Is There A No-Brainer Upgrade for eMTB

[Gary]

Sensus grips are by far my favourite lock on grips of all time.
Disisdaboss or Sensus Lite/Swayze
The soft ribs are slightly different between the models and are almost velvetty to the touch when new the Disisdaboss are one of the longest lock on grips around.
They don't last long, but no grip does when it's ridden with sweaty hands.
both grips are narrow diameter for a lock on which adds to feel and for me, reduces fatigue. (comes back to us not all having the same dimentions tho, eh?) but they released "meaty paws" at Kyle Strait's request for his massive hands to hold his hench dad bod in place landing 50ft step down backflips off canyons n shit!
They still work well gloved but it's when not wearing them they truely come into their own.

Other than to just stand out from other designs, I never really understood why DMR went with the 3 patern design on the Deathgrip. it's a bit dumb TBH.
full ribs would work better for gloveless. and they put the ruffian copy patern where you most need those ribs. and i never understood any validity from the box sections they and some ODIs coppied from motocross. Moto grips perform a well different function than mtb/bmx to.
Deathgrips IMO actually work well because of the compound they used more than the tread design.

 

[RickBullotta]

Yeah, control points (Tyres, grips, pedals saddle) are the most important parts of your bike for... er... well.. .control (obvz) but personal pref, rider size/type and riding style means there's no absolute right choice for everyone or even every condition.
Gloveless gives you waaay more feel and understanding of what the bike is doing. I find the material a barrier to this and the bunching that all gloves have unbearable. I absolutely hate riding with gloves on and I'm a way better and more confident rider without them.
I've always felt sorry for Blenki when he has been forced to race in France and those dumbasses insist on gloves to race. It's basicall handicapping the guy.
Your own countryman, DH world champ and all round biking legend Dave "Cully" Cullinan used to race gloveless and to get round the stupid rules would cut the fingers and palms out of his "gloves". Not sure anyone could get away with that trick these days.
I like the overall shape, size and design of thre GE01 but for a grip to work without gloves with wet or sweaty hands it needs channels (ribs work best, but flile patern and dimples can too) to wick away that moisture from between the skin and the rubber. otherwise it'll become a slippy no grip nightmare.

Yup. I run gummy waffle style grips on my KTM. The GE1's do have grooves cut in them, FWIW.

 

[Gary]

The GE1's do have grooves cut in them, FWIW.

I know. but the design doesn't work for wicking away moisture well.
I've used them.

 

[pgtips]

I had couple rides with the ODI Rogues and I quite like them.
Gloveless

 

[Gyro]

In order of preference based on what I have done with my 2020 Levo :
160mm Cranks
Replace Butchers with Maxxis
Bash guard, increased the wall thickness by 3mm from stock with fibre glass
Ergon Seat
700w battery
Cane Creek Coil shock - giving 163mm rear travel
180mm Lyriks - Bottom bracket is now 20mm higher than stock
SRAM X1 8 speed, runs heavier gauge 10speed chain
Source a spare motor, second motor died last week.

 

[Hyp4r]

I know. but the design doesn't work for wicking away moisture well.
I've used them.

Gary, I read in another thread (unfortunately can’t find it now) you spoke about dropper posts - what one would be your preference? - with consideration to cost.

 

[Jdog]

Gloveless gives you waaay more feel and understanding of what the bike is doing.

You was just starting to grow on me Gary and then you had to come out with this load of whiff

 

[Gary]

When life gets back to normal Jay. Try riding/racing a full season without gloves and with suitable grips.
Then make up your own mind.

Apparently some men also claim to enjoy sex with a condom just as much as without.

 

[Gary]

Gary, I read in another thread (unfortunately can’t find it now) you spoke about dropper posts - what one would be your preference? - with consideration to cost.

Bit random mate.
Cost wise the Brand X is hard to beat, decently made, smooth and reliable and comes with a 2 year warranty.
without knowing your needs/preference it's not really possible to comment on what post will be best for you though.

 

[RickBullotta]

When life gets back to normal Jay. Try riding/racing a full season without gloves and with suitable grips.
Then make up your own mind.

Apparently some men also claim to enjoy sex with a condom just as much as without.

Unfortunately, during COVID 19, XXL Magnum's are becoming increasingly difficult to find, so I may have to go "gloveless" too.

 

[Doomanic]

Unfortunately, during COVID 19, XXL Magnum's are becoming increasingly difficult to find, so I may have to go "gloveless" too.

Or just stop going outdoors...

 

[Motoride]

I too like the feel of Gloveless and is nice for putting around or with the kids but when you go a little faster as I found out and go down it usually rips my hand to shreds. That is why I now prefer full gloves for when I ride.

 

[RickBullotta]

Or just stop going outdoors...

I'm guessing you didn't get the humor on that one...maybe re-read it.

 

[Doomanic]

And I'm guessing you didn't get the humour in my reply... maybe re-read it...

 

[Jdog]

When life gets back to normal Jay. Try riding/racing a full season without gloves and with suitable grips. Then make up your own mind.

Apparently some men also claim to enjoy sex with a condom just as much as without.

Haha there's the Gary we all know and dislike...the arrogance to think I've never ridden without gloves is typical of you but I'm still riding a few times a week so just for you Gary the next time I go out I'll hit a couple of trails twice and time my runs with and without gloves to try and bring some science/facts to this.

My personal preference (and 100% of my current riding group) is to ride with gloves as I personally ride better with gloves than without so hopefully I'll be able to prove that.

I think your comment "Gloveless gives you waaay more feel and understanding of what the bike is doing" is click bait at best.

Based on your logic maybe you should ride barefoot to get a better idea of what the bike is doing or hell you might as well go full send and ride naked if its feeling that you crave.

 

[steve_sordy]

I'm guessing you didn't get the humor on that one...maybe re-read it.

No, he got the humour, it's you that didn't get his.
I might explain later.

 

[steve_sordy]

..........Based on your logic maybe you should ride barefoot to get a better idea of what the bike is doing ..............

That's a no to spiked flats then?

 

[Zimmerframe]

you might as well go full send and ride naked

You're presuming he doesn't already ?

 

[Santa]

My vote goes for brakes, depending on the brand of bike and the type of riding you do. In my case I would not ride anything below Shimano XT or SRAM Code.

Also the stem. So many bikes are sold with a stem that is not properly fit to the rider’s size and riding style. Most sell with around 50mm, but descenders may prefer shorter while climbers longer laternatives.

 

[Gary]

but when you go a little faster as I found out and go down it usually rips my hand to shreds.

Yeah, that's a fairly common complaint from noobs riding gloveless infrequently .
Dig trails and ride gloveless for a whole season and "sissy" hands soon callus over and toughen up.

 

[Gary]

Haha there's the Gary we all know and dislike...

It's neither love nor hate Jay. both of those require us to have some sort of relationship in the first place, You simply have an unhealthy obsession with me, but with my good looks and personality who can blame you, eh? xx

the arrogance to think I've never ridden without gloves is typical of you

It's not just arrogance, it's intuition too... and my intuition has turned out to be right, hasn't it? You actually don't have a lot of experience riding gloveless. You just like arguing about stuff you have no real experience in. Remind me, what was it, last time? a hissy fit about not knowing how to deal with a puncture or something?

just for you Gary the next time I go out I'll hit a couple of trails twice and time my runs with and without gloves to try and bring some science/facts to this.

Awww... Thanks.. but whatever "facts" you think you're bringing to this would neither be interesting or scientific.
Try riding gloveless for an entire season. Preferably somewhere with technical terrain.

Based on your logic maybe you should ride barefoot to get a better idea of what the bike is doing

Funny you mention it Jay, I do intentionally choose to ride in skate shoes which use a thinner sole, are less stiff, more flexible and offer less grip so i can move my feet around my pedals effortlessly and yes, you guessed it, they do also offer waaay more feel than the 90% of mtb sheep have using their stealth rubber soled footwear for the handicapped.

you might as well go full send and ride naked if its feeling that you crave.

I've ridden naked tons mate. I love the sense of...

Spoiler

You really should consider opening your mind a little instead of knocking stuff you're too worried to try yourself..

My personal preference (and 100% of my current riding group) is to ride with gloves as I personally ride better with gloves than without so hopefully I'll be able to prove that.

Sorry dude. I don't actualy care what you and your buddies personal preferences are. and I care even less about your Surrey based STRAVA Ebike results .

 

[Jdog]

It's not just arrogance, it's intuition too... and my intuition has turned out to be right, hasn't it? You actually don't have a lot of experience riding gloveless.

Your ignorance and obsession to always be right sums you up, a typical uneducated forum keyboard warrior.

Know it all Gary reporting for duty

 

[Rapidgaz]

Hey folks. Only just got my bike. Voodoo full suspension hobby. Anyhow it has the shimano e7000 system. Is there a better protection for the motor assembly. Better bash plate. How does this system stand upto being modded. Cheers
Gareth

 

[outerlimits]

Must do upgrade.... fill the frame in around the motor in waterproof grease. Oh that, and gold plated electrical terminals. Both must do upgrades ?

 

[inwoods]

Hey folks. Only just got my bike. Voodoo full suspension hobby. Anyhow it has the shimano e7000 system. Is there a better protection for the motor assembly. Better bash plate. How does this system stand upto being modded. Cheers
Gareth

A sheet of Kydex (its moldable with heat) and a length of self adhesive Velcro.

 

[Roger20]

My vote goes for brakes, depending on the brand of bike and the type of riding you do. In my case I would not ride anything below Shimano XT or SRAM Code.

Also the stem. So many bikes are sold with a stem that is not properly fit to the rider’s size and riding style. Most sell with around 50mm, but descenders may prefer shorter while climbers longer laternatives.

I read lots about people "upgrading" from SRAM to Shimano XT and others. My take is to give the SRAM a proper try first.

At first I found the Guide REs on my Levo Comp a bit underwhelming. Just bought some Uberbike Race Matrix pads for the front, cleaned the disc and did 20 controlled stops to bed them in and the whole feel is transformed. I've also got a set of @rsilvers Deslackinators to take up slack in the RE levers but with the newish pads I'm not needing them yet. Leaving the original pads in the back seems fine for now.

I've had Hopes for several years on a Marin Mount Vision and they were great. XTs on my last Cube Stereo Hybrid which worked well but certainly not without issues.

 

[Wheelie_King]

Oh that, and gold plated electrical terminals

Is that for more power or better sound quality? ?

 

[Wheelie_King]

I read lots about people "upgrading" from SRAM to Shimano XT and others. My take is to give the SRAM a proper try first.

Clean OK brakes better than contaminated fancy ones!! I’ll try the Uber pads next if you like them.

 

[maynard]

Levociraptor. Fuck yeah .

 

[geehaw]

Assuming you purchase a bike to the spec you want based on your budget, the next thing is setting it up for comfort (excluding pedals which is always the first mod). First is setting up the ergonomics. For me the best improvement was handlebars with a higher rise. Going from 20mm to a 40mm rise was like night and day providing more comfort resulting in better stability and control. Next would be saddle and grips. All relatively inexpensive mods that can really add the overall riding experience.