This perfect day. Snowshoe when it is not sloppy is a rarity. This was one of those rare treats with “hero dirt” as the kids say, clear skies, and mild temps. Several old pals and I headed out for a morning ride and my mood was baronial. We all were 50-somethings aboard our 50-something pound full power e-bikes and zipped up to 6000 steps with the vigor of 20-something elite riders on wispy XC bikes.
However, leading up to this day I had been riding my e-bike far less. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, but it was just no longer that much fun. In the year and a half, I’d spent on my 5010 MX, nothing has outclassed it leaving me no desire to ride anything else. It’s agility and do-it-all vibe, shone a bright light on my e-bike’s tugboat handling. I had become a diehard fan of the SC’s playful character whereas the e-bike was just a plow. Most of that is inherent with its slack geometry and weight. The e-bike’s notchy power delivery underscored this, leaving me scrambling to keep the beast upright when trails became steep, sketchy and slow speed. It is that riding in particular that I enjoy most so losing my balance, nearly plummeting into a ravine and and slamming into some trees brought me to a swift conclusion that I was done with that bike, and I promptly sold it when I got home.
Perhaps my dispatch of that e-bike was hasty, but it just was an experience I no longer desired nor cared about. I’ve said on numerous occasions that riding an e-bike is a different experience than routine mountain biking. I’ve also said that it’s hard to have a bad time on one and the rush of pushing on the pedals and rocketing forward is exceptional the first time you do so. The thing was I had ridden many different e-bikes and spent a lot of time on mine. Now though the downsides had reached a crescendo. More on this below, but first I implore you to twist and shout.
Music Selection: The Cramps: Gravest Gravy There is a bumper sticker that has been making the rounds relating to the recent passing of Frank Beard that you should buy. However, I firmly believe the same sentiment thereof is applicable to The Cramps. My earliest encounter with The Cramps dates to some of the first punk and hardcore records I ever heard. It sounded like nothing I had ever heard and even so amongst the other bands that that also sounded like nothing I had ever heard. The other records had fury and aggression, but The Cramps added an unhinged level of sleaze and sultriness to the mix. You felt cool AF listening to it and it made you want to move. This brand-new album of never before released mixes from their first session is a treat for completist fans and nails down their noisy ramshackle vibe. I would not recommend it if you’ve never listened to The Cramps as their first several records are better entry points. Still this stuff will make ya ooze and throb as all their catalog does. Get out of your mind or get out of the way!
Clashing my electro. Despite my negative reaction and less than exalted experience that day up at the ‘Shoe, I did not, do not, and never have hated e-bikes. However things had reached a point of diminishing returns, and I had no regrets* selling that Levo. The experiences and fun to be had on them remains the same as I brought up way back. However, I was now a different rider, and my focus had shifted radically. I became a fan of bikes than handled deftly with more play than plow. I wanted to dance albeit not necessarily slam. More The Cramps than Agnostic Front.**
**I love both bands so don’t what @ me.
Once again, I found myself thinking about how there had to be something different or a better way. On my immediate horizon after Snowshoe was a trip out to CO/UT to ride with long time pals. I was told that most of the group would be on their e-bikes and I’d have to endure their razzing (SOP for as long as I have been riding with these miscreants) if didn’t have one. Several of the riders in the group had medical releases to ride e-bikes on the trails so we weren’t poaching anything. There were a few people on regular bikes, so I was not too concerned, but the possibility of something lighter weight and better handling compelled me to check out SL (super light…a bit of a misnomer, but lighter than most e-bikes) or mid power e-bikes. The obvious one was the Santa Cruz Heckler SL. Same suspension as my 5010, slightly longer travel, and only 8-9 pounds heavier. The bike employs the Fazua motor system, which had been a go to for many brands in this space due to its lighter weight and simplicity.
I took a Heckler out for demo over a couple of days and really enjoyed it. It handled like my Santa Cruz, was quiet, and had reasonable range. I even found some on sale and I nearly pulled the trigger on one. The two big red flags that dissuaded me were its non-removable battery and the fact that Fazua dropped out of the e-bike motor game. Santa Cruz ironically took over all warranty and service work for Fazua-equipped bikes, but I just didn’t feel great about it. My inability to charge at my bike storage place could be circumvented, but it was hurdle I did not want to have to leap.
Instead, I rode Moab with my SC and had a great time. I wasn’t even off the back as much as I expected. I shelved any ongoing e-bike research and continued gleefully riding my regular bikes albeit continuing to hear my friends’ complaints about me not wanting to ride with them. You know, because #iamthejerk. The e-bike mtb world was/is changing rapidly in all aspects and perhaps something different could be in the cards for me. Stay tuned, doubters.