Part 1 – 6 months – 1000 km
I write in English, in order to reach a wider internet group.
Purchased my e-bike mid October 2021. After years of thinking I will get down to building my own, DIY. Spent 2.499 €. At the time, the selection was between 2 sizes : 27″ tyres with 48″ frame, or 29″ tyres with 54″ frame. I chose the larger.
As I am 175cm of height, I’ll confess the frame size is almost, but just almost, out of my size. It means that a) I can barely stand both heels on ground, without crushing my you-know-what, and b) having to lean too far forward in reach handles. This is easily solved by the adjustable (handlebar) center adapter-piece.
Now at time of writing, 6 months later, I have mainly commuted to work. First 3 months it was a tour-retour of 40 km. After having moved my place of living, I’ve got a t-r of 60 km. Passed 1000 km just before the month of April.
General details : (click picture for more details)
- Center motor, moment sensor, 80 Nm, 250 kW, Techdrive
- 612 Wh / 150 km (36V, 17Ah) Samsung
- 2.2 tyres, Maxxis
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Wholly submerged battery, flush with frame
- 8 gears
From store, this bike came with a pretty basic set of summer tyres. I ran a puncture of the back tyre within the first 300 km. It was a sharp small stone, probably from the winter sanding. On asfalt. Since that encounter, both tyres have been changed – as follows :
Rear tyre – a Finnish make Suomi Tyres; Gazza Extreme 294. 622-54, a 2,1″ though tyre. The rough surface makes the tyre wider. Center line is not so ‘even-running’, however this one doesn’t notice on a snow covered ground. Tyre has well come to save a number of times, on ice – hidden by snow. As in snow-covered ice.
- Hardmetal studs, steel spikes (294 pcs)
- “non-toxic” winter Rubbetsdneset mix (hardness 58A)
- Skin wall structure and steel cabling
My first choise was, however nowhere to be found (sold out) ‘Piikkisika’; spike hog in english. It is a raw durable make, a deep profile surface with 408 (!) spikes. A 65-622, for 28″ wheel, Suomi Tyres WXC Piikkisika 29 x 2.6″ W408. Has the most ‘even-running’ centerline I have seen.
Nevertheless, the ‘Gazza’ rear tyre has taken me through pure mirror-flat ice roads, 10cm powder snow, as well as 5cm slush puppy thaw-snow roads. Good traction everywhere.
The front tyre was even harder to find than the rear one. I wanted a more slick surface, not so raw, for a smoother ride. And of course with a ‘full’ set of spikes. And nothing below 2″ width. So by internet shopping, with delivery from Germany, my selection fell on (Suomi Tyres) ROUTA, 622-50. (2,0″)
My like this particular make because of the spike configuration : not too many on the center line, and a quite even distribution on the rest of the ‘radius’ of the tyre face profile. Because, the spikes come into need when turning direction. Not only to keep traction / friction on a straight line motion.
First I decided to change only the rear tyre, as I kept losing traction up the hills. Pretty fast came also the change of the front tyre; as I had already taken a fall in a sharp turn, due to black ice. I understood I didn’t need the extra ‘excitement’ of fearing a fall in every corner / turn.
The front tyre has proven to be a very safe choice – good traction even on flat face ice. And, gives a comfortable ride, no vibration. That said, as son as the snow and ice thawed, the spikes do make noise on asfalt. And studs hitting the ground is felt, slightly. (Of course, these are not made to run on asfalt)
Which brings me to my new summer tyres.
After some more internet shopping, during winter, Bikester delivered my following selections.
Part 2 – summer tyre selection – coming soon