My New Scott eBike

[martin@onbike]

Very excited!

Today I took delivery of my latest Toy.....A Scott eAspect 710.

http://www.onbike.co.uk/products/scott-e-aspect-710/
http://www.onbike.co.uk/products/scott-e-aspect-710/
It's taken me along time to settle on a particular bike, as everytime I think i'm close to deciding, something new comes along and leaves me uncertain once again.

I'm very fortunate to be in the position to try and compare virtually any ebike that takes my fancy,and it's been really hard trying to pinpoint exactly what I want, when half the time time i'm not exactly sure myself, as needs seem to change with each journey out depending on luggage, weather and time restraints.

Ultimately, I needed something for commuting 20 miles a day to Onbike and back, but to have offroad capability for the Wyre forest and Dog treks too at weekends and evenings.I can take Canal Towpaths most of the way to work,which is why I've opted for a MTB over a true Tourer.(my Canal is v.bumpy and the route is 4 miles longer than road)
The Scott with 27.5" wheels gives me reasonable road rolling with the obvious offroad benefits, though I'm certain I'll end up swapping out the Tyres for something more Tarmac oriented when they wear out and i'm taking the road route, unless the punctures force me into Marathon Plus Tours before then.

The overall quality is exceptional, and the componentry is of a good level-the Fox floats are lovely and light and 3 position remote lockout is nice to have, though I probably won't utilise it fully to be honest.

Will have to bleed the Front brake though, as it doesn't feel quite as firm as the rear since I swapped them over today...but it didn't stop me hitting my nearest trail when I got it home this evening! I went down far faster than on my usual conventional steed, as I just felt much more confident with the handling offroad than usual-Of course my enthusiasm outweighed my actual skill, and very nearly came a cropper!

The bike will probably change in appearance over the next week or so, as I end up adding the usual Clamp on rear rack, MTB mudguards and ridiculously bright cree LED lamp-possibly even a Stem raiser if the back of my neck can't handle it...but it's good to know I can strip it all off again and go mad in the woods very easily, which is why I chose this particular model over a dedicated 28" tourer in the end.

Roll on tomorrow's commute....

 

[Aushiker]

Photos?

Enjoy the new ride, Will be interesting to read your thoughts on the bike in a few months time.

Andrew

 

[martin@onbike]

Today, I thought i'd really test the Scott e-Aspect 710, and headed out with the intention of climbing Brown Clee Hill and finding a way across to Clee Hill, and back home.
The last time I did this, I was 14..It was on a conventional Townsend "mountain bike", a 50 mile round trip and took all day.
Much quicker and easier this time, even though i'm not as fit as I used to be.

I tried to be sensible with the assistance knowing it would be tight to make it all on one charge, so I only used it when I really needed it and never went above Tour mode on the way to the Hill.

This is the base of Brown Clee looking beautiful with Bluebells everywhere.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/nEZnc3][/URL]
Then about 20 mins later a quick water stop and enjoy the peace and quiet.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/nENvA7][/URL]
http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/nENvA7][img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14222593662_62d6f7f628_s.jpg[/img]029[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/people/65703731@N03/]buttman1976[/url], on Flickr
[url=https://flic.kr/p/nGMUvB][/URL]

Looking ok for the return journey so far....

[url=https://flic.kr/p/nENuYW][/URL]
Another 40 mins of climbing some seriously rocky tracks and treacherous firebreaks through dense woods which needed Sport mode as the gearing wasn't low enough to cope.
I don't do hills like this everyday, so not too bothered about changing out for a higher toothed sprocket.
Skirted the peak of Brown Clee by taking a wrong turn as I was doing this all from memory, and I came out at the dip between the 2 peaks-good place to stop for a rest and soak in the scenery looking across towards Wales- Think that may be the Long Mynd?
[url=https://flic.kr/p/novPNL][/URL]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/nENuC5]

Hardest part to come, I needed Sport mode again here as it got very steep and dodgy around the Sheep holes and then I hit the boggy bits.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/novPkm][/URL]
The Scott performed flawlessly and powered me through the water and mud with great confidence-the wide bars gave me brilliant control and I was up the remainder of the Hill in no time grinning from ear to ear...Really enjoyed it.

Got to the top at 26 miles and had one of those moments of dread when I noticed my expected range was now only 7 miles on Eco with 22 miles to go.
Remembered i'd just climbed up in Sport mode so knew it wasn't going to be very accurate until i'd ridden some flat to get a more accurate reading, so set off on my descent unperturbed at break neck speeds, deciding not to head for the peak of clee hill in the distance.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/novP6U][/URL]

Finally made it home on eco/tour mix with 1 battery light showing and 48.77 miles on the trip...there may be a couple of miles left in it at best, so very pleased to have not run out of juice.
Absolutely loved the bike...though I will definitely have to fit a stem raiser and possibly a different saddle as my wrists,neck and bum are really sore and I struggled on the last 6 or 7 miles.
Very impressed with the Bosch Performance, though I think Turbo is almost unnecessary as Sport mode was more than enough for every situation, though maybe I need some steeper hills![/URL]

 

[jackhandy]

Good to see you endorsing your own product

You gave it - and your backside - a fair bashing:
Looks a fine area to ride.

Out of interest; What decided you to go for 27.5" wheels?
Are they smaller diameter than 29ers, or is it just another way of measuring the rim/tyre?

 

[smee]

Finally made it home on eco/tour mix with 1 battery light showing and 48.77 miles on the trip...there may be a couple of miles left in it at best, so very pleased to have not run out of juice.
Absolutely loved the bike...though I will definitely have to fit a stem raiser and possibly a different saddle as my wrists,neck and bum are really sore and I struggled on the last 6 or 7 miles.

I can empathise with that. I chose a bike that lets me sit upright and comfortable, and the first thing I did was fit a softer seat. Still got a sore bum, but after nearly a week, I am getting tougher, and can take longer rides.

Well done on the distance of your tour. Longest for me to date was 30km.

 

[martin@onbike]

Good to see you endorsing your own product

You gave it - and your backside - a fair bashing:
Looks a fine area to ride.

Out of interest; What decided you to go for 27.5" wheels?
Are they smaller diameter than 29ers, or is it just another way of measuring the rim/tyre?

The 27.5 is a smaller diameter than the 29...29" would have given a smoother ride, but slightly less agile around the ruts, roots and rocks up and down the offroad sections.
I'm used to a 26" wheel on my conventional Saracen, so this was a happy medium between 26 and 29 inch, and it worked very well.
The Fox suspension was the star of the day though-soaked up everything easily without feeling sloppy and I could change firmness on the fly with 3 position remote.

 

[peerjay56]

Is the 27.5 the same as the 650b?

 

[tillson]

That's a fine looking bike and I would have no objections to owning one. However, when I see the new Bosch motor on a bike, my eye is immediately drawn to the small front sprocket and the pronounced V angle which the chain makes as it goes towards the back of the bike.

Why have Bosch done this? Why use a small front sprocket, which requires internal gearing (efficiency loss?) from the pedal crank and which will presumably wear more quickly than a full size chain wheel. I can't see any advantages.

 

[martin@onbike]

Is the 27.5 the same as the 650b?

Yes 27.5 is 650b

 

[martin@onbike]

That's a fine looking bike and I would have no objections to owning one. However, when I see the new Bosch motor on a bike, my eye is immediately drawn to the small front sprocket and the pronounced V angle which the chain makes as it goes towards the back of the bike.

Why have Bosch done this? Why use a small front sprocket, which requires internal gearing (efficiency loss?) from the pedal crank and which will presumably wear more quickly than a full size chain wheel. I can't see any advantages.

I think the main reason is to keep it more compact and aesthetically pleasing, though I agree it will definitely wear quicker and I personally wouldn't have been bothered by a "normal" sized crank at the front.
There must be some extra resistance, but I really didn't notice it riding unassisted-I need to do a direct comparison with my conventional on the same strip of tarmac in a similar gear.
My only concern was an occasional creak from Bosch crank under excessive pressure without assistance...will have to have a look when I'm back in the shop tomorrow

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Bring back the Tour de Presteigne, or maybe the Tour de Kidderminster.

 

[peerjay56]

Bring back the Tour de Presteigne, or maybe the Tour de Kidderminster.

A Tour de Kiddy sounds good. Lots of fond memories of N. Worcestershire - Wolverley, Kinver, Bewdley and Wyre Forest - that would be a great venue

 

[martin@onbike]

I live in Wolverley...Be good to have an event on the doorstep, though I suspect i'd be making the Tea all day if it was outside my house.

 

[jackhandy]

One volunteer is worth 1,ooo pressed men...

That's the teas sorted

 

[RobF]

Bosch reckon there are advantages to the small chain ring.

Less likely to ship the chain, and better torque transfer - or something like that.

Many motorbikes use small rings at the front, so that's where the idea came from.