New bike - AVE MH7

[eddieo]

Right then (and yer not making this easy BTW !)

How about this ?

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shim-for-spacing-seat-post-to-hitch-1-mm-prod17920/

That is a smaller shim 28-29


IF I go for 31.6 version (would rather not for reasons shruk stated) to 34.9, there seems to be lots of availability

 

[KirstinS]

oops , missed that - you are quite right

Well, I just picked up my Brompton from my LBS (an independant of 25 years standing) so I posed the problem to them. They worked on it for a while but genuinely think your only option is the homemade (or professionlly made). They said you might want to look at the scooter market as there are shims for various handlbars that could be used potentially . However, ive checked online and these are 31.6 to 34.9 (normal and oversized scooter handlbar widths)

They also suggested the beer can route. And for my tuppence, if you use sugru, then you can easily form the lip that keeps the shim in place and stops it sliding down the tube evertime you remove the post.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Eddie,why not go back to whoever you bought the bike from,explain your problem and they should be able to manufacture a seatpost to your requirements,that way your warranty remains intact.
Dave
Kudoscycles

 

[eddieo]

Thanks Dave, have emailed German manufacturers before now with little luck, as you have reported in past..... Retailers in comparison very good. So waiting for a response from a few people.

Bike fine, but as it is such a strong bike, a suspension post will make a lot of difference to how you can use it I would think. Not like any folder I have seen

 

[Kudoscycles]

Pick the biggest retailer of AVE bikes and ask if they have come up against the problem before,you may be making life difficult for yourself,there may be a route 1 solution.
Several reports on our Secret bike said they would like a higher seat,so as to not risk safety by reducing the immersion depth into the frame I have organised the manufacture of a quantity of seat posts plus 100 mm,it wasn't difficult.
Dave

 

[eddieo]

I am nearly there just waiting for some responses.

Can get correct shim from the US of A. Just waiting to hear re availability of post, as may need different shim otherwise

both scott and birdy have same sized posts...

 

[eddieo]

Have ordered the thudbuster ST from Germany and saved about £50. I bought the 27.2 version on shruks advice, as I can then easily sell on or transfer to other bike...this has meant ordering a shim from America.

So thanks to shruks for his general helpful advice, and Morgann for recommending the ST. Chap on German forum had fitted the LT to same bike, so I just kinda assumed that would be OK.....not realising a more suitable ST existed....

will the existing flip clamp still work? want to change this to something more secure anyway.....

 

[eddieo]

Thudbuster arrived today (ordered Friday) from Germany. Just waiting on shim and that will be that, In time for holiday next week hopefully. I have also ordered set of pitlock's as everything quick release on this bike.....

I am now starting to get the idea of what Tony means re the advantage in climbing with small wheels. bike climbs rough hillocks easily, even in wrong gear, whereas my 28 inch wheeled bike would grind to a halt

They seemed to have worked on the software since our last Bosch bike , you dont seem to notice the cut out any more.

 

[flecc]

Yes, small wheels are great on hills. Good to hear they've smoothed out the cutoff a bit Eddie, probably will also mean less transmission stress and chain wear too.

 

[eddieo]

Yes, small wheels are great on hills. Good to hear they've smoothed out the cutoff a bit Eddie, probably will also mean less transmission stress and chain wear too.

Shim arrived on day before we set of for Italy.....nothing prepared me for the hill climbing capability of this bike, it is unbelievable, very different then last bosch bike I think..... Here in lake Garda it is very hilly and I avoid certain areas like the plague, but this bike will climb anything, also very comfortable now with thudbuster seat post....

temps averaging 35 deg so try and get out in the mornings or early evenings. the cut out at 25 is no longer noticeable. So I now have probably the best legal hill climber I could imagine, and a great flat out bike in the specialized/daahub

 

[jerrysimon]

Very nice only just caught up with this thread. Don't know how I missed it

Jerry

 

[TylerD]

Sounds like a winner Eddieo and it looks really good too.
I'm interested in the fact that it has a Bosch motor as I'm trying to figure out just now how the different systems compare before I buy. I thought my choice was going to be between a Tonaro Esprit and an Agattu Impulse but I've just come across a review of a Bosch powered Cannondale E-Series stepthrough and I wonder if you are able to make any comparison between the Bosch and Impulse drive systems. There are quite a lot of hills around here .Any advice much appreciated

 

[Kudoscycles]

Sounds like a winner Eddieo and it looks really good too.
I'm interested in the fact that it has a Bosch motor as I'm trying to figure out just now how the different systems compare before I buy. I thought my choice was going to be between a Tonaro Esprit and an Agattu Impulse but I've just come across a review of a Bosch powered Cannondale E-Series stepthrough and I wonder if you are able to make any comparison between the Bosch and Impulse drive systems. There are quite a lot of hills around here .Any advice much appreciated

Tyler,I rode the cannon dale bike at last years Eurobike,I thought it a very nice bike,but at the time £2800
Dave
Kudoscycles

 

[mountainsport]

Hi eddieo,
Your bike really looks cute and very neat,not calling any names, but i wish that my first starter bike had looked like that.The bike i had the 20"wheel rear spokes kept on breaking,seriously,at least every third to fourth ride.I wasn't sure if it was down to my HEAVY UNATTRATIVE LOOKING weight,so i decided sell it after the fifth month of purchasing it,then moved on to a 26"wheel so far so good hopefully.

Mountainsport

 

[TylerD]

Tyler,I rode the cannon dale bike at last years Eurobike,I thought it a very nice bike,but at the time £2800
Dave
Kudoscycles

Yikes! The review didn't mention the price! Thanks Dave

 

[eddieo]

Tyler, only getting sporadic internet as we are on holiday in Italy/Croatia. best sourse of info is german Pedelec forum.you can see forums on all main systems and makes. not interested in ugly bikes I cant lift of the ground so the Turdaro out of the question.... Best advice is to try the systems, Bosch takes some beating IMO

 

[eddieo]

The hills in Italy are a real test for e bikes, and this last week has been 40 deg C + but after having a few rides with my fit 19 year old son as opposed to always hanging about for the wife (no offence meant she is twice as fit as me) I have come to the realisation that both my bikes equally good.

I was just not using all the gears on my 27 speed XT equiped Daahub bike, at home never get out of top chain wheel...and when I did it climbed as well as the Bosch. most of the time Bosch better on hills but Daahub overtakes it easy on the flats, so not that much in it really..both very competent bikes.

Son prefers the Daahub full size bike overall and I have to agree with him really.....But AVE is such a fun bike and climbing effortless whereas with the Daahub you have to think about it and get in gear as if you stall you have had it.. the Bosch starts of on any incline in comparison....

 

[TylerD]

Tyler, only getting sporadic internet as we are on holiday in Italy/Croatia. best sourse of info is german Pedelec forum.you can see forums on all main systems and makes. not interested in ugly bikes I cant lift of the ground so the Turdaro out of the question.... Best advice is to try the systems, Bosch takes some beating IMO

Thanks eddieo. Am going to Edinburgh tomorrow to try out an Agattu Impulse. I 've already tried and very much liked the Tonaro ( nearly repeated your spelling mistake there. Not sure though how easy it would be to try a Bosch but in any event , as Dave kindly pointed out , the price of the Cannondale , is beyond what I would be willing to pay and its a full size stepthrough I'm looking for otherwise I'd be seriously interested in yours. Sounds like your having a wonderful time out there

 

[eddieo]

there are a good few top spec 20kg bosch powered bikes from the likes of KTM, AVE, Haibike and others...all around the 2k mark and some well under. The KTM Macina that we had last year has been available for around £1600. The cannondale and scott brands are dearer and no better I think, they all share identical drive systems

 

[morphix]

Nice looking bike there Eddie looks like a very practical utilitarian bike with the rack free and mudguards.

I agree with you about saddle...although the skinny saddles look good on the 20" bikes and keep the weight down, I'd sacrifice looks for comfort at the drop of a hat! I have a nice Geltech saddle on my bike which is very comfortable.. I've never had an uncomfortable ride..it was a bargain too only £14 new off eBay.

Suspension seat post..now there's a thought! I'm in same position as you now I think, trying to look for suspension substitutes...I think big apple tyres is a must...but can you get them in puncture proof variety?