Completely Random Smurf with Aleph

[styx]

it is so blue (and really 'effin' nice)

[AlephZero]

So, my E-bike arrived...   

However, I have no pics yet since it's smurfin' sleeting and raining outside   

I have to say, however, first time riding an E-bike... It's something completely different
At the lowest setting, it's just like pedaling is really easy, but then you have three more
power settings on it! On the higher settings, it really feels like someone is behind you
pushing you along! 

Now, mine is just electric-assist bike, and the assist is limited to 25 km/h as required
by Finnish law (higher powered E-bikes must be registered as mopeds), but that is
well enough for me for way ahead to the future

And trust me, there will be pics, as soon as there's proper weather to take 'em

[Don Pablo]

It sounds really cool. 
Whats the ranges?

[AlephZero]

It sounds really cool. 
Whats the ranges?

Probably should post this here too

Not quite sure just yet, but I kinda calculated that it should run around 70km on full charge, I guess we will see how it goes 

The problem is, the official range calculations are for people under 85kg, not proper man size

So, me, being around 125kg, it's a bit hard to estimate how much the extra weight affects the range just yet, but I will let you know how much km's I get out of it 

[AlephZero]

I did install a rack on the E-bike today, pretty much first thing after I rode the bike home from work (I ordered the bike to work as we get DHL delivery twice a day )

Topeak Uni Super Tourist Disc DX (now that's a mouthful of a name ):



Not the easiest to install on your own, but it didn't take that long, would definitely be easier if a friend to hold it in place while screwing the various screws in... Used my Skeletool and Topeak Ratchet Rocket to install it, would have been a bit better if I had had a socket set instead of the Skele, but since no crazy torque was needed, the Skele held the nuts well enough

[styx]

you're a bad influence on my wallet

[AlephZero]

you're a bad influence on my wallet

 

[styx]

you're evil... i like that, let's be friends

[AlephZero]

For more updates on my E-bike, check out The Cycling Thread, really no point of posting everything twice now is there 

As for other hijinks, be sure I'll be continuing to post random smurf every now and then 

[AlephZero]

you're evil... i like that, let's be friends

 

Sure bro! 

[styx]

Shiny. Let's be bad guys

[AlephZero]

Ok, so I got the smurfin' huge phone, Oukitel K10000, what's better than getting equally huge belt pouch for it, right?

So this thing is really smurfin big, it has a flap pocket for the phone (anything up to 5.7" they said, I had to stretch it a lil), small zippered pocket in the front, and huge zippered pocket in the back (which could easily with another K10000 ):


In the front pocket I keep the USB cables needed for charging other electronics off the K10000:


Back pocket is a little roomier, right now I have a Ballograf pen, small Moleskine notebook, paired up Nitecore Tip and LM Micra, and a Böker prybar clone (and missing from the pic, a red and black spinner, just like the glow-in-the-dark one I have, just different color)

I do admit, the combination of everything is getting quite weighty, glad I have a sturdy belt keeping my pants up 



Older pic here showing the plastic 'biner I use to carry it on my belt loop


Oh and surprisingly, it actually is genuine leather

[AlephZero]

Well, the sun came out for a moment, so here are the promised pictures of my new electric steed 

Fellow MTOers, Ladies, Gentlemen & Kirky, I present thee... Cube Reaction Hybrid ONE!!! 

Couple overview pics, and yes, it's bright blue and green, 'cause that's how I roll these days :





Little closer up to the battery pack (Bosch), which is 400 Watt Hours (around 11 Ah)



User interface, consisting of the display unit and the control unit on the left:



Close-up of the motor (also Bosch)  and the drivetrain, 1x9 gears (Shimano):



And finally another overview pic from the right hand side of the bike :


Hmm what else...

It sports hydraulic disc brakes, which work very well (Shimano Deore  BR-M315).

The saddle is quite comfortable even for so quite narrow one, made by Selle Italia.

Also showing the Abus Bordo 6000 lock and Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Disc rear rack.

Not yet showing SKS Shockboard XL and SKS Velo 65 Mountain 29" fenders or Cube Cubestand CMPT kickstand, all of which I hope will arrive next week

Enjoy!

Oh and... Let's be careful out there!


Ride safe, ride smart, have fun!

[Don Pablo]

 Its a very cool looking steed. 

[AlephZero]

Its a very cool looking steed. 

It is, isn't it

Riding it is just soo much fun, uphills and headwinds just became non-issues 

Best 2000 euros I've ever spent

[styx]

i have a feeling you like blue stuff

[AlephZero]

i have a feeling you like blue stuff

I do like blue... and green...


Orange too, red is quite nice as well

But yes, on this bike, the color scheme is definitely blue and green 

For example, it didn't come with pedals, so I had to order a pair...

Naturally, I went with green pedals 

[AlephZero]

So, I decided to do a little paracord wrap for the Skrama's sheath, and I think it came out quite nice...














But wait, there is more... Added a Condor 4" MOD Strap and now I have a Molle compatible sheath for the Skrama



For some added security I first wrapped the strap onto the sheath with black electrical tape, and it seems to be quite secure now

[styx]

so will you take your blue bike, reddish sheath and go raiding neighboring smurf villages?

[Kev D]

How much paracord have you got on there?

[AlephZero]

How much paracord have you got on there?

About 4m maybe, I didn't measure really 

[AlephZero]

I'm pretty pissed off smurf today...

Ok, so I got the kickstand for the E-bike today, it's a Cube kickstand, for Cube bikes, says on the description that it fits all Cube E-bikes, except full suspension ones.

It doesn't fit.

SMURFING SMURFSMURFING SMURF!

The bike has the special, I guess lug is the right word, for it, but it's too thick, no matter how hard I pushed it didn't go in and already damaged the paintwork.

No replacing it either as I voided the warranty already by trying to file it to fit 

As far as I know, they only have that one type of connection for the kickstands, so that's 37e gone for good...

[AlephZero]

Ok, a follow-up to yesterday's smurf-up (that's a word from now on )...

Went and bought couple of files and with some 20 mins of careful filing, I managed to fit the kickstand on the bike and while it didn't go all the way in, it seems really solid. So not wasted 37e after all

Also installed the fenders, front one went in easy, back one needed some thinking and zip ties (who doesn't love zip ties ) to stay off the tire, but as I took the bike for a spin around the block, I didn't hear and scratching noises, so another success I'd say 

I hope sun will show up tomorrow, so I can take some pics for you guys.

[styx]

that's great news

[AlephZero]

The E-bike is now pretty much fully kitted, except for the light, but I don't need that until maybe October so no rush there...

Added front and rear fenders (SKS Shockboard XL and SKS Velo 65 Mountain 29"), and a kickstand (Cube Cubestand CMPT):


Little improvisation was required as the support that came with the rear fender could not be used due to the fact that the lugs where it was supposed to be connected on the frame were already used for the rack.. so Zip ties to the rescue!


Cube's own Cubestand CMPT kickstand is quite sturdy, although installation was challenging to say the very least:

[AlephZero]

Did a little Sunday bike-trip to the neighboring town, about 25km round trip. Weather's not too bad, it's a bit chilly still, but it was quite nice for biking. I didn't have my camera with me, so only couple snaps were taken with the K10000...


Stopped by the marina, which unsurprisingly is still empty as Lake Keitele is still quite iced up...


... and thus, the boats are still in winter storage


Also stumbled upon old Valmet 565 tractor sitting on some house's lawn:


Why is the old tractor interesting, you ask... Well for obvious reasons, it's beautiful piece of old machinery but also because it's an old product of my current employer, Valtra (the company name was changed to Valtra in 2001) 

All in all, the new E-bike is quite nice for longer distance riding as well, although, I'm wondering if I should get a little more comfortable saddle... The one that came with the bike is fine for commuting, but on a longer trip... at the end of the trip today, I was REALLY feeling all the bumps on the road

[AlephZero]

Random fact of the day:




This exceptionally random and fairly useless piece of information brought to you by Completely Random Smurf with Aleph

[Poncho65]

That blue and green is very Love that it is electric as well

[AlephZero]

So, I couldn't wait til fall to get my new bike light, because that would have been way too sensible, right? 

So the mailman  was kind enough to deliver this yesterday:

Fenix BC30R!


It's a two Cree XM-L2 LED bike light:


THe handlebar holder is adjustable both up and down, and left and right:



Few specs:

Four modes plus Burst:
Burst: 1600 lumens
High: 800 lumens
Med: 500 lumens
Low: 200 lumens
Eco: 100 lumens

And in addition 200 lumen flashing mode.

Built-in 5200 mAh rechargeable battery.

Digital display showing the run-time of each mode to the minute.

Aluminum alloy construction.

Water resistant to IPX-6 standard.

[AlephZero]

I heard there is a abandoned factory compound in the town, so of course I got curious. Figured out, I should make a visit...

Looking around...






Ah there it is...


Some pictures taken through the holes in the locked gate:






Conclusion: a full on excursion required later on.. stay tuned