Just another E-bike thread....

[Philpug]

He needs to rediscover fun-for-him on a bike. We've already established that having top-of-the-line isn't the fun part for him.

Sooo true.

 

[Philpug]

We did take a tandem out from the shop one time. It was actually pretty funny. I have trust issues, though...I hated sitting in the back except I would sit passively and let him pedal, hehe.

In bold.

 

[AmyPJ]

I was die in the wool Shimano and I am using Sram w/o issue. Yes, I missed the index finger shifing at first...not any more.

He has SRAM now, so it's not that, it's just NX vs. X01. He's fine with SRAM overall. My Shimano XT is honestly having more adjustment issues than my Eagle GX did. Shop owner says the cassettes are wearing out faster on them. I'll take replacing a chain over a cassette any day.

Right now, beggars can't be choosers, as we all know.

 

[AmyPJ]

We saw a couple on a tandem MTB a few weeks ago...on not beginner trails! We're talking legit singletrack with switchbacks and rocks and all. An "older" couple at that. We marveled at them a bit. There might have been a statement like, "oh HELL no!"

 

[AmyPJ]

Sooo true.

I honestly think the fork and shock are more important than the drive train. He does get after it on the descents.

 

[Philpug]

Shop owner says the cassettes are wearing out faster on them. I'll take replacing a chain over a cassette any day.

You will sell the bike before it needs replaced anyway.

 

[Philpug]

Right now just secure ANY bike you can. then worry about the minutia.

 

[Tricia]

@AKMINK has officially joined the eMTB gang. It's been probably 15 years since she's been on a bike. Whether she wants to get nuts is yet to be seen. In the mean time she'll be using her new-to-her Trek Rail 5 when we go glamping and visit Lummi Island. Baby steps!
View attachment 136330

I'm pretty stoked that she got this bike. I think we'll do some trips to the farmer's market and some such.

Our friend who rides with @Tricia also got a Rail 5 a few days ago. So in our group we have two olive green Cannondale Habit Neo and two army green Trek Rail 5's..just call us "Gang Green". Oh and @Tricia's black & purple E-Caliber.

You keep saying that like its clever.
I'm perfectly happy to have the "Violet Hammer".

Gangrene isn't much better.

@Philpug see??? I'm not the only one.

 

[Philpug]

You keep saying that like its clever.
I'm perfectly happy to have the "Violet Hammer".

I think someone is Gang Green with envy.

 

[wooglin]

Maybe I’m weird. I buy the frame and don’t worry about the parts too much knowing they’ll eventually wear out or break, at which point I think about upgrades.

 

[Tricia]

I think someone is Gang Green with envy.

Not. Even. Close.

 

[Andy Mink]

He has SRAM now, so it's not that, it's just NX vs. X01. He's fine with SRAM overall. My Shimano XT is honestly having more adjustment issues than my Eagle GX did. Shop owner says the cassettes are wearing out faster on them. I'll take replacing a chain over a cassette any day.

Right now, beggars can't be choosers, as we all know.

One bonus of emtb is he probably won't be shifting as much. Less wear and tear on cassettes and derailleurs so he might be happy with the NX, at least for the time being. It should get him through the component drought.

 

[Tom K.]

One bonus of emtb is he probably won't be shifting as much. Less wear and tear on cassettes and derailleurs so he might be happy with the NX, at least for the time being. It should get him through the component drought.

Sadly, not the case. E-mtbs put serious torque through the chain and cassette. Much more than most humans, to the point that Shimano has recently introduced an e-drivetrain called Linkglide with fewer, burlier gears, chain, etc.

Shimano Introduces New 'Linkglide' Drivetrain Technology with Bold Longevity Claims - Pinkbike

Linkglide aims prioritise durability and shift performance.

www.pinkbike.com

W/R/T SRAM drivetrain upgrades, remember that you cannot replace a boat anchor NX cassette with a GX or X01 without first replacing the driver. Ask me how I know.......

 

[Andy Mink]

Sadly, not the case. E-mtbs put serious torque through the chain and cassette.

Good point. I even thought about that, but that was like a week ago!

 

[Philpug]

I recently snapped my first chain in over a decade. Makes sense.

 

[Tom K.]

I recently snapped my first chain in over a decade. Makes sense.

It's that Fred Flintstone jersey.

Bam Bam!!!

 

[scott43]

I mean.. if you think about it. Typical rider is capable of maybe 250w for a minute? Now you have a motor giving you 250w for a significant period of time. You're exceeding the average user's power by quite a bit. Pro rider territory really... So don't cheap out on chains and cogs.

 

[cantunamunch]

Yeah, because we know how well tandems help relationships

I'm not letting you into either one of the kayaks.

 

[AmyPJ]

He's holding off for now. Has tossed around ordering a less expensive road or gravel bike. Was advised he will want to have a bike in addition to an e-bike. They are heavy and we do a lot of venturing with our bikes, and it would be a PITA to push around, etc.

Bonus of having a road/gravel bike is he could work on stamina without pushing so hard. Our friends in their late 60s have road or gravel bikes that they ride regularly and they are strong riders on the MTB as a result.

 

[cantunamunch]

Well, good luck.

I apologise for phrasing it this way, but I see a lot of focus on obstacles to riding, instead of spotting chances to ride and seizing them. The cycling version of looking at trees instead of between them.
( I even have a fairly polished rant about this syndrome, available elsewhere on the forum.)

Side note: If cost is an issue, converting a hardtail to monstercross/gravel spec is very much a thing. And quite often results in bikes that are better descenders and better at washboard, potholes, ruts and sandy surface than all-road bikes twice their price.