@StormTrooper2 56 miles is one hell of a commute, even on an eBike~
What is your overall average speed? i.e. 28 miles/ riding time tia
What is your overall average speed? i.e. 28 miles/ riding time tia
2016 Turbo X: First week (and beyond) commuting impressions
- Thread starter StormTrooper2
- Start date
StormTrooper2
Member
It is a long haul, but I don't really mind it (I bought the X because I really wanted suspension for this distance). Before I got the Turbo I would get home from work around 4:30 to 5:00 pm, then go for an hour-long ride on my Domane, getting back to the house around 6:00-6:30. Riding the Turbo I leave work between 3:30 and 4:00. I get home about 5:15 to 5:40 (busier road crossings in the afternoon). Then I'm done for the day...play with my kids. My ride takes about 1 hour and 30 to 40 minutes. I maintain between 18 and 21 mph cruising. I go about 16 to 18 mph through Leesburg Old Town, Herndon Old Town, and in the Wiehle/Sunset Hills congested area. Overall it's an enjoyable ride....Of course I live so far out that I am riding the most beautiful portions of the W&OD, so it's just awesome to ride through the new tunnel under the Rt. 7 and Rt. 9 interchange and pass through Paeonian Springs, see the mountains to the west, drop a letter in the mailbox at the small post office, cruise onward through the countryside...nice 
Ravi Kempaiah
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Halifax
It is a long haul, but I don't really mind it (I bought the X because I really wanted suspension for this distance). Before I got the Turbo I would get home from work around 4:30 to 5:00 pm, then go for an hour-long ride on my Domane, getting back to the house around 6:00-6:30. Riding the Turbo I leave work between 3:30 and 4:00. I get home about 5:15 to 5:40 (busier road crossings in the afternoon). Then I'm done for the day...play with my kids. My ride takes about 1 hour and 30 to 40 minutes. I maintain between 18 and 21 mph cruising. I go about 16 to 18 mph through Leesburg Old Town, Herndon Old Town, and in the Wiehle/Sunset Hills congested area. Overall it's an enjoyable ride....Of course I live so far out that I am riding the most beautiful portions of the W&OD, so it's just awesome to ride through the new tunnel under the Rt. 7 and Rt. 9 interchange and pass through Paeonian Springs, see the mountains to the west, drop a letter in the mailbox at the small post office, cruise onward through the countryside...nice
You have the most coveted commute route of all E-bikers.
I would love that kind of schedule. Really happy for you.
StormTrooper2
Member
Back on the Turbo X since Monday. I stopped riding it when the snow (and salt) starting flying. We got 36 inches of snow during the Blizzard and I decided to wait until the snow and salt were gone. I rode my old Bianchi Veloce on the trainer a few times a week while watching TV to keep my legs somewhat fit. Noting the amazing weather forecasted for this week I have ridden on alternate days easing back into the 60 mile total commute. Took me an 1:40 on Monday. Today 1:28. I use 50% assist. I consistently arrive at work with 36 to 42% of charge remaining.
I've added Serfas Thunderbolt headlight and tail light to improve being seen. These lights are bright, even on low setting, sending light in all directions, which is ideal.
Only problem I'm experiencing is a sometimes creaking bottom bracket (or is it the chain rings, the pedals, the shoes, or the Post Moderne suspension seat post..etc.) I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it to either the bottom bracket, chain rings, or the seat post.
I've added Serfas Thunderbolt headlight and tail light to improve being seen. These lights are bright, even on low setting, sending light in all directions, which is ideal.
Only problem I'm experiencing is a sometimes creaking bottom bracket (or is it the chain rings, the pedals, the shoes, or the Post Moderne suspension seat post..etc.) I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it to either the bottom bracket, chain rings, or the seat post.
StormTrooper2
Member
That was me....using 30% assist to get a workout on the way home. Bumped it into turbo a few times to give my legs a break when they started to burn on the long hill west of Leesburg.
At Catoctin crossing, did you see that cool Ti bike with belt drive and internally geared rear hub? Pretty cool setup.
At Catoctin crossing, did you see that cool Ti bike with belt drive and internally geared rear hub? Pretty cool setup.
StormTrooper2
Member
Arlington Heron
New Member
I'm in the DC/Virginia area too. I just ordered the 2016 Turbo X, waiting for it to be delivered. My commute is only 8 miles one way on the towpath of the C&O Canal or the Capital Crescent Trail. It takes me about 35 minutes to drive to work, or 38 minutes to ride my old hybrid city bike. I thought about getting a road bike, but I wanted to make my commute as fast and easy as possible, so that I drive as infrequently as possible. I can't wait to start communing with the Turbo X!
StormTrooper 2, it's great to hear how much you and others like the Turbo X. The 2015 model was selling for around $3000, but I went for the 2016 model at retail $4500 since I'm hoping this bike will be a car replacement.
I'm taking notes about the lights that you use, since the 2016 Turbo X lacks the headlight that the 2015 had.
StormTrooper 2, it's great to hear how much you and others like the Turbo X. The 2015 model was selling for around $3000, but I went for the 2016 model at retail $4500 since I'm hoping this bike will be a car replacement.
I'm taking notes about the lights that you use, since the 2016 Turbo X lacks the headlight that the 2015 had.
I picked up my closeout '15 Turbo X from Spokes at Leesburg Town Center this evening. I opted for the City Kit so we'll see how they do with a Performance Bike house brand suiter/pannier on the back. I'm in NE Leesburg and work right at Van Buren & Worldgate so easy 17mi ea way. Pretty flexible on schedule so looking forward to parking the car for a bit this spring and summer.
I got a travel charger to leave at the office to top the bike off during the day. Just getting back into the sport so need all the help I can get.
I got a travel charger to leave at the office to top the bike off during the day. Just getting back into the sport so need all the help I can get.
Bike_On
Well-Known Member
Drafting is involved from both sides. I encourage it as ebikers and build some good will with the roadies. One must communicate when being drafted...rocks, holes, stopping.
StormTrooper2
Member
Well...first temporary setback. On the ride home today, just about 3 miles from home and under tree canopy, my front wheel flipped up a stick and it bounced into my rear wheel spokes. I heard the combined snap of twig and spoke. So..I bought my bike at Fresh Bikes in Arlington and they talked me out of replacing it myself (my natural instinct generally) because the bike-tech said the wheel needs to be trued. The price is just $30, which seems reasonable for a new spoke and trued wheel. They will do it while I wait...which is good because Hamilton area is a long way from Arlington. Bummed I won't be riding my Turbo to work on the beautiful days ahead this week.
I was planning to just bring the wheel...but I have the randomly resetting odometer problem. I'll follow up with the shop and ask about updating the software.
By using a slightly different route from my house to the W&OD (involves riding on about a mile and a half of roads) I've cut my ride to work time to 1:20-25 minutes. I'm consistently arriving at work with 38-42% charge remaining. Today I rode ECO50% from Hamilton to Sterling, then increased to ECO60% for the remainder of my commute (about 10 miles) and still had 34% remaining. Might try ECO60% all the way home next (27 miles with my new shortcut).
I was planning to just bring the wheel...but I have the randomly resetting odometer problem. I'll follow up with the shop and ask about updating the software.
By using a slightly different route from my house to the W&OD (involves riding on about a mile and a half of roads) I've cut my ride to work time to 1:20-25 minutes. I'm consistently arriving at work with 38-42% charge remaining. Today I rode ECO50% from Hamilton to Sterling, then increased to ECO60% for the remainder of my commute (about 10 miles) and still had 34% remaining. Might try ECO60% all the way home next (27 miles with my new shortcut).
StormTrooper2
Member
David Polk, the extremely knowledgeable and experienced e-bike mechanic at Freshbikes (Arlington, VA) replaced the broken spoke, trued the wheel, and updated the firmware to fix the random odometer resetting and other small issues. No charge. I was surprised as a broken spoke is kinda like a rock hitting the windshield of a car. I like to do my own maintenance, but outside of Specialized David may be the most knowledgeable about Turbos and Stromers (he rides a Stromer ST1 Platinum he rebuilt entirely, including new wiring harness, motor, and new battery). I could never have returned the wheel to perfectly true. As I watched I got the feeling he can do it with is eyes closed.
Bike performed great today on first ride post repair. I used ECO 50% from Hamilton to Sterling Blvd. Then bumped it to ECO 60% for the final 10 miles or so. I maintained 19-22 mph cruising most of the way. Arrived at work with 32% of charge remaining. Still using the short cut route of 27 miles each way.
Bike performed great today on first ride post repair. I used ECO 50% from Hamilton to Sterling Blvd. Then bumped it to ECO 60% for the final 10 miles or so. I maintained 19-22 mph cruising most of the way. Arrived at work with 32% of charge remaining. Still using the short cut route of 27 miles each way.
Allan47.7339
Well-Known Member
You are fortunate to find an ebike specialist mechanic. I think it's a weakness in the Specialized dealer system where only the Specialized dealers can sell the Turbos but most of the shop people don't really get why anyone would want one or how to deal with the unique maintenance issues. I think it would be great if they allowed some of the e-bike specialty shops to be mini Specialized dealers for the e-bike lines.
StormTrooper2
Member
AH - You are going to love the Turbo X. It makes for a smooth ride. If you bought it in Arlington, you got it from Freshbikes. David Polk is an excellent e-bike mechanic, and e-bike enthusiast. I don't miss the headlight. Putting a bright flashing "to be seen" light on the bars, and a bright headlight on the helmet is ideal (can use the light to fix a flat, etc.). My helmet light is a NiteRider 700 (I never use the highest setting...except at road crossings in daylight...aimed at oncoming traffic...and they do slow down.)
StormTrooper2
Member
I've had my eyes scanning for a carbon Cannondale...If you see a guy on a Cannondale Six Carbon 1 drafting you next week well before sunrise say hi...it will be me.
StormTrooper2
Member
After riding the bike to work four days this week, on Friday the odometer reset itself again. Wondering if I'm accidentally resetting it.
John Dombrowski
Active Member
There supposedly a firmware fix out for that. Take it in and have them do the firmware update.
StormTrooper2
Member
When I took the bike it to have the broken spoke replaced the tech told me he updated the firmware as well. Maybe it wasn't the latest update. Or he didn't really do it...or I'm doing something that is resetting it. Based on number of trips to work I have at least 800 miles on the bike.
John Dombrowski
Active Member
Nothing we can do to reset it. It is a bug in the software.
StormTrooper2
Member
Had another spoke break about two weeks ago. This time there was nothing on the trail that could have caused it to break, and the trail was smooth...just a "ping!" and I knew what had happened. The bike shop (Fresh Bikes, Arlington) service manager is pleasant and responsive. His suggestion was they replace the spoke and true the wheel one more time and if it happens again it's time to rebuild the wheel. After replacing the first broken spoke the bike mechanic. David Polk, said he wouldn't be surprised if another spoke broke relatively soon. I believed him but hoped he was wrong. I think his combination of experience with ebikes and wheel building in general informed his prediction. When a spoke breaks other spokes take on more load, but it's debatable if this was a contributing factor to the second spoke breaking. There are 36 thick-gauge spokes on the rear wheel. The service manager didn't think one broken spoke would load the other spokes significantly. He also said the wheel was built by a machine and the only human hands that touched it at the factory were the ones that mounted the wheel on the bike frame. I missed out on great commuting weather this week and last week, but my main concern is my falling confidence in the rear wheel. I'd really like a new wheel, or a complete rebuild with fresh spokes, to remove the possibility of other spokes close to failing. It looks corporate policy is replace two, and do a rebuild when the 3rd spoke breaks. My normal routine is to ride my Trek Domane over summer vacation (I'm a teacher), but now the plan is to alternate daily, riding the Turbo in Turbo mode about 30-40 miles on my rest days. The distance between spoke failures was about 400 miles (which is only about 8 commutes). I considered riding the Turbo all summer with 30% assist, but that would not represent the same torque loads on the rear spokes. Riding in Turbo mode for a cumulative 400 miles over a month would be a better stress test - and if it holds up, my confidence would be restored.
