I recently worked in a bike shop in nor-cal that sold high-end mountain and road, and almost every e-bike we sold was to middle-age folks and older. A lot of elderly people purchase e-bikes because they don't want to give up the sport but don't have the body for it anymore, which I think is fantastic. And when you see how happy they are, it's like giving the first set of keys to a 16 year old. I don't see myself owning one anytime soon, but I'd rather see someone in their 60s and older on a mountain e-bike than not ride at all. As far as younger people are concerned, I see the chairlift in skiing as having a similar effect. We used to have to hike hours just to shred twenty or thirty minutes of powder... not sure how much skiing I'd be doing if that was still the case (brown pow > white pow anyway). For me, I'd need a trail e-bike at 35lbs or less, I'm a light guy with a light riding style and heavy bikes are just a lot less fun for me to throw around. I wouldn't sacrifice that for anything as long as I'm able bodied. Anyway I don't even know what I'm saying anymore, screw e-bikes! ; )
Aug. 12, 2019, 7:43 a.m. - werewolflotion
I recently worked in a bike shop in nor-cal that sold high-end mountain and road, and almost every e-bike we sold was to middle-age folks and older. A lot of elderly people purchase e-bikes because they don't want to give up the sport but don't have the body for it anymore, which I think is fantastic. And when you see how happy they are, it's like giving the first set of keys to a 16 year old. I don't see myself owning one anytime soon, but I'd rather see someone in their 60s and older on a mountain e-bike than not ride at all. As far as younger people are concerned, I see the chairlift in skiing as having a similar effect. We used to have to hike hours just to shred twenty or thirty minutes of powder... not sure how much skiing I'd be doing if that was still the case (brown pow > white pow anyway). For me, I'd need a trail e-bike at 35lbs or less, I'm a light guy with a light riding style and heavy bikes are just a lot less fun for me to throw around. I wouldn't sacrifice that for anything as long as I'm able bodied. Anyway I don't even know what I'm saying anymore, screw e-bikes! ; )