Hi folks
My girlfriend (52) is a decent cyclist: front group within her age minus 15 (amateur) and OK with rides up to 80 km. We ride often together and here she suffers a bit and I get very little workout. Riding together is pleasant while riding at more aggressive pace and longer distances would be fantastic (for both of us
. She rides De Rosa size 54cm (reach 389, stack 550) which is a bit big for her (size smaller would have much shorter stack) with Di2. She rides well in pace line, descends fast, and is a good climber considering her physique and age.
I enjoy riding primarily in the mountains and this terrain creates biggest differences in our riding pace. In addition she wants to ride gravel which I ride a lot (gravel terrain also is quite hilly). And so here comes the concept of M20i which would allow us to ride together at faster pace, longer distances and also gravel. US spec with motor support up to 20 mph.
Main questions/concerns (except of availability which is a big unknown now; in store availability would also answer some of the below questions but ....)
- general handling and balance of the bike. those of you who rode on race bikes before would you have any comparison? I like the bike that is like on rails. One of my favorites is Cannondale SuperSix Evo - a blast climbing, going fast down, turning, lightweight enough and aero enough. I feel like one on that bike. I wonder what Gain is like
- lack of torque sensor. How does X35/X35+ deal with it. what happens when you are on level 1 pushing hard on a slight 4% incline near max motor support speed of 20 mph. what happens if you are on level 3 as above but on 8% incline?
- (question was asked in a different tread but ..) what happens to the 20 mph max motor support speed when the bike is brought to Europe?
- size? M20i size M is R:388, S:575. size S is R:377, S:550. So with S she would be same as on De Rosa with 1cm longer stem and it gives her possibility to ride smaller geometry than 54cm De Rosa. She is 174cm with rather longer legs and shorter torso. According to Orbea charts size M covers 170-180cm tall individuals but as we know personal preferences might move you up or down a size. What do you think?
- How is the bike on gravel. The geometry is rather endurance than race so that should be good but how is stiffness and compliance on not-so-smooth terrain?
- how good are the OC2 carbon 42mm wheels? Stiff? any flexing when pushed hard out of the saddle? They would be used with 28mm road tires and 35 to 40 mm gravel tires
- OEM OC2 road carbon bars - do they look the same as non-carbon. If so I might consider getting aftermarket ones with flatter tops (more aero looking too)
- any other comments related to this bike used for purposes described above?
Many thx for any input
My girlfriend (52) is a decent cyclist: front group within her age minus 15 (amateur) and OK with rides up to 80 km. We ride often together and here she suffers a bit and I get very little workout. Riding together is pleasant while riding at more aggressive pace and longer distances would be fantastic (for both of us
. She rides De Rosa size 54cm (reach 389, stack 550) which is a bit big for her (size smaller would have much shorter stack) with Di2. She rides well in pace line, descends fast, and is a good climber considering her physique and age. I enjoy riding primarily in the mountains and this terrain creates biggest differences in our riding pace. In addition she wants to ride gravel which I ride a lot (gravel terrain also is quite hilly). And so here comes the concept of M20i which would allow us to ride together at faster pace, longer distances and also gravel. US spec with motor support up to 20 mph.
Main questions/concerns (except of availability which is a big unknown now; in store availability would also answer some of the below questions but ....)
- general handling and balance of the bike. those of you who rode on race bikes before would you have any comparison? I like the bike that is like on rails. One of my favorites is Cannondale SuperSix Evo - a blast climbing, going fast down, turning, lightweight enough and aero enough. I feel like one on that bike. I wonder what Gain is like
- lack of torque sensor. How does X35/X35+ deal with it. what happens when you are on level 1 pushing hard on a slight 4% incline near max motor support speed of 20 mph. what happens if you are on level 3 as above but on 8% incline?
- (question was asked in a different tread but ..) what happens to the 20 mph max motor support speed when the bike is brought to Europe?
- size? M20i size M is R:388, S:575. size S is R:377, S:550. So with S she would be same as on De Rosa with 1cm longer stem and it gives her possibility to ride smaller geometry than 54cm De Rosa. She is 174cm with rather longer legs and shorter torso. According to Orbea charts size M covers 170-180cm tall individuals but as we know personal preferences might move you up or down a size. What do you think?
- How is the bike on gravel. The geometry is rather endurance than race so that should be good but how is stiffness and compliance on not-so-smooth terrain?
- how good are the OC2 carbon 42mm wheels? Stiff? any flexing when pushed hard out of the saddle? They would be used with 28mm road tires and 35 to 40 mm gravel tires
- OEM OC2 road carbon bars - do they look the same as non-carbon. If so I might consider getting aftermarket ones with flatter tops (more aero looking too)
- any other comments related to this bike used for purposes described above?
Many thx for any input
