“A company that makes normal bikes for normal people in normal clothes who want to enjoy the outdoors in a completely normal way”
I sorta disagree. The new geometry, the new clothing, the new suspension and drivetrain tec is what has allowed “normal” people to get into the very difficult and dangerous sport of mountain biking.
The people mountain biking on old school geo rigid frames in the 90s were extreme sport thrill seekers. The new tec has lowered the skill bar of entry (although not the price bar) so many more “normal” people can enjoy the sport.
Some modern electrical solutions seem to be very near this ideal. Take a look a Mahle, their rear hub motor and small in-frame batteries only seem obvious I you take a close look.
(What I'd love to see are more cheap bikes and bike components. I'm currently searching for an “acoustic” commuter bike and I find solid bikes are rather soon outside my preferred budget.)
“A company that makes normal bikes for normal people in normal clothes who want to enjoy the outdoors in a completely normal way”
I sorta disagree. The new geometry, the new clothing, the new suspension and drivetrain tec is what has allowed “normal” people to get into the very difficult and dangerous sport of mountain biking.
The people mountain biking on old school geo rigid frames in the 90s were extreme sport thrill seekers. The new tec has lowered the skill bar of entry (although not the price bar) so many more “normal” people can enjoy the sport.
thats cool but what i really want is a pedal-assist electric bike that doesn't look like a delorean from back to the future.
the batteries, controller, everything should be inside the tubular frame (and no thicker than a 'normal' bike.)
but nobody wants to make this product. damn!
Some modern electrical solutions seem to be very near this ideal. Take a look a Mahle, their rear hub motor and small in-frame batteries only seem obvious I you take a close look.
https://mahle-smartbike.com/ebikes/
(What I'd love to see are more cheap bikes and bike components. I'm currently searching for an “acoustic” commuter bike and I find solid bikes are rather soon outside my preferred budget.)
They use those on the Tour de France.
Why do you care what it looks like? Riding while looking at your bike is dangerous. Watch the road!