Apr 28, 2020 at 05:20 PM
Yeah, I'm looking for something a lot closer to a CX bike with a motor.
Bicycle Tech/Gear Discussion Thread
Apr 28, 2020 at 05:41 PM
Not much to choose from at the moment...all the gravel-centric electro stuff is $5k+
Apr 28, 2020 at 07:44 PM
You might be better served looking for an e-mtb, it seems like there's a bigger market for that category.
Apr 28, 2020 at 07:52 PM
Bolton e bikes stock a lot different parts.you can build one yourself ,
Apr 28, 2020 at 08:05 PM
@Jules
What could you possibly need a gravel e-bike for? I'm drawing a total blank, unless one or more of your kids has an FTP of over 300w.
What could you possibly need a gravel e-bike for? I'm drawing a total blank, unless one or more of your kids has an FTP of over 300w.
Apr 28, 2020 at 08:21 PM
My wife and I like riding together. We took a trip to Spain last summer and she rode an e-road bike and loved it. She worked hard, and hung with us in the mountains on 4, 5 and 6 hour rides - then, in a complete Pantani-esque fashion she dropped us like a bunch of rocks on the final climb. E-hematocrit doping.mugwump said:@Jules
What could you possibly need a gravel e-bike for? I'm drawing a total blank, unless one or more of your kids has an FTP of over 300w.
Apr 28, 2020 at 09:46 PM
@Jules The solution for couples who like to ride together was developed 140 years ago. The Tandem Bicycle. The End.
Co-Motion even make some gravel and adventure tandems !
Co-Motion even make some gravel and adventure tandems !
Apr 28, 2020 at 10:18 PM
So you want to drop your wife on an e-bike. Got it.Jules said:My wife and I like riding together. We took a trip to Spain last summer and she rode an e-road bike and loved it. She worked hard, and hung with us in the mountains on 4, 5 and 6 hour rides - then, in a complete Pantani-esque fashion she dropped us like a bunch of rocks on the final climb. E-hematocrit doping.mugwump said:@Jules
What could you possibly need a gravel e-bike for? I'm drawing a total blank, unless one or more of your kids has an FTP of over 300w.
have you checked out Electric Bike Action Magazine? Seems like that should be your first reference https://electricbikeaction.com/
May 02, 2020 at 02:55 PM
Using Machine Learning for Automated Bike Fits
https://youtu.be/eErfWulipiA
Think real-time feedback, at home, on your trainer.
https://youtu.be/eErfWulipiAThink real-time feedback, at home, on your trainer.
May 26, 2020 at 03:11 PM
I need to get new mtb pedals for my cross bike. I've always used Shimano, just cus. I haven't really had any issues with them, but is there any merit to switching to something like Crank Brothers from SPD?
May 26, 2020 at 03:30 PM
I stick to SPD just so that I have one less thing I need to worry adjusting (like setting crank cleats) and of course, they work just fine. Otherwise following this thread, as there could be some advantages using crank bros, specially the ones with platforms.
May 26, 2020 at 03:54 PM
I'm a fan of Crank Brothers Eggbeaters. I've ridden first-, second- and third-generation. Each one got better.RobertMullen said:I need to get new mtb pedals for my cross bike. I've always used Shimano, just cus. I haven't really had any issues with them, but is there any merit to switching to something like Crank Brothers from SPD?
I was on the first- and second-generation SPDs. the connection was solid, I liked dialing in the tension, but they gummed up too quickly for my taste.
I tried Time, but the one-entry spring wasn't great.
I tried Look, solid connection, but felt the stack was too high.
Eggbeaters are light, great at flowing through mud, and seem to have a relatively low stack height. THey're also really easy to service. A bit more float than I like, but, depending on how you arrange the cleats, you have more or less flaot before your foot comes ou.
In terms of the platformed Candy vs the minimal Eggbeater, my feeling is that your shoe doesn't really hit the platform except on the sides regardless.
Sorta interesting side note. Jeremy Powers raced the Crank Brothers Candys off road, but would always switch to Time pedals for road riding. Powers for some reason couldn't ride Speedplay--the Speedplay honcho even worked with him for a long time to figure out what the issue was, and he never did. Powers cx prior, Tim Johnson, committed to riding SPDs off and on road, once CX became his focus.
Eggbeaters are light, great at flowing through mud, and seem to have a relatively low stack height. THey're also really easy to service. A bit more float than I like, but, depending on how you arrange the cleats, you have more or less flaot before your foot comes ou.
In terms of the platformed Candy vs the minimal Eggbeater, my feeling is that your shoe doesn't really hit the platform except on the sides regardless.
Sorta interesting side note. Jeremy Powers raced the Crank Brothers Candys off road, but would always switch to Time pedals for road riding. Powers for some reason couldn't ride Speedplay--the Speedplay honcho even worked with him for a long time to figure out what the issue was, and he never did. Powers cx prior, Tim Johnson, committed to riding SPDs off and on road, once CX became his focus.
May 26, 2020 at 04:37 PM
Thanks a lot for the detailed reply! I was looking at the mid-range Eggbeaters. I've only had a few instances where SPDs got too gummed up from snow or mud, but it sounds like the eggbeaters might do well shedding the yucky stuff.
May 26, 2020 at 04:43 PM
+1 for the Eggbeaters. I've got the Eggbeater 3s on my SuperX and they're great. I got the Quattro 3-hole cleat converter thing so I can use my road shoes with them as well. They're a little loose for road riding overall but that's more of a personal thing because I'm using the same exact bike/pedals for the road as I do for cx/trails. Also if it matters to you, they're some of the lightest mtb pedals you can buy.
I've also got the Candys on my mtb and they're fine. They don't clear crap as well as the Eggbeaters but they're also just slightly easier to clip into because of the slight platforms. That said, I'm going back to flats on my mtb just because I've found the benefits of clips don't outweigh the negatives for my riding style.
May 26, 2020 at 05:24 PM
Rob
I prefer the candys , for those times when you got to pedal but didn’t get to clip in , I perceive the platform helps me
I prefer the candys , for those times when you got to pedal but didn’t get to clip in , I perceive the platform helps me
May 27, 2020 at 04:34 PM
Ah, I hadn't even considered that. Thanks!
May 27, 2020 at 05:19 PM
+ on the eggbeater 3s. i find them pretty easy to clip in.
there are different cleats you can get for float/no float and release angle
there are different cleats you can get for float/no float and release angle
May 27, 2020 at 06:10 PM
I've been using SPD's for years, no issues.
May 27, 2020 at 06:12 PM
My old sidi's are finally nearing the end of their life, and my feet seem a bit wider than when I first stated squeezing my feet into wearing them. I think it's time to switch it up to some shoes that have an internal tilt (shim) like Specialized.
Suggestions/comments?
Suggestions/comments?
May 27, 2020 at 06:57 PM
James Reeder said:+ on the eggbeater 3s. i find them pretty easy to clip in.
there are different cleats you can get for float/no float and release angle
Mark Taylor said:Rob
I prefer the candys , for those times when you got to pedal but didn’t get to clip in , I perceive the platform helps me
Thanks again all! Did you have to mess around with the funky shims they sell? Or were yours p much good out of the box?Nathaniel Picard Busky said:+1 for the Eggbeaters. I've got the Eggbeater 3s on my SuperX and they're great. I got the Quattro 3-hole cleat converter thing so I can use my road shoes with them as well. They're a little loose for road riding overall but that's more of a personal thing because I'm using the same exact bike/pedals for the road as I do for cx/trails. Also if it matters to you, they're some of the lightest mtb pedals you can buy.
May 27, 2020 at 07:16 PM
I just kinda threw mine on and they work fine (???). I'm probably more in the blissful ignorance category though.
May 27, 2020 at 10:09 PM
@RobertMullen
The one thing I recommend getting is the steel plate that goes between the cleat and your shoe. I wore divots in the first pair of shoes I used Eggbeaters with.
The shims are there to make getting in and out of the pedals easier.
The one thing I recommend getting is the steel plate that goes between the cleat and your shoe. I wore divots in the first pair of shoes I used Eggbeaters with.
The shims are there to make getting in and out of the pedals easier.
May 27, 2020 at 10:11 PM
Why do you think the tilt (virus wedge?) will help?Jules said:My old sidi's are finally nearing the end of their life, and my feet seem a bit wider than when I first stated squeezing my feet into wearing them. I think it's time to switch it up to some shoes that have an internal tilt (shim) like Specialized.
Suggestions/comments?
For me, while the Specialized shoes work for my feet well, my insoles probably minimize down to zero the effect of the tilt.
I guess feet get wider with age, though I guess it could be arches falling.
Just supporting the arches in your feet might do what the tilt is supposed to do.
May 27, 2020 at 11:36 PM
I wear shims now under my cleats - I'd prefer one less moving part every season when I swap new cleats.
May 28, 2020 at 12:22 PM
Anybody have any opinions on a Wahoo Element Roam vs Garmin 530? For me, one thing that's real important is good mapping, with the ability to return home from anywhere I wander to. That, and all the other necessities, like well made and not full of bugs.
May 28, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Roam has a lot of feature that 'make sense' and is really dialed into the end-user preferences (ie: the data-driven cyclist). Garmin really fell off imho....poor hardware (namely battery life) and software (under tested/developed).
I made the switch this year and im never going back =]
Have never missed the touch screen either. its too small anyway to really be of any use without a stylus...or mayb my fingers are too stubby
I made the switch this year and im never going back =]
Have never missed the touch screen either. its too small anyway to really be of any use without a stylus...or mayb my fingers are too stubby
May 28, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Both units will get you to your destination via routing, but only one (Wahoo Roam) will reroute you if you go too far off course as crazy as that sounds. Wahoo also keeps a nice dark grey line on the map page (simple, but really effective) to show you where you've travelled on current ride. I often find myself just following the 'breadcrumbs' home.
May 28, 2020 at 12:59 PM
I had a Garmin 820 and it was very buggy and the routing would crash every 3rd ride. And like John said, the touch screen was miserable to use. I got rid of it and got a Bolt (though I'm now eyeing the Roam).
May 28, 2020 at 01:07 PM
Wahoo Roam.
May 28, 2020 at 03:12 PM
Interesting. I just got a new 530 and I'm loving it. Insane 12+ hour battery life and you can reroute anywhere you want, as well as see where you are and have been on the map. It also does a couple of things that I didn't expect but appreciate;
- warnings when you are coming up to a sharp turn
- links to weather alarms (flash floods, wind, storms) which are a big deal up here
- sleep vs off mode
- bike alarm
- if the computer comes off your bike the garmin app will tell you where it was when it disconnected
- battery levels for all the connected devices