Boardman ADV 8.9 E

[ianmac62]

How long is your chain lasting on average? I've had my bike nearly 4 years (16,000km) and I replaced it at 2 years and it's just gone past the 0.5% wear indicator so time for another one. Do you also replace the cassette/chainring at the same time or see if it behaves with the new chain?

About the same as you, I think. A little surprising. Does the extra torque from the motor place additional strain on the chain?

 

[Mocaccino]

Fazua Parts: If anybody needs Fazua parts from the UK I noticed when you go to the Fazua website there is now a UK shop link (previously only EU and Swiss) which goes to https://www.upgradebikes.co.uk/

 

[Mocaccino]

About the same as you, I think. A little surprising. Does the extra torque from the motor place additional strain on the chain?

I'm sure it does but I've set my ramp up settings quite low to reduce torque and increase battery life.

I thought I would try a change in the cassette from 11-42T to 11-28T as I never use the 42T, big mistake, I couldn't get the gears to index so I checked the SRAM compatibility guide and you can only use 11-42T or 11-36T with the Apex 1 Long Arm Derailleur so I'm on the 11-36T now.

 

[ianmac62]

Fazua Parts: If anybody needs Fazua parts from the UK I noticed when you go to the Fazua website there is now a UK shop link (previously only EU and Swiss) which goes to https://www.upgradebikes.co.uk/

Yes. Two years ago that's where I bought my bottom bracket plastic cover. (I've recently had an assure a friend who thought the cover had dropped off his bike that the Boardman doesn't come with one fitted.) Expensive for a simple curved piece of plastic but it does the job and provides peace of mind, especially when the roads are as wet as they are at the moment.

 

[AndrewOW]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and have been doing lots of reading!

I'm buying the electric bike because I want to get more exercise and also use it for commuting to work, which is a 22 mile round trip each day from Worthing to Brighton and I'm hoping this will be a rewarding and fun way to commute, as using my car is always stressful and zero parking near work too.

I've just ordered a Boardman 8.9e ADV from Halfords and will pick it up next saturday (7th December).

I've done lots of research into electric bikes, and it was a toss up between this and the Cairn Rival 1.0, but they don't have any in stock and I can't justify the £3k asking price after their current sale.

After reading the entire thread, and we're now in 2024, I would like to know if the initial 'teething' issues of the loose bottom bracket screws and battery detachment issues have now been resolved, as I think the bike looks well specced and I've previously had the Boardman 8.9 ADV 2020 bike, and was very impressed with it.

I'm really looking forward to collecting it in a week's time from brand new stock, so hopefully will have up to date software and mechanical parts, including the battery. It comes with an updated 1x12 SRAM Apex, so hopefully will provide a good range of gears, but it does need to be a great commuter above all else.

I've read lots of comments in the thread here, and wondered if the original posters have changed their opinions on the bike and if they've had any issues for long term use at all.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Welcome to the forum

and to ebikes!

sorry can't answer you question about the actual bike - but I can say that riding an ebike to work is much better than driving if the distance is not too great

Hope it goes well!!

 

[robgul]

I've had my Adv8.9e since Feb 22 and ridden >3,000 miles on it as a touring bike. Very pleased with it, the only issues were:
1 Bottom bracket creaked/clicked - removed the bolts and refitted with blue threadlock, torqued to [IIRC] 8nm
2 Rear wheel rim split - may have been a pothole - replaced both wheels with handbuilt on Shimano 105 hubs.

I swapped the original tyres for Schwalbe Marathon 32s, changed bars for more conventional shaped touring drops, fitted rack and mudguards. I have second battery but seldom use it.

No issues with battery catch which early models had.

Only regret is SRAM changers which are pretty crude with double tap compared with my other 3 Shimano equipped machines.

 

[CXRAndy]

The only downside is the bottom ratio gearing is 1:1 with 42t rear cog and 42t chainring. You should be fine with the additional 250W assistance for all but the steepest of hills.

First few weeks will be very tough if you're coming from a low fitness base even with a motor. Use as much power to make it easy until you start to develop fitness. Charge at work if needed to give you assurance of enough charge to get you home when feeling tired.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

The only downside is the bottom ratio gearing is 1:1 with 42t rear cog and 42t chainring. You should be fine with the additional 250W assistance for all but the steepest of hills.

First few weeks will be very tough if you're coming from a low fitness base even with a motor. Use as much power to make it easy until you start to develop fitness. Charge at work if needed to give you assurance of enough charge to get you home when feeling tired.

I agree
when you start if you use full power then it won;t feel like you are doing much work
but the simple fact that your legs are spinning is tuning up the muscles and getting them working
after a while (i.e. when you feel like it) you can cut the power and pedal a bit harder - but the important thing is to keeppedalling even if you don't seem to be making much effort

When I have not been out for a while on mine I start off with higher power than I would usually use - just to encourage me to keep going out in future
in summer, when I am going out severl times a week, I often ride with the power off on flat bits - but when I have missed out for a while then I start on a much higher setting just to get back into it

 

[richtea]

After reading the entire thread, and we're now in 2024, I would like to know if the initial 'teething' issues of the loose bottom bracket screws and battery detachment issues have now been resolved, as I think the bike looks well specced and I've previously had the Boardman 8.9 ADV 2020 bike, and was very impressed with it.

I've read lots of comments in the thread here, and wondered if the original posters have changed their opinions on the bike and if they've had any issues for long term use at all.

My experience is of an early 2020 bike (a HYB rather than a ADV, but it's the same battery/motor):

1. Bottom bracket: I tightened the bolts up once - after the second ride I think, and no issues since. I carry a Torx just in case, which obviously warded off evil nicely.

2. Battery removal: this definitely got worse even with lubrication, and I eventually changed to the new style mechanism after 3.5 years. The new mechanism is much easier to use. It cost £55 and I consider that an acceptable hit in the grand scheme of bicycle costs.

Nothing else has gone wrong.

The bike still works very well after a whisker short of 4 years. It doesn't do that many miles for various reasons, but I'm very happy with it.
The battery range may have gone down slightly but I never botherd measuring it, so I can't give figures, but gut feel says less than 10% difference from new.
It occasionally gets a software update - one this year for example, so it's still getting some attention from Fazua even though the battery/motor is the older/original version.

In summary, I'd call it a good buy, and the new version is likely to be even better. Put it this way - the bike is my wife's, but I've had a sneaky look at the ADV for myself. 🤫

EDIT: Whoa, and they're down to £2100:
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/elec...ctric-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-439294.html
[noise of furiously counted pennies]

 

[AndrewOW]

The only downside is the bottom ratio gearing is 1:1 with 42t rear cog and 42t chainring. You should be fine with the additional 250W assistance for all but the steepest of hills.

First few weeks will be very tough if you're coming from a low fitness base even with a motor. Use as much power to make it easy until you start to develop fitness. Charge at work if needed to give you assurance of enough charge to get you home when feeling tired.

Even with the new 1x12 Apex?

Thank you all for your valued replies.

Yes, the bike, even with the new stock is still going for £2,099, and I'm sold on that price point, as the previous standard 8.9 ADV was such a solid bike.

I'm pleased that people haven't had many issues with the the bike, and Fazua system overall. I will get Halfords to check the bottom bracket screws and go over the battery removal and all that gubbins. I may also buy the cable cover from Fazua, just to make it look clean and protect the cables too.

Luckily my journey from Worthing to Brighton doesn't have many hills, as I'll be mostly travelling along the seafront, and it's a gentle incline to the office, and journey home would then be downhill/flat(ish). Once I'm on the bike I'll gauge to see how much motor assistance I'll need, but the westerly breezes on my home journey might be the tough bit, as they can blow hard!

 

[AndrewOW]

Just as an update on my recent order of the 8.9E:

The bike was in stock Wednesday, but I was told there was a problem with the charger and it wouldn't charge the battery.

They ordered another bike and I was meant to pick that up today, Saturday, but I was then told that the charger from the new bike didn't work either, and they've realised now that it was the battery at fault so now expecting a new charger early next week.

I should be able to pick the bike up mid week with any luck. The bike itself is fine, but I'm not entirely impressed with the issues with Fazua.

 

[richtea]

You might just want look around the battery when you get it for a date stamp, and just check if it's old stock. For example, a unused battery a couple of years old may or may not be in the best nick if it isn't kept from running right down.
I think the PC-based software update process may give a date stamp. It certainly tells you if the battery has been used before.

Not trying to scare you, or diss Fazua/Boardman - it's just useful to record the state of expensive electric/electronic items when you receive them.

 

[AndrewOW]

I will certainly be asking questions before I commit to buying the bike. I think the bike would be fine, but the electronics is a worry, as it's totally new to me.

I am beside myself excited to have this bike, and it's all being slightly tarnished by recent events.

I just hope the bike lives up to expectations and I can enjoy the freedom of cycling again.

 

[robgul]

Just as an update on my recent order of the 8.9E:

The bike was in stock Wednesday, but I was told there was a problem with the charger and it wouldn't charge the battery.

They ordered another bike and I was meant to pick that up today, Saturday, but I was then told that the charger from the new bike didn't work either, and they've realised now that it was the battery at fault so now expecting a new charger early next week.

I should be able to pick the bike up mid week with any luck. The bike itself is fine, but I'm not entirely impressed with the issues with Fazua

I will certainly be asking questions before I commit to buying the bike. I think the bike would be fine, but the electronics is a worry, as it's totally new to me.

I am beside myself excited to have this bike, and it's all being slightly tarnished by recent events.

I just hope the bike lives up to expectations and I can enjoy the freedom of cycling again.

Keep detailed notes with dates, times, photos, who you spoke to etc . . . . just in case of future comebacks