My V11. Next level and my new main wheel.

[Unventor]

4 hours ago, Rawnei said:

How are your bearings holding up riding in winter weather?

I have no problems despite riding in any weather, sun, dust, rain, snow, icey and salty roads. And -i have not really done anything special either, beside not storing my wheel on the side (except when I Swapped to a winter tire). So when some seem to get problems (and even multiply time) others don't. So I can't explain why this is. All I can say I am really happy with my V11 so far after 1225km.

[Rawnei]

3 hours ago, Unventor said:

I have no problems despite riding in any weather, sun, dust, rain, snow, icey and salty roads. And -i have not really done anything special either, beside not storing my wheel on the side (except when I Swapped to a winter tire). So when some seem to get problems (and even multiply time) others don't. So I can't explain why this is. All I can say I am really happy with my V11 so far after 1225km.

Nice to hear, lots of snow and salted bike roads here now, I'm afraid to take mine out since doing the motor swap.. only tried it twice don't want to take my chances. 😔

[Unventor]

28 minutes ago, Rawnei said:

Nice to hear, lots of snow and salted bike roads here now, I'm afraid to take mine out since doing the motor swap.. only tried it twice don't want to take my chances. 😔

I am not saying it is riskfree. In the other hand we don't have much snow here so it is mostly rain, freeze over they ad salt and then it dry salty roads. More rain and the process repeats. If we get sone it rains shortly after.  Ut now I got my little car so it help sparing the V11 from the worse days now I guess. Also before I worked from home so I could mostly pass on bad day of weather. But I have been out in the worse sleet weather I ever ridden in many years (counting bicycling too).  You can see that too firther back on my flog (forum logging review) here. 

[Unventor]

So a little update. Some might have seen part of this elsewhere but let's get started.

Sad news from Inmotion today as Liam have decided to do new things outside Inmotion. He is one of a handful of people I have been in close contact since V11 and V12 was supposed to be released in January 2020. Now that didn't happen. But is was a start of tons of feedback and suggestions I had collected from this forum and a few other places. My opinions and also others, and even some opinions I do not agree upon. 

It is hard to say what future brings. But the V12 has not really caught my interest as a wheel I going go buy. At least not yet. 

I did decide to get someone or accessories for my V11. From Hujal market. It look(ed) pretty cool as I am not keen on black looks. I find it a bit boring. 

And I grabbed a new mc helmet (very expensive) but I have been coming back go this over and over. And not having a wife to argue against it I put the hard over the eyes and just paid up. 

It is an discontinued colour theme.  But I wanted it to fit this above and my mc suit.

Unfortunately the mc suit is shipped away for warranty claim. Undergone 1 week already. Still waiting for reseller to process and ship it to Klim. It could take 6-8 weeks. 

So this where the bad stuff happens. My V11 finally came up with a fat that requires service as in parts.

In short it is a battery/BMS related issue. I should hopeful get a new battery pack. But still waiting for final confirmation. Right not it thinks it is in charging mode, so it will not balance. 

So since I can't ride my V11 right now and it could take weeks before it is solved. I went out to ride my KS16X. 

It might still be a good wheel. BUT it is not a V11.

At first I feel like I am standing on the ground d, and constant worry to scrape pedals or clip someone. After a while  I got back in the habit of a 16'' wheel. But it felt like a bull ride at a rodeo at first. Then I almost crashed as I were crossing a tramline. This was due to a grove or sunk in asphalt/pavement. I am so used to not working about this due to how the V11 handles this partly because of bigger Tim and partly due to suspension. I felt like a rock on a catapult from middleages. Lost connection with the pedals. But somehow I managed to save the situation. 

Right now I need to get my V11 back in business.  I miss it despite having 3 other wheels I could ride. 

This just convinced me even more. V12 not directly on my radar. But next suspension wheel...I am going to try to resist buying 1st batch. But I am not sure if I can. 

As of my V11, hopeful I have a battery coming soon,my mc suit too. And I will have swapped back to my summer/stock tire too.

I am so close to buy a 2nd V11 just to make sure I can ride no matter what. 

Now I didn't touch on the new firmware version 1.2.22. But the little I have tested it, It just feels great. Hopeful I get to play a bit one with settings soon.

So I guess ordering 2 Black Crow stand was not a bad idea. What do you think @RockyTop.

Also I like to thank you @mrelwoodhelping out in my time of need. Now I will not go into details, but I think you are spot on to what happened with my V11 after I good things apart to see if it was both or just one battery pack that was a problem or maybe something else.

As soon I can ride again I shall make that video you asked for @Zopper.

For those that want to know more of the helmet. It is a medium size despite my head meassure 59cm ( helmet is made for 57-58cm). But if I were to go up in size it would not be a snug fit. And the helmet gets massive big due to the protective construction.

This is this year's variant ( only colour theme is different).

https://www.klim.com/Krios-Pro-Helmet-ECE-3900-000

Note: this post has a lot of different gear and suggested mods listed. I choose to share this but I am not affiliate with Hujal market or Klim or Inmotion for that matter. Take what you can from this post. If you have any questions let me know.

[RockyTop]

@Unventor I like the color scheme!! The green really brings out the depth of the black!..... just kidding but it does look great!

[Flying W]

@Unventor sorry to hear your wheel is down. I seem to only ride my favorite too. I'll still rode the others but I always miss the favorite one.

I sometimes think about selling the others, but I'm addicted enough to know that any wheel is the best wheel when there are no other options. 

if my 3 "real" wheel went down at the same time I know I'd still play with the 134wh freeman. You can over lean on it by sneezing too hard but somehow it still beats not riding 

[Unventor]

3 minutes ago, Flying W said:

@Unventor sorry to hear your wheel is down. I seem to only ride my favorite too. I'll still rode the others but I always miss the favorite one.

I sometimes think about selling the others, but I'm addicted enough to know that any wheel is the best wheel when there are no other options. 

if my 3 "real" wheel went down at the same time I know I'd still play with the 134wh freeman. You can over lean on it by sneezing too hard but somehow it still beats not riding 

I am addicted to a level not do not understand. It comes down to me riding to keep symptoms of my rheumatic diagnoses at bay. What makes this particular bad right now is that my liver is reacting bad to my medications. So yesterday I were told by my doctor to take a 2 months break with 1 of 2 drugs I take. 

The more still I sit the more locked up my joints get and risk of pains to follow. Working from home and I can only walk on level grounds make me walk somewhere between 12.000 to 18.000 steps in my apartment (2 rooms of 60m2 in total) during my 8 hour work shift. 

I must ride at least ever 3 day or preferably ever 2 day. A 5km ride helps a lot. 20 km is ideal. Especially if I do shopping with a backpack. Riding 50km in one day there is a high risk I over do it.

With the suspension I can go 10-20 km longer before my knee complains. Plus I can ride much fast safe too.

I liked the feel of my KS16X  but it is totally right to post this in past tense. It is still good, but it will never compare to my V11.

Interestingly I view this very different to @Paulo Mesquita. I couldn't believe he sold his V11. But what is done is done. I just hope he does get disappointed and regretting this. 

I understand that pedals feels high to some. It does for me too. But there are soo many positives to this that I wouldn't go back to "normal" pedals. Also that combines with rim size that to me is perfect balance to being responsive and can brake hard. I doubt a 20" wheel will be able to match that. A 18"x3" just has that sweet spot of comfort, nimbleness, stability and responsiveness.  And then adding suspension too.

That is why I like my V11 so much more.

As of it having a problem now do not duplicate me. It is very early 1st batch and I knew of the risk buying it so early. I accepted that when I bought it.

Also that it has innovative features and design. But if I see benefits and potential I am very easy to be a first adopter. 

[Unventor]

4 hours ago, RockyTop said:

@Unventor I like the color scheme!! The green really brings out the depth of the black!..... just kidding but it does look great!

Let's just say in traffic I prefer to be seen. And black clothing helmet included is just too hot in summer time for me. So both gearcolorseucriding is something that makes people stare, often pause when I ride by. Best this is kids has no filter to their reaction. It is such a laugh. 

[Zopper]

14 minutes ago, Unventor said:

Let's just say in traffic I prefer to be seen. And black clothing helmet included is just too hot in summer time for me. So both gearcolorseucriding is something that makes people stare, often pause when I ride by. Best this is kids has no filter to their reaction. It is such a laugh. 

Mmm, reminds me, I should pull out my adult-sized t-rex suit and ride in it. I got it the last fall and it was just too cold and wet already for it.  

 

[Scottie]

 

8 hours ago, Unventor said:

I am so close to buy a 2nd V11 just to make sure I can ride no matter what. 

As much as you like the V11, you probably should have a 2nd, just in case. Are you considering selling your V10f or 18L and replacing them with a V11? Or would you just add another V11 to the collection?

Personally, I have thought of getting a backup 16X just to make sure I would always have one of those just in case. I consider the V11 to be my champagne wheel, only for special occasions, after I've done something really good and deserve a ride on it!

Please keep the 16X, for my sake!

[Paulo Mesquita]

4 hours ago, Zopper said:

Mmm, reminds me, I should pull out my adult-sized t-rex suit and ride in it. I got it the last fall and it was just too cold and wet already for it.  

 

Hey @Zopper...this joke is on you...check out the photo below of the FB Portuguese EUC riders page:

 

Edited April 8, 2021 by Paulo Mesquita

[Paulo Mesquita]

5 hours ago, Unventor said:

I am addicted to a level not do not understand. It comes down to me riding to keep symptoms of my rheumatic diagnoses at bay. What makes this particular bad right now is that my liver is reacting bad to my medications. So yesterday I were told by my doctor to take a 2 months break with 1 of 2 drugs I take. 

The more still I sit the more locked up my joints get and risk of pains to follow. Working from home and I can only walk on level grounds make me walk somewhere between 12.000 to 18.000 steps in my apartment (2 rooms of 60m2 in total) during my 8 hour work shift. 

I must ride at least ever 3 day or preferably ever 2 day. A 5km ride helps a lot. 20 km is ideal. Especially if I do shopping with a backpack. Riding 50km in one day there is a high risk I over do it.

With the suspension I can go 10-20 km longer before my knee complains. Plus I can ride much fast safe too.

I liked the feel of my KS16X  but it is totally right to post this in past tense. It is still good, but it will never compare to my V11.

Interestingly I view this very different to @Paulo Mesquita. I couldn't believe he sold his V11. But what is done is done. I just hope he does get disappointed and regretting this. 

I understand that pedals feels high to some. It does for me too. But there are soo many positives to this that I wouldn't go back to "normal" pedals. Also that combines with rim size that to me is perfect balance to being responsive and can brake hard. I doubt a 20" wheel will be able to match that. A 18"x3" just has that sweet spot of comfort, nimbleness, stability and responsiveness.  And then adding suspension too.

That is why I like my V11 so much more.

As of it having a problem now do not duplicate me. It is very early 1st batch and I knew of the risk buying it so early. I accepted that when I bought it.

Also that it has innovative features and design. But if I see benefits and potential I am very easy to be a first adopter. 

@Unventor my friend, I too am unsure if I did the right move. Worst case scenario I'll sell the S18 if I don't like it and go back to the V11. I need suspension, that is 100% clear in my head. Now that I'm only with the 16X again, after a 30km ride I really need to stretch for 15 minutes, just to be sure I don't get an injury. And I do agree the that the V11 is as smooth as butter. However I'm only 1,76mt tall, I weigh, fully equipped 96kg and I'm 61. Getting on those skyscraper pedals is hell every time. The 18cm pedals od the 16x (that in the beginning were terrifying to me) feel now like a ground floor stepping. And in terms of maneuverability the V11 is slow for my Portuguese tine and narrow alleys, taking away the pleasure of quick and nervous response. 

But the V11 is a hell of a great wheel, no doubt about that.

[Unventor]

11 minutes ago, Paulo Mesquita said:

@Unventor my friend, I too am unsure if I did the right move. Worst case scenario I'll sell the S18 if I don't like it and go back to the V11. I need suspension, that is 100% clear in my head. Now that I'm only with the 16X again, after a 30km ride I really need to stretch for 15 minutes, just to be sure I don't get an injury. And I do agree the that the V11 is as smooth as butter. However I'm only 1,76mt tall, I weigh, fully equipped 96kg and I'm 61. Getting on those skyscraper pedals is hell every time. The 18cm pedals od the 16x (that in the beginning were terrifying to me) feel now like a ground floor stepping. And in terms of maneuverability the V11 is slow for my Portuguese tine and narrow alleys, taking away the pleasure of quick and nervous response. 

But the V11 is a hell of a great wheel, no doubt about that.

I am now 176cm used to be taller. I am turning 50 later this year. But my body is on a good day like your age on bad days it is classes as in between 80 to 100 years as in my range of movement. Naked body weight is 85-86kg with gear and empty backpack add another 10kg.

I step up on left leg which is my bad knee. So I feel the force it take every time as a strain. But once up on the wheel I am doing fine. 

The high pedals is a mind thing. I am very use most get used to it. It took me like 5-8 rides of 5-10km. But that was mostly down to my bad knee.

Today I took my KS16X to lunch. It does not give me same confidence. 

One benefit if higher pedals is I reach above cars here most of them. So I can further ahead in traffic. Especially in pedestrian areas this is very useful.

[Paulo Mesquita]

2 hours ago, Unventor said:

I am now 176cm used to be taller. I am turning 50 later this year. But my body is on a good day like your age on bad days it is classes as in between 80 to 100 years as in my range of movement. Naked body weight is 85-86kg with gear and empty backpack add another 10kg.

I step up on left leg which is my bad knee. So I feel the force it take every time as a strain. But once up on the wheel I am doing fine. 

The high pedals is a mind thing. I am very use most get used to it. It took me like 5-8 rides of 5-10km. But that was mostly down to my bad knee.

Today I took my KS16X to lunch. It does not give me same confidence. 

One benefit if higher pedals is I reach above cars here most of them. So I can further ahead in traffic. Especially in pedestrian areas this is very useful.

So we're the same height and the same weight when equipped...hmmm...I guess you just adapted better to the V11 than I did. As I mentioned before...maybe I'll regret it...

[Unventor]

4 hours ago, Paulo Mesquita said:

So we're the same height and the same weight when equipped...hmmm...I guess you just adapted better to the V11 than I did. As I mentioned before...maybe I'll regret it...

Time will tell. Keep in mind I have more rides in my legs. 

Edited April 8, 2021 by Unventor

[Paulo Mesquita]

3 hours ago, Unventor said:

Time will tell. Keep in mind I have move rides in my legs. 

Sorry I don't get the meaning of "move rides"... 

[Unventor]

6 minutes ago, Paulo Mesquita said:

Sorry I don't get the meaning of "move rides"... 

Spelling/auto correction mistake. Fixade now. 

[Paulo Mesquita]

16 minutes ago, Unventor said:

Spelling/auto correction mistake. Fixade now. 

okidoki...now I got it...

[stephen]

Moved house recently and living the new trials around here,, so glad I've got the v11 the suspension is unreal for these terrains

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 8, 2021 by stephen

[Paulo Mesquita]

1 hour ago, stephen said:

Moved house recently and living the new trials around here,, so glad I've got the v11 the suspension is unreal for these terrains

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very, very, very... Nice!!! 👌👌👌👌

[Unventor]

Okey time for a new update. A few things has happened since I wrote last on this review. 

I bought a 2nd V11 (build April 2021), to ensure I always had a V11 up and running. But because of my butterfingers and clumsy mind I managed to either fry a driver board (lower mounted board) or a motor. I am still not sure which or even if main board (top mounted board) is damaged too. 

So yesterday I had a fair bit of part arrining. 2x set of drive board, main board. 1 new motor (this is properly the most interesting part) and new BT module for my 1st batch V11 and a few other minor things. 

Now There have been a lot of debate about bearing issue and to some extend it would seem Inmotion didn't care. That is not entirely true though. Looking in the hindsight they did take some actions, and that was very fast in the way I view it. So first moved from Z bearing to RS to a new motor manufacture with new RS size. 

But for this point on it took a lot of extra testing. I have had some info on what was going on but not on a detailed level. And at some point my sources of info stopped too. Which I am pretty sad about. I think it hurt Inmotion a lot with Liam resignation. But new things are apparently In-motion  and I hope that will be visual here on this forum too.

Now about the new motor I got. as this is the most interesting part for now at least. I will share a few picture of it here. Now the first picture is the first batch with Z bearing (taken a while ago so no closeup).

 

And this is the new motor.

In close view of the seal itself

 

There is a greasy film (the glossy black part) between the seal (brown part) and the motor hub shell( the matt black part). The grease is acturly wax-yellow/semi clear and feels like melted butter. I think this will be a good lubricant, but time will tell. The light grey part is an edge in the metal easier to see in the first picture of the new motor.

I took these pictures on my OnePlus 9Pro with standard and close up macro (uses different lenses), so everything is enhanced a lot. 

So hopefully I will have 2 V11 back up running and with K66 80/90-14 snowtex tire, and one with K66 80/80-14 Snowtex tire (I have a K66 80/80-14 all season tire ready too). 

If it turns out my motor isn't damaged I can maybe test out the K66 80-80-14 all season on the "old" z bearing motor. My plan is to mount both V11 with RS bearing motors if they both work. 

 

[Lex Smith]

On 4/8/2021 at 10:36 AM, Unventor said:

 

 

Looks great!  I'm inspired to jazz my wheel up a bit to complement my Roll.NZ Bodyguard - maybe a blue mudguard and some trim around the bottom of the cover.

Totally get your addition to your V11 - my damm van battery keeps going flat because I never use it - I'm on my wheel rain or shine :-)

 

 

Edited July 30, 2021 by Lex Smith

[Unventor]

1 hour ago, Lex Smith said:

Looks great!  I'm inspired to jazz my wheel up a bit to complement my Roll.NZ Bodyguard - maybe a blue mudguard and some trim around the bottom of the cover.

Totally get your addition to your V11 - my damm van battery keeps going flat because I never use it - I'm on my wheel rain or shine :-)

 

 

I have been testing that bodyguard and debating different things to make it better. I must say @Chrissi is fantastic to brainstorm ideas with. I hope @The Fat Unicyclist get to test some of the things we have discussed. When we have decided on a updated solution I will review this when I get it. I do think this next version will be much better. 

[The Fat Unicyclist]

11 hours ago, Unventor said:

I hope @The Fat Unicyclist get to test some of the things we have discussed.

She made me sign an NDA...   

[Unventor]

1 hour ago, The Fat Unicyclist said:

She made me sign an NDA...   

Maybe. But I am sure you misplaced it.

And I didn't see it either. I think.🤔