Hello from AZ

[Go-Rilla]

Very new to the ebike scene, but I've been a bicycle nut since I could first pedal. I recently decided that I want to commute to work 2-3 days a week, but, as the trip is 16 miles one way, I made the foray into ebikes. I bought an Aipas M2 Max, which, like all other bikes, I've begin modifying to suit me. It's a tank, to be sure, but it flat out boogies when I need it and, in PA3 or 4, makes the commute easy without breaking any laws.

Cheers all!

 

[DaveMatthews]

Welcome from Vancouver!

 

[JGcycle]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[PedalUma]

@Go-Rilla, Welcome. I modified one. I installed four piston hydraulic brakes, better grips, Schwalbe PickUp tires, and a push-in throttle. The push-in throttle requires a throttle modification. Above the connector swap the red and white wires. It is far safer and more comfortable than a twist throttle or a thumb down throttle. It also got a Bontrager Boulevard saddle.

Amazon.com : Thumb Throttle Universal Replacement Waterproof Connector Thumb Trigger Throttle for Electric Bike Scooter 3 Pin Male Head : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Thumb Throttle Universal Replacement Waterproof Connector Thumb Trigger Throttle for Electric Bike Scooter 3 Pin Male Head : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[Go-Rilla]

@Go-Rilla, Welcome. I modified one. I installed four piston hydraulic brakes, better grips, Schwalbe PickUp tires, and a push-in throttle. The push-in throttle requires a throttle modification. Above the connector swap the red and white wires. It is far safer and more comfortable than a twist throttle or a thumb down throttle. It also got a Bontrager Boulevard saddle.

Amazon.com : Thumb Throttle Universal Replacement Waterproof Connector Thumb Trigger Throttle for Electric Bike Scooter 3 Pin Male Head : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Thumb Throttle Universal Replacement Waterproof Connector Thumb Trigger Throttle for Electric Bike Scooter 3 Pin Male Head : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

I'm running a thumb throttle, but I hardly ever use it. Four pot front brakes are on the menu, though the current 2 piston hydraulics do a pretty good job already. I have a Brooks Cambium C67 on it currently and swapped out pedals (for Look Geo Trails). I have a set of less chunky Arisun tires that will be going on soon along with Tannus Armour.

 

[stompandgo]

Do the brake upgrade. You'll be surprised how much better your bike will stop, and how much longer the brake pads will last.

 

[PedalUma]

The Apias I worked on went out yesterday. I could not use the pre-bleed rear hose. It had to go through frame and was extra-long. For some reason that is inexplicable, the bleed was a huge pain. Everything on that bike is cast iron, frame cranks...a magnet sticks to every part of the bike including the rims. The PickUp tires were a huge improvement. The original tires would get flats two times a week in this thorn season.

 

[Go-Rilla]

@Go-Rilla, Welcome. I modified one. I installed four piston hydraulic brakes, better grips, Schwalbe PickUp tires, and a push-in throttle. The push-in throttle requires a throttle modification. Above the connector swap the red and white wires. It is far safer and more comfortable than a twist throttle or a thumb down throttle. It also got a Bontrager Boulevard saddle.

Amazon.com : Thumb Throttle Universal Replacement Waterproof Connector Thumb Trigger Throttle for Electric Bike Scooter 3 Pin Male Head : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Thumb Throttle Universal Replacement Waterproof Connector Thumb Trigger Throttle for Electric Bike Scooter 3 Pin Male Head : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

What brand of 4 pot brakes did you use?

 

[PedalUma]

What brand of 4 pot brakes did you use?

One guy wanted a quote on four piston hydraulics. I said go to the bike shop downtown and get a quote from them and then I will immediately meet with you and we will sit down to discuss your options. He was quoted $450 for the job plus some tax on the parts.
We got Zoom brakes from Amazonia; at $90 plus tax for the pair. Okay, what if they only stop 5% less better than brand X? They will still stop 85% better than what you have.

Pro Tip: Remove the existing cable housing, keeping the braided cable in place from the rear caliper. You will use that with a build up on the cable with 1/4 inch marine grade adhesive shrink tube 4:1 to attach it by running it a bit inside the new hose. That is now the guide to pull the new hose through the frame. See Park Tools videos on how to bleed brakes. A bleed kit is maybe $25 from the Amazon basin. I used new sintered bronze pads. Keep any oil away from the bike and pads and down low for gravity to work its magic to remove the air. Never over tighten a brass olive.

 

[stompandgo]

For heavy full power e-bikes, we use either Tektro or Magura 4 piston brake systems for upgrades. $450 sounds about right.