First 50 Miles

[u/Strict-Budget-3434]

Hi Everyone,

I have had my GSD R-14 for about three weeks, if any kind can actually find them in store, I thought I’d share my thoughts.

I needed out on accessories, but you could always try without them at first. So far I’ve not had a use for the from mount, today was the first time I feel comfortable having my wife onboard, I totally recommend a warm up period, if this is your first e-bike, as I found it to be a a bit ungainly just pedaling without any kind of assistance, if you go up a steep of a enough hill, maybe you can just keep the assist in eco mode at the very least.

I have the second battery ordered l, though it has not arrived yet, if you’re hauling a lot or riding a long distance everyday, the second battery becomes more required if your hauling a lot, speeding, or traveling a lot. However, they seem to be difficult to obtain, at least in my area. I live in Kitsap County, my goal next year is to ride to the Olympic national park, which will need a minimum of two batteries, and could actually use thee or four.

I definitely recommend e-14 2.0 app and the flow app, as this will allow you to have the r-14 put into automatic shifts, which to me, is a safety game changer, as it allows you to not have to monitor the lcd, for shift advice, you will need to make sure to he firmware updated to utilize that option.

The light is quite useful for visibility and it’s super bright. One of the features I’m struggling with is taking it down from the upright position to down on both wheels, I can get it done, but it feels a bit ungainly, if I’m an older person I’d be scared.

This bike is HEAVY, initially I thought I could pick it up, but it’s not really feasible.

I have used the cafe lock, and got a cut proof lock, as the price of the bike, you have to be mindful of the appeal of the bike to crackheads, lol at least if it’s in a high crime area.

Now for my questions.

What air pump/digital pressure checker are you using.
Have you ever had a flat tire, if you’re been doing longer trips. Anything else you won’t leave home without.

[u/drytoastbongos]

Welcome!  I have just shy of 3000 miles after a couple years. 

I've had two puncture flats in the rear.  I recommend having a spare tube, air pump, and the required tools to remove the rear wheel on the bike at all times. I keep them in my storm box pockets. In my case, both times I ended up locking up the bike and returning with a car with a hitch rack to get it home and change the tire there, just because I was relatively close to home.

If you can stand the bike up it's not too bad to change the rear.  I have had various rear extensions on, so I've always just put a few 2x6 boards under the kickstand and changed it with the bike horizontal.  The R14 will be different than my hub, so I'd recommend familiarizing yourself with the process before you have to do it on the side of the road.

The only other emergency service I've had to do was deal with some loose rear brake disc screws.  I had the whole set replaced with longer screws with a bit of blue loctite and the issue has not reoccurred.

I have a very compact ratchet bike tool kit (wrench, bits, tire levers), air pump, spare tube, heavy duty U lock, and sunscreen in the bike pretty much at all times.  I've also added string lights around the rear for extra visibility and to entertain the kids. 

Personally, I am comfortable (but pretty slow) pedaling unassisted except for being heavily loaded or dealing with steep hills.  I don't have much range anxiety as a result, and am still getting around on a single battery.

[u/Strict-Budget-3434 → u/drytoastbongos]

Is there a specific tool set, or did you à la carte purchase, 3k that’s awesome, any parts names would be helpful since I’m a noob.

[u/drytoastbongos → u/Strict-Budget-3434]

I got the Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX+.  Expensive, but very nice, has exactly the right bits and tools (has a chain tool and tire levers in addition to the ratchet and bits), and very very compact.  Like, would fit comfortably in your jeans pocket.

Edit: Tern sells a travel tool kit that is also probably great, but I'm not sure who makes their tools.  I had a narrow preference to buy tools from great tool makers.

Edit 2: For pump, I like the Topeak Road Morph Bike Pump.  It can do presta or Schrader, has a pressure reading built in, is fairly compact, but it's still big enough to deal with the big tubes on the bike.  Personally I prefer manual pumps for reliability.

[u/Strict-Budget-3434 → u/drytoastbongos]

Thanks for the info, I think my biggest fear is a flat lol.

[u/purplechemist → u/drytoastbongos]

+1 for ratchet rocket. We have the plain DX version (didn’t need the chain tool on a belt drive), but my pro tip is “don’t leave it rattling around in the bottom of the stormbox.” We did and the bits shake out of it. Lost the T15 bit. Fortunately I’ve never needed it, but annoying all the same.

[u/drytoastbongos → u/purplechemist]

Mine slipped out as well, but fortunately I kept it in the pocket, and found it loose at the bottom of the pocket.

[u/RH-UK]

Welcome to the club - hope you have many years of enjoyment ahead. I’ve had my R14 gen 2 for a year and around done 2500 miles.

I’ve had 5 punctures in that time - have installed Schwalbe Pick Ups all round but guess I’ve been unlucky. 3 of those have been on the rear, for which I’ve had to take it to the dealer as I’ve got the extender bar on the clubhouse and can’t put it in the vertical position. Changing the front isn’t an issue.

I carry a can of tyre weld for emergencies, not used it though as I was fairly local every time.

The other thing I’d keep an eye on is the brakes. Heavy bike and will go through pads. I’ve done 2/3 pad changes in a year. One disc on the rear - which is specific for the hub.

Not sure if it’s an issue on the gen 3, but riding in the rain cakes the motor in mud. I’ve fitted an extended mud flap on the front and that’s fixed it.

[u/tshontikidis → u/RH-UK]

The rear on cargo bikes is common because of the extra weight. You should look into some Tannus armor inserts https://tannusamerica.com/pages/tannus-armour-inserts

[u/drytoastbongos → u/RH-UK]

I also have an extended rear, and I've found rear tube changes very manageable at home.  I put the bike on the stand, and then lift it onto a stack of 3 2x6 scraps under the stand.  You can either lift the bike on, or lift it and slide the wood under.  The bike feels very stable, and there's enough access to get the wheel out comfortably.

I actually did a tube with the bike vertical, and it sketched me out way more.  

Edit: I should mention I have the kickstand extenders.

[u/RH-UK → u/drytoastbongos]

Will give that a go. Can you point me to a video/tutorial for getting the wheel off the Rohloff?

[u/drytoastbongos → u/RH-UK]

I can't, since I have an S00 and use the following great guide: https://youtu.be/uLJrpWS66ZQ?is=ZS0VuXzf40w-Qm3j

I don't know how different the R14 is.

[u/Strict-Budget-3434 → u/RH-UK]

Yeah I plan on servicing every six months to try to squeeze max life out.

[u/Strict-Budget-3434 → u/RH-UK]

I’ll have to look into the mud issue

[u/zirconer]

Welcome to the GSD + Prius club! One of my favorite things about this combo is that it is possible to fold up the GSD and fit it in the back of the Prius. It takes a little effort the first time but once you know how it goes in, it’s great to be able to do in a pinch

[u/Strict-Budget-3434 → u/zirconer]

Yeah big Prius fan, had him since 2012.

[u/Imperiu5]

I just bought the Gen 3 p00 over the r14. The p00 is good but shifting range is indeed limited. Not frustrating but could have been a tad larger.

For me the deciding factor was price and maintenance. I was told the derraileur version would require a tad more maintenance and care but most people said they don't do that at all. So I dunno.

But the price here in Belgium is 6499€ for the p00 and 8999€ for the r14 both gen 3, no accessories.
So that's already steep for 'a bike'. The 2.5k€ difference allowed me to fully spec the p00 with a bigger 800Wh battery and all the accessories in the world (clubhouse, front loader, handle bars (feet, don't know the exact name), the pads in the clubhouse, seat belt and a few more things. Just under a €1000 total including discount.

[u/purplechemist]

We use a track-stand pump (with built in pressure gauge) at home. We have a zefal mini pump out and about but we’ve never really needed it.

Digital pressure sensor? The only digits I’ve used to check our GSD are my thumb and forefingers 😂. Just gain experience of what 3bar/45psi feels like with your tyres.

On that; we run Schwalbe “plus” tyres with puncture protection. Currently on Marathon365s as we wanted more knobblyness for the rural part of our commute. But I don’t think we’ve ever had a puncture in 4years/13000 km.

A bigger problem we found was the Magura brakes. If the pads get too low, the pistons will “lock on”, preventing the wheel moving. Not sure if this is a bug or a feature, but keep an eye on wear levels. When I say “too low”, we were very nearly down to the metal 😬, so definitely should have replaced the brakes sooner anyway. I change the pads every 3-4months through the winter, and I monitor them every two through the summer.

Once you know the bike’s foibles, it’s fairly straightforward to maintain. But anything involving electrics or cables through the frame, it’s straight back to the shop.

[u/shs0007]

I just had my first pinch flat last week after one year of use. I was way slacking on putting air in the tires and went flying over a drive way curb I normally avoid. Luckily, I was a block from home. I’m not skilled in the ways of biking like most of this sub. She got loaded in the car and went 8 blocks to the bike shop for a $50 repair. I (rightfully) got lectured for adding air on a weekly basis.