D
Deleted member 803
Guest
Hi folks:
I ordered 5 FLX Blades. While the build is just being finished I thought I would provide some commentary on early observations:
-The bikes are double boxed for protection and are as well protected as any bike my mechanics have received.
-Out of the 5 units, we had a paint chip on one stem cap and the company immediately agreed to send out another one.
-Once source of constant damage is from front wheel rotors rubbing against the frame of the bike. We like the fact that FLX shipped the rotor in a separate box as it only takes a few minutes to install.
-Unlike a lot of vendors we have dealt with, these bikes came with the batteries on the bikes as opposed to separate packaging. We don't have an opinion that one way is better than the other.
-The specs on the Blade are above average all the way around. We replaced the Maxis off road tires on one bike with Schwalbe Super Moto's. The Super Moto's were 27.5 X 2.8 rather than the stock 27.5 X 2.5 Maxis tires. No problem with the slightly wider tire.
-All bikes were shipped with front brake lines on the outside of the front forks. We remounted the brake lines to the inside.
-We always remove the wheels and check truing and spoke tension. Wheels were well built.
-We removed the rear freewheel cassette to check hub lubrication and found they were all dry. I must admit that the SRAM EX1 cassette is pretty fantastic. It is very light and we are told that it is CNC machined from a single billet. Very cool. The only downside is the 8 gears. This is done to minimize chain angle so as to prevent undue stress on the chain. The system shifts are clean and crisp. What you might miss from a system with more gears is the ability to find just the perfect gear for your riding style.
-We like the fact that there is both a chain ring guard and a frame mounted stopper to prevent the chain from falling off during extreme rides.
-Rotors required the usually time to align for smooth operation. We've never had a new bike build that did not require rotor or disk alignment.
-We ordered after market rear mount kickstands that work just fine.
-We also ordered some chainstay skins for greater protection than FLX provides.
-One customer wanted a different handlebar and we installed a Metropolis with no issues.
Lastly, I must admit one error in judgement. We ordered (3) black and (2) raw metal. In video reviews the marked, scratched, and flawed finish of the raw metal turned me off. Upon seeing it in person I was mistaken. The look of the bike is fantastic and I prefer the raw metal look .
Overall, these bikes are as well integrated and built as any other brand we have put together. Sure some vendors do a better job with cable routing/hiding, and some do a better job with battery frame enclosure, but overall, for a small young company, the bikes are very very good.
I will report later on with photos and some ride experience. We purchased these bikes specifically because we wanted some riding experience with the Bafang Ultra 1000 motor. More to come soon.....
I ordered 5 FLX Blades. While the build is just being finished I thought I would provide some commentary on early observations:
-The bikes are double boxed for protection and are as well protected as any bike my mechanics have received.
-Out of the 5 units, we had a paint chip on one stem cap and the company immediately agreed to send out another one.
-Once source of constant damage is from front wheel rotors rubbing against the frame of the bike. We like the fact that FLX shipped the rotor in a separate box as it only takes a few minutes to install.
-Unlike a lot of vendors we have dealt with, these bikes came with the batteries on the bikes as opposed to separate packaging. We don't have an opinion that one way is better than the other.
-The specs on the Blade are above average all the way around. We replaced the Maxis off road tires on one bike with Schwalbe Super Moto's. The Super Moto's were 27.5 X 2.8 rather than the stock 27.5 X 2.5 Maxis tires. No problem with the slightly wider tire.
-All bikes were shipped with front brake lines on the outside of the front forks. We remounted the brake lines to the inside.
-We always remove the wheels and check truing and spoke tension. Wheels were well built.
-We removed the rear freewheel cassette to check hub lubrication and found they were all dry. I must admit that the SRAM EX1 cassette is pretty fantastic. It is very light and we are told that it is CNC machined from a single billet. Very cool. The only downside is the 8 gears. This is done to minimize chain angle so as to prevent undue stress on the chain. The system shifts are clean and crisp. What you might miss from a system with more gears is the ability to find just the perfect gear for your riding style.
-We like the fact that there is both a chain ring guard and a frame mounted stopper to prevent the chain from falling off during extreme rides.
-Rotors required the usually time to align for smooth operation. We've never had a new bike build that did not require rotor or disk alignment.
-We ordered after market rear mount kickstands that work just fine.
-We also ordered some chainstay skins for greater protection than FLX provides.
-One customer wanted a different handlebar and we installed a Metropolis with no issues.
Lastly, I must admit one error in judgement. We ordered (3) black and (2) raw metal. In video reviews the marked, scratched, and flawed finish of the raw metal turned me off. Upon seeing it in person I was mistaken. The look of the bike is fantastic and I prefer the raw metal look .
Overall, these bikes are as well integrated and built as any other brand we have put together. Sure some vendors do a better job with cable routing/hiding, and some do a better job with battery frame enclosure, but overall, for a small young company, the bikes are very very good.
I will report later on with photos and some ride experience. We purchased these bikes specifically because we wanted some riding experience with the Bafang Ultra 1000 motor. More to come soon.....
