Given the government(s) desire to keep me caged up and unable to go out more than 1 km from home, I thought I'd take the opportunity to bore everyone with some updates on my e-MTB journey.
Lets start with the closing credits. I am in a bi-mance with my 2020 Turbo Levo , the attraction and need to spend more time together is reminescent of teenage love attraction ( and yes I can remember -- just ). What's a bi-mance you ask ? It's like a bro-mance but a lot more serious.
Wheels and Upgrades and Stuff
I'm still in love with a 2020 TL Comp called " Levo". The relationship is blossoming and apart from my abusive behaviour throwing her at rocks and the such like I think we are getting on fine. WE have now done 5 months and c. 1800km together so going strong, relations and friends think it may be serious.
I'm really glad that I didn't follow my natural instincts and upgrade everything as soon as I knew what the parts were called. It is increasingly clear that only as I approach 2000km am I really getting to start to understand and appreciate the nature of mtb, e-mtb and the 2020 TL Comp in particular. My style is still poor but gradually, slowly I'm beginning to get my arse in gear and understand how the bike works and what I have to do to try and give "Levo" the beginnings of a good time.
I'm going to break my learning and next 'upgrade' steps down into a few areas as it would be logical (if impractical due 'kin lockdown) to do them in a preferred order.
Bike Size & Cockpit
I now know I should have spent more time on this before buying, but frankly, it would have been a waste of time as I've needed to learn more about seating position and size based upon up and downhill rides rather than theory.
I 'm 1.79cm tall, c. 82 kgs in weight (despite promises to get back to 75) and bought a Medium frame based upon LBS advice that took all of 0.5 seconds of looking at me.
Overall I've found the saddle comfortable, changed to Ergon GA3 grips and bought wider pedals (I've got very wide feet), adjusted lever positions and angles (and I'm now very happy with them). The only issues are: -
- I still have wrist pain in my right wrist (usually on road stretches) although it is better with latest grips and
- I feel that I'm a little far forward in my seating position
This week it dawned on me. I need to stop tinkering and go to a bike shop with a proper seating / set-up analysis capability and get myself assessed properly. Unlike 5 months ago I should now be able to give the bike shop some feedback. It would be so easy to keep tinkering: - carbon bars, different saddle, higher stem, different grips but I need to stop, Re-assess and get some expert input.
It is going to have to wait due to lockdown but my dreams of getting a S-works and building it from scratch will just have to wait as I have a long way to go in understanding my own body and how it interfaces with a TL first.
The only change I will make here is to get an AXS Reverb dropper post. I know the OE isn't as smooth as it was but as I can't maintain it ( its like getting into Fort Knox) than I shall replace it. I am constantly changing the seat height - so I'm going to try the AXS Reverb in 150mm assuming it is an easy replace.
Moving & Stopping
The drivetrain , wheels, tyres and brakes.
This is a conundrum for me. I know that all components are well up to the demands that I put them but the urge is still there to upgrade.
The Stopping Bit:- I've got to really like the Guide RE brakes ( shock, horror!). I replaced the pads with Galfer replacements and bled them I now think they are really good. I love the progressive feel and consistency of pressure time after time -- I do occasionally feel I could do with a little more stopping power going downhill and I suspect a touch of brake fade. the RSC would be my choice if I were to replace but I think I'll stick and learn more with new rotors and organic pads rather than change everything. The 'squealing ' others complain of is still occasionally present but regular use of brake cleaner does for me.
The Going Bit:- mmhh .... I like the 29 x 2.6 Butchers on the dry rocky stuff. I need to replace the rear tyre and I could try some others but now I've learnt how to ride a little better the 'washing-out' of the front end has all but disappeared. In other words previously a case of poor workman blaming his tools . I do however want a second set of wheels for some wet weather mud & slush tyres which I have already purchased. That means a second set of wheels (don't go there, I'm too lazy to change every week ) and the obvious choice would be to just duplicate the set-up with another set of OE wheels etc .. BUT I can't help think why not upgrade the drivetrain as well and redo the lot? It is very tempting to upgrade the whole set up to the latest and greatest from SRAM or Shimano in the next 200km when I will have to change chain and cassette in any case.
The wobbly and cushiony bitz ( bike not me)
I guess nowhere is it more obvious that I have L-(earner ) plates up than when it comes to the softer bits and the interaction between suspension, tyres and terra firma.
- Initially I had my tubeless tyres religiously pumped up to 1.7+/1.8+ bar plus. It's taken me a long time of adjusting but I now feel a lot more stable at 1.4/1.5 -- I know the tyres are less fidgety on the off road rock trails and the front tyre is noticeably more forgiving when I get it wrong on a steep and loose corner . I also feel more in control on bends and curves and when it gets 'loose'.
- In the same manner it took me a long time to realise I needed slow the rebound on my front forks .. the standard settings were all too harsh / fast for my capabilities in hindsight and I only got that feeling right with sag et al about a month ago.
- I'm still trying to get the rebound on the rear shocks 'right', once I got the front right / slower I realised that I was being thrown forward on small bumps and jumps so rear rebound needed to be slower I now believe . I think I've got the balance about right now but it's going to take me several weeks in lockdown to know that and satisfy my own curiosity.
- Conclusion has to be that much as I'd like the latest and greatest suspension set-up then I think I should keep taking baby steps and improving my understanding / doing the maintenance and just upgrade the existing hardware.
So my need to burn money unnecessarily will be limited to
:- Front Forks - Lyric 2021 Spring and Damper Upgrades and
: Rear Shock Absorber - Meg Neg Upgrade kit
So disappointing .. but just seems like the right thing to do!
In Summary :-
1) I need to learn a lot more before I ask folks to help specify my own ground-up S-Works
2) I need a size and position sanity check with a LBS with all the gear -- has to wait until post-lockdown.
3) AXS Reverb seems just the ticket for a rider like me who constantly adjusts his position
4) Wheels & Drivetrain - A choice -- another set of similar wheels to mount winter kit with new cassettes / chains OR
New wheels , new drivetrain -- if so which one, I think I should stay for the moment? Opinions welcome.
5) Existing Suspension -- 2021 and model upgrades only. Keep the same basic hardware.
Considered action, for me , is very strange behaviour , I fundamentally believe the best tools make better workers and I prefer journeying as much as arriving.
I'm interested in what others think, although with the exception of wheels and drivetrain I think my mind is made up . What would you do if cash wasnt an issue ?
Lets start with the closing credits. I am in a bi-mance with my 2020 Turbo Levo , the attraction and need to spend more time together is reminescent of teenage love attraction ( and yes I can remember -- just ). What's a bi-mance you ask ? It's like a bro-mance but a lot more serious.
Wheels and Upgrades and Stuff
I'm still in love with a 2020 TL Comp called " Levo". The relationship is blossoming and apart from my abusive behaviour throwing her at rocks and the such like I think we are getting on fine. WE have now done 5 months and c. 1800km together so going strong, relations and friends think it may be serious.
I'm really glad that I didn't follow my natural instincts and upgrade everything as soon as I knew what the parts were called. It is increasingly clear that only as I approach 2000km am I really getting to start to understand and appreciate the nature of mtb, e-mtb and the 2020 TL Comp in particular. My style is still poor but gradually, slowly I'm beginning to get my arse in gear and understand how the bike works and what I have to do to try and give "Levo" the beginnings of a good time.
I'm going to break my learning and next 'upgrade' steps down into a few areas as it would be logical (if impractical due 'kin lockdown) to do them in a preferred order.
Bike Size & Cockpit
I now know I should have spent more time on this before buying, but frankly, it would have been a waste of time as I've needed to learn more about seating position and size based upon up and downhill rides rather than theory.
I 'm 1.79cm tall, c. 82 kgs in weight (despite promises to get back to 75) and bought a Medium frame based upon LBS advice that took all of 0.5 seconds of looking at me.
Overall I've found the saddle comfortable, changed to Ergon GA3 grips and bought wider pedals (I've got very wide feet), adjusted lever positions and angles (and I'm now very happy with them). The only issues are: -
- I still have wrist pain in my right wrist (usually on road stretches) although it is better with latest grips and
- I feel that I'm a little far forward in my seating position
This week it dawned on me. I need to stop tinkering and go to a bike shop with a proper seating / set-up analysis capability and get myself assessed properly. Unlike 5 months ago I should now be able to give the bike shop some feedback. It would be so easy to keep tinkering: - carbon bars, different saddle, higher stem, different grips but I need to stop, Re-assess and get some expert input.
It is going to have to wait due to lockdown but my dreams of getting a S-works and building it from scratch will just have to wait as I have a long way to go in understanding my own body and how it interfaces with a TL first.
The only change I will make here is to get an AXS Reverb dropper post. I know the OE isn't as smooth as it was but as I can't maintain it ( its like getting into Fort Knox) than I shall replace it. I am constantly changing the seat height - so I'm going to try the AXS Reverb in 150mm assuming it is an easy replace.
Moving & Stopping
The drivetrain , wheels, tyres and brakes.
This is a conundrum for me. I know that all components are well up to the demands that I put them but the urge is still there to upgrade.
The Stopping Bit:- I've got to really like the Guide RE brakes ( shock, horror!). I replaced the pads with Galfer replacements and bled them I now think they are really good. I love the progressive feel and consistency of pressure time after time -- I do occasionally feel I could do with a little more stopping power going downhill and I suspect a touch of brake fade. the RSC would be my choice if I were to replace but I think I'll stick and learn more with new rotors and organic pads rather than change everything. The 'squealing ' others complain of is still occasionally present but regular use of brake cleaner does for me.
The Going Bit:- mmhh .... I like the 29 x 2.6 Butchers on the dry rocky stuff. I need to replace the rear tyre and I could try some others but now I've learnt how to ride a little better the 'washing-out' of the front end has all but disappeared. In other words previously a case of poor workman blaming his tools . I do however want a second set of wheels for some wet weather mud & slush tyres which I have already purchased. That means a second set of wheels (don't go there, I'm too lazy to change every week ) and the obvious choice would be to just duplicate the set-up with another set of OE wheels etc .. BUT I can't help think why not upgrade the drivetrain as well and redo the lot? It is very tempting to upgrade the whole set up to the latest and greatest from SRAM or Shimano in the next 200km when I will have to change chain and cassette in any case.
The wobbly and cushiony bitz ( bike not me)
I guess nowhere is it more obvious that I have L-(earner ) plates up than when it comes to the softer bits and the interaction between suspension, tyres and terra firma.
- Initially I had my tubeless tyres religiously pumped up to 1.7+/1.8+ bar plus. It's taken me a long time of adjusting but I now feel a lot more stable at 1.4/1.5 -- I know the tyres are less fidgety on the off road rock trails and the front tyre is noticeably more forgiving when I get it wrong on a steep and loose corner . I also feel more in control on bends and curves and when it gets 'loose'.
- In the same manner it took me a long time to realise I needed slow the rebound on my front forks .. the standard settings were all too harsh / fast for my capabilities in hindsight and I only got that feeling right with sag et al about a month ago.
- I'm still trying to get the rebound on the rear shocks 'right', once I got the front right / slower I realised that I was being thrown forward on small bumps and jumps so rear rebound needed to be slower I now believe . I think I've got the balance about right now but it's going to take me several weeks in lockdown to know that and satisfy my own curiosity.
- Conclusion has to be that much as I'd like the latest and greatest suspension set-up then I think I should keep taking baby steps and improving my understanding / doing the maintenance and just upgrade the existing hardware.
So my need to burn money unnecessarily will be limited to
:- Front Forks - Lyric 2021 Spring and Damper Upgrades and
: Rear Shock Absorber - Meg Neg Upgrade kit
So disappointing .. but just seems like the right thing to do!
In Summary :-
1) I need to learn a lot more before I ask folks to help specify my own ground-up S-Works
2) I need a size and position sanity check with a LBS with all the gear -- has to wait until post-lockdown.
3) AXS Reverb seems just the ticket for a rider like me who constantly adjusts his position
4) Wheels & Drivetrain - A choice -- another set of similar wheels to mount winter kit with new cassettes / chains OR
New wheels , new drivetrain -- if so which one, I think I should stay for the moment? Opinions welcome.
5) Existing Suspension -- 2021 and model upgrades only. Keep the same basic hardware.
Considered action, for me , is very strange behaviour , I fundamentally believe the best tools make better workers and I prefer journeying as much as arriving.
I'm interested in what others think, although with the exception of wheels and drivetrain I think my mind is made up . What would you do if cash wasnt an issue ?
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Now I need a spoke tension measurer (google here I come ) and wheel truing equipment -- Im sure I should add a new chain ring to the list too ! 
