The advantagestagis the bike of route electric

Among the new bikes on the market, Gravel and VAE route expand the manufacturers' offering while broadening the horizons of consumers. Sometimes criticized but above all misunderstood, electrically assisted bicycles often arouse controversy. However, there may be many advantages to them.tages, which we list here, perhaps to encourage you to take the plunge.

By Jean-Yves Couput – Photos: @3bikes.fr / Cannondale / DR

My favorite question has always been, for as long as I can remember: WHY ? Le Why is magic. It allows you to ask the right questions and thereby understand better. Ask it several times, and you penetrate to the heart of things, you find the real answers. But there I decided to give up the Why for the benefit of WHY NOT ? A simple addition, symbol of letting go, of the present moment to live, of the experience to discover. Without prejudice, without bias.

Yet, in this new world of electric bicycles, there are many judgments. From the haughty " Lazy! » thrown by the extremist-masochist-traditionalist from cycling culture, to sarcastic “Hey, a nuclear bike!”, passing through the “Cheater!" launched by the Sunday morning runner, the one who only measures himself against those weaker than him. Everyone has their own point of view. Briefly returning to the meaning of words, let's dissect the expression point of view : the latter means an understanding, an interpretation, an opinion seen by someone about something. The point of view is not a truth, it is an opinion. It is therefore, by definition, biased. 

When it comes to electric bikes, there are two schools of thought, two camps. Those who classify themselves as VAE tribe and those who call it VAM. VAE, or Electrically Assisted Bicycle, or VAM, Muscle-Assisted Moped. I personally won't keep you in suspense: I'm pro-VAE. That said, I also like the concept of VAM, because after all, whether you put muscle fiber first or second, you still have to pedal, right?

Electric assistance in question

There is no more polarizing topic than this in cycling today. Critics view e-bike riders as under-cyclists, a qualifier that would please Thomas Pidcock, very recent e-MTB world champion, and let's not forget multiple world champion on route, in time trials, in cyclo-cross, in traditional mountain biking too. In short, when you pedal, you pedal…

If electric assistance has become the majority on singletracks, in mytagno, and in the undergrowth, and that the concept of mountain biking cannot be imagined without a cohabitation between muscular and muscular assisted, we are far from it on route. However, this type of bike in the bitumen or more adventurous Gravel version is becoming more and more present in manufacturers' catalogs.

For two years now I have given in to curiosity, and I was quickly won over by the range of possibilities that this type of machine provides. Its horizons are broad, whether it is to keep up with the pace in the bumps of your youngest and most spirited companions on Sunday outings, or to ride at your own pace in total control of your effort on difficult courses, to do a recovery outing without depriving yourself of putting your wheels on the passes, to recover from an injury, to resume after a long period of break, or even to challenge yourself with a few personal challenges such as doing the most elevation gain or kilometers possible with a single charge. But in the end, whatever the motivation, none of this matters, because cycling is above all about getting from point A to point B, with maximum pleasure. And there, the VAE is unanimous, showing itself to be a real pleasure factory.

In the end, whatever the motivation, cycling is above all about getting from point A to point B, with maximum pleasure. And there, the VAE is unanimous, showing itself to be a real pleasure factory.

But why, when the supply is so abundant, is it still so rare on our asphalt strips, and would it be uncommon? The road race of the cyclist is anchored in tradition, that of a slender, light, silent machine. And the VAE of route has some drawbacks. Slim? The assisted bicycle of route is not, or let's say that his medical certificate would have indicated a tendency to be overweight. Light ? Less than a bike route without engine. Silent ? Hmm… Okay, he can do better! But on each of these three subjects, modern e-bikes are progressing, to the point that they are now handled almost like a bike. route traditional, gradually eliminating the weight gap with the most refined racing bikes.

Break the codes

As for the practice of cycling itself, even more segregative, it is naturally anchored on the famous No pain no gain English adage which promotes suffering to the rank of primary value of the practitioner. Cycling is more Spartan than Epicurean, more masochistic than lewd. So you can imagine that the promise of fun and pleasure of an electrically assisted bicycle... You'll come back, dear friends!

However, I decided to shock you, to push you to your limits., to make you renounce your Spartan religion, to make you swallow your inquisitor WHY ? and for a moment, a brief moment, to put in your narrow little brain a viral WHY NOT ?

Why then, you, fanatic of the square of fabric pinned to your back with four safety pins, why then you, follower of lactate, puller of straight ends, MAMIL (Middle aged man in lycra) Sunday morning, would you not be ready for a moment, a brief moment, to reconto be born and admit that after all, the VAE is not so bad? Leave your pride at the door, and explore the routes and the paths of pleasure to ride. I succumbed to it, and I loved it! The VAE is a fantastic tool for varying the pleasures. Permissive, it allows me to pedal more often, further, higher, sometimes even faster. He allows me these escapades in high montagnot on days when my training schedule indicates recuperation. It allows me to relax my effort between intervals of uphill intensity. It allows me to do more difficult sessions without using assistance. Samaritan, it allows my dear and tender to accompany me without constantly cursing. 

It finally allows me to follow the young warriors of my club on certain climbs, and also to serve as their pacesetter when they decide to go for it. The first time they saw me coming to the Sunday morning meeting, I detected a few inquisitive, even disdainful, looks. The following Sunday, I was just the big brother, and I was called Coach ! Yep, in the same outing, I am a cyclist, sports director, coach, caring partner.

Further too, I told you. Yes, I found with the e-bike a wonderful way to train for my new passion, ultra-distance cycling. I no longer hesitate to extend my distances, because I know that whatever happens, I could get back with a little help if necessary. Thanks to the e-bike, I have reached some incredible milestones! A great companion for metabolic adaptation, my nuclear bike has allowed me to push the limits of my fasted training, making hypoglycemic incapacity almost a joke.

The VAE of route is only too often considered as a bicycle therapeutic, caring for old age, injury, disability… What if it turned out to be the magic recipe for cycling pleasure? To go from point A to point B, enjoying the fresh air, the view and the pleasure of controlled and natural cycling effort. My VAE of route is not ready to leave my stable, because I am worth it!

=> TO FOLLOW : The criteria for choosing a good bike route Electrically Assisted

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