All my Sapim spokes were within spec length for the new SideKick, just new nipples and rim tape were added. The SideKick is all laced up and ready for action! I have it set at 18deg deadband for the first ride.
It had been many weeks since my last ride on my emtb, so I just installed a new chain and cassette (1100miles old) and went for a 2-1/2hr ride Friday(w/out SideKick) to have the Bosch rattle fresh in my mind. I felt having a new chain and cassette for a quiet drivetrain would be best for the Sidekick comparison. I’ll be getting the Sidekick all muddy soon and report back with my findings.
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Thanks for the feedback....
I did notice the 18 degree deadband (greatest amount) I setup inside the SideKick for the first ride. It obviously creates more play in the drive system, but as with most things you get used to it quickly. On my typical rides I encounter many up hill rock ledges that I have to quickly ratchet the cranks to get up and over. I had no issues with the 18 degree deadband in this situation but again you can feel the large deadband. I have now set the SideKick deadband at 12deg (least amount) for my next ride. (Very easy to do, could be done on the trail.)
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The SideKick pawls have a very quiet engagement.Thanks for the feedback.
Based on the comments from the E13 folks regarding sidekick performance with EMTB, they stated the the motor's torque sensor cause the motor to take up the slack quickly so the deadband is effectively eliminated under normal use. Based on your comments this does not seem to be the case. Perhaps the effect is reduced or ameliorated instead of being eliminated. It would be interesting if you slap that rear wheel onto an analog MTB at max deadband and report on the difference between that and the Crestline.
When you do return to test, do report kickback/suspension performance on the different deadband settings. How does the hub sound, BTW?
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My mtb is a high pivot Gates carbon belt drive gearbox bike with zero belt growth and zero kickback, set up with a high engagement i9 Hydra hub. This SideKick hub would be absolutely pointless on it. My mtb and emtb both have Crank Brothers Synthesis carbon rear 27.5 wheels, boost width. So if I really wanted to I could do some experimenting. Ideally I’d have my i9 hud/rim setup with a t-type cassette as well, so I can swap it out with the Sidekick hub rim setup on every other ride with the Crestline. That would give me a really good sense of what the SideKick is achieving on the Crestline. I already have all the parts to do so.![]()
Dude, we need to talk. I've been seriously jonesing for the Anakin v2.2 for EXACTLY every thing you mentioned and been lamenting for an EMTB version just the same. That French bike you have is a very rare bird out here, and I would very much like to throw a leg over one or at least discuss configuration choices. I'm in California as well - expect a PM.Frame/gearbox only dream build; 2024/2025 176mm/190mm travel Cavalerie Anakin V2. It checked every box on my list, and then some! No chainring or derailleur to get smacked, no chain to oil, low maintenance, no pedal kickback, no goofy tensioner, quiet drivetrain, SRAM trigger shifter, able to shift to any gear without pedaling, raw aluminum frame, long travel, very well balanced weight and geo, ……I think that’s about everything that really set it apart from the rest for me. It’s an absolute blast to ride and a real head turner. I’m really enjoying it. The Crestline had some dust build up on it after I completed the Anakin V2 build.
I’m REALLY looking forward to the day I get a long travel belt drive gearbox(NO wrist twist shifter) emtb!…..Basically an Anakin V2 with a built in motor and battery would be insanely awesome!
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Looks like your getting your cake and eating it too, as other posts on this thread have supported. Until more high-pivot EMTBs or MGUs take hold, Ochain and other pedal kickback tech look fruitful for EMTB.Rode an ochain on my ep801 this weekend for the first time, YT Decoy and I have to say it's everything as advertised. All of the trail I could feel in my pedals previously was gone, smoothed out the trail amazingly. Unexpected benefit was quieting down the whole bike. The ep801 isn't the smoothest putting on the power from stop so I couldn't feel the ochina re-engaging at all. I could see this being an odd sensation on a mtb but not with a motor picking up the slack.
It certainly seems like all upside for emtbs. This is the version I purchased:Looks like your getting your cake and eating it too, as other posts on this thread have supported. Until more high-pivot EMTBs or MGUs take hold, Ochain and other pedal kickback tech look fruitful for EMTB.
Which Ochain version did you get? If it is the external dial version, were you forced to get the ochain crank-arms as well? Last I check about a month ago, for the Bosch Gen4 external dial version, there was no option to just purchase the ochain by itself; only a combo purchase with either a 165mm or 155mm crank-arms. Not ideal to say the least.
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