Mountain Biking into the backwoods.

[justinspicher]

I'll check on the regs for the forest service here in Colorado tomorrow at work, but I'm 90% certain that it'll be illegal to use here as it will be considered a motorized method of transport. Especially in any of the wilderness areas.

 

[bigdesert10]

For $5500, you could have a serviceable horse and afford to keep it for a couple years. Also, horses don't have motors. Just sayin'.

 

[the big Mao]

Bubblehide, that's one huge reason why I left that loonybin! Hunted muzzleloader elk 2 years ago off my Salsa Mukluk fatty, and the wardens were impressed, but not happy, that I could ride where I wanted `cuz it's not motorized. saw lots of mulies, but no wapiti!

 

[the big Mao]

Oh, and with bikes, you'll get what you pay for; better shifting under power, better braking-especially with hydraulic brake systems, but I'd advise you to have the bike "fit kitted" to your body. Makes a lot of difference!

 

[Desk Jockey]

I haven't heard the whole story but apparently sonde one a buddy knows had an ebike go down on him fairly far from the trailhead. No power. Not only did he have all his gear but a heavy bike to boot. Seems like a good idea but the tech is still evolving.

 

[Bubblehide]

I haven't heard the whole story but apparently sonde one a buddy knows had an ebike go down on him fairly far from the trailhead. No power. Not only did he have all his gear but a heavy bike to boot. Seems like a good idea but the tech is still evolving.

At this point in time, the tech is pretty evolved. The issue is that the user needs to educate themselves on the tech, proper usage, and repair of not only the electrical end of it, but the bike end also, at least if they want any reliability out of it. At the other end of it, anyone considering an Ebike, for going any distance into the woods, should take considerable time to research their different options, so that what they do get, will meet their expectations. These Ebikes are not like a motorcycle. What I mean is that you don't just fill them up and go. They require that the rider know what they are doing, so the components don't get fried. Granted there are safety shutoff features that a person can utilize. But if a person is not educated in how they work, and why, it's bound to end in disaster. There are a few really good options on the market now, that are capable of some significant distance; but you still need to take care of them if you expect them to take care of you, so to speak.