Jones goes electric

[Bearbonesnorm]

https://www.jonesmotorbikes.com/?mc_cid ... 56de058d6b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?mc_cid=b1 ... e=youtu.be

[pistonbroke]

Whatever you may think about e bikes, there's no excuse for that mess of cables.

[voodoo_simon]

That is truly horrific

Please don’t click on the link as it can not be unseen

Looks bodged to me


(I’m a big fan of ebikes before any comments )

[MuddyPete]

That seems to be an ad-hoc DIY modification that went too far .

What on earth possessed him to:
1) fit a critical component (the motor) in such a vulnerable position on an MTB;
2) fit the battery in one of the main luggage areas (front triangle);
3) then completely redesign the frame to be compatible with bodges 1) & 2)?

If one's going to go to that much trouble, the design really should be integrated .

https://ezego.bike/trail-destroyer-emtb-19 (many other integrated designs are available ).

Is it April 1st?

[voodoo_simon]

Is it April 1st?

That was one of my thoughts, do Americans celebrate it in February?

[fatbikephil]

Hmmm. At least I can still ride a Jones when I hit my '70's. I guess he is trying to make it a bit more flexible but I think it would be better with the proper BB mounting plate for a bosch / shimano motor rather than a bodge on one. It would also mean you could fit a pinion gearbox.

[GregMay]

I think this is appropriate

[woodsmith]

All the aesthetic appeal of a colostomy bag on a seaside donkey

[Keith74]

Just why.

Motor looks like it will take a few hits and get caked in mud alongside the battery now taking up the main storage space and I won’t mention cables.

Whoever built that bike and left the cables like that should be looking for a new job.

[voodoo_simon]

I think this is appropriate

I think it’s unfair on Lauf forks to use the gnome in the same light as the Jones

[jameso]

Does look like a lot of fun though. Especially on those trails.

[pistonbroke]

Interesting thread title. Similar response to Dylan going electric but fewer shouts of Judas.
I think the thing that worries/horrifies me is that with their quirky looks and niche appeal, Jones bikes tend to appeal to "serious" adventure cyclists with their beards and dubious hygiene. In my book that's the polar opposite of what e bikes are designed for unless I've missed something and the back of beyond now features charging points every 40 miles or so. One can see why mainstream manufacturers have capitalised on the e bike boom but surely Jones don't fall into that world, or a meringue?

[JohnClimber]

Looks like a scally's botch job to this once Jones fanboy

[jameso]

One can see why mainstream manufacturers have capitalised on the e bike boom but surely Jones don't fall into that world, or a meringue?

His bikes are better than most at carrying loads and have a geometry that get the best from a stiff/rigid frame and big tyres - makes them good candidates for e-bikes?
I get it, it's not my idea of riding particularly but if you can have an E-MTB for getting more descents in, why not have one for just going on some longer XC trails, it's all just for fun (my thoughts about high powered e-motorbikes on trails aside). I expect this is more about Jeff Jones' continued experimentation than anything else. He's an extreme example of making what he things is right and then finding out if there's a market for it or not, vs making something rather bland or predictable for an existing market. You end up with far more interesting products that way. Whether these are appealing is another matter : )

They do look a bit converted and bodgy, it's just a bolt-on kit. Though tbh there's something honest in that all-external look. imo there's a lot of heavily styled 'integrated' E-bikes that are really ugly in other ways.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think the bottom line is that Jones is still a business and he's still required to put food on the table. Whatever peoples thoughts on ebikes, no one can deny that they've become quite popular and not just with the 'popping to the shops for a loaf' type cyclist. As a business, he'd be mad to ignore their increasing popularity and potentially new customer base ... going electric didn't do old Bob any harm in the great scheme of things

[Alpinum]

Money, money, money.
Not surprising.
Just surprisingly ugly and botched together.

As a business, he'd be mad to ignore their increasing popularity and potentially new customer base

Funny how many bike manufacturers must be mad then...

It's not that your business will have to close if you don't jump electric motor bandwagon.

I couldn't care less if a bike manufacturer of a bike I use is into e-bikes, but funnily, not one is, despite my six bikes, all from different brands.

Some companies may have an ethos that doesn't go well with the buzz of a motor, albeit not speaking out against e-bike as such.

*goes to bikepacking.com too look for a review/announcement of this e-bike*

[Bearbonesnorm]

Funny how many bike manufacturers must be mad then...

Perhaps 'mad' was a bit strong Gian but maybe Jones see an opening in a market that they previously didn't. If they feel there's a demand and they can meet it, then why not? Surely it opens the brand up to a customer base that might not exist otherwise?

It's not that your business will have to close if you don't jump electric motor bandwagon.

Everything's a bandwagon. Some manufacturers chose to jump on the 29er, others didn't but went 650b. Then there's the gravel bandwagon and the Enduro bandwagon, the plus and fat bandwagons and the bandwagon that appears to lay golden eggs ... 'adventure'.

[Bearlegged]

...if you can have an E-MTB for getting more descents in, why not have one for just going on some longer XC trails...

It's this bit that has always made me think that e-bikes aren't for me*. I totally get the appeal of being able to go for a couple of hours ride and hit all the best trails without being 'held up' navigating the boring or uphill bits.
But I also love the knowledge that if I keep pedalling, I'll just keep on going. Possibly for days, weeks, a month? Time and responsibilities are my limiting factors, not energy. I'm not convinced that adding a motor and a battery will end up with me riding further/longer.


*At this stage in my life at least. I'll be amazed if I don't end up getting one at some point as my body gets older and less able.

[FLV]

I have a short attention span, so only watched half the video.

Do you have to pedal it? It looks like a Pop n Go style where it can go under its its own power rather than a pedal assist?

I have no issue with the Jones brand getting into ebikes but the execution doesn't look great aesthetically. kind of reminds me of those cheap 2 stroke petrol kits you can get off eBay etc.

[Bearbonesnorm]

It's this bit that has always made me think that e-bikes aren't for me*. I totally get the appeal of being able to go for a couple of hours ride and hit all the best trails without being 'held up' navigating the boring or uphill bits.
But I also love the knowledge that if I keep pedalling, I'll just keep on going. Possibly for days, weeks, a month? Time and responsibilities are my limiting factors, not energy. I'm not convinced that adding a motor and a battery will end up with me riding further/longer.

That's possibly why you're here and not somewhere else. I reckon there's probably lots of reasons why people choose an ebike over one that isn't. Some, such as injury or illness make perfect sense to me but laziness or an unwillingness to apply effort isn't one that does. However, that train of thought isn't one that appears to be shared by too many members of society, who seem to view a reduction of effort as a positive.

Do you have to pedal it?

I saw an older video (maybe a couple of years ago) which would indicate not. It showed Mr Jones tackling some good old singletrack inclines that'd have most folk off and pushing but he scooted his way to the top ... and I don't recall seeing any pedalling involved.

[jameso]

The botched or looks bolted on point, we realise he's selling them as removable or add-on later kits, right? A heavy duty bike for heavier loads that can have a motor added onto it or can be used without as a normal bike. I'm not sure how much appeal there is in that tbh but hey, it's his brand. But there's anther aspect here I like.

We were talking about removable systems at work not long ago, a bit like the Swytch add-on. Got me thinking about how integrated systems mean increased obsolescence. Specialist battery shapes to sleekly integrate into your downtube appeal aesthetically but will you be able to buy a new one in 3-4 years? How about that motor with yet another frame mount casing design? Or, you break the frame and can you get a new one that's compatible with your battery and motor fittings?
The waste and scrappage impact of e-bikes in the coming years is going to be high, or higher than non e-bikes. Too many brands can't even keep the right hangers or axle spares in stock to support a bike a few years later. What will the industry see as a fair service life of an e-bike? France just introduced a law on repairability of electronics that may have the right knock on effect.

At some point a fully replaceable power system or add-on approach will not look like such a daft or bodged idea. I'd be quite into an e-bike that looks a bit less sleek if it meant the drive parts could be serviced and replaced with alternatives to keep a frameset with a 10+ year expected lifespan going. Realistically the bike industry will never manage that but in an area of e-bikes that I think is important, he's is on the right track. A bit like his work with big rims and tyres - he wasn't able to create 29+ tyres with his volumes and budgets but he pushed as far as possible with what was available and influenced QBP enough to tool up for 29+. Wouldn't suprise me to see the same effect here.

(as you can tell, I do have a lot of time and respect for what Jeff Jones does - it's less about the look of the end result and much more about how he thinks and develops products and what those products do compared to the mainstream)

[PaulB2]

A bike lasts for decades with a bit of care and attention, hell they last for years even if you pay them almost no attention and you don't care if they're not working perfectly. Turning a bike into a glorified white good must be the bike industries wet dream.

[jameso]

But I also love the knowledge that if I keep pedalling, I'll just keep on going. Possibly for days, weeks, a month? Time and responsibilities are my limiting factors, not energy. I'm not convinced that adding a motor and a battery will end up with me riding further/longer.

Me too, totally agree. I rode an e-bike yesterday evening to get a feel for the system. Maybe only 6 miles just for getting out, no change of clothes needed etc. It was a good combo of ride/power feel, position, use etc. Really enjoyed it for many of the basic reasons I like being out on a pedal bike. I wouldn't use one for bikepacking or weekend rides but for getting to work or errands they're great.

Would I like a legal pedelec version of something like a Jones Plus to carry a week's shopping home 5-8 miles, oh yes... Would I then use it for a heavy-loaded luxury camp out in the summer complete with a chair and beers in a cooler bag? 100% yes oh, and I can remove that power system so my Jones Plus-E is good for that one Alpine bikepack trip a year? Hmm. I can see where he's going with this..

A bike lasts for decades with a bit of care and attention, hell they last for years even if you pay them almost no attention and you don't care if they're not working perfectly. Turning a bike into a glorified white good must be the bike industries wet dream.

Yes, I tend to keep my bikes running a long time - of 5 I use regularly, 3 are on framesets that are 10 years old or more. And I agree the high cost and churn of e-MTBs is great for bike brand profits and potentially not great for service lifespans of the bike as a whole - hence why I like the fully removable system ideas. Looks clunky. But if I look at some of the compromises we can make in life to lower our impact it often means not having much new, sleek, fashionable stuff? What does a product mean or what does it let me do, rather than what does it look like or say about me, etc.

[jameso]

I'm realising that yet again something Jeff Jones has done has got me thinking differently about bikes or onto / more into a line of questioning about something. Plenty of other brands and designers do that of course, though he is very consistent. Peter Verdone is another bike designer who does that.

[BigdummySteve]

It does seem an odd move by Jeff, bolting a cheap EBay motor to one of his frames instead of say a Bosch? Jeff is a cool guy though, I once fired him a email about H-bars, he replied with a simple “ give me a call” and his personal phone number and spent half an hour talking about bike fit etc, very passionate about what he does, perhaps there is method in the madness.