Is it ok to feel cheated if overtaken by an Ebike?

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Vapin' Joe

Formerly known as Smokin Joe
People who complain about being overtaken by e-bikes remind me of the motorists who lose the plot when a cyclist overtakes them in traffic.
 

tamiya

Well-Known Member
Location
AU, MY, SG
Don't they make a slight whirring/humming noise? If i ever end up on one i'll be feeling slightly embarrassed if/when i overtake someone on a 'proper bike'.:blush:

Different kinds sound differently - eg hub motor vs BB driven, even if their brushless motor is silent there's a whirr from the gears in the gearbox.

Then there's the electronics, some have a squeal/whine from the electronic motor controller's transistors. Old kids could be as low as 60Hz, newer designs run at higher frequency and could be less audible.

Either way eBikes are a lot quieter than the Mobylettes (French mopeds) I grew up with. No mistaking the roar of their 49cc single cylinder :blush: and if there's any doubt where you've just come from, just follow the 2T smoke trail :rolleyes:
 

TyrannosaurusTreks

Formerly known as Giantbadge
Location
Somerset
Just reading some of these post:ohmy: I ride a road e & a defy 4, the e bike does cut out at 15.5mph then your on ur own riding a heavier bike but still I’m trying to average 18-20mph but when I overtake a group of 6 uphill at 17mph they call me a cheat so I just ^_^ at them.
Don’t knock an e- bike till you try one, I work hard to keep going.
It’s easy to derestrict the bike but half’s the battery life so you guys who want to catch one keep lose for 40 Miles then you should get them^_^.
 
Location
Scotchland
Just reading some of these post:ohmy: I ride a road e & a defy 4, the e bike does cut out at 15.5mph then your on ur own riding a heavier bike but still I’m trying to average 18-20mph but when I overtake a group of 6 uphill at 17mph they call me a cheat so I just ^_^ at them.
Don’t knock an e- bike till you try one, I work hard to keep going.
It’s easy to derestrict the bike but half’s the battery life so you guys who want to catch one keep lose for 40 Miles then you should get them^_^.
I wouldn't worry about them. I happen to think using a roof rack is cheating!
 

Ciar

Veteran
Location
London
I see them on the commute and generally take little to no interest, as for on the trails if they are perfectly fit and riding an EMTB i find that very odd, but hey ho each to their own. i know which one us is actually benefiting riding up to go down :biggrin:
 
I wouldn't worry about them. I happen to think using a roof rack is cheating!
Transporting the transport, whatever next, horse boxes for carting around their horses? Oh wait!
 

Lonestar

Veteran
I feel cheated by a POB RLJer.

Esp one who cycles at 3mph and jumps every set.The good thing about ebikes is if there is a POB on board they are usually gone at an unusual amount of knots and are no further problem.

Just back from a trip on the CS 3 as you may guess.
 

Nonethewiser

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't worry about it. I accept that most riders of these bikes are going to be able to overtake me, especially up hills. I'm happy to still be able to get around at 56 years old on a bike using my own efforts without any assistance. Whatever you may think of them, Ebikes can be a real boon to those who want to stay active but can longer use a conventional bike - I know someone who is in that position and is still able to enjoy pootling around the country lanes thanks to an Ebike instead of having to pack in cycling altogether.
 

Lonestar

Veteran
I was actually very happy to think that this site had dropped the use of "POB" to describe a cyclist being sneered at :sad:.

I'm not sneering but when the cycling is pretty crap and clueless then it just reminds me of something like a pedestrian who doesn't look.I just saw one jump every set of lights by cycling up the pavement in Canning Town.This wasn't a kid but an adult.

That was after he joined the CS 3 without looking coming out of a turning so fast he nearly fell of..then looking for an imaginary splodge of oil on a bit of the CS 3 I had no trouble with.

Perhaps I'm sneering at the RLJing then and not actually the decent cyclists...but this isn't because I feel superior because I don't.I just want to get home safely but the CS 3 presents an hell of a challenge on a day like this after I set off at 4am this morning.
 
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Mugshot

Cracking a solo.
Of course you should feel cheated when overtaken by an ebike. You should feel cheated when you are overtaken by any bike.
Reasons;
It's electric assist.
It's got a better group set.
It's carbon/alu/titanium etc.
It's got better rolling tyres.
I've just gone really fast and now I'm a bit puffed.
I've just gone really far and now I'm a bit puffed.
Etc, etc, etc
The important thing is that when/ if you are overtaken it is never due to your lack of ability or fitness or whatever, it's ALWAYS that the overtaker has some unfair advantage, always!!
 
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