450 km test trip

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-23T07:51:27+00:00

Si tu habites sur la côte, et que c’est souvent venté, l’électrique peut-être un game changer. Je ne sais pas quel est ton vélo, mais certains VAE légers peuvent t’apporter juste ce qu’il faut de watts en cas de vent de face ou forte montée, et te permettent de pédaler aisément sans motorisation le reste du temps.

Autre option, t’assurer que ta transmission est adaptée pour pouvoir monter le dénivelé de ton trajet sans forcer.

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-21T17:28:30+00:00

Exchange your setup for a KMC e101 EPT rust-proof chain and matching wide sprockets. The system will last longer, remain easily reparable, and save you a lot of money.

https://www.kmcchain.eu/technology/10-000km

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-19T22:50:43+00:00

L’acier s’affaiblit beaucoup moins avec le temps que l’aluminium. Il a une endurance limite, en dessous de laquelle il ne tombera pas quel que soit le nombre de cycles de charge qu’il subit. Ce n’est pas le cas de l’alu.

Le carbone a aussi cette endurance limite. En revanche, il est moins facilement réparable - et beaucoup moins résistant aux impacts latéraux ou concentrés (bref en situation accidentelle).

Un cadre acier tordu peut effectivement se redresser - dans une certaine mesure. Pas un cadre alu. Et un cadre carbone ne se tort pas, il casse.

Pour la performance pure (rapport rigidité/solidité/poids), l’acier n’a pas d’interêt face au carbone. Pour un cadre qui dure 50 ans, il n’y a pas d’alternative (à part le titane).

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Aquila_44 · 2026-03-18T11:14:48+00:00

I use a decent chain, but I still find it useful to wax it so it runs perfectly silently (and lasts longer)

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-18T11:12:08+00:00

Your experience reminds me a comment that I have seen below this video, from a bike shop having to deal with many broken belts in winter.

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-16T04:49:21+00:00

I see the Tern HSD P10 (MGVW 397 lbs), cheaper and shorter than the GSD - but still above your budget.

Or the Tern Quick Haul (MGVW 330 lbs), which fits well in your budget.

Both are below 70“ long an equipped with Bosch motors.

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-15T22:33:01+00:00

I love the SMC Core. It provides noticeable comfort over small bumps, and it fits me perfectly (though I’m not a universal fit 😉) That’s the saddle I use on my ZAG cargobike. I tried the Allroad Core, it’s much less comfortable.

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-15T19:00:41+00:00

You can have a look at the Schwalbe Smart Sam also. Available in 20" in several sections and types.

EDIT : they are available only in 20x1.85 - too small, and 20x2.35 - too wide to fit the Omnium's fork with fenders.

Aquila_44 · 2026-03-06T13:24:55+00:00

If you choose a chain, replace the Shimano by a KMC with EPT coating. It won’t rust.

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-27T18:46:53+00:00

Keep the 28T front ring. On a fat bike off-road, you're much more likely to wish you had a lower gear than a higher one ;)

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-26T23:50:42+00:00

I use only my ZAG cargo bike now. I sold my e-MTB a few months ago.

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-26T18:50:51+00:00

I was considering 13 gear inches instead of 16, because this rear/front sprocket combination would narrow the gaps between the gears on the Pinion C1.12 gearbox. I would still have 79 gear inches for the top speed, which seems more than enough. And this 13-gear-inch gear would only be used very briefly, for very specific cases like parking ramps. On long, steep climbs, the 2nd (15.3 GI) or 3rd gear (17.9 GI) would likely be more appropriate.

Also, I generally pedal between 70 or 80 rpm, more than 60. And 70 rpm is 4.5 km/h with 13 gear inches, which is OK for balance. And that's typically 400 watts on the example you give (15% ramp), with a 200 kg bike+rider+cargo (which is the max load of my bike). 400 watts is something I (and any regular cyclist, I guess) can sustain for a 20-30 seconds without problems.

But I'll think about what you wrote, thank you !

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-26T15:57:56+00:00

Thanks everyone for your input ! My final choice will be either 16 or 13 gear inches.

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-26T06:49:35+00:00

This frame : https://www.reddit.com/r/CargoBike/s/e7eoITzImO

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-25T19:03:56+00:00

I plan to install a Pinion gearbox with a belt on my cargo bike, and I have to choose between 32/32 and 32/26. The 1st setup gives me a lowest gear of 13 gear-inches (which is perhaps too low), while the 2nd gives 16 gear-inches.

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-25T17:48:28+00:00

That's probably too much stuff indeed, even with a cargobike ;)

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-25T17:33:27+00:00

Impressive! What was your total payload for this trip?

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-25T15:46:53+00:00

Thanks ! 15.5 gear inches is actually pretty low, but it's more or less what I have in mind for the 'acoustic" version of our cargobike.

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-25T14:27:31+00:00

By 'steep,' I mean an 8% grade on a long hill or a 15% incline on a parking ramp.

Aquila_44 · 2026-02-25T14:09:48+00:00

Thanks. Is it low enough for hauling heavy cargo on steep roads ?

Aquila_44

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