PPE

[Mikerb]

Port Protection Equipment....as in "charging port".
I have yet to see a bike that has an effective mud dust and water cap that is properly sealed. Manufacturers seem fixed on the idea that the port needs to be immediately accessible, tool free. As a result what you get is either a flimsy hinged flap or, slightly better, a rubber cover with provisions that push into the female pin sockets: well they do until they break off or wear. My ideal solution would be a cap with a gasket secured with 2 3mm torque bolts. Maybe one day! Meanwhile this is how I provide additional protection on my wife's Cube Access. I have done the same on my Levo computer and that has been on it through the winter and summer.
Materials used are neoprene, heavy duty self adhesive velcro, door frame seal and fabric glue.

 

[TheBikePilot]

Old Windsurfing wetsuit @Mikerb ??

 

[R120]

totally agree, most of the current Soloutions are poor - I dont see hy some sort of screw on cover etc isn't used

 

[simonk]

The one on my Giant was piss poor... how it lasted 9 months is beyond me. The cover on the SL seems watertight if a little flimsy. The Whyte cover seems good - it’s just a piece of fitted rubber but it is on the upward facing part of the frame just above the motor, so it’s unlikely to get knocked. The only downside I can see is you can’t plug into it whilst there’s something in the bottle holder.

 

[Mikerb]

Old Windsurfing wetsuit @Mikerb ??

I don't have any "old" wetsuits!!
I actually used cheap shoe covers to make both plus 2 spares. The one on my Levo has been on there for about 9 months and because it goes more under the bb area than on the Cube it has suffered a bit of damage caused by bottoming out....so needs changing for the spare soon.

 

[Mikerb]

The one on my Giant was piss poor... how it lasted 9 months is beyond me. The cover on the SL seems watertight if a little flimsy. The Whyte cover seems good - it’s just a piece of fitted rubber but it is on the upward facing part of the frame just above the motor, so it’s unlikely to get knocked. The only downside I can see is you can’t plug into it whilst there’s something in the bottle holder.

Yes I spotted that the Whyte solution seem better than most provided mud etc does not accumulate on that flat area. The problem with using rubber is that it will stretch and also harden over time so you would hope Whyte chuck in a few spares with every bike!

 

[steve_sordy]

Why have the charging port so low down? Why not inside the front triangle, high up and out of harm's way? (Like under the top tube).
OK, the cable has to be longer, but that is a small cost.

 

[stiv674]

Why have the charging port so low down? Why not inside the front triangle, high up and out of harm's way? (Like under the top tube).
OK, the cable has to be longer, but that is a small cost.

I like your thinking, I wonder where you got that excellent idea from though...

 

[steve_sordy]

I like your thinking, I wonder where you got that excellent idea from though...

Hmmm, not sure. I'd have to focus on it for a while to see what springs to mind.

 

[stiv674]

Hmmm, not sure. I'd have to focus on it for a while to see what springs to mind.

I've never thought about it before but it is a good place to put it, never had an issue with mine. The magnetic cap is particularly difficult to get out sometimes.

 

[steve_sordy]

I've never thought about it before but it is a good place to put it, never had an issue with mine. The magnetic cap is particularly difficult to get out sometimes.

I quickly gave up trying to pull it out, I put one finger on the ridge and tilt it sideways and outwards. It is good that it is hard to remove, as it is unlikely to fall out when passing over rough trails - like I thought it might at first.

 

[Mikerb]

So anyone know how we best shout out a message to the various brands that they need to do better with their charging port designs?? @Rob Rides EMTB ...any ideas? Specialized use the magnetic connection which brings its own problems as well as being liable to attract mud dust and water...and again is in a particularly vulnerable position. That said I much prefer the Specialized ( and Whyte) method of fully encasing the battery in the downtube as opposed to the common place alternative of having the battery inserted in the front of the downtube protected only by a flimsy plastic/rubber cover, and in direct line of fire for everything the front wheel can throw at it.