New Bike, What's First?

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chipgibbs

Member
My new Revi Cheetah will be delivered Thursday. It is my first ebike and first bike in 30 years. I have had a motorcycle for years. I've got the mechanical ability and electronics down. I've got a new helmet and a million tools.
What do I need to buy or learn about right off the bat?
 
chipgibbs said:
My new Revi Cheetah will be delivered Thursday. It is my first ebike and first bike in 30 years. I have had a motorcycle for years. I've got the mechanical ability and electronics down. I've got a new helmet and a million tools.
What do I need to buy or learn about right off the bat?
Click to expand...
Fun looking ebike!

I always suggest a water bottle (or two) and a flat repair kit. You'll need water bottle cages to hold them on your bike and a bag for the flat kit. I use a saddlebag.

My flat kit has a spare tube, tire levers, a patch kit, tire boots, mini-pump, and a CO2 inflator. I also carry a bike mini-tool for the 5mm hex wrench to remove my bike's through axles. Since yours uses a hub motor I'm guessing that you'll need an open-end wrench instead.

I also suggest practicing with the flat repair kit at home rather than learning on the trail.

If you're going to ride on any streets I'd also suggest running lights. Your headlight is 400lm. That'll work for daylight running, though I prefer a flashing light to get drivers' attention. I also use a flashing tail light to be seen coming and going.

Enjoy your new ebike!
 
Great retro-looking bike. Love the leather saddlebags for it. Agree with Sierratim, I should have practiced at home for my first flat. 10 minutes to change out the tube, 30 to figure out the c02 inflator, lol! Add a first aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellant if needed, pliers, zip ties, pack of Kleenex. Chain tool/ quick link.
 
I ordered some Stans for the tires. I'll be on the street 90% of the time and we don't have the dreaded goat head thorns in Virginia. I'm looking for a Leather rear rack pack rather than the saddle bags. Gotta have some place for all the survival gear. When I get the rack I can figure out a size to fit with the lines of the bike and the amount of cargo. I expect flats, fixed many in years past. May have to find a folding chair for fixes on the road.
 
chipgibbs said:
My new Revi Cheetah will be delivered Thursday. It is my first ebike and first bike in 30 years. I have had a motorcycle for years. I've got the mechanical ability and electronics down. I've got a new helmet and a million tools.
What do I need to buy or learn about right off the bat?
Click to expand...

Know where your LBS is and phone number for AAA
 
Don't assume the bike has been all dialed in for you prior to being packed. Go over everything! Make sure the handlebars aren't going to come off in your hands for instance! And make sure the bike will stop.....

Put the battery on the charger as soon as you get it out of the box. You're going to want to try this thing out in a couple of hours, and you'll be glad to have a head start on enough charge to let you do that.

Stans (or something similar) is a great plan....
 
That pedal forward design makes for a completely different experience that other bicycles from your past. Very difficult to come out of the saddle, so all the bumps come through your back, you loose muscle efficiency as your legs are not in the optimum angle. It also makes for using core muscles more. Not sure your intention of using the throttle vs pedaling for exercise. Understanding the battery as mentioned earlier is critical.
 
Buy a spare battery now and get the biggest one possible, that bike has a weird shaped battery and if the the Company goes belly up or if they decide to discontinue that bike you will have a hard time finding a spare.
other than than just tighten all bolts,get some tire liners in those wheels and i always carry all the tools i need to take my bike apart plus a spare tube,a patch kit and a small portable hand pump.
 
Get a decent hand pump. Worth its weight in gold.

Sounds like you may have that covered, based on your background. But it's the best thing you can buy.
 
chipgibbs said:
ElevenAD, Battery idea is a good one. Thanks
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Just as a counterpoint-
That's not a move I would entertain - unless you needed the 2nd battery for extended range. The issue is batteries degrade with age even when stored under near perfect conditions. 2 batteries, if swapped continuously during their lifetimes will not last twice as long as a single battery used full time. You are far further ahead using the first battery until it craps out, then replacing it with a new one. I get the concern about availability of a replacement. Absolute worst case is you have the battery rebuilt using new cells. My bet is though, that when that time comes, you'll have something better available that can be easily adapted to your bike with a minimum amount of work.
 
ElevenAD said:
Buy a spare battery now and get the biggest one possible, that bike has a weird shaped battery and if the the Company goes belly up or if they decide to discontinue that bike you will have a hard time finding a spare.
Click to expand...
This is one of the main reasons I went with a very popular brand like Trek with Bosch motor/battery. This style/size is going to be around for some time. I’ve certainly pondered buying a second battery recently but I just don’t think I need it yet.
 
Dallant said:
This is one of the main reasons I went with a very popular brand like Trek with Bosch motor/battery. This style/size is going to be around for some time. I’ve certainly pondered buying a second battery recently but I just don’t think I need it yet.
Click to expand...
We went with Specialized for the same reason. I also get to use my wife's battery as a spare for longer rides she doesn't want to do....🤣
 
Don’t forget a good mirror if it doesn’t already have one. Just like motorcycles and cars, you wouldn’t leave home without one.

Those Cheetah are such cool looking bikes. Please post your adventures.
 
Got the bike today. I had to do some adjusting to the front hub, pedals and brakes. Oh, and the headlight had to be disassembled to align the lens. It was really crooked as in clock face wasn't at 12 o'clock.
Otherwise, Oh Hell yeah!!!
 
Buckeye Biker said:
Get a decent hand pump. Worth its weight in gold.
Click to expand...

Don't know if you are referring to one on the bike or not, but everyone should have a good floor pump for maintenance inflation. I recommend the Pedros Prestige Pump which has a nice long hose and a dual-sided pump head. DO NOT get one with an automatic "smart" head (like the more expensive Pedros Super Prestige Pump). In my experience they are more finicky and with a lot of use they crap out faster too. Plus, the automatic heads are bulkier and don't fit some bikes.
 
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