stompandgo's Cannondale Tesoro Neo X Speed build

[stompandgo]

You mean swap the batteries at each end of the Y? I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[Base]

Switch the docking cable of the powertube directly to the BDU, check if the system responds as normal, if ok, check the Y cable to both docking cables and cross them to see if one of the batteries does not start charging when the charger is connected to the charging port.

We have had bikes with 2 powerpacks and 1 powerpack and 1 rackpack for BES2. Those setups are a bit different I think because you lost one charger port I recall?

 

[stompandgo]

I have a PowerTube 625 (stock) and added a PowerPack 500 Frame as the second battery. The charging port is relocated from the DT/ST junction (stock) to the bottom frame battery mount on the side. I believe that this is part of the frame battery cable. I did not do the work so I'm not sure.

I do not want to pay to have everything torn apart and checked. I'll drop the motor over the winter and try your suggestions. Thanks!

 

[stompandgo]

I swapped my Craptastic Cannondale squeaky Suntour clone suspension seatpost for a used Eesilk Plus that I found on Marketplace.

I usually do very well with used gear, but occasionally I get a dud. It needs the bushings and o-rings replaced, so I ordered the kit. I still saved some money. It came with the "3" (Soft) elastomer, which is one step down from the "5" it comes with new. I think it's perfect for me. It softened the ride a lot like the old one, without as much excursion, and it has rebound damping. Overall, it's a big improvement. It also came with that Prologo saddle. I tried it on the ride yesterday, and it's not bad.

 

[Chazmo]

How does it do rebound damping, Chris? Just curious. Thought these were just springs. Is there oil/air/friction to handle rebound? That looks like a good post.

 

[stompandgo]

It's an elastomer, not a spring. There is some amount of damping in the rebound direction. It doesn't clunk like my old spring based one did.

 

[stompandgo]

Today I added a used Cane Creek Eesilk + seatpost that needs rebuilding, a loaner saddle for testing, swapped the stem for a 3T 130mm -17 degree stem, and removed the dead horn which is being replaced under warranty. I would love a lighter bike with more modern technology, but this beast is so much fun to ride. It absolutely was built to ride fast.

 

[Chazmo]

Today I added a used Cane Creek Eesilk + seatpost that needs rebuilding, a loaner saddle for testing, swapped the stem for a 3T 130mm -17 degree stem, and removed the dead horn which is being replaced under warranty. I would love a lighter bike with more modern technology, but this beast is so much fun to ride. It absolutely was built to ride fast.

View attachment 196333

I think your bike is pretty awesome. What more modern tech are you referring to? Just curious.

 

[stompandgo]

Of course. There are no dumb questions, just people dumb enough to not ask them.

I also think my Tesoro is pretty awesome. The Bosch System 2 delivers everything it was designed to do. What's missing are more modern features that Bosch (to a degree) and other drive unit manufacturers provide, things like:

- The ability to tune each assist mode for assist level and dynamics
- An open data architecture that would allow me to get rider/motor data on whatever computer I choose
- An open electronic hardware architecture that would allow me install whatever shift system or lighting I choose

For example, the Deore M6100 is a nice mechanical system, but I miss my Di2. Sure, I can add a battery in the seatpost and install it, but I'd rather run it off of the main battery.

It's all small stuff that doesn't degrade the riding experience. I've always built my race bikes frame-up, so that I could choose the best available at the time, and upgrade as better stuff came available. When you're racing, you want your equipment to be perfect in every way, so that you spend every moment concentrating on racing. It's a mindset that's bred from competition. Masybe it's me that needs to evolve, I don't know.

 

[Base]

there are options to runs electronics from the bdu, for BES2 you are limited to the frontlight powerport. For your bike this would be setup for 12 volt 3 watt. At least that is what I read in the containerfile for this model. Usually the dealer (you if you haveaccess to the service portal) to set it up a higher wattage. There are a lot of splitter cables for this frontlight system, so you can add the frontlight to the spilltter, splitter in de bdu, and an acc on the other end of the splitter. We have a few bike models riding around with BES2 with double lighting at the headtube and on the fork, there are units which are hardwered to the bdu for track and trace, and I;ve seen some USB female connectors for on the headtube/handlebar to keep the USB acc topped up while using the bike.

also for data logging, there are a few solutions there, which tap into the can-bus comms, but those are mainly targeted at the oems, to let us read out the systems while diagnosing them.

I was thinking does the new DI2 deore setup for e-bikes not be able to hardwire into the light output on BES2? with BES3 it would go on the low power output port.... so could be an option.

 

[stompandgo]

At the shop, we have two licensed computers with the Bosch diagnostics, and I've learned how to use them. My lighting port is already set up for high output, as the bike came with a Supernova M99 Pro Mini headlight (1300lm), Supernova horn, and a Supernova tail/brake light. I don't know if that maxes out the port or not, but it's gotta be close. So, as you say, I might be able to add Di2 with a splitter, but I won't be able to get the other things I mentioned as the BES2 is all done from Bosch's perspective.

If I was going to Di2, I'd go with the Deore M6260-12, as I don't want to give up the clutch. It works really well on the M6100. I've hit some hard stuff going pretty fast in the smaller cogs and the chain never budged.

 

[BlackHand]

I was surprised at how nice Di2 was when I got my bike. Shifts were so crisp I didn't even realize that the shop hadn't set the limit screws at all until the first time I accidentally double shifted and the derailleur rammed right up into the 42t gear.

@stompandgo Have you considered removing the FSA guard? I'm guessing with your experience and where you ride it is mostly superfluous.

 

[stompandgo]

I have thought about it, but I kept it in case I wanted to ride in sweats and didn't have a velcro tie. That hasn't happened, so I guess I probably should.

 

[Catalyzt]

At the shop, we have two licensed computers with the Bosch diagnostics, and I've learned how to use them. My lighting port is already set up for high output, as the bike came with a Supernova M99 Pro Mini headlight (1300lm), Supernova horn, and a Supernova tail/brake light.

Ya, I wish there was a way to make the rear tail lights switchable on the Grizl, though they don't consume a lot of power. I would use them when the sun went down, or when visibility was bad.

We all know that it's not possible for a single bike to best for all circumstances; a true GADA. But somehow, that doesn't stop us from wanting to keep trying different mods, does it?

Beautiful ride, and probably very stable at speed.

 

[stompandgo]

It's OK. I'm loving it as it is. Getting the fit right is priority #1.

Thanks, and it's stable at any speed over walking speed. Below that, I'm a hazard.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Thanks, and it's stable at any speed over walking speed. Below that, I'm a hazard.

When I first returned to cycling 3 years ago after 20+ years away, my minimum balancing speed on the bike was 6+ mph. Now it's comfortable down to ~3.5 mph.

Some of that was practice and reawakening old muscle memory. But changing from a twitchy upright commuter to my current Vado SL also helped.

 

[Chazmo]

Masybe it's me that needs to evolve, I don't know.

Not at all, man!!!! Thanks for all the info on your desired upgrades (someday). Very cool. I get it. I’m really glad you’re enjoying your Tesoro! You’ve certainly “jumped right in” to the e-bike world and hope you continue with it!

 

[Chazmo]

I've always built my race bikes frame-up, so that I could choose the best available at the time, and upgrade as better stuff came available

Just one further comment reinforcing what you already said… I guess of necessity there’s a lot of proprietary stuff that locks you into a given electronics/motor/drivetrain manufacturer when you build around their stuff. Especially with the mid-drives… The frames, etc. have to be designed to accept the motors (at least if you want an elegant end product)… Of course with Bosch you’ve got lots of options and potentially some upward compatibility, but you just won’t get all the openness you want.

Anyway, great stuff, Chris! Keep it up!

 

[stompandgo]

After my fit today, I learned why I have been struggling to get this bike to fit me correctly. It's a great ride for one to maybe two hours. After that, I have trouble with pain. I love this bike. One reviewer called it a "hooligan bike". That is a perfect description of it. It's big, heavy, with an aggressive geometry, can carry a heavy load, and stupid fast. I'm not sure what it's future is for me, but I learned an awful lot about e-bikes and what I want from one. So we will see.

In the meantime, I had an opportunity to purchase a bike that I believe will better fit my needs at the moment.