4602km and counting...
Just last week I returned from a Xmas break; riding L'ton to Melb to Red Hill and back. It's about 400km all-up with a mix of hills and flats.
Punctuated by drinking and eating and lounging around in a 15m pool for three days.
Normally I'd take the road bike but this year I thought why not try the ebike? I had enough faith in it.
30mins into the pre-dawn departure the BB started to loosen and I thought I'd have to return and go by car but I ploughed on like a twit.
It got worse but not worse enough to prevent me going the entire way there. It turns out the lock ring had loosened just enough to move a mm
or two under load. Upon arrival I fixed it with a hammer and flat-blade screwdriver. It needed a 1/4 turn to fasten it again.
An irritating slow leak on the rear was kept at bay thanks to the Blackburn micro pump. I swapped out both tyre and tube.
The GEAX Street Racer 1.25x26 proved just as good as the Maxis Dominator. It has a smooth centre-tread for very low drag. 65psi.
Range for the bike with me and a single Ortlieb pannier was excellent. I ran Level 2 for most of the trip which was a comfortable assist and
maintained 30-32kmh for the flat. Surprisingly after half-way (for both legs) it still indicated five out of five. It was only after 70km it dropped to
4/5.
At one stage coming home a tail/ quartering wind saw me belt around the bay sustaining 35-45kmh for around 40km.
100km is about the limit for this rig.
Battery and drivetrain continue to perform although I can hear a gear whine which is now more prominent than before. I expect it'll need a re-grease
on the primary spur and pinions.
If I did it again I'd lube the internals and re-check the BB fastening and that's about it. Although you can now buy a 36v 17AHr Dolphin pack that would definitely
offer around 100km + without range anxiety.
Take a spare battery and you'd cover most long haul trips.
