Need new bike advice

[PCeBiker]

I like that idea! I will start lookin for an e mtb where i can connect a rack on the back with an optional extra battery.

Racks on the back with a heavy battery can turn into a wobbly PITA.

If you can get a second battery somehow mounted low and/or closer to the middle of the e-bike, the e-bike will be much more stable.

From what I gather, eMtbikes are generally better built and less inclined to wobble, but a ~14 pound battery hanging off the rear of a ~40 pound ebike might be too much, especially if the center of mass of the battery is high off the ground and behind the rear axle.

I spent months trying to get rid of a speed wobble and still have a second battery attached to my ebike.
I finally came up with this homemade top post battery bracket,..

It looks lyke shyte, but it works better than the OEM battery brackets that broke apart within a week of my first ebike arriving.


I can now ride hands-free and wobble-free for as long as I want.
(at least until I need to slow down anyway)

 

[Cybersnow]

I have a zen photon ultra with a bafang m620 and a rohloff rear axel. While I have read that set up is supposed to be the cat’s meow, I really don’t like riding the bike. The rohloff seems to be perfect for a bike used for carrying a rider and lots of camping gear but it feels like I am riding a big truck, it just isn’t much fun. I am currently out in the middle of the Atlantic ocean on a cruise, but will be in LA in early April. I understand that Luna Cycle’s office is a short ride from the airport. I guess at this point I have a number of options. I can remove the rohloff and belt system, replace the rear wheel and go with a good SRAM set up, but not sure the bike would be any more fun to ride. Another option is to go test ride the bike from Luna Cycle and if it is as good as their reviews are, buy a second battery.

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. Another option is to go test ride the bike from Luna Cycle

I think that should be your first step.

You should know within a few minutes if you like the bike, and how it feels compared to your Zen.


Hopefully there's a big enough hill nearby to give it the real test.

and if it is as good as their reviews are, buy a second battery.

Keep in mind that it's only your review that matters.
Who cares what other people think . (Especially salesmen. )

 

[PedalUma]

You will want the Bafang mid drive product for power, reliability, ubiquitous parts supply. Forget rear hubs.
I would look at the Luna Cycle X-2. It's carbon fiber, weighs 58lbs, and uses the Bafang M600 which will power you up the hills with throttle or torque sensing. There aren't many mid-drives that have a power/weight ratio better than that. I've had a Luna Z-1 (62 lbs) with the Bafang Ultra since June of 2022, it has run flawlessly. Very nimble, lots of power. I run with two batteries (35Ah) which give me tremendous range out in trails.

Those Lunas eat drivetrains. 100nm is the max for mid-drive bike parts. 90 is ideal. Consider a DM02 that is fully user Programable. I have a Surly with a DM02 in my private work shop. It kicks butt. You will want a mid-drive to an 11-50 cassette such a a Box 3 Nine group set and an eChain.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Those Lunas eat drivetrains. 100nm is the max for mid-drive bike parts. 90 is ideal.

The M600 on the Luna X-2 is 95nm max.
My Z-1 (160nm) did require two chains, and two full rear cassettes per year. But I ride extremely hard. I put a Rohloff 14 Speedhub on my Z-1 22 months ago and it is runs very nicely. I still need two chains per year.

 

[PedalUma]

@Tom@WashDC, Why not try stripping the next chain when new of all oils and dipping it in hot paraffin? Part of the problem is grit on the chain. I am changing chains before they need a change to save drivetrains.

 

[linklemming]

The M600 on the Luna X-2 is 95nm max.
My Z-1 (160nm) did require two chains, and two full rear cassettes per year. But I ride extremely hard. I put a Rohloff 14 Speedhub on my Z-1 22 months ago and it is runs very nicely. I still need two chains per year.

I also run higher power Mid Drives without any issues (2 52V BBSHD and a Luna X-2 Ludicrous). I run DT swiss hybrid 350 rear hubs on all my ebikes including Turbo Levo. I also run ebike specific chains from KMC and HG400 cassettes on the higher power setups (SLX cassette on the turbo levo at the moment).

Probably 10k miles on all these bikes combined and no issues

Converted everything over to shimano cues/linkglide last summer except for the Levo and no issues yet

 

[Tom@WashDC]

@Tom@WashDC, Why not try stripping the next chain when new of all oils and dipping it in hot paraffin? Part of the problem is grit on the chain. I am changing chains before they need a change to save drivetrains.

Thanks, yes I've been running parafin for three years. It is amazing how clean the chain stays!

I replace the chains due to chain stretch. I could run the same chain the whole year, but they do stretch a bit, so I do it as routine maintenance. The Rohloff rear sprocket is very forgiving even with a stretched chain, the rear sprocket can be reversed too after it wears out. I have not had to replace my rear sprocket, yet.