LOL. But “acoustic” doesn’t mean “not electric.”

Yeah imo the correct term is "analog"

That’s the opposite of digital, not the opposite of electric. Tape recorders and VHS video are analog but definitely electric.

Meanwhile, electric bikes are electric but not really digital in the normal sense. I think “manual” would the the ordinary route here, but weird because you don’t pedal with your hands. Anyway, “autistic” is pretty widespread.

"mechanical" maybe?

Maybe? I would say an electric bike is mechanical.

And I would say electric guitars are “acoustic”…

“Acoustic bike” is definitely more fun than either “mechanical bike” or “manual bike” though, and will likely end up conveying more specificity in practice (that is, without a second round of clarification) than the other two terms.

It’s actually less specific because as a term it applies to an entirely different class of object. The only reason anyone is piping up about it is because it’s confusing. I like the poesy of “acoustic” in this circumstance but in plain speech manual or analog work better.

I don’t exactly disagree with you, I’m making a prediction about the evolution of the terms. I think that eventually, “acoustic bike” will become the more widespread term, in part because of the poesy, and in part because it doesn’t make sense as meaning anything else (unlike manual and analog).

I myself already use “manual” to refer to hand-powered cycles, and “analog” to refer to Continuously Variable Transmissions on bikes.

Autistic?

Typo

*acoustic lol autocorrect

I like acoustic

Acoustic is in reference to sound, though. As in “The acoustics of this room are perfect”.

Yes, it’s a little bit of a joke.

Okay, my neurodivergent ass missed it. Embarrassing. 😳🤦🏻‍♀️

Unfortunately “pedal” does refer to feet but doesn’t distinguish between the bike types

Ok but judging from the company here autistic is pretty widespread too

i was likewise confused at first but now that you say it like that, it almost certainly is reusing that pairing from music

This is the lingo in e-bike circles, it's not a new coinage here

It is delightful if you haven't heard it before, and this comes to mind (though I think his bike is electric). youtu.be/YRKFW4hJ_mk?...

Gonna have to pass on picking that bit of lingo up, it's dumb.

i believe you that it's not new but i'm also speculating that using "acoustic" to mean the opposite of "electric" is either an an intentional or unintentional linguistic borrowing from the musical context

oh definitely, it's a deliberate joke

Pardon me while I go use my acoustic toothbrush.