Whats with the obsession over eBike motor noise levels, anyway? It seems like every review and discussion about eBikes inevitably brings up the topic of how quiet or loud the motor is. But do we really care that much about it? I mean, are we really expecting to sneak up on people with our eBikes, or is it just a matter of not wanting to disturb the peace and quiet of the great outdoors?
And whats considered quiet anyway? Is it a certain decibel level, or is it just a subjective thing? Ive seen some eBikes that are touted as being super quiet, but when you actually hear them in person, theyre not that much quieter than the others. And then there are the ones that are just plain loud, but somehow thats okay because theyre more powerful or something.
Im not saying that noise level isnt important at all. I get it, some people like to ride in quiet areas and dont want to disturb the wildlife or other trail users. But is it really worth sacrificing power and performance for the sake of being quiet? And what about the people who actually like the sound of their eBike motor? Are they just weirdos, or is there something to be said for the auditory feedback that a louder motor provides?
And lets not forget about the whole its not a real bike if its got a motor crowd. Do they care about noise levels at all, or are they just too busy being elitist and looking down on anyone who dares to ride an eBike? I mean, if youre going to hate on eBikes, at least have a good reason for it, like theyre too heavy or too expensive. But noise level? That just seems like a petty complaint.
So, do we really have preferences regarding the noise level of eBike motors, or is it just something that we think about because weve been conditioned to care about it? And whats the ideal noise level for an eBike motor, anyway? Should it be as quiet as possible, or is there a sweet spot where its just loud enough to be noticeable, but not so loud that its annoying?