After a couple days of parts swapping*, testing, and tuning around my house I did a proper singletrack ride on the moto trails above Breckenridge. This thing is definitely replacing my Surron Light Bee. Plenty of power for my 175lbs and perfect handling (size large, 6'1"). I'm liking the pedals and used them a lot on transfer sections between trails to save my battery. I have pedal assist turned off so the motor is purely controlled by the twist throttle.
*Initial problems were the shock spring is too soft, handlebar is too high for good front tire control on all but steep downhills, the rear brake instantly overheated, and the tires weren't ideal.
Bonnell really nailed the details on this bike so I'm surprised by the 500lb spring on a size large. It was definitely too soft for my 175lbs. I wanted to try a 525 spring but the e-moto shop (Power Curve Cycles in Golden, CO) only had a 550. With only 1 turn of preload it seems right and I'm glad I didn't get a 525.
A different stem & bar lowered the grips nearly 2" and I slid the fork legs up in the crowns until the seals are 2mm below the crown at bottom out. There's no longer space to use the fork fender. This improved steering and front tire control on flats and uphills. I'd considered a +1° angle headset but now I'm content.
From experience I know I don't need a 223 front rotor so I replaced it with a 203. After a test run down a DH trail behind my house cooked the rear brake I put that 223 on the back and the brakes have been fine since.
The stock front tire is good, but wider would be nice. I replaced it with a Vittoria enduro casing tire that claims 2.6" and looks like it's maybe wider than the Assegai. In the rear I wanted harder rubber for durability, a rear tire tread (Assegai is a front tire), and more width/volume. I'm using a WTB Breakout with enduro casing and their hard rubber in a claimed 2.5" that looks like a 2.6" compared to the Assegai. It's great, but they are discontinued and I'd still like some more volume and a DH casing. Both tires are tubeless with Tanus tubeless inserts.
I hot waxxed both chains for that clean, smooth, no hassle lifestyle. Look up Silca hot waxxing if you're not familiar.
I have a 26t sprocket on the way but probably won't install it. The motor had enough torque for me and the gearing suited the pedals. Any lower would make the pedals less effective as a range extender on transfers.
A carbon front rim with lighter spokes & hub is on the way, as well as a carbon rear rim that should lace to the stock spokes. Lighter and stiffer.
