I ordered an Ultimate Commuter with a custom frame from Watt Wagons, and it arrived last Friday, October 25th.
A little back story on my order. I converted my bicycle into an ebike using a BBSHD mid drive motor. Unfortunately the peripherals didn't hold out, notably the rear wheel, and I decided to get an ebike where the peripherals were designed/selected to handle an electric motor. While shopping around for an ebike, I reached out to a bike builder on the west coast, but the starting estimate for what I was requesting was at ten thousand dollars. I ended up sending an email inquiry to Watt Wagons with a question as to which bicycle size would give me a more upright riding position. I was pleasantly surprised when Pushkar replied in a short amount of time, and gave me three options for an upright position, two of which did not require an additional cost. I ended up going with the third option of having the titanium frame customized to my preferences, and this was accomplished with only an additional $300 dollars. I ended up trying out an ebike with the dimensions close to what I was wanting at a LBS nearby, then double checking my ebike at the time, then sending those dimensions over to Pushkar to get the custom order started. Along with the frame, I was given other no cost options being made available, such as handlebars, and bicycle seats. I traded out the electric horn for a commuter bell, as well as going with the default rear rack instead of a Topeak model.
So yesterday morning I finalized the tweaking of the handlebars, and other peripheral items and took my Ultimate Commuter out for a 14 mile shake down. Here are my thoughts:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mud3JPDdhgSuKkBh6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4ehiqVS5JQVCepzZ6
I think this assisted the vehicles behind me when I was in traffic. With the red light flashing they were signaled that I'm slowing down, and gave them time to do the same as opposed to not having the signal and slowing down because I'm suddenly larger in their field of view.
I'd like to mention that when I arrived home last week I was up late unboxing my Ultimate Commuter. I had questions for Pushkar that he quickly answered even though it was late and he's one hour ahead of me on the east side of the US on a Friday night. He's always given me a high level of Customer Service from the start of my inquiry, as well as during the construction of my Ultimate Commuter, and even now after delivery of my ebike. I'd say his professionalism was a large factor in my purchase of the Ultimate Commuter.
I'd like to do more reviews in the future when I've hit certain miles or time periods, but in the interim I hope this review is found helpful.
A little back story on my order. I converted my bicycle into an ebike using a BBSHD mid drive motor. Unfortunately the peripherals didn't hold out, notably the rear wheel, and I decided to get an ebike where the peripherals were designed/selected to handle an electric motor. While shopping around for an ebike, I reached out to a bike builder on the west coast, but the starting estimate for what I was requesting was at ten thousand dollars. I ended up sending an email inquiry to Watt Wagons with a question as to which bicycle size would give me a more upright riding position. I was pleasantly surprised when Pushkar replied in a short amount of time, and gave me three options for an upright position, two of which did not require an additional cost. I ended up going with the third option of having the titanium frame customized to my preferences, and this was accomplished with only an additional $300 dollars. I ended up trying out an ebike with the dimensions close to what I was wanting at a LBS nearby, then double checking my ebike at the time, then sending those dimensions over to Pushkar to get the custom order started. Along with the frame, I was given other no cost options being made available, such as handlebars, and bicycle seats. I traded out the electric horn for a commuter bell, as well as going with the default rear rack instead of a Topeak model.
So yesterday morning I finalized the tweaking of the handlebars, and other peripheral items and took my Ultimate Commuter out for a 14 mile shake down. Here are my thoughts:
- My Ultimate Commuter is fun and addictive to ride
- Acceleration, maneuverability, and stopping power is noticeably better than my first ebike
- The front shocks, and seat post suspension has made me realize I will never go back to an unsuspended bicycle, EVAH
- Accelerating from a dead stop is smooth and quick with the Bafang Ultra's torque sensor
- I've always enjoyed cycling, but my perineum nerve doesn't like bicycle seats, however the Brooks Saddle B-17 Imperial model appears to be an exception since I'm not feeling numbness
- The Rohloff Speedhub, Bafang Ultra, and Gates Carbon belt drive is the ebike version of a happy successful ménage à trois
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mud3JPDdhgSuKkBh6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4ehiqVS5JQVCepzZ6
I think this assisted the vehicles behind me when I was in traffic. With the red light flashing they were signaled that I'm slowing down, and gave them time to do the same as opposed to not having the signal and slowing down because I'm suddenly larger in their field of view.
I'd like to mention that when I arrived home last week I was up late unboxing my Ultimate Commuter. I had questions for Pushkar that he quickly answered even though it was late and he's one hour ahead of me on the east side of the US on a Friday night. He's always given me a high level of Customer Service from the start of my inquiry, as well as during the construction of my Ultimate Commuter, and even now after delivery of my ebike. I'd say his professionalism was a large factor in my purchase of the Ultimate Commuter.
I'd like to do more reviews in the future when I've hit certain miles or time periods, but in the interim I hope this review is found helpful.
If you can find the time come on up, we have lots of bikes and beds.
