On Trolls - not just under bridges any more

T

Tourezrick

10 mW
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
23
I was posting on another forum where some 'trolls' were asking 'questions', the answers to which they weren't in the least interested. We've all seen the type that believes that "real cyclists don't assist", or "you gotta be disabled to ride assist". We realize that when an individual throws out a post like that, all they are trying to do is inflate their ego, in effect saying, "I'm better than you because I don't 'need' assist". Then, I remembered pictures of a creation called the "Boneshaker", much like a wooden hobbyhorse with wheels that a man would 'mount' and move by pushing off with his feet. Thanks to Wikipedia, I found a picture of such a creation, called a "Draisine" or "Laufsmaschine" ('running machine'? - I'm sure it has nothing to do with laughing), which is attached below.

So, to the 'trolls' of the assist and cycling forums of the world I say, " You can't be a real cyclist, man, (women didn't ride such things) unless you ride a "Laufsmaschine"! Do you suppose there is a line forming anywhere with 'trolls' lining up to trade in their bikes for a "REAL" bike, a "Laufsmachine"? Anyone, anywhere? Maybe behind the outhouse? Maybe IN the outhouse?300px-Draisine_or_Laufmaschine%2C_around_1820__Archetype_of_the_Bicycle__Pic_01.jpg
 
When someone tells me that assist is a waste and I just need to get in better shape and pedal more, I say;

"Look, why do you leave motorcyclists alone? They CANNOT pedal at all. At least I pedal some (actually I pedal ALOT and am in far better shape now than before I had assist because it encourages me to be out more)."

Some people are just annoying.

Common sence is anything but common.

Matt
 
recumpence said:
Some people are just annoying.
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Yeah I just point north from town and say, "do you see that mountain there? Well... I work up there. Have you ever pedaled up a mountain pal?" They always back off at that point. :lol:

homework.jpg
 
Though my hill is not so big as yours, about 700 feet of vertical, Id love to have a troll tag along with me for my daily ride for a week,,,, at the speed I ride it. :twisted: At least the bike shop dudes now realise I ride enough miles to wear out shit ten times faster than most of the trolls and no longer serve me last every time I walk in.
 
Most of the haterade comes from bicyclists. Non-bicyclists are pretty neutral. This has been my experience.

My first bicycle purchase since high school (!) was an ebike. I now have more pedal bicycle projects than ebike projects.. I think its just as likely for people to get into pedal bikes from ebikes as vice-a-verse. Bicyclists forget or dont realize, but its scary being completely out of shape (~80% of people?) and jumping on a bicycle to go for an xx mile ride, not knowing how far you'll make it. Or *if* you'll be able to make it back home. The ebike is a nice way to ease back in to it. And of course it can still help even after you've got in shape- as some of our members here can testify to. Or ditch the e if you don't need it at that point.

For the forum peeps who actually might be able to reason, I think it helps if they can see you as someone who rides regular bicycles and also just happens to have an ebike too. For the trolls just stirring up the shit tell em- I ride an ebike because f##k you.
 
I've often gotten questions to the effect, "Doesn't a motor on the bike defeat the whole point?"

I get that question often enough that I know it's a common viewpoint. Yet those same people are on their way to their car and don't see their choice in the same light.

For me, if I was commuting purely by peddaling it would take me well over an hour both ways. It would lead to overuse injuries, and then I'd be stuck in my car, and I truly hate commuting by car.

As for trolls, why don't they just stomp around everywhere. Why do they use a bike? It just makes travelling easier, so, what's the point?

Bob
 
I'd just point out the fact that assist is cheaper to operate, in fact it's the most efficient form of transportation. Electricity costs a whole lot less than the food required for walking, running, or pedaling.

John
 
Claim that you are a marathon runner, then deride them for needing a machine to move them around.
 
My experience is a lot like Vanilla's. Shockingly out of shape, and trying to get back into riding, but ending up not doing it unless the weather was perfect for it. So none at all in the summer, or even spring when it's real windy. 9 months of ebiking later, I'm unassisted riding some nut buster single track trails I never dreamed of attempting. My ebike commute, about 3-4 days a week, takes 45 minuites in the morning and uphill home 60. With a big front crank I peadle to my max sustainable heart rate the whole ride for 1 hour and 45 minuites of daily arerobics. What point am I defeating? I did have to scale the ride back in the summer since the motor couldn't hack the heat, and now that it is cold I am having range problems in the morning, but I sure am riding more than ever in my life, including student days when I had no car. I never intended to ride the bike all the way to work, but once I got an ev grin, I was off to the races. As for saving money, forget it, I won't break even for another six months and I'm drooling for a 48v lifepo4 and a 600w bmc.
 
Well, when the OP on the other forum asked, "Is the idea of a pedal-assist motor that shocking and offensive to the "true" cyclists?"

A typical "cyclist" certainly seems offended!

It almost seems like there's a rule that you can't add any additional external sources of energy into the system for it to be considered a bicycle. Will any cyclists offer their excuse for flashlight batteries?

Let me take it to the extreme for the sake of demonstration: It's true that any devices that offer any sort of mechanical advantage (as well as clothing and shoes), are for the infirm or unfit. How incredibly absurd and elitist it is to think this way, but people love drawing lines and defining things regardless I suppose.
 
It really boils down the the common view of the bicycle as a piece of exercise equipment. The skinny tire junkies and mountain bike fiends hold this view very dearly. They just do not see the bike as a commuter tool, and cannot imagine that one could get a workout while using a motor. I get the same workout going to town that I used to get, but I go a lot faster now!
 
Yeah right on. If they want to be so pure, lets see em use 1:1 gear ratio. It reminds me of the holier than thou stink that was partly why I got turned off the rock climbing club back in the seventies. Back then it was a huge deal if you used chalk on your hands or not, and a rappel recon was considered like raping your sister. Sheesh! The other day on the single track, I got observed riding in blue jeans by the logo covered lycra guys, definitely got the F---- tourist look. I felt like asking them, aren't you freezing in them shorts? I was pretty comfy. I wear the lycra all the time in summer.

But really , its pretty sad that we love to be racist so much, we hate each other cause we peadle different, or won't wear the uniform to ride the trail. Just goes to show how that kind of crap must be bred into us. Takes higher thinking to make yourself stop the bs. All we can do is grin and bear it. While we leave em in the dust going up a hill :shock:
 
It is obsurd how many people ask that same damn question: "Isn't that defeating the purpose?" It does piss me off, cause I do commute 15-20 miles one way, and I am usually soaked to my chonies. My trip doesn't end at the same point I started from (doesn't THAT defeat the purpose?), and I would like to get there and not be too tired to work.
At the same time, when my electric breaks I realize how tough some of these hills are, and how much assist helps. I bet alot of the recumbent guys have faced this same snobbery from the Lycras.
 
That is what is great about my stealth recumbent. A couple months ago I blew past a Lycra roadie at about 40mph. I shut the motor down and pedalled my tush off when I passed him. The guy sat up and gave me a blank stare (I could see him in my mirror).

Too funny! :mrgreen:

Matt
 
I'm sorry to report that I haven't received one single request from a 'real' roadie or mtb'er to trade in his/her ride for the 'Laufsmaschine', even with the offer of bonus crotch splinters! Maybe everyone was out shopping today? Maybe there just aren't any 'real' cyclists? I wonder if I can return all these 'Laufsmaschines' and get my money back?
 
I've been asked about the function of a few of the parts seen on the 'Laufsmaschine'. The steel rod running from ground to frame is because gyroscopic stabilization only works when in motion and clockwork drive is wound. The pole along the frame is for punting in deep water, fishing and also functions as a pool cue!

C'mon folks, you're getting a lot for that 'pretend' bike you're currently riding! Time to step up to the real bike! Time is running out, only three more hours left until midnight CST!
 
i think it depends how fast your ebike goes. When i had an ebike that barely covered what i'd do on my road bike - i had a lot of negative comments. When i had assist that blew me past them, the local bikers began talking in awe of how fast i'd pass them - peddling the whole time.
 
Surely 200 watts is not worth the weight it adds, unless you have a really huge lifepo4 to make the range far beyond what you could ever ride unassisted. But a moderate bike, like 500 watts, can run circles around the lycra guys untill the battery dies. By the end of the day, though, those lycras may ride 150 miles! 30 a day is plenty for me, with assist!
 
recumpence said:
That is what is great about my stealth recumbent. A couple months ago I blew past a Lycra roadie at about 40mph. I shut the motor down and pedalled my tush off when I passed him. The guy sat up and gave me a blank stare (I could see him in my mirror).

Too funny! :mrgreen:

Matt
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Matt,

40 mph on the bike path raises a safety issue. You may me be a responsible and aware rider but not everyone is. The more EVs we have on the bike path, the more late-for-work, snickers-eating-while-texting, regular joes we have among them. Not much fun for those of us who enjoy the tranquility and relative safety of bike paths.
 
Haven't encountered any trolls. They don't even know I'm electric. I had a road biker pass me doing like 30mph and he complimented me as I was around 24mph with pedalling on my e-comfort bike. When I first started doing this around 2 years ago, I couldn't pedal much due to knee pain. Last week I pedalled a regular bike and did a 500 foot climb with no pain. Had to stop twice to catch my breath though.
 
40 mph in the bike path isn't safe. In my state, above 25 mph and you aren't even a moped, you are a motorcycle and belong in the street. But if the path is clear, I do hit 30 on the downhills of the bike path, and stay around 20 or less if there are people. Mostly I have it to myself now, between the $1.70 gas and cooler weather.
 
On the solar trike - new hub, minus solar panels, I've hit 25 mph, probably more left, but not with me at the controls.

To hijack my own thread - for the 'faster' riders out there, when you are moving at or near the limit, do you still have folks that want to pass you? I've noticed that a lot, even when there are double yellow lines, folks in cars seem to have no qualms about boosting it way over the limit and crossing the yellow lines. I wonder if they consider it to be 'ok' because I'm on a bike, therefore not a threat. Were I on a loud Harley, wearing colors, would they still try? Discounting rival gang members, of course. Is the answer fake colors, a wig and my mp3 and speakers playing motorcycle exhaust sounds? Don't bother, I'll slap myself.
 
IMHO drivers will always want to pass a bike, regardless of speed. It is because when they come close enough to notice you, they have to give you their full attention since you are an unpredictable hazard. As soon as they pass and you are in their rear view mirror, you are no longer a threat and they can go back to daydreaming. Or talking on the phone, or texting, or playing video games (if a bus driver).
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/10008/40/
 
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