Orbea Gain

[Southernguns]

I've only just gone and bought it!
The '105' equipped D30, for just a couple 'o hundred more than a D50, that vickster spotted

Well done, Widge. And for that price it is a steal and definitely 100% worth the small extra over the D50!!! I have had claris and sora groupsets on cheap bikes over the years. Then I bought an almost new second hand road bike with 105 in order to start cycling more seriously. Wow, what a difference. It was probably because it was set up better and it was a better quality bike but the difference was like night and day. Smoother, more accurate changes, no missed gears etc, much better brakes. So when I bought the Gain I was only ever going to get a D30 or higher spec. I wouldn't worry too much about the hydraulic brakes - there are loads of youtube videos online showing how to service them - I reckon I could do it and I am no wizz with the spanners (but I can follow instructions). An LBS won't charge much to service them though.

Like Storck said - it takes a while to adjust and understand the bike. I have had mine about 2 months and am still learning and playing around and working things out - but I absolutely love it . I use my normal road bike and I cannot say I enjoy it - it is just a necessary evil to keep my fitness up and I never look forward to a ride. But after using the Gain I am actually enjoying cycling for the first time ever (I am a runner really but injuries have forced me onto 2 wheels) and cannot wait to get back out on it. The first couple of rides were interesting and I felt that I wasn't getting the best out of the bike. I did wonder if I had made a wrong decision, but adjustments in riding position and technique made a huge difference. I find spinning up hills provides more assistance than grinding my way up them, but other people on here have said that they find the opposite. The guys & gals on here are really good and full of useful advice so any issue it is worth asking.

 

[Storck]

Well done, Widge. And for that price it is a steal and definitely 100% worth the small extra over the D50!!! I have had claris and sora groupsets on cheap bikes over the years. Then I bought an almost new second hand road bike with 105 in order to start cycling more seriously. Wow, what a difference. It was probably because it was set up better and it was a better quality bike but the difference was like night and day. Smoother, more accurate changes, no missed gears etc, much better brakes. So when I bought the Gain I was only ever going to get a D30 or higher spec. I wouldn't worry too much about the hydraulic brakes - there are loads of youtube videos online showing how to service them - I reckon I could do it and I am no wizz with the spanners (but I can follow instructions). An LBS won't charge much to service them though.

Like Storck said - it takes a while to adjust and understand the bike. I have had mine about 2 months and am still learning and playing around and working things out - but I absolutely love it . I use my normal road bike and I cannot say I enjoy it - it is just a necessary evil to keep my fitness up and I never look forward to a ride. But after using the Gain I am actually enjoying cycling for the first time ever (I am a runner really but injuries have forced me onto 2 wheels) and cannot wait to get back out on it. The first couple of rides were interesting and I felt that I wasn't getting the best out of the bike. I did wonder if I had made a wrong decision, but adjustments in riding position and technique made a huge difference. I find spinning up hills provides more assistance than grinding my way up them, but other people on here have said that they find the opposite. The guys & gals on here are really good and full of use advice so any issue it is worth asking.

Spinning the way to go on hills for most effective assist. I still am a "Grinder" on the flats. Decades of riding ain't gonna change overnight. But after many different riding scenarios uphill, without doubt lots of "RPM" gets the most out of the motor. So you will see me now - sat in the saddle turning those pedals uphill. Far more efficient.

 

[arao99]

Hi Pal,
Well, I am more than happy with the tyres. The ones I have are the Schwalbe G-ONE Allround, 40-622 but as you have stated they are actually 38c.
The Gain M30 is a carbon frame, yes ? you sure the carbon frames will take a tyre that size ?
This is Schwalbe's summary of the tyre. https://www.schwalbe.com/en/offroad-reader/schwalbe-g-one-allround.html
They also do a variant called G-ONE Speed. I have used these on a different bike and they are brilliant, but definitely road orientated
so you are better to stick with the G-ONE Allround. They will do just fine on the surfaces you mention.
A lot of riders avoid these 'fatter' tyres but the comfort gained on our broken roads is (imo) well worth a little extra weight and frankly who cares on a pedal-assisted bike ? These G-ONE's are tubeless compatible but I still use tubes.
Here is a Road.CC review I just stumbled across. https://road.cc/content/review/190493-schwalbe-g-one[/QUOTE

Thanks for your reply Scaleyback Orbea do say up to 40mm tyres ,I think the carbon seems to have the same clearance as the Ali bike . I tried a wheel from another bike with 40-622 tyre on it and had plenty room.I hope you get your spoke fixed soon, I too have only ever broken one spoke and the LBS fixed it that was two years ago, still ok

 

[Storck]

App update available for Ebikemotion.

 

[Solom01]

Hi folks. So I downloaded the app update for the Ebikemotion app. Bad mistake, it worked get having "server errors" when trying to download the Maps I had paid for. I sent a message to Ebikemotion and in a few hours another update appeared. It went from bad to worse, now the App refuses to connect to my bike at all, so basically the app is now worthless. I tried force stopping the app, uninstalling and reinstalling - nothing seems to work. Is anyone else having the same problem? I'm using this with a OnePlus 6 on Pie. Life is too short to mess around with a buggy app so I ordered a Garmin, but if I can't get the app to work I won't be able to keep track of exact battery state, change the power settings or anything else. I've learned my lesson - if I get this to work again no more updating.

 

[Storck]

Hi folks. So I downloaded the app update for the Ebikemotion app. Bad mistake, it worked get having "server errors" when trying to download the Maps I had paid for. I sent a message to Ebikemotion and in a few hours another update appeared. It went from bad to worse, now the App refuses to connect to my bike at all, so basically the app is now worthless. I tried force stopping the app, uninstalling and reinstalling - nothing seems to work. Is anyone else having the same problem? I'm using this with a OnePlus 6 on Pie. Life is too short to mess around with a buggy app so I ordered a Garmin, but if I can't get the app to work I won't be able to keep track of exact battery state, change the power settings or anything else. I've learned my lesson - if I get this to work again no more updating.

No problem for me, using Galaxy 5.

 

[Scaleyback]

Thanks arao99,
Yes, this busted spoke is a pain. I understand it is possible to test the spoke tension on the existing spokes and use that as a guide but my LBS man (who I have used for some years) is reluctant to do that as he is not sure the others are correct. He wants to be sure it’s right (and so do I) We have made email contact with someone at Orbea UK so hopefully this ‘saga’ is near it’s end ?

 

[Solom01]

No problem for me, using Galaxy 5.

Thanks Storck, it totally won't work for me, maybe because my phone runs PIE (I'm not sure if the Galaxy 5 does). I'll try it on an old Galaxy Note 4 I have and see if that works.

 

[Southernguns]

Thanks Storck, it totally won't work for me, maybe because my phone runs PIE (I'm not sure if the Galaxy 5 does). I'll try it on an old Galaxy Note 4 I have and see if that works.

Works for me with no issues on Android Oreo, Pie and 10Q. Having said that, I have not updated the app to its latest version. I also do not use the maps. I use an app called Komoot and run it from one of my phones - it's a brilliant app and I use it over my Garmin.

 

[Solom01]

Ok it works on a Note 4 and an LG stylus running Oreo, although maps still won't download. Apparently they just have old phones at Ebikemotion, since it doesn't work with PIE. Hope they fix that soon.

 

[Solom01]

There was yet another update for the ebikemotion app this morning. To give them credit after this last update my OnePlus 6 running on Pie now connects to the app. The maps still won't download (some message about problems with the map provider's server) but at least I can now change settings on my Orbea. I have no idea if the problem was caused by the new app having problems with Pie, or bluetooth 5 or what, but it's working now and I don't plan on updating it again since I'll be using the Garmin for most things.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Had a lot of trouble with the app for months after buying the bike a year ago but after recent updates working as it should. I must have uninstalled/reinstalled 4 or 5 times in the past. Using a Motorola MOTO e5 Android, mostly for monitoring the bike and recording activity then uploading to dashboard.

 

[Widge]

Well......I've had my new D30 for a couple of days - and it is a steep learning curve!
Forgive me if I ask a few 'stupid' questions , won't you?

With regard to charging -

How long does it take (I know this depends on the state of charge already in the battery) but some indications (say from flashing orange back to to steady white?)based on your experience would be most helpful.
Do you tend to leave it or monitor it carefully?
Also...the charging unit gets surprisingly warm! Is it the same for you? I can't quite work out how to plug the charger end into the bike socket quickly and easily either-and seem to have to faff a bit getting it orientated. Perhaps I'm getting a bit 'senior' for all this electrikery all at once?

Thanks people.

And BIG thanks to all who suggested size 'Small'! Medium would have been mahoosive for me.

All this and more to come I suspect.............................................

All Best

widge

 

[youngoldbloke]

Piece of insulation tape to help insertion of the plug. BTW the plug and socket have arrows in the moulding, just visible. The ring with rectangular ears can be rotated and drops down to lock the plug in the socket. Just put mine on charge from 37% remaining. I'll try and remember to check how long it takes to steady white. I tend to leave it and check every hour or so and more often when flashing white. Charger does get warm. I'll report time later.

 

[youngoldbloke]

- reckon under 3 hrs from 37% to 100% - constant white / green light on charger.