First impressions of my CCS 2nd production bike:

[Reid]

Hi bob,

My bike is shifting really well, I "feel" it shifts better than stock but that is so subjective, "feelings" should be disregarded.

If it really did make a big difference to use ball bearings, the makers would all be fitting ball bearings to jockey wheels of all but the cheapest derailleurs. But they don't.

Here is a whole thread worth reading all the way through. I just now found it by searching.

I'm still pleased to have and I do enjoy these Dutch made ball bearing jockey wheels. I viscerally disliked the...principle...of the plain bushing bearings because they are crudely shielded. The bushings run in a slurry of gritty oil and water. I've seen Shimano wheels wear out from neglect.

Maybe these new ball bearings are going to become badly contaminated in no time: in which case they will soon seize,because ball bearings are not tolerant of solid contaminants. I will report any failure or problem.

As it stands today I would buy them again for the feelings they provide : )

PS: my "upgrades" are customizations to please my own likes. I think the bike as delivered is almost beyond criticism in its specifications. Tora made all the right choices.

For instance, the controller's assist settings:

• ECO permits up to 5 amperes
• 1 permits up to 8 amperes
• 2 permits 10 amperes
• 3 permits 15 amperes
• "S"(should be "4" in the present scheme of steps) allows up to 20 amperes

Thereby, a rational system of stepped up assistance. I could never have thought it out any better.

We will hope that in some future production the assist steps will be labeled "0" for no assistance but speedo/odo and headlight capability, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. That would be ideal!

 

[bob armani]

Hi bob,

My bike is shifting really well, I "feel" it shifts better than stock but that is so subjective, "feelings" should be disregarded.

If it really did make a big difference to use ball bearings, the makers would all be fitting ball bearings to jockey wheels of all but the cheapest derailleurs. But they don't.

Here is a whole thread worth reading all the way through. I just now found it by searching.

I'm still pleased to have and I do enjoy these Dutch made ball bearing jockey wheels. I viscerally disliked the...principle...of the plain bushing bearings because they are crudely shielded. The bushings run in a slurry of gritty oil and water. I've seen Shimano wheels wear out from neglect.

Maybe these new ball bearings are going to become badly contaminated in no time: in which case they will soon seize,because ball bearings are not tolerant of solid contaminants. I will report any failure or problem.

As it stands today I would buy them again for the feelings they provide : )

PS: my "upgrades" are customizations to please my own likes. I think the bike as delivered is almost beyond criticism in its specifications. Tora made all the right choices.

For instance, the controller's assist settings:

• ECO permits up to 5 amperes
• 1 permits up to 8 amperes
• 2 permits 10 amperes
• 3 permits 15 amperes
• "S"(should be "4" in the present scheme of steps) allows up to 20 amperes

Thereby, a rational system of stepped up assistance. I could never have thought it out any better.

We will hope that in some future production the assist steps will be labeled "0" for no assistance but speedo/odo and headlight capability, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. That would be ideal!

Reid-Yes, I agree with most/all of your comments about how parts of the bike should be reconfigured. Tora seems quite passionate about his products and it appears he is working with a very competent ( and well researched) group of engineers to piece together his ebike line. I also see they have had some setbacks with their delivery timeline as well as the 'smoke' sale on some of the earlier CC models. I think he is finally sorting out these caveats moving forward. I am also very impressed with his Rip Current 52V S. What a beast!!

I was going to experiment a bit with new jockey wheels and see what kind of results I get. Bearings opposed to bushings are great, but time will tell. I see a lot of the wheels are made of plastic composite, (I thought perhaps metal would get better lasting wear)??

I also scrutinized your list of component upgrades and started brainstorming a bit off of them. I have both standard MTBs and ebikes, so I can begin swapping some parts out and see if I can improve my drive trains, etc. I am by no means an experienced bike mechanic, however, it will be fun to just put bikes up on the stand and take it from there. Thanks for sharing your well thought out upgrades. A wealth of information here! Have fun riding in sunny Florida (the place to be)...

Side bar: I also see BOX ONE makes a very cool looking derailleur reviewed by Seth's Bike Hack- although very pricey.