I think these are great - I'm older, moving to elevation, and haven't ridden in a few years - a bike like this could make it possible for me to actually go out and enjoy the ride vs feel like I am torturing myself. This is an assisted bike and I don't get the hate honestly, I would agree the throttle bikes should probably stick to MX trails and the like due to impact, etc. but an assisted bike just make the pedaling easier...