RX or RX Pro - would you switch?

[AHicks]

Easier than what? I don't have an RX to compare it to. Not sure how to measure stand over height with that swooping top bar. How about to the top of where the seat post is inserted? That'll be about 28.5" with the Pro while on the 3" tires.

If you're 6'3" you'll have NO trouble getting proper leg extension with the smaller frame. The question will be more about being able to reach the ground over uneven terrain - even just trying to get a toe down! -Al

 

[keninvic]

What about tire noise on the pavement which you say is most of your riding. Is there much difference there?

oh you can hear a fatbike coming, I sure do when I am on my road bike.

Easier than what? I don't have an RX to compare it to. Not sure how to measure stand over height with that swooping top bar. How about to the top of where the seat post is inserted? That'll be about 28.5" with the Pro while on the 3" tires.

If you're 6'3" you'll have NO trouble getting proper leg extension with the smaller frame. The question will be more about being able to reach the ground over uneven terrain - even just trying to get a toe down! -Al

that’s the other guy that is 6’3, I am 5’9.

 

[AHicks]

AHicks, I meant the rim itself, what is the wheel rim width? 100mm? thanks

Outside rim width - 84mm

 

[AHicks]

What about tire noise on the pavement which you say is most of your riding. Is there much difference there?

That's the exact reason I switched to road tires. That said, the stock Kenda Juggernauts were not that noisy - not until you start running at speeds into the teens.....

 

[keninvic]

oh you can hear a fatbike coming, I sure do when I am on my road bike.

that’s the other guy that is 6’3, I am 5’9.

oh you can hear a fatbike coming, I sure do when I am on my road bike.

that’s the other guy that is 6’3, I am 5’9.

See photo from Rize website, but here’s the thing, they use this same photo and measurements for the Pro. To start with the Pro has a 2” smaller frame. It would be much appreciated if someone with a RX Pro could take the height measurements at the same points as this photo.

 

[keninvic]

Outside rim width - 84mm

so the RX Pro has probably got 80mm wheel width.

 

[AHicks]

OK stand over height measured as indicated on the diagram, RX Pro w/26x3" wheels, is 27". This will be taller w/4" tires, maybe another inch.

 

[keninvic]

OK stand over height measured as indicated on the diagram, RX Pro w/26x3" wheels, is 27". This will be taller w/4" tires, maybe another inch.

Thanks, so you are probably reading that at the lowest point, like at the 28" point in the diagram, although in reality your clearance is the next reading up, where it says 30". I would think the seat height is lower on the Pro with the suspension post compared to the RX with the 2" higher frame combined with a suspension post.

 

[keninvic]

i can tell you why i chose an RX over the RX Pro,i already have a fat bike for sand and snow, its $100 cheaper and i could use that cash for accessories,it has a taller frame19in(at 6/3 a 17in is to small),its around 5lbs lighter,the 2.3in tire cause little rolling resistance, its a lil faster and more nimble than the pro. honestly either way you cant loose!

So you already have a fatbike yet you still figured you needed a mtb style ebike, that is swaying me over to the RX now.

 

[ElevenAD]

So you already have a fatbike yet you still figured you needed a mtb style ebike, that is swaying me over to the RX now.

it wasnt the MTB style that was important it was the motor! at the time the Rize RX and Pro were the cheapest way to get an Ultra equipped bike, truth be told i would have preferred a cruiser with an Ultra, the fat bike has off road covered for the way i ride.

 

[tarhead]

I am in a dilemma - was going to get the RX Pro, but maybe I really don't need a fat bike, and am thinking the RX is a better match. You guys with the RX Pro, do you have any regrets getting the Pro? do you think the RX would suit you better now?
I live in Victoria, BC - it is very unlikely that I would ever be riding in snow, and I would not be riding on sand. There are lots of bicycle paths, both paved and dirt, but I already have a road bike for that. I am interested in a MTB type ebike for non technical trails and gravel roads, and there are lots of hills where I will be riding. I am 5'9 and 165 lbs.

edit: interesting, if you toggle between these two photos, you will see that the frame on the Pro is noticeably smaller, the height is the same cause of the big tires.

Your thoughts?

I've ridden both narrow (2-3") and fat (4"). Narrow "road tread" tires are definitely quieter and have less rolling resistance (swapped smoother tire for knobbies on my old non-E MTB years ago and there was a difference). I much prefer the fat tires on loose surfaces like gravel. The bike feels more stable; less plowing into the gravel

My two thoughts re your dilemma:

1. The Pro will give you the (expensive) option to track down a set of skinny-fat wheels and tires so that you can swap between the two tire types. Biktrix offers the option of buying the second wheelset when you order one of their mid-drive fat bikes; around Cdn $600-$700 if memory serves. There isn't enough clearance on the RX frame to go the other way.
2. The fat tires will make your butt look smaller.

 

[keninvic]

I am in a dilemma - was going to get the RX Pro, but maybe I really don't need a fat bike, and am thinking the RX is a better match. You guys with the RX Pro, do you have any regrets getting the Pro? do you think the RX would suit you better now?
I live in Victoria, BC - it is very unlikely that I would ever be riding in snow, and I would not be riding on sand. There are lots of bicycle paths, both paved and dirt, but I already have a road bike for that. I am interested in a MTB type ebike for non technical trails and gravel roads, and there are lots of hills where I will be riding. I am 5'9 and 165 lbs.

edit: interesting, if you toggle between these two photos, you will see that the frame on the Pro is noticeably smaller, the height is the same cause of the big tires.

Your thoughts?

Thanks for your input everyone. I ordered a Rize RX matte black from the Vancouver location today. I live a ferry ride away in Victoria, BC
While I was deciding they sold out the RX Pros in every colour. (maybe with the Canadian winter coming they shipped all of the stock to LA?)

 

[MAJJJL]

Good post Keninvic,
i did the same head scratching as you did; i came to the conclusion and bought an RX and a City for the wife....

 

[1Veteran]

I use my RX Pro as a hybrid on/off road, with about 60% use on paved and hard packed trails. The rest is a cross section of everything else imaginable. I went into it knowing full well I would be switching the knobbies to a treaded pavement tire. 26"x4" Origin 8 street tires taught me about "self steering" which is a polite term for over steer in my experience. Not THAT big a deal, nothing that would lead to loss of control, but very apparent under some conditions. Still, messing with different tire pressures in the mid to high teens (20psi max), I was able to get most of that tendency dialed out. What I was not able to dial out was the feel, which was just like the knobbies, giving the bike a big heavy feel. So now I've switched to 26"x3" Kenda Flame tires . These feel much better, while offering about the same ride the 4" tires offer. Rolling resistance is much better too, as I find myself now riding in the next higher gear.

So, back to the question, RX or RX Pro, I think the better one will depend on where you're riding, and what you are riding on. How's that for a cop out? -Al

Did you have to change your rims to add those 3” kenda flame tires? What was the cost? Worth it? Are they quieter? How loud would you rate the Ultra motor. I am also considering the juiced 1000w hub motor but heard it was very loud on the HS2

thanks

 

[AHicks]

Did you have to change your rims to add those 3” kenda flame tires? What was the cost? Worth it? Are they quieter? How loud would you rate the Ultra motor. I am also considering the juiced 1000w hub motor but heard it was very loud on the HS2

thanks

The 3" tires work absolutely great on the stock rims, AND they look great. If I remember right, cost per tire was less than 40.00 (33.?) and for my purposes, well worth it. They run silent, no noticable self steering, and with no knob induced vibration.

When talking about the noise from an Ultra motor, with it's steel gears in mind, I don't think it's anything I would call "bad", but that's a pretty subjective call. No, it's not what I would call silent either. At my 10-14mph cruise speeds, there is a low pitched growl that's not a lot louder than the wind in your ears. As speeds and power increase, it will change to a little higher pitch, but still nothing I would call objectionable. I''m not sure you could hear it from 50-75 feet for instance....

While I am aware that Bafang has a 1000w geared hub motor available for use with wide rims now, I have no knowledge of it, and have seen no feed back specific to it. It would not be a surprise here if they had gone to steel gears on this motor (like they did with the bigger mid drive motors) and if that is the case, I will guarantee it's not going to be as quiet as the smaller motors with nylon gears. That's just the nature of metal gears. -Al

 

[keninvic]

Thanks for your input everyone. I ordered a Rize RX matte black from the Vancouver location today. I live a ferry ride away in Victoria, BC
While I was deciding they sold out the RX Pros in every colour. (maybe with the Canadian winter coming they shipped all of the stock to LA?)

A few weeks later, I am happy with the Rize RX. Have done a few 60+ km rides - including one yesterday where I rode 30km back in rain. (winter on the west coast of Canada). I have purchased 27.5 X 2.6" Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires, but am using the stock Kendas which are performing just fine, they are also wider looking than I thought 2.35" tires would be. Motor is quieter than I thought it would be, with metal gears you hear it of course, but it is not loud. Battery mileage has been good, riding 63km with some hills and getting back with 40% battery left is good by me. Brakes are not noisy, maybe because I followed youtubers advice on how to seat the pads. Everything worked out of the box - I will likely do a small adjustment on the derailleur soon, but no complaints so far.

 

[Bubba zanetti]

A few weeks later, I am happy with the Rize RX. Have done a few 60+ km rides - including one yesterday where I rode 30km back in rain. (winter on the west coast of Canada). I have purchased 27.5 X 2.6" Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires, but am using the stock Kendas which are performing just fine, they are also wider looking than I thought 2.35" tires would be. Motor is quieter than I thought it would be, with metal gears you hear it of course, but it is not loud. Battery mileage has been good, riding 63km with some hills and getting back with 40% battery left is good by me. Brakes are not noisy, maybe because I followed youtubers advice on how to seat the pads. Everything worked out of the box - I will likely do a small adjustment on the derailleur soon, but no complaints so far.

Thanks. I’m going to order soon. Just waiting to hear on colour update. I’d like a black one too.

 

[Bubba zanetti]

Yep. Ordered this today ...

 

[AHicks]

Congratulations!

 

[Bubba zanetti]

Congratulations!

Yup. Quite excited.