Even More Neo Carbon Love

[Vern]

Hey Eddie, I'm a bit confused here. Your shop has some tuning equipment that will let your bike go faster? Or is there some issue with your ebike that they are trying to fix?

Court, I think that Eddie was commenting on a previous post of mine where I stated that I couldn't tell a difference between the modes of pedal assist!

 

[Dave]

Eddie, I'm not surprised there may be an issue. I spent some time checking out different PAS modes on the Carbon today, and there is definitely a difference.

 

[EddieJ]

Hey Eddie, I'm a bit confused here. Your shop has some tuning equipment that will let your bike go faster? Or is there some issue with your ebike that they are trying to fix?

Hi Court.

As Vern has said, the issue has been that I've never been able to tell any difference between the modes, as they all seem the same. I heard and read of several other people experiencing the same issue, but I can't say that's ever really concerned me as I just ride in Eco mode. There again eco mode might not be.

The bike shop have invested in some quite expensive diagnostic kit, that allows them to re programme any issues, and adjust each of the modes separately. I'll wait for them to get used to using the equipment on others people's bikes before I let them loose on mine.

 

[Vern]

I'm REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY ANGRY. I tried to ride my bike to work this morning and I got a flat half way there. I had an extra tube and pliers, but that wasn't enough to get the wheel off. I had to call my wife to come rescue me. She is not really happy about the ebike purchase, and she also isn't crazy about the idea of me riding to work; SO, I really hated having to call her. I guess what pisses me off most is that I have ridden my regular mountain bike to work about 10 times and I have NEVER gotten a flat. In fact, I haven't gotten a flat on my bike in a good 12 years. Day two of my e-bike and I was stranded half way!! I just hit a rock in the road and that did it!! I hope that I didn't damage my rim. Perhaps I should have gotten a bike with a bit more tire!! Now I am starting to question my purchase decision AGAIN!! I really don't need the stress of being stranded on my way to work EVER again.

Any advice for tubes, liners, different tires...Can I put slightly larger tires on these rims??? I know this topic has come up a few times along with bicycle insurance, but having not gotten a flat in soooooo long, I was kind of hoping I had some sort of immunity. I wish!! I am so frustrated I might just sell the damn thing!!!

 

[James]

Oh, that's just the worst! I'm not real familiar with your bike, so I can't offer any advice on if you can put larger rims, tires etc on it. Although with enough time and money you can do anything! Have you looked into and tube filler products like slime or the one I use called Doc Blue from Schwalbe:



It doesn't prevent any catastrophic failures like a spike through the tire or anything like that, but it's kept me road rollin' for over 1500km's this year. Good luck man!

 

[Dave]

Vern, I think James is on the right track. You may be able to put a slightly larger tire, say 700c/36/38 on, but I'm not sure it's going to help a whole lot. Those rear wheel bolts are 15mm if memory serves, so you would need to carry that size wrench along. Taking that wheel off on any bike with a rear hub motor in the field is going to be tough, especially the first time. I'm sure it can be done, but the tube filler product idea sounds good to me. Did you find out what caused the flat? I know you said you hit a rock, but that sounds unusual for causing a flat.

 

[Vern]

I just got home from work. I stopped by a bike shop on my way home to get a new, thicker tube. The guy there said that I probably didn't have enough air in my tires and quite honestly, they may have been a bit low. I do not have a tire gauge and I have been eye balling it. I bought a new pump with a gauge as well as a thicker tube. Hopefully, that will not happen again anytime soon. I need to also stock a wrench in my pack for my next ride. Well at least I now have a weekend project, to fix my bike.

Now that I have calmed down a bit, I am not quite as mad but still a little frustrated. I know that it was mostly my fault and not the bike's. However I do wonder if skinny tires are appropriate for an e-bike. Almost every other e-bike comes with larger tires which can absorb some of the stress of higher MPH and the extra weight.

 

[Vern]

OK I'm a total idiot. Now that I actually have a bike pump with a tire pressure gauge I realize that my tires have been EXTREMELY low. I had no idea that they were supposed to be as hard as a rock!!

I changed my tire this morning. It took a while, about an hour, but now that I have done it I think that I could do it in about 20 minutes on the side of the road if needed.

I'm back and running again and I think the flat was kind of a blessing. It forced me to:

• Buy a bike pump with a pressure gauge,
• Buy a new thicker tube
• I also made a connection with a local bike shop. The owner was happy to answer my questions and the shop actually sells Polaris e-bikes. The owner also said they would be willing to do tune ups on my bike.
• And now that I have actually changed my bike tire, I know how to do it and feel that I could do it in route. I have been kind of stressing about that. Now I know it would suck, but it is doable!! I even made it to work on time yesterday, after my wife picked me up

 

[Dave]

Vern, good for you. I keep my carbon tires at 80psi and I've hit some decent size potholes without any issues. Nice to know the rear wheel could be changed on the road if need be.

 

[EddieJ]

Good to hear that you are sorted Vern. If you haven't already seen this thread, take a look at these tubes. http://electricbikereview.com/commu...-tires-and-airless-bicycle-tubes.49/#post-629

 

[Vern]

Commuter Log-Carbon Style

Day One- Great. See earlier post

Day Two- Sucked-See earlier post

Day Three-Hasn't happened yet. Monday I had to bring my laptop back to work, so I just took the car. Today it was supposed to rain, so I took the car. Tomorrow it supposed to rain, so I'll take the car. Dang IT. It hasn't rained here in months. Now that I am trying to actually use my ebike, here comes the rain again. Murphy's Law!!

BTW-Carrying the charger back and forth kinda stinks. If I can actually get on a schedule of using my bike regularly, I might have to invest in another one. The cheapest I've seen is $125, but it would be worth it!!

 

[Brambor]

vern ...the sun will shine again in California ... Keep hope alive

 

[Vern]

Ok there was no threat of rain today, the rear tire is all fixed, no excuses, all systems were a go. So I took that bad boy to work and WOW it was so awesome. 38 minutes literally from door to door. I beat my last best time with my carbon by 4 minutes. It is SO cool and fun to ride that thing. I get a great workout, but I am not dead for the rest of the weekend like the times I would ride my regular bike. I also saw another bike commuter far ahead of me. I caught him, passed him, and never saw him again. His tiny road bike probably cost twice what mine did and the ride is probably not nearly as good. You gotta love it!!!

Two small issues on the way home though.

1. I forgot to lock the battery in place and noticed after a few miles in that my display read "0" bars. "What the heck! I just charged it," I thought. I stopped, took the battery off, locked it in place, and no more issues.
2. I was pedaling pretty hard going about 26 mph and I felt and heard a THUD from my seat post. It started tilting uncomfortably up. I thought for sure that I snapped something. Court has me kind of paranoid about having a carbon fiber bike, so I really thought that the frame or seat post just cracked. I stopped again, adjusted and re-tightened the seat post and I was good to go.

Awesome ride. I kept it in standard power, one step up from "ECO" this time. I did notice more assist and my time did improve, so there must be some difference between the levels. One other major issue: How the heck am I ever going to be able to go back to my "regular" bike? After a few weeks, I do want to try the commute again on my "regular" bike. Maybe I will be in better shape by then and I can have a new personal best on it as well.

 

[Admin]

Hey Vern! I'm so glad the Neo Carbon is working great for you. Thanks for the anecdotes about making sure it's locked and keeping components relatively tight. I can imagine with the increased speed, vibration and distance these things go seat posts and other bits can start to loosen up.

Sorry for making you paranoid... I'm still learning stuff and trying to figure it out just like you. I've owned carbon fiber bikes as well and tended to be extra careful

 

[Dave]

Great post Vern. Glad all is working well. I like Standard mode as well for a little extra speed. I noticed a little more battery drain, but it is the only way I can maintain mid 20's for any length of time. Eco mode seems to get me 18-20mph, but getting much more really requires a lot of effort.

If there is one simple improvement BH could make on the Neo line it would be a battery lock/unlock indicator on the frame. It is very easy to ride away with the battery unlocked. I would hate to see the battery fall off and hit the ground, that would get expensive.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Vern and Dave,

For some reason on my Jumper, it's like a foolproof mechanism. If the key is in, I can take the battery out but if the key is out, the batteries are locked. I can't seem to take the key out without locking the batteries in..!!

I have noticed few ebike dealers using velcro fasteners as an extra safety measure.

 

[Vern]

I think they must have changed it.
My key will come out in locked or unlocked position. Do you leave the key in when you charge the battery? I do when I am home to remind me to lock it, but I don't when I am at work.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

You're right Vern.
I received two keys and I leave one of the keys in while charging.

 

[Dave]

They must have changed the battery lock with the new battery offering. My key will also come out in any position.

 

[Vern]

Here are a few pics!