I'm for the 3 vote, sort of stuck on that being a first, second and a 3rd in each section. That's what it was when I first jumped onto this site. Old dawg you know...
But the truth is you are not going head to head with a motor or a e-bike, you are going head to head with another builder, and what that builder has done with either a original frame or a hand built frame, to turn it into a inspiring rideable rat.
Motorized bikes are not a new concept. The first true motorized bicycle is generally considered to be the French Michaux-Perreaux steam velocipede of 1868. And In the 1890s, electric bicycles were documented within various U.S. patents. For example, on 31 December 1895, Ogden Bolton Jr. was granted U.S Patent for a battery-powered bicycle with "6-pole brush-and-commutator direct current (DC) hub motor mounted in the rear wheel"
Just because someone throws a motor on a bicycle, does not mean, they have a advantage in a build-off. The only advantage they have is when cycling.
Motors are there to assist, I have a many, as I like tinkering. And also a few electric. They help with the hills here, and my daily transport is a 1000w 52v monster. I now cycle every where and haul everything with my bike.
My entry for this year is in the back...
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I have watched many of yr builds. Keep up the good work.