My new bike

[RobF]

And then there was three.

I am going out for my first proper play on the new toy shortly and will get some pics.

In the meantime, perhaps members would like to speculate on what I have bought.

All guesses - even serious ones - welcome.

 

[trex]

it has to be better than your last bike - Haibike or Moustache.

 

[RobF]

A little bit different to, rather than better than, the others.

 

[trex]

BMW or Mecedes Smart?

 

[RobF]

BMW or Mecedes Smart?

By different, I mean a bit different to my other two, but it's conventional in other respects.

 

[jdallan]

Kalkhoff Pro Connect Xion X27?

 

[RobF]

Kalkhoff Pro Connect Xion X27?

No, but similar-ish money.

 

[EddiePJ]

Does it even have a battery to assist powering it?

 

[trex]

full sus?

 

[RobF]

Does it even have a battery to help power it?

Yes, and a Bosch crank drive.

 

[RobF]

full sus?

Rigid.

 

[martin@onbike]

KTM Macina Sport plus or Race?

 

[jdallan]

No, but similar-ish money.

Damn! I was hoping it was the Kalkhoff. I quite fancy one and was looking forward to your review if that had been your choice. Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy it!

 

[RobF]

As promised, a few pics of the new bike - an AVE MH7 semi-folder.

 

[oldtom]

Is that Eddieo's other half's machine?

Tom

 

[RobF]

Is that Eddieo's other half's machine?

Tom

No, new, although it is the old model.

Good for me because all my Bosch batteries are the same.

 

[martin@onbike]

You've got a cracking bike there Rob...my absolute fave 20" wheeled bike!

 

[RobF]

You've got a cracking bike there Rob...my absolute fave 20" wheeled bike!

Thanks, Martin.

So far so good, everything works as it should.

The ride is much better than I expected - more big bike than little bike - partly due to the balloon tyres.

It still accelerates like a small wheeled bike, noticeably quicker than the Rose.

As it has derailleur gears, the top assist is 250 per cent, as against 200 per cent for the Rose.

It's early days, but I reckon I can feel the difference, and I'm sure it will climb better.

Gearing is fine for me, although top might not be high enough for some.

The small wheels and part fold makes all the difference for putting the bike in the back of my car.

I only need one seat down, and the parcel shelf can stay in place.

Always striking out from home was getting a bit boring, so I can now do a few miles in the car and start cycling from there.

I could do that with the Brompton, but tended not to mostly because the Brommie doesn't handle cinder and gravel tracks well.

The ride, particularly the front end, is harsh which means I'm not keen on doing many miles at stretch.

The AVE is almost as comfy as the Rose, certainly fine for 30 or 40 miles.

It is also much more wieldy, far easier to nip through the various anti-quad and motorbike gates we have on the tracks around here.

 

[martin@onbike]

I see you've changed the saddle as well lol!!
Don't think i've ever sold one with the original one still on it and now have quite a large supply of them hanging around...

 

[RobF]

I see you've changed the saddle as well lol!!
Don't think i've ever sold one with the original one still on it and now have quite a large supply of them hanging around...

Same saddle with a cheapo gel cover.

The supplied one is a strange choice for a sit-up-and-beg bike.

Longest ride was today at 20 miles.

No comfort problems that I can detect, so I will leave it as is for now.