New sub-forum? Off-Road

eTim

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 19, 2009
607
2
Andover, Hants.
If you were going to do it, then I think that the term 'off-road' is extremely misleading, on a number of accounts:

1. I would be expecting to see a forum dedicated to off-road riding, which would be great.
2. I wouldn't expect to see a discussion about electric bikes being ridden illegally on-road or off-road as the definition of off-road is just the same as riding on-road, they are both be illegal with a non-pedelec, unless it is taxed, insured, helmet etc.
3. The correct term should be 'private land'
4. Why do we need it? I'm happy with the discussion in the main forum.
5. If there needs to be a forum for illegal bikes why not call it 'Forum for illegal bikes (unless you are riding it on private land or have it registered, taxed, insured etc blah')
6. As above why not call it 'Electric moped/motorbike forum, it might look like a bicycle, but it's not really, however I do have tax, insurance, wear a helmet etc so ram it!' (this is getting repetitive).
7. Not sure why it's such a contentious issue on this forum, some people do seem to get their knickers in a twist for no apparent reason!!
8. Where is the electric motorbike/moped forum anyway (not on pedelecs)?
9. I like lists.
10. Who lives at Number 10? Behind the big square window?
11. Nurse, I need my meds.
 
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funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
27
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
If you were going to do it, then I think that the term 'off-road' is extremely misleading, on a number of accounts:

1. I would be expecting to see a forum dedicated to off-road riding, which would be great.
2. I wouldn't expect to see a discussion about electric bikes being ridden illegally on-road or off-road as the definition of off-road is just the same as riding on-road, they are both be illegal with a non-pedelec, unless it is taxed, insured, helmet etc.
3. The correct term should be 'private land'
4. Why do we need it? I'm happy with the discussion in the main forum.
5. If there needs to be a forum for illegal bikes why not call it 'Forum for illegal bikes (unless you are riding it on private land or have it registered, taxed, insured etc blah')
6. As above why not call it 'Electric moped/motorbike forum, it might look like a bicycle, but it's not really, however I do have tax, insurance, wear a helmet etc so ram it!' (this is getting repetitive).
7. Not sure why it's such a contentious issue on this forum, some people do seem to get their knickers in a twist for no apparent reason!!
8. Where is the electric motorbike/moped forum anyway (not on pedelecs)?
9. I like lists.
10. Who lives at Number 10? Behind the big square window?
11. Nurse, I need my meds.

I notice you seem to need your meds an awful lot Tim.......I presume the nurse is good looking :D :D

Lynda :)
 

shemozzle999

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 28, 2009
2,826
686
This situation reminds me of a time when there was a debate within the Mini Cooper Register Club whether to exclude BMW Owners from being a part of the Club. Objections from long standing members and purists were leading the cause.
Luckily commonsense prevailed and they were welcomed into the Club and happily exist side by side with the original Mini’s.
The Club has grown because of it and new membership increased.
It still has one of the highest attended annual external events at Beaulieu.
I doubt if that would have been the case if they had been excluded.

So for what its worth, my vote is for a continuing with the melting pot, welcome one and all.
 
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eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
The mini analogy does not really work IMO. You are discussing similar types of motor vehicles so no comparison to what is going on here...

The conversations I object to are those that casually discuss electric motorbikes on an e bike form..the irony being they would be better placed on a motor vehicle forum.

Perfect example yesterday on Thorn Raven build thread, about adding a legal 250 watt kit to a really interesting bike, last contribution was the following:

"Why did you feel the need to change the carbon fork? They are fines for low powered kits - approx 750w or below."

So a 750 watt motor is considered low powered? Again as I stated earlier. To my mind these kind or irresponsible and glib postings give out the wrong signals to anyone looking in for advice..
 

amigafan2003

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 12, 2011
1,389
139
eddieo - I don't know how someone can realistically say that one bike that has a 250watt motor and does 16mph and another that has 500 watts and does 20mph are drastically different.

I think most people with an ounce of common sense would say they are both ebikes, despite what the legislation states.

Oh and:-

So a 750 watt motor is considered low powered?
Of course it's low powered. Lets not forget many of your "legal" powered bikes make way more than 250watts - yours included iirc (590watts I believe). Hell, even a Cytronex on a Tongxin hub is 540watts. Haibikes peak at 740watts.
 
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shemozzle999

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 28, 2009
2,826
686
The mini analogy does not really work IMO. You are discussing similar types of motor vehicles so no comparison to what is going on here...

The conversations I object to are those that casually discuss electric motorbikes on an e bike form..the irony being they would be better placed on a motor vehicle forum.

Perfect example yesterday on Thorn Raven build thread, about adding a legal 250 watt kit to a really interesting bike, last contribution was the following:

"Why did you feel the need to change the carbon fork? They are fines for low powered kits - approx 750w or below."

So a 750 watt motor is considered low powered? Again as I stated earlier. To my mind these kind or irresponsible and glib postings give out the wrong signals to anyone looking in for advice..
Sorry Eddieo and Indalo I was asked to give my thoughs on the matter which I have done and I am quite happy with what I have said and don't feel I have any more to say on the subject apart from urging other members to have there say so that true reflection of the majority can be established which is what is going to help Russ come to a decision.
 
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eTim

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 19, 2009
607
2
Andover, Hants.
Perfect example yesterday on Thorn Raven build thread, about adding a legal 250 watt kit to a really interesting bike, last contribution was the following:"Why did you feel the need to change the carbon fork? They are fines for low powered kits - approx 750w or below."So a 750 watt motor is considered low powered? Again as I stated earlier. To my mind these kind or irresponsible and glib postings give out the wrong signals to anyone looking in for advice..
I've been considering a conversion of my Thorn Raven Nomad for some time, if someone with a 750w motor conversion was not allowed to post then I would be much poorer for not having a fellow Thorn owner around to maybe ask some pertinent questions.

What should really happen here is that the legality of a particular build should be highlighted and if it is a build that falls outside the legality of a pedelec then a warning should be provided that it is 'not technically a pedelec under the strict rule of law (but may be so if the EU changes the rules), anything you do ride may be seized and used in evidence against you, you do not have the right to remain silent'.

I would also have to exclude myself from the forum because of my 190rpm Synapse, now that would be a tragic loss for all of you.

Handbags at dawn! Nurse.....(yes she is pretty Lynn, especially in the uniform I ask her to wear :cool:)
 

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
what are you talking about.....Paul fitted a legal 8Fun 250 watt kit to his Thorn bike

Anyway the fictional 750 watt build will be 2 clicks of the mouse away
 
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eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6

indalo

Banned
Sep 13, 2009
1,380
1
Herts & Spain
Sorry Eddieo and Indalo I was asked to give my thoughs on the matter which I have done and I am quite happy with what I have said and don't feel I have any more to say on the subject apart from urging other members to have there say so that true reflection of the majority can be established which is what is going to help Russ come to a decision.
I'm not sure why you chose to mention my name as all I contributed to this thread was a very succinct remark to the OP, agreeing that I though his idea to consider a separate section was good.

Indalo
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,361
30,710
I'm not sure why you chose to mention my name as all I contributed to this thread was a very succinct remark to the OP, agreeing that I though his idea to consider a separate section was good.

Indalo
Your fame precedes you Indalo, as befits a great god from the past.
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
27
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Your fame precedes you Indalo, as befits a great god from the past.

ROFLOL........God....you are in a funny mood today Flecc :D :D

Lynda :)
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,361
30,710
ROFLOL........God....you are in a funny mood today Flecc :D :D

Lynda :)
As you live partly in Spain Lynda, from Wikipedia:

The Indalo is a prehistoric magical symbol found in the cave of "Los Letreros" ("The Signboards") in Sierra de María-Los Vélez Natural Park in Vélez Blanco, Spain. It has been customary to paint the Indalo symbol on the front of houses and businesses to protect them from evil (similar to Kokopelli of the south-western USA) and is considered to be a god totem.[1] The indalo has a Levantine origin and dates back to 2500 BC. The pictograph was named in memory of Saint Indaletius, and means Indal eccius (Messenger of the Gods) in the Iberian language.
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
27
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
As you live partly in Spain Lynda, from Wikipedia:

The Indalo is a prehistoric magical symbol found in the cave of "Los Letreros" ("The Signboards") in Sierra de María-Los Vélez Natural Park in Vélez Blanco, Spain. It has been customary to paint the Indalo symbol on the front of houses and businesses to protect them from evil (similar to Kokopelli of the south-western USA) and is considered to be a god totem.[1] The indalo has a Levantine origin and dates back to 2500 BC. The pictograph was named in memory of Saint Indaletius, and means Indal eccius (Messenger of the Gods) in the Iberian language.

Yes, I know......Indalo has explained his name choice before.........interesting... :D

Lynda :)
 
C

Cyclezee

Guest
Yes, I know......Indalo has explained his name choice before.........interesting... :DLynda :)
Thanks for enlightening me Lynda, I was under the impression that the poor chap had an unfortunate problem with his digestive system:eek:
 

shemozzle999

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 28, 2009
2,826
686
I'm not sure why you chose to mention my name as all I contributed to this thread was a very succinct remark to the OP, agreeing that I though his idea to consider a separate section was good.

Indalo
Simple answer:

The mini analogy does not really work IMO. You are discussing similar types of motor vehicles so no comparison to what is going on here...

The conversations I object to are those that casually discuss electric motorbikes on an e bike form..the irony being they would be better placed on a motor vehicle forum.

Perfect example yesterday on Thorn Raven build thread, about adding a legal 250 watt kit to a really interesting bike, last contribution was the following:

"Why did you feel the need to change the carbon fork? They are fines for low powered kits - approx 750w or below."

So a 750 watt motor is considered low powered? Again as I stated earlier. To my mind these kind or irresponsible and glib postings give out the wrong signals to anyone looking in for advice.. Share
Share this post on
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Like indalo likes this.
 
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johnc461165

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 19, 2011
546
22
WN6
Happy with the situation as it is, my main interests on here are the technical things, so bikes being legal or not doesn't bother me......
 
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oigoi

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 14, 2011
467
7
We are considering splitting the discussion of 'off-road' bikes and kits away from the main forum into its own sub-forum.

Thoughts please....
I do not think it is necessary to have a separate forum for "off road bikes". All that is necessary is for forum members to behave with respect for each other which by and large everyone does.

We all make our choices and live by them. A member might not agree with another person's opinions or ideas or the fact they are breaking the law. A member might think they're being selfish and risking spoiling it for everyone but realistically that is not going to happen.

I might read someone else's post and think "that's just a stupid thing to do" but I'm happy to let them get on with it.