I understand installing a spare intube battery requires the removal of the fork ? That would be a pain out on the road. Certainly a dual battery option with a switch (or both in series) with, as you mention, a weather proof cover for the external (Hailong type?), when just using the intube battery for that lightweight fast commute during the week, but great range on holidays/tours/weekend rides

I do wonder how easy this would be to do oneself?

Mmmmm phrases like advanced overvolting, and parallel batteries in series, kinda sends shivers down my spine . To say my electrical skills are limited is a huge understatement.From the first 100 miles I know I can easily achieve 30 miles range and this will be 99.5% of my rides, so am in no hurry to change anything. To be fair Reading technology moves quickly in ebikes and could be a future plug and play addition that even i could manage.

Mmmmm phrases like advanced overvolting, and parallel batteries in series, kinda sends shivers down my spine . To say my electrical skills are limited is a huge understatement.From the first 100 miles I know I can easily achieve 30 miles range and this will be 99.5% of my rides, so am in no hurry to change anything. To be fair Reading technology moves quickly in ebikes and could be a future plug and play addition that even i could manage.

That's just Nealh picking up on a my schoolboy error and me replying tongue in cheek.

The really interesting thing I read today was the development of a battery cell that has a 16 year lifespan, if they can adopt that technology for ebikes then that would be amazing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52966178

You not heard of advanced overvolting ? ;-)

 

Not at 72v for a 36v hub and controller, controller will go bang first.

Not at 72v for a 36v hub and controller, controller will go bang first.

You obviously missed the ;-) wink to show I was joking...

In all seriousness Kids, don't do it, as Nealh says, your controller WILL go bang and might smoke a bit if you put two 36v batteries in series through your 36v controller....

Forgive my ignorance but is a spur not a fail safe that only allows current from one battery or the other even if both are turned on accidentally. Probably codswallop but only one turned on, then off before the other turned on would that not work?

Forgive my ignorance but is a spur not a fail safe that only allows current from one battery or the other even if both are turned on accidentally. Probably codswallop but only one turned on, then off before the other turned on would that not work?

 

 

If both are connected and turned on (voltage as close as poss) then they will drain and equalise fairly equally, the loading from each battery is about half so less current and stress for the cells.

Thanks nealh hopefully my internal battery will last a few years. So by the time I replace technology will allow larger capacity for the same weight and size penalty. Cheers

Next generation will likely be larger because of the 21700 cell format which can give more capacity, current trends are still 18650 though. Not enough testing/cycling has been carried out by ebikers with the newer format, though the Sam 50E is looking promising but only a sub 10a discharge cell.

Possibly detrimental to the manufactures who produce the stealth bikes with internal batteries? Might struggle if the trend moves toward larger volume batteries or will the higher capacity even out the discrepancy

the problem that needs to be solved with a spur for external battery is the auto-isolation if the battery is not present. You can't leave the two pins live on the downtube if the battery is not there.

Edited June 9, 20205 yr by Woosh

Hi Woosh some type of battery terminal isolators possibly built into that elusive cover for cradle when not in use?

true. Still needs to be made.

Alternatively, a circuit board inside the battery base that switches on the external battery when the voltage of the external battery is higher than the internal one.

Great topic about a lovely bike.

Looks much nicer in the flesh.

I need to paint the silver supports of the mudguards

I had a few teething issues but Hatti was fantastic.

 

With the battery I've seen some videos on YouTube were folk have plugged in external batterys into the charge port.

I obviously wouldn't try this but maybe an option.

 

What are people's thoughts on the best tyres I have only taken my bike out once so far but my commute is 16 miles and definitely want the best puncture resistant tyres.

 

Had issues with the inner tubes at halfords do we need 80mm presto?

 

My front handle bars I've changed the grips as didn't like the standard ones but notice my handlebar(front stem) moves very freely from side to side is this normal.

When bike is on the bike stand the wheel easily rotates to the side, very freely . Which I find quite nervy.

 

I have the standard 8ah and looking forward to putting miles on it.

 

It's very easy to ride with the battery turned off also!

Are there any plans to do the faro in a different colour to Matt black? My workplace shelters have clear panels and are like mini greenhouses. I can’t imagine a Matt black frame in full sun for 8 hours would be very good for the battery!

Hi Sutty86 I’ve bought spare inner tubes presta valve 60mm fit great. As for tyres I plumbed for marathon plus, supposedly bomb proof, but come with a weight penalty. Personally I think they perform great, look wider and higher on the rims and feel more assured on the loose stuff. The freely turning front stem and wheel has been observed by myself and hopefully is normal (makes steering light and easy) Hope you enjoy your Faro as much as I do mine and first one to a thousand miles wins (pictures of display as proof ha)

Thanks pal be a

Hi Sutty86 I’ve bought spare inner tubes presta valve 60mm fit great. As for tyres I plumbed for marathon plus, supposedly bomb proof, but come with a weight penalty. Personally I think they perform great, look wider and higher on the rims and feel more assured on the loose stuff. The freely turning front stem and wheel has been observed by myself and hopefully is normal (makes steering light and easy) Hope you enjoy your Faro as much as I do mine and first one to a thousand miles wins (pictures of display as proof ha)

Thanks for the reassurance on the free turning.

 

Did you buy a riser or going stock?

 

Cheers will buy tyres now what size did you opt for?

Originally was going to go 32c but got a deal on two 28c tyres and when fitted look much wider and higher than original detonators and provide plenty grip. Really have to get a grip on expenditure, but think a riser may enhance the look.

Well I’m delighted to say mine has arrived!!!!! And I really do think the matt black finish looks so much better in person than it does in the pictures. I’ll try and take some pics over the weekend but I already know I’m going to put plenty of miles on it.

 

I’ve not had or ridden a bike in about three years but the ease at which I can cover ground on the farò is truly impressive. My drive to Reading centre (in pre-C-19) traffic used to be circa 30 minutes and I’ve a strong feeling I’ll cut this time down significantly. It’s also likely that I’ll not be using it in all weathers but for when I can it’ll be greener, quicker and more fun!

 

I’ve already installed my gp5 (thank you Pedelecs people) bar ends and to be honest I’m grateful I have as I do think this standard grips look a bit naff in person. The new bar ends do make the bike feel nibble but also improve the look imho.

 

Anyway tyre, (a better than Halfords own) lock and lights are still on that shopping list but for now I’m off and running or should that be pedalling?

I fitted Schwalbe marathon MTB plus tyres to my Cube about 1,200 miles ago. The weight isn't a problem on an ebike and they immediately felt a lot freer running than the Schwalbe tyres that came as standard. They seem to grip well enough for my use and have only let go a bit on fine sand. I'm really pleased with the Marathons because they are so noticeably free running. Oh, and no punctures so far.

Great news on the bike, tell us in a new personal review, after a few rides, your findings and feelings on all aspects pertaining to the “ Steed” Must inform you if you plumb for marathon plus please take care on selection of width. 28c really really do fit higher and wider than stock tyres and look extremely substantial on the wheels. If you decide on 32c , clearance for mudguards will be tight. Experiment with cockpit comfort, foolishly I had seat post way to high and saddle moved back on the rails. Now moved saddle forward, with the tip of the saddle over the bottom bracket when looking down and seat post dropped a little, feel very comfortable.

Hope weather improves so we can get out more, grinning like idiots or teenagers on a promise. Enjoy your new bike.

If you don't want to go 'full level 5' on tyre protection, but want something that is grippy in all weathers, great puncture protection, and are lighter and roll better, take a look at Schwalbe Energiser Plus. I've run them in 700 x 35 guise on my commuter ebike for the last 4 years, nearly 10k miles, and only 2 punctures in that time. SJS cycles sometimes have them cheap at about £16 each

 

Comparison on weight, puncture protection, rolling resistance here:

 

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews

Edited June 12, 20205 yr by egroover

Sutty86 and Reading newbie sorry but I couldn’t resist 138 miles and bike rides like a dream

I like the bar ends but seem very expensive when I googled them .

Looking to buy a cheaper alternative as my wrists are killing me , went on a battered footpath for 100m and killed my wrists in the process.

 

Think I will have to get a different seat on mine as I'm slightly too short, the suspension seat post is a little to high on the lowest setting.

Not the bikes fault just my height

 

Fitted a new inner tube and nearly blew my biceps off pumping it up! Are presta notoriously hard to pump towards the end!

I have a little short halfords pump which does both!

May invest in a footpump!

 

Made a massive error in fitting my handlebars and basically been riding around the the forks on back to front!

One of my friends noticed in a photo I put up!

 

Really impressed with the bike on hills!

There's a really steep street near where I live my motorbike used to struggle getting up it and my exs 1l Citroen would!

Bike flew up with me obviously giving it some Welly!

May invest in a footpump!

have you looked at electric pumps?