Hello, new user / Pole K0 faled in love to...

[THA]

Hi,
I'm a grandmother -age newbie here. I've had eMtbs since 2020: Haibike 9.0 DwnHll, Spess Levo SL, Cube hybrid 140 TM and now the new Pole Voima (K0). I'm only 5 ft "tall", so K1 wasn't an option for me, even though I admired the design, all the tech included and fantastic well though features.
I'm all the way DIY person, I prefer to do it all and even go further ahead - suspension tuning to myself is almost madatory, because I rarely meet anyone that have any understanding of the demands needed - Avalanche being the only exception this far.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Is that a translation error ?

Are you a grandmother ? (Female)

OR Grandfather (Male) ?

 

[THA]

I'm female - is that a problem for You? I don't use translators, too much errors.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I'm female - is that a problem for You? I don't use translators, too much errors.

Hi !

No, why would it be a problem ?? I just wanted to clarify - mainly because in French there are Masculine and Feminine words and they often get confused or incorrectly translated ! Then I see it often when people use translators from other languages. No offense intended.

You've already had a really interesting mix of e-bikes !! How are you finding the Voima ? Amazing bike. Did you go for the race axles ? I think the seat stays were changed slightly about the time they introduced the K0 so it already might be stiffer.

What kind of build did you go for ? Coil or air ?

And Welcome to the forum !

 

[Mabman]

Although i don't think that I have any info that would further the OP's seemingly already somewhat extensive eBike knowledge and suspension tuning abilities as a grandfather-aged DIY type person with Finnish lineage I fully approve of her mission to seek out others that can. Welcome aboard!

 

[THA]

Hi !

No, why would it be a problem ?? I just wanted to clarify - mainly because in French there are Masculine and Feminine words and they often get confused or incorrectly translated ! Then I see it often when people use translators from other languages. No offense intended.

You've already had a really interesting mix of e-bikes !! How are you finding the Voima ? Amazing bike. Did you go for the race axles ? I think the seat stays were changed slightly about the time they introduced the K0 so it already might be stiffer.

What kind of build did you go for ? Coil or air ?

And Welcome to the forum !

Hi,
Thank You.
I'm not just used to that kind of question - normally in Finland most of the people just ignore (on the forums) my gender. So I was surprised, not offended
Voima is incredible. Feels more like motorcycle (like Yamaha WR or so), rather than full suspension mtb. It took about 2 hours to get really used to this machine - and after that my Cubes (emtb and acoustic) feel both "ok" to pedal as seated (except the fact BB is way too low and rather hard to lean), but horrible to pedal as standing
I'm a bit over 50 kg, so the air suspension didn't work for me at all (as normal, with any bike this far). Thus I took my way to built the full coil Voima:
- RS Zeb coil 190 (my own setup, Boxxer x-soft coil in Zeb)
- RS SDLX ULDH shock (can't find any reason for lockout in Voima - it only disturbs compression circuit) with 250 lbs/in (on the way, now 300 - a bit harsh)
- Deemax mullet wheels + Xenotal/Kryptotal tires suggested by Pole - and Pepi's noodles (feel quite familiar with MX/EN background)
- OneUp 120 mm dropper
- Magura MT7 brakes (on the way... still with Code R, challenging brakes for tiny fingers... )
- skidplate
- mini remote
- commuting wheels 27,5" Maviv XA/XC, all the way from Haibike times, now Wicked Will 2,4" tires, Garbaruk cassette, 220 mm Hope floating + 200 alligator
I've ended up with coils with all the bikes, except Levo - that was just too linear and forces bending the piston rod (in Voima, those forces are cancelled by the structural design). Cube needed MRP progressive coil, which really works nice in that -22 XS frame.
E: no race axles. The test bike was with standard axles and I can't really figure it out how the race axles would be beneficial for anyone suitable size for K0. Rear end is, as standard, so much stiffer than any other bike this size.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Sounds like an incredible build ! I Iike that you're getting the most of it and have a commuting setup too.

It's definitely harder setting up suspension when you're lighter. It has to work more effectively/efficiently.

Then with coils you have the huge challenge of getting the right spring. If you were going from a 500 to 550 that's a 10% increment. If you go from 250 to 300 that's a 20% increment.

Did you ever try a Megneg on an air setup ? In theory you'd still be able to run a pressure for correct travel, but would have more compliance in the early part of the stroke. I think you know a lot more than me on the suspension side just based on your builds and Voima setup, so probably ignore that

Certainly not a fan of Code R's... I think they're great for people with big hands or with limited sensitivity (aren't delicate).

Looking forwards to reading your future posts + seeing a picture of the Voima !

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome

 

[THA]

Sounds like an incredible build ! I Iike that you're getting the most of it and have a commuting setup too.

It's definitely harder setting up suspension when you're lighter. It has to work more effectively/efficiently.

Then with coils you have the huge challenge of getting the right spring. If you were going from a 500 to 550 that's a 10% increment. If you go from 250 to 300 that's a 20% increment.

Did you ever try a Megneg on an air setup ? In theory you'd still be able to run a pressure for correct travel, but would have more compliance in the early part of the stroke. I think you know a lot more than me on the suspension side just based on your builds and Voima setup, so probably ignore that

Certainly not a fan of Code R's... I think they're great for people with big hands or with limited sensitivity (aren't delicate).

Looking forwards to reading your future posts + seeing a picture of the Voima !

Don't worry, any discussion is welcome - and sometimes comments from someone from totally different basis can become real eye opening
You're spot on in the spring rate thoughts, 300 lbs/in is far too stiff for me (slightly over 20 % sag), but fortunately I got suspension in good balance with 35 lbs/in coil in Smashpot. So 250 rear and 30 in my-built-coil Zeb will be well balanced - and great for me. EXT V2 spring is the solution, if I need 275 lbs/in - only need to turn an adapter 0,5 mm larger iD to fit MY23 RS (and some lube to make is pass BO).
This is the only pic I have of current setup, will post more to Pole thread after I get proper brakes (MT7).