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  1. Beardystarstuff

    2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

    Ha! I’m somewhat convinced that the reason I enjoy riding so much is that it means I get to eat more! I’ve added a thousand calories to my daily intake and am still maintaining my weight thanks to the long rides.
  2. Beardystarstuff

    2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

    A couple days ago I set out on a ride of my usual loop of around 40 miles. It’s a ride that traverses a mix of blacktop and gravel through two counties, both of which are currently doing a lot of spring maintenance on the gravel roads. It’s been an adventure with portions of the road changing...
  3. Beardystarstuff

    2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

    Funny how our perspective of riding changes. Back in January, just three months ago, my first rides in 20 years, I thought my 10 mile rides were great and in those moments they were. But then I started riding 15, then 20 miles, then 25. With each week or two I would tend to add to my ride...
  4. Beardystarstuff

    Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!

    Yes, bliss is exactly the right word! I’m not sure what it is about riding on gravel that is so relaxing. Partly it seems to just be the sound it makes under the tires. And I suppose it’s also the slower speed that is likely when riding on gravel rather than pavement. I know, for myself, that...
  5. Beardystarstuff

    Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!

    One of the reasons I love being on a bike is the pace. I’m never in a hurry on a bike as it’s already a step up from walking and I really do enjoy experiencing the environment I’m in. Slow is fine with me especially on these rural Missouri gravel roads. My current route is really two parts. The...
  6. Beardystarstuff

    Real Range? What can you get from a charge?

    I tend to ride on back country county roads, some of which are nice black top and on those I tend to ride at PAS 2 or 3 at about 16 mph. But I also do a lot of riding on dirt and gravel roads that are more enclosed with woodland scenery and on those I tend to ride much more slowly, typically...
  7. Beardystarstuff

    Anyone using the Origin8 Supercell fat tires

    How are these on gravel? Much of my ride is pavement but a good bit is gravel which ranges from mostly dirt to actual 1” gravel road. The stock Rad Rover tires by Kenda are pretty loud with the knobs. I’m wearing them down and looking for replacements.
  8. Beardystarstuff

    Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!

    My regular ride around Madison County Missouri now ranges from 30 to 40 miles. It’s mostly quiet back-country county roads, a mix of new, smooth blacktop, rough blacktop and gravel. I’m finding the gravel, especially when it’s mostly compacted dirt, is the most enjoyable to ride on. Even better...
  9. Beardystarstuff

    Long term motor reliability?

    Oh, yeah, I’ll add those variables to my original questions... probably important to consider than information!
  10. Beardystarstuff

    How long can you expect an e-bike to last?

    Agreed Stefan! Yes, very active cyclists are riding that. And you’re right, it’s not simple. I’m sure we could go to great lengths coming up with all sorts of scenarios. Also very much agreed that it’s easier to cover far more ground with an e-bike in a shorter span of time. That’s what I’m...
  11. Beardystarstuff

    Long term motor reliability?

    There’s another thread on the forums discussing the expected lifespan of e-bikes, particularly the motors. Given most e-bikes are, at the core, just bikes with regular bike parts, the real question is motor and battery replacement. When I ordered my Rover a month ago I did so expecting to ride...
  12. Beardystarstuff

    How long can you expect an e-bike to last?

    When I was an active cyclist 20 years ago I regularly rode 4,000 to 6,000 miles a year. Then a knee injury and no bike at all until recently. But a lot of active (non E-bike) cyclists ride those kinds of miles. I guess the deal we make when we ride e-bikes is dependency on the assist. Of course...
  13. Beardystarstuff

    How long can you expect an e-bike to last?

    I can’t compare as I’ve not ridden a mid-drive. I have several 10 to 11 degree hills on my daily ride and the Rover has no problem at all with them. I like exercise so I tend to keep it in PAS 2 and the granny gear but I could pretty easily bump it to PAS 3 or 4 and top the hill with little...
  14. Beardystarstuff

    How long can you expect an e-bike to last?

    It seems like I see the mid-drive motors, especially those brands like Bosch, being referred to in the forums as the higher end motors associated with the far more expensive bikes and the geared hub motors as being cheaper and associated with cheaper, entry level bikes. I’m on pace to ride...
  15. Beardystarstuff

    First three weeks on the Rad Rover

    I bought a Lectric XP back in December and love it but after 6 weeks riding I realized I wanted more range and front shocks. I ended up buying a Rover and have been riding it now for just under 3 weeks. As of this morning I’ve got 394 miles on it and after today’s ride I’ll be up around 424...
  16. Beardystarstuff

    Best bike for long distance touring?

    Yeah, I realized the title of the thread was “Best bike...” It was only when I was seeing suggestions of what could or could not be done on other non-best bikes that I jumped in to offer my thoughts. Mostly I wanted to emphasize that a bike that is not best in class can still be very capable for...
  17. Beardystarstuff

    Best bike for long distance touring?

    I mentioned it when I referred to the drivetrain.;) And I agree, not cheap and an important part of the bike. BUT, and it’s a big BUT, when discussing riding within a budget, such a drivetrain, while nice for those that can afford it, should at least be discussed as not necessary. In other...
  18. Beardystarstuff

    Best bike for long distance touring?

    Just for kicks I took a quick look at the Watt Wagon Touring bike as it was mentioned in the thread. Certainly a beautiful bike if one can afford it. But just to take some of the premium upgrades and add them to the Rover with a second battery: Molotov Bar: $95 Ergin GP5 Grips: $70 Brooks C17...
  19. Beardystarstuff

    Best bike for long distance touring?

    This is an interesting thread. Of course, if the spectrum of bikes ranges from $800 to $9,000 then I guess $1,500 is entry level. Given the title of the thread is based on “Best”, that also implies higher cost. That said, not everyone can afford $9,000 or $4,000. But it’s worth noting, I think...
  20. Beardystarstuff

    lectric XP or rad mini

    I’ve got a Lectric and a Rad Rover. I had the Lectric first then bought the Rover because I wanted more range, shocks and larger wheeled bike. My thoughts on the Lectric: Fantastic bike. Very well made! I have NO complaints. It performs as stated on the Lectric website and is a blast to ride...
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