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Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:54 am
by millemille
Trip down to Exeter for work so stopped off for a pedal round the Quantock hills, doing what is called the "Quantock Killer" yesterday afternoon.
Made me realise how lucky I am to have the Peak District on my doorstep, enjoyable but nothing particularly technical.or challenging just slog up a hill and then rattle down the other and repeat.
Toughest part of the ride was navigation, because it's relatively featureless moorland one track can easily be mistaken for another.
Got round the whole thing, with a couple of unplanned detours, in 90 minutes.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:41 am
by Beancounter
millemille wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:54 am
Trip down to Exeter for work so stopped off for a pedal round the Quantock hills, doing what is called the "Quantock Killer" yesterday afternoon.
Made me realise how lucky I am to have the Peak District on my doorstep, enjoyable but nothing particularly technical.or challenging just slog up a hill and then rattle down the other and repeat.
Toughest part of the ride was navigation, because it's relatively featureless moorland one track can easily be mistaken for another.
Got round the whole thing, with a couple of unplanned detours, in 90 minutes.
I've always wondered about the Quantocks and how good it would be. Trouble for me is that if I'm driving that far I might as well stay on the M4 and continue to Cwmcarn or BPW.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:11 pm
by millemille
Beancounter wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:41 am
millemille wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:54 am
Trip down to Exeter for work so stopped off for a pedal round the Quantock hills, doing what is called the "Quantock Killer" yesterday afternoon.
Made me realise how lucky I am to have the Peak District on my doorstep, enjoyable but nothing particularly technical.or challenging just slog up a hill and then rattle down the other and repeat.
Toughest part of the ride was navigation, because it's relatively featureless moorland one track can easily be mistaken for another.
Got round the whole thing, with a couple of unplanned detours, in 90 minutes.
I've always wondered about the Quantocks and how good it would be. Trouble for me is that if I'm driving that far I might as well stay on the M4 and continue to Cwmcarn or BPW.
It's enjoyable enough to want to go back if I'm passing, which I will be again next week.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:57 am
by Couchy
So thread resurrection !, must keep it updated
The trip to snowden happened and we rode to the top, 90% riding with a bit of pushing. As I recall I was sick once on the way up. Kind oif underestimated it even on an ebike and I hadn't ridden much for the 6 weeks prior due to the ribs

We rode straight up the llanberis path but the journey down we took rangers path, the run down was fast too fast in places, we'd got used to the views down being a few thousand feet so the drops of only 50 or 60' looked fine but realisation set in that at 25-30mph it may hurt falling down them
From the very top
The whyte had been riding well but I'd always thought the front needed more grip, not least because I fell off but it would always move, it may have been my style tbh but still time for a change. I also wanted an easier way to swap batteries for longer rides in the peaks. Found a Trek rail locally and bought it, the whyte went on it's way to a new owner. The trek was instantly more my style and I had front end confidence again.
The rest of the year to now has been spent riding locally, cannock chase and the peaks.
The HT is still with me and has done a couple of outings being leant to mates to join in with the ebike rides, it may be basic but it doesn't lack speed anywhere it's been taken !
I've got an ebike backpack with a battery compartment and the trek is a simple swap with no tools, this gives me 40-50 miles and 7-8000ft of climbing which is way more than I need. The back pack weighs nearly 10kgs with spares, clothing, food and spare battery but once on the weight goes.
These pics from the last week in the peaks
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:03 am
by weeksy
Needs more bike pics
The HT was good

Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:08 am
by Couchy
weeksy wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:03 am
Needs more bike pics
The HT was good
Yes boss
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 11:25 am
by irie
Couchy wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:08 am
weeksy wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:03 am
Needs more bike pics
The HT was good
Yes boss
That looks like a 2022 Trek Rail 5? The Rockshox shock is a bit crap but if you get the Rockshox Megneg* upgrade for about £70 you then get a very nice tunable shock. Have done it to both our Rail 5's, took a bit of mucking around to tune - finally settled on zero positive tokens (2 in as stock) and two negative spacers. Damn nice bike, you just don't notice the weight when rolling.
* be warned that there are difference versions for different length shocks.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 12:15 pm
by Couchy
irie wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 11:25 am
Couchy wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:08 am
weeksy wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:03 am
Needs more bike pics
The HT was good
Yes boss
That looks like a 2022 Trek Rail 5? The Rockshox shock is a bit crap but if you get the Rockshox Megneg* upgrade for about £70 you then get a very nice tunable shock. Have done it to both our Rail 5's, took a bit of mucking around to tune - finally settled on zero positive tokens (2 in as stock) and two negative spacers. Damn nice bike, you just don't notice the weight when rolling.
* be warned that there are difference versions for different length shocks.
It is a rail 5, I've swapped wheels and bars so far. Shock feels ok but I don't do any big stuff

Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 3:09 pm
by irie
Couchy wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 12:15 pm
It is a rail 5, I've swapped wheels and bars so far. Shock feels ok but I don't do any big stuff
Rail 5 stock shock was OK with stock forks, but moving the Pike Ultimate RC2 forks (150x42) from the Fuel EX to the Rail "showed up" the shock. As you well know, one upgrade leads to another

Also moved the nice wheels from the Fuel EX to the Rail. In fact, almost all the nice stuff on the Fuel EX moved to the Rail, and the Fuel EX has returned to stock for sale.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2022 6:24 pm
by Couchy
Picked up a new trek rail yesterday, first ride today and 3 miles in……
Local bike shop were awesome had parts and fixed there and then so got more of a ride
And 11 miles in
Guess it’s used now

Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2022 7:36 pm
by weeksy
What mech is that? Or was it!
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2022 8:10 pm
by millemille
Couchy wrote: Sat Apr 23, 2022 6:24 pm
Picked up a new trek rail yesterday, first ride today and 3 miles in……
Local bike shop were awesome had parts and fixed there and then so got more of a ride
And 11 miles in
Guess it’s used now
Idiots, one and all...
@Couchy, the big question from today is how do you take discrete photo's of stunning blonde fitty's in very, very tight black leggings without being labelled a pervert?
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:09 am
by Couchy
Lol I have no idea Mr Mille !!
Weeksy it was a shimano M6100, don’t think the part was at fault as can’t imagine any mech surviving that
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:23 pm
by irie
Back from an easy ride on Salterns Way with Mrs irie to our beach hut in West Wittering today thought I'd weigh my 2022 Trek Rail 5 500w. 21.9 kg. Less fenders and gear bag bare bike is about 21 kg. Just shows that you don't have to spend big bucks to get a light(ish) eBike, spend sensible money on unsprung weight reduction.

Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 8:30 pm
by Couchy
I’m happy with my rail 5, the new XL one is a better fit so the Large one will be sold soon. I take both batteries on longer runs and can’t feel the difference between the 500 and 625. I’ve got nukeproof tubeless wheels in which were a fair bit lighter than standard and can’t feel that either although I guess it’s only a few grams. Still they are light enough considering they are the start of the rail range
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:35 pm
by irie
Couchy wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 8:30 pm
I’m happy with my rail 5, the new XL one is a better fit so the Large one will be sold soon. I take both batteries on longer runs and can’t feel the difference between the 500 and 625. I’ve got nukeproof tubeless wheels in which were a fair bit lighter than standard and can’t feel that either although I guess it’s only a few grams. Still they are light enough considering they are the start of the rail range
Riding 20 miles uses less than 40% of a 500w battery so I guess effective range is over 50 miles, but then again I'm not trying to ride an eBike as an electric off-road motorcycle ...
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:41 pm
by porter_jamie
My bike tried to tell me i had 100 miles.in eco this morning.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 10:28 pm
by irie
porter_jamie wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:41 pm
My bike tried to tell me i had 100 miles.in eco this morning.
For the latest Bosch CX motor with 625w battery wouldn't surprise me.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:19 pm
by Couchy
irie wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:35 pm
Couchy wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 8:30 pm
I’m happy with my rail 5, the new XL one is a better fit so the Large one will be sold soon. I take both batteries on longer runs and can’t feel the difference between the 500 and 625. I’ve got nukeproof tubeless wheels in which were a fair bit lighter than standard and can’t feel that either although I guess it’s only a few grams. Still they are light enough considering they are the start of the rail range
Riding 20 miles uses less than 40% of a 500w battery so I guess effective range is over 50 miles, but then again I'm not trying to ride an eBike as an electric off-road motorcycle ...
In the peaks a 625 lasts 20-25 miles with 4000’ of climbing.
Tbh I ride an ebike to go as fast as possible as you can’t use a motorbike in these areas anymore, i don’t understand having an ebike and not using it to its full assist. For the same effort as a normal bike you get lots more speed. Some of the climbs you would never make in eco mode and need turbo, with the extra assist you can tackle steeper longer stuff. If I was going slow enough/ easy terrain to make the battery last that long I wouldn’t have an ebike I’d just pedal.
Re: Commuting ebike / My ebikes
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:58 pm
by irie
Couchy wrote: Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:19 pm
irie wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 9:35 pm
Couchy wrote: Sun Apr 24, 2022 8:30 pm
I’m happy with my rail 5, the new XL one is a better fit so the Large one will be sold soon. I take both batteries on longer runs and can’t feel the difference between the 500 and 625. I’ve got nukeproof tubeless wheels in which were a fair bit lighter than standard and can’t feel that either although I guess it’s only a few grams. Still they are light enough considering they are the start of the rail range
Riding 20 miles uses less than 40% of a 500w battery so I guess effective range is over 50 miles, but then again I'm not trying to ride an eBike as an electric off-road motorcycle ...
In the peaks a 625 lasts 20-25 miles with 4000’ of climbing.
Tbh
I ride an ebike to go as fast as possible as you can’t use a motorbike in these areas anymore, i don’t understand having an ebike and not using it to its full assist. For the same effort as a normal bike you get lots more speed. Some of the climbs you would never make in eco mode and need turbo, with the extra assist you can tackle steeper longer stuff. If I was going slow enough/ easy terrain to make the battery last that long I wouldn’t have an ebike I’d just pedal.
^^^ As you have previously said.
There is much terrain, which you are clearly not interested in, which is gnarly, twisty, often rooty, and relatively slow which many riders
are interested in, and which often requires steep ascents to reach.