Racing eMTBs: Taking On A Special Challenge

[EBE]

While I have never been a fan of electric assist bicycles traveling at speeds above the legal limits set by various industry members and state policies, we do recognize that there are opportunities for offroad bikes that exceed the maximum speed of 28mph (class 3 eBikes), to ride on either private land (with permission), as well as the HOV trails, used by motorized vehicles around the country. In the development of the partnership with Bonnier, owners of the famed EnduroCross indoor arena motorcycle race series, we realized that this is a perfect opportunity for the higher power electric-assist bikes to showcase their abilities in a closed, competitive setting. The 3rd class of racing the EnduroCross eMTB Challenge Series is a professional "Open" class that allows the higher power offroad eBikes to participate. While there are rules the biggest restriction placed on this group is that all bikes must operate under pedal-assist, no throttle.

Competitors have questioned this inclusion but once they understand the race course, everyone quickly realizes that pure power will not necessarily guarantee a winner. On a tight, serpentine, obstacle course, filled with rocks, tires, trees, drainage tubes and a water hazard (set lower for eBikes), everyone realizes that there is little room to get any pedal-assist eBike up to maximum speed. These "Trials" style courses create the great equalizer which is the rider's skill at picking and navigating a line.

The analysis is similar to other professional sports where the competitor is using modified equipment to compete, but the brand and even the model could mimic the consumer offering.

From an audience standpoint, which is a feature typically foreign to most MTB races, being able to watch a competitor complete full laps from the comfort of a seat among the thousands of others inside the arena will be great fun. There will be live play-by-play announcements, music, and sound effects to pump up the energy.

The first two classes are for skilled recreational racers. One is exclusively for Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes, and the second is for a combination of both Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes. Here too we received pushback, but the reality is that both use the same drive systems and the only difference is the maximum speed. The standing start torque is that same!

Space to race is limited, but everyone is invited to compete!

If you want to read the full race rules here is the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mAtQtFUvnWIhoJYvexeg76B7aQnfHhGO

 

[elyhim]

How did I miss this?

 

[stompandgo]

I'm reviving this ghost thread to shed light on a situation in the USA regarding sanctioned e-mtb racing and out of spec bikes.

There is an enduro series going on in the Northeast for MTB's which also has a race for e-mtb's. The NGB rules for e-mtb's are pretty vague. They must be raced in their own class, i.e. not alongside analog bikes, and they must be Class 1 with a visible type sticker on the frame. The tech process consists of the race official checking the stickers prior to staging.

The problem is that there is rampant fraud going on which has severely affected the racing. The podiums have been dominated by Amflow bikes and de-restricted Class 1 bikes, leaving the rule-compliant riders in the dust. With the DJI motors, the 750w limit can be switched on and off after the start. If you have 250w more than your competitor, you pull away on the open sections. Same goes for the de-restricted bikes.

With analog road bike racing, a FLIR device is used to check for hidden motors. There is currently no tech check process for e-mtb rule compliance other than the sticker.

 

[Roamers]

I'm reviving this ghost thread to shed light on a situation in the USA regarding sanctioned e-mtb racing and out of spec bikes.

Obviously, until the promotor cares, there isn't a problem.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The problem is that there is rampant fraud going on which has severely affected the racing.

Just another sad example of an all too common attitude these days: Rules and laws and honesty are for chumps. What's right is what you can get away with. From the highest levels down.

Asked a San Diego County sheriff I chatted with last year if he saw that attitude here. He rolled his eyes. "You have no idea." Asked if that was a recent shift. He said there's been a huge increase in the 'rules don't apply to me' mentality in the last 10 years.

From what I see of the ebike situation on the streets of some UK cities, it's not just the US.

Can race organizers ban any bike with that power switch capability?

 

[Chargeride]

It takes a certain personality to obviously cheat and then just blank any complaints, narcism, social psychopath?

 

[stompandgo]

Can race organizers ban any bike with that power switch capability?

That's a good question. It's not just the power switch bikes like the Amflow, but true class 3 bikes like the Vado with the sticker removed. or generic, homebuilt, or modified bikes that don't have stickers.

As an official, I have to go by the rules. If there's no good way to enforce them, then I have to allow these bikes. Taking three guys off of the podium is not something that I want to do. If the tech guidelines aren't updated, it's going to continue.

Back to your question. What can the race director do? Anything they want, as long as it doesn't violate the permit agreement. They could require only mass produced bikes with Class 1/750w stickers, for example. As long as any restrictions are clearly and explicitly stated in the event registration notes, all riders were informed, and any results can be voided. The right way to prevent this is with a pre-race tech inspection, but there aren't any guidelines or regulations for this today.

The NGB's better get their UKW together soon, as I believe e-bike racing is going to explode in the coming years.

 

[Chargeride]

Cycling has a long and esteemed tradition of cheating.

 

[stompandgo]

So does every sport at every level. It's a human flaw that has gotten out of control.

 

[Chargeride]

I just dont know with ebike racing, what exactly is the point of it.
Is it assisted mountain biking or motorbiking light?

The techical hurdles to prevent cheating would approach F1 levels of policing.

As you say , the podium in so many sports is decided in the disgraced chemists lab, Ive always wondered if massive sporting events like the superbowl and the world cup would introduce post win drug testing.

Imagine America waking up to the winners being disqualified because one quarterback had a line of coke two nights before.

 

[Chazmo]

So does every sport at every level. It's a human flaw that has gotten out of control.

There are oh so many human flaws that have reared their ugly heads in modern times. Frankly, the urge to cheat seems like very small potatoes to me, but I’ll stay far away from that argument.

In any case, for a race official like you, I’m sure it’s of primary importance and (while not new) utterly exacerbated by the proliferation of ebikes.

I like that there’s a class of enduro series for eMTBs. Sounds interesting, but of course it’ll be victimized by cheating.

The techical hurdles to prevent cheating would approach F1 levels of policing.

To this point, FYI, it’s completely untenable that extensive policing by bike race officials is even a possibility in bike racing. There’s just no way. I mean, maybe Tour de France, but … utterly impossible for bike racing in general. Having observed a local (well attended!) race recently, it’s not only difficult to have enough officials who know the competition rules (luckily, @stompandgo does!!!! ), let alone have the time/energy/experience to police cheating.

 

[Chargeride]

I suppose in high level competition the top three have their bikes impounded for tests, but again these things are connected to the internet!
They could turn down the power on their phone as its wheeled away.

 

[stompandgo]

But that's my point. The last thing I want to do is take someone off of the podium. All this should happen in tech. If the UCI can design a jig for analog time trial bike compliance, and design an iPad FLIR system used for checking analog road bikes for motors, they can figure this out so that non compliant bikes never make the grid. This tech should also filter down to the NGB's so that local and regional racing doesn't get affected as well. There should also be strict penalties for violators.

 

[Roamers]

they can figure this out so that non compliant bikes never make the grid.

Time for an EMI signature database.

 

[stompandgo]

Time for an EMI signature database.

Please explain to me how that would work. I know what EMI is, and and how FLIR works. Putting those two together, you may be able to identify a particular motor/drive unit by it's "EMI signature". However, how would that combat cheating with selectable power outputs and de-restricting devices?

 

[Roamers]

Please explain to me how that would work. I know what EMI is, and and how FLIR works. Putting those two together, you may be able to identify a particular motor/drive unit by it's "EMI signature". However, how would that combat cheating with selectable power outputs and de-restricting devices?

I don't know enough about the technology to design, but perhaps random location readers. I do know when the city e-bus is passsing my house because my over-the-air tv signal goes bad.

 

[Roamers]

I don't measure my power vs. bike power like others do, but how about a required "plug in thingy" that measures the race stats on each bike.

 

[BlackHand]

GNCC (motorcross ) has had an emtb class since 1999. Used to be sponsored by Yamaha, but I think Spec is the primary sponsor now.

They limit competition to oem ebikes and specific brand drive units that are white listed. That pretty much eliminates on the fly power changes since drive units that can do that are not approved to enter.

They also have mandatory pre race inspection, factory firmware required, mandatory post-race impound for podium finishers and anyone else the officials notify.

The rule I find interesting is that any competitor can ask to inspect and test ride any bike in the impound area. I would think that incentivizes self policing.

 

[stompandgo]

GNCC (motorcross ) has had an emtb class since 1999. Used to be sponsored by Yamaha, but I think Spec is the primary sponsor now.

They limit competition to oem ebikes and specific brand drive units that are white listed. That pretty much eliminates on the fly power changes since drive units that can do that are not approved to enter.

They also have mandatory pre race inspection, factory firmware required, mandatory post-race impound for podium finishers and anyone else the officials notify.

The rule I find interesting is that any competitor can ask to inspect and test ride any bike in the impound area. I would think that incentivizes self policing.

That's the way to do it. As far as I know, every de-restricting device available can be detected one way or another.

Your last sentence is an offshoot of the claimer rule in local stock car racing. Any competitor can challenge another competitor on the legality of their race vehicle, and if they are right, they get to keep it.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I'm reviving this ghost thread to shed light on a situation in the USA regarding sanctioned e-mtb racing and out of spec bikes.

There is an enduro series going on in the Northeast for MTB's which also has a race for e-mtb's. The NGB rules for e-mtb's are pretty vague. They must be raced in their own class, i.e. not alongside analog bikes, and they must be Class 1 with a visible type sticker on the frame. The tech process consists of the race official checking the stickers prior to staging.

The problem is that there is rampant fraud going on which has severely affected the racing. The podiums have been dominated by Amflow bikes and de-restricted Class 1 bikes, leaving the rule-compliant riders in the dust. With the DJI motors, the 750w limit can be switched on and off after the start. If you have 250w more than your competitor, you pull away on the open sections. Same goes for the de-restricted bikes.

With analog road bike racing, a FLIR device is used to check for hidden motors. There is currently no tech check process for e-mtb rule compliance other than the sticker.

It sounds like the European EMTB racing authorities have taken immediate action to prevent motor brands having too much power. The new regulations for the upcoming EMTB World Championships are Max Speed 25kph, Cont Power 250wh, Max Peak Power 750wh which then excludes Dji/Avinox motors. Plus a max weight for batteries. Scroll through to 7:27 mins in and they chat about it here: