an E-Bike.
Pit Row
Post a reply to: Input on Mtn. E-bike racing please.