I had my first ride today. I will post some detailed observations after another couple of rides but I’m very happy that I was able to change to the “comfort “ bars.
The riding position is perfect for my aging body.
Mine is the single battery Vario model with the Nyon.
As a user of both GP5 and GP3 (on different e-bikes), I would suggest choosing the GP3. Unless your hands are really large, the GP5s feel "too much of a grip" to me. I really prefer GP3s.My plan is to upgrade the grips to the Ergon G5 with independently adjustable bar-end horns, which will give me additional hand position options.
I had a pair of the but found them awkward to hold on to, the angle just was not quite right, either that or my handlebars were too long at 28". I also fourd my hands were too far from the brakes and shifter. They also added difficulty getting the bike through doors. Finally the kind of stick out like a sore thumb, doing nothing to enhance from a beautiful bike. You loop you thumb around them and hold the handlebars with you three fingers leaving your index finger free to brake.I went back and forth about whether to go with the standard or comfort bars, but stuck with the standard ones because I do intend to ride on unimproved roads/trails in national parks & forests, and the wider bars should work better in those situations for hitting rocks, roots, and ruts.
My plan is to upgrade the grips to the Ergon G5 with independently adjustable bar-end horns, which will give me additional hand position options.
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My bike is en-route, but I opted for standard shipping in the end, because I am out of town for at least through the end of the month, and the bike would have just been sitting in the shop waiting for weeks.
I had to take my hub-drive (but torque sensing) Raleigh Talus with me on my winter escape trip to the SouthWest.
There were definitely some hills where the extra assist of the 4th-Gen CX mid-drive would have been appreciated, especially off-road.
This was my first trip with any kind of e-bike, and I have to say, even the lower-tech and lower powered current e-bike was a more enjoyable time off-road than my infernal combustion powered Honda CT125 Trail Cub bike.
The larger diameter wheels and much lower weight made it easier to handle in loose sand and deep gravel sections, and the bicycle helmet and slip-on knee/elbow pads were so much more comfortable than my full face motorcycle helmet and armor.
YMMV
After an hour or so on any flat bar ebike, my left hand starts going numb in the pinky and ring finger. I have to steer one handed and shake my left hand to get circulation restored. You might be surprised to learn that braking with a hand that has gone numb, makes for less than smooth accurate braking.Are bar ends even needed on the Homage, with such a plush upright riding position?
I used the bar ends on my Delite (GP3) a few times on the road/paved cycle trail, but for off-road and single track riding I never used them in the 12 months I was riding with them (80% off road). A few times they nearly got caught up in vegetation.
Abus does offer the option of custom ordering locks to work with existing keys.Disregard my comments re buying a Bordo lock with alarm - that means I would loose the common key feature - not worth it imho
That’s worth investigating - thanksAbus does offer the option of custom ordering locks to work with existing keys.
That's probably about a 500-600 mile drive. If I were you, I would likely take two days, drive back to Madison get my bike and a rack, and take the bike back to Ohio. I would hate to miss any springtime ride opportunities...but that's just me.Just received word that my dual-battery Rohloff Homage has arrived at the dealership warehouse, and should be delivered to the local branch store in Milwaukee, WI next week.
The thing is, I am currently in Columbus Ohio, and not scheduled to be back in Wisconsin until the beginning of April.
Ain't that just typical luck...
That's probably about a 500-600 mile drive. If I were you, I would likely take two days, drive back to Madison get my bike and a rack, and take the bike back to Ohio. I would hate to miss any springtime ride opportunities...but that's just me.
Sounds like love trumps bicycle...as it should be.Yeah, I have done that drive several times this last year.
I started dating a woman here in Columbus in the middle of the pandemic, and to top things off she has a genetic immune disorder making her at much higher risk.
Not the best timing to do so, but love knows no distance or health crisis.
If I do go back to pick the bike up, I will need to quarantine for a week before heading back down to Columbus for her safety.
I do have my current Costco/Raleigh e-bike with me in addition to a motorcycle and Honda CT125 Trail Cub, so I am not without a bike.
OTHO, I don't want them to wheel it onto the showroom floor for people to climb on it, and potentially scratch my brand new bike.
Decisions, decisions...