Wed. Jan 30 2008

A pair of Bike bins in black and silver arrived this morning from the chap advertising on ebay and very smart they look. Unfortunately they are not a perfect fit on the Agattu as the carrier is not a flat plane on its outer surface. One arm sticks out and spoils things and although one can work around it to some extent it's a shame that the lovely simple fitting is compromised. It's hard to understand how the maker thought this strut sticking out was a good idea.

More palaver later as I tried to check the tyre pressures and pump them up. Nothing seemed to fit and nothing would read the pressure. Fortunately I found eventually that the pump of the car emergency starter would work with the Shraeder valve converter and both put air in and check the pressure. The good people on the Pedelec Forum tell me that what I have are wood valves, and they agreed that they are a confounded nuisance. Still at least I shall be able to keep the pressures up now, and would want to use the electric pump in any case.

I went into town a couple of times to do a bit of shopping and the bike bins worked very well although being rigid they do rumble a little on the back.

Tues, Jan 29 2008

I've been out a couple of times today but just on casual potters around the town. For this sort of thing the bike is quite superb. It's wonderfully pleasant to ride of course, but the extra urge definitely makes one feel safer, although I can't quite see why it should. Certainly getting away at road junctions and traffic lights that little bit faster is a great benefit. I think I'm probably doing the right thing in breaking myself in rather slowly. My legs are certainly getting stronger as I am aware of the process. Perhaps I can hope to do 20 mile trips with my camera when the spring really arrives in a couple of months. So much to look forward to.

No riding today

I've just been out in the car today (yuk - spit!) No riding at all. AND even the threat that I may have to do the same tomorrow! I don't drive myself and haven't for so many years that I've really rather forgotten what cars used to be like to drive. But I do at least remember that they were nothing like as simple as I now know they are from watching my wife drive our Honda Jazz with its incredibly simple and effective belt tranmission. Come along technology. You can do it. You have produced the Jazz. Now invent an entirely new battery that simply stores electricity in some sort of atomic sponge without using chemistry at all!

A pleasant email from 50cycles saying that they have the matter of my broken prop stand in hand.

Sun Jan 27 2008

My legs were distinctly rubbery this morning as I went out for a 4 mile potter around. I expect I shall get used to the Wagner (sic) saddle. For small trips around town like this, which after all the bike is probably designed for, it is a very soft cushioning affair. The weather was bright and the wind being brisk and cold didn't matter. Lovely views across the Deben estuary.
After lunch I rode out the other way down to the Orwell estuary. The wind had dropped and it was a perfect bright winter afternoon. I've covered 13 miles today and my legs are not so much rubbery as jellylike. All very pleasant.
There are two small points about the bicycle that are probably worth mentioning. I don't like the switch block on the handlebar. Perhaps my fingers are awkward but certainly when wearing gloves these switches are difficult to operate. A more serious thing that needs to be remembered is that the motor senses the chain tension, as Flecc explains in his analysis of it. This means that when one is stopped at a junction or traffic light one must be sure not to keep ones foot on a raised pedal as the slightest pressure on it means that the motor is fighting the brake. Of course it's perfectly easy to keep the foot on the pedal at the bottom of the travel, but difficult to remember if ones lifetime habit is different.

Sat Jan 26 - 2008

I've been busy at home today and have only put on another 6 miles. They were very pleasant miles ridden one way against a strong headwind thus showing the bike's capability yet again. The additional power comes in so smoothly and unobtrusively that one can almost forget it. It's a tiny point but I love the fact that the freewheel ratchet is in the chain wheel. This makes adjusting the pedals at traffic lights without having to move the chain amazingly easy.The repaired prop stand works perfectly well but doesn't look very good on an impressive new bike. I am a little surprised not to have heard from 50 cycles yet.

7:45 - I've just been for a quick spin through the town to test out the lights. I had expected the hub dynamo to be efficient and it is. The electro gubbins that keeps the rear light on for some time if one stops is very useful, at traffic lights a godsend.

So day two ends. But another failure alas - not of the bike but of my saddle. There was a crack and the base split from end to end. I finished on a wing and a prayer and must reinstall the supplied saddle in the morning. I don't blame the saddle too much. At 17 stone I test these things rather thoroughly.

First day

It's a bright chilly morning and I've already (at 10:30) covered 8 miles pottering about locally. There is a brisk wind blowing which has given me a good indication of how the bike will deal with headwinds and the answer is splendidly. The local hills which have been stealing my breath turn out to be small slopes, gentle gradients, mere nothings - and then I turned the motor off! This bike is just exactly what I wanted, and need. I'm going to really enjoy getting fit with it. Everything is solid and refined and the motor is so close to silent that one can forget it. One minor catastrophe, the prop stand has snapped in half. When it happened I thought I must have simply omitted to tighten a screw, and creaking down on my knees I spent 10 minutes trying to work out how the two pieces slid together before I realised that it had broken. The surface shows clearly that it was a faulty casting and I have contacted 50 cycles to tell them about it. My legs are feeling distinctly wobbly and I shall leave it now until this afternoon when I shall go as least as far again. Just off now to change the saddle.

11:30 - Just put another 4 miles on going down to The Ferry (Deben estuary) in lovely brisk conditions that are so good to be riding in. The wind is very brisk and dead in my face coming home but it didn't matter. Neither did a gradient which I have been accustomed to walk up. I begin to suspect that I shall have little use for the modes. It will either be Mode 1 or off as conditions dictate. The brakes are superbly gradual and powerful. I've never understood the need for disk brakes on bicycles but perhaps I am missing something. Annoying not to have the prop stand but there could be much worse teething troubles. My Body Geometry saddle is so much better for me. The Agattu saddle is a quality affair with transverse springs below and gel in the right places, but it didn't do for me whereas my own, which is a much less sympathetic looking job, suits me well. I suppose bums vary as much as people.

5:45 - I did have a little ride this afternoon and have put 14 miles onto the clock altogether today. I now ache in lots of places but pleasantly. I'm not saddle sore but I think I've always been lucky in that way - I can't remember ever being so. The battery was only down one light of course but I've charged it nevertheless and all five lights have just gone off. I really hardly know how I'm going to do the full discharge that is recommended at first. I can't ride all those miles that's for sure. Perhaps it isn't that important. I have an instinctive feeling that keeping it topped up all the time is more important for its life. And it will need to live - 500 charges at £250 = 50p a charge! That would really make for dear riding and I'm hoping it's very much of a worse case scenario.

8:45 - I've just spent an hour with the bike in the kitchen, giving the prop stand a splint with a bit of rod and a hefty bandage of duct tape. It's working well. Not the first time duct tape has come to my rescue and I don't suppose it will be the last.

I haven't heard anything from 50cycles yet. They are busy people of course.

The arrival

My new Agattu didn't arrive until half past three and having expected it at lunchtime I spent the afternoon twiddling my thumbs. Then a huge lorry arrived and a vast cardboard box was unloaded. I spent some time in puzzling how to open this before I realised that it was possible to open just the ends and use a front wheel to wheel the bike out. Having enjoyed my first sight I quickly screwed on the pedals grabbed an Allen key, adjusted the handlebars, and there it was ready to go. Better read the instructions I thought, only to discover they are all in German. Luckily one big one in English with details of the battery and motor operation so I was able to safely take the battery off and put it on to charge. Then into the saddle and off round the block. The 57 cm frame is plenty big enough for me and my first impressions are of a big stable machine that feels wonderfully safe and is a pleasure to ride. Rather heavier than I had expected but my last bikes have been sporty affairs. I actually like the better stability. The handlebars are just right and there is a good deal more rake to the steering than I am accustomed to and this feels very safe. The gears are magnificent clicking smoothly up and down and are close enough to be very usable. Of course the road is perfectly level and there is no wind but I really feel as if I could ride this for quite a way. I don't think I'm going to care for the saddle. It's a big soft luxurious looking affair but I don't think I shall find it comfortable. This doesn't matter though as I have my body geometry saddle which I do know suits me perfectly. I suspect one of my first jobs will be to change it. It's now half past 7 and the battery is still charging. I really can't wait to try out the motor. I am very very pleased. This was a big venture and I already know that it's going to be a success.

Coming tomorrow!

50cycles phoned this morning to say the Agattu is coming tomorrow lunch time. Much much sooner than I had dared to hope. Really excited and already planning first rides. If only the weather will buck up a bit.

I shall be spending tomorrow morning setting up a power socket in the bike shed. Eventually I shall try to make small ramps over the 4 inch step in the door, so that I can wheel the bike in and out without lifting it.

I shall need to get a couple of big panniers but haven't decided which yet. Their primary use will be for shopping so they need to be big and fairly square. A pair of Poli plastic ones are going for a good price on eBay but I haven't been able to get a reply concerning the colour. I certainly wouldn't want anything gaudy, and I'm now a little unsure as to whether they would fit the pannier rack of the Agattu as they appear to need horizontal rail at the bottom. The big Dutch ones might be better but it's very difficult to get any accurate details from the seller. Such things are small details that will quickly settle themselves.

I intend this bicycle to cause a big change for the better in my lifestyle.

start

Just testing this blog which eventually will record my trips on my new Kalkhoff Agattu ebike when it comes.