June 16, 201411 yr So, some of you will know I bought an US generation 1 A2B Metro and it's become my daily commute bike, with some modifications which I thought I'd share in case any other A2B owners are watching. This is what I've done. Made it pedal assist (US version is throttle only) fitted, used a GBK-LED01 Electric bike LED meter and fitted a PAS sensor and wheel. had to buffer the input to the throttle via a transistor as the controller has quite a low throttle impedance Changed the rear shock, my god was it bouncy, it's a big heavy bike and bouncing round corners is not safe!! Modified the rear mudguard to stop it rattling (the main complaint of most A2B owners) Fitted rear pannier bags and lights. New brake pads all round for the BB5 brakes, these ones http://www.uberbikecomponents.com/view-product/Uberbike-Avid-BB5-Semi-Metallic-Disc-Brake-Pads seem good so far. New grips (stock ones are quite harsh on hands). New Valvert pedals (the stock one are too slippy) The main one now. Upped the stock 42T chainwheel to a 44T, not big enough, then a 48T, still not enough, and finally a 53T (had to change the chainset in order to achieve this. This is the best thing to do with any of these bikes, the performance is 100% better, no more "ghost pedalling", great power delivery for a commuter bike. Just ordered a 53T chain guard now to stop any trouser entanglement!
June 16, 201411 yr Author Almost forgot, I also fitted a moped style mirror (threaded inserts already on the brake levers) and my Orp horn!
June 16, 201411 yr I have an orp horn as well. It works great. Do you know what is the best way to add the remote switch to it?
June 16, 201411 yr Author I think its a stereo jack plug, I need to have a play to see if I can make a two way switch, press soft for chirp then harder for full horn. I'll do some playing when I get a mo.
June 16, 201411 yr How do these bikes handle, out of curiosity? I briefly looked at these on the web, but was completely put off by their (iirc) 28kg weight.
June 16, 201411 yr So, some of you will know I bought an US generation 1 A2B Metro and it's become my daily commute bike, with some modifications which I thought I'd share in case any other A2B owners are watching. This is what I've done. Made it pedal assist (US version is throttle only) fitted, used a GBK-LED01 Electric bike LED meter and fitted a PAS sensor and wheel. had to buffer the input to the throttle via a transistor as the controller has quite a low throttle impedance Changed the rear shock, my god was it bouncy, it's a big heavy bike and bouncing round corners is not safe!! Modified the rear mudguard to stop it rattling (the main complaint of most A2B owners) Fitted rear pannier bags and lights. New brake pads all round for the BB5 brakes, these ones http://www.uberbikecomponents.com/view-product/Uberbike-Avid-BB5-Semi-Metallic-Disc-Brake-Pads seem good so far. New grips (stock ones are quite harsh on hands). New Valvert pedals (the stock one are too slippy) The main one now. Upped the stock 42T chainwheel to a 44T, not big enough, then a 48T, still not enough, and finally a 53T (had to change the chainset in order to achieve this. This is the best thing to do with any of these bikes, the performance is 100% better, no more "ghost pedalling", great power delivery for a commuter bike. Just ordered a 53T chain guard now to stop any trouser entanglement! [ATTACH]8833[/ATTACH] Goodness! That's a f..jolly big chainring:eek:
June 16, 201411 yr Author Works really well. As it's a heavy bike it really gets some momentum going on the flats, and I couldn't pedal along fast enough. The big chain wheel has made a massive difference. Handling wise it rides like a motorbike, had to learn how to lean into corners properly. But a great solid ride for city centre commuting. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/dyjyseve.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/je3ese8a.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/venymaqy.jpg A big bike needs big locks. Motorbike lock on the front with a Kryptonite lock and cable on the back. Aldi pannier bags on a slightly modded back rack (ie added some side pieces on the stock rack with a small bar inbetween to keep them apart).
June 16, 201411 yr Author You'll just see my £5 bike alarm behind the seat post, (a noise maker basically) and the front and lower mudguard light were Victoria Pembleton ones from Halfords.
June 16, 201411 yr Author Oops forgot the picture. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/umetyzum.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/eqyzytyp.jpg
June 16, 201411 yr Those locks look pretty sturdy! I do much the same: two big D locks are off-putting to would-be thieves. Do you leave your panniers, ever? I'd imagine they would be the first thing to be nicked, but I've never used them.
June 16, 201411 yr how do you find the new BB5 pad? My default pad is awful to give enough stopping power
June 16, 201411 yr Author I leave my panniers on at work, they only have my raincoat a pump and a cheap toolkit in. The pannier bags are cable tied underneath though. Our bike rack is right next to our 24hr reception so are always in sight. Brake pads are a little bit grindy but stop you instantly. Have skidded a few times with the back one, but they've only been on a week or so, time will tell.
June 17, 201411 yr Author Just realised this morning I need a longer chain, I wouldn't be able to use the larger sprockets as the dérailleur would be too close, not really an issue as I rarely need those gears, but I'm a stickler for everything being right!
June 17, 201411 yr Just realised this morning I need a longer chain, I wouldn't be able to use the larger sprockets as the dérailleur would be too close, not really an issue as I rarely need those gears, but I'm a stickler for everything being right! I am the same, I like to allow any gear combo just incase for an upright, and for use on a recumbent as there is no such thing as cross chaining
June 17, 201411 yr Author Got a SJ4000 camera for Father's Day (with a multitude of mounting options) and have been testing it, impressed so far, this clip is of the pointless Bradford bike bridge that doesn't connect any bike infrastructure at all (not that there is much). Sound includes Orp horn chirping and new brake discs grinding in! Thanks to Techmoan for the great review that led to this being the camera that with probably record my death by an uninsured driver (highest in the UK, yay Bradford). Watch in 720p HD if you want to see the quality in full effect.
June 18, 201411 yr that looks a really clear picture I was debating which helmet cam to go for ,I think your ,and techmoan review just swung it for me ,do you have any idea where it was purchased thanks
June 18, 201411 yr Author I bought mine from here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HD-1080P-12MP-Bike-Helmet-Sport-DV-Action-Waterproof-Car-Camera-DVR-Cam-SJ4000-B-/171314371804?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_Camcorders&hash=item27e321dcdc I have mine mounted on my handlebars, but there's a ton of mounting options included.
June 18, 201411 yr its ok then with the vibration? thought I might mount on the helmet at the risk of looking like a tele tubbie
June 19, 201411 yr Author There's a little bit of vibration, but as you can see in the clip I think it's acceptable. I'll take a picture of the mount I'm using. I've tried it on the helmet but I tend to look around too much!
June 20, 201411 yr Author For any fellow metro owners here's the wiring for the 2nd battery connector. Next task for me is to build a spare pack just in case. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/21/sumu7y8a.jpg
June 26, 201411 yr Author Finally got a chain wheel guard to for a 52T! And the grey colour is a good match for the decals. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/27/yha9y2e7.jpg
June 30, 201411 yr Author New brakes bedded in! They obviously don't teach road safety in schools any more, the Green Cross Code Man would be furious. Not to mention Alvin Stardust! You must be out of your tiny minds!
July 8, 201411 yr Author Well more repairs today. Got hit by a motorist today. He was very impatient joining the main road from a side street and seemed furious that he had to wait for me to pass before pulling out, so pulled out when I'd almost passed. Caught the back of the bike and snapped the rear mudguard and light and pushed the back end of the bike out. Luckily I stayed upright but couldn't get a reg number as he'd gone off at speed. I was bit shaken but managed to cable tie the mudguard out of the way in order to get home. Looks like I need another sj4000 on the back of the bike as well! Both halves of the mudguard now glued and steel wired back together (glue alone wasn't enough so holes drilled and thin steel wired "sewed" through) and light fixed ready to do battle tomorrow.
August 5, 201411 yr Author What I've realised since the knock was that my dérailleur hanger was bent and the mudguard supports damaged so more work for me to fix. Next task is I'm building a proper dashboard for this bike so I don't have a load of clutter on the handlebars.
August 5, 201411 yr Well more repairs today. Got hit by a motorist today. He was very impatient joining the main road from a side street and seemed furious that he had to wait for me to pass before pulling out, so pulled out when I'd almost passed. Sorry to hear about the accident, and at least you are around to tell the tale! It's frustrating when one suspects a motorist knows an accident has happened but they pretend not to be aware so they can drive off. I was knocked off a couple of months ago, but thankfully the driver was honest. Not only did he stop but he took immediate responsibility too, quite correctly. He even gave me a lift to my destination!
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