Blaque

I'm So gland I live in Scotland with it's Right to Roam laws.

I'm using ViewRanger. Free phone app and website, but you need to purchase the OS maps. But this is done by grid squares so that you can just buy the bits you need. Suggests routes from your present location. You can download routes on the phone or website prior to going and follow the route. Or just record where you have been and create a route from that. The Strava website is good for finding tracks. But I find that you have to zoom in and out for them to start appearing. Then if the track is in a wood it is only a red line in a grey square and you have to have a bit of local knowledge to find it.

I'm using Time Atac MX4's and Five Ten Kestrel shoes. Time Atac have a bit float for my doggie knees. They have enough platform to pedal comfortably on if you don't get clipped in straight away when re-starting on a steep hill and could be used without SPD shoes for nipping down the shops. I also find I have a lot less pedal strikes compared to the V2 flats they replaced. Shoes are Ok to walk in, not as solid and unforgiving like the SIDI's I have, and feel more like trainers than cycling shoes.

My brother was a cycle courier in London many year ago. His solution was a big rusty padlock and chain wrapped around the handlebar. The swinging from side to side and the potential damage it may have caused bought him a lot of room.

Looks like you have an overvolt like me. So semi stealth routing. Loosely loop your zip ties through the lugs on the frame and route the outer cable though to keep in place while you measure. The difficult bit was the last lug at the battery mount. Ended up taking the plastic mount off to route the cable properly. But just 2 screws so dead easy. Instructions that come with it are good. Just remember to measure twice, cut once. You'll need zip ties and cable cutters to do the job.

Hi STEVEMANFA Having never used a dropper and not wanting to spend a lot of money on one if I wasn't getting use out of it, I went for a Brand X dropper. Just fitted. Haven't used it in anger yet so cannot vouch for it in anyway. Did not like the activation leaver, very long throw and awkward to position. So I have stuck a KS Southpaw on it and it's much improved.

Hi Bigkevp, You don't say what kind of terrain you ride, but vibrations from rough ground can cause your hands to go numb. I second Mortlake, a carbon raiser bar and some new grips http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s?q=ergon+ge1+grips&cat=product would be a cheaper way to start solving the problem for you. Adding a steeper angled stem along with the raise handlebar would also get you sitting more upright and take some of the weight of the hands too which might help with the numbness. Altering the geometry with huge forks that your bike was never designed to take will probably ruin the handling.

I had to relent last night, and gave it a quick hose down. As well as pull out the grass (it was so wet and muddy it could have been Reeds) from the cassette. Stevemanfa - That's too shiny !!

To be honest, I just put it away

It finally arrived on Thursday. Took the day off to sign for the delivery and say good bye to my old Friend. Swopping my 2001 Marin Rift Zone @ 25lbs for a 50lbs Lapierre Overvolt FS700. Only managed to put it together and have a short test around the block after that. A bit disappointed, Controller would switch on but switch off 30 sec later, couldn't switch the mode from off to Eco. Had a read of the manual. "The motor only switches on when you start to pedal." Ok, lets set off and start pedalling. No still won't change. Its a good job around the block is mostly flat. Except for the short 10-12% hill near the finish. At least I know I can get up under my own steam! Day two. I found out I hadn't pushed the screen all the way on to its holder. What a difference, it actually works!! Now I'm getting somewhere. In fact I did twice my usual distance in the same time. This is not intended as a review, as I have a little bit more fettling to do. I think I have all the pressures to high. Tyres, Shock, Forks, so would not be a true reflection on the capabilities of the bike. But climbing is fun, I have only noticed the motor cutting out over 15mph a couple of times. 28mph is doable on the flat without spinning like a washing machine. The brakes could do with a little more bite. At one point I lay in the grass looking up at notch of bark I had just taken out of a nearby tree and thought "these handlebars must be a lot wider." Anyway I am having fun and when I get it dialled in I'll let you know what I think about this bike. Time to give it a wash and put it away. First Mud

Congratulations. I'm still waiting delivery on an FS700, so would be interested on hearing about your first impressions.

I've ordered a FS 700 from Sunset MTB. Website said it was in stock when I ordered but was sent an email next day saying that it would be a 3 week wait. Offered a discount because they didn't have stock. I'm 5' 9" - 30" inside leg. Medium fits perfect.

Hi Steve, Yes, I went for the Overvolt FS 700. The one I demoed had upgraded brakes and a dropper post, but was asking FS 900 money for it, and it would have been an ex demo. So ordered online, not in stock so will have to wait 3 weeks but offered a 10% discount because of it. I can wait 3 weeks. Will do a write up after it's arrived, ans I've had it out a few times. Cheers,

Been lurking on here for a couple of weeks now. Thank you all for putting up the info. I’ve been a mountain biker since the 90’s and currently have a much loved 14 year old Marin Rift Zone on which only the frame and seat post are original. I used to go out a lot a few years ago on group rides. But dwindled away for various reasons. The main one being that I felt that I was holding everyone back. Not that anyone in anyway conveyed this to me, and were always more than happy to stop and have a blether at the top of the hill and wait for me. Even on the frosty of nights!! I have a congenital heart disorder, a pacemaker and have broken my lower back a couple of times. These are not things that make a good climber, but in turn I would wait for them at the bottom of the other side Originally I was looking at ebikes to get my other half out a bit more. She enjoys biking but feels she is holding me back, as I have to wait for her at the top of the hill. Is there a theme developing here? Anyway the CUBE I had found is not available in her size, and will have to wait until next year’s model comes out. Then I thought “what about me?” would an ebike encourage me to go out more? Go out for longer? I looked at Bulls Bikes, I liked the “hidden battery.” None left. I looked at CUBE. Again none of this year’s models left. I had a demo on a Lapierre. A short run up a 16% hill. Gears in the middle of the cassette, I didn’t think to change them. I just used the difference assistance modes when my thighs began burn. I looked down. I’m doing 10-11 miles an hour!! Up a Hill!!! So, 3 weeks until delivery, and now that I have told you lot, I’d better go tell the other half.