I thought I should post an update on "my friend's" bike.
1) The bikespeed RS has performed flawlessly and to speed has been 70kph - I think it could have gone faster except "my friend" didn't want to push his limits - a stack at that speed would not be pretty. When I, sorry, I mean he took his bike to have the eMTB software update done recently, he removed it prior to the service and the diagnostic software could not detect it had been fitted (He was standing with the mechanic when he was doing the upgrade and the tech told him if it had been detected he would have to note it on the service record but that nothing had come up) Bikespeed RS claim that there is no need to physically remove it - switching it off via a key sequence will render it undetectable. My friend erred on the side of caution but will probably leave it in next time and just disable it for the service.
2) On the subject of whether chipping an engine will damage it, my research is that the 350w motor used in the s-pedelecs and the 250w motor are identical except for the programming see
https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/blog/p...n-the-250w-350w-bosch-ebike-motors-explained/. Given that, I'm pretty confident that my friend will not damage his engine with his dongle.
However, to cater for the higher speeds and eliminate the high cadence and constant gear shifting as per Nobby's post, he has modified his bike pretty extensively. I will post a full description with Pics when I have time later this weekend, but the main mods are:
Swapped the Shimano drivetrain for the SRAM EX-1 drivetrain which has been especially designed for e-bikes. Very happy with the new drivetrain and worth every cent.
http://www.bikeradar.com/au/mtb/new...ific-ex1-drivetrain-and-guide-re-brake-47061/ http://reviews.mtbr.com/sram-ex1-e-bike-drivetrain-review http://ebike-mtb.com/en/sram-ex1-review-8-gear-drivetrain-e-mtbs/ He is running an 18t sprocket on the front.
Upgraded the brakes to SRAM Guide RE with 200mm rotors front and back. No issues or worries about having the power to stop when he needs to.
http://ebike-mtb.com/en/sram-guide-re-review-new-e-mtb-specific-brakes/
Replaced the Intuvia display with a Bosch Nyon computer
Fitted a Bikespeed RS Dongle - Absolutely no issues and correct speed displayed etc. A mate has the ASA dongle and by comparision, the fitting is more complex, it doesn't appear as well made, crappy connectors and appears to limit him to 50kmh. here is a video he posted on youtube on his daily commute:
More info:
http://www.bikespeed.de/RS_en.html
Other mods and accessories:
Fitted a Supernova M99 Pure front light. Upgraded to a Supernova M99Pro with high beam (p.m. me if anyone is interested in the M99 Pure) Simply brilliant lights in my view
Hornit 140DB Bike Horn - sorry, some dinky bike bell just doesn't cut the mustard at speed:
https://www.thehornit.com/
Mudhugger Mud Guards
https://www.themudhugger.co.uk/
Spare Bosch 500Wh eBike PowerPack Battery
He is pretty happy with the setup now and uses it most days to commute to work -around 25km each way and longer rides (up to 80km on weekends).
