A new XP owners observations.

[Zman123]

Hi I'm new to the forum and am an excited new owner of a black XP!
While waiting for it to arrive I took it upon myself to read absolutely everything on the internet about this bike. I've read every entry in this forum regarding the bike.
I hope to be an active member and I will post questions because I already have a few, and thought maybe I'd share my first observation worthy of report.
Folding:
It is so easy to scratch up your bike when it's folded!
Specifically where the bottom of the kickstand comes together towards the bike when folded,
It can easily line up with the inside edge of the front rim and the bottom of the kickstand can wedge into the inner edge of the rim. It lines up perfectly.
The bottom of the kickstand is grooved and sharp enough to gouge the rim. I got the scratch before my first ride.
So please please please put some foam from the original box , or a blanket between the bike before folding it and cover the kickstand with a sock or something. You will scratch up your bike in no time when folded if you do not do this!
More to come! I'm excited to be a part of your group!

 

[Zman123]

It is pretty evident to me even after the very first ride that the bike needs to be geared differently. It flat-out needs and 11 tooth minimum 7th gear. I see a lot of people swapping out their flywheel and I couldn't agree more! I wonder how the guys at the factory would respond to this observation? You shouldn't have to peddle your ass off to get it close to 25 to 28 miles per hour.
it's not a big deal to order the part and make the swap but I shouldn't have to. Their next-generation should consider changing it.
I love the bike! It is built very well and I have a few minor complaints but an incredibly great product for the money!
It has put me back on a bike where I had given it up.
A great investment in myself and it has changed my daily life. I now commute to work on it and couldn't be happier. But you definitely need to get a few more miles per hour out of it with pedal assist and a different flywheel will do the trick.
More to come! Keep the informative posts coming!

 

[harryS]

The exact terminology is "freewheel," The bike makers save a few bucks here because a Shimano 14-34 7 speed must be about $2-3 wholesale, as they only cost $10 on amazon. Meanwhile if you or I want an 11T freewheel, there's only the ones made by DNP and it starts around $30 on amazon.

I read where Rad has started to put the 11T DNP on their 20 inchers.

 

[Kimbo]

The 11-34 freewheel is good for higher speeds and hills while the 11-28 is just good for higher speeds both are available from Aliexpress but Amazon used to sell only the 11-28. Aliexpress is cheaper than Amazon but the shipping takes longer which is often not a problem since most of us are in the midst of winter. If you use the search function on the upper right of your screen you can find the info for ordering one.

 

[Zman123]

Since it's not very hilly where I live I think the 11 - 28 t will work great for me. I imagine it will have a little bit more subtle differences between gears.
I really enjoy this forum! I'm learning a lot.
Trying to get all the proper bike nomenclature down! Thanks for correcting my terminology.

 

[EbikeBoy]

Hi I'm new to the forum and am an excited new owner of a black XP!
While waiting for it to arrive I took it upon myself to read absolutely everything on the internet about this bike. I've read every entry in this forum regarding the bike.
I hope to be an active member and I will post questions because I already have a few, and thought maybe I'd share my first observation worthy of report.
Folding:
It is so easy to scratch up your bike when it's folded!
Specifically where the bottom of the kickstand comes together towards the bike when folded,
It can easily line up with the inside edge of the front rim and the bottom of the kickstand can wedge into the inner edge of the rim. It lines up perfectly.
The bottom of the kickstand is grooved and sharp enough to gouge the rim. I got the scratch before my first ride.
So please please please put some foam from the original box , or a blanket between the bike before folding it and cover the kickstand with a sock or something. You will scratch up your bike in no time when folded if you do not do this!
More to come! I'm excited to be a part of your group!

 

[EbikeBoy]

Good tips here. I am using a Harbor Freight "Moving blanket" to cover mine while it is in the garage, and for protection when the bike is folded and transported. These blankets come in two different sizes; 40 x 72" and 72 x 80". Look for a sale coupons for them and then pickup a free flashlight (coupon need for this too).