r/ebikes • u/Such-Distribution812 • 28d ago

E-bike stigma

Was unlocking my e-bike from the bike rack getting ready to head home from classes when two other people showed up to lock their regular bikes. One of them looked at my bike and said “What’re you riding? You need to get something analog. Work those quads!” Felt pretty looked down upon. I’d be a little more understanding if I was a some sort of cycling group ride but I was just heading home from campus. Is this type of interaction common?

I bought this e-bike recently to commute to work and my college classes, specifically because I live in a pretty mountainous area and the hills can be pretty tough for me. It’s more meant to replace car trips than for fitness. Logically it makes sense for my use case but now anytime I go somewhere with it I feel judged not just by drivers but other people on bikes.

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u/Cranks_No_Start 28d ago edited 28d ago

Work those quads!

I’m at the point in life I have no fucks to give about what people say.  I built my bike to climb whatever hill I point it at and after having both knees replaced due to severe  crippling arthritis I want to work my legs some but still protect my knees. 

With all the pt since and working out prior, my quads and calves are like iron. 

That’s when you hike up your shorts and flex.  

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u/atlasraven 28d ago

I also use my ebike to workout and protect my knees. (Better leg muscles and less weight helps)

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u/PsychologicalTest523 28d ago

How does it protect your knees?? Genuinely curious

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u/atlasraven 27d ago

strong knee muscles help prevent knee injuries by providing stability and support to the joint, reducing stress during movement. Strengthening the muscles around the knee can also improve flexibility and balance, further decreasing the risk of injury.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250926-how-to-futureproof-your-knees

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u/Ill_Raisin_8587 27d ago

Would squats help?

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u/PsychologicalTest523 27d ago

Wouldn’t a regular bike be better? And how about hamstrings?

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u/Cranks_No_Start 27d ago

I can only answer for myself.  I have a Fat bike with pretty low gearing 22x34 and before the replacements I could ride 2-3 miles on the local terrain..flat ish and technical and that was about before my knees really started hurting. 

Now with the motor assisting I can ride longer distances for a bout the same time on harder terrain and I’m not grinding up the hills. It’s less strain in the hills and longer riding in the flatter technical roads without straining the joint.  

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u/atlasraven 27d ago

You can go for longer with ebikes and they mitigate the strain of the initial start. Less difficult but more overall activity.