As an older rider, ebikes are what got me back into the sport after about 10 years since I rode regularly. With the damage I've done over the years to my knees, I have one lap in me if I ride an acoustic. An ebike lets me do multiple climbs in an outing without causing me days of knee pain afterwards. I get that not everyone has them and am super courteous when climbing and hate the attitude that somehow I don't deserve to be on the same trails because I'm not on an acoustic. I've done my laps and my miles the old way and this makes the sport much more accessible and, as Nic points, an absolute blast. I have a Trek Rail, not an RM, but these things are just fun. I also love seeing ebike content from respected KZfaqrs like Nic and Berm Unit. Maybe that will help with the attitude issues that some have towards ebikes.

I feel like he's letting more of his personality show and it's great!

Awesome ride ! So technical ! 70 y/o 30 yrs riding and 3 yrs post aortic valve replacement and absolutely loving my Levo. This is my retirement so I’m showing great respect to others. Enjoy !

You’ve done it! You made climbing entertaining. 👏👏

CLIMBING CLIMBING CLIMBING.

I, for one, welcome our new e-bike overlords.

I've been riding an Instinct Powerplay for about a month, and I am kind of feeling the same. It's a blast on the tight techy stuff, and it holds its own everywhere, but it is no replacement for my Slayer on more open and faster descents. But there is one benefit that was a complete surprise to me. I have been riding eBikes for about 6 months now and I have experienced a profound improvement in my fitness. I am pretty much splitting my riding time down the middle between my ebike and analog bike, and I think my ebike rides have allowed me to pedal up anything without my heart rate being pinned. It has also facilitated active rest allowing for better recovery. And now climbs that I have done for years have become easier and faster on my analog bike. Being able to climb 6000' (1800 meters) also provides a TON of downhill practice as well.

Excellent vid. I’m 58, 250 5’10” started riding at 55 a Levo and now cube 180/160 just a gabbling beast. Used to ride early 80’s to mid 90’s when it was all new and I remember the punishing climbs . Married early, 3 kids early ,career self employed 72 hours a week kids in hockey 45 hours a week (family,work,repeat for 30 straight years ) . Everyone has moved on and so have I with my e bike addiction fun got me out enjoying the mountains with out having a Hart Attack, and gradually progressing and getting fit. By the way I can’t do impact sports. I ride a hard tail on lower elevations and love it . E bike is a great option for some of us .

Thanks for being a positive influence for ebikers! There are far too many haters out there.

As an electrical engineer, it only makes sense for you to ride an e-bike.

Nic is literally the best north shore KZfaqr

Always love seeing you bomb the North Shore and reminding me how awesome that part of the city is, keep making great content.

Great Great video dude! I work for Rocky Mountain here in Australia (I'm a Canadian though) and this has to be the best video hands down for showing what the Powerplay is capable of...so well done! just one thing, not sure if you noticed but your iWok remote was flashing error. Bike seemed to be working fine though so WHO CARES...Lol!!!!

Each to their own I guess. I am not for ebikes in general personally, but I do see their value for those with physical limitations and getting them out on the trails. I am however concerned on the extra trail wear I am seeing on steep sections of climbing trails, which I suspect "could" be from ebikes. But I know that I cannot rule out the increased number of riders in general, as I keep hearing how the sport has boomed in the last year or so.

Wife and I have had this same bike for 3 years now. It’s changed our family for good. I started riding in 96 with my dad. I started my boys on trails at age 3. We tow them all the way up and drop in on the flow trails. We will do 6 laps. I wouldn’t be able to do that under leg power due to my knee. I once had a norco VPS, that was a heavy bike, once this bike gets going you don’t notice it, probably cuz of the 29ers. I do not like 29ers, they don’t fit my riding style, I’m constantly worrying if they are gonna fold. Pros and cons…… The power play system has been perfect on both bikes, same with the chargers. I really would like to get a pedal bike once the boys are older. I’m hoping my knee is conditioned now and won’t have the problems I had.

A lot of riders don’t understand e-bikes, they seem to think they have power like a dirt bike. Which isn’t true, they only assist in climbing, not roosting dirt up the trail, like I’ve seen in comments. Lol. Anyway, awesome videos.

It must be so weird talking to yourself on the trail! Great vid Van Can! 😀

Really enjoyed the extra commentary during riding

Man, when e-bikes get cheaper they'll be great.

I rented an e bike a few years ago and I’ve been waiting one ever since , the only thing holding me back is the price . For a middle age guy thats not in the best of shape, it made the climbs much better. You can definitely feel the weight on the dh and dj but i can see myself getting used to it .

The only downside of ebikes is pretty much that they are more expensive and worse for the environment. And maybe not crazily flickable.

Great review! Subscribed!

Thanks for saying hi @ 9:27 😎👍my bro's are famous now 😂

can you please review ones of these bikes levo sl / kenevo sl /orbea rise

great vid! loved it. Also never understand the hate on ebikes. I know when my body gets rough an ebike will be in the cards.

Tried an ebike yesterday buying a RM tomorrow. Great video!

I used to hate on e-bikes but I really do get the appeal for some riders. Especially someone like me now. Living with a newborn I don't exactly get out like I used to and my fitness is waaay down. Having an e-bike would allow me to rip more laps/go further in the same amount of time that I would with my normal bike. Just wish they weren't so expensive!

I love the premise of ebikes but for me the biggest obstacle, or pet peeve, is cost. It really reinforces the elitism/classism of the sport, which is already undeniably brutal regardless of the discipline... that and the damage they do to xc trails. The rutting has been getting noticeably worse locally, especially after rain. With great power comes great responsibility. All that said I want one so bad.

wow that's one sick bike

Im back. I just got the pwerplay altitude its a awesome bike.

girlfriend or ebike??? ebike🤙🤙🤙lets go!!

I finally got to ride a e bike. All I can say is its a game changer. I dont mind climbing but damn e bike makes it more fun. Im getting that same bike in the future.

The cost is the biggest factor for the average income person. Also in the Carolinas most trails systems don’t legally allow ebikes. So it would severely limit my riding area. Beautiful footage and riding. Most ebikes are not the best looking rigs. So until the cost, trail access and looks get better l’ll stick with my own pedal power👍

Personally I'd rather have the simplicity and "flickability" of a regular old mountain bike, especially for my more technical/feature oriented riding style. That said, I imagine it is a fun option to have and makes the sport more accessible. Choice is great!

Nice video!

The E-bike argument/disagreement today is like the full suspension argument/disagreement of yesterday late 90's/2000's. It just doesn't make sense that someone can't be against advanced bike technology that's gonna make your ride experience that much better. E-bikes are flipping awesome, but they cost too much for now. Full suspension bikes are awesome to ride as well & when you combined them together it's like chocolate and peanut butter ❤ With that being said I do not own a full suspension E-bike. Yet😏

Love eMTBs. Keep posting more please. Yeeww!

Hey I was looking at the altitude 70 which is listed as an enduro, do you know if the big differences between yours instinct and altitude ride?

I don't typically tell stories on you tube comments but I feel the need. Your video is excellent and honestly I am an advocate of ebikes I will also say this. Responsible mountain bikers, those who ride without destroying the trails can be on ebikes or regular. Since that's one of the bigger complaints I just want to put that out there. Last year I broke my ankle. I also happen to be a Clydesdale (6ft 4 and was over 300 pounds) which is assisted by the ebike. After breaking my ankle I wanted back on the bike quickly and the ebike helped with that. I was back on the bike quickly. First with lots of assist and then slowly trimmed it back. I had always been a decent downhiller but uphills are abysmal to miserable. Ebikes helped get me access to trails that matched my technical desire. Ebikes also greatly improved my cardio, I could down regulate my heart rate and hit a good constant state. I lost 30 pounds in part because of the ebike. I .. hated jumping. The ebike let me lap and session more easily then before finally filling a gap (figuratively and literally) in my riding. While i am not sure I will ever jump like yourself I can function on trails with jumps now. My ebike helped get me there. I ride my analog 70 percent of the time with 30 percent on the ebike. I can ride longer, more often and with less rest which has helped build up my endurance. At my smallest I will always be on the super side of heavy for mtbikers and it evens the playing field. I can do group rides and not feel like I slow everyone down. That's a serious barrier for us football player sized riders. The ebike is amazing and I credit my conditioning, weight Loss and newfound "almost" enjoyment of climbing to it. I find it a bike to compliment my other bikes and endorse anyone who wants to use one to use one. I have often used the passive argument you posed at the beginning Do they also hate shuttles and lifts? Great riding I have loved the recent addition of more commentary. Your story telling and timing have really improved.

Check out the 2022 model. Lynn Valley Bikes has them.

I’ve been in a powerplay for 2 seasons now. Over 3000 Km’s of riding and only 2 shuttles that whole time. I’m lapping guys in their trucks because retrieval times and logging road conditions make the laps much longer even with a driver. Getting bad vibes from guys riding analog downhill bikes is hilarious. They never pedal anyway.

Lol the climbing montage

I think e-bikes are great. Personally, not for me at this moment as I love the challenge of the climb. But as I get older it will definitely be something that I consider.

i live in pisgah..i need one for the epic long rides

wait till you see what they've got coming on the eeb front!

I would say im not against e bikes per say, but i just feel like i would lazy out and use the motor instead of exercise that i need. However on flip side ebikes allow people that otherwise could not to enjoy mtb rides and get into the sport. I guess it all comes down to what you need and what your personality is like.

What size are you on and how tall are you? I’ve heard they run short. At 5-11.5 I usually ride a large bike but wondering if an XL would be better for me. Based on rocky mtns size chart I fit more or less in both sizes.

sick video

Damn man you should buy one of these, you looked so natural on it

How many bikes do you own? This looks amazing.

Why can’t you just turn off power on the descents so you doesn’t boost you too much on the skinnies?

What trail system is this? Thanks!

You'd think that those who are against ebikes must surely be against all forms of motor driven transportation. Otherwise, they lack logic and embrace the feeling of being overwhelmed by their emotions. Or they are simply hypocrites.

I am 49. Decentish shape for an old guy. Better than some, worse than most serious bikers. I do not have an E Bike. I am good for 2..... Maybe 2.5 climbs Thornhill or Fromme to Bobcat at BEST. Can climb Thornhill with no dabs. I "like" the climbs. Great fitness. But there are HUGE areas of these hills that I will never see..... Would be nice to ride all day. Would be nice to go WAAAY the eff up Burke...... Would be nice to do this at 60..... 🤣 On the DOWNHILLS - my heart rate typically 130+ Super star Dale Stone on the DESCENTS hitting a heart rate of 180.... Would still get out, go biking, and get a great workout. Am not trading up my Giant Trance 2. But I do see the benefit....

People believe that ebikes hurt the trails worst. They think its more dangerous. I think its a power thing or a controlling thing where if they dont have it you dont need it.

I bought a Giant Trance e+ a year ago. Best thing I ever did. I can lower the assist and get a great workout or turn it up and ride twice as many laps.

Hey Nic just wondering what trail you rode first was called?? It looks really fun.

I like the idea of E-bikes more than shuttling or bike parks.

I’m really interested in the Rocky Mountain Ebikes, but strangely they get almost no coverage by the media. I’m torn between the Rocky Mountain and a Santa Cruz Heckler. I can get a BC Edition Rocky or a Heckler with Reserve wheels for about the same price. Which bike should I pick?

I hate that they are so expensive. I also hate that they make it hard to ride with others who don't have e bikes. Also I don't want to regret buying my Enduro which took all of my savings so as s defense mechanism, I hate e bikes😁

I think it would be cool if they added a "motor" or "ebike" lever to the bars so you could easily switch to pedal power or motor power at any time

Once they get affordable (after the hype - say 18 or 24 months from here) I might be tempted ;o)

I got to demo that bike it’s so fun

Where is this trail?

Can you make a video where you try and ride the gnarlier trails at Seymour? (IE: Incline and some of the loamers)

It’s because they don’t like the idea of them riding an ebike, for 1of 2 reasons we don’t want to spend the money or we feel like it’s better to stay independent

I wouldn't buy an ebike as my only bike bc i ride a lot of dirtjumps and jump heavy trails and I'm pretty light so that's not ideal. Also in my region the mountains are like 200m high at max so I don't really need the benefits of an ebike

I like e bikes just can't afford one at the moment

I have not had the pleasure of trying one of these E-Bikes in any capacity, my biggest question though, what is the life expectancy of these batteries and or motors. The batteries used in these are similar to say a laptop battery, only bigger. These only last for a finite amount of time. With the changes in the biking industry and parts along with their trends go to the wayside for the latest and greatest at the time, how will the industry deal with this piece of technology that will indeed age, probably very quickly and be obsoleted. This is my biggest concern as I tend to keep my bikes for longer than most. I have gone through several laptop batteries in the time I have owned my '15 Transition Patrol.

When YT comes out with the new ebikes, please review one! 🙏

For me the problem with ebikes is the price. As a student I cant afford great bikes and ebikes are even more pricy.

0:59 Man the ebike is awesome 💨💨

I'm all for e bikes but not the price

If I have to say one positive thing about an e-bike, it's surprisingly quiet ..

you shot this last Monday

I wish my giant glory Had the e-bike motor peddling DH bike up a hill is not fun they is a famous Saying no pain no gain i'm not against e bikes I think it's just cheating that's why I'm sticking with my glory until the frame snaps And I'm still rocking 26s They are not dead and then never will be

Awesome Riding #eMTBlife

So Nic, would you own an emtb as one bike in the fleet, vs the only bike you own?

I've converted to ⚡and I'll be riding ebikes for ever. I'm too lazy

People who don't like ebikes are jealous and or resentful that they can't afford one. *In my opinion. Like myself, I am an average Joe who lives paycheck to paycheck with no hope for affording an education or extras in life like an ebike.. and I resent the fact that the cost of mountain biking is 95% out of my reach. I ride a marlin 5 with upgraded parts.

Hi, do you have or know if they fixed the Waterproof Ness of the controller on the handle bars and do you have issues with water in the clutch like this gentleman has in this review kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i9qRh6qhu62baHU.html Thank you

Mr vancan

i'll go for e-bike if they look like kenevo, no big battery in the downtube and cheaper of course😁

I'm poor

Excellent!

When you get tired of that bike my B-day is in August 😁

Answering the Question am I against E-Bikes? A= Yes, as a rider in Britain we dont have many shuttles and the only ones we have are vehicles and thats all. we also have some very tiring hills but we like to work hard and personaly I think that Non E-Bikes is the real way to experience Mountain Biking to its fall potential!

Have not been a fan of ebikes (because of risk of user conflict on multi-use trail resulting in reduced access, also damage to sensitive non-shuttle trails that are hard to access) but 32min to CBC from Old Buck is appealing... takes me about 90min pedaling up the road on my MTB.

2nd

I'm all for e-bikes I just... don't want one aha. I really enjoy the feeling of getting places under my own power, and especially on backcountry rides I like the feel of being able to go as far as my legs can take me. The eeb obviously would degrade that feeling what with having to watch the battery and whatnot. However, if I could afford having like 2-3 bikes I would consider an e-bike for the local laps. Anyways I often take the bus up Burnaby Mountain for extra laps... but a monthly pass is significantly less than an e-bike ahahaha

The reason I would never buy an Ebike is that biking is the only activity I like doing cardio on. If you give me an Ebike I have nothing left haha. (That and the price)

My only problem with eBikes is when I'm busting my ass climbing up some single track and have to pull over to let an eBike past and lose all momentum. On my local (up and down) trails it seems like I'm the only non ebike rider so I'm pulling over every 5 minutes!

why didn't you reset the controller? its blinking red & yellow when it should be in one steady color (Eco, Trail, Boost).

I love the idea if ebikes making the sport more accessible and would personally like to use them on easy ride days to get to some more trails and for skills work. But as far as if there were only ebikes, I would definitely lose alot of the interest in the sport, because a large part of it for me is the fitness and racing aspect which would be lost with a motor

I a not a fan of E bikes, I ride my bike to get away from the electronics, I don’t need them on my bike. That being said if some day I have physical restriction that hinders my riding then I would get a Ebike, I think there great for that. I feel the same way about the electronic shifting I don’t want the electronics on my bike.

yeah I am really into earn your climb mentality. I just kinda hate how every guy who has a ebike has to brag about it. LIKE BRO, I GET IT COOL FOR YOU BUT CAN YOU SHUT UP ABOUT RIDING WITH A MOTOR. that`s about it. apart from that ebikes are cool.

First

I think max grip tires should be a must have on ebikes

I really don't care too much about looks when it comes to a bike, but this huge motorblock just looks horrible and would be an absolute no-go for me..shame, the rest of the bike seems pretty brilliant

To answer the questions, it's about earning those thrills. Without the contrast of doing the work, the descents are not as fun. I'm not against using a lift, as they are an excellent way to session and build skills. However, after a day of lift access, I'm seriously craving a climb. If all MTB were e-mtb in 5 years, I'd probably switch to travel or road.