o I took a punt on a new Bosch Kiox controller. This was £230 as opposed to the £100 for a new Purion. The Kiox is a much more pleasing display to use, colour display for a start and connects to the Bosch ebike app.

In terms of fitting the Kiox controller, it was a fiddly job that took a lot longer than it should, mainly because I was doing this for the first time so was considering everything instead of steaming in and removing bolts.

Nevertheless, I had to remove the motor to get to the plug for the controller. That wasn’t too difficult, four bolts, only one of which had tight access but by no means that difficult. Then it was on with removing the battery holder/brackets. This was four bolts top and bottom to remove each bracket from the frame. Annoyingly four of the bolts are security Torx bolts which require Torx bits with a hole in them. Makes sense but irritating because I only had Torx keys that would fit and that then meant access issues. Again, not insurmountable, just took more time to slacken/tighten each bolt.

Putting it all together was, as you’d imagine, much trickier because of a few issues. One, you have to get the cable routing spot on otherwise the motor won’t fit back in and two, getting the battery holder brackets spot on was some trial and error. It was easy to bolt them back on to the bike and to re-install the battery but unless they’re spot on you could have trouble with the lock mechanism for the battery meaning you wouldn’t be able to remove the key or even remove the battery itself. A little bit of patience and slackening off the top frame mounting bolts allows the freedom to get the mechanism working as intended.

Lastly, getting the motor bolted back on to the frame was an utter pain in the arse. Getting the top two bolts through the frame and motor mounts is simple enough but getting them to bite into the captive threads on the motor was the hard part. With hindsight, having the bike hanging from a workshop stand probably made that more difficult as you couldn’t really get a good purchase on the motor whilst driving just enough force on to the bolts for them to bite.

Unfortunately all of this was in vain as the new controller didn’t fix the problem. The new controller is working and it picks up a reading from the speedo on the rear wheel and also shows how much charge is in the Powertube battery but no assistance from the motor.

Ended up taking the bike to Energise Ebikes in Tunbridge Wells yesterday. They’ve just called me and told me it’s all fixed, ready to roll. The Kiox I bought is a little dated and needed updating with the latest software which seems to have fixed the issue of the motor not picking up. The bill for them sorting is £25. Must admit that I was expecting to have to buy a new motor so if my bike is now working as Bosch intends, I will be well happy.

Going back to my original problem, I can only assume this was down to a broken Purion controller. No idea what went wrong with it, could have been water ingress or a pinched/pulled wire. I’ve opened up the controller but there’s nothing obvious wrong.

Unfortunately not, they didn’t have another controller to try, hence my thinking of swapping it out.

Plan now is to get the controller off the bike, get into the controller to expose the contacts and start testing for continuity, hopefully make a start tonight.

A very brief update on this. Just picked up my ebike from the LBS, they were unable to fix the fault. They plugged the controller into the diagnostic machine, the controller ‘recognised’ the USB link and was showing ‘USB’ on the controller screen. No fault readings, no updates, nothing obvious.

LBS stopped there because they’re not a Trek dealer and didn’t want to do anything to invalidate any warranty. The mechanic also admitted that whist he could run the diagnostics he wasn’t very familiar with the system and obviously a bit reticent. Can’t complain, guy was honest and didn’t charge me.

So, still no further forward. Tempted to buy a new controller and take a punt.

Got the cranks and motor covers off, everything looks fine in there. No broken, chafed, loose or stretched wires. It’s not spotlessly clean in there but nowhere near as bad as I was expecting – some dried dirt that blew out easily with the air line.

Have got the bike booked into my LeBS but they can’t take it until 23rd April so will continue to have a poke around until then.

Thanks for the advice everyone, it’s appreciated.

porter_jamie and kayak23 – I stand corrected, it does appear there is a button there albeit hidden under trim and with a possible access hole on that trim. Haven’t had the chance to pull apart but will have a go later this evening – thank you!

Dirtyboy – thanks for the steer on the cranks and the solder/cable. Will update later once I’ve got the kids to bed and get some garage-time.

Feeling a bit more optimistic about this now, might not yield anything but appreciate the help so far and learning new stuff.

Nope, no button to switch the battery on directly. I’ve got a Bosch Powertube 500 FWIW.

Solder failing makes me think of the old Xbox red ring of death. Sorry if it’s a stupid question, but which part of the cable had failed? Controller end or motor end? The cable that I can currently get to feels like it’s all one length, no joins, but I could be wrong. (Haven’t removed the covers from the motor yet – still working out how to get the crank off!)

Sadly not, Bosch Powertube battery and everything is controlled through the controller.

Thanks but nope, the speed sensor and wiring/connections are all good.

Haven’t tried disconnecting the Purion display yet, need to get into the motor to do so and won’t have a chance to do so until later in the week.

If it’s just a new display then I can suck that up, but if it’s the motor…

****. Sadly I can’t make the 24th as I’ve got plans that day. :(

I’ve only ridden Penhydd once but I thought it was a cracking trail. Seem to remember a lot of climbing at the start so a good chunk of fun stuff back to the car park as opposed to a lot of up and down.

Folks, thanks for your thoughts on this, sounds like it’s worth considering further.

:)

jeffl – Member

I just leave my locks on the bike rack at work, saves transporting a big Kryptonite d lock on the bike.

Fair point. I’m always paranoid that someone might glue the keyhole as I had a motorcycle stolen by this method but I’d like to think the Wharf’s boys in blue would be around to stop such nefarious behavior.

Thanks for the replies thus far folks.

I’ll be on a Whyte T-130 with full body armour. My fitness is okay tbh, been cycling to the office a few days every week (10 miles e/w). I’m just a lazy fecker and the thought of cycling up hills on my holidays doesn’t appeal in anyway – I totally appreciate going downhill is just as tiring on the body but in a slightly different way.

I’m also hoping this trip will reignite some love for trail riding. Last couple of years I was out almost every week whereas this year I’ve been twice.

I think the WC trail would be a stretch for me tbh. All I’m looking for is loadsa fun, not to push limits.

bwfc4eva868 – Member
Planning a trip up to Scottish Borders in August as a pre run for doing Glencoe next year.

Apols if teaching to suck eggs…. The camera vans are plentiful from Rannoch Moor to Fort Augustus and usually are parked in lay bys on the straights. The cops however are a bit more playful and hide behind signs and in off road parking spots…

I’d recommend pushing through from Glencoe as the A82 through Fort Bill and the A87 out towards Skye is really quite special. Gets even better if you take the A890 to Achnasheen and then on to the A832 to Poolewe.

leegee – Member

Come down the M2 to Blue bell hill and there is loads of very good riding.

What sort of riding do you have around Bluebell Hill? Anything like Peaslake/Surrey Hills trails?

Having not a read a book in over a year I’ve got two on the go just now:

“The Curse of Brink’s Mat” by Wensley Clarkson. A non-fiction book about the heist and the unexpected waves which followed in its wake,

“Bent Coppers” by Graeme McLagan. Another non-fiction about corrupt Metropolitan police officers.

Top effort fellah!

What route did you take? I live in Bromley but the family live in Barrow and Bury St Eds and have often thought about cycling up there (in Summer obvs, one way only). :)

Strange. My Feb ’16 T130S came with a 2.25 Riddler on the rear and a 2.25 Trail Boss on the front.

I’ve switched the TB to the rear and put a 2.3 Vigilante on the front which is miles better IMO. I ride mainly in the Surrey Hills FWIW.

bikebouy – Member

The r1100s has always been a favourite of mine, if I wasn’t so scared to ride one on the road.. I’d get one.

The 1100S is one of the best looking bikes ever in that colourway, even better than the Boxer Cup versions.

How come scared to ride on the road?

I’ve currently got a an ’05 1150GSA and previously owned an 1150 Rockster and an 1100RT.

The build quality on the 1100 is better, mainly because BMW used decent paint (not water based) and applied several coats. If you look at the fork legs and telelever swingarm of a Rockster/GSA you’ll see lots of corrosion and that’s allegedly because of environmentally friendly paint.

As has been mentioned, major servicing is very easy. You will need a special oil filter removal tool because the filter is recessed into the sump. The valves are a doddle to do as well.

The main PITA is possibly getting to the battery which is under the tank. On the GSA it’s simple, three bolts, uncouple fuel pipes and lift tank off. On the Rockster it was about 20 bolts and several pieces of bodywork. The RT was nearly 40 bolts and quite a lot of bodywork. Just to get to the battery.

Again as mentioned, parts are plentiful through Motorworks but you’re a captive audience so they’re not as cheap comparatively speaking against say a TDM850.

There’s a good chance the suspension is FUBAR’d now and because it’s a shock at either end it’s likely to be more expensive than a bike with a regular fork. Having said that, all things being equal in the real world, the telelever system is outstanding and once you get used to the lack of fork dive it really makes sense. I’m definitely quicker on a telelever system.

Worth paying extra for one with heated grips.

Though the engines are only 50cc apart, the 1150 is a much smoother (for a Boxer) engine, probably helped by the extra 6th gear.

Loved my Rockster, sadly it was stolen. Was very meh about my RT but, with hindsight, that’s because the shocks were shite and it didn’t handle well. The GSA has rekindled my love of biking.

:)

I switched from a Commencal Meta AM 29er to a Whyte T130S in Feb this year.

Haven’t ridden the Meta since buying the Whyte, it’s an exceptional bike IMO, way more fun to ride than the Meta and despite being long it’s easier to get up the hills.

With the benefits on Cyclescheme I normally get a new bike every year but I honestly cannot think of anything I want to ride more than the T130S. Maybe when Whyte bring a leccy bike I might get tempted again.

CheesybeanZ – Member

Lets hope it’s what Prometheus should have been .

Well it’s got facehugger eggs so that’s a good start for me.

PrinceJohn – Member

The trailer has me interested…. hope they wont answer too many questions about the origin of the aliens….I like the mystery.

I like the mystery too but I also hate being left in suspense, my own imagination is shit. :)

weeksy – Member

No reason for you to be sorry mate. It’s just personal preference at the end of the day. I’m less skilled than you, less quick than you so riding Swinley is arguably better terrain for my skill levels… It’s not a criticism of you

Sorry dude, wasn’t taking your post as criticism, just I wanted you and Crust to enjoy the day out as you’d made the effort to get there. :)

weeksy – Member

We rode Yog POts, BKB, Evian, Double Double, Captain Clunk, Root of all evil, Curly Wurly, Big Cheese, Graveyard Rollercoaster, John the Baptist, Secret Santa, Carpet Land… etc etc yesterday.

It was fine, was OK, was obviously great fun…. but … well, it was nothing amazing. The trails don’t flow at times, there’s too much of a gap between effort and reward from the climbing. The climbs were not hard yesterday, but the reward didn’t really give enough back at times.

Mate, I’m sorry to hear that, I was concerned we were doing the less techy stuff but I didn’t know what Crust was comfortable with. :( My initial plan was to forget about Holmbury and to head up to Pitch and then move over to Winterfold (where Evian, Northern Monkey and Summer Madness are) but time and daylight were not on our side. :)

deadkenny – Member

Anyway, sounds like a few ambulance incidents recently have brought this to a head. We’ll see where it goes, but I don’t think there’s a desire to turn the place into a sanitised trail centre. Just depends how long the land owners can tolerate accidents for which they are technically liable.

Bumped into the Hurtwood Ranger today whilst out riding with Weeksy. I thanked him for his work on Captain clunk as it’s more enjoyable to me with the lairy drops removed.

He did say that the landowners don’t want to have trail centre grading for trails, they want it to remain open access for all to enjoy responsibly but with all the digging going on the landowners’ patience will eventually break.

He was out today specifically checking for re-opened trails. We bumped into him at the end of Curly Wurly and he was walking back up the left hand fork.

deadkenny – Member

Oh, and we now have gaps on first section of Secret Santa. One right in the main line

Not very subtle either, easily spotted from the public footpath. Think this is on Jim’s land isn’t it?

There was a fellah out today digging the trail.

jambalaya – Member

We are lucky to have access to the land. Lets not FIU

Given the above, looks like we (or at least some people) are FIU. :(

Four that spring to mind are:

The Rise – Timothy Spall is excellent in it;
Outlaw;
Cleanskin;
Dead Man Running.

Date dependent, yes. :)

trail_rat – Member

out of sight out of mind is a better front line security than any chain though.

Totally agree, hence me thinking that a pick up with the hard top cover might be a good idea (which, from the responses on this thread, isn’t). Still don’t like the idea of bikes on the outside of the vehicle.

chakaping – Member

Stop trying to fight it, you clearly need a van.

I suggest hiring one for a weekend to see how you like it.

Money no object, a VW or a new Transit would be top of the list and I wouldn’t even be asking. :D

Hiring for a weekend is a good call. :)

DrP – Member

When we head to Wales or Scotland we always take a decent break for at least half an hour. If the bikes were on a rack we wouldn’t be able to do that.

well…you would be able to though, wouldn’t you..!!

just don’t go to the cinema or anything!

DrP [/quote]

Well not really as it’s nice for both of us to sit down in the restaurant/coffee shop at the same time.

I know you say you’re against racks, but I’ve got a big Thule towbar rack which locks to the car. I can then put a big motorbike chain lock around all the bikes. No worries stopping at service stations etc. Obviously that doesn’t stop thieves following you home but vigilance will hopefully stop that?

The only other problem with a tow bar rack is the nose weight on my Fiesta will only really accommodate two mountain bikes, three at a push. My motorbike chains (Almax Series III) weigh almost as much as my Whyte T-130. :)

So many responses, so little time to reply. A few additional comments from me (more to follow later when I’m back from riding):

jam bo – Member

The back of pickups aren’t secure in any way.

Any estate or big saloon with split rear seats will do what you want.

TBF, I was thinking of a pick up with the additional boot thing which makes it more of a large estate car IYSWIM. Having said that, I didn’t appreciate that the eyelets could be easily cut through.

My brother has a Pathfinder and it’s **** huge inside, hence leading me to the Navarra.

legend – Member

Van always wins – secure, 3 bikes with all wheels on, plus all your kit, plus extra people and bikes if you really want. Not sure why you think it’d be worse to live with than a pickup?

Fair point, I’m assuming that a van is more costly to live with, run and insure. I’m also assuming they’re less comfortable over long drives – ISTBC as always.

FWIW, I’d love a van, especially one that I could dump the motorcycle into as well, I just didn’t think they’d be good as an everyday car.

chakaping – Member

Go on, get a van – it’ll be the best thing you ever did.

I’d prefer one to a pickup as an everyday vehicle, personally.

Or a Galaxy kind-of thing if you’re happy with a miserable compromise.

;)

Larry_Lamb – Member

Why do the bikes have to be in the car, what’s wrong with racks? Changing cars is expensive and you have to think what the percentage usage of your current car is – bike carrying v not carrying bikes.

For security mainly. Racks suck IMO. When we head to Wales or Scotland we always take a decent break for at least half an hour. If the bikes were on a rack we wouldn’t be able to do that.

When I looked into a tow ball rack, I was advised that I couldn’t carry more than 40kg on the rack (something to do with the nose weight) so that ruled out three bikes.

Also, I live in a flat an don’t have space to store the rack.

About half of my driving is carrying at least one bike.

The other thing I’ve found is that in winter, my car smells damp after being out for a ride, no matter how much I dry the bike and stash wet kit into a bag. I figured that with a pick up I could just leave the stuff in the back as it’s separate from the cab.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, all are gratefully received. :)

weeksy

Beanie was awesome and I simply can’t match him for speed or skill, but I enjoyed watching him looking very smooth.

Think you were watching somebody else ‘cos I wasn’t smooth. I do however appreciate the compliment.

Does anyone know what height the new drops are on Insufficient Funds? First time I’ve done drops of any kind (thanks Jedi!) and am keen to use them as a reference point for some of the stuff in the Surrey Hills.

Pets, especially pooches, break your heart when they go. Sorry for your loss. :(

You could also try Cwmcarn, best of the lot IMO.

Can’t help with B&B suggestions, we normally stay at the youth hostel in Corris which is a half hour drive from CyB.

With regards to how the trails compare to Afan and Brechfa, I think generally CyB and Afan are as good as each other. Brechfa IMO sucks great big donkey dick, too much effort for little fun.

I like the Tarw Du trail at CyB, you get pretty much all of the climbing done at the start. Beast and Dragon’s Back are enjoyable if you’ve got the time though you can cut both short by missing out a lot of fire road climbing between the cafe at the end of ‘Hermon’ to the start of ‘Gomez’ (i.e. skip the fire road between way point 118 and 124 – the trail is a short uphill section which is crap).

http://www.beicsbrenin.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/CyB_Dragons_Back.pdf

Bumpity bump….. Really hoping someone on here can help otherwise I’m admitting defeat and taking the wheel to the shop. Even then I’d like to know what the problem is, just to satisfy my curiosity. :)

Pimpmaster Jazz – Member
although apparently Colchester has gone downhill in the last 10 years (and it’s home to 16 Air Assault, which includes two battalions of the Parachute Regiment. You’ll soon learn which pubs to avoid).

Have to admit, I thought Colchester was quite nice.

Back in 2007 my brother was stationed at Merville for a couple of years. Going out with them on Christmas Eve was very lively (and great fun).

Travis – if you like MTBing, Peaslake is only 90 minutes from Grays.

alpin – Member

Found a place to live? Thought of commuting in from London?

Either way, I don’t envy your position.

Grays resident… 1982-2001.

You escaped around the same time I did. Took a drive through there last week, first time I’d been there in two years. Felt like returning to the scene of a crime.

Travis – Member

Time has come around fast.

Today (10th) is my 14th year in China.

On Friday, I shall be landing in London, then making my way to Essex to start the next chapter in my life.

Can’t wait.

Is there anyway you can stay in China? I lived in Grays for 15 years, my folks only moved away two years ago. It’s a proper shit hole. :(

Also lived in Chatham. It’s a proper shit hole too. There’s a common denominator here… I now live in Bromley. It seems quite nice.

teamhurtmore – Member

Its about 1/3 of the way down after the newish rollers. Two v similar LH bends with very natural banking. The one I am referring to has a small silver birch on the apex which is really just a visual distraction!

Ah, yes, I know the corner/silver birch you’re referring to. I find that YP is one of those trails that’s difficult to ride well from start to finish.

The chicken line on Evian’s 2nd gap effectively stops you in a rooty puddle. Really annoying after those super early berms. I am not sure how much speed you need to carry to make the gap – its not a big one after all – just wish it was a table top instead.

Is it my imagination of are there more berms on Evian now? Strava says it’s a longer trail now and I think it’s much more enjoyable though the bomb hole used to be good fun.

Did you try the ‘new’ Area 51 whilst you were there?

deadkenny – Member

Ah, Supernova’s infamous gap

I never knew that used to be a gap. Saying that, the pothole that developed a few months ago has meant I now head on the chicken line (not that can do gaps/doubles anyway).

teamhurtmore – Member

Good advice AT – there’s only one bit on YP that this happens on and its because of the “visual” impact of the tree on the apex. The natural berm should be enough to ensure that you avoid it but I still have a habit of a little dab just in the bottom and at exactly the wrong time Feel the wheels twitch as a result. As you say, slower entry and then ride through it.

I think I know the bit you’re talking about, quite near the start of the trail?

Also agree with your comments on the new double on Evian and the chicken line ruining flow. :( Didn’t see anyone filming there yesterday but then I wasn’t on the trail until about 4pm.