logoalt Hacker News

lostlogin • yesterday at 8:18 AM • 2 replies • view on HN

> acoustic bike.

I’m a cyclist - thought I knew the terms.

‘Acoustic bike means a bike without an electric assist. So, a "normal" bike. I know the Path Less Pedaled youtube channel has used this term for at least a couple of years, though I don't think that's necessarily the originator. It's a play on electric/acoustic guitars.’

https://www.reddit.com/r/cycling/comments/14wwx0t/whats_an_a...


Replies

pimlottc • yesterday at 1:06 PM

I understand that “acoustic” is generally the term now but it’s too cutesy and doesn’t make any sense. The difference between e-bikes and normal bikes have nothing to do with how they sound — if anything, a traditional bike is quieter.

I always thought “analog” made more sense and it’s commonly used in other areas.

(Okay, technically you could make an e-bike with completely analog electronics, but I highly doubt anyone does commercially)

There’s even “pushbike” if you want to go way back, though admittedly it sounds rather archaic.

“Acoustic” just sounds like a Portlandia joke.

➕ show 1 reply
Anthony-G • yesterday at 5:31 PM

Back in 1992, Christy Moore’s (less famous) brother released an album titled “The Acoustic Motorbike” featuring a (regular) bicycle on the album cover.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Acoustic_Motorbike