Keep it Clean: Clean your Cairn E-Bike regularly, especially after riding on salted roads and dirty trails. Salt can accelerate corrosion and dirt and grit will cause your drivetrain to wear faster. Use a mild detergent and water, avoiding high-pressure washers that can force water into sensitive areas. Remove the battery prior to cleaning. Clean the drive system components gently with a cloth or soft brush, do not immerse in water or use aggressive cleaning products. Check that the radiator on the Fazua drivepack is clean and the drainage hole is clear.
Inspect Frame and Components: Regularly inspect the frame and components for signs of wear or damage caused by harsh weather conditions. Chain wear can happen faster on E-bikes due to increased torque and this is further accelerated by gritty wet conditions. Check your chain regularly with a chain wear gauge and replace as necessary to avoid prematurely wearing your chainring and cassette too.
Store Indoors: Whenever possible, store your Cairn indoors to protect it from extreme cold, moisture, and snow. If stored outside, use a waterproof cover.
Protect Electrical Components: Use a toothbrush and a water dispersing spray to clean the electrical contacts points and then apply a dielectric grease to protect them from water ingress. The motor itself is factory sealed with grease applied internally so just needs a wipe over with a cloth. Don’t be tempted to spray anything into the motor shell as this will dilute the factory applied grease.
Correct battery storage: Cold temperatures can affect battery performance. We suggest always storing your Fazua battery above 5 degrees Celsius. If your bike lives in a cold garage or shed, it's best to remove the battery and store it indoors when not in use. If your bike will be left unused for a period of time, the battery should only be charged to 60% and checked after a maximum of 6 months. Once it's dropped to 20%, it should be topped back up to 60%. A full guide to winter battery care is available from Fazua here.
Check tyre pressure: Cold weather can cause tyre pressure to drop. Ensure tyres are properly inflated as lower pressure can affect handling and increase the risk of flats. Consider using grippier puncture-resistant tyres for winter riding.
Check your brakes: Wet, muddy and gritty conditions can wear down brake pads faster. Check and replace brake pads and rotors if they are worn to maintain optimal braking performance. Sintered pads can be a better choice for the winter months as they are more hardwearing. Check that your rotors are compatible with sintered pads before making any changes.
Lubrication: Apply bike-specific lubricant to the chain, derailleur, and other moving parts. However, be cautious as some lubes may thicken in colder temperatures. Use products designed for low temperatures.
Fenders and mudguards: Install fenders and mudguards to protect you and the bike's components from road debris, mud, and water, keeping them cleaner and extending their lifespan. We sell Mud Huggers on our site here, but other guards such as SKS will also work well.
Adjust riding style: Be cautious when riding in winter conditions. Reduce speed, especially on icy surfaces, if you start to slide avoid steering or breaking heavily and sudden movements will make you more likely to fall. When riding on soft mud get used to the bike moving a little under you. It will slide a little but soon regain traction if you maintain smooth pedalling. It’s a good idea to use lights even during daylight hours to be seen on grey or misty days: remember, the night rolls in faster than expected so don’t get caught out without them.
By following these maintenance tips, you can ensure that your Cairn remains in top condition to keep you riding during harsh winter conditions. If you need further support with your Fazua system you can find a list of certified dealers close to you here.
Dartmoor is the only area in England in which wild camping (camping outside of designated campsites) is legal. Last year saw landowners place a ban on wild camping, largely due to misuse of the national park during the Covid Lockdown. The ban was fiercely disputed by various organisations and action groups, resulting in a court case and eventually a ruling against landowners who wanted the practice banned, opening up the area again for enjoyment by the public.
Amber will admit herself that the kind of miles I cover on my gravel bike is a daunting proposition. She rides a Privateer E161 E-MTB and trail and downhill riding are her thing. Her longest ride to date is 25km and she's never slept in a bivi bag, in fact she's never even heard of a bivi bag.
One of the greatest developments in recent years is the advent of E-bikes. Like them or loath them it is undeniable that they have given a lot of people the opportunity to get outside and explore the countryside on two wheels, commute to work in a more environmentally friendly way and feel the health benefits of riding where they may not have had the ability or desire to before.
One huge benefit I see is that Ebikes are a great leveller, it allows people the ability to ride with friends, partners or family members who would otherwise not enjoy the experience… this trip was the perfect time to put this to the test.
We borrowed a Cairn Rambler E-gravel bike and my friends over at Restrap provided the bikepacking bags. I sent a kit list over to Amber and borrowed a sleeping mat and bivi bag for her to use, I will take a stove to keep her sweet with a morning cuppa and promised a proper West Country cream tea and a pub stop on the way. It turns out bribery goes a long way and she's actually excited about the experience despite the concerned look on her face when I tell her to bring a warm base layer, a down jacket and a wooly hat to sleep in… this is the UK in September, the weather could do anything.
As our trip approached the weather gods blessed us with beautiful sunshine, probably the hottest few days of the year and we were already sweating as we loaded up our bikes for an overnight adventure, armed with a Go-pro and a sense of adventure we set off, and upwards into the moors….
Amber: Going on my first ever bike packing trip came with a mixture of emotions. Mainly excitement, to embrace something completely new, with a side of nervousness. Wondering if my fitness levels and MTB skills would transfer over to make sure I wouldn’t be a complete liability. The Cairn Rambler E-Adventure became my trusty steed, allowing me to match Claires fitness levels (thankfully), which meant we rode all day long, across different terrain, stumbling on some hidden gems of history and even some encounters with the local wildlife – it was pretty awesome. I felt like it was a week’s worth of holiday rolled into one day! And then came nighttime… a bit of a different story, the excitement faded when I saw the bivy… Now, I am no princess, but come on! Then my love for the local wildlife fully left when I realized I was sleeping on their stomping ground. In theory, sleeping under the stars surrounded by wildlife sounds bliss, but I’d take a lovely glamping set up next time please.
Day 2 – my legs and bum were feeling it. I mean 60km was the furthest I had ever pedalled in one day, even with the cold-water dip I was stiff for sure. So, I took full advantage of the Fazua motor in the Rambler and hit maximum assist, aka “Rocket” mode. With this extra help, I happily, stuck with Claire for the day, enjoying day 2 with less strain on the legs. The feeling of success and accomplishment at the finish had me on a high for days. Did I just manage 120km and see all those sights in 2 just days! I must admit, I am excited for the next trip (maybe upgrade to a tent next time though).
Restrap Handlebar bag
This is a great place to store lighter items such as clothing, some handlebar bags also come with extra pouches that clip on, these are ideal for storing snacks, tools or electronics that you want easy access to.
Restrap Frame bag
The frame bag is where I keep the items I need access to such as my battery pack, a spare tube, passport, first aid kit, some snacks and arm/knee warmers. I also have a custom one that fits my own frame exactly, making full use of the available space which is especially important on a small frame, I designed it to hold a water bladder for long trips.
Restrap Saddle bag
The saddle bag is where I tend to store heavier stuff like my sleeping gear; mat, bivi and sleeping bag. It effects the handling less than having weight on the bars, and being able to take the whole dry bag out of the holster and off the bike makes packing it again in the morning far easier.
The bags all come in various sizes to suit your needs and bike size so whether you want to travel light or take a few more luxuries, Restrap have you covered. No need to worry about that extra weight with the assistance of the Fazua Ride 50 motor in your Cairn Rambler.
Matt chose the BRAVe as it’s more than simply a bike; it has turned into a crucial tool that has helped him to carry on cycling following a significant life event that left him unable to drive.
Matt’s epilepsy started gradually, triggered by a severe head injury sustained in a triathlon crash - that he has no memory of. It wasn’t until late 2022 when he received a formal diagnosis and the greatest impact on daily life being that he couldn’t drive until the condition had stabilised.
Living in a rural location where driving is essential, Matt frequently had to drive the family or himself to and from work and meetings. The BRAVe allowed him to continue living and working while also showing why a car isn't always indispensable. Even though he is still a super fit and very fast cyclist (when we say fast we mean fast, Matt recently set a Fastest Known Time on The King Alfred Way route that’s 350km in under 16 hours) there are still tasks that would not be achievable with an unassisted bike.
Travelling for work is frequently required for site inspections, meetings at various event locations, and the chance to pre-ride courses for the events he plans. At the events themselves he has a trailer setup that allows him to carry everything needed to set up a course.
Matt has truly been able to carry on and perform jobs that he would have believed required a car in the past. All thanks to the utility the BRAVe offers. It is a vital tool for him and his family, and while for some it could be a life-changing bike, for him, it has allowed life to continue.
Specification:
Matts BRAVe now best fits his needs thanks to a few tweaks and additions. A second pair of wheels, one for the road and the other with mountain bike tyres enables faster changing between the two. He has a Burley Coho XC trailer that can be attached for carrying larger items. A high power Lezyne light on the front that is connected directly to the battery, and a Tailfin rear rack for carrying smaller things.
The Mac Ride seat allows his two younger children, who frequently need to travel to different after-school clubs. Matt says this can often be for up to 10km journeys to the nearest town. He also took his son on an epic 70km trip in the summer that they both thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the most interesting spec choices Matt has made is the dropper seat post, not to allow him to ride more technical terrain which they are more often used for on MTBs, but allows for easier mount and dismounts. Finally of course Front and Rear fenders are a must for those days when you need to keep you clothes clean and dry in the Welsh mountains. (FYI that’s most of them)
What route did you take?
We followed the ancient pilgrimage route known as the Via Francigena that goes from Canterbury Cathedral to the Vatican through France, over the Alps in Switzerland (Grand St. Bernard Pass), across the Apennines and then down through Tuscany to Rome.
What distance did you cover on this trip?
Overall, the route was 1265 miles (2035 km) and took 23 days (including 3 rest days).
How was the bike & battery for the journey?
Overall, the experience was great. I took 2 batteries but found that by dialling down the power setting in Breeze and turning off the motor on the flatter sections of the route, I could easily cycle on average 70 miles per day and still have plenty of battery leftover. The only time I needed to switch to the second battery was going over the St Bernard Pass but I was probably playing safe going into the steeper final section of the route. (If you haven’t travelled over the st Bernard Pass, it sits at 2188metres above sea level and there was still snow there in June)
With a journey like this, there is something that always goes wrong, did you have any issues along the way?
The bike worked really well and the only mechanical issue I had was a broken spoke – probably caused, rather carelessly, when I hit a bollard less than a mile from leaving home!!
Why did you choose the Cairn Adventure E-Gravel bike for this trip?
The fact is that while I’m a pretty fit 62 year old, travelling over that distance which included high peaks, hot weather and rough terrain, wasn’t a reasonable ask of my body on a normal bike. So, the combination of the Cairn E-Adventure with the Fazua motor allowed me to go further, higher and quicker whilst carrying enough kit to complete a 23 day trip.
You would have to carry a fair amount of kit for 23 days, what was your set up?
To be fair, we were staying in guest houses so didn’t need to carry camping equipment! Otherwise the usually stuff, bike tools in case of mechanicals, clothes for on and off the bike and room for food and snacks of course. I split most of this across a Tailfin rear rack and large handlebar bag. Also had a small frame and top tube bag.
It sounds like you have the E-adventure bug, so what’s next?
The next trip is quite modest in comparison. We’re cycling the Normandy coast from Cherbourg to Calais visiting the D-Day landing beaches, memorials and museums. Overall, the trip from and then back to London involves cycling about 900 miles.
Specification:
• Cairn BRAVe Prototype, fitted with a Shimano E7000 and a 400wh Battery
• Shimano Deore 12 speed Groupset
• Magura MT5 4 Piston Brakes
• Hope Purple Finishing Kit
• Custom Hunt XC Wide MTB Wheelset, kitted with Schwalbe Racing Ray and Ralph Tyres
• Accessorised with an Old Man Mountain Elkhorn, SKS Fenders and Exposure Fuse/Redeye E-Bike Lights.
If Mikes bike build wasn’t cool enough already, he has equipped it with some rather unique parts, which can only be found on his bike, due to his interest in playing with 3D printers. So, we present to you the only one of its kind TRF basket and TT mounted Garmin, designed specifically for his Cairn BRAVe. He even found the time to sew some straps in the basket.
What can we say, an amazing bike for an amazing person, keep doing what you do Mike.
1. Monster Truckin'
Sure, the age-old mantra of the skinnier the tyre, the better to cut through the mud is fine if you can’t fit tyres with aggressive treads. However, if you want to get off-road this winter, a 650b tyre gives you far more options since it takes the same tyres as a mountain bike wheel. The E-Adventure 650b can is compatible with up to a 27.5 x 2.25. That’s a whole lot of rubber to get stuck into some trail mud.
2. Contact Patch Kids
The contact patch or ‘Mechanical Trail’ is vital to the amount of grip you get from your tyre. A 650b wheel actually decreases your trail number, this means that the bike should feel more nimble and easier to handle. Normally this wouldn’t be good for off-road, but that's where the benefits of the larger volume tyre come into play.
By increasing the amount of tyre touching the ground at any one time, you get more grip, so combine this with the more nibble handling its win-win addition.
3. Get Low, Low, Low, Low, Low, Low
By dropping down to a 650b/27.5" wheel size, the whole bike drops by 5 – 10mm, depending on the tyre you fit, which is a good thing. The benefit comes from a lower centre of gravity. By having a lower centre of gravity, the handling of your bike becomes considerably easier through the wet and slippery conditions you encounter during winter riding.
4. Drop it Like it's Hot
It might only be a short drop, but it is enough. There is nothing worse than getting out of shape on your bike and not being able to move around to correct it. That is where the dropper seat post comes into play.
The simple addition of a dropper allows you to shift your weight much easier when riding. The simple adjustments will do wonders for your riding and confidence, especially when things get rowdy. Thanks to the drop bar compatible lever, the dropper is always accessible, whether you're on the drops or tops
5. ‘They see me Rollin’
UK gravel riding is unique, in that it isn’t far from mountain biking with drop-bar handlebars, as much as we hate to admit it. Which means we will likely hit some chunky terrain. Whether it's manicured rock gardens at trails centres, big compressions in bomb holes or big rocks that hide in the depths of puddles.
Comfort is a huge ask from skinny 700c wheels and tyres, whereas 650b wheels with big tyres can be run at much lower pressures and thanks again to our mountain bike brothers, rim impact inserts are more widely available. Which means lots of big squishinesses isolating you from the trail.
More Comfort = Less Fatigue = More Riding.
Images by: Sam Taylor
Gravel Union is a community of riders that love all things gravel, using their passion and creativity they share reviews, stories and events with the aim to inspire others to head out into the open and embrace the world of loose rocks, sand and roots.
Being limited with Covid restrictions and unable to travel, they set up their 'campfire chats', hosted by Co-Founder Carlo van Nistelrooy, to pick the brains of members in the community, from athletes to event organisers.
Our very own Matt Barnard, Carin's Product Manager, recently sat down with Carlo to chat about e-bikes and how they're storming the unpaved world. So sit back and listen to an hour of gravely goodness.
Winter brings mud and lots of it generally - swapping your tyres to a more aggressive tread will give you more control and drive through the slop. They generally offer slightly more protection from punctures too.
If you are planning on staying away from the mud it can still be a good idea to change your tyres to something more protected in terms of punctures resistance. It is well worth the few extra grams to not be fixing punctures in the rain.
Tubeless: Nowadays there is no excuse to not go tubeless, it is reliable, easy and cheap to do. It can allow the use of lower tyre pressures, increasing your comfort as well as all important wet weather grip. It is also going to have sealant inside so any punctures from small pieces of glass or a thorn will be sealed, most of the time, without you even knowing about it.
Top Tip - Don't want to lose that multi surface efficiency? Why not try a knobbly tyre on the front and a slicker/fast rolling tyre on the back?
It does not matter whether you call them fenders or mudguards. They are simple but oh so effective. You can get full, short, front and rear, just front or just rear, colour matched, reflective there are loads to choose from. It's personal preference and depends on how long you can put up with a wet butt or feet.
Here are a few preferred choices from the Cairn team:
Top Tip - For really dry feet, on full guards get your self ones with large flaps. A few people are making replaceable ones now, or make your own.
Normally, electrics and water wouldn’t go together. Of course no need to worry as E-Bikes have extremely high IP ratings. That doesn’t mean they don’t need a little maintenance from time to time. The parts most affected are the contacts. These parts are sealed to the outside world but have an exposed terminal or connection. For example, your charging port or connection from the battery to drive pack.
Top Tip - Tooth and flossing brushes make great bike cleaning tools. They can get into the tight areas around motors, batterys and connectors.
General maintenance in the winter is essential. Your bike is going to get wet and muddy even if you are a dry-weather rider. Being able to clean your bike quickly and properly, is going to mean you're not outside in the cold and wet even more but also save yourself a load of money. One of the biggest mistakes is washing your whole bike every time you ride when you do not really need too. Here are some places to focus on:
Top Tip - When using degreasers and lubricants cover your disc brakes in a sandwich bag, to stop oil contamination.
How does the 'Nearly New' grading work?
Grade A - These bikes are offered to you with very minor cosmetic marks from transit, haven't been ridden or have essentially one test ride at a show or by the media. All parts and accessories are original spec and used less than 25 miles.
Grade B - These bikes are offered to you with minor cosmetic wear and signs of use from transit or have been used for a short amount of time during customer or media testing. All parts are original and usage will be under 100 miles.
Grade C - These bikes are offered to you with wear and tear from use but still have plenty of life left in them. Due to higher milage, where necessary some parts have been replaced, but will be kept as close to original spec as possible. Usage will be above 100 miles but below 400 miles.
How do I buy a Used & Ex-Demo Cairn?
All of our bikes are listed on our site as soon as they are available. Currently our Used and Ex-Demo bikes are only available to UK customers (we are working on this for our EU and US customers). This is on a first come, first-serve bases. If there is nothing listed, make sure you sign up for our mail list for all the latest news and updates on when we have bikes go on the site.
Currently, all our Used and Ex-Demo orders need to be placed online. However, feel free to get in contact with us any time via our Chat or Email for more information.
Can I Purchase Via Klarna Finance or Cycle scheme?
We can offer any UK Customer interested in a Used and Ex-Demo Cairn 0% interest Klarna Finance. Click the link below to find out more.
Currently we are not offering Cyclescheme on Used and Ex-Demo bikes, this is due to the time it can take to get a voucher. Our Used and Ex-Demo bikes don’t hang around for long and we can not hold or make any guarantees bikes will still be available once you have obtained a voucher.
Do I still get the benefits of the 60 Day Ride Guarantee and a full warranty?
Cairn Cycles nearly new bikes come with a 1-year warranty, however they are not eligble for our 60 Day Ride Guarantee. You can see more on our warranty policy via the link below.
How will a Used and Ex-Demo Cairn come to you?
All the Cairn bikes come boxed, with the front wheel and handlebar removed and all the adjustments to gears and brakes are done for you. You can find out how to assemble your Cairn using the link below.
4 September 2020
Early in September, while we still had decent sun and long(ish) days, me and my girlfriend, Summer, went to visit some friends in Cambridge. The idea was to ride our bikes there by avoiding tarmac as much as we could and sleeping in a tent at night. Thankfully, down south, we are blessed with a network of gravel paths connecting AONBs so creating a nice route and finding a campsite wasn't an issue.
The only catch was that this was Summer's first long distance adventure. Having ridden a max of 32 miles on her MTB once before, she was initially worried we wouldn't make it. I, on the other hand, was convinced she had the fitness and the fact that the route was fairly flat along the way helped me to persuade her to do it.
This was also a great opportunity for me to find out how the Cairn E-Adventure behaves as a non-electric bike by swapping the Fazua motor & battery with a downtube cover which neatly fitted 3 spare inner tubes and some tools.
We decided to split our adventure into 3 days, with the last day returning to Harlow where we would catch the train back to Brighton.
First leg was from Brighton to Merstham where we found a really nice campsite to stay for the night. The route took us onto the Downs Link which is a 100% gravel path connecting the South Downs and the North Downs. Once the Downs Link ended we joined the North Downs all the way to our campsite.
For our second leg of the journey, we decided to jump on a train and skip the majority of London as riding wouldn't have been as enjoyable and we wanted to make sure we got to Cambridge before dark. We took a series of gravel paths across endless fields and through some small forests.
The third day saw us ride along one of the routes of the National Cycle Way until we joined a canal path from Bishop Strotford to Harlow.
Click on the images to see the full details taken from Komoot
We decided to split our adventure into 3 days, with the last day returning to Harlow where we would catch the train back to Brighton.
First leg was from Brighton to Merstham where we found a really nice campsite to stay for the night. The route took us onto the Downs Link which is a 100% gravel path connecting the South Downs and the North Downs. Once the Downs Link ended we joined the North Downs all the way to our campsite.
For our second leg of the journey, we decided to jump on a train and skip the majority of London as riding wouldn't have been as enjoyable and we wanted to make sure we got to Cambridge before dark. We took a series of gravel paths across endless fields and through some small forests.
The third day saw us ride along one of the routes of the National Cycle Way until we joined a canal path from Bishop Strotford to Harlow.
Click on the images to see the full details taken from Komoot.
We set off around 8 am and after a short stretch along the seafront we jumped straight on the Downs Link. This path is 37 miles and was built on old railroad tracks and is a great way to go north to safely, surrounded by lush green fields and trees along the entire way. Also happens to be one of the best work commutes for me as it runs past Partridge Green (Cairn Cycles' HQ).
After reaching Guildford, which is the end of the Downs Link, we joined the North Downs Way going through Surrey. This part was particularly fun and was a mixture of singletrack descents and really steep climbs where I wish I had the support of the Fazua motor as I happened to be carrying both of our gear for the journey!
Getting lost is always part and parcel of a good adventure!
Getting our feet wet was part of the plan, I promise...
Just this hill and it's all flat from here. (Famous last words)
I couldn't miss the opportunity to show Summer one of the most iconic climbs in the UK. I knew that the roads around the climb will be busy as it was a gorgeous day out so decided it will be better to climb it via a gravel path that didn't seem that bad on the map. It only had a little note from Komoot saying:
Should've known better...
At least when we got to the top, the view was amazing and we found a great spot for a late afternoon snack.
I couldn't miss the opportunity to show Summer one of the most iconic climbs in the UK. I knew that the roads around the climb will be busy as it was a gorgeous day out so decided it will be better to climb it via a gravel path that didn't seem that bad on the map. It only had a little note from Komoot saying:
Should've known better...
At least when we got to the top, the view was amazing and we found a great spot for a late afternoon snack.
We set up camp just before dark and started looking where we could grab some food.
One Google search and 30 minutes later, pizza arrived at our tent courtesy of a local pizza place that actually delivered to the campsite. Kudos!
We set up camp just before dark and started looking where we could grab some food.
One Google search and 30 minutes later, pizza arrived at our tent courtesy of a local pizza place that actually delivered to the campsite. Kudos!
We didn't want to cycle through busy London so instead, caught the train and jumped off on the other side at Edgware. Some 10 miles later, we were in the countryside and away from busy traffic.
Needless to say, it was back to smiles for miles...
In the weeks before this adventure, we were sitting in our flat, looking at the 80 mph winds and heavy rain, hoping that it will all go away in time for our trip.
Thankfully it did, but the storm definitely left some damage behind. This was one of the more prominent obstacles we had to tackle on our route and it was great fun navigating our way through the logs and branches.
After about 3/4 of the way, we stopped to have some food at the only pub in a small nearby village that we were passing on our route. Upon leaving the pub's garden, Summer managed to find a thorn and experienced her first (and only) puncture.
She refused to get dirty but I was happy to take some weight off the bike and use one of the inner tubes I stashed in my downtube.
We finally arrived! Now it's time for some deserved dinner.
After a great evening spent with friends, we were certainly not in a hurry to wake up and leave so enjoyed the morning sun next to our tent before we set off again.
Most likely due to the current pandemic Cambridge was actually very quiet with very few people walking around even on a nice sunny day. This gave us the chance to take the time and enjoy a filling meal from the local food market before leaving.
The bike paths in Cambridge are so nice and smooth that you can easily miss a turn if you are not paying attention. We didn't so ended up taking a shortcut...
In the last few miles from our adventure, we took a really nice canal path all the way into Harlow which as our last stop.
The bike paths in Cambridge are so nice and smooth that you can easily miss a turn if you are not paying attention. We didn't so ended up taking a shortcut...
In the last few miles from our adventure, we took a really nice canal path all the way into Harlow which as our last stop.
After getting told off for forgetting to turn off our rear lights at the train station, we finally get on the train, looking through the photos and starting to plan our next adventure.
I've always thought this but while writing this article, looking through the photos and remembering the funny moments, amazing views and tasty food, I definitely start to feel much deeper appreciation of the simplicity of travelling by bike. There is no traffic to worry about, no petrol to refill, no parking space to search for, no tickets to buy.
Apart from being much more enjoyable and creating more wholesome memories, travelling by bike also helps us connect to nature, appreciate it and do our bit in protecting it as much as we can. I can't remember when was the last time I travelled by anything other than bike to work and I don't think this will change any time soon.
The benefits of cycling have been clear to me and my colleagues for a long time, but I'm really happy to see that they are also being shared widely across a multitude of channels and more and more people have started or are considering commuting by bike. It doesn't only help us keep healthy & reduce the spread of viruses, but also saves us cash and reduces our impact on the environment.
Next time you wake up and the sun is shining, get on your bike instead of the bus. It's way better than a terrible takeaway coffee and it will get you in the mood to smash your tasks for the day. Trust me on this.
I've always thought this but while writing this article, looking through the photos and remembering the funny moments, amazing views and tasty food, I definitely start to feel much deeper appreciation of the simplicity of travelling by bike. There is no traffic to worry about, no petrol to refill, no parking space to search for, no tickets to buy.
Apart from being much more enjoyable and creating more wholesome memories, travelling by bike also helps us connect to nature, appreciate it and do our bit in protecting it as much as we can. I can't remember when was the last time I travelled by anything other than bike to work and I don't think this will change any time soon.
The benefits of cycling have been clear to me and my colleagues for a long time, but I'm really happy to see that they are also being shared widely across a multitude of channels and more and more people have started or are considering commuting by bike. It doesn't only help us keep healthy & reduce the spread of viruses, but also saves us cash and reduces our impact on the environment.
Next time you wake up and the sun is shining, get on your bike instead of the bus. It's way better than a terrible takeaway coffee and it will get you in the mood to smash your tasks for the day. Trust me on this.
26 June 2020
On a hot day in the end of June, we were sitting in the office, discussing what each others' plans for the weekend were. It was then, when Matt challenged Stan to ride the Southern Discomfort 300 on the E-Adventure 1.0 and test how far he can go on 3 batteries. Stan foolishly accepted the challenge without looking at the route's finer details.
It was the perfect test for FAZUA's new software update and the capabilities of the Cairn to tackle tricky terrain that most would consider well into MTB category. The following is Stan's take on the day.
Pictures by @breakawaydigital
Bike: Cairn E-Adventure 1.0
Wheels: MASON x HUNT 650B Aventure Sport Disc
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite (650B x 2.1")
Frame Bag: Roswheel Off-Road Collection
Handlebar Bag: Altura Vortex Waterproof
Saddle Bag: Lezyne
Battery Case: Cairn Range Extension Pack
Lights: Exposure Diablo Rear & Sirius Front
Water Bottles: Fidlock
Rider: Me, cyclocross fanatic, used to riding up to an hour in the red.
Bike: Cairn E-Adventure 1.0
Wheels: MASON x HUNT 650B Aventure Sport Disc
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite (650B x 2.1")
Frame Bag: Roswheel Off-Road Collection
Handlebar Bag: Altura Vortex Waterproof
Saddle Bag: Lezyne
Battery Case: Cairn Range Extension Pack
Lights: Exposure Diablo Rear & Sirius Front
Water Bottles: Fidlock
Rider: Me, cyclocross fanatic, used to riding up to an hour in the red.
Created after a whole summer of exploring, the Southern Discomfort 300 was meant to prove to Northerners that the south of England is just as hilly. With over 5200 metres of elevation, most of it being climbed at more than 10%, it's a real challenge for even the fittest of us.
Most of the climbs are steep singletrack full of roots, loose stones and all kinds of other things that make it harder for you. The descents are the same, they are far from a moment to relax but mostly bumpy and a few of them definitely need some MTB skills.
Click on the image to see the full details taken from Komoot.
Created after a whole summer of exploring, the Southern Discomfort 300 was meant to prove to Northerners that the south of England is just as hilly. With over 5200 metres of elevation, most of it being climbed at more than 10%, it's a real challenge for even the fittest of us.
Most of the climbs are steep singletrack full of roots, loose stones and all kinds of other things that make it harder for you. The descents are the same, they are far from a moment to relax but mostly bumpy and a few of them definitely need some MTB skills.
Click on the image to see the full details taken from Komoot.
Originally created by Jim Barrow. See the route page on his website here
It's specifically designed to break people from up north who think the south is flat.
— Jim Barrow ( @jimbosussexmtb )
I set of at 5 am thinking that the Cairn on eco mode should get me to the finish in about 15-18 hours. Thankfully the days are still long so didn't want to lose out on sleep.
My aim was to ride at Breeze mode for the entire ride and see how far this will get me.
The start is very nice and the first 40 km were one of the best hours spent on a bike in my entire life. Riding over and around the South Downs at sunrise was certainly something I'll remember for a long time and definitely try to do more of.
What's more, I only drained about 40% of my first battery so range wise, the day was looking good too!
At about kilometre 44, riding down a grassy path, my front tyre suddenly lost all pressure and the sealant inside it was all gone. I must have hit a flint or something just as sharp because I had a fairly huge slash which unfortunately I couldn't fix with what I've taken as spares. I couldn't even get an inner tube to pump up and hold air inside it.
I knew one of my colleagues, Rich, lived nearby so I gave him a call hoping he will save my trip. Being the nice guy he is, he quickly got in the car and brought me the only 650b tyre he had - a Schwalbe G-One Allround in 1.5".
While this definitely helped me continue my ride, it also made it that bit more uncomfortable as I had to keep the pressure in the tyre a bit higher and also my position on the bike changed with the lower front end - it almost felt as aggressive as my cx bike!
At about kilometre 44, riding down a grassy path, my front tyre suddenly lost all pressure and the sealant inside it was all gone. I must have hit a flint or something just as sharp because I had a fairly huge slash which unfortunately I couldn't fix with what I've taken as spares. I couldn't even get an inner tube to pump up and hold air inside it.
I knew one of my colleagues, Rich, lived nearby so I gave him a call hoping he will save my trip. Being the nice guy he is, he quickly got in the car and brought me the only 650b tyre he had - a Schwalbe G-One Allround in 1.5".
While this definitely helped me continue my ride, it also made it that bit more uncomfortable as I had to keep the pressure in the tyre a bit higher and also my position on the bike changed with the lower front end - it almost felt as aggressive as my cx bike!
Unfortunately nothing could fix that one...
Me, arriving at the car park where Rich was waiting with a spare tyre and some extra sealant.
Refuelling after a 50 minute walk with a flat tyre.
Me, arriving at the car park where Rich was waiting with a spare tyre and some extra sealant.
Refuelling after a 50 minute walk with a flat tyre.
After fixing my front tyre, I rode for another 30 km until I reached Lewes where I had my first longer stop for some ice cream and to top up my supplies.
Climbing up on the South Downs near Devil's Dyke
Climbing up on the South Downs near Devil's Dyke
After changing to my second battery at the 75 km mark, I had a spell of really hard climbs and tricky bumpy descents which really took their toll on me. I finally arrived at the second food stop at Storrington (124km).
Because of the changed position on the bike after the tyre swap, my back and shoulders were hurting so I had to put my stem one spacer higher. I ate a couple of sandwiches, drank a bottle of Lucozade, stretched my legs and jumped on the bike again.
A spell of flat roads and a sandy forest section made the next few hours a bit easier which I was super grateful for!
With only 10% left of my second battery, this hill really made me suffer.
With only 10% left of my second battery, this hill really made me suffer.
I was finally half way. 12 hours and 150 km of up and up and up and down and a bit more up.
I've drained 2 batteries and consumed probably about 3000 kcal on my way. Jim warned me about this hill and told me to make sure I've got enough juice to power up it as it's more than 20% in the steepest sections and me carrying so much food and 2 extra batteries definitely didn't make it easier.
I was happy to see Dan with the camera near the top of it so I stopped for a deserved rest, stretch and a few more calories.
Deep in the red
Finally at the top, totally exhausted.
Stretching my back and taking a deep breath.
I was finally half way. 12 hours and 150 km of up and up and up and down and a bit more up.
I've drained 2 batteries and consumed probably about 3000 kcal on my way. Jim warned me about this hill and told me to make sure I've got enough juice to power up it as it's more than 20% in the steepest sections and me carrying so much food and 2 extra batteries definitely didn't make it easier.
I was happy to see Dan with the camera near the top of it so I stopped for a deserved rest, stretch and a few more calories.
Finally at the top, totally exhausted.
Stretching my back and taking a deep breath.
After a short break, it was time to put the last battery in and continue my journey.
I was really impressed with the performance of the new FAZUA update and had only cycled around 5 km with the motor turned off. Due to the natural feel and lack of resistance when the motor is off, I could easily pedal on the flats and go down descents without having to drain the battery which was crucial and made it possible to still have a full battery after 13 hours in the saddle.
That's all folks. 200 km, 16 hours (12 riding), 3810 m elevation, 3 batteries
As the day progressed, I knew that I still had a lot of the route to go and the sun was about to set in only a couple of hours so I made the call to stop my adventure at the 200 km mark. I did drain all three of my batteries, but I did use the River and Rocket modes on my last one as I knew that I'll be stopping.
When I met Dan at the top of yet another hill, I had a feeling I hadn't had before. My legs weren't as tired as I expected actually, my back and shoulders were the ones aching the most and that's just because the route was specifically made to be as brutal as possible and ideally done on a hardtail or a full-sus mountain bike.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this adventure and I can wholeheartedly recommend Jim's route to anyone who would like to go bikepacking in the south of England.
Links to the full ride:
Komoot - https://www.komoot.com/tour/209123640
Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/3675330421
I'd like to express special thanks to Dan King (@breakawaydigital) who not only took great shots throughout the day, but also brought me food and spares when I needed them!
That's all folks. 200 km, 16 hours (12 riding), 3810 m elevation, 3 batteries
As the day progressed, I knew that I still had a lot of the route to go and the sun was about to set in only a couple of hours so I made the call to stop my adventure at the 200 km mark. I did drain all three of my batteries, but I did use the River and Rocket modes on my last one as I knew that I'll be stopping.
When I met Dan at the top of yet another hill, I had a feeling I hadn't had before. My legs weren't as tired as I expected actually, my back and shoulders were the ones aching the most and that's just because the route was specifically made to be as brutal as possible and ideally done on a hardtail or a full-sus mountain bike.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this adventure and I can wholeheartedly recommend Jim's route to anyone who would like to go bikepacking in the south of England.
Pictures by @breakawaydigital
I know some of you would like to see my FAZUA settings so here they are.
1st battery - 73 km, 1420 m, 6:19 hr (Breeze Mode Only)
2nd battery - 77 km, 1380 m, 6:25 hr (Breeze Mode Only)
3rd battery - 46 km, 960 m, 2:58 hr (Breeze, River & Rocket Mode)
I know some of you would like to see my FAZUA settings so here they are.
1st battery - 73 km, 1420 m, 6:19 hr (Breeze Mode Only)
2nd battery - 77 km, 1380 m, 6:25 hr (Breeze Mode Only)
3rd battery - 46 km, 960 m, 2:58 hr (Breeze, River & Rocket Mode)
Great news for all Fazua fans. Following on from the Black Pepper 2.0 software for the drive unit, Fazua has brought new features to the Fazua Rider app, offering an even better user experience. In addition to adding connectivity to your bike without having to plug it into the computer, they have also added further enhancements like connectivity to third-party devices like Garmin and Wahoo.
The open Bluetooth interface gives you the freedom to decide for yourself which device you want to use while riding — be it your own smartphone, a navigation device, a bicycle computer or wearables such as a fitness watch. This means that you can now track your training sessions and rides with greater accuracy while viewing and analyzing the data on your preferred bike computer in real-time.
Live Data Displayed Includes:
How to update to the Connectivity software 2.0
Third-Party Compatibility List:
Garmin bike computers & wearables:
All Cairn bikes equipped with a Handlebar or Touch FX Remote are compatible.
About bluetooth connections to your devices
This remote software update is the first big step towards a wide-ranging Fazua connectivity environment. We'll continue, of course, to keep you up to date on all new releases. In the meantime do let us know how you get on, we love to hear about all of your Cairn Adventure 1.0 exploits.
]]>At the back end of Summer 2019, Hunt Beyond Brand Manager and Ultra Distance Racer Josh Ibbett. Along with Documentary Film Maker friend and Photographer Ryan Le Garrec had a short filming trip planned in Spain and needed an E-Bike. At the time we did not really ask any questions but after the release of Tugende, Ryans latest film about this year's Race Across Rwanda and lockdown across Europe in full swing. We caught up with him to see how he was getting on and chat filming with E-Bikes.
CC - Firstly, How are you doing, healthy and well? How are you doing with the lockdown? What are you doing to keep busy?
RLG - Oh boy! Am struggling with it big time. I think we all are. Been in for 8 weeks. Not really a fan of the home trainer, so physically am turning a bit into jelly. We shouldn’t complain too much. I have watched refugees in my street walking around with suitcases and nowhere to go. I have two kids at home so I don’t need anything to keep busy. Trust me!
I have a four years old and a one-year-old, when they are not busy fighting each other, they unite to destroy everything else. I wish I had time to get bored. When this thing started I went: “Ok, I am going to try and make the most of it, no worries. I have plenty of work to do, editing, writing, updating…” One week later and I had got nothing done.
CC - Wow, sounds like a busy house. How did you get to the point where you were happy to release 'Tugende' with all that going on?
RLG - I tried to squeeze in two hours of work in the morning but id get disrupted and not the “daddy come to play with us” disruptions but more like “daddy Lily is hanging from the balcony!” kinda disruptions. I finished Tugende, a film on The Race Around Rwanda, at night. No energy left from the day. Stuck in a flat, with two kids, and most of this family are extroverts while am an introvert. A slightly autistic loner who needs silence, time on his own, very long rides out in the countryside.
I was relieved to actually finish the film and felt like 'ok am late on everything but my wife and kids will go mad if I focus on work right now, even if I had left everything to evenings' but I find it really hard to be creative.
CC - We feel for you, I think that has been a struggled for everyone. Getting that work-life balance through the lockdown. Especially with kids that just want to go to the park.
RLG - I have zero energy and even less will. And I have understood one magical thing, life is not about work, we shall all fight our demons at some point, face ourselves, I am trying to be a better husband and father, that’s a work in progress, a big one. Plenty of room for progression there, been a beginner at it most of my life.
CC - Every day is a school day. So, have you got anything done other than good family time?
RLG - The only artistic project that sparks me and one I can actually do without forcing it is a series I have been doing on my Instagram called “isolation views” Its as simple as views from our flat. A project id wished I had never started. However, that flows quite naturally somehow.
CC - Looking back to last summer then, what were you filming and what prompted you to ask us for an E-bike?
RLG - We were shooting with Josh Ibbett, he is an ok rider who won a few little races. Haha am kidding! Josh is a beast, he won TCR and Italy Divide, a bit of a cyclist! And the fun fact is that I don’t think I know anyone as modest and low key about it. If I had done just top thirty on my attempt at TCR I’d book two tickets on every ride to come along with my big fat ego.
The film that hasn’t been released yet, for a client am not allowed to talk about, but I’ll take the risk to say here that it was in the best European country for cycling and involved a lot of gravel.
CC - Haha, I am sure we can work it out when it is released, sounds amazing though. What about this project prompted you to need to do something different? What led you to need an E-Bike?
RLG - Because there was so much gravel, we wanted to keep close to Josh in as many situations as possible, we had to get out of the car and be able to move fast still.
I have filmed aboard bikes before. To film well you need to be able to stop pedalling, you need to not have to worry about catching up or passing the rider, you need to be able to do this constantly. If the rider is as fast as Josh, you gonna need good legs and lungs. So an electric bike covers that, there was no way Lander Deldime and I would be able to follow Josh uphill otherwise.
Actually, Lander who had never been on an electric bike prior to this shoot went and followed Josh on a climb at the lowest possible assistance from the motor, straight away. He was out of breath a few times but had quite some fun!
CC - What did you really like about the Cairn, what about the bike made the shoot possible?
RLG - The E-Adventure 1.0 felt like a bike, I mean, it didn't feel any different to a normal bike. My legs just got massively more powerful and it seems I developed a third or fourth lung. The weight of the battery changes nothing in the handling, it is a great gravel bike. You just can not trust Josh when he says 'Gravel'. It will be anything from bedrocks to barbwires fences you’ll need to bunny hop too.
CC - Noted on Josh's route planning, we have been there a few times. Do you think you will be looking to use an E-Bike on future shoots?
RLG - Using E-Bikes on a shoot is a must for me now, filming from a bike allows you an angle that nothing else will match. You see the sights with no limitations, you feel the warmth, cold, humidity, you smell the landscapes and you feel what your subject/the rider is feeling, it’s a matter of respect almost. You don’t have to be a boxer to film boxing or a musician to film music but it sure will help.
CC - So what do you think you would need to change to make it work even better next time?
RLG - I guess there is nothing I could or would want to change to the bike. I’d just add a few bags on it with easy fast access for my lenses and different gadgets but that has nothing to do with geometry or tech aspects. The battery life was also very impressive.
CC - In general then, what are your views on E-Bikes, where do you think they will go in the future?
RLG - I have different views on E-Bikes, depending on their purpose. I myself have a Cargo E-Bike, I use it to get the kids places, get vegetables back home from the market and sometimes take more gear with me on a local shoot. I am a fan of the freedom it gives me. I don't drive a car and don't really wish to own one. The cargo bike has made my life easier on many aspects of everyday life.
I think E-bikes have a potential to change our cities, change our lives, since the electric boom in Europe, short-distance commuters have far fewer excuses to take the car. You see the result when I was living in Brussels, we were what felt like a million parents on cargo electric bikes. Here in Lisbon, I have only seen two other cargo bikes, one parent and one messenger, people in the neighbourhood I live in have nicknamed me “big bike".
When it comes to riding for pure riding, be it gravel, road or ultra distance, then it's a different thing to me, I need to rely on just myself. I need the endorphins. I naturally prefer my acoustic bikes.
]]>The optimal interplay between your own performance and the support provided by the drive system is the key to sophisticated riding behaviour. This is exactly where FAZUA started with evation Motor Software 2.0. Biomechanical analysis and countless lines of code have led to improvements in many areas.
FAZUA have significantly improved the cadence range: This gives you noticeably more motor support even with higher cadence. No matter if you ride with 60 rpm on a steep uphill on a mountain bike or with 100 rpm on a road bike, you will always get even assistance.
Torque Max: 55 Nm
Power max: 300 watts (mechanical) / 450 watts (electrical); basic setting: max. 250 watts (mechanical)
Cadence spectrum (opt. efficiency / power): 55-125 crank turns per minute
Step on the pedal and the motor starts! Direct reaction and a sensitive start. Depending on the mode, you get a gentle boost or a powerful starting aid to get up to speed faster and easier.
Breeze: mellow and gentle acceleration
River: stronger but still natural acceleration
Rocket: strong and noticeable acceleration
The Support Relation, the relationship between rider power and motorized assistance, is now even more differentiated between the three support modes, meaning that you have the perfect mode for a wide range of terrain and riding situations.
Breeze: Gentle, constant and 100 watts* strong tailwind even at low rider power.
River: Progressive and very sporty mode, for a smooth riding experience! The strength of the support precisely follows your foot and your own power. Give a lot - and get a lot from the motor (max. 210 watts*)
Rocket: Aggressive assistance that helps you to tackle the steepest sections even with moderate driver power (max. 250 watts*)
*default settings
The evation Motor Software 2.0 stands for improved driving behavior with more constant engine performance and increased efficiency. The range of your battery depends on many factors and cannot be defined in general values. The parameters of your own riding behaviour, tyre selection, external environmental influences, weight, speed and selected support mode all have an impact on the range.
Here is an example of the River mode:
In Breeze mode you could extend your road bike lap to 120 km. In Rocket mode you could, for example, cover up to 850 vertical meters or a bike lap of up to 30 km.
]]>
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
Firstly, we hope you and your family and friends are healthy and managing the changes seen this week with as little disruption as possible.
In the space of a few short weeks, the coronavirus outbreak has become a major impact on all our lives and we wanted to take a moment to reach out and say “Hi” and let you know as always we’re here to serve riders, help you and to update you that we’re running as normal here at Cairn Cycles.
We’re certain you’ve been receiving many emails regarding this situation, so will keep this brief and answer some questions you may have, let’s start with the most basics…
Where can I buy toilet roll?
We are running a bit low in the office so if you know, we would appreciate it.
What’s happening at Cairn Cycles?
We are operating and working as normal; deliveries, shipping, order processing, emails, live chat, product launches, wheel development. Everything we were doing before is still fully operational and we are focusing on the delivery of excellent customer service and performance products.
Are your staff safe and healthy?
This is our top priority. We can’t serve you, our customers, if we don’t look after and care for our staff.
We have listened and adhered to all government recommendations whilst implementing our own measures that go above and beyond them. All staff that can work from home have been for the last week and will continue to do so for as long as we need. Those working within our office and warehouse are following ‘zoned’ working spaces and are safely managing themselves and their co-workers. Anyone who is ‘high risk’ or is in close contact with someone who may be, these people have been given priority care and consideration to re-role to allow home working.
Whilst we miss each other, we do get to video meet daily and have established an online family environment just as we had before and the same one we share with you, our family of riders, when you need us to serve you by live-chat, phone, emails, etc.
How does all this affect you the riders who have made Cairn Cycles possible?
We are working as usual and all orders are being given the same importance and priorities - exactly as before. So any impact on you the riders should be minimal.
When can I expect to receive my order?
In-stock Bikes – as normal
We are working as normal and achieving all our dispatch promises without issues and are in regular contact with our couriers – all of whom are operating as usual. UPS, DHL and our land couriers are all running at their normal delivery timescales.
More information on our delivery promises can be found here… Our delivery promise for in-stock bikes is 3 – 5 working days.
Pre-Order Bikes
As you may expect there may be the odd inward bike shipment that has a couple of days delay, but we do not expect any major or long delays as a result of Covid-19
As standard, we will communicate all order updates and delivery information via email.
In short, everything we have placed on order is being processed. As in the UK, we have a fantastic Cairn Cycles family abroad working with us and they are based in Taiwan where they have an excellent Covid19 government plan and have only 2 fatalities total in a population of 24 million people and so production is all as normal too. We love and hugely respect the great people in Taiwan who have served our riders and those of many large high-performance bike and components brands for several decades, we are honoured to work with them, thank them for their technical production, just as we are honoured to serve you our riders.
Want to talk to us?
Please get in touch! Exactly as you might normally - we have email, live chat and phone coverage so please reach out and we will help you and we are well-staffed and ready to help.
Customer service and communication is key, and we want to assure you we are right here to help with whatever you need.
• Email – explore@cairncycles.com – aim to respond in 4 hours, but always within 1 working day.
• Live chat – Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 17:00 (GMT) Saturday - Sunday: 13:00 - 17:00 (GMT) Chat to us using the chat icon on the bottom right hand of the website. It's the quickest and easiest way to answer your questions.
• Phone - +44 (0)1273 931 428 - Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 17:00 (UK)
We responsibly must advise against unnecessary personal visits to our facilities – just for the time being to keep everyone safe but otherwise please keep in touch.
If you would like to book a test ride we are trying to facilitate these at this time but please contact us first.
I have cabin fever, what can I do?
Ride your bike, if your local health advice suggests you should.
We know the importance of cycling and how it can positively impact our lives and we encourage you to breathe in the fresh air and get out and ride!
It boosts our health and keeps us fit and strong – which let’s be honest is mega important right now!
It can help - we often feel calmer and more focused during and after physical movement.
It can also reset and relieve our mental and emotional health – something we all need to be mindful.
A reminder to us all that we each have a personal responsibility to ride safely following all recommendations regarding how to ride during these restricted times of social contact. It is really important that you follow your local area and government guidelines.
What about the future?
Although we don’t have a crystal ball to see into the future, we want to reassure you we are operating as normal and focusing all our attention on how to best meet our promises and serve riders. We’re working on exciting projects and developing new and innovative products which we look forward to sharing with you over the coming months. We will keep you updated of any changes or new information and will be with you every step of the way or rather every pedal stroke!
If there’s one thing we know – we are a family of likeminded cyclists who are working hard to support, care and be with you long into the future.
We wish you all the best health, we continue to thank you and are, of course, honoured to serve all you devoted riders.
The Team at Cairn Cycles.
]]>1. Fully Charged
It seems unbelievably obvious but make sure your battery is fully charged before you leave. Don't charge it when you get back from your Sunday ride, leave it in a cold shed till Friday and expect it to be fully charged. Charge it on the day of your ride or the night before you plan to use it. By minimizing the time between charging and usage, you'll be maximising the life of your battery.
2. Right Mode At The Right Moment
Of course, again it seems like an obvious one but it could be the difference between getting home or not. The best thing is to use the level of assistance you need at the time and when you don't need it, reduce or switch it off. Even in ECO you could be using more charge than if you put it into a higher setting for a short period. Spinning and using less torque in a higher assistance mode for a shorter period of time will use less energy than grinding it out for longer in a lower assistance mode.
3. Use All The Gears
All mid-motor drive E-Bike systems use a combination of Speed, Torque and Cadence to work out how much assistance to give you and they are designed to try and teach you good habits. Most systems work on 75 pedal strokes per minute cadence and a smooth pedalling action. Don't worry that is not Chris Froome levels of cadence. So get to know how your gear ratios work with the system and make sure your saddle height is set correctly so you can produce a perfectly smooth and round pedal stroke. The general rule of thumb is bigger gear, higher cadence. Less torque means more range.
4. Drag And Resistance
You don't need to be an aerodynamicist or engineer to understand the effect that drag and resistance have on a bicycle. If you're already a cyclist then you will know most of these but no harm in a refresher.
5. Momentum
Stopping and starting, going around switchbacks or getting up steep inclines all use a lot of energy. Just think about the efficiency of your car in the town centre compared to a motorway run. It is the same thing with your E-Bike. The more you keep the bike moving and the less energy it uses to keep getting you back up to speed, the longer your battery will last. Look ahead, stop pedalling if the lights are red and try to keep moving without having to actually stop. Out on the trail, pick a smooth line and try to avoid big rocks and roots that slow you down. On corners choose the widest or flattest line it might look like a longer distance but it will allow you to hold your speed and requires less energy.
6. Lose Some Weight
Don't worry we are not saying you need to slim down to 60kgs (although if you want to then of course that will help) so there's no need to give up your road dinner just yet! Too often you see cyclists with expensively upgraded bikes (yes we are guilty of that too) immediately losing the benefit because of their luggage! Most of the time it's about how we pack or what we carry on our rides. Go through your pannier, rucksack or even jacket pockets and think about whether you actually need it. Every little helps and a couple of things, even if they only weigh 50 or 100 grams,quickly add up. Think - do I need that today or even this week? Could I leave my shoes at work? What about a bivi or a hammock instead of a tent? Do I need a full coffee brewing set up, or will instant get me to the first nice cafe of the day? All things to think about and all the things that will get you more range.
7. 'Bit Nippy Out'
Last but definitely not least. One of the noticeable effects on battery life in our experience is temperature - and its not just the cold. This obviously doesn't apply just to E-Bike batteries. All batteries have an optimum operating temperature, most of the time between 0-20 degrees. Whilst accurate testing in the UK is hard, you'll most likely see a significant drop off in range when the temperature drops below 5 degrees, with less at the higher end. Be smart, plan your rides and don't try to do your longest ride of the year in the depth of winter or at the absolute height of summer. If you are planning big winter miles, this is the time that you might want to carry that extra battery or your charger.
]]>
So here are our tips on how to get the most out of your gravel riding this Spring.
1. GET YOUR BIKE SERVICED
Sounds too simple to be true. Regardless of the miles completed this winter, a good clean, lubrication and general adjustments can go a long way. Having an issue free bike that just works is really important when you venture off-road. If something goes wrong you could be a long way from help or face a difficult hike-a-bike back to civilisation. There is nothing worse than waiting in the rain at a bus stop for a friend or spouse because you have had a mechanical you can't fix.
2. TYRES AND TUBELESS SETUPS
Bigger is not necessarily always better when it comes to tyres. Ultimately your tyre is your only contact with the ground. So, the right rubber for the conditions is just as important as size or pressure when heading off-road. Spend some time playing around with your tyre pressures. Have you set up your tyres tubeless yet? There are huge gains to be made in grip and rolling resistance from a tubeless setup. Why not ask us to do it for you, when we ship your bike? After all, all HUNT wheels are tubeless-ready and fitted with the right tape from the go.
Here is a quick tyre cheat sheet:
How to Set up your tyres tubeless
3. WHEEL SIZE
There has been a big debate in recent times about the best wheel size for gravel bikes and we have found that it is really all about personal preference. The general rule of thumb is the smaller 650b wheel with a big tyre 50c + is better for off-road and more comfortable. 700c with a small tyre 32 to 40c is better for road/tracks and towpaths, faster but less forgiving. Even then that rule doesn't always work - take the team here at The Rider Firm. Cairn Product Manager Matt uses 650b but rides mostly on-road/light off-road and website guru Stan uses 700 x 35 and no bigger on serious off-road trails. Here is the thing you will never know unless you try it. Our colleagues over at HUNT offer the same 60-day ride or return policy on wheels, so just give it a go and see what works for you.
See the range of Hunt 650b wheels here
4. COCKPIT
Wider bars and shorter stems on mountain bikes are not just a trend, it is happening for a reason. That reason is better control of your bike off-road. The same rule would apply to gravel bikes, however, we have the added issue of having to be able to reach the brake levers. So although a wider bar might not help, a bar with more flare will. This means your seated pedalling position and bike fit is not compromised. However, the flare increases access to the brakes and that wider stance improves control when you get on the rough stuff.
Advntr.cc Review of the Ritchey Venturemax Bar
5. DROPPER SEATPOST
Another MTB trend that is making its way into gravel riding. Dropper seat posts are great. The days of getting off and adjusting your saddle height every time you reach a trail are long gone. If you are getting serious with your gravel bike and you are taking it to the extremes of its intended use, a dropper post is a must-have. Being able to get that saddle out of the way even just a small amount and move around on the bike makes life on a gravel bike a whole lot easier. Dropper posts designed for gravel bikes will have a 50 to 100mm of drop or travel. Luckily for Cairn owners, we have internal cable routing for this so you can run a 'stealth' setup.
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6. COMPLIANCE & COMFORT
Compliance, isn't that just suspension? Yes and No. Of course on a mountain bike, the traditional way to add compliance is to add suspension. Something some brands have done to their gravel bikes. However, gravel bikes are making the bicycle industry think in different ways about how to make bikes more comfortable off-road. At Cairn we keep things fairly simple, we use high-quality Fabric bar tape, a carbon Seatpost and large 40c tyres to keep you comfy.
There are all kinds of solutions, super flexy carbon posts and handlebars, using the carbon layup to add vibration damping and flex. On the suspension front, you have Lauf, Fox and MRP which offer gravel-specific suspension forks. The Redshift Shockstop stem and seat post is also an option. Designed to flex and give the feeling of suspension without the weight and inefficiency. Reverting back to point 2 and 3 fitting 650b wheels with a bigger tyre could be enough comfort for some. Can even be as simple as a second wrap of bar tape like the pros do during the spring classics.
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Cairn Cycles can now all be purchased on finance with Klarna. If you have not heard of Klarna here is a little bit about them:
'Klarna was founded in 2005 in Stockholm, Sweden with the aim of making it easier for people to shop online. In the last 14 years, with technology evolving and transformed the world around us, their mission remains as relevant as ever. To make paying as simple, safe and above all, smooth as possible. Klarna is now one of Europe’s largest banks and is providing payment solutions for 80 million consumers across 190,000 merchants in 17 countries.'
Here at Cairn Cycles, we will be offering three payment terms with no deposit required. We will of course still be offering Paypal and card options, if finance is not for you.
So how does that look to you? Here is an example of our 24 months term at 9.9%:
Just select the size you need, add it to the basket and head on over to the checkout. Once you are there select finance and Klarna will take you through the whole process. Klarna Finance is only available in mainland UK. If you have any more questions why not visit the Klarna FAQ page to find out more.
A lot of E-Bike systems claim to be light, however many only give the weight of the motor or it does not include wiring or display. Fazua is upfront about it, and it is genuinely under 5kg. This includes everything the system needs to function, even the battery lock. Compared to Shimano's top specification E8000 motor which is 3 kgs on its own.
The German word 'Waldeinsamkeit' should apply to any cyclists seeking freedom, it translates to 'that special feeling of solitude when alone in the woods.' Nothing worse than ruining all that solitude then the whine of an E-Bike motor. We tried to record the actual decibels but it was so quiet it did not even register.
From the engineering to the user experience and support Fazua system is simple. No complicated wiring to Fazua uses a solid connection not just from the battery to the Drive Unit but then again to Bottom Bracket helping drive your legs like your riding with a tailwind. The touch remote has 4 settings (Breeze, River, Rocket & Walk Assist) everything else is done on the App. Speaking of which there is no complicated setup or hundreds of settings to adjust and work out. Connect via Bluetooth and away you go, grab yourself a Quad Lock and it will even do mapping for you.
Learn more about the Fazua App here
Thanks to the unique way in which the Fazua system tracks and calculates your effort it provides smooth and predictable assistance. No huge surges of power, no jerking you around on cut out and most of the time you have to check it is actually doing something. Trust us it is.
What Fazua and the E-Adventure 1.0 has helped us to do is not just get out of the car or get us to work quicker. It really has helped us to go further, ride more, experience more and really push what we thought we could. Thanks to Fazua's constant updates in their software and system it is getting more efficiency and with more add-on's coming we can not wait for even bigger adventures in the future. Watch this space.
]]>Finally, in October we managed to get one over to Hannah to take on the Yorkshire winter muck with. Hannah has posted her thoughts and you can use the link below to see what she had to say on the E-Adventure 1.0.
What Hannah had to say: 'It made the bike an easier choice to make on days when it felt hard. For someone looking to make their commute more fun but keep their average speed up, it would be a good choice.' & 'Unlike an e-MTB, the Cairn isn’t a boring slog to ride on sections between fun trails, so makes for happy exploring.
]]>Before we start with any of the detailed maintenance of your Fazua e-bike. We have one must follow rule. Put the jet wash back in the shed. Dispute the high IP ratings on e-bike systems none of them are designed to withstand the high pressure of jet washes. They are bad for bikes full stop but add in the complicated electrics of an e-bike and you have a recipe for a broken bike and a void warranty.
So with that out the way, here is how to look after your e-bike with love and care.
First step get yourself a good cleaner, a set of brushes, some rag (old t-shirts and sheets do the trick) and good old elbow grease. We would recommend the Peaty's Loam Foam range of cleaning products. They are eco-friendly, minty fresh and of course, do a pretty good job of the cleaning. As for brushes the Park BCB 4.2 is a pretty comprehensive set and you can pick them up all over the web for a good price.
The basic principle of washing your bike is fairly simple. Spray, agitate, rinse. Nothing changes here for your electric bike. One thing you must always do and this is the case for any electric bike, remove the battery first. For a Fazua bike, this means fitting the lip cap to the top of you drive unit or down tube cover before washing.
Once all of the dirt and grime is gone, this is when you need to get down to the details. An old toothbrush and your rag is going to come in handy here. With multiple connections and ports on the Fazua system to keep your e-drive system in tip top shape, you need to make sure everything is dry and clear of dirt before hanging it back up in the shed. For anything that is an electrical connection make sure whatever brush or rag you are using is dry, do not use any water or cleaners in these areas.
Areas to pay close attention to:
That should be all the cleaning done. Now to get the bike ready for the next ride. This means re-lubrication and protection. First step here is to make sure everything is dry. Use your rag to chamois the bike down.
Re-lubrication is probably the most important step. We could go on and on about all the parts you could lube and grease. Lets face it - if you do a good job of the cleaning and you do this regularly then you should only need to re-lube your chain each time. For this again Peaty's is an excellent lube for this time of year. The Peaty's All-Weather Lube not only has the same minty fresh smell but applied right it'll even keep your chain clean...
That is it. Here are our top 6 tips for making the job easier and a little bit more bearable in the cold winter months.
The Boring Bit - The Health And Safety Stuff
When working on your bike with lubes and chemicals like cleaners, wear gloves and eye protection. Some parts on a bicycle can be dangerous, you can trap fingers, break nails, slip, trip and generally hurt yourself when cleaning a bike. Take your time, make sure the area is well lit, non-slip, use common sense and be careful. If at any time you are not sure what you are doing seek further advice from a trained bicycle mechanic.
As always if you have any questions on anything above feel free to get in contact with us via all the normal channels. All the details can be found here.
]]>FAQ No.1 for anything electric and battery-powered seems to be always how long can I use it before it runs out. Cars, E-bikes and phones, for most things its general inaccurate statement or lased with clauses like 'used in ideal conditions'. The bicycle industry has been a bit more open and if anything has gone in slightly more cautiously with their estimations on battery life. We wanted to take that one step further and provide examples of really how far your E-Bike can take you. first of all some background.
So why is it so hard to predict battery life of you E-Bike? As with anything, there is a huge range of factors that affect the charge life of your E-Bike. For example:
To name just a few. Basically, no two rides are the same. So, therefore, your battery life is going to be different.
So what did we do in this first test? Cairn product manager Matt took his Adventure 1.0 out on his commute for 1 week, to see how far he could ride on 1 charge.
The perimeters, he must every day only ride in the Fazua Evation highest assistance level (That is Pink LEDs or rocket mode). That sounds weird we know? However, this gives you your absolute minimum range. So on a bad day you know you can at least do 'X' Miles or KM's on similar parkour or conditions. He also had to always have a backpack with between 3 to 5 kgs in it, similar tyre pressure and use his normal commuting routes for accuracy and so we can compare it to him on his acoustic bike.
The headline numbers:
The weather during the test:
The conclusion:
Despite Matt's commute being flat and that his average speed clearly shows he was riding over the assistance level threshold of 15.5 mph a fair amount of the time. Even in full power mode, he was able to achieve a huge amount of distance and way more then most companies are advertising.
Why is this significant data?
Last time it was measured the average UK commuter distance was around 8 miles which is similar to that of Matts commute. So ridden efficiently that means for most people you could ride an E-bike on similar parkour to and from work all week without having to charge it. Compare the average commute time and speed in London so 8 miles and the average time commuting is 57 mins. Matt has halved the average commuter time, obviously, there are other factors to take into account but that suggests significant time savings regardless. This is without even getting into the other benefits of cycling like cost or health. For the enthusiast cyclist, 70 to 80 miles is easily a good day out in the saddle, with no worries about being dropped by your mates or having to try and keep up riding a 15kg bike that has run out of charge.
So there you go. Test one done. Let us know your thoughts via email or social media. Why not let us know what real-world test you want us to do in the future?
]]>360 degree photography is not a new feature to most when online shopping but for some reason the bicycle industry has not really 'clicked' with it yet. Pun intended!
Here at Cairn Cycles we could not work out why. With fewer bike brands available in stores and stores having less bikes in general and more coffee machines, it's hard to find someone with the bike you want to go and see it. Of course online only brands like ourselves, the only place you can really see the details is on our site.
So for us the idea of 360 view was a no-brainer. It allows you to see the whole way round the bike, zoom in on those details you just do not see in a static image and we think in general it gives you a much better feel for the product.
Aside from seeing all that detail it's quite cool to just play around with.
]]>The touch remote has been simplified down not only in size and fitting. Fazua have removed 5 of the LEDs so the new remote has just 5 LEDs and 1 main on/off indicator LED. They still provide all the info you need though including the battery life, general health of the system and obviously indicating the mode or assistants level you are in. A new feature for touch remote is it can even automatically change the intensity of the LEDs depending on the ambient light. So you should always be about to see whats going on with your E-Bike. You will find the new Fazua Touch Remote on the Cairn E-Adventure 1.0 from September. these bikes will also feature a new battery release with details of that to follow soon.
The new Fazua Touch Remote will feature on the Cairn E-Adventure 1.0 from September. These bikes will also feature a new battery release, details of that to follow soon.
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Here is what they had to say: 'Why am I so excited about this? Basically, there’s all the ingredients there for what I think is good about bikes. It’s for adventure, it’s for taking the long way round to work, it’s for doing the shopping, it’s for leaving the car behind, or just choosing the car less often'.
They also had to say: 'It shouldn’t be a surprise that the bike is well thought out and versatile, as it’s been developed by a group of people who collectively have had their fingers in some very successful bike pies. This bike draws on experience from Bombtrack Bikes and the Pinnacle Arkose, and Cairn Cycles is part of The Rider Firm‘s family, which includes Hunt Bike Wheels and Dissent 133, an adverse weather equipment brand.
See the Interview with The Rider Firm's co-founder Tom:
We understand that as an online brand there is still some fear about buying a bike online. One of the biggest blockers is sizing and fit, something you would normally check in a bike shop if you were unsure but obviously something you cannot do when buying online. So, we have partnered with SmartFit to provide you with the most accurate and easy to use sizing guide on the market to displace any worries about buying direct.
How does it work? SmartFit has gathered data through fitting and working with over 100 manufactures and 15000 bikes to create an algorithm. That algorithm takes all of this data and compares it to the data we have provided for Cairn. Using this genuine real-life experience and data means we can give you an individual sizing recommendation every time.
How is it different to other guides? Other guides will use a law of averages to calculate which size you need. So, for example if you are 5 ft 7” an average person of this height has an arm length of 67 cm and inside leg is 76 cm. However, these measurements do not apply to everyone. Which means if you are on the fringes of a size and you have a longer or shorter limb measurements, choosing whether to size up or down is a difficult decision. It is at this point where you would normally seek advice from a bike shop, experienced fitter or spend hours looking at geometry to try and work it out yourself. With smart fit it takes these measurements in to account, so if you are 5 ft 7” and have a 69 cm arm length and 81 cm inside leg it might suggest going to a medium size over a small.
How does SmartFit give me the size? Once you have followed the 3 steps to get your accurate sizing information, Smart fit shows you exact where you fit with in your size range and of course the actual size of bike they would recommend I one simple graphic.
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