Cerbera's Master V2.5 thread

[Cerbera]

Finally doing a thread about this particular Master, and all the things that happen to it during its life.

So, for the sake of completeness, here is the potted history of the machine so far:

• Pre-ordered from: Speedyfeet.co.uk Jun 2022. Batch 3 from Begode.
• Arrived: 31 October 2022, Knobby Tyre CST-186, Samsung 50E 2P2S 134.4v
• Problems on arrival: Few loose bolts, 1 broken pad, display board temperature fail. Charges to 133.2v 
• Speedy feet replaced pad / satellite board
• Added Printed stand / charge port cover.
• Rider weight = 9 stone / 57 Kg / 126 lb, so suspension pressure perfect at 210 PSI / CST-186 tyre at 23 PSI, Ride Mode 3
• Current factory firmware misreports to EUC World - all other functionality fine. Am not updating so far, for fear of bricking.

CBR Master V1. Just protecting the gaps and the boxes, but everything else stock...

1 week of perfect initial rides... steeper learning curve than expected - free mounting an issue initially because of weight management.

Feel we are not accessing full power of machine - acceleration something of a struggle. A few side-overs / rider errors / unintentional dismounts while adapting from much smaller MS3 wheel. 1 x over-lean fall (wrong boots, stock pads, slope).

Fully confident wheel control and previous balletic excellence restored after about 3 weeks daily riding.

Everything went well until we did a long hill ride, and got caught in a heavy rainstorm (no additional pads / fairings / waterproofing or rainproof cover yet) and had to ride through a lot of surface water, after which horrible bearing knocking noise emerged and persisted.

Diagnosed, and fixed with help of this forum (muchly thankings everyone) !

• Re-greased bearings (LiquiMoly Marine), greased bearing covers, siliconed hub rims, blocked front hole to MB case
• Obtained waterproof rucksack cover in case of rain (15Litre perfect size)
• Added 'Bumper stop' foam block
• 1 month later: Added Grizzla Flow Big pads - massive improvement in control and acceleration / braking
• Added Grizzla Front and rear bumpers / stand - very pleased not to have broken back light whilst waiting for it !
• Passed its 500 mile check - all bolts tightened / connections checked, bearings examined - no problems found except 1 loose screw around trolley handle base. No cutouts / weird behaviour so far, but max speed only 40 kph so far.: Safety Margin rarely subceeds 68%.

  

CBR Master V2 - all the things added / replaced / fixed...

First 500 miles convinced me to keep knobby tyre for its amazing grip, even on frosty concrete / tarmac, and by now tyre worn down such that the sketchy side-lean it used to do on corners and carving isn't an issue now. Still there a bit, but manageable.

• Jan 2023: Speedyfeet issues new charge board for free, citing pack balancing and fire risk issues with previous version.
• Wheel now charges to 133.9v ! I'll take it.
• Fitted at home, along with satellite board, bringing this to a V3 Master Spec. Display / light now work, all temps.
• Complaints from pedestrians about headlights being too bright / in their eyes. Made small blanking panel to black out the top 3rd of lights. Still very usable at night. Begode have changed software here since batch 2 - these no longer dim when wheel is stationary. Regardless, added front and rear LED cycle lights.
• Added lasers / scrolling LED lights front and back (mounted to Grizzla bumpers) for improved visibility / Sith Holocron look.
• Added LightMode NightShift Kit to TSG Pass - much awe all around during night rides. Some applause.
• Jan 2023: Changed default riding mode to 2 - much happier with acceleration, though still some shin pain on long rides. Boots are at fault here...
• Feb 2023: Much adjustment of pads / addition of bumper strip to shin area of boots. Acceleration SO much better / shin pain thing fixed.

And that's where we start this thread... massively enjoying every ride now it's all dialled in, but living in 'some' tremulous fear that something might break, which I hope to circumvent with regular checks, the next of which is in 200 miles time at 1000.

The only thing I am feeling a need to add is some under-pedal lighting - still a bit dark under there at the moment - I want a nice deep, vibrant blue there to contrast with the laser reds. Or if police don't like that, more reds but darker 

Oh, and maybe a voice box for the helmet. And in Summer I will probably swap out to Michelin City Extra, just to check life wouldn't be better if I did !

 

 

Edited February 11, 2023 by Cerbera

[alcatraz]

Cool story. Thanks for taking the time.

57kg rider on a 37kg wheel is quite unusual. That thing must have an insane safety margin with you. If you can handle it well, and don't find it lacking nimbleness then it's a killer wheel choice.

Monitor the batteries yearly and you could potentially keep the wheel indefinitely.

[alcatraz]

Did you do the suspension upgrade that Marty did a video on? It was about swapping the pins for the right size ones. Apparently it prevents the suspension from binding after tightening or over time.

[EUCzero]

Hmm.
What makes it v3 and not v2?
I got mine at the same time. Batch3 but Master v2. 

Anyway. Very nice listing upgrades and what makes it work for you. 

For myself I :

• Upgraded firmware to Freestylers, and that got rid of half of the wiggle forward back (that I thought was a slider problem)
• Also put in small TPU rings from user EMA to keep the slider rings in place for less wiggle. Not doing much for me, but helped many others.
• Made a side protection out of clear polycarbonate (much much stronger than acrylic). 
• Added my own EUCzeroPads as powerpads. 
• Made a back protection/handle and backlight all in one. Super strong red backlight now.
• Rawnie designed bearing protection. I am testing them out, but one bearing bad already before mounting these. I did re-grease them as well, but probably little bit to late.
• Lenghtened the metal mudguard by gluing on some yoga mat pieces and took away the plastic mud guard.
  Keeps the shock clean. Strange original design. 

Most important: Designed and printed a volume reducer for the stock shock, now almost never bottoming out even If I love jumping.

Next:

Got the new Begode linkage in the mail today. Mounting and testing this weekend. Hope it is better than the volume reducer. If not, I will redesign the volume reducer to another version that fits the new linkage movement.

New tire on its way. Shinko244. (I am used to the CSTc186, but why not test something different supposedly better)

Photos and videos on the upgrades on instagram user EUCzero: https://www.instagram.com/euczero/?hl=en

Edited February 8, 2023 by EUCzero

[Lilvodka]

Did you guys fit the bump stop?  

[EUCzero]

With "bump stop" do you mean some foam under the controller box to prevent hard bottom out?
In that case yes. I have approx 2cm under there. Used to have 5 cm (and that was NOT enough )before I made the volume reducer.
Now I keep 2cm just in case.
 

[Cerbera]

17 hours ago, Topkek said:

Did you guys fit the bump stop?  

Oh yes I did. Forgot to mention that - will add it - cheers ! Made mine out of 5 layers of thick foam adhesive pad.

[Cerbera]

19 hours ago, EUCzero said:

Hmm.
What makes it v3 and not v2?

The new charge and 12v control boards ? Perhaps '2.5' is more accurate because true 'V3' Masters have yet another mainboard design, and back to the more / but smaller capacitors.

Edited February 9, 2023 by Cerbera

[Cerbera]

21 hours ago, alcatraz said:

57kg rider on a 37kg wheel is quite unusual. That thing must have an insane safety margin with you. If you can handle it well, and don't find it lacking nimbleness then it's a killer wheel choice.

Initially, it was very much 'diplomacy riding', in which I would make a suggestion to the Master about where we should go, and some time later, it might agree with me ! Early on, we would sometimes go somewhere else, or achieve a compromise path !

But as time has gone on, and my Grizzlas got here, and I've found 'the right' boots, full control has been asserted, and now I tend not to notice its heaviness so much while I am in motion, even when navigating quite complicated ride paths - control movements that used to be quite lean heavy have now become much more minimal to get the same effect, and I have adapted to its rather large inertia and momentum during stops and starts. Free mounting remains 'slightly dicey' in that I still get it wrong 1 time in 10, to my continued surprise ! However the narrowness of pavements in my local town centre, and the large size of the machine mean I often feel the need to dismount and trolley it round town if it is very busy. Even if it is nippy enough to manoeuvre around / amongst them, the public seem to lack confidence in that, and often act apprehensively around it if I am close in proximity to them, even if I am moving very very slowly. I think it's the height, and all the lights !

21 hours ago, alcatraz said:

Did you do the suspension upgrade that Marty did a video on?

I think I did see that video, or part of it. Is that the one where he worries that his suspension geometry is wobbly when uninflated ? I didn't worry about that because mine becomes rock solid when pumped up. I haven't changed out for the new linkages yet, but then I am not unhappy with the original suspension, which I still struggle to get to bottom out under any circumstances ! It doesn't lose air over time, and doesn't seem to degrade in performance so far, though occasionally I do get the odd throaty 'crnnk' noise from it on cold days on the kerb drops, and haven't managed to work out where that is coming from, being as it is very sporadic...

Edited February 9, 2023 by Cerbera

[Rawnei]

Where'd you get the lasers? They look cool, got a link?

[Cerbera]

12 minutes ago, Rawnei said:

Where'd you get the lasers? They look cool, got a link?

Yes the photos don't really do them justice  They ARE cool. And yes link is here (amazon.uk but sure you'll find 'em where you are). You want the 2 set for the best value and effect. I should also warn you about some downsides before you buy them, now I have had enough time with them for those to become apparent...

1. USB seals on those are snug fitting and splash proof when properly seated, but they do come out quite easily, so you have to watch them if you are out in rain.
2. Due to design oversight, buttons for laser and LED are at the same points on opposite sides of the units, making it difficult to only adjust 1 without also changing the mode of the other, especially with gloves ! 1 button out of the 4 has gone slightly temperamental already, only a month later.
3. In order for lasers to be effective, their path to ground must not be blocked by stuff like pads / pedals on the wheel. I only get away with it because of the Grizzla handles I have at both ends, which place each one far out enough to cast the complete pattern on the ground.
4. If you do get them, try and arrange things so that the bright red laser dot is shining at the tyre - then the front and back patterns will align. The mounting bands do have yaw adjustment, which is very helpful but not immediately apparent as it is very stiff.
5. If you have both lights and lasers in permanent on mode, they last about 2 hours, not the 7 stated !! But they can both flash, for much longer times.

Generally they are 1 step above the sort of 'Chinese tat' lights you can get these days, and quite reasonably priced and I remain pleased with them overall. Consider yourself fore-warned- there will be a LOT more staring from people !

Edited February 11, 2023 by Cerbera

[Lilvodka]

On 2/9/2023 at 11:34 AM, EUCzero said:

With "bump stop" do you mean some foam under the controller box to prevent hard bottom out?
In that case yes. I have approx 2cm under there. Used to have 5 cm (and that was NOT enough )before I made the volume reducer.
Now I keep 2cm just in case.
 

No I mean the block of rubber that came with the wheel or is it too hard for this purpose?

[Cerbera]

17 minutes ago, Topkek said:

No I mean the block of rubber that came with the wheel or is it too hard for this purpose?

If it's not that I don't know which part you're talking about...

[Lilvodka]

You guys keep saying foam though, I received a hard block of rubber.

[Cerbera]

5 minutes ago, Topkek said:

You guys keep saying foam though, I received a hard block of rubber.

You never said what you meant by 'bump stop'... so I don't think anyone here knows which bit you are talking about !

The only bits of rubber that came with my Master were the 2 square ones already attached to the kickstand, which I replaced with Rawnei's 3D printed part because they were rubbish / at the wrong angle.

Edited February 14, 2023 by Cerbera

[Rawnei]

Begode T4 comes with a bigger transparent/yellowish piece of rubber attached on the suspension rods (in addition to the black rubber rings), perhaps some Masters was shipped with this thing as well? This would be the "bump stop" but it belongs in the trash.

[Lilvodka]

This is what I received.  It’s not supposed to go there, just showing it for perspective.  I think it needs to be shaved down so doesn’t impact the travel.  

[Rawnei]

24 minutes ago, Topkek said:

This is what I received.  It’s not supposed to go there, just showing it for perspective.  I think it needs to be shaved down so doesn’t impact the travel.  

Uhh, what on earth?

[Cerbera]

Interesting. You're the first and only person I have seen who got one of those with the wheel, @Topkek !

Could you grab us a pic of where it is meant to sit ?

Could the dealer have added that part do you think or this Begode's continued attempt to prevent bottoming out in whatever peculiar way they happen to think of the day they fall off the line !?

Edited February 15, 2023 by Cerbera

[EUCzero]

I read some got this block with the wheel, but most did not. So we have made our own by using medium har foam. Cut from a yoga block or similar.

[Lilvodka]

23 hours ago, Cerbera said:

Interesting. You're the first and only person I have seen who got one of those with the wheel, @Topkek !

Could you grab us a pic of where it is meant to sit ?

Could the dealer have added that part do you think or this Begode's continued attempt to prevent bottoming out in whatever peculiar way they happen to think of the day they fall off the line !?

I think it sits on silver plate behind motor wire albeit I haven’t been given any guidance on placement.  I’ve cut it down but not sure about fitting because I haven’t bottomed out.

[EUCzero]

It should sit where the "bottom out foam hack" is.

Mine is green, and made of yoga block. 1-2cm thick. Most recommend cut in a triangle "pyramid" for a more linear damping.

 

 

Here is where I read that begode delivered this hack to some: 

Edited February 16, 2023 by EUCzero

[Cerbera]

41 minutes ago, EUCzero said:

Most recommend cut in a triangle "pyramid" for a more linear damping.

 

Yeah I did the pyramid with mine...

[Cerbera]

Well, after today's ride, in which I was testing my new Cordura 600D riding trousers in the damp and cold I am finally feeling like I am fully at one with the Master, and it is at last beginning to feel like the extension of me that the MS3 always did. I would not have expected it to take 750 miles on the clock to get here, but it has taken that long to round off the tippy edges of the CST-186, and to fully compensate for it over a range of speeds and terrains. But now I feel fully locked in, able to access the full power of that amazing machine, which now seems to growl under my feet in a 'let's go' sort of way - it's all very joyful

So another very wet ride, despite actually managing to avoid any rain in progress, and no new or worrying noises from the Master, from which I infer the waterproofing I did is still adequate / holding up.  I am constantly on the listens and feels for any changes to suspension stiffness, but all seems normal so far.

So, lovely, if short town ride today - no dismounts required as my town rides are later these days, now being sunset at around 5.30 pm when most people have cleared out of town. This is the time of year when riding gets better because I am up and riding when there are fewer people about as the daylight hours get longer. I am also in peak comfortable temperature mode for the Winter rides. Ambient temp of 8-10 C means I am really very cosy in my undercoat / bodysuit / overcoat arrangement, even very high up on the windy peaks.

Master has been perfectly behaved for these last (nearly) 800 miles. The original firmware has no appreciable problems as far as I can tell, except some pedal dipping that only happens on long sustained tight corners. That seems to take a while to reset itself after them, but if you expect it it's fine.

Did a bit of walking about in an earlier ride today, mainly to see if my blanking off the top 3rd of the Masters main light has fixed it being in everyone's eyes. I think it has - haven't a single complaint or cross look since as I wheel it about in pedestrianised areas. I think it has worked for cars coming at me head on too - they no longer slow down, and go wide as they approach me on the pavement. Good good. Wheel still charges to 133.9, and will not go higher than that no matter how long it is left on charge for.

Still not doing any seated riding. I sort of can do it, if I start off that way, but I can't find anywhere to put the Grizzlas where they are perfect for both standing and sitting - I don't like having to be on tippy toes right on the edge of the pedals, and transitioning between that and standing foot position is, at the moment, what my old nan would have described as 'sketchy as fuck'. Not sure how I'll ever circumvent that, but not sure I care - as I am all about the standing ride anyway, and tend not to do over 50 miles in a stretch so don't feel like I need to sit down to relive fatigue.

Lastly, got quite a few positive comments about the armour and lights today - everyone is properly loving those, except curmudgeonly older men interestingly, and I don't meet them so often, none today I was pleased to say ! Conversely, the older ladies seem to quite like it, and often come up and want to enthuse about it, which is nice.

Some residual schoolkids out in town who literally behave as if it's the coolest thing they've ever seen, and clear out of its way in hushed awe as I come past. Well done Begode - that's the sort of respect we want - lols 

Here she sits, doing her own cool backlighting while she charges for another day...

Edited February 22, 2023 by Cerbera

[Paul A]

1 hour ago, Cerbera said:

in hushed awe

 

Maybe give the school kids a free concert on a public piano as well. 

Easier than carrying an extension cord to try and plug in the Yamaha.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h86nJUHrJ1E