BIKES AND ACCESSORIES
While there are many reviews covering bikes and bike accessories on the web, they are often written by professionals who have many years experience either as riders and/or as journalists. I have found that often these reviews have a bias towards the 'top end' of the riding market and as such do not always cover the matters that really interest part time riders.
For example, the fascination with getting various parts of the bike, such as brake rotors or the frame, to be as light as possible always seems to be overkill for most casual riders. Besides price and the overall weight, it seems to me that your older rider is more interested in comfort, ease in climbing hills, stability, etc.
So this section of the Reviews tab is devoted to user reviews that might help readers make their decision about which bike or accessory to buy.
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Please use the Contact page to compile and submit your reviews. Please keep your review current and limit it to 400 words describing when and why you purchased the item and your assessment of how, in your estimation, the item has performed. To get the ball rolling I will start with reviews of my Specialized Creo, a Wahoo Element Roam bike computer and a Garmin Edge 530 bike computer.
Specialized Turbo Creo SL 1.0 e Road Bike 2020 *****
I purchased my Specialized Creo 1.0 e road bike in March 2020, right at the start of the COVID Pandemic. This meant that when it arrived, getting it fitted to suit my needs was impacted by being unable to enter the bike shop. Instead the fitting process was done at a distance and it certainly took longer to get the bike fully set up, especially in relation to seat positioning and getting a comfortable ride.
One of the good things about Specialized is when you buy a new bike you can keep changing the seats till you find one that suits you, although there is an initial base price and the bike shop keeps adjusting up and down depending on your choice. Back in 2015 when I got my Roubaix I went through about six seats till I settled on a triathlon gel seat for comfort. By 2020 my backside had become used to riding a road bike and after starting with my Roubaix seat I switched to a Specialized Mimic (see separate review).
As to the Creo, it has been superb. I have ridden over 7000 kms between March 2020 and January 2021 and only have praise for the bike. I have done some long rides with big climbs and the Creo has allowed me to ride with the young/fit guys.
I regularly clean and oil the chain and replace it every 12-18 months as it stretches both due to my weight and because the e motor maintains an even pressure on the chain while in use and this causes the chain to stretch.
Initially, the Creo linked to the Specialized Mission Control on my phone to keep track of my rides. In 2023 Specialized replaced Mission. Control with the Specialized App which provides the user with a fantastic level of detail including details of all e bikes covered by the app if you have multiple bikes; a simple to use ride recording system; details of all past rides; and a support centre. It is now very easy to keep track of both active battery charge levels and to compare trips undertaken to see how you are using the e modes, distances ridden and battery related battery consumption. As a result I was able to measure that I was achieving a battery range in excess of 200km per 100% charge with a usage mode of 92% in Eco mode and the balance in Sports mode.
These are an expensive bike ranging in price in late 2024 from $8,200Aus for the aluminium framed Comp E5 to $14000Aus for the carbon framed Expert, but at each price point the bike is superb. In 2023 Specialized released the new 2.0 electric mot0rs across its full range of Creos and they are touted to be both quieter and faster than the 1.0 motor in my bike. As the price increases so does the quality of the bike and the quality of the add ons such as the Shimano fittings. The bike comes in at less than 13kg with battery range extender added and it rides like a dream. The Specialized developed titanium electric motor is fantastic and cuts out once you exceed 25kph. And it is so well balanced and set up that other than on big climbs or into stiff head winds, you find yourself easily riding at speeds in excess of 25kph which is why the batteries last so long!
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In summary, the Creo has done everything I have asked of it and my riding experience has been exceptional. This is a bike for road riders who love the experience of riding on roads and bike paths with climbs and variable winds and who from time to time need a little assistance to allow them to keep up with their riding companions who are younger, fitter or simply don't have the physical restrictions that you do!
How do the Creo's perform over a six day tour? The answer every time has been 'brilliantly!' Just have a look at the reviews I have posted for rides we have done with AllTrails in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Our Creos made our tours so enjoyable.
Creo Future Shock 2.0 2021
On the top of the handlebar stem there is a dial (see photo) which enables the rider to stiffen or loosen the handlebar stiffness to suit conditions. By turning from one extreme to the other the rider can have handlebars that move up and down to counter bumpy rides or no movement at all to help stiffen the ride for steep and windy descents.
The news Creo 2.0's come with Future Shock 3.0. It's designed to decrease the amount of road vibration felt by the riders hands and arms. Its claimed that riders arrive at destinations better refreshed than previously.
Specialized Women's Power Comp with Mimic Saddle 2020 ****
A saddle developed by Specialized for women riders, but which is now also being ridden by lots of men. By mid 2020, even with COVID constraints to outdoor riding, I was finding my new gel triathlon saddle was very uncomfortable and my rides were getting shorter. My bike mechanic suggested that the Mimic seats were finding favour with lots of riders, both women and men and I was able to take advantage of the Specialized saddle policy for new bikes and swap the Gel for a Comp Mimic.
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The Gel is the base model and I was required to make up the difference in price between the Gel and the Mimic, but the difference was marginal and the outcome was brilliant. The seats come in three sizes and I was fitted to get the right length for me. The improvement was noticeable immediately and I could ride short and long distances and the discomfort, if any, seemed to be limited to the first 10km or so of my ride and is associated with getting my sit bones comfortable.
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I've been riding about 2000 km a year and by early 2024 my Mimic needed to be replaced as it had started to lose its shape and was bending down from my downward weight when I ride. My new Mimic is just as comfortable as the first.
Garmin Edge 530 Cycling Computer 2021 *****
When I purchased my new Creo in 2020, I was using a 5 year old Garmin Edge 1000 cycling computer which was on its last legs - the USB cable wouldn't connect properly and the on/off button had almost fully recessed into the unit making it hard to turn it on and off. I had really enjoyed using the then top of the range 1000 as it did everything I wanted and was easy to read as its screen was similar in size to my smart phone.
In addition to the physical problems, the 1000 did not connect with the e features of my new bike. I had read that the Wahoo Element Roam would do everything that my 1000 was doing plus give me battery and e-mode readings and the screen size would be sufficient for my needs. However, from almost straight after purchasing the Wahoo I ran into problems with getting accurate trip distances and heart rate readings. Despite repeated emails to Wahoo to try and solve the problems they were ongoing and very frustrating.
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Finally I had had enough and after lots of research I opted to replace the Wahoo unit with the Garmin Edge 530. My options were the 530, the 830, the 1030 or the 1030 Plus with prices climbing astronomically as the number increased. All units other than the 530 were touch screen units and I opted for the non-touch screen 530 because it would be easier to use and read on the road.
It was a little more difficult to set up using the buttons on the side rather than a bluetooth data transfer from my 1000, but once done the screen remained easy to read as it is free of fingerprints and grease from sweaty hands on hot days. I was also looking forward to being able to switch screens, start and finish rides and use the maps in winter by pushing buttons without having to take off my gloves.
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The verdict, the 530 initially looks small, but is actually easy to read using the 7 data sets screen in which the speed is centrally located and the other data sets radiate out from the speed. All monitored and/or collected data has proven to be accurate.
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By 2024 I am still using and enjoying the 530. One recent change though is to take advantage to the built in buttons on the top of the Creo handlebars which move the screens up and down. I have now opted for two four data set screens and a five data set. By doing so I have simple access to 13 data sets and can better manage my rides.
FulGaz 2021 *****
I purchased an Elite Direto XR bike smart bike trainer and I was looking for an app that would provide me with a realistic indoor riding experience. There were several to choose from, with Zwift being the flavour of the moment. However, Zwift seemed to be aimed at competitive riders and I did not see myself in this category. So after asking around I decided to have a look at Fulgaz, an app that provides video rides on routes all around the world. From ride one, I have loved using it.
So what did I get? I got access to video rides in a number of categories - long rides, short rides, easy rides, hard rides, group rides, etc. And how does it work? I select a ride that suits me in terms of length and difficulty and ride gradients - and a location that I would love to visit. Early on I did a 30km ride around Lake Constance in Germany, an area that I have always wanted to ride around. Someone else has done so and I get the benefit of riding in her/his shadow and seeing what they saw. Its fabulous.
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Having selected a ride, I download it to my laptop so that I avoid data buffering while the laptop is in action (buffering causes the video to freeze while data is being downloaded as is best avoided by downloading before you start the ride). I then turn the trainer power on so that the app connects to the trainer, don my heart rate monitor so that it too connects to the app and then select Ride, then Go, on the chosen route and start cycling.
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After that you see the ride as the cinematographer saw it. In addition, through the bike computer displayed on the laptop screen (or any other screen device such as Apple TV) I get to see my speed, my heart rate, my climbing data, my power rating, the time of day, how long I have been training, how far I've travelled, how far I have to go and heaps more. The app controls the trainer device which in turn controls the level of resistance of my rear wheel hub cassette.
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When the display says I'm climbing with a 15% gradient, the resistance is tough and I need to change gears to try and make it easier. FulGaz allows you to set your desired level of resistance and as I normally ride an e-road bike I've set resistance at just under 50% of the gradient. This works well for me and still provides a great work out. However, there are still rides that look reasonable, but which involve lots of steep climbs. I've done rides that on the screen look like, say, 12% or 13% steep, but have turned out to be 23% and real knee killers.
As the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it, and the more I ride with my FullGaz app the more I appreciate how it is helping me to improve my fitness and at the same time introducing me to parts of the world that I have yet to actually ride through. In addition, the FullGaz people are always providing users with the opportunity to join in live rides, to experience rides in unique locations like South African Game Reserves or to fairly compete with other riders in all sorts of situations.
A example was the opportunity over a couple of weeks to ride five Italian rides of varying difficulty to compete for a new trainer. You just needed to complete the five rides to be in the draw and it did not matter that I came 29th out of 29 riders aged 60-69 or took twice the total time of the rider who came 28th! It was a challenge I really enjoyed it and the I had an equal chance of the winning the prize which ws by random draw.
My Trek Domane LT+ by John Thwaite 2021 *****
I live and ride in Canberra, Australia and this review covers the first three months and around 1000kms of riding since purchasing my first e bike in late 2021.
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I decided to replace my 6 years old Specialized Roubaix road bike with an e-bike as my ageing knees needed some assistance. I consulted Daniel the bike guru at "Bike Culture" our local bike shop. He recommended the Trek Domane LT+ and he was right, it suits me perfectly. The gentle assistance, especially on windy days or on steep climbs, is just great!
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The Domane LT+ is an e road bike with a carbon fibre frame. It weighs 14.7kg with the drive pack and 11.8kg without. There is an optional cover at additional cost if you don't want to use the drive pack. The total cost was $A9230 and there was only one colour option, Radioactive red/Trek black.
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The bike geometry is very good and it is really comfortable to ride. A feature I really like is rear "IsoSpeed" which "decouples" the seat tube from the frame allowing it to flex and absorb road vibration. It can be adjusted to suit the rider by moving a slider under the top tube. In all other respects it is a standard looking road bike with drop bars, hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano Ultegra 11 speed cassette and double chainring at the front.
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The power comes from German Fazua Evation e-bike drive system comprising a gearbox in the bottom bracket with motor and battery housed in the down tube. In order to charge the battery a key is used to unlock the battery/motor and detach it from the bike. You take the battery to a power point and charge it. There is a two stage locking lever that helps to protect from accidental dropping. A small removable cover on the outside of the motor is the access point for updating the software. There is also a remote housed in the top bracket to switch the motor on and off.
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A series of LEDs indicate the state of charge and enables selection of four drive modes:-
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No support - white
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Breeze - minimal but active pedal support - green (I use this one most of the time),
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River - a little more assistance - blue, and
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Rocket - maximum support - pink.​
Two smart phone apps are integral to the operation of the bike.
The Fazua app which enables the customisation of your riding profile. I am using the road bike factory profile which suits me. This app also provides details of all the firmware including the remote, motor and Bluetooth. Total distance travelled and number of charges is also shown.
The Fazua Rider app shows the current charge and estimated distance achievable using each setting. In my case, based on height and weight, it shows 160kms (Breeze), 80kms (River) and 55Kms (Rocket). There is also a map feature.
To date the only issue I have had is with my Garmin 830 GPS which I still use in addition to the apps. The Fazua dashboard is not working on my Garmin. Apparently, this has occurred since the last Garmin software update and efforts are being made to fix it.
In summary this is a great e-bike and I really enjoy riding it.
Pinarello Nytro 2022 ***
We hired these e road bikes at the Lake Garda Bike Hotel (see review above) and preparing this review it became clear that our model which used Sram componetry has been superseded by models using the full range of Shimano componetry. Our bikes were set up for us using data we had supplied in advance and utilising our pedals and saddles we brought with us. These bikes had two chain rings in front and a regular cassette 50/34t at the rear. Without Di2 and the capacity to connect to our Garmin Edges, we found ourselves having to relearn to visually check front and rear gears as we rode.
These bikes weigh in at around 14kgs and were very manoeuvrable. The disc brakes worked well and steep descents were a delight. The e system works through the control on the handlebar which provides basic ride data such as speed, time and distance ridden and a colour coded bar system to advise what mode you are in and how much charge you have left. Green was the Eco mode, while Blue was Sports and Pink was Turbo. These bikes don't have battery range extenders, but the battery can be removed and replaced with a fully charged unit.
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Initially we received fairly basic advice about how to ride these bikes from our guides at the Hotel and accordingly when we rode the bikes in a manner similar to our Specialized Creos as we started the 21km climb of Monte Baldo the battery's power charge started to diminish fairly quickly. At this point our guide for the ride saw we riding in the pink mode and advised that we would have flat batteries within an hour if we kept it up. Accordingly we rode in green from then on and used blue when the gradient got above 10%.
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My battery was almost flat by the time we stopped for refreshments at the 16km mark and was replaced, whereas Mary still had four bars and lasted till the coffee stop 5 kms later on when it too was replaced.
Having learnt from this experience, a few days later I rode a 90 km course which included a 5km climb which started with a 500m climb at around 15%. It was a quick ride and I think I averaged around 30kmh with the climb and descent removed. I did the whole ride in Green and still had just under 50% battery charge at the end of the ride.
Overall we were very impressed and it certainly our view that e road bikes allow us to be part of a ride in all conditions rather than either falling way behind or having to jump in the sag wagon. The Pinarello Nytros we rode were nice to ride, but well short of our Creos which we were delighted to get back on once we got home.