Featured My eBike Journal

PeteIOM

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Mar 11, 2018
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Isle of Man
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Just starting this thread to post thoughts, issues and experiences as I commute to work each day :)

This morning I finally received the memo... only 20 years later I guess...

Cadence is everything haha

Ride details:
16 miles Road
900ft climb
25mph head wind
Moving weight (bike, rider, gear) 147kg

Decided for the next few rides to leave it in one mode for whole ride.

This morning was eMTB mode.
Started with 100% (5 bars) charge and display showing 39 miles in eMTB.
Intentionally tried to keep my cadence high throughout the ride.
Finished the ride with 3 bars left on battery and 56 miles remaining in eMTB.

Pretty pleased with that considering the overall moving weight and head wind.
 
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PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
haha... wasn't like constant head wind... sometimes it was a little on my side :)

I knew it was blustery this morning so checked the wind charts.... plus I'm big boned... bit like a mobile sandwich board. :)
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Hella Wet!

Ride details:
16 miles Road
900ft climb
27mph tail wind for the most, then side wind :eek:
Crazy rain.
Moving weight (bike, rider, gear) 147kg

A tail wind made a massive difference to my ride home.
Only went off road for a short distance due to trail maintenance.
Started ride on 100% battery in eMTB mode.

Showed 56 miles remaining which was the same as when I got off this morning with 3 bars left.. so guessing it just keeps that in memory.
Finished my ride having used only 1 bar of battery and 71 miles remaining on display.

IMG_3849.JPG
IMG_3847.JPG
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
The last few days have been switching between modes, trying to see what the range does at various stages of my ride... I've concluded... it knows nothing!! :)
There's next to useless really, for me at least. You can finish a climb having pushed out a consistent speed (with assistance) and you'll have lost miles and miles from your remaining even though you've traveled maybe half a mile.
I ignore it now and just check the battery status bar.. I'm aware and prepared to pedal a heavy bike should I mess up and run flat :)

Last two commutes have been -1 and 0 degrees with a windchill in the region of -6 or so. If only I could keep my fingers warm.

If I only had my ordinary bike I wouldn't have commuted..I have zero interest in pounding it up a hill when I can't feel my fingers... the eBike makes it doable for me.
:)
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
So I'm guessing that riding at say 12mp and the motor assisting you is harder on the battery than riding 5mph and being assisted.

Is this correct? From limited testing it would appear so :)
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Up to 280 miles on the eBike over the last 3 and a bit weeks.
Last few rides have been in ECO mode all the way. It's actually not a bad mode once I get my cadence sorted.

The healthy eating started 2 weeks ago as well.. by healthy eating I mainly mean cutting out biscuits, choc and silly portions.
Down 2.5kg in the last 3 weeks which I'm pleased with.
I know thats more than ideal in short time but I am overweight so the "honeymoon" period of losing weight always generates awesome loses :)

I'm going to take the Carbon organic bike out tomorrow which is a good 13kg's lighter than the eBike.. I'm interested in the similarities, if any, on climbing ECO mode on a 22kg eBike to to climbing on a the Carbon MTB.
I switched off the motor this morning on a 10% climb in the granny ring and it was horrendous... like pedalling in square wheels :ROFLMAO:
The ECO assist is making the pedals easier to turn relieving my legs from some of that bike weight and I've forgotten what that climb feels like on my light bike.
 

Tori

Active member
Apr 1, 2018
282
423
Australia
Up to 280 miles on the eBike over the last 3 and a bit weeks.
Last few rides have been in ECO mode all the way. It's actually not a bad mode once I get my cadence sorted.

The healthy eating started 2 weeks ago as well.. by healthy eating I mainly mean cutting out biscuits, choc and silly portions.
Down 2.5kg in the last 3 weeks which I'm pleased with.
I know thats more than ideal in short time but I am overweight so the "honeymoon" period of losing weight always generates awesome loses :)

I'm going to take the Carbon organic bike out tomorrow which is a good 13kg's lighter than the eBike.. I'm interested in the similarities, if any, on climbing ECO mode on a 22kg eBike to to climbing on a the Carbon MTB.
I switched off the motor this morning on a 10% climb in the granny ring and it was horrendous... like pedalling in square wheels :ROFLMAO:
The ECO assist is making the pedals easier to turn relieving my legs from some of that bike weight and I've forgotten what that climb feels like on my light bike.

Hey Pete, keep going with this journal, it's great real-world information. Happy and safe trails :)
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
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Mar 29, 2018
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Yeah. I quite enjoyed reading (geeking out on) your findings.
Might do something similar when mine eventually arrives. Although i haven't planned on commuting on it. Stranger things have happened; ;)
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Hey guys!
So I've been away for a few days shooting (I'm a photographer amongst other things) so not been riding for a week but back on it now.

I recently discovered (last week) that my bike came with the incorrect forks installed.
I noticed when I tried to put more air in them and realised they were coil forks... not what the spec said.
Scott wriggled and tried to suggest they can change spec as they see fit but my LBS were fab and new, correct, forks are on their way to me.
Even though the Suntour XCR shocks are budget I think they are excellent value for money and more than capable for my commutes and off road/trail routes.

I have totally given up worrying/looking at the "Range" left numbers... it means nothing in the real world and reminds me of my M3's estimated miles left display... kinda useless really.
I'm going up hill.. 10 miles left. Yes, thats 10 miles left if I stop going up hill NOW! and hit a flat.. means nothing to me :)
I just have to live with the fact that if I get it wrong and the battery dies its going to be a leg burner getting home :)

CheekyNuke - Hit the mountian once so far... up the Creg and turned off at the Motor Museum down into Sulby valley.. breeze on the eBike. I did it previously on my BMC and it wasn't as pleasant :ROFLMAO:
 

cheekynuke

New Member
Apr 3, 2018
40
17
Buckinghamshire
I'm a fairly regular visitor to IOM and if i get an Ebike i'll bring it over on the Manannan. I've never cycled there before though Pete. Where are the best places to try it out ?
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Pretty much all the plantations are fantastic and have loads of trails built.
Parts of the End to End course are also open to the public all year round.. Strava has loads of info on trails.

Give me a shout and we'll head out for a ride and refreshments!
 

cheekynuke

New Member
Apr 3, 2018
40
17
Buckinghamshire
Cheers Pete. I really appreciate that. Hopefully i will get a new bike sorted soon and head over for a nice summer ride. I get over a few times a year to visit relatives. I'll have a look on strava for some routes to give me an idea. It's a lovely island and would be nice by bike.
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
More and more I try to plug my bike in with the battery installed as the key/lock on the bosch system is terrible. Really can't see it lasting long before the key won't work/turn the lock.
Most just be cheap components as in theory a lock is a lock.

Measured my chain as I've covered just over 300 miles... stretched a little but nothing too bad.. I'm a heavy load but do try and spin more than mash.

On a side note.. it's been hella windy so have been sitting on my rower for a few sessions.. hella windy to hella boring.

I have a screen set up in the rowing room so occasionally watch a movie but have recently just set it up so that it works with Zwift.
Sure, you are rowing a bike but once you get past that its actually really cool! ;)
 

cheekynuke

New Member
Apr 3, 2018
40
17
Buckinghamshire
More and more I try to plug my bike in with the battery installed as the key/lock on the bosch system is terrible. Really can't see it lasting long before the key won't work/turn the lock.
Most just be cheap components as in theory a lock is a lock.

Measured my chain as I've covered just over 300 miles... stretched a little but nothing too bad.. I'm a heavy load but do try and spin more than mash.

On a side note.. it's been hella windy so have been sitting on my rower for a few sessions.. hella windy to hella boring.

I have a screen set up in the rowing room so occasionally watch a movie but have recently just set it up so that it works with Zwift.
Sure, you are rowing a bike but once you get past that its actually really cool! ;)
Do you have a concept 2 Pete? I've just don't the same as i love rowing for fitness but it bores the hell out of me. I've got mine set up with row pro so i can live row. But also set up a spare tv and throw youtube up on it. It makes the time go quicker and if im watching biking tips its quite helpful.
Not good news with your battery lock. I was looking at the levy and worried he battery didn't lock like it does on the trek bikes. Maybe not having a lock isn't a bad thing.
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Yeah Concept2 D with the PM5 monitor.

It can be so dull... but its actually really good fun rowing the bike in Zwift. Loads of scenery, you can row with a club (all on bikes haha) and race etc.. apparently Zwift are looking at adding a Row feature (along with running etc).
I looked at Rowpro but didn't like the graphic... I need engaging more :)
 

cheekynuke

New Member
Apr 3, 2018
40
17
Buckinghamshire
Yeah Concept2 D with the PM5 monitor.

It can be so dull... but its actually really good fun rowing the bike in Zwift. Loads of scenery, you can row with a club (all on bikes haha) and race etc.. apparently Zwift are looking at adding a Row feature (along with running etc).
I looked at Rowpro but didn't like the graphic... I need engaging more :)
I keep threatening to sign up to zwift myself. I'm a sucker for flashy graphics mate. I wasn't aware of the row feature in zwift. How are you getting on with the PM5? I've still got the pm4 with a cable.
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Hey Man

Been working away for a while.. just back in the groove...

So yeah the Row on Zwift works real well.. just like a bike really. You connect to an app on your phone (which is connected to the Rower) and then zwift reads the power output from that app.
You can pull a steady 200 watts and I can sprint to about 500/600 watts... but it sure takes it out of you.
 

cheekynuke

New Member
Apr 3, 2018
40
17
Buckinghamshire
Hey Man

Been working away for a while.. just back in the groove...

So yeah the Row on Zwift works real well.. just like a bike really. You connect to an app on your phone (which is connected to the Rower) and then zwift reads the power output from that app.
You can pull a steady 200 watts and I can sprint to about 500/600 watts... but it sure takes it out of you.

Hi buddy. I hope all is good in the hood. I think i might get the PM5 and sell the PM4. Just for the remote connectivity. Do you subscribe to Zwift ?.
 

PeteIOM

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Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Yeah, I'm using it alot at the moment and as soon as I'm bored of it, it's easy enough to cancel.. really like it though to be fair.

So tonights commute... nearly got knocked off leaving town and spent 2 minutes swearing my head off until the car that got to close flagged me down and the guy was so apologetic... actually made every thing alright and I left the scene feeling upbeat and "man, there are some decent folk around" :)

I'm trying to get the hang of the limiter/bike weight braking more. Coming off a hill and matching the speed/gearing and when to start pedaling.. as others have said it's a very aggressive transition from rolling down a hill to *bike weight* is dragging me down :)
 

PeteIOM

Member
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Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Totally forgot to put the bike on charge last night and had already covered 48 miles in eco/tour and climbing 1800ft.. so made the decision to just see how it fairs lol.. It showed the same two bars of battery for the entire 16 mile commute.. which was nice!

Installing a Power meter crank arm tomorrow for shits and giggles.. I like numbers and data and Strava I have a feeling is miles off haha. Although saying that my average watts on the eBike aren't much different from what it gives me for the same route on the organic bike :)
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Also.. in other news.

I realised that Scott had fitted the wrong forks to my bike.
I was looking to ramp the air pressure up in the fork (I'm a big lad) and couldn't work it out. The spec said XCR 32 air... these were most definatley coil shocks.
Bike shop was very helpful even though Scott were trying to say "we can change the spec as we please and website hadn't been updated"... errr not my problem, you can't change the spec for a downgrade and not inform the customer!

LBS were ace though and new upgraded shock is on it's way!
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
On my cycle home last night I flipped the assist off for quite alot of the ride, even when under the 15.5mph cut off.

It's not actually that bad to cycle and decent speeds are achievable with correct gear selection/cadence. I used to own a Fat Bike which was only 3kg lighter than the Scott eBike and had massive 4.6inch... very similar experience.

Turning the motor off also, to my mind, takes away quite a bit of resistance when free rolling above the cut off point... this isn't scientific at all and only seat of my pants testing.. but it feels a lot more free running when the motor is off.

Power crank goes on tonight.. interested to see how the Crank app and Strava compare.
 

cheekynuke

New Member
Apr 3, 2018
40
17
Buckinghamshire
Yeah, I'm using it alot at the moment and as soon as I'm bored of it, it's easy enough to cancel.. really like it though to be fair.

So tonights commute... nearly got knocked off leaving town and spent 2 minutes swearing my head off until the car that got to close flagged me down and the guy was so apologetic... actually made every thing alright and I left the scene feeling upbeat and "man, there are some decent folk around" :)

I'm trying to get the hang of the limiter/bike weight braking more. Coming off a hill and matching the speed/gearing and when to start pedaling.. as others have said it's a very aggressive transition from rolling down a hill to *bike weight* is dragging me down :)
I'v got myself a sub to Zwift too now. It's actually pretty good i have to say. Even thinking about getting a decent turbo trainer now. I'm glad the driver stopped to apologise. Nice that someone has the balls to admit they were wrong. like you say it makes you feel warm and fuzzy. I have to say i think island drivers are far more courteous than they are over here.
 

PeteIOM

Member
Founding Member
Mar 11, 2018
135
98
Isle of Man
Yeah, it's a toughy.. there are a lot of cyclists over here. I've always been a keen mtb but since December I ditched the car and now I cycle everywhere I've noticed how many cyclists use the road daily.

I've gone and bought a Cyclop Direct Drive trainer that I've attached my old Trek 1200 SL to... man, you gotta do it.. I still ride loads of miles on the road but Zwift is actually really good craic... turning the trainer to 100% real experience is a laugh when you hit 17% hills haha
 

Doomanic

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Jan 21, 2018
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Even thinking about getting a decent turbo trainer now.
I had a Tacx Flow T2240 for a while until the BT started playing up. It's widely cited as the best of the budget trainers but either mine never worked properly or there is a massive step up to true two-way smart trainers.
I found it phenomenally boring though, so make sure you've got a TV set up as well as a fan. Very noisy too.
 

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