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Thok E-Bikes debuts with Limited Edition Tony Bou MIG E-MTB

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Thok MIG E-MTB, side

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘down but not out’, and we all know a love for bicycles is something most of us will never lose. When former DH pro and World Champion BMX racer Stefano Migliorini suffered a career-ending injury, he moved into development work with clothing, component and bicycle manufacturers. He also didn’t stop riding, and after an enjoyable experience on an electric mountain bike he began dreaming up a new brand called Thok E-Bikes.

Migliorini then enlisted trials moto superstar Tony Bou and Aldo Drudi, the designer of many legendary MotoGP helmets, to help shape his new company. Thok has started out by offering a decked-out Limited Edition Tony Bou model of their flagship MIG bike, but there are also two more models in the works…

Thok MIG E-MTB, Tony Bou with bike

Seeking motorcycle riders and mountain bikers as their clientele, Thok went to 20-time Trials World Champion Tony Bou for development input. Bou describes the MIG as ‘the connecting link between bike and motorcycle’. To represent his world titles, the first 20 MIGs will be released as limited edition Tony Bou models. With two other builds soon to come, Thok has released details on the main features and specs for the MIGs.

Thok MIG E-MTB, front triangle

The MIG frame was designed with careful weight distribution in mind and a low center of gravity to ensure predictable handling. The 6061 T6 aluminum frame is purportedly very rigid due to the beefy bottom bracket/motor mount area. The MIG uses a specifically tuned Horst-Link design to provide 140mm of rear travel, handled by a custom-tuned Fox Float Performance Elite rear shock.

Thok MIG E-MTB, rear end

The MIG frames feature an all-mountain/trail focused geometry. The head tube angle is 66 degrees, and the seat tube sits at 74.5 degrees. The bikes have 450mm chainstays, which is reasonably stout but not quite among the shortest out there. The MIG rides on 27.5+ wheels, with 2.8” wide tires as stock equipment. It’s always nice to see short stems and wide bars included, and these bikes will come with 40mm (S/M) or 50mm (L/XL) stems. All four frame sizes get 780mm handlebars.

Thok MIG E-MTB, Shimano STEPS motor

Thok chose Shimano’s STEPS E8000 motor as their power plant. The motor offers three levels of assist- Eco Trail, Boost, and Power Walk. It’s compact design also keeps the Q-factor the same as a typical MTB. The 504wh/250w battery is a waterproof unit, and is rated to last 1000 charging cycles. The MIG’s ABS battery guard protects the battery from damage, but can be easily removed for charging the battery on the bike.

Thok MIG E-MTB, Tony Bou ltd edition brake logo

The top-tier Limited Edition Tony Bou model boasts a list of high-end components like a 150mm e-bike specific Formula Selva fork, Shimano XT Di2 1×11 drivetrain, DT Swiss HX 1501 wheels, Formula E-bike Care hydraulic brakes on 203mm floating rotors, Rockshox Reverb Stealth dropper post, Renthal carbon FatBars, and a pair of Crank Brothers Double Shot pedals.

For a touch of exclusivity the Limited Edition MIG’s brake calipers, discs and levers are all adorned with Tony Bou replica logos. This model sells for $6820 USD but if that’s a bit too much for you, two lesser models called the MIG and MIG R are coming soon. Thok bikes are available online only.

thokbikes.com

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68 Comments
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Jmar
Jmar
7 years ago

I’m just here for the comments.

Flatbiller
Flatbiller
7 years ago

“We mountain bikers are a friendly bunch. However, we draw the line at disabled people wanting to get back into our sport. We will defend to the death our right to not be passed by people riding e-bikes on dirt, as it proves to be a very traumatic event for our egos. And we shall behind the “limited trail access” and “severe trail erosion” arguments to further our cause.”

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Flatbiller

I’m not friendly to motorized use on non motorized trails. I don’t care if it’s a little electric motor, it’s a motor. There are motor friendly trails out there, and there are non motorized trails. Go ahead and buy a Moped if you want. I could care less, but if I see you on my local non motorized trails with one I’ll get in your grill because whether you want to believe it or not, you are threatening trail access for all mountain bikers.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

(deleted)

the biz
the biz
7 years ago
Reply to  Flatbiller

but if no one one argued about ebikes and you couldnt make snarky commentary about it, how else would you prop up your own ego?

Frank
Frank
7 years ago
Reply to  Flatbiller

I’m sorry this guy got hurt. Its sad and its not fair. But if he wants to get back on the bike he should shift to a proper motor bike. There’s a whole other world of opportunities. If his body is not capable of cycling anymore, then he should move on to something else. We’ll all get old, we’ll all get there, we need to accept this.

AlanM
AlanM
7 years ago
Reply to  Frank

Frank, this comment will probably get deleted, but you sound like a proper a** with that statement. “Sorry you got hurt, move along to something else rather than trying to find a solution.”

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  AlanM

I agree with Frank. Just because someone has a medical issue doesn’t give them the right to use a motor on non motorized trails. If that sounds harsh to you I’m not really concerned with that. What I’m concerned with is trail access for all mountain bikers. Like Frank said, it’s sad if a rider can no longer mountain bike, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok for that rider to switch to riding Mopeds on non motorized mountain bike trails. There’s plenty of motorized trails for Mopeds to ride. Simply put, it’s not ok under any circumstances to ride motorbikes on non motorized trails. No more no less.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

Actually, you don’t get to make that call. Ebikes are going to be on your trails whether you like it or not. Until a land owner/manager says it’s not ok to ride a trail with an ebike, an ebike rider has just as much a right to ride as you.

The proactive solution is to help the decision makers be informed about ebikes and the FACT that they represent no more threat to other trail users or trail sustainability than any other mtb. And please don’t refer to ebikes as motorbikes. Anyone who has ridden one knows they are not even close. Don’t spread ignorance.

alex
alex
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

That stopped being a MTB and started being a MOTORBIKE as soon as the motor was installed. End of story. and calling them pedal assist is a joke too because most of the people that will end up riding these around can’t put out 530 Watts (from Spesh website) that the motor can for any sustained amount of time. Not to mention that once the door is open to these things, what is the progression going to be for the next model year? Less power and smaller batteries to wean people off from them? I doubt it. More like more power, larger batteries etc, etc until there really is no difference between a MX bike and these mountain mopeds.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

@alex You can call em whatever you want but know this…promoting the perception of ebikes as “MOTORBIKES” will only work against you and others worried about trail access. Ebikes are coming to trail near you and will be ridden on em whether you like it or not. The better solution will be to educate land owners, managers and those opposed.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

You say perception like we are making it up that they have a motor on it….yes I get it, for now they can’t do burnouts etc like a legit motorbike. But the argument of they don’t do more damage to trails than a regular mountain bike doesn’t make sense because everyone is saying the reason to get an ebike is to be able to ride more laps/trail than you could otherwise. What does more damage to a trail? 1x riding down the trail? Or 5x riding down the trail? So mountain mopeds do cause more damage…

Honestly I could care less if people want to buy these and ride them on motorized trails. Frankly I’ve ridden motorized trails in the west and if all the MX bikes were replaced with these that would be great. My issue is that I would like to see more acces allowed again to real MTB in wilderness areas that are designated no mechanized travel areas. Putting motors on MTB and lumping them in with us will not help that out one bit.

And 100% of the Singletrack I ride locally is already marked ‘non-motorized’. So like it or not they better not be coming my way…

Mr Gormsby
Mr Gormsby
7 years ago
Reply to  Flatbiller

“…disabled people wanting to get back into our sport”? Since when are these bikes marketed as for “the disabled”. It’s just a niche pushing strong for a bigger market share.

I thought “the bicycle” was an avenue to a healthy lifestyle. You know “exercise”?

1368439846
1368439846
7 years ago
Reply to  Mr Gormsby

Ding Ding Ding. The “these bikes are for the disabled” is a facade. If these bikes were really just for the disabled their would be about 3 companies selling them.

Tom
Tom
7 years ago
Reply to  Flatbiller

Your comment tells me you have not ridden one of these. I own several top of the line mtb from full carbon to alum. I also own a specilized turbo levo, an amazing bike. Idk where u get the idea of a disabled person riding this thing, It can not be done from what I see but then again there are many types. Turbo levo is just as hard to ride as my full carbon mtb. The pedal assist has a definite trade off as u would imagine in terms of a heavier bike. 30 mile ride comes out about the same in time and exhuastion if you are at a low setting. The benefit is going up steep terrain when you are exhausted because some how it knows u are tired. I imagine it does this with an algorithm cuz the harder you pedal the less it helps and vice versa. Put it this way.
Turbo levo = more trail exploration.
Hope this helps.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Motor=motorbike. I don’t care how little it kicks in. Ride it on motorized trails please or you will be playing a role in potential trail access issues. Other user groups don’t care a thing about how the motor works, all they know is there is a motor. It’s hard to tell the difference when you know little about bikes and that’s probably the biggest problem. Even bike geeks could mistake a gearbox bike with an e-bike.

And I do get your handicap point. It’s a good one and shows that the bike industry is really just using that as a form of justifying putting motors on mountain bikes.

Other Aaron
Other Aaron
7 years ago
Reply to  Flatbiller

I don’t have anything against E bikes in particular, They just started getting pushed at a bad time. A lot of places are still on the fence about letting MTB on their land and EMTB seems to blur the line between bicycle and motorcycle a little too much

Cat 1
Cat 1
7 years ago

This G-Bike is TWO grand cheaper…
https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/off-road/models/tt-r230

the biz
the biz
7 years ago
Reply to  Cat 1

Not included: truck to get it anywhere

Thor29
Thor29
7 years ago

So Flatbiller, do you really think the majority of e-bikes will be sold to disabled or elderly people? Really? I don;t think that’s true. In fact, it’s a bad idea anyway since the disabled or elderly will have a heck of a time riding that pig when the battery dies or the electronics malfunction at the bottom of a hill. But if you’re right, let’s require a medical evaluation to purchase an e-bike – you can only buy one if it is physically necessary. That will kill e-bikes dead.

Now that I have completely demolished that argument, I’m sure that thing would be a lot of fun for doing rides that you would normally take a shuttle for. In fact, that would mean more exercise not less. Imagine riding it to the top of Porcupine Rim in Moab….

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Thor29

You do know E-bikes have been banned in Moab right? Banned on MTB trails that is. You can still ride them on Jeep road double track with all the other motorized trails users.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

Maybe not Moab but I guarantee you the Monarch Crest trail will see its share of ebikes.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

Since you brought up Colorado. I’ve heard Durango has banned mopeds, and the Denver area is talking about banning in Jeff Co parks. Many places like Crested Butte allow motorized use on many single tracks. Have at it! Enjoy riding with gas motorbikes all you want, just keep your moped off non motorized trails and it’s all good.

I think there’s a misunderstanding between those that like mopeds and mountain bikers. Mountain bikers like me don’t care if you choose to ride mopeds instead of mountain bikes. Have fun! Just don’t create drama for mountain bikers by riding non motorized trails.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

as long as its not explicitly stated that ebikes cannot ride mtb trails there will be ebikes on them and there is nothing wrong with it.

Eric E. Strava
Eric E. Strava
7 years ago
Reply to  Thor29

That’s a great idea considering 2/3 of the Whole Enchilada downhill is closed to MOTORIZED vehicles. Not to mention there are at least 4 companies that can shuttle you to the top on an actual bicycle.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Eric E. Strava

Hey Stampers, I just did some research and mopeds have been banned from ALL NATIONAL FOREST AND BLM TRAILS that don’t already allow form motorized use!. There’s also stipulations regarding medical issues. No dice.

Here’s an excerpt on federal policy and medical moped use:

Disability and Motorized Devices
Questions have been raised in relation to people with disabilities requesting use of e-bikes as an
assistive device. The only exception for a person with a disability for use of a device that is selfpropelled
is if that device meets both parts of the legal definition of a wheelchair or mobility
device as defined above in 36 CFR 212.1 and also defined the same way in FSM 2353.05 and in
42 U.S.C. 12107. Under that definition any device that is both designed solely for mobility for a
person with disability and which is suitable for use on an indoor pedestrian may be used
anywhere foot travel is allowed. E-bikes were not solely designed for individuals who have
mobility impairments and their suitability for indoor use would be highly questionable.
Therefore they don’t qualify for an exception and may only be used where the MVUM allows
that use by all people. An e-bike remains a motor vehicle regardless of who is using it. It is
essential that exceptions not be made to the TMR designations. Restrictions on motor vehicle use
that are applied consistently to everyone have been repeatedly found not to be discriminatory.

Daz
Daz
6 years ago
Reply to  Thor29

Well said
I’m thinking of getting an e bike for my missus so she can keep up with me when we go out riding, if anyone out on the trail had a problem with that I would just have to tell them to get a grip and mind their own business

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago

Do you even Moped bro?

paquo
paquo
7 years ago

all those fancy numbers but no weight, hmm.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  paquo

Because it’s so heavy they don’t want to scare people off. While many will think who cares about weight when you have the motor to get you up, they are forgetting that weight plays a HUGE roll on the DH too. I’m sure this thing feels like a slug on the DH compared to a real mountain bike. I would wager I could school any Moped on any DH trail that has enough gravity to not allow the motor to get me on the flat sections. Gee Atherton beat a motorbike down a DH track against a pro moto rider. Look it up for those that care. BR doesn’t like links posted in comments?

Craig
Craig
7 years ago

I really like the bike design, low centre of gravity design focus really shows and it looks cool. I remember watching early 1990’s Grundig World Cup videos when Stefano Migliorini was a top rider, so cool to see his name back. The price is actually less than I was expecting and in comparison to top end road bikes, high-end E-MTB bikes are actually a really good deal.

Heffe
Heffe
7 years ago

But are they a good deal compared to just getting a regular motorcycle?

Cat 1
Cat 1
7 years ago
Reply to  Heffe

Cheaper to buy a new dirtbike…

Michael Gfelner
7 years ago
Reply to  Cat 1

Motorcycles are too loud for trails, people and horses… Good for tracks.

Matt
Matt
7 years ago

Serious question, not trying to be insensitive.

Why should we bend the rules and create ways for elderly/disabled riders to continue riding on the same trails as they previously rode on “normal” mtbs? I understand making everday things like sidewalks, parking spots, retail stores, movie theaters etc. handicap accessible. But where is the cutoff? If I were a competitive rock climber and I broke my back would the rock climbing community allow me to have a mechanized suit that helped me to scale the same climbs as when I was able bodied? If I lost both of my arms, would I be allowed to go on rivers and use a gas powered kayak just because I used to do that activity?

Mike D
7 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Matt.. Matty Matt Matt.. easy with that sort of clear-headed logic, mate. You may hurt someone’s feelings.

It certainly reeks of entitlement though, doesn’t it? Much like Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka. Thing is, I have no issue with E-bikes on trails that are open to them. Heck, if a local land manager wants to allow them on single track, I still have no issues. But I hope the minority of folks who have genuine need for such a device keep it in perspective and don’t endanger trail access for the much larger majority.

Dockboy
Dockboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Mike D

Nobody needs to mountain bike. Bicycling can be a body’s only way to get from here to there, but seldom are bike specific trails critical for people.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  Matt

The only threat that ebikes bring is trail access in the USA. Ebikes do not have any more impact on other trail users or trail sustainability than regular mtb. FACT. Disabled people aren’t asking for special treatment when the bike they are riding has the same impact as the human powered one you ride.

Ebikes are coming whether you like it or not. The best solution is to proactively inform rather than spread untruth and personal bias when speaking with people opposed to mtb access and land owners/ managers.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

If I can ride one lap on a MTB and getting a mountain moped allows me to ride 2 or more laps for the given time/energy then I am doing at least double the damage to the trails…easy math.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  Alex

So I guess we should just not sell any more mountain bikes to anyone based on that flawed logic cause growing the sport will put more people on the trails and do the exact same thing…

Mike D
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

Stampers the bulk of your arguments are based on ‘disabled people need these’. I could make a counter argument as to whether or not it’s a good idea for people needing assistance to rely on battery-op motors to take them to places they would not be physically capable of getting to otherwise, but for the sake of progressing the discussion, let’s give you that one. Let’s say that for a physically impaired individual such bikes should be allowed–in reality, that may be one of the better arguments for inclusion of ebikes.

So then, how do you regulate that? Disabled person this, disabled person that.. who says (other than the companies pushing them) that a physically impaired person is going to be the one purchasing and using these on singletrack? Do you have to provide proof of need to purchase one? Nope. How many people with physical impairment have you met that have purchased one? I can tell you of the 3 we’ve sold (for city use) and the handful I’ve seen in the wild, not a SINGLE person was physically unable to ride a regular bike.

Shall we discuss the inevitable modding of these bikes to perform above the regulated output, or are we to keep talking in circles about ‘muh disabilities’?

Mike
Mike
7 years ago

Came for the comments…

Read the comments….

Left satisfied and feeling superior…

Dave
Dave
7 years ago
Reply to  Mike

It was us old guys that built the trails Matt

Sir eddy.
Sir eddy.
7 years ago

What a bunch of ill informed haters from people who have never ridden an E-Bike. Trail access is such a B.S. Argument. So many trails we ride are an hour slog up a gravel road followed by a 15 minute bomber descent. These could mean less shulttle vehicles and zero impact on the trails beyond a normal MTB. Imagine if ebikers joined the advocacy effort and improved access. Suddenly they’d be your best buddies.

Save your energy and spend it fighting against those who are the true enemy (Sierra Club, Friends of Forest Park etc). These are not a motorbike it is e-assist. God just open your minds up for a second before judging.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Sir eddy.

How about you open your mind and realize E-assist is just marketing for Moped. Enjoy riding your Moped on motorized Jeep trails all you want next time you go to Moab. They were smart enough to ban Mopes last year before they grow too large and cause issues for people that want to ride mountain bikes. I’m looking forward to seeing banns everywhere and will do my part to facilitate that. Enjoy your Moped!

Dennis
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

E-assyst bikes will never be similar to a moped, there’s no throttle, you have to pedal to get the motor to help. What is the hate anyways? Ebikes don’t make noise. They don’t erode the land more than MTBs. You cannot powerskid the rear tire like on a MX. So it’s just another MTB that helps you climbing. If that means less shuttle vehicles, it’s a win in my book!

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

Just because you want to ban them and call them mopeds doesn’t mean they won’t be showing up at your trailhead. Unless you’ve ridden one, your comment is uninformed. And I’m presuming it is since ANY person that has ridden one knows they are not the same as a moped.

Might as well spread truth rather than lies. Otherwise you are no different than a Sierra club hater or equestrian elitest!

alex
alex
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

I’ve ridden one. It has a motor and doesn’t belong on non-motorized trails. Otherwise they are a hybrid of a bike and a motorcycle that is very very very similar to mopeds…more like a moped than a bike or a motorcycle for that matter.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  alex

@Alex…nope its a mountain bike. Do you EVER see someone pedal a Moped?…yeah, didn’t think so

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

The definition of a Moped is: low powered, motorized bicycle. Just because this is a different design doesn’t change the perfect fit for the definition. You guys need to realize the biggest problem is the fact that there is no throttle, and that you have to pedal. That makes them nearly impossible for other user groups to tell the difference which could result in a carpet ban of all bikes. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE JUST HOW MAD MOTORIZED BIKES WILL MAKE other USER GROUPS THAT ALREADY DISLIKE MOUNTAIN BIKES! A motor in any form could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Many places are on thin ice as is.

David s Leslie
David s Leslie
7 years ago

shame on people that won’t open up to new things, I saw one comment about transportation verses shuttel (yea) understand we are evolving into different ways to commute , and play everything is faster.You (CAN GET A WORKOUT STILL IF YOU USE IT RIGHT) please don’t knock if you have never HONESTLY Tried it. I commute to work every day with electric .and get a workout . yes I get on my mountain bike on the weekend ,but can see advantadge on some uphills that I could never do

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  David s Leslie

Commuting is a great application for mopeds. My only issue is using them on non motorized trails. The bike industry should be focusing on commuter e-bikes, not motopeds.

Beatstreet
Beatstreet
7 years ago

When and where do we draw the line? Motor assisted, even when governed is motor assisted. If you can do both, then great. Ride on a moto trail with a motor and a trail with pedals. Don’t give land managers another reason to hate.

Deki
Deki
7 years ago

Don’t give land managers misinformation and they will make the right decisions. Pedal assist is just like a regular MTB in terms of trail erosion, they are quiet like a regular MTB, do not pollute, and have the possibility to bring many more people to MTB. If the participation increases, there will be much more demand for places to ride and we may be looking at huge expansion of trail building and access!

Cat 1
Cat 1
7 years ago
Reply to  Deki

I want trail access bro, I’m disabled:

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  Deki

^^^This…more people riding equals larger lobby to advocate access.

Speshy
Speshy
7 years ago

I keep seeing these issues with people who are ‘disabled,’ who want ‘trail access.’ What this amounts to is sterilization of trails and in some cases, trails that have been paved over with stabilized DG and concrete. It’s happened here in Phoenix and if we let these people who want special circumstances for their recreation we are going to lose our single track trails.

If you want motorized access then go to those areas where it is legal. If you want accessibility to trails for the disabled then those places exist as well and you should go to them. Stay off the single track if you can’t respect it.

Speshy
Speshy
7 years ago

(deleted)

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  Speshy

If ebikes are allowed on singletrack in your area you have no reason to complain. They have the same impact that a human powered mtb has on the trails and other trail users.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

@stampers. Can you ride your mountain moped at higher average speeds and cover more miles vs a real MTB? Then it does more damage. Simple math. You might be correct that mile per mile at the same speed it is the same as MTB for trail erosion etc, but that’s not why these things are being marketed is it? They aren’t saying, “Buy this bike with a motor and ride exactly the same as you did before.” They are saying, “Ride more trails, faster and easier, than you did before.”

Either these things are faster and cover more ground than MTB thus causing more damage. Or, they are the same as MTB speed and don’t allow the user to go father for the same time/effort and the damage is equal like you claim. But then if this is true, there is no reason to even buy one defeating the purpose. So which is it?

Can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Your logic is flawed. Based on that premise, the mtb industry and its users should no longer attempt to grow because more people riding equals more damage to trails. Thats not going to happen. Besides, given the very small segment of the mtb world the ebike market represents (we’re talking the 1% of the 1%) additional ebike riders on the trails will be no more significant than any other mtb’r…

next…

Giver eh!
Giver eh!
7 years ago

Lets just say I’m a huge hiker…So I have a bad back and my knees are sore. I’m aging but i DEMAND that I should be able to access any place I used to be able to hike to.Can I hire a helicopter to take me to places i used to be able to hike to? Of course not. Non-motorized is non motorized. E-bikes are cool. Keep them off of non-motorized single track.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  Giver eh!

There’s no reason to keep them off singletrack that regular mtb’s ride. You have to pedal just like a human powered mtb. They handle just like a human powered mtb. They have the same impact on trails as human powered mtb.

The ONLY reason to disallow is trail access fear and that fear is based solely on ignorance. Might as well educate the land managers and be proactive.

Giver eh!
Giver eh!
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

They have a motor. Motorized vehicle. Stay away from areas where non-motorized access is illegal. Pretty simple. Ebikes are cool. They have motors. Its cut and dry.

Stampers
Stampers
7 years ago
Reply to  Giver eh!

I agree but if it’s legal, then ebikes can ride em and there’s nothing wrong with it at all.

Mike D
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

Quick question, because it’s not entirely clear from your responses, Stampers: Do you believe that ebikes should be allowed to ride any place that they are LEGAL (as you stated above), or that they should be legal EVERYWHERE a traditional mountain bike is legal to ride? Because you’ve pleaded different cases in this comments section.

Yes, by all means, enjoy them where they are legal to ride: on motorized access trails. DO NOT ride them where it is illegal to ride them, at the risk of getting trail access revoked for traditional mountain bikes.

Look, I’ll be very blunt here. I don’t care about *your* access, I care about MY access. The trails I helped build, and maintain, those trails that are disappearing due to Wilderness designation already. If I see people behaving in any way that might jeopardize that access, be it unauthorized trail building, illegal hunting, or motorized use, I report them. I make friends with you, get your name, ask a bunch of questions about your motor bike.. “Golly gee, that sure is a clever thing! And it’s okay to ride on these trails? That’s awesome!” ride with you back to the lot, get your plate number and then hand all that over to forest service or land management. The ticket and fine aren’t staggering, but it makes people think twice about endangering MY access to trails I fought hard to get and am very appreciative to have.

See ya on the trails, friendo.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Stampers

I just heard from a shop guy that mopeds have been banned from all National forest and BLM lands unless motorized use is specified.

ZeGerman
ZeGerman
7 years ago

You guys are funny.
First of all I just want to say that I only ride a regular non motorized XC MTB.
If anything E-MTB´s are much more present in Germany, here trail access has increased since the appearance of E-MTB´s and new trails opened for shared use.
Disabled people on E-MTB´s, that must be the case for less than 1% of users, most are just regular mountainbikers that can have more fun with more distance travelled.
It has a motor its a scooter, bla bla bla… Yes its true it has a motor but this motor works in a completely different way in which it just helps a bit on the actual riders output (Yes E-biking can still be sweaty sport).
The only problem I see is for people who will ride illegal tuned E-Bikes, in Germany its max 25 km/h and max 250W. Except for S-Pedelecs though I havent come across any bike that seemed overpowered above legality (Exceptions are trade shows).

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