2020 Rize X Easy Upgrades

Bravesst

Bravesst

Active Member
I really like my X. It can hit upwards of 30 mph and feel very stable on the road, although rip through the battery as speeds above 22.

UPGRADE ONE: NEW RESIN BRAKE PADS
Some people are having issue with brake noise on hard braking, but I found a change of pads, and cleaning up of the rotor, solved that issue.
>> new pads on Amazon

UPGRADE TWO: 50 TOOTH CHAINRING
I found that pedaling above 24 mph was pretty impossible for me, even with the 9 speed 11-34 rear cog. I wound up converting the chainring to 50 teeth (from 42 teeth), and added some chain links and new guard. I can now pedal at my top speed of 28 to 30 mph.
>> 50 tooth Vuelta chainring
>> 50 tooth DriveTrain chainguard
>> KMC chain for extra links

UPGRADE THREE: ULTRA WIDE SEAT
I'm 6 foot, 180 lbs, but the long rides on an ebike need to be comfortable! This seat does the trick even without suspension seat post, which I found to raise the height too much for me with this seat.
>>Ybeki Saddle

UPGRADE FOUR: BMX HANDLEBAR
Even with the adjustable stem, I needed more rise. The 5 inch rise, with a 30 degree angle in the adjustable stem did the trick.
>>Box Components BMX handlebar

UPGRADE FIVE: HANDLEBAR EXTENSION
Not used in the tradition way, these extensions provide me with all the hand positions options I need.
>>Boxer Bar End
>> Short Grips for Boxer Bar

*Mirror and horn were ordered from Rize

20200817_130813.jpg


Handlebar boxer bar close up
20200817_130640.jpg
 
Last edited:
Very nice review of upgrades. I have that same saddle which I put on my road bike Ybeki Saddle no more butt hurt, it looks funny on a road bike but all that matters is the ride and when I get home no pain.

Swapping out the crank is interesting. Looks like an increase of 6MPH not bad at all. I wonder if a compact would work?

Fun to play around and make changes. Thanks for sharing. Great changes and great looking bike!
 
Those handlebars looks pretty awesome. I have the Leisure Step and although it is relatively upright I would like to raise my bars higher. I am 6'2" so I am still bent over a bit. Can I just use the 2 spacers that came with the bike? I didn't know whether those spacers that were included were just for packaging the bike or if you could use them to raise the bars higher.
 
I agree, very nicely done review, especially with the links.

Still on my original brake pads. Coming up on 100 miles, they have yet to be heard. That may be short lived, as I have not had the bike in the hills I frequently ride yet, and most of my riding has been done at fairly low speeds.

I'm waffling back and forth between that same ultra wide seat and a big fabric covered C9 seat. My issue with the ultra wide is those damn wings on either side of it. Getting this overweight 70 year old man's leg over that extra height created by them, every time you get on and off, is the downside for any extra comfort you get. I have both, have gone back and forth twice now, and still can't decide which I like better for that reason!

I put a 2.5" stem riser under the standard adjustable handlebar mount and changed the bars to some with quite a bit of wrist friendly sweep back. Had just enough cable length to install both and this 6'2" frame is now comfortably upright.



Last, I've replaced the stock tires with 4" pavement tires (Origin 8's) to reduce the noise on pavement - which is where I spend much/most of my time. The bike is used as more of an on/off road hybrid though. A new experience to me, these tires have a lot of "self steering" when run too soft. I've found after a lot of messing around that a good low pressure tire pressure gauge is essential as 1 or 2 lbs of pressure can make a very noticeable difference in ride and handling (new tires and original). I'm 315 lbs, and using 17 in the front, 16 in the rear, and that seems to be a good compromise on ride, with a minimum of "self" steering. Clearly, the pressure you run might be a little less. Also, no noticeable difference in rolling resistance old vs. new. -Al

www.ebay.com

Origin-8 Supercell Tire 26x4.0 Black 30 TPI Wire Clincher | eBay

Origin-8 Supercell Tire 26x4.0 Black 30 TPI Wire Clincher.
www.ebay.com
 

Attachments

  • DSC00402a.jpg
    DSC00402a.jpg
    431.1 KB · Views: 471
Last edited:
ridingsoon said:
I don't even receive my Rize X until Thursday (3 more days) and yet I have already ordered multiple things for it:
I do have a tendency to go overboard on accessories, but that is part of the fun for me! I will post some pics when it arrives and I get everything put together.
Click to expand...
Overboard, so spot on, so much enjoyment too. I ordered some things before I placed the bike order! Great times
 
AHicks said:
I put a 2.5" stem riser under the standard adjustable handlebar mount and changed the bars to some with quite a bit of wrist friendly sweep back. Had just enough cable length to install both and this 6'2" frame is now comfortably upright.
Click to expand...
I know this should be pretty straight forward, but I couldn't get the riser to work, the supplied bolt that is LONG just wasn't quite long enough to start threading into the stem star washer. Guess I could run to the hardware store and try to find one an inch or so longer but it puzzled me that it didn't work
 
Somebody probably pushed that nut down too far into the tube (further than it needed to be). Longer bolt sounds like a reasonable solution to me! -Al
 
okievision said:
I know this should be pretty straight forward, but I couldn't get the riser to work, the supplied bolt that is LONG just wasn't quite long enough to start threading into the stem star washer. Guess I could run to the hardware store and try to find one an inch or so longer but it puzzled me that it didn't work
Click to expand...
Two things - the painfully obvious one - you did chuck the two silver spacers that it shipped with on the headset right? They just there to hold the nut in place for shipping.

And two - with no bars/spacer installed, try and thread the stem bolt in a few turns, and then gently wiggle it up in height if you can. It might move if no significant tension is applied to the expanding nut.
 
theemartymac said:
Two things - the painfully obvious one - you did chuck the two silver spacers that it shipped with on the headset right? They just there to hold the nut in place for shipping.

And two - with no bars/spacer installed, try and thread the stem bolt in a few turns, and then gently wiggle it up in height if you can. It might move if no significant tension is applied to the expanding nut.
Click to expand...
lol, yes, I removed the spacers.
Not considering what depth a star nut should be installed, I do think that's what happened, a little too far down the tube.
I'm going to ride awhile as is with the angle of the bar adjusted higher than stock and see what happens. Thanks fellas
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
2020 JUICED CrossCurrent X Commuter Bike, - Fully Equipped and Barely Used!
Replies
0
Views
252
SeniorRider
S
G
Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 size XL- Priced to Sell!
Replies
0
Views
581
giantkn10
G
B
Portola Thread
Replies
8
Views
512
RCP
RCP
keithj69
Another Frey Savannah Ultra - CC owner
4 5 6
Replies
105
Views
9K
Tom@WashDC
Tom@WashDC
C
Turbo Vado 5.0 Three-year review
Replies
8
Views
860
TrevorB
T
Back