Cycling Thread 2

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Hey, this could be the wrong crowd, but if anyone is looking for a cool ebike for an insane price, Rad Power Bikes is blowing out their 2019 bikes.

Does anybody have any first hand experience with them? I'm looking for an ebike for the spring, and on paper these do look better that what I had been looking for. I'm just concerned about buying before I can try one; and for service afterwards. I'm not very handy with my regular bike.

I know Sliver you said a buddy has one; but trying a buddy's as opposed to owning one is different.

[Fuzz]

The biggest weakness I see at first glance is the mechanical disc brakes. Given the added weight and power of an e bike I'd really want hydraulics. The rest of it doesn't look horrible, though some of the components may not hold up in the long run.



I don't have experience with this, but my dad has ridden both types and says the ones with the motors in the bottom bracket are better than the wheel hub ones.

[ken0042]

In that price range I haven't seen hydraulic brakes nor mid-drive motor. I had been looking at either one of these:
https://calgaryebikes.ca/collections...e-350w-36v13ah
https://calgaryebikes.ca/collections...rain-48v14-5ah
Or maybe stepping up to this:
https://calgaryebikes.ca/collections...ar-wheel-drive

The first two seem to be the battery being the big difference.

Looking more at Sliver's link, the promo code doesn't work, and you have to pay $150 for assembly. So leaning less towards those.

[Sliver]

Assembly isn't bad on these. It's honestly about 15 minutes, Ken. It's not like putting it together from scratch. Literally anyone can do it. I wouldn't worry about it and I say that as a guy who is pretty much useless when it comes to bike maintenance. I should have mine next week and will confirm, but my friend is equally as useless as me and had it together in minutes.

Fuzz is probably right about the brakes. On my Sondors ebike, I did upgrade them in the summer. We'll see what the Rad is like when I get it.

Sucks the coupon code doesn't work anymore. There could be others out there. I just googled coupon codes when I was at checkout and found that one online.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

The biggest weakness I see at first glance is the mechanical disc brakes. Given the added weight and power of an e bike I'd really want hydraulics. The rest of it doesn't look horrible, though some of the components may not hold up in the long run.

I don't have experience with this, but my dad has ridden both types and says the ones with the motors in the bottom bracket are better than the wheel hub ones.

I tried out a few and for commuting I prefer rear wheel drive. The pedal stance gets wide with mid-drive and the gear shifting is wierd on it. Maybe on a mountain bike where balance matters more mid drive would be better or perhaps you would just get used to the shifting and stance. But for me Rear Drive seemed more like a normal bike. I haven’t ridden any long term just a few test drives.

They have the Rad City available now so I bought one.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

How are my fellow winter commuter riders dealing with chain rust? After 4 or so years of continous neglect, with White Lightning wet lube applied haphazardly every 4-6 weeks at best, my chain has lost any semblance of rust resistance and it excretes a orangey peanut butter like substance with any lube application. (I should really take a picture and turn this into a contest)

Naturally I'd continue to ignore this but this orange goo smeared onto my pant leg and is pretty much impossible to remove.

I've consigned myself to just buying a new chain but what are some things people here are doing to ward off chain rust while riding daily?

[Fuzz]

Ha, ya I've got a Trump-like orange glow on my chain as well. I've been lazy. In past years I did the hot wax treatment, and looking back in must have worked well because I never had a chain this bad before. This one is to far gone, I've got a spare I'll put on in the spring, if it makes it that long. I'm lucky to get 2 years total before the links are looser than...uhm, something loose.

[Fuzz]

My Trump chain. Had to repair my rear wheel, the spoke nipple gave way a couple days ago. Always good to have a zip tie or 30 in your bag!

[Ironhorse]

That is cringe worthy...

[Fuzz]

The trusty beast has been with me for 22 years, I'll keep riding her until she disintegrates.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by ken0042

In that price range I haven't seen hydraulic brakes nor mid-drive motor. I had been looking at either one of these:
https://calgaryebikes.ca/collections...e-350w-36v13ah
https://calgaryebikes.ca/collections...rain-48v14-5ah
Or maybe stepping up to this:
https://calgaryebikes.ca/collections...ar-wheel-drive

The first two seem to be the battery being the big difference.

Looking more at Sliver's link, the promo code doesn't work, and you have to pay $150 for assembly. So leaning less towards those.

The one thing with batterys is range is determined by total watt hours so Volts times amp hours so a 36 V 13 has 468 WH whereas the 48 14 has 672WH. It takes about 10-12WH per km at 30km/h. You also have to consider that at end of life your battery might have 80% of the range and that charging before their empty extends life. My thought is you want a battery 20% larger than your round trip commute

So the battery on the 48V in your link is significantly larger.

[ken0042]

I appreciate the math- the WH per km is a key factor. My round trip commute is about 55 km, so at 12 WH I definitely don't have a round trip in the lesser bike. I do have the ability to charge the battery at work, but then I am looking at more charge cycles.

[GGG]

As I was doing research this tool was really neat

https://www.ebikes.ca/tools/trip-simulator.html

It lets you use goolge maps to plot your route then predicts power consumption. The Bafeng G310 I think is approximately the common hub motor in a lot of these.

[cral12]

Any recommendations on what i should look for in suitable goggles for fatbiking or the odd winter commute? (or just any general ski variety will do?). Thanks!

[Fuzz]

I prefer clear, because it is dark for my ride in. There aren't many options, but make sure it is double lens. I made the mistake of single lens on the first try. Unusable in the cold. I also built a little "hood scoop" to create a gap between my helmet and goggles to funnel air in.

[Fuzz]

First real frost bike of the year! Saw several other tracks out there. I managed to have enough layers on, so wasn't bad. These hand and foot warmers really make the difference.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by cral12

Any recommendations on what i should look for in suitable goggles for fatbiking or the odd winter commute? (or just any general ski variety will do?). Thanks!

Honestly I found that a pair of Oakley type blade sunglasses (Flak 2.0's to be exact) with a clear lens was better than goggles. Fog management of goggles (especially when wearing a mask) was a PITA. And I wear contacts.

[Bigtime]

Not a bad morning at all. cral12, I also opted for clear lens goggles since my morning rides are in the dark. Just got the basic Bolle ones from MEC a couple of years ago. I also find that using my ski helmet in these conditions really helps prevent frost and fogging when I'm fully covering my face like this morning.

[wwkayaker]

My specialized air comp v2 pump. The head mechanism/thumb thingy broke yesterday. Are the head units universal? I don’t want to buy a new pump if I can just get a new component. This thing

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5014-1...hoCeJYQAvD_BwE

[Fuzz]

Depends on the hose size. I've replaced mine with another brand before. You could always return it if it doesn't fit.


On another note, I need a cheap bike computer for the commuter...that works in cold weather. I have a Filzer that works great in the cold, but had a different failure. Tried a couple others I had lying around, and they gave out at -5. Filzer looks to be unavailable now. Anyone have one they know works in the cold? Nothing fancy.