I finally took my ebike for a test ride.

[PCeBiker]

Yes, it says "Shimano" yet that shite is garbage. The sifters and cables and housings and derailleurs too, trash.

Yeah, that's what I got goin on,..

It has worked well so far, but it's only had the chain rolled through it a few dozen times.

I went to change gears during my first test ride, and was pushing the wrong button on the shifter.



I figure that if I shift carefully and work my left brake lever (now the rear brake) like a clutch to disengage the motor (once I connect the brake switches) then I can start to pedal to shift gears, under hopefully no load from the motor?
(There is enough play in the left brake lever to activate the brake switch before the brake activates)

And with a waxed chain, the derailleur stays clean and doesn't clog up with crud.

Then I can carry on never cleaning it, or any other part of my ebike.

 

[PCeBiker]

As long as your mind can keep track of what's going on, you should be alright

Speaking of that,..
Along with learning how to operate my gear shifter,.. I got on my ebike before my first test ride, and forgot what brake lever was connected to what wheel?
(I actually had to try each lever to find out )

So, in an effort to train my muscle memory, I kept thinking about it, and practicing grabbing the rear brake.

It's going to double as a clutch and my main "Holy s*it" handle to deactivate my motors and get started locking up the rear wheel.

I locked up the rear tire in the gravel a couple times to help "seat" the memory somewhere for the adrenaline rush to find it.


That leaves the right hand with the most important job of operating the front brake, which I will hopefully be modulating and not locking.

 

[stompandgo]

That's called a wheelie bike.

 

[PCeBiker]

That's called a wheelie bike.

I've never been able to do wheelies.
It is set up perfectly for doing wheelies though.

I did actually get my wheel off the ground a couple of inches a few times, but I wasn't about to try and learn that new trick.

Partly cuz I don't wanna crash my ebike, and partly cuz I don't wanna crash on my old bones.

(It's not about hurting my pride in any way.
I know that I'd crash at least a few times while learning that trick.)

 

[Marcela]

Speaking of that,..
Along with learning how to operate my gear shifter,.. I got on my ebike before my first test ride, and forgot what brake lever was connected to what wheel?
(I actually had to try each lever to find out )

So, in an effort to train my muscle memory, I kept thinking about it, and practicing grabbing the rear brake.

It's going to double as a clutch and my main "Holy s*it" handle to deactivate my motors and get started locking up the rear wheel.

I locked up the rear tire in the gravel a couple times to help "seat" the memory somewhere for the adrenaline rush to find it.


That leaves the right hand with the most important job of operating the front brake, which I will hopefully be modulating and not locking.

That’s what I am talking about

 

[PCeBiker]

That’s what I am talking about

I actually managed to slide my front wheel out sideways (unintentionally) about an inch or two yesterday going around a corner.

I ride 95% gravel, so I'm not going to go over the handlebars, I'm going to slide out my front wheel from under me, and end up on my ass.

If I happen to be in a corner, I could slide off the road.


Another time last year I was turning from pavement onto gravel, and there was sand and gravel on top of the asphalt.
I slid out a couple inches that time too, but managed to have enough "wobble room" to regain control without wiping out.

Sand and gravel on top of asphalt is even more slippery than just a gravel surface.

I have actually locked up the front wheel in gravel a few times,.. on purpose.
If I'm going in a straight line on level gravel (middle of the road), I can do a quick lockup without falling over.

 

[PCeBiker]

I've got two new KMC e8 chains that need to be cleaned and waxed before I install them.

I just spent 5 hours cleaning and waxing one of my new e8 chains,..

The chain was Really sticky with the "oil treatment" on it.
I started with hot water and Dawn detergent, then dried it, then rinsed it in Naphtha, then Dawn and dried again, then Acetone and dried again, then a final hose down with Brake cleaner outside on the back porch.

So I'm now ready to start waxing,..


The last time I used my wax, I got it Way Too hot and it started smoking.
Then all kinds of crusty bits formed on the bottom of the pot.

So this time, I set the pot of wax in a bigger pot of water so that I don't over heat it.

I've got Molybdenum Disulfide and Teflon Powder in the wax, but they separate out and sink to the bottom of the pot.

I melted everything, stirred it up, then poured it through a strainer to catch the crusty bits, then cleaned the pot and heated up the wax again.


This time I checked to see what the proper temperature was supposed to be,..

I kept stirring while flipping the chain around, and removed the chain at 150°F,..

So now I'm ready to install my fancy new Ebike Chain on my ebike, and it looks like my 1-4 cable should be here in a couple days.


The new chain came with a quick-link, but this particular quick-link apparently can't be reused??
I dunno??

And the chain sticks to a magnet so it’s got iron in it and it can rust.
But a "Real" chain needs to have iron in it to be strong, and if it's got rhe proper alloys and ratios in the mix, it can be almost rustproof.

 

[RunForTheHills]

I just spent 5 hours cleaning and waxing one of my new e8 chains,..

This is why I don't wax my chains. If it gets 10% less life, so be it.

 

[Gionnirocket]

This is why I don't wax my chains. If it gets 10% less life, so be it.

It won't ... Especially if you think that a waxing will last the life of the chain.
Only advantage of wax is no greasy hands when handling.
I bought some wax and Teflon powder... And I might one day use it as an initial treatment but right now 5 hours is a lot more valuable to me than the $18 dollars spent.

 

[PCeBiker]

This is why I don't wax my chains. If it gets 10% less life, so be it.

Yeah, I get it, but this single first treatment of my new chain should be that last time it ever needs that kind of cleaning.

Getting the chain Absolutely Parched is Really important, but there will be no source of grease or oil on the entire drive-line from here on in.


I actually cleaned and waxed my old chain a few months ago and it only took about 15 minutes.
Just soap and water in the sink, dry it, then into the hot wax.

Only advantage of wax is no greasy hands when handling.

That's a HUGE Advantage for me.
Not just the greasy hands (and pant cuffs), but also the Entire drive-line is greasy crud free.


These are pictures of my e-bike before I washed it,..

Completely Covered in dust, but No Greasy Crud.

And after a simple spray with the hose (with no soap),..

Even the derailleur works better without all the buildup of tar-like grease all over the plastic cog wheels and all the moving parts of the derailleur.


I even spent $10 for a new High End bike chain for my old POS ebike, and an hour cleaning and waxing it simply to have a clean chain, pant cuffs, and hands after I drop the chain.

Gotta love the High-End brand name SHUIMAO bike chain.


My old chain was all rusted to Hell, so I greased it with chainsaw oil, but then I was getting rusty greasy oil everywhere.

Well worth the $10, and an hour or so cleaning off the packed on crud from the sprockets, chain wheel, and derailleur.

My old ebike feels Brand New !!
It even goes faster.

 

[PCeBiker]

This is why I don't wax my chains. If it gets 10% less life, so be it.

If I get 50% Less life Because I waxed my chain, it would still be worth it to me.

Dirty, greasy chains just plain Suck !!


I saved the Camp Fuel (naphtha) and Acetone to use on my next chain,..


The camp fuel was clear before having the brand new chain added.
It's already starting to settle with the crud sinking to the bottom.

I'll use it a few times before filtering the crud outta it.
It's only for the first stage of a deep cleanse.


The Acetone remained Completely Clear.
It doesn't even have an oily taste to it.

 

[PCeBiker]

I just spent 5 hours cleaning and waxing one of my new e8 chains,..

This is why I don't wax my chains. If it gets 10% less life, so be it.

I spent A Lot of time fartin around trying to figure out a method and technique to clean and wax the chain.

Even lifting the chain outta the wax is a PITA because the damn chain keeps getting all twisted up, and it's too hot to hold with your fingers.

There's drops of wax all over my stove, and floor, and countertop.

They do sell a hot wax, chain waxing device that would probably make things a lot faster and easier.
It would take a lot of the guesswork out of it.
(Digital thermostat)

(I don’t see the value in buying the ultrasonic cleaning machine to get my chain the extra 2-3% cleaner)

 

[DaveMatthews]

That's why I use Squirt wax lube. Easy peasy...
Yes I had to do the deep clean first, but after that it's smooth sailing.

 

[PCeBiker]

That's why I use Squirt wax lube. Easy peasy...
Yes I had to do the deep clean first, but after that it's smooth sailing.

Yeah, I've got T-9 for "topping up" between annual chain cleanings, and waxings.

The chain is so clean that I'm considering getting a dual chainring for the mid-drive motor,..

Or,.. I could use this offset 42 tooth chainring with my 52 tooth chainring on top of it ,..

The 42T offset chainring will straighten out the chain line for the low gears, and the 52T chainring will be offset the other way (by the thickness of the 42T chainring) to straighten out the chain line for the high gears.



I don't need a front derailleur.
I'd just grab the chain and put it on the chainring I want to use.

The 52 tooth would be for going Really Really Fast (20 mph), and the 42 tooth would be for climbing Really Big Hills.

(There's no hills for me, but I could plow into a Gail force wind, at the 32 kph speed limit. )

 

[Gionnirocket]

You spend far too much time yanking your chain

 

[PedalUma]

I purchased a $13 mini crock pot. It is just for chains. I run a piece of coat hanger through a chain at several points. I have found that the packing gunk comes off all on its own in the crockpot. A $10 block of wax does 50+ chains. When a chain is done, I just hang it over cardboard from a vice arm. After all we each have our vices. After washing a bike I use a little Muc-Off dry lube bio-wax to refresh the lube. Writing this inspired me to use my chain checker. It is time for a new chain on my go to daily bike. It is at .85. I will put the crockpot on low now.
I also do bikini waxing as a sideline.

 

[PedalUma]

I just took off the old chain. The bike has been through a set of tires since I last replaced the chain and 11-34 freewheel. What is great is that the old chain still looks new, the drivetrain it totally clean, and handling the old chain was mess-free.

 

[PCeBiker]

I run a piece of coat hanger through a chain at several points.

That's a good idea.
I was struggling with trying to hook in at one spot on the chain.

What is great is that the old chain still looks new, the drivetrain it totally clean, and handling the old chain was mess-free.

That's the part that means everything to me.
I don't hesitate at all to handle a waxed chain.

I had been dealing with greasy chains, hands, and pant cuffs since I was a kid.

 

[PedalUma]

That's a good idea.
I was struggling with trying to hook in at one spot on the chain.



That's the part that means everything to me.
I don't hesitate at all to handle a waxed chain.

I had been dealing with greasy chains, hands, and pant cuffs since I was a kid.

Are you going to pick up the waxing sideline?

 

[PedalUma]

@PCeBiker, You know how a BBS02 comes with a chainguard covering the chainring. That can easily be removed and replaced with another differently sized chainring using the original ringbolts.