ok, time for some feedback on what it feels like going from Roady (ish) to Pedal assist E bike. I felt it best placed to put here, ref, it was on here it was asked.
I have done 3 rides so far, recovering from injury/surgery, so just easing back in. All rides are around marathon distance and 25 miles plus. 2 rides during the day, mid day to afternoon, and 1 ride, in the full dark, from 8 pm.
The first ride, the bike took a bit of getting used to, with the pedal assist not working all the time. My main issue is hills, as a road cyclist they are my nemesis and I hate them. Now no more. I found that as you spin up to increase cadence, for how I would normally hit a climb, the bike is less responsive to providing power, I found using a lower cadence gave me more benefit and took some getting used to, The first ride out, was really just about getting me used to riding again and getting used to the bike. I used 50% power for the first ride of 26 miles and 2000 foot of climbing. The bike rolled well, and the tyres felt grippy and sure. Controls were easy to fathom, but I felt the buttons needed more pressure than I was expecting. Although I do suffer from lack of finger sensitive due to my on going condition, so that might just be me. The Lack of MPH display wasn't an issue as I ran my garmin to compensate. The standard handle bar tape is pretty comfy, so I wont be changing it. I normally run Phat Bar tapes, with a suede feel and gel cushioning. The seat... might need a few more rides to be sure. I found the bottle cage to be tight. I need to adjust the position, for an over size bottle. I averaged 14.8 mph.
The 2nd ride was much more determined, and I set my self more of some hill climb challenges, taking on the Rake (a local hill climb). I aimed to see how much battery I could burn in 25 or so miles. I made it home with 40% remaining, staying in sport mode all the way up hills, but dropped to Eco on the flats. I did try and run with out assistance, but with a heavy head wind, the bike felt so heavy. Part of this is me being out of condition I am sure. The ride felt quick and to say I was round much quicker than anticipated, I had an average speed of 16.1 mph
The 3rd ride, was again planned around some known hills and being a night time ride, I had to kit the bike up with lights. No issue, there, plenty of mounting places, with even an array LED zip tied to the seat rails, and 4 forward facing lights, gave enough rear warning and forward vision. There are no street lights in the lanes locally and I drop to 1 LED light when approaching traffic comes.
I found the back light on the display, overly aggressive as it is far to bright for my aero helmet and visor (not a time trail one). I found the ambient light from my garmin lit the screen just enough to show which mode I was riding in.
On this ride, I had some long climbs, with grades over 20% and most around 11%. On one particular climb comparing my time to Standard Strava, I beat the current KOM by 20 seconds, and was over 4 minutes quicker than one of my fastest mates.
I took the bike down some significant drops also, finding the bike stable at speed (over 40 mph) with assured braking.
I was around the 26 miles in 1 hour 22 minutes, with 2400ft of climbing. average speed was 18.4 mph. There was really no need for any stops and I planned the ride to be able to roll out at junctions, so stop time was minimal. I did have issues with traffic, as on some downhill stretches I was on the speed limit, meaning cars were wanting to pass. (Why?). I got home with the battery on 20% remaining, having rarely dropped out of Sport on any road, just on the drops really. And just to add, at this point, I haven't used anything but the big ring on the front. There has been enough range just on the one ring.
OK so, long story short. I love the bike. Its everything I wanted and hoped for. Yes there are negatives, the weight being one. I cannot ride with a group of roadies on the flat, its hard to push the bike along over 18 mph for a sustained period. The bike has a longer wheel base than my previous bikes and it encourages me to get a bit more streamlined and it may take a few more rides to get used to. My back was a little sore, but again that could be just down to a lack of recent miles anyway. I'm a little disappointed at the lack of on screen functionality on the HUD, I was hoping for more, but having the garmin as part of the purchase, has bridged the gap. As for me the next ride is a few more weeks of, I am scheduled for more surgery and doing these rides as this point in my recovery is a little foolish. Time I headed some well motived advice and waited.
The over riding plus for me, Hills are 15 mph every time. I still have breath at the top and legs to push on down the other side. I reckon if I wanted too, and stopped trying to push on, I could stretch a battery to 50 miles or so of mixed riding, using eco or none in the flats, and rolling up hills in normal. With a bit more fitness, maybe even Eco up hills. I maybe purchasing a 2nd battery for my occasional Scotland to home rides, which I could see myself doing in just under 6 hours if I really wanted to. I think the other hidden benefit is this will help massively with my recovery and see me riding my normal roadie more. There was nothing more depressing than going out with a bunch of moderately fit guys and being the fat lad at the back every weekend. Now at least I will have some vengeance on the hills for the first 25 miles. As yet, none of my riding mates, want to accompany me on a ride..... ahhh who cares....
however that is going to sound.
