Sticking this in the Shimano section as there isn't any Cairn threads and I have no clue how to start one!
Now I've had the bike a while, here are some thoughts on this practical and fun bike.
BRAVe
Cairn are a small UK company, more a side project by the people who make HUNT wheels. They started with the Cairn E-Adventure a Fazua equipped drop bar gravel bike and followed up in ’22 with the Brave, best described as a flat bar gravel meets rigid MTB. The Brave has a Shimano EP6 motor (85nm ) and a 630wh external battery. An aluminium frame with relaxed geo and with 2.6 inch tyre clearance on 29ers. Gearing is a very sensible; 38, 11x48T. Brakes; 180 rotors.
It’s an exploring bike for hidden bridleways, mountain paths and adventures across the moors. A Land Rover of a bike. Weight is around 45lbs ready for the road.
I got it on eBay at Christmas for a steal, just 3 months old 400 miles on the clock and been having fun on it ever since. At first it took some getting used to after the lighter Vado SL and in fact I soon bought 2 inch tyres, fast rolling Conti RaceKings after taking off the Maxxis Rekon 2.3s it came shod in. But this was a mistake. I realised I was trying to turn it into the Vado SL and that was silly. The Race Kings did roll quicker on tarmac, but at a cost. Off road on steep rocky descents I was just not half so confident. So I switched them back. The same goes for battery & power. As anybody on here who has an SL motor will know, they are incredibly frugal with battery use, that 35nm max helping preserve battery. With the Brave, the EP6 and the massive 85nm is addictive. But I was shocked at how fast it sucked juice from the battery. So along with the narrower tyres I started rationing the power to preserve the battery. Another mistake. A heavy (and rigid) bike is no fun without some power. My first ever experience of a full power e bike and I was finding my way.
After a few weeks of trying to ride it like the SL I gave up, put the fatter tyres back on and rode it mostly in the middle setting - a dynamic setting where the motor gives you what you need. The kind of set and forget setting mountain bikers use to race up fire roads to the top of the single track & get another lap in on the local Black runs before the pub. And that’s the key with this bike. It is like a moor farmer’s old Land Rover, trundling along the lanes, with a tired old ewe and bales of hay in the back and who doesn’t worry about anything as long as it’s got some diesel in the tank. If I go on any bikepacking or all day adventures of course I’ll plan to be frugal on the power and adjust the app setting accordingly. But for everyday use this is an exploring bike, where I can do 20 to 30 miles without worrying. And it can ride up and down anything. It does take it out of you even using plenty of power, I'm still getting exercise. It’s a heavy bike to manhandle on steep climbs and single track, I can see why EMTBers have good core and arm muscles! And without suspension I have to pick a line and be careful, it's a real mountain goat, the kind of trials riding I’ve always enjoyed and yeah, my legs hurt after a rough off road adventure. Which is good. I think it makes a good stable mate to the Vado SL now I’ve stopped trying to mimic it.
Some changes I made.
I added SKS mudguards including an SKS dirt board to protect the motor from mud and spray. ( It neatly fastens to existing water bottle mounts positioned under the down tube. ) I also cut up an ass saver type cheap plastic mudguard and zip tied it behind the motor to protect from the back wheel spray -I might be paranoid, Shimano make lovely motors but their warranty service in Uk at least is not the best. Something to do with the national importer of Shimano parts being rubbish and the fact that Shimano motors are not designed to be easily repairable. Some mechanics I know told me if I have problems to contact Shimano direct and not their UK agent as you never get satisfaction through them.
I added similar swept back bars to my Vado SL and Ergon grips. I like this more upright position. And again on eBay I got a similar Specialized saddle to the SL. Added a cheap lever operated dropper, basic but a big help. A kickstand and a pair of Crank Bros pedals and it's good to go.
I have a rack and old pannier for shopping duties and again like just that farmer chucking things in the back of a Land Rover, this works fine for coats and gloves and anything I might need for my 20 or 30 mile adventures.
The name BRAVe stands for Back Roads Adventure Vehicl - e
A little clmsy with the small e (signifying electric I guess?) but it does describe what the bike is ideal for. On Facebook I see that a lot of the UK owners live in wild places like mid Wales, The Lake District and the Scottish Highlands with a smattering of French Alps and Pyrenees owners, it's from them I saw the use of the dirt board/motor protection.
Sme pics:
Now I've had the bike a while, here are some thoughts on this practical and fun bike.
BRAVe
Cairn are a small UK company, more a side project by the people who make HUNT wheels. They started with the Cairn E-Adventure a Fazua equipped drop bar gravel bike and followed up in ’22 with the Brave, best described as a flat bar gravel meets rigid MTB. The Brave has a Shimano EP6 motor (85nm ) and a 630wh external battery. An aluminium frame with relaxed geo and with 2.6 inch tyre clearance on 29ers. Gearing is a very sensible; 38, 11x48T. Brakes; 180 rotors.
It’s an exploring bike for hidden bridleways, mountain paths and adventures across the moors. A Land Rover of a bike. Weight is around 45lbs ready for the road.
I got it on eBay at Christmas for a steal, just 3 months old 400 miles on the clock and been having fun on it ever since. At first it took some getting used to after the lighter Vado SL and in fact I soon bought 2 inch tyres, fast rolling Conti RaceKings after taking off the Maxxis Rekon 2.3s it came shod in. But this was a mistake. I realised I was trying to turn it into the Vado SL and that was silly. The Race Kings did roll quicker on tarmac, but at a cost. Off road on steep rocky descents I was just not half so confident. So I switched them back. The same goes for battery & power. As anybody on here who has an SL motor will know, they are incredibly frugal with battery use, that 35nm max helping preserve battery. With the Brave, the EP6 and the massive 85nm is addictive. But I was shocked at how fast it sucked juice from the battery. So along with the narrower tyres I started rationing the power to preserve the battery. Another mistake. A heavy (and rigid) bike is no fun without some power. My first ever experience of a full power e bike and I was finding my way.
After a few weeks of trying to ride it like the SL I gave up, put the fatter tyres back on and rode it mostly in the middle setting - a dynamic setting where the motor gives you what you need. The kind of set and forget setting mountain bikers use to race up fire roads to the top of the single track & get another lap in on the local Black runs before the pub. And that’s the key with this bike. It is like a moor farmer’s old Land Rover, trundling along the lanes, with a tired old ewe and bales of hay in the back and who doesn’t worry about anything as long as it’s got some diesel in the tank. If I go on any bikepacking or all day adventures of course I’ll plan to be frugal on the power and adjust the app setting accordingly. But for everyday use this is an exploring bike, where I can do 20 to 30 miles without worrying. And it can ride up and down anything. It does take it out of you even using plenty of power, I'm still getting exercise. It’s a heavy bike to manhandle on steep climbs and single track, I can see why EMTBers have good core and arm muscles! And without suspension I have to pick a line and be careful, it's a real mountain goat, the kind of trials riding I’ve always enjoyed and yeah, my legs hurt after a rough off road adventure. Which is good. I think it makes a good stable mate to the Vado SL now I’ve stopped trying to mimic it.
Some changes I made.
I added SKS mudguards including an SKS dirt board to protect the motor from mud and spray. ( It neatly fastens to existing water bottle mounts positioned under the down tube. ) I also cut up an ass saver type cheap plastic mudguard and zip tied it behind the motor to protect from the back wheel spray -I might be paranoid, Shimano make lovely motors but their warranty service in Uk at least is not the best. Something to do with the national importer of Shimano parts being rubbish and the fact that Shimano motors are not designed to be easily repairable. Some mechanics I know told me if I have problems to contact Shimano direct and not their UK agent as you never get satisfaction through them.
I added similar swept back bars to my Vado SL and Ergon grips. I like this more upright position. And again on eBay I got a similar Specialized saddle to the SL. Added a cheap lever operated dropper, basic but a big help. A kickstand and a pair of Crank Bros pedals and it's good to go.
I have a rack and old pannier for shopping duties and again like just that farmer chucking things in the back of a Land Rover, this works fine for coats and gloves and anything I might need for my 20 or 30 mile adventures.
The name BRAVe stands for Back Roads Adventure Vehicl - e
A little clmsy with the small e (signifying electric I guess?) but it does describe what the bike is ideal for. On Facebook I see that a lot of the UK owners live in wild places like mid Wales, The Lake District and the Scottish Highlands with a smattering of French Alps and Pyrenees owners, it's from them I saw the use of the dirt board/motor protection.
Sme pics:
