KS16X Impressions from a 14" wheeler

[DJMaxAlex]

The long wait is finally over and my 16X finally arrived!
 

I was a bit bummed out in the beginning to not be riding the 16X in the time frame of the first batch release window, but I anxiously watched from the sidelines as new reviews came out (And all the subsequent issues with it), patiently waiting. As an avid KS14S user, I've thoroughly enjoyed it's maneuverability in the urban environments I've been in and it's ability to stop, start, and turn on a dime. But I was looking for something more now. Something that wouldn't nag me at 30km/h (Let's be real, it feels like 26km/h) just when the speeds starts to get fun. So I turned to the 16X for it's advertisement of the capabilities of an 18" wheel, in a 16" formfactor, without sacrificing too much of what I like: Control / Handling.

For those that are curious, I'll be keeping a small journal here of sorts to document some of my initial impressions and annotations.

Day 1 :

- Wheel arrived with an approximate charge of 45%
- Was expecting it to be second batch, firmware on first-boot was actually 1.06 and not 1.05.
- Tire was the ChaoYang the community seems to favor.
- Initial setup (Registering, light settings, speed settings, riding mode, etc) was actually hassle free as I was familiar with the app. No dropped connections or values not registering properly.
- Rode it downtown at 35psi for approximately 50km, being already limited to approximately 35km/h from the get-go. At the time of arrival at my destination, it was something like 25km/h.
- Having ridden more than 5km for the first day, I was able to unlock the speed from 40km/h to 50km/h (Set to 45km/h as my max instead)

Impressions:
- Compared to the Nikola Plus, V10F, and MSX, it does accelerate quite quickly.
- Build quality seems solid and sturdy compared to my old 14S. While my old wheel has suffered many impacts and held up supremely well, the 16X feels/looks like a tank
- Getting accustomed to the new wheel, it's difficult to carve as easily as my 14S and requires me to learn different stances
- Due to my light weight, I am unable to influence the wheel easily. I have significant braking distance at speed and am unable to grip the wheel as I can with the 14S.
- Due to my small height, I can sit on the wheel without a seat pad due to it's box-y top. This allows me to rest my legs, readjust foot positions, and significantly gain more control over the wheel due to lower center of gravity.
- Bigger and taller pedals are super comfortable for long distance riding with minimal fatigue. Leaning angle can be increased due to pedal clearance.

Notes / Concerns:
- Turning by putting pressure on pedal corners, or braking on turns sometimes causes the pedals to dip forward. Rarely, they stay in that positon for abnormal lengths of time unless you brake to 10/15km/h.
- Unsure if the BT fix was applied. I always ride with music and have been blasting it. No interference that would have seemed to cause pedal tilting at all. Rock solid so far.
- Haven't experienced any tiltback so far. I have let off the throttle everytime it has told me to "Please decelerate", even when throttled at low batttery. I'm glad I haven't been thrown off, but am also somewhat unnerved by it's non-existent presence.
- Trolley handle/top of EUC is at the perfect height where going over bumps seems to bash into my kneecap. It happened to bruise my already swollen lymph node 6 times during the ride. I guess I'll have to ride at lower pressures or always wear knee protection (When it arrives) Ouch!
- Trolley handle seems to restrict downward movement at what I'd say...15%, 75%, and 100% fully-extended, but only restricts upward movement after pressing the button at 100%. On my 14S it would lock bi-directionally at 75% and 100%. As the handle fully extended on the 16X is higher than I'm comfortable with, I must retract it fully and then engage the lift-sensor to overcome obstacles. Hopefully there will be improvements on that.

Day 2:

- Took a small commute to/from work for a distance of 12km
- Had more charge to experience the speed the 16X can offer without restrictions
- Rode mostly on the sidewalk navigating through a decent amount of obstacles, more than what I usually deal with on my leisure runs in my neighbourhood

Impressions:
- Padding is quite thin and not as "adhesive" as my old wheel. Definitely need some aftermarket solution (Looks at Kuji pads)
- So far, no oscillation issues, or wobbling (Aside from user error)
- While a comparison was made that the Nikola speakers are better and that the 16X speakers sound muted (To which they are), I get the idea that it's not as jarring as it would be at high volume. (You can always just use an equalize on your phone)
- I was aware of the brakelights and the LEDs, but seemed to notice that there's also some under-lighting beneath the pedals that follows a different color scheme that the solid color I had set (Blue). Interesting and certainly cool

Notes / Concerns:

- Some people are reporting that firmware 1.06 causes a lot more dogs to become aggressive towards you. However I have had no such encounters thus far. Whilst I usually slow down to a crawl anyway, I have passed by quite a few already at speed (and distance to ensure I can avoid them if they do chase me).
- It seems the reflective tape on the mudguard has already broken. There's a clear tear on it already. I was under the impression it was something more...permanent and durable. Oh well. Thankfully it's easily replaceable.
- As others have noted, I have already spotted a pretty big crack in the paint on the trolley handle.
- Upon closer inspection, I have to chime in with the other users and comment that the seams of where the different pieces of the shell case line up, there is quite a visible seam that gives me the impression I'll be taking it apart to clean out the dust more frequently than other wheels.
- At higher speeds, which seems to match other testimonies, the wheel has a strong gyro effect when going over 33km/h

Day 3:

- Attended the annual Toronto Board Meeting event as well as rode to other destinations with a separate group for a total of 84km.
- Set the psi to 28 for today's ride.
- Recalibrated pedal angle to tilt backwards approximately 5-10° for better handling

Impressions:
- Wheel took it's first fall today due to the density of riders. Shell took light damage but is very solid.
- The 16X is a competely smooth ride. Acceleration/deceleration is great and has a nice purr to it. An absolute joy to ride.

Notes / Concerns:
- Followup to my trolley handle note: It seems the smaller tube extends first which is what causes the trolley handle to not lock when lifting upwards. If you leave the smaller tube in place, grab the larger tube first, and then raise it, it should allow you to lock at 50% height. (For smaller individuals like me) It seems one side of the handle fails to latch nicely sometimes and there's a bit of give.
- Other users have reported that the tire eventually breaks in after a certain point and becomes very soft, but that dropping the tire to a low psi counters the gyro effect. My initial impression is that when the tire is new, it feels as if it's got an extra +5 psi on top of what you set it to. When at 30-35psi, you will feel those bumps.
- There's definitely an adjustment period as when I hopped back onto my 14S for personal errands, it took 5-15 minutes to readjust and relearn the wheel again. Mostly due to the weight differential, the gyro effect, and the contact points.
- Getting better as I get accustomed to the wheel. Handling has improved as well as acceleration/deceleration times.

 

Edited September 15, 2019 by DJMaxAlex

[Dylan]

As for dogs, this is an eternal problem. I can offer 2 solutions. 1 and the simplest thing is, when you see them do not pedal, they in most cases react specifically to your movements. 2, buy a signal that will scare them away, I heard that those that sell at silent frequencies for humans are sold.

P.S. Take care of your knees

[eUNIty]

nice journal any issues with your wheel?

[jankrsiak]

Thank you for the shared impressions of the 16X. I think it will be my second wheel after V10F. What can you say with the delay of time? Do you have any problems with your bike? Thank you for the information...!