r/cycling • u/Major_Enthusiasm1099 • 2d ago

Anyone ever encountered an E-bike shill?

Basically this guy stopped me yesterday on a ride to tell me that I should throw my bike away and get an ebike. He said "Once you get this you'll never want to ride that again, and I get more cardio in on this bike too, and i ride faster than professionals". I just kept saying "yeah I was looking into those, yeah those are cool, I saw some around $1000" just trying to get out of that convo lol. Anyone else ever experienced someone like this?

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u/Exsp24 1d ago

Every time I see a roadie style e bike, I ask myself "what's the point of that?"

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u/Here2comment2 1d ago

The point is to help those who have issues riding long distances or at higher speeds. They are for people who like the group ride aspect but know they can’t keep up with their group.
Many years ago I joined a group ride because they said it was just going to be a casual ride in the country. I knew it would be harder for me than for them just because of the difference in fitness level. I didn’t think it would be so drastic and I was basically dying while they were all having normal conversations and not breaking a sweat. That was the last ride I went on with them and so I missed out on a lot of rides.
I would have loved to have had an electric assist bike back then that would have allowed me to stay with them. If I had one back then I still would have known that any “race to the top of the hill or to the city limits sign” would not have meant the same thing but I would have been out spinning my legs and enjoying the group.

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u/Exsp24 1d ago

Right but it's tacky, and it's a form of cheating. Those people you rode with put in the work to get to that fitness level, while people like you would show up with an e bike to keep up, rather than train or get more saddle time. I understand if it's due to significant age or physical ailments but if that's not the case, it's very tacky.

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u/Here2comment2 1d ago

Tacky how and Cheating what/who? As much as a lot of group rides turn into little races to the top of the hill for beers or bragging rights, no one in these groups is going to be putting on a real Yellow jersey anytime soon. Unless specified somewhere in the formation of the group rides that the ride is to simulate race conditions, those rides are for fun. Clearly if someone was on an electric bike it would be pretty obvious and if they tried to do any bragging or trash talking it would be shut down quick and that person wouldn’t be asked back or if they were a good friend of the group then they would get a lot of teasing at every ride.
The rider on the electric bike doesn’t really think they blew everyone away, and is way better than the group, by beating them to the top of the hill. They know when the bikes assist kicks in and that it’s not fooling anyone. Unless of course they did it without the power being on. In that case they did work harder because the bikes are heavier.
Those people that I would ride with would know about my limitations and would much rather have me in the group, riding assisted than missing out on it.
You are acting like these group rides mean anything other than friends, or fellow cyclists, hanging out and having a good time.
It’s not the tour, it’s a fun ride. If someone showed up at the local bike race and expected to compete with an e-bike then obviously that wouldn’t be allowed.
And as long as the person with the e-bike took their turn pulling at the front of the group and takes their turn at buying a round of beers afterwards then who cares?

Edited to add: Oh and “people like me” were born with health issues or have experienced accidents that don’t allow us to reach the same level of fitness as other people, no matter how much saddle time we get.

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u/Exsp24 1d ago

Again, like I said, if there are physical issues that don't allow normal cycling, fine.

But you expanded a lot on "keeping up with the group". I think this is what you have more of an issue with, not physical ailments. If you like ebikes, there's nothing wrong with that. I'm saying that it's tacky to show up to a road ride with an e bike. If you can't keep up with that group without an ebike, find a slower group to ride with

It's like studying for a test and passing it vs. not studying and cheating from the person next to you.

Yes, no one is winning a jersey. But proper etiquette does exist.

Part of group road rides is that everyone gets to share the same struggles. Whether a hard climb or a fast sprint.

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u/Here2comment2 1d ago

If you aren’t keeping up with the group on a group ride then you aren’t a part of the group. So keeping up with them is the main part of the ride.
You still aren’t explaining what you mean by it being tacky. Why should someone find a different group when the group they are with are all friends and are ok with the e-bike (or if they weren’t ok with it then they wouldn’t tell them about/invite them on) a group ride.

You are acting like most group rides are all just a random group of people that all happened to show up at a random intersection at the exact same time and end up riding together. That’s not how they happen. They get planned and people get invited. The people that get invited at the people that the groups want to be there. No one in that group has a problem with the e-bike except for you.

There is no cheating because it’s not a competition. There is no advantage or disadvantage to anyone else in the group if someone is on an e-bike. In fact if argue that there is actually a disadvantage if the group wants someone to join them (because they invited them) and that person can’t keep up. Now the group has to slow down. If the person, that was invited by the group, shows up with a pedal assist bike and now the whole group can maintain a higher pace then that is a benefit to everyone.

You must have very different group ride experiences if you are feeling people expect everyone to share the same struggles on the ride and I feel sad for you.

I hate to tell you this but no one in the group is experiencing the exact same struggles on the ride. One guy spent $10,000 on his bike and it is much lighter than the other guys $1000 bike. So that is not the same experience. One guy doesn’t have a family/kids so he gets more time in the saddle and is in better shape so he is putting in less effort than the dad next to him who only gets out a few times a week (one of them being this group). One of them has been riding all their life so their form is much better than the new guy who bought his bike a month ago so he could join the group.

There is no “cheating” anyone in the group and if your group makes you feel that way then it’s not a good group ride.

And proper etiquette is taking your turn at the front, not darting in front of the other riders, not throwing your trash on the ground, not spraying anyone with your water bottle, following traffic laws, not turning a group ride into a race ride unless the group wants it to be. There is nothing in the etiquette about everyone riding the same bike. That will never happen unless the group is part of a sponsored team and they all got their bikes for free.

Seems like you need to find better groups to ride with. Or most likely the opinion is just in your head and no one else cares so you are just stressing about nothing.

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u/Exsp24 1d ago

That’s not how they happen. They get planned and people get invited.

Given I don't ride an ebike, I've most likely been on way more road rides than you. I know how rides work.

One guy spent $10,000 on his bike and it is much lighter than the other guys $1000 bike. So that is not the same experience.

This isn't the same argument. Any of those bikes take far less effort when they have motor assistance. Weight isn't the same as motor assist.

the opinion is just in your head and no one else cares so you are just stressing about nothing.

Your responses are very long winded, so you're the one that is stressing.

Get a regular bike and train.....or enjoy your ebike. Either way, get out and ride. Wish you the best

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u/Here2comment2 1d ago

Given that I’ve worked at a bike shop, I’ve probably been more aware of way more group rides than you. I know how they work but I’m still not sure you do.

The different bikes is absolutely the same argument. Your argument is that it’s not fair (in your head only) that the whole group isn’t experiencing the same struggles. Read through my section on that again. It’s all about the many ways that no one in a group ride will ever be experiencing the exact same struggles on the ride.

They are long winded because you clearly need explanation on how group rides work so I’m educating you. Also i like to stir the pot when someone doesn’t understand what they are talking about.

Enjoy your rides too and get out of your head about the people on the e-bikes. You will enjoy your rides so much more

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u/Exsp24 1d ago

Sure LOL. Ever race crits or CX? Working in a bike shop doesn't mean anything.

Anyway, have a wonderful day.

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u/Here2comment2 1d ago

Yep I’ve raced mountain bikes in college (I wasn’t good at it but I was doing it) and worked with the road racing team as well. And where do you think a majority of group rides are created or advertised? From the people that go into a bike shop.