I stumbled across your channel because I’m looking at buying a new Orbea Gain, which uses the new X20 motor and a 350wh battery. Great video. Really down to earth, nothing fancy (no disrespect intended!) just a normal bloke talking to other normal blokes about what we want to know. Really well done. And Thankyou. 👍
Welcome Mike! And many thanks! I was supposed to be going on an Orbea factory visit and test ride on the X20 Gain over a year ago but got Covid. Orbea have promised me one to trial ever since but as yet it hasn’t materialised. The system sounds very promising - if you have questions there is a Facebook group called Orbea X20 Owners Club where you could get a decent idea of what they are like to ride (unless Orbea pull their finger out and I can finally do my review!).
What a fantastic review. I purchased my D10 just 12months ago , I have done 3,500 miles since with a lot of steep hills in my rides. I purchased the bike from eBay ?, which as you all know is a gamble in its self. The Orbea D 10 was literally unmarked , the seller seemed a honest bloke . I paid £1700 for the bike and on the box was the original price of £3000 so with that in mind I thought if it needs a new battery I had allowed for this in the buying price. The bike looked so good and unmarked , that my mates thought I had purchased a brand new one. I fitted new mudguards and lights , I never take the bike out in the rain , I prefer to keep it dry at all times if that's possible. The first ride out on the flat roads gave me a 70 miles to the gallon ride!, which proved that the battery was as good as he told me so . 12 months on and riding the bike as normal , I can achieve about 42 miles to the gallon! I love the bike even better than my carbon Dogma , I am 73 years old and live by some serious big climbs and I am not phased by them. I recharge the bike every day ready for my next ride . Your review was the best honest detailed review I have ever read . I just wish that I could do the things that you do to the electrics. You sound a knowledgable bloke and I wished you lived locally to me ah ah ah!. I have the app downloaded to my wife's phone , but it' means not a lot to me from my generation.
This must be the most honest, detailed, insightful and witty review I've seen. You have obviously ridden this bike for a good while and have got to know its strengths and weaknesses, and you're happy to share with us exactly what they are. I think you like it 😏 🤣 Thanks for an enjoyable 30mins, it flew by, that must be the motor assist 😉.
Excellent stuff. Don't under promote yourself. You did a fab comprehensive job, addressing the main points we, newbies to ebikes, want covered. Well done, I'll look for your other vids now too. Thabkss.
Thanks Clifford. This vid is looking a bit amateurish now...perhaps I should do an update. Still a great bike though, and the system is proving very reliable.
Of the several hundred reviews I've watched over the years on road and commuter ebikes, this is the best! Really insightful info, clearly expressed, and my god is the region gorgeous! Thanks
Wow! Can I quote you on that Clay? Lol. Many thanks. I’m reviewing the all- new Gain in a few weeks - and riding home from the Orbea factory on it too. Should be able to give you a decent idea of it’s qualities - it’s a 5 day trip.
Thankyou for your review which is much more informative than the manufacturer’s. The Orbea and the Ribble e bikes are both on long delivery times ie September / October. Please continue with your films which are an enjoyable watch along with a history lesson of the places you ride through. Can’t believe you only have 62 subscribers. Good luck and good riding for the future.
Thanks Terry. That global shortage is getting to be a serious pain. I will continue! I’ve got some real crackers lined up, but may have to wait for warmer weather/longer days for some of them.
Hmm, seems like my response to you Terry got lost…I just said yes, this global supply thing is really getting to be a pain. I also said yes! I will continue, but will have to wait for warmer weather and longer days for some of the more epic rides I have planned…glad you’ve liked them so far.
I’ve just ordered an Orbea Gain M31e and I think this is the best review I’ve seen. Okay, not exactly the same bike but almost everything is relevant. I was especially interested to hear about a ‘sweet spot’ and plus your mention of use on gravel, as I’ve specified gravel tyres in the build. Good luck with your riding in a fabulous part of Europe!
Many thanks! You will find that the new X20 system on your M31 will be more versatile - and more powerful - than the older X35. Hub motors still struggle more at slower speeds, but yours works in a much smoother way, using cadence and torque sensors to vary the output. I think you are going to love it! Let me know after your first ride!
I was thinking about buying a 1 year old Gain M30 and your video was exactly what I needed to be able to check it out. The battery was at 14.5v and it had only done 1k km. I bought the bike and I'm absolutely delighted with it. Many thanks.
well done! I hope that 14.5v was a typo though!! The m30 is actually the Gain sweet spot in my opinion, the lovely looking lighter carbon frame with the 105 group set. Perfect! Remember the DIY range extender if you need one, def superior to the official Mahle portable charger/extender…
Hi Yako, the learning curve continues! I'm only using the battery on climbs but I've read that they shouldn't be used for short periods. Is this true? It seems strange to me as power tools etc are on,/off use. Would it be better to set level 1 at say 10% and have it on all the time? Thanks
That’s utter nonsense, you’ll be pleased to learn. Most Gain owners I know leave it on green the whole ride, unless they push it up to orange or red when necessary. I try to ride with the system on but no assist, but happily use it for very long periods in orange. If it is very hot out, I suppose using it on Max for extended periods with high loads might overheat the motor, so avoid Alpe d’Huez until your legs are stronger! I have my three settings at 80% (of 100w), 80% (of 175w) and 100% (of 250w) and that is great for me.
Whoops! Mis-read your comment, apologies! I’m not sure why you would want to have the assist on for a very short time, but if you ride at or around the 25kmh cut off, the motor cycles on/off constantly. This happens to me and my battery/motor are completely ok.
Thank you. Super down to earth, honest review from a "real" rider rather than lycra clad superhero with 2% body fat. I am middle aged and just getting onto my first ebike through the UK cycle to work scheme. Just looking at the Orbea Gain D40 and your video was the first thing Google showed me for a review. GREAT video.
Many thanks Paul. You’ve saved yourself a lot of time…buy it! There is a nice community of helpful Gain owners at The Orbea Gain Electric Owners Club on Facebook if you have questions - but if you could subscribe here I’d be grateful…I’m closing in on 1000 subs and you could help! Oh, and I AM a Lycra-clad superhero…but nearer 40% body fat I suspect! But take a look at yesterday’s vid and tell me that a little middle-age spread doesn’t help with those descents!
Just one question (this is my first ebike and many things to learn here). I live in the UK, so I will be cycling down a lot of canal routes with the bike, which are NOT perfect asphalt. Would this "kill" a road bike, should I be looking more at a "gravel" bike? OR is it a simple case of switching out the tyres? I ask as I prefer the style of something like this, versus a typical straight handlebar mountain bike type look. Let me know oh wise one.@@yakoridesagain
I can help you my child. No, you won’t kill a road bike on canal towpaths…BUT bigger tyres, that you can run at lower pressures, will help your comfort if you hit pot holes etc. I’ve done lots of pretty awful routes on the Gain, on both road tyres and 38mm gravel tyres, and the bike is fine. Great, actually. If you find the ride too rough, even with wider, softer tyres, you can fit aftermarket suspension seat posts and stems that will make things even more comfortable. Have a look at my gravel “playlist” on the channel and you can see what my bike has to put up with, poor thing. There are gravel Gain’s too. They come fitted with chunky tyres and gears that will help more on very steep gravelly climbs. You may ‘run out’ of gears on fast road descents though. For my money a road Gain, with spare gravel tyres, does everything I need.
After watching your video, explaining how it worked and the "just enough" principle, you convinced me that the ORBEA Gain was the one I should get. My husband and daughter had suggested an e-bike but I felt like it was cheating but I couldn't keep up with them! Had to wait a while but I truly love it, I can now keep up with my husband when I am out on the hills but I am still putting the effort in cycling! You never know we may bump into you when we are cycling in Spain during our motorhome travels
I do wish I was getting a commission! You are now the eleventh person I’ve convinced who has told me! They are fantastic machines though, aren’t they. Very happy you have taken the plunge. I hope you are getting some ideas for one of your Spanish trips from my other vids?
Glad it helped Nick. If you have any questions, just ask. Please let me know if you do buy…I’m hoping it will convince Orbea to let me carry on testing their e-bikes!
What a great review, as in an actual review that potential buyers of this bike want, and need, to hear ! Not the usual just quoting of the manufacturers bumf. Cheers 👍
Good interesting video, I’ve had the F10 for over 18 months and love it, it has great components and a relaxed riding position, I’ve used it over the winter months instead of my carbon road bike as it feels a lot safer in poor conditions, i often use it to test out new routes for steep hills to judge if I can make them on my road bike at a later date. There has been many a time when I haven’t fancied making the effort to go for a ride but knowing the battery is there if I need it is the difference between actually going out or sitting on my arse at home.
Exactly! Having the battery as a helpful friend really helps get you out there- well, see what it’s done for me - I feel like an adventurer these days, seeking out brave new worlds (etc). Take a look at my rides on the channel, anyway, if you have the time.
Just bought a mint Gain d40 this morning 2nd hand following on from your reviews. 2022 model which was £2899 bought for £1325 so the tightwad in me is chuffed. The chap had only ridden it 14 miles with 1 charge cycle (verified by app as you suggested) and, having taken it for a quick spin I understand why he wanted to sell it but also why it suits me perfectly. He didn’t understand the ‘just enough’ idea and instead thought it would fly up hills without needing to pedal. Like you say, you do need to work, but it helps you to do that. Anyway, one happy purchaser and once again thanks for your vids! I also love the integrated lights.
Power to the husky people! I'm about your size, and I am also a bike research fanatic. I've been riding (besides my childhood) for 44 years (I'm 66). The other day, I road 16 hilly miles on Maui with a guy on an Orbea Gain. At first, I didn't know it had a battery. Then we hit the hills. He got to the top so easily. I huffed some on my Litespeed road bike. I am interested in the Gain. Thank you for a great video. I am subscribed.
Many thanks Peter! Yesterday I rode with 2 guys I had influenced to buy e-road bikes (another Gain and a Lapierre). They said their riding had been transformed…we chat a bit about it in this week’s vid if you fancy a look. Thanks for the sub!
I’ve previously commented on this video but now have something a little different to add. From owning my Orbea Gain F10 for two years I decided to go for the Carbon M30. I rode it from September 22 to November 22 then kept it indoors until February 23. My total mileage was 383 miles of which assist was used for 46 miles then the battery shut down completely whilst on a ride and couldn’t be re charged. As the bike was only six months old I took it back to the dealers who then submitted the warranty to Orbea. The warranty was refused, claiming I had undercharged the battery therefore causing it to be damaged. I was offered a new battery at a cost of £650 or a re condition one for £250. To say I was shocked at this is an understatement, at the moment , thanks to the support from the dealers Leisure Lakes, it looks like Orbea will honour the warranty but this opens up a minefield on the subject of charging these batteries “correctly “ , having previously owned an Orbea Gain I was fully aware of what was required so was disappointed with their response. Just something to be aware of should your subscribers encounter a similar situation.
Thank you for posting this Peter. Frankly, I’m appalled. No battery should die after six months, and so lightly used. There is far too much made of the correct treatment of lithium batteries. Yes, you can optimise their treatment to extend their lives, but the cells are remarkably hardy. I have a few ‘go-to’ tools as a builder. One is a 18v Makita drill. That thing has been used and very badly abused for 15years and I still have the 2 original batteries, now down to half of their original capacity, but working well. May I suggest that if you use Facebook, you join the Orbea Gain Electric Owners Club? Not only are there the usual, helpful types, but there are also a few Orbea employees who monitor the group, unofficially, but I suspect they do this to check on issues that crop up. There is even a battery engineer Gain owner who has come in handy from time to time. I think the more Gain owners in the group, the stronger a say we may have…but who knows. One thing is for sure, there is a strong feeling of resentment towards Orbea’s customer service.
@@yakoridesagain Thanks for this suggestion, I wasn’t aware the group existed,I have now applied to join, keep the videos coming , very much enjoy your rides.
Man, kudos to your tips and tricks. I'm thinking about buying used mahle ebike that has ridden 100km. Is from UK (I live in Poland) so if the battery is in good condition all I have left to worry is if the bike was stolen from some British lad.
Sadly, true. Please also be careful it’s not a scam if it’s on Marketplace buddy. If they are a legitimate seller, they could send screenshots of the app which will show you battery voltage at 100% charge (the closer to 41.6v the better) and how many kms ridden. Sometimes a bike that has been used a bit more may be better if the unused bike’s battery was poorly stored. Best of luck!
Enjoyed your review, well researched and very nicely put together. You remind me of Ride with Roy, but with more humour. He's a regular RUclips poster. He's got a Ribble with the Ebike motion set up. I'm here because my lady friends Lapierre eSENSIUM 300W Ebike also built with the Ebikemotion X35 Mahle set up, and also purchased second hand with only 200 registered rides miles or thereabouts on the app. has problems. The motor intermittently cuts out. A dealers diagnostic found no problems. I rang Mahle UK and they suggested the pulse sensor might be faulty. The bike mechanic has removed all the electrics and battery from the bike to let it dry out. On approaching the bike shop, we were told the bill could be between £30 to £500 depending what they discovered was at fault. Waiting to here back from the bike shop. Thought I share this with you.
I know it sounds unlikely, but 9 times out of 10 this is caused by the plug that comes from the motor not being pushed all the way in. Right in. There should be a line to help see how far to go. The other fault can be that the pins in this plug are damaged from it being pushed home without being exactly aligned. Easily done, but there are arrows to help with this bit. Hope it gets sorted out quickly.
@@yakoridesagain My lady friend received her bike back from an electric bike shop that communicates with Raleigh UK, distributors of Lapierre bikes and ebikes in a worse state than when she delivered the bicycle to their shop. Now the ebike motion X35 motor does not function at all. On delivery to the shop the bikes motor worked intermittently. She has subsequently taken her bicycle and left it with Poweredbicycles Ebike centre. The shop owner aims to try and get the bike up and running again , even if he has to replace Mahle's Ebike Motion electronics/wires and software to do so. He seemed very pleased to cast his eyes on a modern Lapierre eSENSIUM bicycle, as he's never worked on such an ebike before. He is skilled in electrical systems used on electric bikes, and showed us his own software for controlling hub motors.
Thanks for your advice. As an update I learned and the issue is: “If your bike is out of warranty then there’s no need to take the bike to a dedicated dealer for your own bike. If it’s a motor, electrics (wires and connectors) or software problem, any bike shop with staff knowledgeable in solving and mending your make of motor will take on the job. My girlfriend’s ebike fitted with a Mahle X35 first generation system was repaired by the owner of PoweredBicycles ebike centre, in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, UK. He, checked to see if the motor operated independently, which it was, examined all the leads then ordered and fitted a new PASS sensor and upgraded the bikes software. That’s solved the problem of intermittent motor cut outs. It cost nearly £300 due mainly to labour costs since it took time to understand and solve the problems. He also told us to keep on using the bike as the battery’s cell loose their efficiency and degrade if not used for prolonged periods of time. The bike had sat around a lot before it was purchased second hand. We were also advised to pay attention to keeping those areas on the bike where the Pass sensor and magnet cassette locking ring are located clean a free of dirt and grime.
@@philiphiggs1615 Good info. Actually, my bike developed the intermittant motor cutting in and out. It's going back to a dealer but I'll let them know about the pass sensor. Thx!
Thanks for a very substantive review. As I'm just beginning my research into road ebikes I learned a lot from your commentary. As I am getting older (71) it's harder to keep up with the group I've been riding with, and an ebike would enable me to keep up.
My pleasure. Do bear in mind that if you are in Europe, the assist cuts out at 25kmh, so if your group tides above that speed on the flat, it will still be down to your pedal power to keep up - and on a heavier bike.
Nice job. Very thorough with relevant info. Channels with 500 subs usually not so good but that was spot on with all the key features of the bike. Thanks!
Cheers Ray. I think it’s because my normal videos are me riding around having adventures in Spain in the sun. I think people get fed up with the blue sky and traffic-free roads! Reviewing stuff is pretty guaranteed to get the numbers soaring but I’m unemployed so new stuff is few and far between. Thanks for the kind words though. I do wish a few people watching this would subscribe though!
Really good useful straight talking video from a normal man in the street. I’m considering an e bike as I’ve just had my second hip replaced. Food for thought.
Thanks Rhys. As you can probably tell, I am quite a fan. There is almost too much info out there about the various systems available, but if you are honest with yourself about how much assistance you truly want you will not be disappointed. Mahle are just introducing a smaller, lighter, more powerful motor (the X20 maybe?). I don’t doubt it will become the norm for road bikes.
My pleasure Richard. You are going to love it. Today I rode the most spectacular ride I’ve ever ridden. I couldn’t have done it without the Gain. Hopefully I’ll post it here tomorrow - if you get chance, take a peek!
@@yakoridesagain only just seen this. The gain is amazing it's the 105 alu model. Just watched again to answer some questions I had ...which you did🥳 As you touched on about the assist happens as soon as the cassette turns!! Is this assist from very slow 'turning' like just pulling away? Great channel
Yes. There are a number of magnets in the cassette lock ring, and a number need to go past the sensor, which is why there is a slight delay in the assist coming on when pulling away. If you put the power on full, so it's easier to sense/hear, you can slow pedal to find out how fast you must pedal for the assist to come on. It's not very...
very interesting, not that ive got n electric bike, but i now know q hell of a lot more than i did 30 mins ago...and tbh what seems to be an honest approach to reviewing something....much better than those youtube pro presenters that dont give the info you have....and the humur is always appreciated...nice view from the tops of hills too.....looking forward to some great views when i get to seville in april....too damn cold here in the uk....im too old for this sh!t cold weather....
I’m sad to report we’re having one of the longest cold spells here in Catalunya - frosts every night for over two weeks, we’re losing citrus trees to it - but of course that means clear blue skies during the day…Thanks for the kind words. Seville is possibly the most glorious city in Spain btw if you’ve not been before…
Fantastic review thanks. I have the Gain M30 2021 which I really like. Im currently considering upgrading to a mondraker dusty RR, or Gain M31e to takevadvantage of Sram etap and the new x20 system. I bought my gain as I wanted a bike that is at home on road and gravel and its geen great for both. Interestingly I have recently watched an interview with the head of Orbea. In the interview he stated that the New Gain is 100% a road bike and is designed as such. He mentioned it could do low level gravel. In fact thrre is rumour of a geavel specific Orbea which currently they do not have in the line up. As for the Mondraker Dusty, that is gravel specific and currently a fair bit cheaper than the 2023/24 Gain. Either way there are normally compromises if you want a one bike fits all. Im leaningvtowards the dusty as i think its geometry will ve more comfortable for me. The oem range extender sounds good , who sells them?
Well, you have ridden your M30 on gravel, so you will know that the bike is capable enough on that surface, so I’m not sure if there really is such a thing as gravel specific when the term can cover such a variety of surfaces? I think that by the time you have say 38mm gravel tyres at low pressure, and a sufficient range of gears for potentially steeper climbs pretty much anything works! The new carbon Gains with the X20 motors can accept 38mm, and a 12sp 10-44 out back also sounds pretty good…though I would like to know if Redshift’s suspension stem can be fitted, as the difference, I have heard, is incredible. Do you have an Orbea outlet nearby so you could try out the new bikes geometry? The aftermarket extenders are made by a Spanish company called Volabike, but please do your research as there are significant numbers concerned with the customer service/after sales service with the company. I’ve been successfully using a DIY extender for nearly two years/14,000kms…I made a how-to video and recently a review of it on my channel. take a look!
@@yakoridesagain thanks for getting back. Yes I do have dealers within an hour or so but most never seem to have a small in stock. I waited 8 months for my current gain! Yes it's true that it is very capable but the bike press would have you believe that there are vast differences. Maybe if your a pro, me, I'm not so sure. However having owned a CX bike for commuting I did find it a comfortable ride. The Dusty RR is currently about a grand cheaper than the Gain in the UK if you shop around. Same components too.
I’ve just checked the Dusty. It looks to be one hell of a bike. Out here there is less difference in price, so it might be worth checking warranty differences, but I do like those 45mm tyres. For completeness, one other bike to look at, if you have ever felt that the hub motor could help more on the very toughest of climbs when you are at your slowest, is the gravel-specific Canyon Grail ON. It has the supreme Bosch CX mid motor, which is unaffected by slower speeds and also considerably more powerful at 85Nm. The battery capacity is far larger to deal with the increase in power, which leads to greater overall weight, but as you already know, the bike weight is negated by the assist. The design is quirky, but I like it! Let me know which way you go Rick, always interested!
@@yakoridesagain yes at todays prices the 2023 Dusty can be had for 4.5k ish. I missed out on a mint Specialized Creo mid drive on the bay 2 weeks ago as I was not 100% sure about it. My buddy rides one and loves it. It went for a song with just 1 bid! Snooze and you loose...
Hi Yako, just seen this review of your Orbea (we previously spoke about battery configs 🙃). Great review, I wish i had seen it earlier. I've been riding my Ribble Gravel - ALe for a couple of months now - despite multiple punctures which left me thinking I want solid tyres! (now gone tubeless). Your review is pretty much what I'm finding with my bike, especially on the steep hill scenario you spoke of, at times it felt like the motor actually cut out a few times. Now I see that i was probably on the edge of that sweat spot you discuss. I live at the top of a hill. I'm still pondering how to best tackle a second battery option - not wanting to pay £500+. More for a possible charge overnight if camping. Incidentally, I think the Mahle system is from a French automotive co, the motor possibly an adaption of car part, to a precision hub motor. Definitely enjoying seeing the Spanish countryside, with amazing views and engaging conversation.
Hi Andy - kind words, thank you. Well you know my range extender works, and is cheap. I’d really recommend it.The Mahle system was originally designed and developed by the Spanish company, Ebikemotion. To be honest, it’s not very sophisticated-I’ve used more flexible and powerful Chinese systems, but I’m obviously hoping for decent or even excellent longevity.
Thanks for the video. Got a D50 as it was a bit to big for the wife but it's made my hilly ride to work a breeze. I'm envious of all that sunshine and empty roads too!
Great review - a must for anyone considering this bike or any other ebikemotion x35 equipped bike. Interested you had so many second-hand options for this bike. Absolutely nothing here in Australia when I bought. Waited 3 months to get one new as well. Oh well, it was worth the wait. Thanks, again.
I Thanks for those kind words Neil. It was literally like the proverbial 3 buses turning up at once. I’d always dreamt of a Gain, but whilst my bike was all I truly needed, I would yearnfully check the classified for them but they were rare. When my bike died and my folks stepped in to offer to buy me a Gain, three were available in my size - a D30, a D10 and an M30. The D10 was nearly new, so…
I've had my Ribble Endurance SL e since February & I love owning an Ebike. I have had one broken spoke a month ago, so fingers crossed I don't get many more. I checked the app just like you did & my bike had done 136 miles & just 5 charge cycles (the owner said he only used the assist on the way home after leaving the group behind). I didn't know about the voltage whilst on full charge, so I've just done mine & at full it's reading 41.7 v, so I'm hoping it has plenty of life left in it. I think I did pretty well buying my first 2nd hand bike, as I managed to get it for exactly half what he paid. I've put a new chain on & bought myself some Ebike specific dry lube from Muc Off.
I had you down as an old hand Leon; you’ve been commenting here for a little while now? 41.7v is absolutely peak from a 36v battery. it’s broken in nicely and is giving more than it’s official maximum. Perfect. Don’t get too caught up with ebike specific stuff, that mostly relates to mid-drive motors where there are different stresses put on the drive than our hub motors. Quality is quality though so go for it. To my eye the Ribble SLe is about as pretty as ebikes get. Great choice.
@@yakoridesagain Hi yes your right, I have been commenting for a while, your videos Inspired me to try an Ebike, I hired one for a month to try out & was a mid drive one, which for me offered way too much assistance, but was then too heavy when above the cut off. I was in my mind after an Orbea Gain for the last 18 months or so, but when I spotted the Ribble Endurance SL e (in Anthracite grey) going for a song, I snapped it up straight away & being carbon fibre it is very easy to maintain over 30kmph on flats, which is actually better than my Trek road bike.
A very helpful hands on performance review. I am looking at buying a Mahle 35x equipped ebike. My big question, given its fairly low power output is, does it climb? I currently have a Bosch equipped mountain bike. If I set it at the top assist level I can blast up any hill, but I don't actually want that. I WANT to be 'huffed' a bit on a 10% climb. You confirmed that it is a 'just enough' power to give me a good workout without exhausting me. Thanks.
It is very difficult to tell - so much is down to your fitness and weight - but I couldn't honestly tell you that it climbs. At 10% it will definitely be you climbing, and unless you manage to maintain a decent speed, you may not get much assistance at all. If humanly possible, I would suggest you try before you buy as the Mahle X35 is absolutely chalk and cheese to your Bosch.
A very detailed review, especially helpful to a rider now in the market for a versatile ebike as clearly based on considerable experience in 'real world' conditions. Thanks a lot!
My pleasure, Ian. If you are in funds, waiting for Mahle’s next generation X20 system, currently being rolled out, will provide a number of advantages. Saying that, the X35+ is pretty good, and the X35 (second-hand only) has it’s niggles (as reported here) but is still fantastic. If you want a lightweight system for road-riding.
@@yakoridesagain Thanks for that! Don't think funds will stretch to the X20; also concerned about price rises on the way for 2023. Seeing a Gain D40 at a dealer tomorrow, so plenty to think about 🙂
This is awesome! Thanks for all of the valuable information. I’m looking forward to riding mine...once it arrives. I’m an avid cyclist, mostly road, that’s why I got the road version of Orbea bikes. I think I’ll be able to tackle the hills. I’m small and weight around...125. I got the bike because I want the comfort of traveling farther without being worn out, to keep up with faster male friends and not be sore afterwards. I did also purchase the range extender. Waiting for it it’s well. You were climbing some pretty steep hills in level 2! That gives me hope! Thanks for explains the range. If I’m not mistaken, you did about 30 miles. What was the total elevation. I’m planning to change the tires to gravel as well but 32mm for now. Still want the feel/quickness of a smaller tire. So, you think the stock seats are poor? The seat is one of the first things i change on my bike, it’s a preference. Looking forward to more insight! Thanks!
At 125lbs you will fly! I weigh more than twice that! The ride in the video climbed 2,700ft. The most I’ve managed to climb in one ride so far, with just the internal battery, was 993m or 3,260ft but came back with over 50% of the battery remaining as the hills weren’t steep. That’s why it is difficult to state what range is possible, but again, with your light weight, expect something incredible. Also, perhaps try the saddle before changing it - it could be perfect for you.
Hi Yako, just wanted to say thanks for an honest, no nonsense and informative review. I’ve been following your journey and finally took the plunge and got myself an Orbea M20. What a great bike! Best of look on your journey (and journeys) and please keep up the great work. Next step will be the DIY range extender…. Cheers Jase
Great to hear! The M20 is a real beauty, well done. What colour scheme did you go with? Good luck with the extender, it’s very easy - cutting off the charger plug is the hardest bit! Mine has transformed my riding, knowing you will likely never run out of help when you need it.
😂, that made me chuckle! She is Matt grey with gloss black logo/highlights. It stands out! I love the integrated lights. Just great to be out and not avoiding the hills due to gravity not being on my side!!!
Be very careful with that front light mount - if you have an expensive bike computer use a separate mount for it as the light mount snaps off. It’s almost a certainty. There is a FB group for Orbea Gain owners - it’s useful for advice but also nice people posting photos of their bikes/rides if you fancy it.
You will love it Richard. Genuinely excited for you! I’ve got loads of ride videos on the Gain here, if you fancy taking a look. If you like them, subscribe!
I bought a Orbea Gain M30 Flat Bar Custom direct from Orbea in April 2021, for £4168, the best bike I have ever had, but this year in June the battery failed, I wrote to Orbea about this, and got a short letter back saying, its nothing to do with them, its down to Mahle, the electric part of the bike, now after 4 months and minus £640 the bike is back in use, I hope that I don’t have to do this every 3 years (Paul Bragg)
Hi Paul. I’m a bit cross to see your comment - because I answered you days ago but it looks like it didn’t ‘send’! Sadly you have happened upon the worst element of owning an e-bike, and in this case, specifically an Orbea. Orbea and Mahle have never sorted out their accountability for when Mahle parts go wrong on an Orbea. They have the reputation of passing such issues off on each other, which is appalling for customer service (and future sales, in my opinion). Saying that, your issue was out of warranty, and it appears neither felt a goodwill gesture was in order. If e-bikes have a general weakness, it tends to be their batteries. If not stored perfectly, (or, again in my opinion, not used very regularly), a fault in one £3 cell can lead to the replacement of the entire £600 battery. With Mahle's system, this is also true for a fault with the controller, which sits inside the same casing as the battery. One resistor on the circuit board blows = new battery. Now for the better news. The Mahle system is one of the more reliable out there. Though I have heard of multiple cases like yours, I have heard more cases of six and seven years of fault-free bikes and batteries. My Gain is a 2018 model and the battery is in excellent shape with 18,000kms done, almost all in the few years I’ve owned it. Another owner did 36,000kms before needing a new battery due to reduced range. The key I think is to use the bike as much as possible, and if possible, to use a DIY range extender which halves the wear and tear, and load, on the internal battery. A Mahle extender will not do this. I’ve made a video on how you, or anyone you know who can do the 2 or 3 soldered joints required, can make one. An extender with quality cells should cost less than £120.
Thanks for the sub! Plenty of sunny vids in the back catalogue - I liked making Massive Climbs and a Monastery, but folks seem to be ignoring it? No accounting for taste! Plenty more coming…
I’ve ridden only fixed gears for about a decade and a half doing anywhere from 10-60 miles in a day. I too like to have a stroke and collapse when I reach the top of hills. Very excited for the gravel version Gain for some long range (200 mile round t trip?) bike packing though!
You will love it! Have a look at my DIY range extender video; it may be a useful support for a bikepacking adventure. I have a few planned for this year too - can’t wait!
@@yakoridesagain I actually have a power bank called the “Omni Charge Ultimate” that’s around 140wh with a 120w ac port so my plan was to hopefully get a little charge off that during scenic breaks. Probably nearing the price of the x35 range extender at this point with the spare batteries I have but I already own it (for charging a lot of camera gear) so I’m hoping that’ll work. If not I may just struggle though since I’m uh the only one with an ebike lol. Very cool work around for that expensive range extender though!
BTW, I have an Orbed Gain, and I too had a problem with spike tension in the rear wheel. I ended up having to replace it. Now I'll check the spoke tension regularly .
Very good video.. I have had my D50 for just over two years and I’ve upgraded the group set from Claris to 105. Interesting about the spoke issue you mentioned, I had to change around 3 or 4 spokes not long after I bought it but had no issues since. I’d like to upgrade the wheelset in the future from the original black jacks
That seems wise; from the various online forums I’ve not heard a lot of positive comments about the blackjacks (cracked spoke holes in particular). It would allow you to up the quality and, I'd suggest, the gauge of the rear spokes. Thanks for the support! Have you seen the range extender vid yet?
Great info, and a lot to consider v the Cube type EBikes! I’m around the 18st mark, and that range extender option sounds a great idea! The gravel riding ability, was the clincher for me! Thanks for a very informative video!
A pleasure, Del. I’ve posted how to make your own range extender now, which works better than the official one, by doubling both the range and life of the internal battery and even adding a little more power by reducing ‘voltage sag’. Take a look (and remember to subscribe!)
I’m very sorry to hear that aanon and wish you a very speedy recovery. If you were a fairly keen cyclist before then this would be a great choice. It gives a welcome amount of assist to take the hard edges off a climb but makes you work for it. With a heart rate monitor fitted, your Gain would adjust its assist level to match your heart rate automatically- something I don’t think I mentioned in the review. Quite a neat trick!
@@yakoridesagain hi! Wow now the HR adjustment is brilliant. That’s a game changer. I was looking at the Scott addict as I have 2 normal bikes. But eRide addict are insane prices. I missed out on sales of the M20 Gains, but it seems not worth the £2k price difference & 2kg weight penalty. I will be looking at the Gain D30i 105 Di2 X35 plus 13.65kg. I hit 50, had my first cardiac arrest 2 years ago November. Then this May a mini stroke & yet another heart surgery to clear a blockage. I was cycling a lot. They said it’s genetic & to continue cycling. The stroke took away my strength but it’s somewhere in the muscle memory. I will be selling two bikes to make space for thé Gain. PS i hope you are keeping well too, I was also told to lose even more weight. It’s hard work but I have been focusing on the biome. Eating live culture yogurt, weetabix to fill the gap or porridge. It’s worked as I lost 5kg. I now need to indoor cycle train, get gym rehab done & start back again. Google GP Hero Mearns to find my story
Now it’s mostly in the past…wow! What a fantastic story! What a mate to have had handy! Very happy to hear you will be getting back on the bike, and that I’ve maybe helped a little there. You’ll find the extra weight over a standard road bike matters not a bit even with the lowest assist. There is a little Facebook group that you may find helpful with your Gain, the Orbea Gain Electric Owners Club. Lots of helpful experience on there (and some slightly misguided advice too, but always trying to help!)
@@yakoridesagain thank you so much. I really enjoyed watching your video. I watched it 3 times, as I multi tasked. It’s insightful to know about the HR. What I also like is that you confirm there’s no difference between weights. As in: Orbea Gain Gain D40 X35 Tiagra 250w 248wH 14kg Gain D30 105 250w 248wH 14.2kg Gain D30i 105 Di2 X35 plus 13.65kg Gain M20i Ultegra X35 plus 12.1kg Gain M20 Ultegra X35 Plus 11.34kg At first I was hoping for the M20. It’s not available. It was cheaper £3.299 on sale, only in large :( but the D30i is available in a few weeks. It’s £500 more! But it will do. It’s also heavier. I didn’t see any décent used. There’s interest free credit, can’t balk at it. I feel lucky to be alive.
Electronic shifting isn’t cheap, I suppose. I’m surprised there aren’t more X35+ M20’s and M30’s from last year available as I would have thought these would be passed over by many buyers for this years models with the X20. I suppose those discounts were too attractive!
Fantastic video, and could have been made for me, in that I'm a bit fatter, bit older and generally more knackered. I'm looking at getting a used D30 Gravel, and your review encourages this - my only concern is I store my bikes outside under a waterproof cover, so may need a bike with a removable battery, firstly for the cold months, and secondly, to charge it.
That is the downside of the Mahle system, sadly. The cold affects all batteries though, even if they are charged indoors. Maybe check around for someone who is selling a metal shed? Probably cheaper than the difference between a used Gain and a used E bike with a removable battery…I hope you get something sorted. Good luck!
I've been enjoying you're review, particularly about the X35 range extender. I've got a Ribble SLe and was considering a range finder but put off by the ridiculous price. I've watched your other video regarding home made range extenders but am a bit nervous about attempting a build,. You mention "better systems available" what's the better system in Spain that uses batteries in parallel?
They are called Volabike, based in Valencia, but are still around £500 I think. One guy who watched the DIY vid bought an identical bottle cage battery to the one used by Volabike (and I mean the same one) for €180, added a diode for €8 and the charge connector and voila! As I mention, hoverboard batteries are considerably cheaper, but need to go in a bag. His was a neater job, but I like having 2 bottle cages. Might I suggest buying the bits and taking them to an appliance repair shop? There are only 5 soldered joints; they shouldn’t charge much…
Very beautyful scenery! Interesting Video. What about the difference between the Orbea and Specialized Creo, putting the Mahle motor in the centre of the bike. Have you ever compared these two?
If Specialised send me a Creo I will certainly give it a fair review! Mid motors offer more torque, so on paper better for climbing….but the bike’s are usually heavier so you really wouldn’t want to run out of battery…Personally I find the lump at the bottom bracket a bit ugly, but the Creo does look the best of this type.
I am 187 cm tall and weight 118 kg. I live in some pretty extreme Spanish mountains. I need electric assistance for the hardest mountains around here because the routes I want to take are 75 - 200 km long. So this system is bad for that? 18:30 Is there a better system on the market for me? I don't know if I can pedal up to above 15 km/h up these mountains with this Orbea Gain. If I can I guess this bike is perfect for me.
Hi Morten. You will struggle to find an e-bike that can give you 200km in mountains, even with a range extender, unless you are an exceptionally fit 118kg. The Gain, with an extender, is about the best for range, but struggles with very steep climbs of, say, 12% or more. It is possible, of course, but without knowing your level of fitness it is difficult to advise. There is always a compromise between power and range. You may need to decide whether you need a little assist on long rides, or plenty of assist on shorter rides. Bikes that have a mid-motor will be a better choice if it is steep hills you wish to conquer, as these are less affected by road speed so will help more at slower speeds (on steeper hills). Which part of Spain are you in?
Im looking to get ribble cgr e with that motor so was helpful. Spokes thing isn't great but can fix wheel if brake so. I live where flat only few small ups i just find riding harder now 46
@@yakoridesagain they upgraded hub o thats good then yes bike be new with mavic rims and grx 400 groupset . Thats fine now i ride 10 to 13mph so im thinking be fine
Hello - great review - new subscriber - please can you tell me whether the gain’s wheels are supposed to be sturdy enough for light trails? I see you enjoy the gravel and that gives me confidence, but I was just wondering whether they are meant as an allroad wheel if that makes sense? I’m 16 stone - It would be great to use as an all rounder as you say but I was under the impression they were meant to only be used on the road. Hope that makes sense. Thanks.
Well, they are 32 spoke at the rear so they are sturdy. I saw somewhere they are rated for 150kg too I think. I’ve used them on TERRIBLE terrain (most recently in ‘A Proper Bikepacking Adventure Part 2, but that was smooth compared to some) and swing between 18 and 20 stone (yes, I know I don’t look it ;-) ). Spokes do occasionally break though… I’m glad to report that this happens to skinny owners too as it is a design fault of the oldest X35 hub motors, since addressed. But I’m slowly replacing them with Sapim Race spokes at a few pennies each and they don’t break. I think you should dive in, Geordie. Any questions in the future I’m right here.
Really good review. Lots of information in there. I’ve got a Gain M30 and absolutely love it. I’ve found the battery life to be good, although I only use it when I’m tired. Keep up the good work.
This was a really good post, very detailed & honest review. I've had my Gain for 2 yrs now done a good few miles & completely agree with your review. It's a great bike the emotion system gives you just enough assistance - & i'm no racing snake. You mentioned an alternative to the range extender - anyone got a link?
That’s kind shredjoe. Nice to have it all confirmed! If you’ve not got one yet I’ve another vid that shows how to make a cheap range extender. They work perfectly.
Hi. Great review and now a proud Gain owner. I find the 15mph limit frustrating. Do you know a way to tweak to 20ish (like US market). That would make the bike perfect. Thanks
Volabike, based here in Spain, but on EBay everywhere I believe, do a ‘speed dongle’ that plugs in easily onto the cable that goes to the motor. It fools the controller into thinking you are going slower - but the motor still only gives you maybe 2mph more. Others make similar ones too, all around €100. It also means rides recorded on the Mahle app are incorrect, if you plan to use that for that purpose. Are you using it to commute? If so it may be worth it; otherwise, as you will be riding more than you used to, you will be getting fitter and that cutoff is something you will look forward to getting to and beyond, as it means you will have more battery left for the bumpy bits.
Hi, thanks for this very interesting and informative upload. I bough the Orbia gain 16 months ago, never ridden it and now just manage to get it over to my second home in Spain Catalonia (Peñiscola) if you have any suggestions on places go with the bike. Barry
well a lot depends on what you are used to riding…the sea front between you and San Carles de Rapita is lovely and generally quiet, but behind you and into the hills you have some absolutely amazing scenery around Morella. it’s a bit outside my normal range, but you also have a fantastic Via Verde to your south that runs from Castellón up to Teruel and beyond. you could also Google The Quiet Route, which is down your way. other things that aren’t too far are Valderobres/Beceite which are gorgeous…you will find so many places to ride - let’s not get me started on all of the El Cid era towers, fortresses etc down there…
Hello from France, congratulations for your video. Now I ride à gravel Felt 30 and your bike seem me interresting for my practice . I am 66 years and my profil is similar to a rubyman 😉 Perhaps, it’s Time for me to choice an electric gravel. I found this rear motor on different provider of bike as Ribe, Orbea, Bianchi….and it seem me that their frame are similar ? Sorry for my bad english language 😉
Yes, as you say , there are many bikes with the ‘Ebikemotion’ system. For me, only the Orbea and Ribble are good value for money, and with care, an Orbea can be found to buy in used condition. The differences in weight between aluminium and carbon frames disappear because of the help from the motor. After that, the differences are only the label and looks.
@@yakoridesagain I am also in France and would likewise like to congratulate on your excellent video - all of them, in fact - with the description of how to ride to utilise the benefits of the system so well explained. While very interested in bikes like the Gain and the Ribble, unfortunately financial considerations mean that my interest has to be purely academic, but, motivated by videos like yours and others, I did go down another route which resulted in a not too dissimilar compromise, which might interest you to hear about. After finally accepting that the hills around where I live (that I used to ride up) had inexplicably got longer and steeper, with limiting myself to what few flat areas there are, becoming decidedly tiresome, I decided, when I reached 90 not long ago, that some electric assist might not come amiss. Disliking the looks, and weight, of the cheaper e-bikes, and so wanting to retain my road bike and keep it unchanged as far as possible, my researches led me to look into friction drive kits. Dug around a lot and, long story short, finally bought a very light simple kit which consisted of a neat, down tube fixed, battery, and a small 250W motor fixed to the seat tube, which drives the rear wheel. That's all there is - no handlebar attachments, so I just use my normal computer. The weight of the bike and kit all up is 13.5kg, which actually compares favourably with an e-road bike, I believe, and the changes to the bike's appearance are unobtrusive. It is obviously not as refined as the 'Emotion' rear hub system (you get what you pay for, after all), with the main difference being that that there are no variable assist levels - just the one. What is interesting though, is despite that, my experience of hill climbing with that motor is very similar to the way you describe it with the 'Emotion' - I think probably that a careful use of the gearing can adjust somewhat for the power being non-variable. It provides an adequate level of assist, and although not a very big battery, on continuous use on mixed terrain it hits the claimed 40km range pretty well spot on. Since without power the bike rides normally, I don't use assist much on the flat, (although it is very useful in a strong headwind), so I find I only use a portion of the battery on most of my rides anyway. So, a compromise, as I say, but I have no complaints, and after resisting the e-bike idea for a long while, I am delighted that I have now taken the plunge. It has enabled me to extend my rides somewhat, and indeed, taken me to back to some of the areas I have been avoiding for the last two or three (manual) years. Best wishes and keep the videos coming.
Thank you for your kind words. It is excellent to hear that you are still hitting the hills Edward. Your bike is indeed the same weight as mine. How are you finding tyre wear with your system?
@@yakoridesagain Hi! Yet to be fully evaluated, although all the reviewers who had allegedly used the system said there was no problem. I unthinkingly fitted the thing on a very old tyre initially and it did actually finish it off fairly quickly, but I have done 550km to date on the replacement and it shows little or no sign of wear at all. I suppose I can console myself with the thought that the kit price was so comparatively reasonable (about 600 euros), that I'll still be in pocket if I have to fit a new tyre annually - for whatever number of years I can carry on. We shall see! Keep up the good work. By the way, if you would like to see the system itself in operation, it is the REVOS kit and is manufactured in Bristol. A visit to revolutionworks.co.uk gives all the details with videos of the thing in action.
Hi - watched you reveuw on the Orgea Gain - well done! Thought it was the most realistic one for your 'average' rider. Could you please advise me of the battery extender you were talking about which runs in parallel? Mark
Hi Mark. Thanks for those kind words. I’ve made a vid all about my DIYrange extender, just check on my channel homepage as it comes up on the ‘most popular’ section. I’m about to do a brief update on it too, as it is superb, frankly. If you have questions after watching it, ask away.
So I’m torn between this possibly the carbon more for comfort than weight and the Specialized Creo . How does it feel when out of the saddle ? The Vado sl my friend has claims really well I can climb I’m Guessing in the turbo mode of course about 10-13 mph on 10% incline. But feel it’s slow once The assistance cuts out but feel it would be better with different tyres . It has pathfinders I’m going to test ride one but it’s on roads I’m not Familiar with . Just don’t want to buy something I will easily out grow once I loss the weight and have had the valve replaced . Must admit that the Ebike real does get rid of the Anxiety of comings to a Holt on a big hill and on clipping and walking in Dodgy shoes 😂
The people I know with carbon Gains do love them. For me of course the 2kgs weight saved would be better coming off my arse so happy to stick with the D10. The resale value, if you buy second hand ( carefully) should mean you can change /upgrade as the weight comes off with little or no depreciation in the price paid.
Nice video thanks. I'm looking at e-bikes with the ebikemotion system, intending to buy on the cycle scheme. I want a road oriented bike that doesn't weigh a ton, with a decent turn of speed unassisted that will give me some help up the hills. But I also need mudguards and a rack for commuting and not be limited to super skinny road tyres. So I've been looking mainly at electric gravel bikes. My commute is less than 5 miles but with a fairly steep hill at the end on the way home. Due to the prevailing winds it's often into a stiff headwind on top of that so it's a real slog and that assistance would be This bike seems to tick most of the boxes with the tyre clearance but can it take a rack?
You will need to check modern specs, but the aluminium road Gains were drilled for mudguards and racks in earlier models like mine. Saying that, there are racks that fit onto seat stays and seat posts that work with un-drilled carbon frames, and SKS Raceblade Pros mudguards similarly need no mounting points, so choose which model suits your needs best. Re tyres, I run 38mm gravel tyres when off-road on my Gain, and I understand the recent ones are even more generous, so don’t buy a gravel version unless the gearing suits you better.
@@yakoridesagain Cheers. Orbea website quotes max tyre size as 700x40 but I'm not sure what the max size with guards would be. Ideally I'd want to be able to fit 35c with them.
There’s a FB group called Orbea Gain electric owners club. There are more than 500 Gain owners there. I don’t think you will have any problems at all but there will be someone on there who has found the maximum. Sorry I can’t help more but *smug face* I don’t need mudguards out here!
Excellent videos! Thank you Yako full of the real nuts and bolts of riding this bike - Thinking of getting Orbea Gain or Ribble ALE and those tyres look brilliant - Do you have a link for these Decathlon tyres please? 🙂
Very kind Giles. the tyres are B’Twin Trekking Speed - my link is to Decathlon in Spain, but the name should get you there. Take a look at my Miravet vid, towards the end, and you can see how capable these tyres are over very rough terrain. There are no signs of wear yet, with around 1600kms of gravel on them.
Great video, I am getting my D30 29th Jan and cant wait. Just wanted to know where you get your clothes from. I am a similar manly build to yourself and 100kg. Just a beginner with a new knee and ankle fusion so not your fittest guy but need to get out and ride as I love it. Spent a couple of years on a gravel bike max distance 30miles just recently so want to get out more this year. Thanks.
I am truly excited for you. You are going to love it! Say goodbye to your family and friends now (unless you can drag them along!). I feel very flattered that you feel we have similar builds when I started the year a third heavier than you! For manly-sized clothes I’d recommend Altura and slightly cheaper, D2D on eBay. For me, the latter wins as the quality is at least as good as the lower end of the Altura range. If you have the cash, Fat Lad at the Back come highly recommended too. I also have several older Muddy Fox jerseys which I love. For comfort, try to look out for mountain bike specific kit. It’s not as clingy, and we’re not exactly aero ourselves…have fun, and let me know how you go.
Hi, Great video very informative, i am also a Brit, i am living in Canada, i just purchased an Argon 18 Subito ( bike made in Montreal Canada )with the same e-motion system as yours, I am interested to know were you got the info about the power percentage pertaining to the sweet spot of 15 - 25 km/hr. following all your video`s enjoying them very much. i went to Spain a lot which was great, but unfortunately before i became a ardent cyclists, it`s great to see the roads less travelled that you ride along.
Thanks Alan. You have a nice bike there. Did it come with the Hunt wheels? The sweet spot info came from either an Ebikemotion or Mahle official site or marketing. They don’t give % figures, just that that is where the motor produces the most power. From riding the bike, it feels to me that you could narrow that to 19-20kmh to 25kmh. I was talking to someone yesterday who actually had the motor stop on a horrendous hill because they couldn’t pedal enough for the PAS sensor to detect he was pedalling at all, so go carefully if you are hitting some crazy Rocky Mountain pass!
@@yakoridesagain hello, i have only ridden the bike 2 times, no really big hills here, enough to make you puff, but not long ,probably about 2 k in length but can be 10 - 12 %. no it came with Vision Team 30 wheels, it`s carbon only weighs about 25 lbs, which is heavier that my trek madone weighing in at about 15 lbs. i put conti 5000 tires on 700 x 32 love conti`s expensive but great grip, i am planning to go gravel riding as well i have a set of panaracers 700 x 38 also great tires, we are coming out of winter here, i live near Toronto, so hope to ride more soon. thanks for the info and keep up the great vids.
Thanks Gareth. Just curious about one thing - what is it like to ride when the battery is dead - compared say to your last bike? Does it feel like you're dragging a lump around or can't you tell?
I generally don’t use the assist until I get tired as when you are fresh it’s just a 13kg road bike so a good work out. I’ve only run out of battery once, and that was at the end of a tough ride on a 15% climb and I thought I’d die. Felt like a lump then, but mostly because it had been helping me up the hills until that point. You get used to the feeling and when it’s gone, it’s definitely worse than not having it in the first place - if that makes sense?
I have a D30. It’s a heavy bike up a hill. Think of the lowest assist taking away that extra weight and leaving you with a standard carbon bike. That is up to 25km/h of course so on the flat you won’t benefit from the motor assuming you are moving above that speed. I actually just leave it on green at 40% - 40watts. My battery usage tells me it’s rarely helping except on hills. Downhill, it’s a heavy road bike and goes down like a treat. You’ll never use the motor. I use the higher levels into bad headwinds and when I’m really tired on hills while commuting. I also use on difficult gravel tracks where I may need a big turn of power to get out of trouble.
Thank you for your video and honest review. I have a local shop that sells the M30 2020 version for 2k5€ It is full carbon and with 105 transmission. I wanted to go for a E gravel but the range of price more like 4k-5k€ Does it look like a banger for this price ?
It’s an excellent price - make sure you get the full 2 year warranty as batteries aren’t keen on being left unused. You will be able to fit gravel tyres, and the motor helps with the gearing differences - if not, you can fit a bigger cassette or chainrings and still be laughing, money wise.
@@yakoridesagain thank you for your help. I will try it tomorrow to make sûre this is thé correct sise : this is à M size, i'm 1m67, so à little too short according to thé size recommandation. If it's à match, i will go for it !
I hope it fits - the sizing can be a little larger than expected - I’m sure you know, it’s easier to make a smaller bike fit you than one that is already too large…
I haven’t, but the systems are quite different with pros and cons for each. The Fazua system is heavier, and less stealthy, but is more powerful and works by detecting how much pressure you are applying (torque) which many people love. Also, the motor and battery can be popped out leaving you with a road bike nearly 4kgs lighter. If possible, test ride both.
It is straightforward to remove with just a few screws - but just not something you would want to do often, as the cables must be disconnected to the button on the top tube and re-feeding them back up inside the frame needs some forethought. Not in any way a difficult job, nor one you are likely to need to do for many years.
That was a terrific review and certainly answered most of my questions regarding the Gain. I’m still tentative about getting one since I live in a hilly area and afraid the battery will not last very long. Also, you may have answered this already, but sorry, I’ll ask again. When riding a standard road bike as compared to the Gain on flat terrain (with no power assist), do you notice quite a bit of resistance? Or is it so minuscule that you forget about it? Thanks
Glad you liked the review. A range extender may be an idea for you, but it is surprising how far you can climb with the internal battery, and of course you will likely improve as you go along. Regarding resistance, if you lift the rear wheel off the ground and give it a spin, it runs for a much shorter time than a hub with no motor, but it still spins well. Put the weight of a rider on top of that and inertia makes that very slight resistance impossible to feel. There IS a well-documented sensation when the motor is switched off or the power level reduced of ‘cycling through treacle’. This is not resistance by the motor, but simply that you have got used to the assist and can really feel it’s loss! Many newcomers to ebikes complain of this until it is explained to them.
Thanks Zoster. Yes, I should have included this question as the answer isn’t that well known amongst Gain owners. There is NO perceivable drag from the motor at cut-off speed. All that is happening is that, quite suddenly with the Gain, your ebike turns back into an unassisted bike. It feels as though that motor is dragging - it is not. It’s that all of the power suddenly comes just from you. This is something that is widely known in ebike circles (check forums such as the excellent Pedelecs and ElectrikeBikeForum - this sensation is well- documented there). Buying a speed dongle smooths the cut-off, but the speed gain (2-3kmh) doesn’t justify the expense, for me, as the cut-off sensation is something you quickly get used to. Some Gain owners report motor drag at other settings too, but a quick check with the bike in the stand and a spin of the wheel shows that yes, the wheel doesn’t spin as freely as a normal hub, but it doesn’t perceptively with the motor on or off.
Agree with poor spoke tension. Mine developed the dreaded hard to find squeak, checked non drive side rear wheel and all spikes on that side loose. Tightened, drop of oil on the nipples, and problem solved
Great video. You repeatedly say that the motor is less efficient at < 15kph but surely that depends on the gear doesn't it? It's just torque at the end of the day surely?
Thanks Alan! Electric motors are wound to produce their maximum torque when they are spinning at a particular speed. This varies with the motor. Ebikemotion/Mahle chose to make their motor most efficient and powerful when the wheel/hub is spinning at near 25kmh. The gear you are in doesn’t affect that. Cadence doesn’t affect the amount of power the motor produces. Other systems do utilise other sensors - cadence and power - to affect motor output, but not the Gain.
Excellent! It’s worth fiddling with the power settings on the MySmartBike app so that each level is what you need it to be. Apologies if you have done this already, but I have my green set to 80% (80w) orange to 80% (140w) but red I have maxxed at 100% (250w) cos if I switch to red I’m in big trouble and need all the help I can get. The others are quite high as I am heavy.
Hey! Thanks for a very interesting video! After my third cancer course, I have big problems on the hills and in headwind. I have therefore, after thorough research, just bought an Orbea like yours and am now waiting to receive it. With several fine carbon bikes in the garage, it has been something of a defeat for me to have to take that step - but the Mahle X35 system means that I have been able to "surrender" with a "clear conscience" after stepping into it ultimate class "Between 80 and Skin dead". _________________ _______0 _____~\
Looking at it as entering a new (impressive) class with a new bike is a great way of looking at it! Well done! Cancer just knocks you for 6, no defeat in getting back on any bike after. I have no doubt you will love it. Doesn’t Sean Kelly now ride an e-bike?
Hi Rob - you will love that bike! The extender company is called Volabike; but be aware they take a £200 AliExpress bottle battery, add a diode and a connector and charge £500. I’ve made a video on how to make your own. Mine cost £105 and works really well.
@@yakoridesagain thanks I'm no good at making stuff like that lol. Bike on charge flash green but then flash white do you no what meen i cant see why be white🤷
Absolutely make your own, or have it made with parts you buy. The available ones have significant flaws. The official Mahle is hugely overpriced and is but a small capacity battery charger. They can have charge left but in certain high load situations are unable to charge your internal battery. The only alternative is Volabike, which is a better system, with better capacity but is in fact a 200 dollar AliExpress bottle battery with a 4 dollar diode and Mahle-specific plug fitted. They cost 550 dollars are are a rip off. I've posted on my channel how to do your own one in another video. I've been using mine without problems for around 4 months I think. You could make one identical (and I do mean identical) to the Volabike, or one like mine which fits in a saddlebag for extra stealth and leaving the second bottle cage free for drinks. An appliance repair shop could do the soldering if you don't fancy it. Mine cost 110euros and is brilliant.
How much does the bike weigh? I picked one up in a shop (admittedly the bottom of the range model) and was surprised by how heavy it felt. Can you feel the weight when you are riding it?
The D series range from 13-14kgs - with the electric system 3.5kgs of that. The carbon Gains are I believe 1.5kgs less. Without the power on it feels a little sluggish compared to an unassisted bike when accelerating. But the assist, even at the lowest level, takes that away and adds more. I tend to ride the flats at over the cutoff speed and it doesn’t feel heavy then. The difference comes on hills, when YOU feel kilos lighter!
I believe they were saying August was the most likely month for first delivery. Could be wrong though. ‘22 carbon Gains should be getting cheaper right now though - still amazing bikes. Fingers crossed my Orbea factory visit and new Gain test-ride will be happening in April so I can tell you whether they are worth the wait!
They certainly are - though the bigger power output will need the bigger battery to give the same range. I’m keen to try it, especially the electronics - an AI, they say!
I’m 270…It helps. For me, maybe not quite enough when it goes over 12%, but if you check though my other vids, I’ve used it on 29%. It all depends on how much you can put in. If you can currently climb a hill at 15kmh, it will help a lot. If you are toiling up at 8kmh, the motor isn’t really powerful enough to do so much. Of course, if your plan is to get fitter, it’s perfect.
hallo posr…the motor does not cause significant drag over 25km/h. Personally, I do not feel it, but you do feel the extra weight of the bike over a carbon road bike, for example. The help that the Gain provides on hills and with headwinds is much more significant. Hallo posr...der Motor verursacht keinen signifikanten Widerstand über 25 km/h. Ich persönlich fühle es nicht, aber Sie spüren zum Beispiel das zusätzliche Gewicht des Fahrrads gegenüber einem Carbon-Rennrad. Die Hilfe, die der Gain auf Hügeln und bei Gegenwind bietet, ist viel bedeutender. Yako
@@yakoridesagain Hallo, danke für die schnelle Antwort. Dreht der motor frei beim Bergab fahren? Ich sehe immer wieder dass normale bikes bergab schneller fahren können als ebikes gleicher bauart, weil dort der Motor quasi mitläuft.
bitte mach dir keine Sorgen. Ich liebe Abfahrten. Hier in der Nähe ist ein Hügel. Ich fahre jetzt 3 km/h schneller auf dem Gain (bei 91 km/h) aufgrund des zusätzlichen Gewichts. Ich schlage mit dem Gain alle meine „persönlichen Bestleistungen“ von Strava.
Great review! Currently waiting for a Ribble bike with the same ebike motion. To save power do You recommend switching down to zero power on downhills? Thanks
Thanks Mark! The key time (for me) to switch it off is when, if you leave it on, it will try to take you up to the cut-off at (in Europe) 25kmh, when you are happy to pootle along. This is at the tops of hills for me. I could toggle through to ‘idle’ instead, but I’m often not capable of thought at that time and a single long thumb push is all I can manage. As soon as you are past 25kmh the engine shuts down anyway in whatever level you are in, so in descents there’s is no need to turn it off. I cannot tell the difference between ‘off’ and ‘idle’ (ie system on but not giving power) in terms of resistance/drag…and of course you will decide what feels right for you, hopefully very soon! You are going to love that Ribble. It’s a beautiful bike!
in my neighborhood, there is a residential hill that, according to my tablet's angle measurer, starts at 3 percent, then 4 and then a horrible 5 percent. i can't do 5% unless i'm using granny gear on my mountain bike, but you are claiming your hills are 8 to 10 percent. it doesn't look that steep where you are.
I hope you are kidding Bluthar! Sorry to be the bearer of ill-tidings, but 5% isn’t considered steep - a 1 in 20? Catalunya is home to some fairly steep hills, I assure you. I try to avoid ones that go over 10% unless they are short; sadly many are not.
@@yakoridesagain No, i sure was not kidding. i just used my angle meter on my tablet. i tried hard to do it correctly. i frequently walk up this hill and i consider it very taxing. Maybe because i am 73. or maybe the angle meter was not being used correctly.
I use an app called Strava when I’m riding. Many climbs (from around the world) are recorded on it - perhaps this street is on it? If so, you will be able to see a profile of it, and what % it is at any point along it. I use this, plus an inclinometer on my cycling computer, to determine what grade I am climbing. You get used to what each % point feels like over the years and can often quite accurately gauge it, before looking down and checking on the computer. I’m happy to check your street for you if you tell me the street name and city.
I stumbled across your channel because I’m looking at buying a new Orbea Gain, which uses the new X20 motor and a 350wh battery. Great video. Really down to earth, nothing fancy (no disrespect intended!) just a normal bloke talking to other normal blokes about what we want to know. Really well done. And Thankyou. 👍
Welcome Mike! And many thanks!
I was supposed to be going on an Orbea factory visit and test ride on the X20 Gain over a year ago but got Covid. Orbea have promised me one to trial ever since but as yet it hasn’t materialised. The system sounds very promising - if you have questions there is a Facebook group called Orbea X20 Owners Club where you could get a decent idea of what they are like to ride (unless Orbea pull their finger out and I can finally do my review!).
What a fantastic review.
I purchased my D10 just 12months ago , I have done 3,500 miles since with a lot of steep hills in my rides.
I purchased the bike from eBay ?, which as you all know is a gamble in its self.
The Orbea D 10 was literally unmarked , the seller seemed a honest bloke . I paid £1700 for the bike and on the box was the original price of £3000 so with that in mind I thought if it needs a new battery I had allowed for this in the buying price.
The bike looked so good and unmarked , that my mates thought I had purchased a brand new one.
I fitted new mudguards and lights , I never take the bike out in the rain , I prefer to keep it dry at all times if that's possible.
The first ride out on the flat roads gave me a 70 miles to the gallon ride!, which proved that the battery was as good as he told me so .
12 months on and riding the bike as normal , I can achieve about 42 miles to the gallon! I love the bike even better than my carbon Dogma , I am 73 years old and live by some serious big climbs and I am not phased by them.
I recharge the bike every day ready for my next ride .
Your review was the best honest detailed review I have ever read .
I just wish that I could do the things that you do to the electrics.
You sound a knowledgable bloke and I wished you lived locally to me ah ah ah!.
I have the app downloaded to my wife's phone , but it' means not a lot to me from my generation.
Thanks for that! Much appreciated. Gains really are a game changer. Happy you are getting on so well with yours.
This must be the most honest, detailed, insightful and witty review I've seen. You have obviously ridden this bike for a good while and have got to know its strengths and weaknesses, and you're happy to share with us exactly what they are.
I think you like it 😏 🤣
Thanks for an enjoyable 30mins, it flew by, that must be the motor assist 😉.
Blimey! Thank you! Yeah, I am quite keen on it. Guess it shows, maybe a little!
Excellent stuff. Don't under promote yourself. You did a fab comprehensive job, addressing the main points we, newbies to ebikes, want covered. Well done, I'll look for your other vids now too. Thabkss.
Ha many thanks. Hope you found it useful. Oh, but you’ve got some catching up to do!
Just watched. Thank you for great review. As an older heavier rider, I like seeing real life reviews.
Thanks Clifford. This vid is looking a bit amateurish now...perhaps I should do an update. Still a great bike though, and the system is proving very reliable.
Of the several hundred reviews I've watched over the years on road and commuter ebikes, this is the best! Really insightful info, clearly expressed, and my god is the region gorgeous! Thanks
Wow! Can I quote you on that Clay? Lol. Many thanks. I’m reviewing the all- new Gain in a few weeks - and riding home from the Orbea factory on it too. Should be able to give you a decent idea of it’s qualities - it’s a 5 day trip.
Thankyou for your review which is much more informative than the manufacturer’s. The Orbea and the Ribble e bikes are both on long delivery times ie September / October. Please continue with your films which are an enjoyable watch along with a history lesson of the places you ride through. Can’t believe you only have 62 subscribers. Good luck and good riding for the future.
Thanks Terry. That global shortage is getting to be a serious pain. I will continue! I’ve got some real crackers lined up, but may have to wait for warmer weather/longer days for some of them.
Hmm, seems like my response to you Terry got lost…I just said yes, this global supply thing is really getting to be a pain. I also said yes! I will continue, but will have to wait for warmer weather and longer days for some of the more epic rides I have planned…glad you’ve liked them so far.
I’ve just ordered an Orbea Gain M31e and I think this is the best review I’ve seen. Okay, not exactly the same bike but almost everything is relevant. I was especially interested to hear about a ‘sweet spot’ and plus your mention of use on gravel, as I’ve specified gravel tyres in the build. Good luck with your riding in a fabulous part of Europe!
Many thanks! You will find that the new X20 system on your M31 will be more versatile - and more powerful - than the older X35. Hub motors still struggle more at slower speeds, but yours works in a much smoother way, using cadence and torque sensors to vary the output.
I think you are going to love it! Let me know after your first ride!
I was thinking about buying a 1 year old Gain M30 and your video was exactly what I needed to be able to check it out. The battery was at 14.5v and it had only done 1k km. I bought the bike and I'm absolutely delighted with it. Many thanks.
well done! I hope that 14.5v was a typo though!! The m30 is actually the Gain sweet spot in my opinion, the lovely looking lighter carbon frame with the 105 group set. Perfect! Remember the DIY range extender if you need one, def superior to the official Mahle portable charger/extender…
@@yakoridesagain Oops, for 14 read 37. I'm on a learning curve as it's my first electric!
Hi Yako, the learning curve continues! I'm only using the battery on climbs but I've read that they shouldn't be used for short periods. Is this true? It seems strange to me as power tools etc are on,/off use. Would it be better to set level 1 at say 10% and have it on all the time? Thanks
That’s utter nonsense, you’ll be pleased to learn. Most Gain owners I know leave it on green the whole ride, unless they push it up to orange or red when necessary. I try to ride with the system on but no assist, but happily use it for very long periods in orange. If it is very hot out, I suppose using it on Max for extended periods with high loads might overheat the motor, so avoid Alpe d’Huez until your legs are stronger! I have my three settings at 80% (of 100w), 80% (of 175w) and 100% (of 250w) and that is great for me.
Whoops! Mis-read your comment, apologies! I’m not sure why you would want to have the assist on for a very short time, but if you ride at or around the 25kmh cut off, the motor cycles on/off constantly. This happens to me and my battery/motor are completely ok.
Thank you. Super down to earth, honest review from a "real" rider rather than lycra clad superhero with 2% body fat. I am middle aged and just getting onto my first ebike through the UK cycle to work scheme. Just looking at the Orbea Gain D40 and your video was the first thing Google showed me for a review. GREAT video.
Many thanks Paul. You’ve saved yourself a lot of time…buy it! There is a nice community of helpful Gain owners at The Orbea Gain Electric Owners Club on Facebook if you have questions - but if you could subscribe here I’d be grateful…I’m closing in on 1000 subs and you could help! Oh, and I AM a Lycra-clad superhero…but nearer 40% body fat I suspect! But take a look at yesterday’s vid and tell me that a little middle-age spread doesn’t help with those descents!
Just one question (this is my first ebike and many things to learn here). I live in the UK, so I will be cycling down a lot of canal routes with the bike, which are NOT perfect asphalt. Would this "kill" a road bike, should I be looking more at a "gravel" bike? OR is it a simple case of switching out the tyres? I ask as I prefer the style of something like this, versus a typical straight handlebar mountain bike type look.
Let me know oh wise one.@@yakoridesagain
I can help you my child. No, you won’t kill a road bike on canal towpaths…BUT bigger tyres, that you can run at lower pressures, will help your comfort if you hit pot holes etc. I’ve done lots of pretty awful routes on the Gain, on both road tyres and 38mm gravel tyres, and the bike is fine. Great, actually. If you find the ride too rough, even with wider, softer tyres, you can fit aftermarket suspension seat posts and stems that will make things even more comfortable. Have a look at my gravel “playlist” on the channel and you can see what my bike has to put up with, poor thing. There are gravel Gain’s too. They come fitted with chunky tyres and gears that will help more on very steep gravelly climbs. You may ‘run out’ of gears on fast road descents though. For my money a road Gain, with spare gravel tyres, does everything I need.
@@yakoridesagain just put my order in. You had at me at playlist. Should be here in 2 weeks
After watching your video, explaining how it worked and the "just enough" principle, you convinced me that the ORBEA Gain was the one I should get. My husband and daughter had suggested an e-bike but I felt like it was cheating but I couldn't keep up with them! Had to wait a while but I truly love it, I can now keep up with my husband when I am out on the hills but I am still putting the effort in cycling! You never know we may bump into you when we are cycling in Spain during our motorhome travels
I do wish I was getting a commission! You are now the eleventh person I’ve convinced who has told me! They are fantastic machines though, aren’t they. Very happy you have taken the plunge. I hope you are getting some ideas for one of your Spanish trips from my other vids?
One of if not the best videos I've seen on this ebike system I think you've just ended my extensive research thanks
Glad it helped Nick. If you have any questions, just ask. Please let me know if you do buy…I’m hoping it will convince Orbea to let me carry on testing their e-bikes!
What a great review, as in an actual review that potential buyers of this bike want, and need, to hear !
Not the usual just quoting of the manufacturers bumf.
Cheers 👍
Cheers Tony. Probably needs an update by now though!
@@yakoridesagain yes, there are a few versions of Gain now.
Good interesting video, I’ve had the F10 for over 18 months and love it, it has great components and a relaxed riding position, I’ve used it over the winter months instead of my carbon road bike as it feels a lot safer in poor conditions, i often use it to test out new routes for steep hills to judge if I can make them on my road bike at a later date. There has been many a time when I haven’t fancied making the effort to go for a ride but knowing the battery is there if I need it is the difference between actually going out or sitting on my arse at home.
Exactly! Having the battery as a helpful friend really helps get you out there- well, see what it’s done for me - I feel like an adventurer these days, seeking out brave new worlds (etc). Take a look at my rides on the channel, anyway, if you have the time.
Just bought a mint Gain d40 this morning 2nd hand following on from your reviews. 2022 model which was £2899 bought for £1325 so the tightwad in me is chuffed. The chap had only ridden it 14 miles with 1 charge cycle (verified by app as you suggested) and, having taken it for a quick spin I understand why he wanted to sell it but also why it suits me perfectly. He didn’t understand the ‘just enough’ idea and instead thought it would fly up hills without needing to pedal. Like you say, you do need to work, but it helps you to do that. Anyway, one happy purchaser and once again thanks for your vids! I also love the integrated lights.
Excellent bargain! just be careful with that front light mount. it WILL snap off if you put anything but the smallest bike computer on it.
Power to the husky people! I'm about your size, and I am also a bike research fanatic. I've been riding (besides my childhood) for 44 years (I'm 66). The other day, I road 16 hilly miles on Maui with a guy on an Orbea Gain. At first, I didn't know it had a battery. Then we hit the hills. He got to the top so easily. I huffed some on my Litespeed road bike. I am interested in the Gain. Thank you for a great video. I am subscribed.
Many thanks Peter! Yesterday I rode with 2 guys I had influenced to buy e-road bikes (another Gain and a Lapierre). They said their riding had been transformed…we chat a bit about it in this week’s vid if you fancy a look. Thanks for the sub!
Did you ever buy the Gain, Peter?
I’ve previously commented on this video but now have something a little different to add. From owning my Orbea Gain F10 for two years I decided to go for the Carbon M30. I rode it from September 22 to November 22 then kept it indoors until February 23. My total mileage was 383 miles of which assist was used for 46 miles then the battery shut down completely whilst on a ride and couldn’t be re charged.
As the bike was only six months old I took it back to the dealers who then submitted the warranty to Orbea.
The warranty was refused, claiming I had undercharged the battery therefore causing it to be damaged.
I was offered a new battery at a cost of £650 or a re condition one for £250.
To say I was shocked at this is an understatement, at the moment , thanks to the support from the dealers Leisure Lakes, it looks like Orbea will honour the warranty but this opens up a minefield on the subject of charging these batteries “correctly “ , having previously owned an Orbea Gain I was fully aware of what was required so was disappointed with their response.
Just something to be aware of should your subscribers encounter a similar situation.
Thank you for posting this Peter. Frankly, I’m appalled. No battery should die after six months, and so lightly used. There is far too much made of the correct treatment of lithium batteries. Yes, you can optimise their treatment to extend their lives, but the cells are remarkably hardy. I have a few ‘go-to’ tools as a builder. One is a 18v Makita drill. That thing has been used and very badly abused for 15years and I still have the 2 original batteries, now down to half of their original capacity, but working well.
May I suggest that if you use Facebook, you join the Orbea Gain Electric Owners Club? Not only are there the usual, helpful types, but there are also a few Orbea employees who monitor the group, unofficially, but I suspect they do this to check on issues that crop up. There is even a battery engineer Gain owner who has come in handy from time to time. I think the more Gain owners in the group, the stronger a say we may have…but who knows. One thing is for sure, there is a strong feeling of resentment towards Orbea’s customer service.
@@yakoridesagain Thanks for this suggestion, I wasn’t aware the group existed,I have now applied to join, keep the videos coming , very much enjoy your rides.
Man, kudos to your tips and tricks. I'm thinking about buying used mahle ebike that has ridden 100km. Is from UK (I live in Poland) so if the battery is in good condition all I have left to worry is if the bike was stolen from some British lad.
Sadly, true. Please also be careful it’s not a scam if it’s on Marketplace buddy. If they are a legitimate seller, they could send screenshots of the app which will show you battery voltage at 100% charge (the closer to 41.6v the better) and how many kms ridden. Sometimes a bike that has been used a bit more may be better if the unused bike’s battery was poorly stored. Best of luck!
thank you for all useful information, I m 64 and thinking of having one e bike, so your video helped me a lot, to take the right decision
Glad I could help Christos.
Did you buy a Gain Christos? Or something else?
Enjoyed your review, well researched and very nicely put together. You remind me of Ride with Roy, but with more humour. He's a regular RUclips poster. He's got a Ribble with the Ebike motion set up.
I'm here because my lady friends Lapierre eSENSIUM 300W Ebike also built with the Ebikemotion X35 Mahle set up, and also purchased second hand with only 200 registered rides miles or thereabouts on the app. has problems. The motor intermittently cuts out. A dealers diagnostic found no problems. I rang Mahle UK and they suggested the pulse sensor might be faulty. The bike mechanic has removed all the electrics and battery from the bike to let it dry out. On approaching the bike shop, we were told the bill could be between £30 to £500 depending what they discovered was at fault. Waiting to here back from the bike shop. Thought I share this with you.
I know it sounds unlikely, but 9 times out of 10 this is caused by the plug that comes from the motor not being pushed all the way in. Right in. There should be a line to help see how far to go. The other fault can be that the pins in this plug are damaged from it being pushed home without being exactly aligned. Easily done, but there are arrows to help with this bit. Hope it gets sorted out quickly.
@@yakoridesagain My lady friend received her bike back from an electric bike shop that communicates with Raleigh UK, distributors of Lapierre bikes and ebikes in a worse state than when she delivered the bicycle to their shop. Now the ebike motion X35 motor does not function at all. On delivery to the shop the bikes motor worked intermittently.
She has subsequently taken her bicycle and left it with Poweredbicycles Ebike centre.
The shop owner aims to try and get the bike up and running again , even if he has to replace Mahle's Ebike Motion electronics/wires and software to do so. He seemed very pleased to cast his eyes on a modern Lapierre eSENSIUM bicycle, as he's never worked on such an ebike before. He is skilled in electrical systems used on electric bikes, and showed us his own software for controlling hub motors.
Had a similar issue with an M20i Gain. LBS updated the firmware for both the internal and external battery. Seems good so far.
Thanks for your advice.
As an update I learned and the issue is:
“If your bike is out of warranty then there’s no need to take the bike to a dedicated dealer for your own bike. If it’s a motor, electrics (wires and connectors) or software problem, any bike shop with staff knowledgeable in solving and mending your make of motor will take on the job. My girlfriend’s ebike fitted with a Mahle X35 first generation system was repaired by the owner of PoweredBicycles ebike centre, in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, UK. He, checked to see if the motor operated independently, which it was, examined all the leads then ordered and fitted a new PASS sensor and upgraded the bikes software. That’s solved the problem of intermittent motor cut outs. It cost nearly £300 due mainly to labour costs since it took time to understand and solve the problems. He also told us to keep on using the bike as the battery’s cell loose their efficiency and degrade if not used for prolonged periods of time. The bike had sat around a lot before it was purchased second hand. We were also advised to pay attention to keeping those areas on the bike where the Pass sensor and magnet cassette locking ring are located clean a free of dirt and grime.
@@philiphiggs1615 Good info. Actually, my bike developed the intermittant motor cutting in and out. It's going back to a dealer but I'll let them know about the pass sensor. Thx!
Thanks for a very substantive review. As I'm just beginning my research into road ebikes I learned a lot from your commentary. As I am getting older (71) it's harder to keep up with the group I've been riding with, and an ebike would enable me to keep up.
My pleasure. Do bear in mind that if you are in Europe, the assist cuts out at 25kmh, so if your group tides above that speed on the flat, it will still be down to your pedal power to keep up - and on a heavier bike.
Nice job. Very thorough with relevant info. Channels with 500 subs usually not so good but that was spot on with all the key features of the bike. Thanks!
Cheers Ray. I think it’s because my normal videos are me riding around having adventures in Spain in the sun. I think people get fed up with the blue sky and traffic-free roads! Reviewing stuff is pretty guaranteed to get the numbers soaring but I’m unemployed so new stuff is few and far between. Thanks for the kind words though. I do wish a few people watching this would subscribe though!
Really good useful straight talking video from a normal man in the street. I’m considering an e bike as I’ve just had my second hip replaced. Food for thought.
Thanks Rhys. As you can probably tell, I am quite a fan. There is almost too much info out there about the various systems available, but if you are honest with yourself about how much assistance you truly want you will not be disappointed. Mahle are just introducing a smaller, lighter, more powerful motor (the X20 maybe?). I don’t doubt it will become the norm for road bikes.
Did you ever buy the Gain, Rhys?
This review was fantastic!!
More useful information than all the others I've watched. I'm looking forward to mine arriving next week.
Thank you.
My pleasure Richard. You are going to love it. Today I rode the most spectacular ride I’ve ever ridden. I couldn’t have done it without the Gain. Hopefully I’ll post it here tomorrow - if you get chance, take a peek!
@@yakoridesagain only just seen this. The gain is amazing it's the 105 alu model.
Just watched again to answer some questions I had ...which you did🥳
As you touched on about the assist happens as soon as the cassette turns!! Is this assist from very slow 'turning' like just pulling away?
Great channel
Yes. There are a number of magnets in the cassette lock ring, and a number need to go past the sensor, which is why there is a slight delay in the assist coming on when pulling away. If you put the power on full, so it's easier to sense/hear, you can slow pedal to find out how fast you must pedal for the assist to come on. It's not very...
very interesting, not that ive got n electric bike, but i now know q hell of a lot more than i did 30 mins ago...and tbh what seems to be an honest approach to reviewing something....much better than those youtube pro presenters that dont give the info you have....and the humur is always appreciated...nice view from the tops of hills too.....looking forward to some great views when i get to seville in april....too damn cold here in the uk....im too old for this sh!t cold weather....
I’m sad to report we’re having one of the longest cold spells here in Catalunya - frosts every night for over two weeks, we’re losing citrus trees to it - but of course that means clear blue skies during the day…Thanks for the kind words. Seville is possibly the most glorious city in Spain btw if you’ve not been before…
Thank you. Superbly detailed. Answered questions I never even knew I had.
Glad it was helpful! Let me know if you buy one (if you haven’t already). They are wonderful.
Fantastic review thanks. I have the Gain M30 2021 which I really like. Im currently considering upgrading to a mondraker dusty RR, or Gain M31e to takevadvantage of Sram etap and the new x20 system. I bought my gain as I wanted a bike that is at home on road and gravel and its geen great for both.
Interestingly I have recently watched an interview with the head of Orbea. In the interview he stated that the New Gain is 100% a road bike and is designed as such. He mentioned it could do low level gravel. In fact thrre is rumour of a geavel specific Orbea which currently they do not have in the line up.
As for the Mondraker Dusty, that is gravel specific and currently a fair bit cheaper than the 2023/24 Gain. Either way there are normally compromises if you want a one bike fits all. Im leaningvtowards the dusty as i think its geometry will ve more comfortable for me.
The oem range extender sounds good , who sells them?
Well, you have ridden your M30 on gravel, so you will know that the bike is capable enough on that surface, so I’m not sure if there really is such a thing as gravel specific when the term can cover such a variety of surfaces? I think that by the time you have say 38mm gravel tyres at low pressure, and a sufficient range of gears for potentially steeper climbs pretty much anything works! The new carbon Gains with the X20 motors can accept 38mm, and a 12sp 10-44 out back also sounds pretty good…though I would like to know if Redshift’s suspension stem can be fitted, as the difference, I have heard, is incredible. Do you have an Orbea outlet nearby so you could try out the new bikes geometry?
The aftermarket extenders are made by a Spanish company called Volabike, but please do your research as there are significant numbers concerned with the customer service/after sales service with the company. I’ve been successfully using a DIY extender for nearly two years/14,000kms…I made a how-to video and recently a review of it on my channel. take a look!
@@yakoridesagain thanks for getting back. Yes I do have dealers within an hour or so but most never seem to have a small in stock.
I waited 8 months for my current gain! Yes it's true that it is very capable but the bike press would have you believe that there are vast differences. Maybe if your a pro, me, I'm not so sure. However having owned a CX bike for commuting I did find it a comfortable ride. The Dusty RR is currently about a grand cheaper than the Gain in the UK if you shop around. Same components too.
I’ve just checked the Dusty. It looks to be one hell of a bike. Out here there is less difference in price, so it might be worth checking warranty differences, but I do like those 45mm tyres. For completeness, one other bike to look at, if you have ever felt that the hub motor could help more on the very toughest of climbs when you are at your slowest, is the gravel-specific Canyon Grail ON. It has the supreme Bosch CX mid motor, which is unaffected by slower speeds and also considerably more powerful at 85Nm. The battery capacity is far larger to deal with the increase in power, which leads to greater overall weight, but as you already know, the bike weight is negated by the assist. The design is quirky, but I like it! Let me know which way you go Rick, always interested!
@@yakoridesagain yes at todays prices the 2023 Dusty can be had for 4.5k ish. I missed out on a mint Specialized Creo mid drive on the bay 2 weeks ago as I was not 100% sure about it. My buddy rides one and loves it. It went for a song with just 1 bid! Snooze and you loose...
Hi Yako, just seen this review of your Orbea (we previously spoke about battery configs 🙃). Great review, I wish i had seen it earlier. I've been riding my Ribble Gravel - ALe for a couple of months now - despite multiple punctures which left me thinking I want solid tyres! (now gone tubeless). Your review is pretty much what I'm finding with my bike, especially on the steep hill scenario you spoke of, at times it felt like the motor actually cut out a few times. Now I see that i was probably on the edge of that sweat spot you discuss. I live at the top of a hill. I'm still pondering how to best tackle a second battery option - not wanting to pay £500+. More for a possible charge overnight if camping. Incidentally, I think the Mahle system is from a French automotive co, the motor possibly an adaption of car part, to a precision hub motor. Definitely enjoying seeing the Spanish countryside, with amazing views and engaging conversation.
Hi Andy - kind words, thank you. Well you know my range extender works, and is cheap. I’d really recommend it.The Mahle system was originally designed and developed by the Spanish company, Ebikemotion. To be honest, it’s not very sophisticated-I’ve used more flexible and powerful Chinese systems, but I’m obviously hoping for decent or even excellent longevity.
Thanks for the video. Got a D50 as it was a bit to big for the wife but it's made my hilly ride to work a breeze. I'm envious of all that sunshine and empty roads too!
Yes, sorry about that! we’ve had frosts for weeks - if that helps?
Great review - a must for anyone considering this bike or any other ebikemotion x35 equipped bike. Interested you had so many second-hand options for this bike. Absolutely nothing here in Australia when I bought. Waited 3 months to get one new as well. Oh well, it was worth the wait. Thanks, again.
I Thanks for those kind words Neil. It was literally like the proverbial 3 buses turning up at once. I’d always dreamt of a Gain, but whilst my bike was all I truly needed, I would yearnfully check the classified for them but they were rare. When my bike died and my folks stepped in to offer to buy me a Gain, three were available in my size - a D30, a D10 and an M30. The D10 was nearly new, so…
I've had my Ribble Endurance SL e since February & I love owning an Ebike. I have had one broken spoke a month ago, so fingers crossed I don't get many more. I checked the app just like you did & my bike had done 136 miles & just 5 charge cycles (the owner said he only used the assist on the way home after leaving the group behind). I didn't know about the voltage whilst on full charge, so I've just done mine & at full it's reading 41.7 v, so I'm hoping it has plenty of life left in it. I think I did pretty well buying my first 2nd hand bike, as I managed to get it for exactly half what he paid. I've put a new chain on & bought myself some Ebike specific dry lube from Muc Off.
I had you down as an old hand Leon; you’ve been commenting here for a little while now? 41.7v is absolutely peak from a 36v battery. it’s broken in nicely and is giving more than it’s official maximum. Perfect. Don’t get too caught up with ebike specific stuff, that mostly relates to mid-drive motors where there are different stresses put on the drive than our hub motors. Quality is quality though so go for it. To my eye the Ribble SLe is about as pretty as ebikes get. Great choice.
@@yakoridesagain Hi yes your right, I have been commenting for a while, your videos Inspired me to try an Ebike, I hired one for a month to try out & was a mid drive one, which for me offered way too much assistance, but was then too heavy when above the cut off. I was in my mind after an Orbea Gain for the last 18 months or so, but when I spotted the Ribble Endurance SL e (in Anthracite grey) going for a song, I snapped it up straight away & being carbon fibre it is very easy to maintain over 30kmph on flats, which is actually better than my Trek road bike.
A very helpful hands on performance review. I am looking at buying a Mahle 35x equipped ebike. My big question, given its fairly low power output is, does it climb? I currently have a Bosch equipped mountain bike. If I set it at the top assist level I can blast up any hill, but I don't actually want that. I WANT to be 'huffed' a bit on a 10% climb. You confirmed that it is a 'just enough' power to give me a good workout without exhausting me. Thanks.
It is very difficult to tell - so much is down to your fitness and weight - but I couldn't honestly tell you that it climbs. At 10% it will definitely be you climbing, and unless you manage to maintain a decent speed, you may not get much assistance at all. If humanly possible, I would suggest you try before you buy as the Mahle X35 is absolutely chalk and cheese to your Bosch.
A very detailed review, especially helpful to a rider now in the market for a versatile ebike as clearly based on considerable experience in 'real world' conditions. Thanks a lot!
My pleasure, Ian. If you are in funds, waiting for Mahle’s next generation X20 system, currently being rolled out, will provide a number of advantages. Saying that, the X35+ is pretty good, and the X35 (second-hand only) has it’s niggles (as reported here) but is still fantastic. If you want a lightweight system for road-riding.
@@yakoridesagain Thanks for that! Don't think funds will stretch to the X20; also concerned about price rises on the way for 2023. Seeing a Gain D40 at a dealer tomorrow, so plenty to think about 🙂
They are lovely bikes. Check the gearing is what you want/need with a gravel bike though. Good luck!
Bong rather than a ding, I'm dying 🤣. Great tip about the spokes and great review mate, I bought mine this week. Can't wait to ride it.
Good to hear. I think you’ve made a fine choice! And thank you.
This is awesome! Thanks for all of the valuable information. I’m looking forward to riding mine...once it arrives. I’m an avid cyclist, mostly road, that’s why I got the road version of Orbea bikes. I think I’ll be able to tackle the hills. I’m small and weight around...125. I got the bike because I want the comfort of traveling farther without being worn out, to keep up with faster male friends and not be sore afterwards. I did also purchase the range extender. Waiting for it it’s well. You were climbing some pretty steep hills in level 2! That gives me hope! Thanks for explains the range. If I’m not mistaken, you did about 30 miles. What was the total elevation. I’m planning to change the tires to gravel as well but 32mm for now. Still want the feel/quickness of a smaller tire. So, you think the stock seats are poor? The seat is one of the first things i change on my bike, it’s a preference. Looking forward to more insight! Thanks!
At 125lbs you will fly! I weigh more than twice that! The ride in the video climbed 2,700ft. The most I’ve managed to climb in one ride so far, with just the internal battery, was 993m or 3,260ft but came back with over 50% of the battery remaining as the hills weren’t steep. That’s why it is difficult to state what range is possible, but again, with your light weight, expect something incredible. Also, perhaps try the saddle before changing it - it could be perfect for you.
Hi Yako, just wanted to say thanks for an honest, no nonsense and informative review. I’ve been following your journey and finally took the plunge and got myself an Orbea M20. What a great bike!
Best of look on your journey (and journeys) and please keep up the great work.
Next step will be the DIY range extender….
Cheers Jase
*luck, even!!!
Great to hear! The M20 is a real beauty, well done. What colour scheme did you go with? Good luck with the extender, it’s very easy - cutting off the charger plug is the hardest bit! Mine has transformed my riding, knowing you will likely never run out of help when you need it.
No problem (just assumed you were from Yorkshire ;-) )
😂, that made me chuckle!
She is Matt grey with gloss black logo/highlights. It stands out!
I love the integrated lights.
Just great to be out and not avoiding the hills due to gravity not being on my side!!!
Be very careful with that front light mount - if you have an expensive bike computer use a separate mount for it as the light mount snaps off. It’s almost a certainty. There is a FB group for Orbea Gain owners - it’s useful for advice but also nice people posting photos of their bikes/rides if you fancy it.
Excellent review, I’ve just bought the Orleans Gain D31 E bike so this was super useful
You will love it Richard. Genuinely excited for you! I’ve got loads of ride videos on the Gain here, if you fancy taking a look. If you like them, subscribe!
Great Review and this gives a true impression of what the bike is like to live with. Three thumbs Up
Very kind, thank you.
I bought a Orbea Gain M30 Flat Bar Custom direct from Orbea in April 2021, for £4168, the best bike I have ever had, but this year in June the battery failed, I wrote to Orbea about this, and got a short letter back saying, its nothing to do with them, its down to Mahle, the electric part of the bike, now after 4 months and minus £640 the bike is back in use, I hope that I don’t have to do this every 3 years (Paul Bragg)
Hi Paul. I’m a bit cross to see your comment - because I answered you days ago but it looks like it didn’t ‘send’!
Sadly you have happened upon the worst element of owning an e-bike, and in this case, specifically an Orbea. Orbea and Mahle have never sorted out their accountability for when Mahle parts go wrong on an Orbea. They have the reputation of passing such issues off on each other, which is appalling for customer service (and future sales, in my opinion). Saying that, your issue was out of warranty, and it appears neither felt a goodwill gesture was in order. If e-bikes have a general weakness, it tends to be their batteries. If not stored perfectly, (or, again in my opinion, not used very regularly), a fault in one £3 cell can lead to the replacement of the entire £600 battery. With Mahle's system, this is also true for a fault with the controller, which sits inside the same casing as the battery. One resistor on the circuit board blows = new battery.
Now for the better news. The Mahle system is one of the more reliable out there. Though I have heard of multiple cases like yours, I have heard more cases of six and seven years of fault-free bikes and batteries. My Gain is a 2018 model and the battery is in excellent shape with 18,000kms done, almost all in the few years I’ve owned it. Another owner did 36,000kms before needing a new battery due to reduced range. The key I think is to use the bike as much as possible, and if possible, to use a DIY range extender which halves the wear and tear, and load, on the internal battery. A Mahle extender will not do this. I’ve made a video on how you, or anyone you know who can do the 2 or 3 soldered joints required, can make one. An extender with quality cells should cost less than £120.
Nice change of content 😉 and certainly well done and informative... Your dry humor always worth a laugh or two.
George! Long time no speak! Hope you are well?
Brilliant review, thanks matey. Weather looks wonderful wherever you are. Subscribed
Thanks for the sub! Plenty of sunny vids in the back catalogue - I liked making Massive Climbs and a Monastery, but folks seem to be ignoring it? No accounting for taste! Plenty more coming…
I’ve ridden only fixed gears for about a decade and a half doing anywhere from 10-60 miles in a day. I too like to have a stroke and collapse when I reach the top of hills.
Very excited for the gravel version Gain for some long range (200 mile round t trip?) bike packing though!
You will love it! Have a look at my DIY range extender video; it may be a useful support for a bikepacking adventure. I have a few planned for this year too - can’t wait!
@@yakoridesagain I actually have a power bank called the “Omni Charge Ultimate” that’s around 140wh with a 120w ac port so my plan was to hopefully get a little charge off that during scenic breaks. Probably nearing the price of the x35 range extender at this point with the spare batteries I have but I already own it (for charging a lot of camera gear) so I’m hoping that’ll work. If not I may just struggle though since I’m uh the only one with an ebike lol. Very cool work around for that expensive range extender though!
Excellent review. I gained so much about ebikes that I was interested about.
Glad it was helpful!
Interesting to listen to you, appreciated!
No problem Lee. This vid is getting on a bit, if you have any specific questions I’ll try to help.
BTW, I have an Orbed Gain, and I too had a problem with spike tension in the rear wheel. I ended up having to replace it. Now I'll check the spoke tension regularly .
yup. not your fault, Richard. Give them a ping from time to time. You’ll probably have no problems now as I imagine you have better quality spokes.
Tremendous helpful review and many insights into ebikes generally. Thanks
Thanks Julian!
Very good video.. I have had my D50 for just over two years and I’ve upgraded the group set from Claris to 105. Interesting about the spoke issue you mentioned, I had to change around 3 or 4 spokes not long after I bought it but had no issues since. I’d like to upgrade the wheelset in the future from the original black jacks
That seems wise; from the various online forums I’ve not heard a lot of positive comments about the blackjacks (cracked spoke holes in particular). It would allow you to up the quality and, I'd suggest, the gauge of the rear spokes. Thanks for the support! Have you seen the range extender vid yet?
@@yakoridesagain thanks, I haven’t seen the range extender video yet, I’ll take a look.
Great info, and a lot to consider v the Cube type EBikes! I’m around the 18st mark, and that range extender option sounds a great idea! The gravel riding ability, was the clincher for me! Thanks for a very informative video!
A pleasure, Del. I’ve posted how to make your own range extender now, which works better than the official one, by doubling both the range and life of the internal battery and even adding a little more power by reducing ‘voltage sag’. Take a look (and remember to subscribe!)
Amazing video. Very helpful. I had a cardiac arrest & am looking for a little help.
I’m very sorry to hear that aanon and wish you a very speedy recovery. If you were a fairly keen cyclist before then this would be a great choice. It gives a welcome amount of assist to take the hard edges off a climb but makes you work for it. With a heart rate monitor fitted, your Gain would adjust its assist level to match your heart rate automatically- something I don’t think I mentioned in the review. Quite a neat trick!
@@yakoridesagain hi! Wow now the HR adjustment is brilliant. That’s a game changer. I was looking at the Scott addict as I have 2 normal bikes. But eRide addict are insane prices.
I missed out on sales of the M20 Gains, but it seems not worth the £2k price difference & 2kg weight penalty. I will be looking at the Gain D30i 105 Di2 X35 plus
13.65kg.
I hit 50, had my first cardiac arrest 2 years ago November. Then this May a mini stroke & yet another heart surgery to clear a blockage. I was cycling a lot. They said it’s genetic & to continue cycling. The stroke took away my strength but it’s somewhere in the muscle memory.
I will be selling two bikes to make space for thé Gain.
PS i hope you are keeping well too, I was also told to lose even more weight. It’s hard work but I have been focusing on the biome. Eating live culture yogurt, weetabix to fill the gap or porridge. It’s worked as I lost 5kg. I now need to indoor cycle train, get gym rehab done & start back again. Google GP Hero Mearns to find my story
Now it’s mostly in the past…wow! What a fantastic story! What a mate to have had handy! Very happy to hear you will be getting back on the bike, and that I’ve maybe helped a little there. You’ll find the extra weight over a standard road bike matters not a bit even with the lowest assist.
There is a little Facebook group that you may find helpful with your Gain, the Orbea Gain Electric Owners Club. Lots of helpful experience on there (and some slightly misguided advice too, but always trying to help!)
@@yakoridesagain thank you so much.
I really enjoyed watching your video. I watched it 3 times, as I multi tasked. It’s insightful to know about the HR.
What I also like is that you confirm there’s no difference between weights. As in:
Orbea Gain
Gain D40 X35
Tiagra 250w 248wH
14kg
Gain D30
105 250w 248wH
14.2kg
Gain D30i
105 Di2 X35 plus
13.65kg
Gain M20i
Ultegra
X35 plus
12.1kg
Gain M20
Ultegra
X35 Plus
11.34kg
At first I was hoping for the M20. It’s not available. It was cheaper £3.299 on sale, only in large :( but the D30i is available in a few weeks. It’s £500 more! But it will do. It’s also heavier. I didn’t see any décent used. There’s interest free credit, can’t balk at it.
I feel lucky to be alive.
Electronic shifting isn’t cheap, I suppose. I’m surprised there aren’t more X35+ M20’s and M30’s from last year available as I would have thought these would be passed over by many buyers for this years models with the X20. I suppose those discounts were too attractive!
Awesome content. Thanks for sharing.
I also bought a used Gain 2 days ago, an excellent all-around bike.
Excellent! You are going to love it. Remember to check in with friends/ family from time to time too!
Fantastic video, and could have been made for me, in that I'm a bit fatter, bit older and generally more knackered. I'm looking at getting a used D30 Gravel, and your review encourages this - my only concern is I store my bikes outside under a waterproof cover, so may need a bike with a removable battery, firstly for the cold months, and secondly, to charge it.
That is the downside of the Mahle system, sadly. The cold affects all batteries though, even if they are charged indoors. Maybe check around for someone who is selling a metal shed? Probably cheaper than the difference between a used Gain and a used E bike with a removable battery…I hope you get something sorted. Good luck!
Just wondering - did you buy that D30 in the end?
Superb, straight talking review. Cheers
Many thanks Russell. Hope you found it useful.
I've been enjoying you're review, particularly about the X35 range extender. I've got a Ribble SLe and was considering a range finder but put off by the ridiculous price. I've watched your other video regarding home made range extenders but am a bit nervous about attempting a build,. You mention "better systems available" what's the better system in Spain that uses batteries in parallel?
They are called Volabike, based in Valencia, but are still around £500 I think. One guy who watched the DIY vid bought an identical bottle cage battery to the one used by Volabike (and I mean the same one) for €180, added a diode for €8 and the charge connector and voila! As I mention, hoverboard batteries are considerably cheaper, but need to go in a bag. His was a neater job, but I like having 2 bottle cages. Might I suggest buying the bits and taking them to an appliance repair shop? There are only 5 soldered joints; they shouldn’t charge much…
Very beautyful scenery!
Interesting Video.
What about the difference between the Orbea and Specialized Creo, putting the Mahle motor in the centre of the bike.
Have you ever compared these two?
If Specialised send me a Creo I will certainly give it a fair review! Mid motors offer more torque, so on paper better for climbing….but the bike’s are usually heavier so you really wouldn’t want to run out of battery…Personally I find the lump at the bottom bracket a bit ugly, but the Creo does look the best of this type.
What an excellent review, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Lots of related vids on the channel if you fancy them…
Good review - carbon seatpost was the best upgrade i made !
It was quite a surprise to me. I see you’ve embraced the new you, ‘Cyclopath’ :)
@@yakoridesagain Hehe - i thought it suited me :D
I am 187 cm tall and weight 118 kg. I live in some pretty extreme Spanish mountains. I need electric assistance for the hardest mountains around here because the routes I want to take are 75 - 200 km long. So this system is bad for that? 18:30 Is there a better system on the market for me? I don't know if I can pedal up to above 15 km/h up these mountains with this Orbea Gain. If I can I guess this bike is perfect for me.
Hi Morten. You will struggle to find an e-bike that can give you 200km in mountains, even with a range extender, unless you are an exceptionally fit 118kg. The Gain, with an extender, is about the best for range, but struggles with very steep climbs of, say, 12% or more. It is possible, of course, but without knowing your level of fitness it is difficult to advise.
There is always a compromise between power and range. You may need to decide whether you need a little assist on long rides, or plenty of assist on shorter rides. Bikes that have a mid-motor will be a better choice if it is steep hills you wish to conquer, as these are less affected by road speed so will help more at slower speeds (on steeper hills).
Which part of Spain are you in?
Im looking to get ribble cgr e with that motor so was helpful. Spokes thing isn't great but can fix wheel if brake so. I live where flat only few small ups i just find riding harder now 46
That’s a nice bike. If you are buying new it will have the upgraded hub so spokes should be fine. Be aware that the assist cuts out at around 25km/h.
@@yakoridesagain they upgraded hub o thats good then yes bike be new with mavic rims and grx 400 groupset . Thats fine now i ride 10 to 13mph so im thinking be fine
Very informative and interesting video. Down to earth review.
Thank you Terry. Glad you liked it!
Hello - great review - new subscriber - please can you tell me whether the gain’s wheels are supposed to be sturdy enough for light trails? I see you enjoy the gravel and that gives me confidence, but I was just wondering whether they are meant as an allroad wheel if that makes sense? I’m 16 stone - It would be great to use as an all rounder as you say but I was under the impression they were meant to only be used on the road. Hope that makes sense. Thanks.
Well, they are 32 spoke at the rear so they are sturdy. I saw somewhere they are rated for 150kg too I think. I’ve used them on TERRIBLE terrain (most recently in ‘A Proper Bikepacking Adventure Part 2, but that was smooth compared to some) and swing between 18 and 20 stone (yes, I know I don’t look it ;-) ). Spokes do occasionally break though… I’m glad to report that this happens to skinny owners too as it is a design fault of the oldest X35 hub motors, since addressed. But I’m slowly replacing them with Sapim Race spokes at a few pennies each and they don’t break. I think you should dive in, Geordie. Any questions in the future I’m right here.
Great review. I have one in Spain as its pretty hilly where I am. Where are you? The terrain looks familiar.
I’m in southern Catalunya Alan. I normally make ride vids of all the beautiful places I visit on the Gain, here and into Aragon. Where are you?
Really good review. Lots of information in there. I’ve got a Gain M30 and absolutely love it. I’ve found the battery life to be good, although I only use it when I’m tired.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Karl. Same here; using the battery at the end of a ride makes the whole ride enjoyable, in my opinion.
This was a really good post, very detailed & honest review. I've had my Gain for 2 yrs now done a good few miles & completely agree with your review. It's a great bike the emotion system gives you just enough assistance - & i'm no racing snake.
You mentioned an alternative to the range extender - anyone got a link?
That’s kind shredjoe. Nice to have it all confirmed! If you’ve not got one yet I’ve another vid that shows how to make a cheap range extender. They work perfectly.
Hi. Great review and now a proud Gain owner. I find the 15mph limit frustrating. Do you know a way to tweak to 20ish (like US market). That would make the bike perfect. Thanks
Volabike, based here in Spain, but on EBay everywhere I believe, do a ‘speed dongle’ that plugs in easily onto the cable that goes to the motor. It fools the controller into thinking you are going slower - but the motor still only gives you maybe 2mph more. Others make similar ones too, all around €100. It also means rides recorded on the Mahle app are incorrect, if you plan to use that for that purpose. Are you using it to commute? If so it may be worth it; otherwise, as you will be riding more than you used to, you will be getting fitter and that cutoff is something you will look forward to getting to and beyond, as it means you will have more battery left for the bumpy bits.
Hi, thanks for this very interesting and informative upload. I bough the Orbia gain 16 months ago, never ridden it and now just manage to get it over to my second home in Spain Catalonia (Peñiscola) if you have any suggestions on places go with the bike. Barry
well a lot depends on what you are used to riding…the sea front between you and San Carles de Rapita is lovely and generally quiet, but behind you and into the hills you have some absolutely amazing scenery around Morella. it’s a bit outside my normal range, but you also have a fantastic Via Verde to your south that runs from Castellón up to Teruel and beyond. you could also Google The Quiet Route, which is down your way. other things that aren’t too far are Valderobres/Beceite which are gorgeous…you will find so many places to ride - let’s not get me started on all of the El Cid era towers, fortresses etc down there…
Have a look through my older videos, it may give you some ride ideas.
Hello from France, congratulations for your video. Now I ride à gravel Felt 30 and your bike seem me interresting for my practice .
I am 66 years and my profil is similar to a rubyman 😉
Perhaps, it’s Time for me to choice an electric gravel.
I found this rear motor on different provider of bike as Ribe, Orbea, Bianchi….and it seem me that their frame are similar ?
Sorry for my bad english language 😉
Yes, as you say , there are many bikes with the ‘Ebikemotion’ system. For me, only the Orbea and Ribble are good value for money, and with care, an Orbea can be found to buy in used condition. The differences in weight between aluminium and carbon frames disappear because of the help from the motor. After that, the differences are only the label and looks.
@@yakoridesagain I am also in France and would likewise like to congratulate on your excellent video - all of them, in fact - with the description of how to ride to utilise the benefits of the system so well explained. While very interested in bikes like the Gain and the Ribble, unfortunately financial considerations mean that my interest has to be purely academic, but, motivated by videos like yours and others, I did go down another route which resulted in a not too dissimilar compromise, which might interest you to hear about. After finally accepting that the hills around where I live (that I used to ride up) had inexplicably got longer and steeper, with limiting myself to what few flat areas there are, becoming decidedly tiresome, I decided, when I reached 90 not long ago, that some electric assist might not come amiss. Disliking the looks, and weight, of the cheaper e-bikes, and so wanting to retain my road bike and keep it unchanged as far as possible, my researches led me to look into friction drive kits. Dug around a lot and, long story short, finally bought a very light simple kit which consisted of a neat, down tube fixed, battery, and a small 250W motor fixed to the seat tube, which drives the rear wheel. That's all there is - no handlebar attachments, so I just use my normal computer. The weight of the bike and kit all up is 13.5kg, which actually compares favourably with an e-road bike, I believe, and the changes to the bike's appearance are unobtrusive. It is obviously not as refined as the 'Emotion' rear hub system (you get what you pay for, after all), with the main difference being that that there are no variable assist levels - just the one. What is interesting though, is despite that, my experience of hill climbing with that motor is very similar to the way you describe it with the 'Emotion' - I think probably that a careful use of the gearing can adjust somewhat for the power being non-variable. It provides an adequate level of assist, and although not a very big battery, on continuous use on mixed terrain it hits the claimed 40km range pretty well spot on. Since without power the bike rides normally, I don't use assist much on the flat, (although it is very useful in a strong headwind), so I find I only use a portion of the battery on most of my rides anyway. So, a compromise, as I say, but I have no complaints, and after resisting the e-bike idea for a long while, I am delighted that I have now taken the plunge. It has enabled me to extend my rides somewhat, and indeed, taken me to back to some of the areas I have been avoiding for the last two or three (manual) years. Best wishes and keep the videos coming.
Thank you for your kind words. It is excellent to hear that you are still hitting the hills Edward. Your bike is indeed the same weight as mine. How are you finding tyre wear with your system?
@@yakoridesagain Hi! Yet to be fully evaluated, although all the reviewers who had allegedly used the system said there was no problem. I unthinkingly fitted the thing on a very old tyre initially and it did actually finish it off fairly quickly, but I have done 550km to date on the replacement and it shows little or no sign of wear at all. I suppose I can console myself with the thought that the kit price was so comparatively reasonable (about 600 euros), that I'll still be in pocket if I have to fit a new tyre annually - for whatever number of years I can carry on. We shall see! Keep up the good work. By the way, if you would like to see the system itself in operation, it is the REVOS kit and is manufactured in Bristol. A visit to revolutionworks.co.uk gives all the details with videos of the thing in action.
Hi - watched you reveuw on the Orgea Gain - well done! Thought it was the most realistic one for your 'average' rider. Could you please advise me of the battery extender you were talking about which runs in parallel? Mark
Hi Mark. Thanks for those kind words. I’ve made a vid all about my DIYrange extender, just check on my channel homepage as it comes up on the ‘most popular’ section. I’m about to do a brief update on it too, as it is superb, frankly. If you have questions after watching it, ask away.
So I’m torn between this possibly the carbon more for comfort than weight and the Specialized Creo . How does it feel when out of the saddle ? The Vado sl my friend has claims really well I can climb I’m Guessing in the turbo mode of course about 10-13 mph on 10% incline. But feel it’s slow once The assistance cuts out but feel it would be better with different tyres . It has pathfinders I’m going to test ride one but it’s on roads I’m not Familiar with . Just don’t want to buy something I will easily out grow once I loss the weight and have had the valve replaced . Must admit that the Ebike real does get rid of the Anxiety of comings to a Holt on a big hill and on clipping and walking in Dodgy shoes 😂
The people I know with carbon Gains do love them. For me of course the 2kgs weight saved would be better coming off my arse so happy to stick with the D10. The resale value, if you buy second hand ( carefully) should mean you can change /upgrade as the weight comes off with little or no depreciation in the price paid.
Did you buy one in the end @JC?
Nice video thanks. I'm looking at e-bikes with the ebikemotion system, intending to buy on the cycle scheme. I want a road oriented bike that doesn't weigh a ton, with a decent turn of speed unassisted that will give me some help up the hills. But I also need mudguards and a rack for commuting and not be limited to super skinny road tyres. So I've been looking mainly at electric gravel bikes. My commute is less than 5 miles but with a fairly steep hill at the end on the way home. Due to the prevailing winds it's often into a stiff headwind on top of that so it's a real slog and that assistance would be This bike seems to tick most of the boxes with the tyre clearance but can it take a rack?
You will need to check modern specs, but the aluminium road Gains were drilled for mudguards and racks in earlier models like mine. Saying that, there are racks that fit onto seat stays and seat posts that work with un-drilled carbon frames, and SKS Raceblade Pros mudguards similarly need no mounting points, so choose which model suits your needs best. Re tyres, I run 38mm gravel tyres when off-road on my Gain, and I understand the recent ones are even more generous, so don’t buy a gravel version unless the gearing suits you better.
@@yakoridesagain Cheers. Orbea website quotes max tyre size as 700x40 but I'm not sure what the max size with guards would be. Ideally I'd want to be able to fit 35c with them.
There’s a FB group called Orbea Gain electric owners club. There are more than 500 Gain owners there. I don’t think you will have any problems at all but there will be someone on there who has found the maximum. Sorry I can’t help more but *smug face* I don’t need mudguards out here!
Excellent videos! Thank you Yako full of the real nuts and bolts of riding this bike - Thinking of getting Orbea Gain or Ribble ALE and those tyres look brilliant - Do you have a link for these Decathlon tyres please? 🙂
Very kind Giles. the tyres are B’Twin Trekking Speed - my link is to Decathlon in Spain, but the name should get you there. Take a look at my Miravet vid, towards the end, and you can see how capable these tyres are over very rough terrain. There are no signs of wear yet, with around 1600kms of gravel on them.
@@yakoridesagain Thankyou Yako That's another subscriber to your channel - Cheers!
Which did you go for in the end, @drink? Gain or Ribble?
Great video, I am getting my D30 29th Jan and cant wait. Just wanted to know where you get your clothes from. I am a similar manly build to yourself and 100kg. Just a beginner with a new knee and ankle fusion so not your fittest guy but need to get out and ride as I love it. Spent a couple of years on a gravel bike max distance 30miles just recently so want to get out more this year. Thanks.
I am truly excited for you. You are going to love it! Say goodbye to your family and friends now (unless you can drag them along!). I feel very flattered that you feel we have similar builds when I started the year a third heavier than you! For manly-sized clothes I’d recommend Altura and slightly cheaper, D2D on eBay. For me, the latter wins as the quality is at least as good as the lower end of the Altura range. If you have the cash, Fat Lad at the Back come highly recommended too. I also have several older Muddy Fox jerseys which I love. For comfort, try to look out for mountain bike specific kit. It’s not as clingy, and we’re not exactly aero ourselves…have fun, and let me know how you go.
Hi, Great video very informative, i am also a Brit, i am living in Canada, i just purchased an Argon 18 Subito ( bike made in Montreal Canada )with the same e-motion system as yours, I am interested to know were you got the info about the power percentage pertaining to the sweet spot of 15 - 25 km/hr. following all your video`s enjoying them very much. i went to Spain a lot which was great, but unfortunately before i became a ardent cyclists, it`s great to see the roads less travelled that you ride along.
Thanks Alan. You have a nice bike there. Did it come with the Hunt wheels? The sweet spot info came from either an Ebikemotion or Mahle official site or marketing. They don’t give % figures, just that that is where the motor produces the most power. From riding the bike, it feels to me that you could narrow that to 19-20kmh to 25kmh. I was talking to someone yesterday who actually had the motor stop on a horrendous hill because they couldn’t pedal enough for the PAS sensor to detect he was pedalling at all, so go carefully if you are hitting some crazy Rocky Mountain pass!
@@yakoridesagain hello, i have only ridden the bike 2 times, no really big hills here, enough to make you puff, but not long ,probably about 2 k in length but can be 10 - 12 %. no it came with Vision Team 30 wheels, it`s carbon only weighs about 25 lbs, which is heavier that my trek madone weighing in at about 15 lbs. i put conti 5000 tires on 700 x 32 love conti`s expensive but great grip, i am planning to go gravel riding as well i have a set of panaracers 700 x 38 also great tires, we are coming out of winter here, i live near Toronto, so hope to ride more soon. thanks for the info and keep up the great vids.
Thanks Gareth. Just curious about one thing - what is it like to ride when the battery is dead - compared say to your last bike? Does it feel like you're dragging a lump around or can't you tell?
I generally don’t use the assist until I get tired as when you are fresh it’s just a 13kg road bike so a good work out. I’ve only run out of battery once, and that was at the end of a tough ride on a 15% climb and I thought I’d die. Felt like a lump then, but mostly because it had been helping me up the hills until that point. You get used to the feeling and when it’s gone, it’s definitely worse than not having it in the first place - if that makes sense?
I have a D30. It’s a heavy bike up a hill. Think of the lowest assist taking away that extra weight and leaving you with a standard carbon bike. That is up to 25km/h of course so on the flat you won’t benefit from the motor assuming you are moving above that speed. I actually just leave it on green at 40% - 40watts. My battery usage tells me it’s rarely helping except on hills. Downhill, it’s a heavy road bike and goes down like a treat. You’ll never use the motor.
I use the higher levels into bad headwinds and when I’m really tired on hills while commuting. I also use on difficult gravel tracks where I may need a big turn of power to get out of trouble.
Thank you for your video and honest review.
I have a local shop that sells the M30 2020 version for 2k5€
It is full carbon and with 105 transmission.
I wanted to go for a E gravel but the range of price more like 4k-5k€
Does it look like a banger for this price ?
It’s an excellent price - make sure you get the full 2 year warranty as batteries aren’t keen on being left unused. You will be able to fit gravel tyres, and the motor helps with the gearing differences - if not, you can fit a bigger cassette or chainrings and still be laughing, money wise.
@@yakoridesagain thank you for your help. I will try it tomorrow to make sûre this is thé correct sise : this is à M size, i'm 1m67, so à little too short according to thé size recommandation.
If it's à match, i will go for it !
I hope it fits - the sizing can be a little larger than expected - I’m sure you know, it’s easier to make a smaller bike fit you than one that is already too large…
Did you get the Gain in the end @Theplayer?
Thank you for your review, very nice. Have you ever riden a race bike with a fazia motor und could make some comments, on how these compare?
I haven’t, but the systems are quite different with pros and cons for each. The Fazua system is heavier, and less stealthy, but is more powerful and works by detecting how much pressure you are applying (torque) which many people love. Also, the motor and battery can be popped out leaving you with a road bike nearly 4kgs lighter. If possible, test ride both.
Love it! Thanks!
Hope it helped Vince. Cheers!
Regarding the battery, if it has to be serviced for any reason, how is it removed from the down tube?
It is straightforward to remove with just a few screws - but just not something you would want to do often, as the cables must be disconnected to the button on the top tube and re-feeding them back up inside the frame needs some forethought. Not in any way a difficult job, nor one you are likely to need to do for many years.
Hi! Can you please pop in a link for the extra battery options that you recommend?
Have a look at my DIY extender vid. It’s the only reasonable option, and very easy.
Thanks for great review. What seat do you have on your Orbea? I know, not every seat fits to all... Just curious. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it. I have a used Specialized Bridge - it’s OK for up to say 3 hours, but I couldn’t afford the Specialised Power I fancied.
Great review. 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
That was a terrific review and certainly answered most of my questions regarding the Gain. I’m still tentative about getting one since I live in a hilly area and afraid the battery will not last very long. Also, you may have answered this already, but sorry, I’ll ask again. When riding a standard road bike as compared to the Gain on flat terrain (with no power assist), do you notice quite a bit of resistance? Or is it so minuscule that you forget about it?
Thanks
Glad you liked the review. A range extender may be an idea for you, but it is surprising how far you can climb with the internal battery, and of course you will likely improve as you go along. Regarding resistance, if you lift the rear wheel off the ground and give it a spin, it runs for a much shorter time than a hub with no motor, but it still spins well. Put the weight of a rider on top of that and inertia makes that very slight resistance impossible to feel. There IS a well-documented sensation when the motor is switched off or the power level reduced of ‘cycling through treacle’. This is not resistance by the motor, but simply that you have got used to the assist and can really feel it’s loss! Many newcomers to ebikes complain of this until it is explained to them.
Did you ever take the plunge, CrisCross?
Thanks for the detailed review! How does the motor drag feel after the speed limit?
Thanks Zoster. Yes, I should have included this question as the answer isn’t that well known amongst Gain owners. There is NO perceivable drag from the motor at cut-off speed. All that is happening is that, quite suddenly with the Gain, your ebike turns back into an unassisted bike. It feels as though that motor is dragging - it is not. It’s that all of the power suddenly comes just from you. This is something that is widely known in ebike circles (check forums such as the excellent Pedelecs and ElectrikeBikeForum - this sensation is well- documented there). Buying a speed dongle smooths the cut-off, but the speed gain (2-3kmh) doesn’t justify the expense, for me, as the cut-off sensation is something you quickly get used to.
Some Gain owners report motor drag at other settings too, but a quick check with the bike in the stand and a spin of the wheel shows that yes, the wheel doesn’t spin as freely as a normal hub, but it doesn’t perceptively with the motor on or off.
great review
Thanks Tapon
Agree with poor spoke tension. Mine developed the dreaded hard to find squeak, checked non drive side rear wheel and all spikes on that side loose. Tightened, drop of oil on the nipples, and problem solved
Frustrating, isn’t it! I broke another in this week’s video. Forgot to check these last few weeks…no excuses, I know I need to.
@@yakoridesagain luckily none of mine have broken
Great video. You repeatedly say that the motor is less efficient at < 15kph but surely that depends on the gear doesn't it? It's just torque at the end of the day surely?
Thanks Alan! Electric motors are wound to produce their maximum torque when they are spinning at a particular speed. This varies with the motor. Ebikemotion/Mahle chose to make their motor most efficient and powerful when the wheel/hub is spinning at near 25kmh. The gear you are in doesn’t affect that. Cadence doesn’t affect the amount of power the motor produces. Other systems do utilise other sensors - cadence and power - to affect motor output, but not the Gain.
@@yakoridesagain Ah I see. Thanks! I just bought one second hand BTW. I like it so far.
Excellent! It’s worth fiddling with the power settings on the MySmartBike app so that each level is what you need it to be. Apologies if you have done this already, but I have my green set to 80% (80w) orange to 80% (140w) but red I have maxxed at 100% (250w) cos if I switch to red I’m in big trouble and need all the help I can get. The others are quite high as I am heavy.
@@yakoridesagain not yet. Only ridden it briefly. Thanks for the tip!
im 195 cm and 110 kg found Schwalbe Marathon E-Plus Addix-E Performance Smart DualGuard Wired Tyre to be the best /fastest and no punchers
Wins hands done for reliability and puncture resistance for sure, a great tyre.
Hey!
Thanks for a very interesting video! After my third cancer course, I have big problems on the hills and in headwind. I have therefore, after thorough research, just bought an Orbea like yours and am now waiting to receive it.
With several fine carbon bikes in the garage, it has been something of a defeat for me to have to take that step - but the Mahle X35 system means that I have been able to "surrender" with a "clear conscience" after stepping into it ultimate class "Between 80 and Skin dead".
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Looking at it as entering a new (impressive) class with a new bike is a great way of looking at it! Well done! Cancer just knocks you for 6, no defeat in getting back on any bike after. I have no doubt you will love it. Doesn’t Sean Kelly now ride an e-bike?
I only need the battery assist returning home when I feel like I would never make it home.
Ha exacto! It is a very welcome feeling to know that that terrible headwind to get home is now…nothing!
Hi i got my ebike now i got the Merida gravel bike in end . You said about company in spain that do battery who is that ? . Hope your riding well
Hi Rob - you will love that bike! The extender company is called Volabike; but be aware they take a £200 AliExpress bottle battery, add a diode and a connector and charge £500. I’ve made a video on how to make your own. Mine cost £105 and works really well.
@@yakoridesagain thanks I'm no good at making stuff like that lol. Bike on charge flash green but then flash white do you no what meen i cant see why be white🤷
I know i probably missed it but what battery extender do you recommend. This would be very important for me.
Absolutely make your own, or have it made with parts you buy. The available ones have significant flaws. The official Mahle is hugely overpriced and is but a small capacity battery charger. They can have charge left but in certain high load situations are unable to charge your internal battery. The only alternative is Volabike, which is a better system, with better capacity but is in fact a 200 dollar AliExpress bottle battery with a 4 dollar diode and Mahle-specific plug fitted. They cost 550 dollars are are a rip off. I've posted on my channel how to do your own one in another video. I've been using mine without problems for around 4 months I think. You could make one identical (and I do mean identical) to the Volabike, or one like mine which fits in a saddlebag for extra stealth and leaving the second bottle cage free for drinks. An appliance repair shop could do the soldering if you don't fancy it. Mine cost 110euros and is brilliant.
@@yakoridesagain thankyou, I would need to get a friend to do it, which I shall do.
tension spokes every mth, i run 12 gage on my 29er
The early model Gains have an issue with the rear hub, Garry, and broken spokes are pretty common. I check the tension probably every 3-4 days…
How much does the bike weigh? I picked one up in a shop (admittedly the bottom of the range model) and was surprised by how heavy it felt. Can you feel the weight when you are riding it?
The D series range from 13-14kgs - with the electric system 3.5kgs of that. The carbon Gains are I believe 1.5kgs less. Without the power on it feels a little sluggish compared to an unassisted bike when accelerating. But the assist, even at the lowest level, takes that away and adds more. I tend to ride the flats at over the cutoff speed and it doesn’t feel heavy then. The difference comes on hills, when YOU feel kilos lighter!
I'm currently struggling to find a new gain with the x20 motor they are like hens teeth
I believe they were saying August was the most likely month for first delivery. Could be wrong though. ‘22 carbon Gains should be getting cheaper right now though - still amazing bikes. Fingers crossed my Orbea factory visit and new Gain test-ride will be happening in April so I can tell you whether they are worth the wait!
@@yakoridesagain but the x20 and the bigger battery are a big attraction
They certainly are - though the bigger power output will need the bigger battery to give the same range. I’m keen to try it, especially the electronics - an AI, they say!
How you feel this bike would handle me being 215 lbs 98kgs when climbing?
I’m 270…It helps. For me, maybe not quite enough when it goes over 12%, but if you check though my other vids, I’ve used it on 29%. It all depends on how much you can put in. If you can currently climb a hill at 15kmh, it will help a lot. If you are toiling up at 8kmh, the motor isn’t really powerful enough to do so much. Of course, if your plan is to get fitter, it’s perfect.
How feels the bike when I am paddling above 25 km/h? Am I paddling against the motor or can I Paddle it like a normal bike? Thanks & BR
hallo posr…the motor does not cause significant drag over 25km/h. Personally, I do not feel it, but you do feel the extra weight of the bike over a carbon road bike, for example. The help that the Gain provides on hills and with headwinds is much more significant.
Hallo posr...der Motor verursacht keinen signifikanten Widerstand über 25 km/h. Ich persönlich fühle es nicht, aber Sie spüren zum Beispiel das zusätzliche Gewicht des Fahrrads gegenüber einem Carbon-Rennrad. Die Hilfe, die der Gain auf Hügeln und bei Gegenwind bietet, ist viel bedeutender. Yako
@@yakoridesagain Hallo, danke für die schnelle Antwort. Dreht der motor frei beim Bergab fahren? Ich sehe immer wieder dass normale bikes bergab schneller fahren können als ebikes gleicher bauart, weil dort der Motor quasi mitläuft.
bitte mach dir keine Sorgen. Ich liebe Abfahrten. Hier in der Nähe ist ein Hügel. Ich fahre jetzt 3 km/h schneller auf dem Gain (bei 91 km/h) aufgrund des zusätzlichen Gewichts. Ich schlage mit dem Gain alle meine „persönlichen Bestleistungen“ von Strava.
ruclips.net/video/3rZE4F528JM/видео.html
@@yakoridesagain danke :)
Great review! Currently waiting for a Ribble bike with the same ebike motion. To save power do You recommend switching down to zero power on downhills?
Thanks
Thanks Mark! The key time (for me) to switch it off is when, if you leave it on, it will try to take you up to the cut-off at (in Europe) 25kmh, when you are happy to pootle along. This is at the tops of hills for me. I could toggle through to ‘idle’ instead, but I’m often not capable of thought at that time and a single long thumb push is all I can manage. As soon as you are past 25kmh the engine shuts down anyway in whatever level you are in, so in descents there’s is no need to turn it off. I cannot tell the difference between ‘off’ and ‘idle’ (ie system on but not giving power) in terms of resistance/drag…and of course you will decide what feels right for you, hopefully very soon! You are going to love that Ribble. It’s a beautiful bike!
Can you unlock speed limit on this motor?
Essentially - no. A couple of companies make a €100 device which provides an extra 2-3km/h, but that is it.
in my neighborhood, there is a residential hill that, according to my tablet's angle measurer, starts at 3 percent, then 4 and then a horrible 5 percent. i can't do 5% unless i'm using granny gear on my mountain bike, but you are claiming your hills are 8 to 10 percent. it doesn't look that steep where you are.
I hope you are kidding Bluthar! Sorry to be the bearer of ill-tidings, but 5% isn’t considered steep - a 1 in 20? Catalunya is home to some fairly steep hills, I assure you. I try to avoid ones that go over 10% unless they are short; sadly many are not.
@@yakoridesagain No, i sure was not kidding. i just used my angle meter on my tablet. i tried hard to do it correctly. i frequently walk up this hill and i consider it very taxing. Maybe because i am 73. or maybe the angle meter was not being used correctly.
I use an app called Strava when I’m riding. Many climbs (from around the world) are recorded on it - perhaps this street is on it? If so, you will be able to see a profile of it, and what % it is at any point along it. I use this, plus an inclinometer on my cycling computer, to determine what grade I am climbing. You get used to what each % point feels like over the years and can often quite accurately gauge it, before looking down and checking on the computer. I’m happy to check your street for you if you tell me the street name and city.
@@yakoridesagain i just ordered a magnetic angle finder and i'm going to measure that hill again! now i have no choice.
Nice one.
Thanks!
No need to cut out the cake , with an e-bike you can eat as much as you like , winner winner chicken dinner 💪🥳🍰🧁🥮
More cake = more speed*
*downhill