Geekzone Cycling Thread

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#3454536 20-Jan-2026 10:10

A friend of mine picked up a new-to-her ebike recently. Trek Rail 5. It was my Mum's bike but she was struggling to get on and off it and would be better with a step through.

Took friend out for a ride yesterday on mostly river trails with one easy mtb climb to see how she went as a total novice MTB rider.

When I've ridden with Dad on his Rail, he's only been using the Eco mode which means he can keep up with me on the climbs and so on.

Friend tried eMTB mode on some of the hills and just sailed off into the distance like it was flat. That's just nuts when a total riding newbie (can ride a bike but hasn't done more than some gentle rides in the past) can just blast up hills like that.

There was absolutely no way I could keep up even giving it everything I've got.

But no, I'm still not getting one. It's not useful for the use I have which is training and endurance events.

Also, it makes my Trek Slash enduro bike seem light by comparison. So there's that.

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#3454547 20-Jan-2026 10:19

geoffwnz:

A friend of mine picked up a new-to-her ebike recently. Trek Rail 5. It was my Mum's bike but she was struggling to get on and off it and would be better with a step through.

Took friend out for a ride yesterday on mostly river trails with one easy mtb climb to see how she went as a total novice MTB rider.

When I've ridden with Dad on his Rail, he's only been using the Eco mode which means he can keep up with me on the climbs and so on.

Friend tried eMTB mode on some of the hills and just sailed off into the distance like it was flat. That's just nuts when a total riding newbie (can ride a bike but hasn't done more than some gentle rides in the past) can just blast up hills like that.

There was absolutely no way I could keep up even giving it everything I've got.

But no, I'm still not getting one. It's not useful for the use I have which is training and endurance events.

Also, it makes my Trek Slash enduro bike seem light by comparison. So there's that.

Yeah I get a lot more riding in on my eBike than I ever did on my ReignSX, as I am able to do exactly that - blast up hills to get to the DH stuff.
I only ever run in Trail, but to have the added boost of Turbo is quite nice in a pinch.

The weight of the bike isn't an issue for me on the trails...it's lugging it over things or getting it onto the bike rack that's a struggle. I have the Tennis Elbow to prove it!

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geoffwnz

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#3454550 20-Jan-2026 10:29

Handsomedan:

geoffwnz:

A friend of mine picked up a new-to-her ebike recently. Trek Rail 5. It was my Mum's bike but she was struggling to get on and off it and would be better with a step through.

Took friend out for a ride yesterday on mostly river trails with one easy mtb climb to see how she went as a total novice MTB rider.

When I've ridden with Dad on his Rail, he's only been using the Eco mode which means he can keep up with me on the climbs and so on.

Friend tried eMTB mode on some of the hills and just sailed off into the distance like it was flat. That's just nuts when a total riding newbie (can ride a bike but hasn't done more than some gentle rides in the past) can just blast up hills like that.

There was absolutely no way I could keep up even giving it everything I've got.

But no, I'm still not getting one. It's not useful for the use I have which is training and endurance events.

Also, it makes my Trek Slash enduro bike seem light by comparison. So there's that.

Yeah I get a lot more riding in on my eBike than I ever did on my ReignSX, as I am able to do exactly that - blast up hills to get to the DH stuff.
I only ever run in Trail, but to have the added boost of Turbo is quite nice in a pinch.

The weight of the bike isn't an issue for me on the trails...it's lugging it over things or getting it onto the bike rack that's a struggle. I have the Tennis Elbow to prove it!

Yep, the in use weight isn't an issue, though it was a big bike for Mum to try and wrangle.

We tested yesterday if my friend could get it in her Toyota Aqua at all, let alone easily. Turns out that it's possible with just the front wheel off, and she can manage to wrangle it in without too much effort. Though she'll look into getting a tow bar fitted for a bike rack of some flavour for easier carting.

Biggest weight issue I found was hoisting either e-bike up onto my Shredder upright rack. That's a long way up for a large chunk of bike.

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Handsomedan

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#3454563 20-Jan-2026 11:03

geoffwnz:

Yep, the in use weight isn't an issue, though it was a big bike for Mum to try and wrangle.

We tested yesterday if my friend could get it in her Toyota Aqua at all, let alone easily. Turns out that it's possible with just the front wheel off, and she can manage to wrangle it in without too much effort. Though she'll look into getting a tow bar fitted for a bike rack of some flavour for easier carting.

Biggest weight issue I found was hoisting either e-bike up onto my Shredder upright rack. That's a long way up for a large chunk of bike.

The key to getting an ebike into a car (for your friend's info) is to remove the battery first.
Removes around 3kg right there and then. Makes the wrangling a lot easier!
A rack certainly makes life easier, though!

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#3454566 20-Jan-2026 11:08

Handsomedan:

geoffwnz:

Yep, the in use weight isn't an issue, though it was a big bike for Mum to try and wrangle.

We tested yesterday if my friend could get it in her Toyota Aqua at all, let alone easily. Turns out that it's possible with just the front wheel off, and she can manage to wrangle it in without too much effort. Though she'll look into getting a tow bar fitted for a bike rack of some flavour for easier carting.

Biggest weight issue I found was hoisting either e-bike up onto my Shredder upright rack. That's a long way up for a large chunk of bike.

The key to getting an ebike into a car (for your friend's info) is to remove the battery first.
Removes around 3kg right there and then. Makes the wrangling a lot easier!
A rack certainly makes life easier, though!

Yep, we experimented with that also. She's pretty strong though so it wasn't too much of a weight issue. Just a logistics issue of her t-rex arms not being able to reach in as far as my orangutan arms. ;-)

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Handsomedan

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#3454569 20-Jan-2026 11:10

While we are on the subject of new bikes...

If you're in the market for a nice little runaround, there's this to consider:

https://nz.louisvuitton.com/eng-nz/products/bike-gm-nvprod5640005v/R95783

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geoffwnz

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#3454572 20-Jan-2026 11:15

Bargain......

I was wondering why it had such a large pricetag until I spotted the link.

For those numbers I'd expect the highest grade titanium and carbon fibre but I expect it'll be mild steel with bedazzling. Not gonna actually go look though.

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Handsomedan

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#3455442 23-Jan-2026 15:34

Just attempted to fit two 27.5+ tyres to my son's "new" ebike as the ones he had on there when he bought it were well worn.

2.75x2.8 Eddy Current eMTB-specific tyres with MASSIVE lugs (more like MX tyres).

Front was quite difficult - Super Trail casing was at least a little flexible.

Rear was impossible to get even one side on. Super Gravity casing, so very thick and stiff sidewalls. Just took it to the bike shop. They were not impressed, but they're going to give it a good go.

For reference, they look like this:

SCHWALBE Eddy Current Front folding tyre Evolution Addix Soft Super Gravity - 27,5 x 2,6 and 2,8 inches

Schwalbe Eddy Current 2019 | Mountain Bike Reviews » Tyres | Free Mountain Bike Magazine | IMB

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geoffwnz

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#3455453 23-Jan-2026 16:09

Handsomedan:

Just attempted to fit two 27.5+ tyres to my son's "new" ebike as the ones he had on there when he bought it were well worn.

2.75x2.8 Eddy Current eMTB-specific tyres with MASSIVE lugs (more like MX tyres).

Front was quite difficult - Super Trail casing was at least a little flexible.

Rear was impossible to get even one side on. Super Gravity casing, so very thick and stiff sidewalls. Just took it to the bike shop. They were not impressed, but they're going to give it a good go.

Seems to be a thing with Tubeless type tyres, or maybe just anything these days.

I had major issues with getting tyres on and off the Bontrager rims on my bike until some research pointed to the factory rim strip being too thick and preventing the tyre bead dropping into the centre channel enough to allow it to be fitted. Changed it to just a couple of rounds of Stans tape and it was a lot easier, though still very tight.

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mudguard

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#3455457 23-Jan-2026 16:31

Yeah about the only tip I've had for stubborn tyres is to leave them in the sun to get them as hot as you can. I still use steel tyre levers if needed. My Park ones are about 20cm long.

SheriffNZ

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#3455475 23-Jan-2026 17:51

I don’t carry a spare tube for my tubeless road bike tyres. While I can get the tyre off, Ive never been able to get it back on so there’s no point. I’ve committed to calling an uber (easier from road terrain than mtb terrain). I’m glad I’m not alone here.

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TwoSeven

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#3455545 24-Jan-2026 07:48

Never had issues with tyres - I think back in the day when the wire in the tyre rim changed to Kevlar making things tighter caused me an issue on my touring bike (1980s).

The way I do it, is just to use a bead breaker and drop the bead from one side off the bead shelf into the channel. Putting it back on, put the bead on one side in the channel, then start opposite the valve on the other side and use a tire lever.

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kiwi_64

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#3455555 24-Jan-2026 09:11

TwoSeven:

Never had issues with tyres - I think back in the day when the wire in the tyre rim changed to Kevlar making things tighter caused me an issue on my touring bike (1980s).

The way I do it, is just to use a bead breaker and drop the bead from one side off the bead shelf into the channel. Putting it back on, put the bead on one side in the channel, then start opposite the valve on the other side and use a tire lever.

Isn't the solution to that (puncture on tubeless) just a plug/repair kit? Or does that not work for road tyres? (I'm a MTB/Gravel bike rider only)

elpenguino

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#3455624 24-Jan-2026 14:13

kiwi_64:

TwoSeven:

Never had issues with tyres - I think back in the day when the wire in the tyre rim changed to Kevlar making things tighter caused me an issue on my touring bike (1980s).

The way I do it, is just to use a bead breaker and drop the bead from one side off the bead shelf into the channel. Putting it back on, put the bead on one side in the channel, then start opposite the valve on the other side and use a tire lever.

Isn't the solution to that (puncture on tubeless) just a plug/repair kit? Or does that not work for road tyres? (I'm a MTB/Gravel bike rider only)

I think plugging is the classic solution to a mid-tread hole - assuming sealant doesn't solve the issue.

I haven't had any flat tyres on my MTBs except once when my tubeless rolled off the rim (probably pressure was too low - long story ). I borrowed a hand pump from a passing rider but there wasn't enough volume to re-inflate onto the rim.

Based on that experience, and the difficulty re-fitting the tyre at home with a larger pump, my backup plan for a tubeless tyre that's broken the bead would be to insert a tube.

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TwoSeven

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#3455636 24-Jan-2026 16:17

Although I have tubeless, they are set up with tubes. Otherwise I would plug and patch (put a plug in, then add a patch on the inside), although I am out of date with technology.

in my underseat bag, I carry an ultralight tube, patch kit, tire rubbber tape, plastic tyre levels, valves+adaptor and a micro tool and Allen keys in a tool roll with a micro towel. I keep an old 12 inch bike pump strapped to the top tube (it’s 40 years old and I want to upgrade to a modern one that will do my forks).

my background is touring (and my mtb is being set up for that), so I like to be able to properly service/fix things. I do like ultralight, but it’s not the priority, given I don’t really do that type of riding.

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