From GMBN to EMBN: Neil Donoghue on E-Bikes, Tech, & His Big Career Shift

[@embn]

Thanks for the Pod, we're proper excited to have Neil full-time on EMBN! Watch this space for more 😁

[@downtimepodcast]

It's going to be great to see what he brings to the channel!

[@maxwelllong3308]

Neil hit it right on the money - the US is way behind the UK and Europe when it comes to e-bikes.

[@yodapig]

I think it depends where you live... California is very eMTB friendly - they get it.

[@1monkeyflower]

Thank god for that.

[@sadiejones7991]

I believe one reason is because we have a MX within an hour drive no matter where you're at. Especially in the SE

[@sadiejones7991]

​@@1monkeyflower😂

[@optimoespacio]

Even in the uk there’s a massive difference. Scotland is absolute ebike heaven. England your stuck to bridleways and trail centers.

[@speedymadr6]

Really looking forward to seeing Neil on the channel alongside Steve. I had knee surgery 4 years ago, I recovered OK but 2 years later my knee started giving me grief again. I bought my e bike last September and wish I had done it sooner, it is just so much fun.

[@ap8833]

E- bikes still seem a bit out of reach from a price point for most riders. I enjoy watching Neil and Blake bikepacking series and would love to see more destinations- if an ebike keeps Neil pedaling than its only the next stage of a cycling journey. As long as you are healthy and doing what you Love to inspire others its all good.

[@RobHill00]

Just got my Amflow today!🥳 working the weekend so can’t ride it til next week😭

[@robmooremtb]

My Ebike is my favorite bike . 3 times as many laps . Ride stuff in wouldn't ride normally . Best thing i ever did

[@dadventuretv2538]

Ditto here.

[@drc2088]

I now have two e-bikes, A Rocky Mountain PowerPoint Instinct for summer riding and just recently a RM PP Blizzard fat bike for winter riding. With our long winters, fat bike riding keeps me active, apart from the fact, it's also a blast. Other than myself and one other rider in our group, the rest all ride analog bikes. The guys like to rib me, but deep down, they are jealous, ha! I'll soon be 68 and the e-bike hasn't affected my fitness one bit, for the simple fact, my rides are so much further, and at a much faster speed. Many people think you don't get exercise with an e-bikes, but that is far from the truth. The longer and faster really taxes my upper body a whole lot more. I've had to join a gym to do upper body strengthening. I still ride my analog bikes, especially with my grandsons, however, e-bikes are much more fun.

[@Calvin_Wright]

Nice one guys. Ebs are just another kind of bike. For me they’re apart of the natural evolution of mtbs. Like suspension and disc brakes there are opinions but ultimately it’s just another bike 🤙🫶

[@jokermtb]

the USA is definitely behind on e-mtbs. Took me over 2 years to help with convincing the State of Michigan land managers that not only were e-mtbs not motorcycles, but actual mountain bikes....took forever, but they are now legal on most all our pubic non-motorized natural surface trails in the state. Education and changing minds and perspectives take a long time.

[@yodapig]

The main issue in the US is the proliferation of Class-2 and throttle only e-bikes (rather than Class-1 eMTBs), plus Surrons and the like... It's tiresome trying to explain the fundamental difference between a Class-1 bike (which is what all the mainstream manufacturers offer) and cheap imports and home-brew electric bikes time and time again - and you can see why some authorities don't want to have to differentiate (or rely on their Rangers to do so), so just 'ban' everything...

[@dadventuretv2538]

Thank you!

[@dadventuretv2538]

@@yodapighence the beed for people like Joker. Ignorance and laziness is not an excuse for our land managers.

[@drc2088]

I did a trip to Marquette area with a group of guys and had a blast on the those trails. It's also a great town. Earlier this year when I looked into going back with my e-bike, all the trails I was interested in riding were closed to e-bikes, so no go. Correct me if I'm wrong!

[@jokermtb]

@@drc2088 Michigan is now fully legal for emtbs, including Copper Harbor trails. The Marquette trails (Nomequon Trail Network - NTN) was actually at the forefront of demonstrating that emtbs were just fine for trail sustainability and have allowed emtbs for the last two years (even though michigan still had the prohibition in effect). Now, aside from a dozen or so controlled game hunting areas and Federal wilderness preserves (which don't really have any 'mountain bike trails'), it's pretty much wide open for ebikes! I gotta say, it changes everything for really getting into those up north trails

[@Formula1875]

You’ll do great Neil. Just another channel for me to follow. ☕️ cheers.

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

I'm really expecting good things at embn with Neil onboard. I don't hate ebikes I had one for awhile and I'm very enthusiastic about gas powered two wheelers... but I tasted depreciation and some bugs. I'm often renting newer ebikes I'm just not ready to spend all that money yet when something new is around the corner every week 😂😅

[@mtbalpinecounty]

E=MTB □ Add the element to any riding type, and you get a better well rounded workout, aid for those who have needs. Older riders who need a boost, Aging body, ailing body parts, will to keep pushing and the love of Cycling Squared arrives at this formula..😉💪

[@gibbykirwan7788]

Can't blame him for moving on. Gmbn just hasn't been the same since Doddie left. Bingers is bang on but Anna just seems to be repeating stuff Doddie did before, Martin just talks shite ALL the time, the bit wi "toff" is utterly pointless & the new teq guy just doesn't have the personality. Shame. I used to live gmbn

[@bikespike711]

Just some concerns: You are leaving one of the foremost biking channels for EMBN which has stalled. EMBN pushes products disproportionally and viewers are put off by aggressive advertising being passed as reviews - comes across as disingenuous. I am saddened to learn of your catalogue of injuries, being at EMBN is no safe haven - scrutiny of your risk appetite and deep dive in to your near misses and falls has the key. You must know why the other presenters left and hope you have addressed those issues with your co presenter - at a guess independence in content / finances / being allowed to front the channel / settling disagreements. I wish you well and hope you bring freshness to EMBN that it desperately needs. Steve is like ‘proper’ excited to have you onboard, let’s hope the feeling lasts mutually.

[@NickBerry70s]

Serious question. How can you be bombing along on the Amflow at 20mph and still be making use of the DJI motor, unless it's been illegally derestricted?

[@lda6496]

I was thinking the same .I spent today on a amflow ,the bike has an awful on off surge at 15mph + making it hard to ride over the 15mph limit . The motor is strong the whole package isn’t great

[@rustychain9518]

I don’t know anyone that hates e-bikes or e-bike riders but it does seem that any suggestion that riding an e-bike is easier or that it would affect my fitness is met with venom by e-bike riders and I’m immediately labeled a hater. I’m only 57 and my health and fitness are good so I don’t need an e-bike to do the type of riding I do but when I’m old and I feel like I need one I’ll surely get one so I can keep riding.

[@yodapig]

I think it's perhaps because both of those criticisms are unfounded (and repeated ad infinitum on every eMTB thread)... Yes, in like for like conditions an eMTB can be easier to ride - especially up steeper hills - but fundamentally you can choose how much assistance you get (from max to min to none at all if you wish) - and it is that flexibility which allows you to ride much further and more frequently than you might otherwise do on a non-assisted bike. Therefore it is really up to the user to decide how much riding the eMTB is going to affect their overall fitness longer term. Also, and perhaps fundamentally to this 'argument' is that no one is insisting you give up your existing bike - it's not an either or decision, you can have both - as Neil says above, it's nice to have the option of riding assisted or not, as conditions and circumstances dictate.

[@amud1e]

Because it's nothing to do with age you can be lazy on either or go all out on either. Take one out and run a heart rate monitor and ride it hard up and down the trails. I like to ride both

[@japanunfound]

@@yodapig Perfect post regarding not being 'either or', and about the great merits of a long day with multiple climbs and therefore more downhill fun. Although I don't want to go down the tech trails here on an eMTB TBH. Looks difficult to manouvre. The 'criticisms' as you see them however, are not even criticisms, they are points of view. Besides that, if you don't have the option of 'assist', you can't choose it, if you do, at some point you will. This is realism. I ride with various people. One guy, who is very fit indeed, always shows up on an eMTB. I hate it. Uses his power to get up the hills, then when others catch up, just speeds off again on the next trail. It's Japan, so no-one raises a fuss, but I think it's very selfish. EMTB is all good, but I wish people would show some common courtesy.

[@JamesGoddardftw]

If you just plod around the same trail centre routes then e bikes are easy and will have a not negative but not positive more neutral effect on the body. Its still good cardio but you wont be conditioning any 😢muscle. If you use the advantage of an ebike however its an insane workout. I cleaned Snowdon (our highest mountain) a few weeks ago my heart rate was at 85% of maximum for a solid hour and hauling up the techy rocky jankyness is full on physical effort. E bikes are more than mtb, thats what the haters hate

[@tico78742]

@@amud1eI still get out of breath on my ebike and have to take breaks. It’s a different kind of ride.

[@tonygee3284]

It's the way mtbing is going the future is here

[@rab..]

I'd have an emtb in a heartbeat if it weren't for the abysmal lack of frameset only options . I'm not spending 8 or 9 grand on a complete bike with the right battery and motor combo just to strip it down to said frame , battery and motor , build it up with the build kit i've spent years and thousands getting right for me and sell the standard parts for a further loss. Same reason i wouldn't buy a complete regular mtb. And that's not a dig at buying complete bikes , they serve a great purpose i just don't want to buy a load of parts i'm not gonna use because i've spent years accumulating nicer stuff i'd enjoy using more.

[@sersolo3112]

I'm normally like that with every bike swapping things out over and over but I recently picked up a actionteam 140 and for once I feel like I don't need to change a thing it's still stock and I love it that way now it does have high spec tho

[@rabb93]

​@@sersolo3112 glad you found the right bike in the right spec for yourself!

[@MrPindie]

An e-bike can’t stop the racer mind. Yes you can go uphill quickly and it’s a spike of enthusiasm but…one a racer, always a racer. You’ll still have crashes. The potential to get battered never stops until you take up knitting or darts. Knitting will make you fat. Darts will make you a drinker and create another addict problem. Do what you do. Just try to wind the wick down a tad. You can do it.

[@iconaan]

I've been following EMBN since the very beginning, and I really hope Neil manages to fix and improve the chemistry with Steve, as the others didn't quite fit into the show as well. EMBN has lost a lot with Chris's departure because he and Steve were the perfect duo. I also hope you won't replace Steve, as most e-bikers are over 50 anyway. Steve must stay-he's the star of the show! Greetings from Slovenia! Iztok

[@InfiniteMishaps]

Not sure how it’s any more disruptive compared to a known player like Bosch introducing a new system for other brands to partner with.

[@kevinstanley3581]

I quite like watching Neil. Feel you need a counter to the madness coming from the other presenters. Might start watching EMBN again once he is there. Not a fan of Steve Jones.

[@InfiniteMishaps]

Please tell me this isn’t trending towards a soft replacement of Steve as he is getting older.

[@Bobhurley-cf5xd]

GMBN is awesome and better than ever!

[@andymoss4285]

He means 15.5mph 😉

[@paulhusky580bts]

Back in August I got Diagnosed with Osteoporosis so wrecked me go riding off road in Winter as me very Liable Break any bones if Fall off my Full Suspension Ebike

[@camperp195]

Is he taking ove rfrom that awful welsh presenter? Hope so

[@jaredmathews2983]

Last four years has been an odd time in the USA, and more and more people are fed up with the nonsense. Hopefully, the next four years will be better. In Moab, the BLM is currently considering opening a lot of mtb trails to class 1 e-bikes. Even if they don’t straight away, they will eventually simply due to loss of financial revenue, which will go to more e-bike friendly locations like Bentonville.

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

If Santa Cruz puts out a MX Nomad with the DJI around 42-45 lbs... It will be one of the most sold bikes on the market. Everyone wants a 180mm full power SL...

[@thegefster1988]

Neil seems sad though. Glad he can still ride.

[@TigerRagFishingTeam]

Hopefully you can change the hearts and minds of the trail czars in the Eastern US to allow E-MTN Bikes. Many, specifically in Western NC don't allow ebikes on the trails. Please help make the argument that they're not evil! 😂

[@TheArrowFist]

US doesn’t embrace e-bikes because we don’t do things the easy way. it’s our attitude that makes us the richest and most powerful country in the world. Once our soft ass millennials finally get jobs e-bikes will be more popular.

[@matthewesquivel9551]

😂😂😂😂 you’re joking right America is literally the laziest county in the world Our country has the highest obesity rate in the world we’re always looking for a quick fix. Ozempic and fast food for example

[@TheArrowFist]

@ your right! But we are still the richest country and we have the most powerful armed forces. Both are true.

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

@@matthewesquivel9551 That's a pretty stereotypical thing to say. Still the richest and most powerful, for a country of cheese burger eaters, we sure whoop everyone's ass in the Olympics... Do we do everything right? Hell no.. That's why you can't paint with a broad brush.. A good way to get the majority of people more in shape and out of their houses is promoting ebike use at least at the class 1 level... Too many people think of surrons and commuter bikes when they think of ebikes.

[@EOHRyan]

Millennials are in their 40s now, how long you planning on waiting? 😂

[@cycologist7069]

@@TheArrowFist So how does that tie in to anything?

[@j.lafleur6659]

Mr personality now on EMBN!!! Who cares honestly. Rather watch paint dry

[@JasonThomass]

Neil just seems bored and disinterested on any of the shows that he is on. I think that the Network should have moved him on years ago. This doesn't make any sense at all.

[@AliB-cf3bq]

I agree - time for him to leave.

[@JasonThomass]

@@AliB-cf3bq Neil has lost any enthusiasm for mountain biking years ago. It seems like he is just doing it for the pay check now.

[@shb8124]

Gotta be honest he really doesn't seem very "excited" here, he's saying the words but it the feeling isn't coming across.

[@benpalmer876]

Nah I think that's just his personality... I prefer him to Blake

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

@@JasonThomass Not everyone has to act like a clown in a circus to entertain their audience. I've always liked Neil's segments personally. Love Blake too though.

[@nicolaspade1341]

I find Neil to be the best presenter on GMBN. The other presents are just trying too hard and are quite annoying, except Owen, I like him too. Can’t handle Blake these days. Shame Neil is going to EMBN, I don’t ride an e-bike so not much incentive for me watch that channel

[@SnideArt]

Im not being anti-ebike but the rise of ebikes is worrying... i get them if your old or have health issues but healthy dudes. Challenge yourselves! Make all the excuses you want, you buy them because its easier (not always a good thing). At least roadies are still riding real bikes

[@sersolo3112]

Between working 5 12hour shifts with a full fitness routine in the gym throughout the week and hiking in between at the end of the week I don't want to challenge myself anymore I want fast efficient effortless fun I spent years cycling analogue bikes up hills. I still have my aggressive hardtail and analog full sus but I also have a expensive emtb and I love it

[@cycologist7069]

One way you have to look at it. Good or bad, E is taking over the MTB world. I figure in about 5 years (or even less), there just won’t be many non electric MTBs around anymore. Even outside of MTB, any teenagers these days are on E-bikes. Mostly class 2s or 3s, and these kids find the idea of riding a standard bike unfathomable. Road biking will be dead in the not too distant future. Pointless to worry because this is what’s coming.

[@coltonowens2742]

Does the word fun not exist in your vocabulary? I own an E-MTB because they are damn fun. You can still push yourself hard on an ebike. I ride dirtbikes to, and even with throttle, those things are one hell of a workout. More so than any MTB in my opinion. Nothing more annoying than uptight cyclists who only ever talk about fitness BS.

[@cycologist7069]

You opine: "At least roadies are still riding real bikes". Unless you are living under a rock, it's not uncommon for roadies to have an e-bike in their quiver for other purposes. I know some roadies, gravel riders, cyclocross racers and tri athletes who ride non elctric for their respective sport/passion but work commute on e-bikes or have a cargo e-bike for hauling the kids around. I mean, it IS almost 2025.

[@Cpt-Pugwash14]

I stopped watching once Doddy left anyway.

[@Cpt-Pugwash14]

Ebikes? i knew he was bent lol

[@nathan4432]

any _mbn is an embarrassment.

[@cream8701]

He is also in his forties fuck it fair play

[@chrisleech333]

Ewwww E-bike.

[@1monkeyflower]

It’s not that people hate e bikes it’s more that they are unnecessary. The batteries do not last forever and have to be disposed, which is not environmentally friendly. I agree they will cause more incidents because people shouldn’t be riding a bike that can go that fast due to their skill levels. It also makes the sport exclusive to those who can’t afford the bikes. It seems like mountain biking is becoming a sport where only the elite can participate. Some of my local trails are so crowded with E bikers that have no trail etiquette. E bikes are great for commuting around town and getting groceries but they have no place on the trails if you can’t ride a regular mountain bike you’re a liability out on the trails, what are you gonna do if you’re out on the trail and something fails now other people are going to have to help get you back to your car. if you’re a fully capable person, you should be riding a regular bike that’s what makes mountain bike special not everybody can do it.

[@javi3_14]

lol you really think a beginner rider’s going straight to a $5k bike… nobody’s forcing people to buy expensive bikes and nobody’s forcing anyone to help someone back to their car, if someones riding over their skill level they’ll learn eventually lol mtb is inherently dangerous anyway

[@yodapig]

These are all tired and unfounded arguments against... so to counter your points above: 1. They are certainly not 'unnecessary' any more than any bicycle being ridden for pleasure is 'necessary' - sure, if you live in a primarily flat area (where you might only ever have a few hundred feet elevation change at a time), the requirement to have an element of pedal-assistance is diminished... but conversely if you live (or choose to ride) anywhere where there are sustained climbs of 1000-2000ft or more to get to the trailhead, then you're soon going to appreciate some pedal assistance! 2. Li-ion batteries can last for many years, and many elements of Lithium batteries can be recycled, although whether there is currently the incentive to do so is another matter... 3. Generally speaking, it is your bravery and experience level which dictates how fast you ride - not the bike you're on. eMTBs are only real faster uphill anyway - the assistance cuts out at 15.5mph (in the UK/EU) and 20mph in the US, so anything fast than that is down to you. 4. You can buy a good eMTB for similar money to a mid-high spec non-assisted bike (between $3000-6000), so the price of entry is far more attainable if you want it to be. 5. It's nonsense to suggest any form of mountain biking is 'elite' - as with many hobbies and pastimes, you can spend as much or as little on a bike, whether it's assisted or not. These days its not an especially cheap hobby, but equally the quality and performance of even an entry level MTB is far better than what we had even 10 and certainly 20 years ago. There are also any number of secondhand bikes out there if a brand new bike is beyond your financial reach. 6. Crowded trails - you mean pubic spaces? Unfortunately you are going to find rude people in every walk of life, but there are also plenty of courteous and experienced riders on eMTBs too. 7. As for something 'failing' - a Class-1 pedal assist bike can still be pedalled back to the car with the motor/battery off, just like any other bicycle. 8. And finally, it's a bit hypocritical to suggest that eMTB riding is somehow 'elitist' when you go on to suggest that not everyone should be able to ride MTBs to begin with?

[@1monkeyflower]

@@javi3_14 yes they are the average decent bike is around 2500 to 3k and that’s for a hardtail. The mechanics at my lbs are always trying to fix the lower end e mtb’s that are actually ridden a lot on our local trails. And to your point about helping people that’s a douche thing to say I would and do stop to assist anyone on trail that needs help that’s just biker code mtb or moto.

[@1monkeyflower]

@@yodapig long winded much 1. I live in Southern California 10 min ride to over 5,000 ft elevation. 2. Batteries are horrible for the environment. 3. People are stupid. 4. I can get a decent used car for that much money decent hard tails are over 2k alone. 5. All the people I ride with can’t afford a decent modern bike and the local youth where I’m from parents definitely can’t justify the price of a decently capable bike where are you from? 6. I agree there are some courteous e mtb but most of them are older and well versed in trail etiquette, unfortunately majority are not. 7. Yes you can still ride them but sucks to be you. 8. E bikes start around the price of a used car on Craigslist. Where I’m from most people can’t justify a months wages on a bike, and that’s a cheap one a good one is around 5-10 k who has that kind of money just burning a hole in their pocket, not majority of people. Must be nice to live in that world. Same shit happened to winter-sports who the F can afford a 200 dollar lift ticket again must be nice. And for reference I’m a guide and outdoor educator so it’s not like I’m working at target.

[@1monkeyflower]

@@yodapig you really think 3-6k is attainable to most people not in the world I live in. Batteries are no good for the environment and are not being recycled. Just like the ski industry, I hate to tell you but most people don’t have a couple thousand just sitting around to spend on any bike, just like most people don’t have 200 dollars for a day lift ticket at the local ski resort. And yes mountain biking has become elitist just take a look at the types of cars at the trailheads and abundance of 5k plus bikes must be nice to be that privileged. I’m a guide and outdoor educator it’s not like I’m working at Walmart and I have no where near that type of disposable income and neither do most hard working average people.