Can Someone Explain the Performance E-Bike?

[fignon's barber]

Ok, I understand the e-bike idea in that it allows people who aren't fit to experience the outdoors on a bike. Great, But what is this new trend of performance e-bikes? They show what look to be racing types out training on them, ie Colnago E64:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/coln...ch-e64-e-bike/

Or the new Look:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bern...m-e-road-bike/

What are you supposed to do with these things?

[palincss]

Age and/or infirmity.

[eddief]

but maybe ebikes can be super funnner for a lot of folks; fit or not fit.

[Black Dog]

There is a battery powered device for every kind of missing the point.

[fignon's barber]

I mean, I can certainly think of a few races that an e-bike would have made more pleasant.
Maybe motopace yourself?

[KonaSS]

A good use case is Lenard Zinn, who has heart issues. He still wants to go on moderate to fast paced group rides with his friends. From my understanding, he uses an e-bike that allows him to do so.

Seems like a great idea in my book. I would certainly want to do the same.

[Elefantino]

I'd ride one. Eventually, probably, will.

[Bonesbrigade]

I’m thinking this trend is going to keep going. We’re going to get to the point where non ebikes are like like single speeds where those who want simplicity and are “nonconformist” remain on these relics.

You’ll get people commenting and heckling in races as you go by:

“Did you see that guy, he didn’t have a motor!”

“Go non motor guy, you’re killing it!” as you roll through mid pack.

[eddief]

and really likes normal bikes and then decides to get a good ebike...if they ever go back to the normal bike. or maybe if you are fit you just don't let yourself get an ebike until you "need" one?

i'm afraid if i get one i'll never go back to normal.

[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by Bonesbrigade

I’m thinking this trend is going to keep going. We’re going to get to the point where non ebikes are like like single speeds where those who want simplicity and are “nonconformist” remain on these relics.

A beast on a fixed gear passed me on the way up the Stelvio.

I passed him on the way down. but barely. For a nonconformist, he was amazing!

[BobbyJones]

Maybe racing will evolve into motorized racing, much like MX / track racing?

Let's face it: If it moves, people will race it, regardless of what it is.

[Kirk007]

Last summer when climbing Ventoux I was passed by a lot of e-bikes, not the type to which the OP refers, just regular old ebikes, and good for those folks - from the appearance most of them would probably never have even attempted such a climb. At 60 and far from a natural born climber, climbs like Ventoux or any of the big climbs in the Alps and Dolomites are a challenge for me. I get to the top but slowly. And a bigger problem is recovering day after day on an 8-15 day tour. A bike like the C64 - some day in the foreseeable future, if I want to still do those types of trips, and I hope that I am able - I think one of these bikes could be the difference between having a great time vs getting in the sag van all too often.

[d_douglas]

I used to think this was the dumbest thing in the industry, but now I see the value.

There are more than a few eMTBs on trails these days. As it gets harder to push up steep hills, these things become more viable to me

[pobrien]

We will need to have EMF detectors to spot the electric bicycles.

It is one thing to have a motor and another to hide that fact. I reckon there will always be those who want to cheat. That is dead obvious on many fronts.

The unfortunate part is that some folks will get tired of the fakers blasting by them that they figure they will take up running or swimming or similar.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by eddief

but maybe ebikes can be super funnner for a lot of folks; fit or not fit.

This. Most people who are down/confused about E bikes have never tried them.
They are a blast to ride and will be a big part of the future for cycling both road and mtb.