Delite4/Superdelite carrier and range queries.

[MD99]

I was lucky enough to get a second-hand Supercharger 2 (with 2x500 Wh), and enjoying my first ebike. And enjoying the stuff in this forum .

However, I find the bottom bracket height is too low and I'm getting pedal strike - a mountain bike it is not. Good range though, I'm getting 180-200 km - flattish/rolling, 95% in Eco mode, no load.
So, as one possible alternative, I'm looking at the Delite4 or Superdelite (both GT with GX/Fox), but I have some queries on the carrier and range.

Carrier (standard). Looking for feedback on 3 things: Strength (20kg Load), stability, durability. In the past I've done quite a bit of touring with heavy panniers, and although interesting, the Delite carrier doesn't exactly look like a great design. I mention stability because of the cantilevered non-braced design, and the fact that it is very high because of the need for rear suspension clearance. Probably a lot of instability there.

Range. Not fussed about the Bosch smart system, but the Delite4 does have some nice design changes - like the front cables going directly into the frame rather than down through the top of the steerer tube.
It looks as though I'm looking for a minimum of 1000 Wh (see below.) The only way I can get that on the Delite4 is with the Powermore 250, but that is 1.6 kg through frame bottle mounts and I lose the framebag space. Any thoughts? (I have noticed on my Supercharger that the toptube rivnuts holding the 1.1 kg Abus lock are starting to loosen in the frame.) Loads of manufacturers have add-on batteries, but that doesn't mean they are a good thing.

Intended use: Normal local rides - 30-80 km.
Backcountry rides. Gravel roads, 4WD tracks, some single track. Have to lift over locked gates (legit access) etc. These things are bloody heavy and as I'm hitting 70, not sure I can do that by myself anymore. My 13 kg mountain bike yes, 30 kg e-bike, hmmm.
Tours. Week long travel with camping gear. Looking for range that could be 130 km with 2000 m climbing over 2-3 days with no charging.

BTW, for the same money, I could get a hugely better specced eMTB, but of course no load carrying ability.

 

[Ben J]

I'm getting pedal strike

You can get shorter cranks. A lot of recent research has shown that most people are using cranks that are too long anyway.

 

[MD99]

@Ben J. Agreed. However, the Supercharger has a BB height of 280 mm, the Delite4 330 mm unsagged (the same as my Timberjack.) Shorter cranks are not going to give that sort of difference. Ideas I went through included, could also put a longer fork in, perhaps with a mullet 29" wheel, and along with shorter cranks it would certainly improve things. It would also muck up the geometry though. In lots of ways, a hardtail is a better bike for what I want and the Supercharger is just fine. Just considering the options, unfortunately there is no perfect bike .

 

[sammcneill]

BTW, for the same money, I could get a hugely better specced eMTB, but of course no load carrying ability

You can get solutions for eMTB - I’m using the system from www.aeroe.com and have mounted it on my specialised Turbo Levo eMTB.
This is a full suspension bike and this racking system works:

No seat post bag so I can still use my dropper post. Aeroe racking system very versatile and I swap between my bikes.

This has a 750wh battery

Cheers

Sam

 

[MD99]

@sammcneill. Yes, I know of the Aeroe systems, but the engineer in me cringes every time I see that rear rack attached to the seat stays. Although all things are overdesigned to ensure safety, I'm not sure that frame designers allow for what is in effect a huge lever wiggling away in the middle of the stay. I'm not sure I could bring myself to do it, although my mate has one. That said, I've not read of any snapped stays - it would be somewhere on Reddit if it had happened. For a hardtail I think there are better solutions utilising the Old Man Mountain adaptors if necessary.

But never say never, as I'm not doing hard core mountain biking (more think of the Rainbow Road type stuff), and I do have a shortlist of eMTBs with high battery capacity .

 

[sammcneill]

@sammcneill. Yes, I know of the Aeroe systems, but the engineer in me cringes every time I see that rear rack attached to the seat stays. Although all things are overdesigned to ensure safety, I'm not sure that frame designers allow for what is in effect a huge lever wiggling away in the middle of the stay. I'm not sure I could bring myself to do it, although my mate has one. That said, I've not read of any snapped stays - it would be somewhere on Reddit if it had happened. For a hardtail I think there are better solutions utilising the Old Man Mountain adaptors if necessary.

But never say never, as I'm not doing hard core mountain biking (more think of the Rainbow Road type stuff), and I do have a shortlist of eMTBs with high battery capacity .

Oh you’re NZ based? Cool! A few of us on here now

 

[MD99]

So no feedback on the Delite standard carrier? Here is the sort of loading I'd like to be able to accommodate set up with 6 days of food. Without the frame bag of course.