Another new TQ motor: hpr40

[Rás Cnoic]

to be fair, things have changed a LOT. you can go to a bike shop and get a tarmac or aethos with a 50-34 up front and 11-34 in the back in ultegra, dura-ace, some equivalent sram version i'm sure. 1:1 on a super light road bike will get you up a lot of hills, and of course it's pretty rare for a paved road to exceed 10% for any duration and really more like 6% typically, in the states.

that dura-ace is 34:34 off the shelf these days says a lot, 20 years ago that would have been considered weak and unmanly

Yes very true, things have changed. I dread to think what block I raced on in the 80s and yet I don't recall major hardship due to the high gears because I was young and very fit (!!) and of course everyone was doing it. I do remember how remarkable my first mtb felt with its triple chainring and 15 gears (!) I felt I could climb any steep ramp, it really was a revolution having such a low granny gear.

I did think with some direct to consumer/online companies now with their bike configuration pages that gearing changes might be an option, but it seems like it's more handlebars saddles and tyres, from ones Ive looked at and not so much the drive train. Expensive and complex to change drivetrain I suppose. So more off the shelf suit than going to the tailor.

 

[mschwett]

Yes very true, things have changed. I dread to think what block I raced on in the 80s and yet I don't recall major hardship due to the high gears because I was young and very fit (!!) and of course everyone was doing it. I do remember how remarkable my first mtb felt with its triple chainring and 15 gears (!) I felt I could climb any steep ramp, it really was a revolution having such a low granny gear.

I did think with some direct to consumer/online companies now with their bike configuration pages that gearing changes might be an option, but it seems like it's more handlebars saddles and tyres, from ones Ive looked at and not so much the drive train. Expensive and complex to change drivetrain I suppose. So more off the shelf suit than going to the tailor.

true. when i bought my aethos i wanted the 11-34 instead of the 11-30, so it came with that, whether the LBS switched it or specialized did i don't know - you can't order it that way from the website. i'm surprised more DTC bike brands haven't embraced simple changes like that especially when it's within the groupsets' stock choices.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I did think with some direct to consumer/online companies now with their bike configuration pages that gearing changes might be an option, but it seems like it's more handlebars saddles and tyres, from ones Ive looked at and not so much the drive train. Expensive and complex to change drivetrain I suppose. So more off the shelf suit than going to the tailor.

Don't think I've ever seen gearing options on an ebike product page. Too bad, cuz most seem to come geared for flat topography.

One reason for DTC brands to shy away from gearing options: Having to deal with the fallout when buyers pick the wrong option. In a bike shop, you can go over the options and steer the buyer toward the best fit.

 

[Art Deco]

Don't think I've ever seen gearing options on an ebike product page. Too bad, cuz most seem to come geared for flat topography.

One reason for DTC brands to shy away from gearing options: Having to deal with the fallout when buyers pick the wrong option. In a bike shop, you can go over the options and steer the buyer toward the best fit.

Indeed, some LBS can and will. But you have to know enough to ask about it, and many that handle mostly ebikes don't know anyway, sadly.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Indeed, some LBS can and will. But you have to know enough to ask about it, and many that handle mostly ebikes don't know anyway, sadly.

Alas, back in the Late Bronze Age, when I was but a skinny young man on a Raleigh road bike, you could walk into almost any LBS with a reasonable expectation that everyone on the staff knew more than all but the savviest customers. Nowadays you're just as likely to get someone who makes stuff up with great authority cuz they're incapable of saying, "I don't know, but I'll ask."

So you're right, getting good advice on personalized gearing would be pretty hit or miss these days.

 

[Catalyzt]

It is strange how modern e-bike weight, torque, power delivery and gear choices interact; it just produces some unexpected situations.

There is one ascent at the end of a steep hill-- it's probably only 10%-- on my shortest fitness ride that is a totally different experience on the 50 nm 36 pound Grizl:ON 7 than the 40 nm 47 pound Motobecane eMTB.

The problem is the same: There's a stop sign before the ascent, so you have to slow down first, which means gearing down on either bike as you descend the hill that precedes it.

On the Moto, if you get it wrong,and don't downshift soon enough, sure, you pay for it, which means you have to work a lot harder to get up the hill, and the downshifting is painful and hard on the drivetrain. If you get it right, it's easier shifting and a moderate amount of effort to climb the hill in a lower gear; I got used to that pretty quickly.

On the Grizl, if you make the same mistake? It can't even climb the hill; I have to stop, ride to the bottom, and try again! (This has happened twice.) But it I get it right, however, I fly up the hill with very little leg power, the bike demolishes the hill with little effort and does not require using Sprint or Turbo, way easier than the Moto.

The Grizl ON CF 7 has 44t at the chainring and 11-42 (11 gears) at the cluster.

To get 10-44 (12 gears) at the cluster with the same chainring, I'd have had to spend $2,000 more for the Grizl: ON CF9. (I'd also be able to drop one pound.)

If it were Burger King, and I could 'have it my way' as the old advertising jingle said, sure, I would have loved to order the CF 7 with something crazy like 9-46. But you can't even get Canyon on the phone! They sent me an email announcing the bike was ready for pickup after I'd been riding it for about two months. So I'm sure not providing customized drive trains saves them a ton. It felt like there were about seven people running the entire company.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Where have you been lately @Catalyzt? You seem to be AWOL for a long time! I was worrying about you!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

If it were Burger King, and I could 'have it my way' as the old advertising jingle said, sure, I would have loved to order the CF 7 with something crazy like 9-46. But you can't even get Canyon on the phone! They sent me an email announcing the bike was ready for pickup after I'd been riding it for about two months. So I'm sure not providing customized drive trains saves them a ton. It felt like there were about seven people running the entire company.

That's what worries me about DTC especially with an e bike, the after sales/warranty service. They seem efficient and I suppose it's not a big deal re boxing the bike and sending back, just seems more of a faff then taking to local bike shop and talking in person. The lack of communication would drive me nuts though. Nor are all LBS's saints, had my share of grumpy or disinterested bike mechanics in the past.

 

[mschwett]

That's what worries me about DTC especially with an e bike, the after sales/warranty service. They seem efficient and I suppose it's not a big deal re boxing the bike and sending back, just seems more of a faff then taking to local bike shop and talking in person. The lack of communication would drive me nuts though. Nor are all LBS's saints, had my share of grumpy or disinterested bike mechanics in the past.

i think it’s a huge deal! what a pain in the ass to ship a bike multiple times to fix something under warranty, not to mention keeping a huge box around. i don’t have space for that nonsense. i don’t know about other countries but it’s expensive to ship a bike here, and it can’t possibly be faster than getting it fixed down the street.

i wouldn’t buy a DTC bike unless it was very inexpensive or i knew there was a way to get service on all parts locally. i think the latter is generally, but not always true. much bigger issue for e-bikes than regular bikes.

 

[Art Deco]

i think it’s a huge deal! what a pain in the ass to ship a bike multiple times to fix something under warranty, not to mention keeping a huge box around. i don’t have space for that nonsense. i don’t know about other countries but it’s expensive to ship a bike here, and it can’t possibly be faster than getting it fixed down the street.

i wouldn’t buy a DTC bike unless it was very inexpensive or i knew there was a way to get service on all parts locally. i think the latter is generally, but not always true. much bigger issue for e-bikes than regular bikes.

With today's chaotic supply lines, it's even difficult for a LBS to get some parts for the bikes they do sell; getting parts to service a DTC bike is probably a very poor business decision. I certainly wouldn't do it if I had a bike shop (or appliance store, or car dealership, or anything like that where service might be required ).

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

i think it’s a huge deal! what a pain in the ass to ship a bike multiple times to fix something under warranty, not to mention keeping a huge box around. i don’t have space for that nonsense. i don’t know about other countries but it’s expensive to ship a bike here, and it can’t possibly be faster than getting it fixed down the street.

i wouldn’t buy a DTC bike unless it was very inexpensive or i knew there was a way to get service on all parts locally. i think the latter is generally, but not always true. much bigger issue for e-bikes than regular bikes.

I'm with you. Wouldn't consider DTC — not even Canyon.

 

[stompandgo]

We have no problem servicing bikes we do not sell, including DTC, but we may charge a diagnostic fee to figure out what's needed.

 

[Calcoaster]

REI shows up as a Canyon service location. Apparently rei partnered with canyon last year and is expanding their locations that service them.

 

[Catalyzt]

REI shows up as a Canyon service location. Apparently rei partnered with canyon last year and is expanding their locations that service them.

Exactly. They are happy to service my Canyon when needed, though they are over seven miles away and across a major freeway. For same-day service (like installing the wireless remote for the motor) there is a shop that is closer-- more of a specialty eMTB LBS-- that was happy to do the job. (It was actually very tricky, glad I did not do that myself.) It is a VERY new program; I was the first customer to buy a bike via REI Burbank, which is part of why the experience did not go smoothly!

They also confirmed that I had adjusted the derailleur properly. REI did not-- it was like they hadn't adjusted it at all or never test rode it up a hill, four to six clicks of cable tension, I half suspect that they left it that way, because as they talked me through how to operate the bike-- essential given the brake-lever shifters-- they said, "Come on back if you have any problems, derailleur adjustment or whatever." (This made me determined to do the adjustment myself, so I was very happy the second shop confirmed I got it just right.)

I like REI, I believe in what they are trying to do, generally, and I might go back there for warranty service. I did buy a few odds and ends there later, but they are no longer my first choice for service. The bigger danger is that the company is in trouble and might fold at some point.

There is yet a third shop that works on my Motobecane, which is also a DTC bike. With them, I started with little stuff where they had a decent profit margin, first mounting a hub drive kit, then mounting tires, etc., and I don't mind paying $150-$200 for a 'deluxe tune up' every few years. My bikes also have well-known big brand motors, and the third shop (actually the first I used) said they would work on the Moto's Shimano E5000 if it had problems.

 

[Catalyzt]

Where have you been lately @Catalyzt? You seem to be AWOL for a long time! I was worrying about you!

Very kind of you to ask, friend! I saw you ask the community in a different thread.

You were right to be concerned. The short answer: I died. I had a serious medical issue, (my heart stopped for ten minutes) and I was in the ICU for six weeks! I just got home 17 days ago, but even so, I was on a nasal feeding tube and oxygen until late this week. I can walk without assistance now, but use a cane around the house and a walker outside. I'm also trying to learn how to eat again-- the NG tube came out by itself, long story, but speech therapy and dietitians are crap departments at my hospital, which I LOVE in all other respects-- but it's complicated because my sense of taste atrophied during nasal feeding, though it's spotty. Pureed potatoes tasted heavenly last night, but filet of sole had a weird, metallic taste to it. Common side effect, should resolve in a few weeks.

Recovery will take a LONG time. I'm back to seeing a few clients for my psychotherapy practice online, but it's hard to imagine driving before mid October, maybe early November. Physical therapy for something like this is hard, man! This is unlike training for any other amateur sports I've done. I've had to learn to do EVERYTHING all over again. Even my hearing and vision were crap for the first few weeks. I'm expected to make a full recovery, which now seems vaguely plausible-- it was hard to believe when they told me that a few weeks ago.

I should probably charge Seeker and Nightmare's batteries and check their tires. They've been in the garage for eight weeks now.

Anyway, I'll post about the whole experience in a separate thread. I'm very lucky to be alive.

 

[stompandgo]

Holy crap. Heal up quick.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Very kind of you to ask, friend! I saw you ask the community in a different thread.

You were right to be concerned. The short answer: I died. I had a serious medical issue, (my heart stopped for ten minutes) and I was in the ICU for six weeks! I just got home 17 days ago, but even so, I was on a nasal feeding tube and oxygen until late this week. I can walk without assistance now, but use a cane around the house and a walker outside. I'm also trying to learn how to eat again-- the NG tube came out by itself, long story, but speech therapy and dietitians are crap departments at my hospital, which I LOVE in all other respects-- but it's complicated because my sense of taste atrophied during nasal feeding, though it's spotty. Pureed potatoes tasted heavenly last night, but filet of sole had a weird, metallic taste to it. Common side effect, should resolve in a few weeks.

Recovery will take a LONG time. I'm back to seeing a few clients for my psychotherapy practice online, but it's hard to imagine driving before mid October, maybe early November. Physical therapy for something like this is hard, man! This is unlike training for any other amateur sports I've done. I've had to learn to do EVERYTHING all over again. Even my hearing and vision were crap for the first few weeks. I'm expected to make a full recovery, which now seems vaguely plausible-- it was hard to believe when they told me that a few weeks ago.

I should probably charge Seeker and Nightmare's batteries and check their tires. They've been in the garage for eight weeks now.

Anyway, I'll post about the whole experience in a separate thread. I'm very lucky to be alive.

Yikes!!! I've officially stopped complaining about the 26 days of riding lost to a recent saddle rash.

Lots of challenges still ahead, but sounds like you're making progress toward a good prognosis. My larygectomy saga in 2011 was far from easy, but it was way easier than what you're going through now. Several of my favorite foods (including chocolate and blackberries) developed yucky metallic aftertastes that eventually went away.

You probably know this as a psychotherapist, but laughter really is the best medicine. My family and I resolved to laugh our way though my adventure, and there was no shortage of material post-op. Anyone who insisted on being morose about it was asked to leave.

Nurses said I recovered from this major surgical hit in record time, and I fully believe that having a sense of humor about the whole thing had a lot to do with that. And I say that as a thoroughly evidence-based retired MD.

Plus you get MUCH better care as a jokester than as a grump. Really.

Get well soon!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The short answer: I died.

I'm feel a lot of sympathy for you, Cat!
Two nights ago, I asked my British colleague what happened to some Dave R., the loveliest Englishman I ever met. Dan said: 'Dave died... and returned'. A story similar to yours!
Get on well friend, so you can zoom your Seeker and Nightmare again!

 

[Art Deco]

We have no problem servicing bikes we do not sell, including DTC, but we may charge a diagnostic fee to figure out what's needed.

That's the way it is supposed to be ... /singing/

 

[Chazmo]

Holy crap, @Catalyzt !!! I hope you heal up quickly and get back doing the things you like to do ahead of schedule!