zog blog mk II

Well its now well over a year of riding the greenewheels bike and still going well.

I did have to get the bottom bracket fixed, it had started getting very loose, though this is evidently quite normal “consumable” in any bike getting a lot of use. The bike shop didn’t have a replacement part as the greenewheels parts are wider due to the electric stuff (not quite standard size), but they have managed to repair what is there so it is fine. Next time I’ll sort out sourcing the part, there are enough ebike shops that it should be available somewhere.

Took the bike to Dandenong Bicycle Superstore who did a good job, and sorted a lot of bike maintenance/ tuning type issues that I’ve had a fiddle at but never got quite right, like the spoke tensioning and stuff like that. And my rear brakes, which needed attention. The general service on the bike from these guys well worth it.

Also I suspect the range on a full charge is down to about 33KM from the 44KM range it had when new, this is the expected wear on the battery, but I’m guessing I still have another year of use from the battery before it needs replacement. This matches the stated expected battery life so all OK there, especially as I can still get to work and back on a charge with some range left over.

Well just a status update.. the lack of posting about the bike is actually a reflection of it’s reliability… still commuting on it near every day, still enjoying it.

Well although functional the front YUS disc brakes on the older greenewheels ebikes were always a bit fiddly to adjust. After nearly a year of service mine stopped being able to provide grip at all. I suspect it is just the brake pads wearing out, but really it was hard for me to tell.. and I was itching to upgrade to something easier to keep adjusted anyway.

Although I can see greenewheels are selling replacement calipers on ebay for this brake, I decided to upgrade to a more adjustable, higher grade brake, as part of the slow gradual upgrades I am doing now the bike is established as my main way to commute.

I got myself an Avid BB7 from Bayswater Cycles online shop after determining my bike has 51mm I.S. type mounts (and that the BB7 has a suitable bracket for for this mount.

Despite it appearing easy it took me a few goes to get it adjusted right, but after I did this brake is working really well, and seems quite easy to adjust. Also due to being one of the main “brand name” disc brakes brake pads and parts should be easy to source for it from nearby bike shops.

tools!
While I was removing the YUS rotor to install the Avid 160mm rotor I managed to strip one of the allen bolts.. I reall hassle as it was stuck. Maybe my set of Allen keys that came with the bike wore out, or maybe I had mixed up my Allen keys with some non-metric ones, I’m not sure.
Anyway before I made too much more of a mess of it I took it to work where some of the very helpful workshiop guys were able to cut a slot in with a dremel and remove it for me with a screwdriver.
Straight after that I went to Bunnings and got some decent Bondhus allen keys.. for under $12 a great investment.

Well I’m nearly up to 3000K clocked up on my bike, and nothing to report except I need to get in the routine of bike maintenance more.. apart from that the greenewheels bike is holding up quite well, I’m riding it in the cold, wet and dark to and from work without any hassles.

Just took a look at the Greenewheels Ebay Store and noticed they have increased their product range again, to include a bunch of spare parts and add on parts, as well as some addon kits for ebike conversion. Nice to see a range of parts available to replace if needed.

Of particular interest is the 350W off road version of the greenewheels bike, would be excellent for those mountain tracks in places where the road rules don’t apply but you need a bit of extra grunt.

Well I’m up to about 2200km on the bike now and it’s functioning just fine, including riding it in some pretty extreme (very hot) weather.
I installed the pack rack and cable tied the basket to it which has made it a much more practical shopping and luggage carrying machine as well.

Well I finally got one of my Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (purchased from BikePro on the bike.. starting with the front wheel as it was easier to get off. Unlike various internet comments on this tyre I found it easy to change, I don’t think I’ve changed a bike tyre since I was a kid and I had no hassle.

Only thing I put it on with the “drive” label pointing the same way, but I dont think it will matter too much. Anyway it didnt have any effect on the very hilly 44km ride out to the country and back (to a picnic) that I immediately subjected it to.

Next step is changing the rear tyre.. this is a bit more work as I have not much idea how to get the back wheel off, I’ll also have to get some cable ties as I understand the operation involves snipping the ones that hold the power lead in place.

It’s hard for me to quantify how different the Schwalbe tyre is to the kenda knobbly trye that came with the bike.. mainly as with the Schwalbe I got a pump with a pressure meter as the marathon plus tyres need to be measured with a meter rather than just by feel… turns out looks like I have been underinflating my tyres a bit anyway.

Well I have finally (after a bit of time off the bike due to illness) clocked up 1000KM on the bike. Probably notable for not being notable.. the bike is still working fine and doing its thing, just how I want it. Might get some slick road tires -probably Schwalbe marathon plus as they evidently are the best at not getting holes in them. I notice the newer greenewheels bikes also have road tires fitted now.

Just got alerted by Dazzassj6 that greenewheels have additional types of bikes for sale up on their site. Inlcuding a step-through bike, a folder (similar to the folders a few other places are selling on ebay) and a slightly different mountain bike style on with LiFeP04 batteries.
Also interesting the current range don’t appear to have disc brakes, just V brakes. As the disc brakes on the older Greenewheels were always a bit fiddly to work with this could be a plus for long term usability, though the extra stopping power of disc brakes are useful on an electric bike.

disclaimer: I don’t have any business relationship with greenewheels other than as a satisfied customer and ebike fan

Well it was a sunny day, with quite full on wind but I managed to do a range test at last.
Rode along portions of the Eastlink bike trail:

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Endless Sphere poster mickk recently also got a greenewheels bike - this thread on the Endless Sphere forums documents his experiences starting out with the bike, and his ideas of some upgrades to get more performance from it.